WHO warns of e-cigarette use among children

Expressing concern over the early recruitment of children to e-cigarette use, Tedros urged nations to implement stringent measures to protect their youth from nicotine addiction.

“Kids are being recruited at an early age to use e-cigarettes and may get hooked on nicotine. I urge countries to implement strict measures to prevent uptake and to protect their citizens, especially their children and young people,” said Tedros.

The WHO Chief highlighted the alarming lack of regulations in 88 countries regarding the minimum age for purchasing e-cigarettes and the absence of controls for the highly addictive nicotine content in 74 nations.

He noted that e-cigarettes have been allowed on the open market and marketed to young people.

Dr Ruediger Krech, Director for Health Promotion at the United Nations (UN) agency, noted the concerning trend of e-cigarette use among 16–19-year-olds, revealing doubled rates in Canada between 2017–2022 and a tripling in England (UK) over the past three years. 

“E-cigarettes target children through social media and influencers, with at least 16 000 flavours. Some of these products use cartoon characters and have sleek designs, which appeal to the younger generation. There is an alarming increase in the use of e-cigarettes among children and young people with rates exceeding adult use in many countries,” stated Dr Krech.

According to Dr Krech, a survey done by WHO revealed that children between the ages of 13 and 15 years of age are using e-cigarettes at rates higher than adults in all WHO regions. 

This update follows a September call by Senators in Kenya to ban electronic cigarettes.

Nominated Senator Catherine Mumma tabled a motion in Senate, raising concerns about the abuse of nicotine, particularly among underage users in primary and secondary schools, labeling vapes and shisha as the most abused e-cigarettes.

"We are worried these vapes and shisha have become the most abused e-cigarettes," said Mumma.