A new study shows that the global number of vaping by teens is low

A new study is published today in a scientific journal Drug addiction found that approximately 8.6% of adolescents reported using e-cigarettes (vaping) in the past 30 days, but only 1.7% frequently used vape. This suggests that most teens who vape experiment, but do not make it a habit.

Researchers from the University of Queensland (Australia) wanted to assess, as far as possible, the global prevalence teenage vaping. The researchers analyzed data from 151,960 adolescents from 47 countries who participated in a global survey of youth smoking by the World Health Organization (WHO) between 2015 and 2018. The overall weighted prevalence of adolescent smoking and frequent vaping over the past 30 days was 8.7% and 8.7%, respectively.

Lead author Dr Gary Chan says: “There are two plausible explanations for the low level of frequent vaping among young people. electronic cigarettes relatively new and often sold in colorful packaging with a very pleasant taste flavors which may appeal to teenagers, leading to experiments but not to further use. Second, while some e-cigarettes contain high levels of nicotine, teens can also use e-cigarettes without nicotine or low in nicotine and avoid addiction. In future WHO surveys, participants should be asked to disclose whether there is nicotine is in the liquids they use ”.

The researchers also wanted to test the link between the implementation of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) policy on tobacco control and adolescent vaping. In 2008, the WHO introduced the MPOWER policy package with six policies to reduce tobacco use: monitoring, smoking-free environment, smoking cessation programs, health warnings, advertising bans and taxation. The implementation of this policy has reduced tobacco use; however, it is unclear whether this policy has affected the consumption of e-cigarettes by young people.

Using data from 44 countries where implementation data were available, the researchers found inconclusive evidence that the implementation of the five MPOWER policies was associated with low vaping levels in adolescents. The implementation of the sixth policy – raising taxes on tobacco products – was interestingly related to the increase in the number of teenagers vaping. This suggests that some teenagers in countries with higher tobacco taxes may replace e-cigarettes. cigarettes.

Provided by the Society for the Study of Addiction