World No-Tobacco Day: Rise in E-Cigarette use among youth raises alarm

This year's theme: “Protecting children from tobacco industry interference”, highlights the critical need to shield young people from the tactics used by the tobacco industry to attract a new generation of users.

In recent years, significant progress has been made in reducing the number of young people who smoke traditional cigarettes. A survey done by the Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) organisation states that since 2021, there has been a noticeable decline in smoking rates among children, with only 3.6% of them currently smoking in 2023.

However, the decline in smoking has been accompanied by a substantial rise in the use of e-cigarettes among young people. As of 2023, 7.6% of children are currently vaping, a figure more than double the rate of traditional smokers.

This shift highlights a new challenge in the fight against nicotine addiction. While fewer young people are smoking cigarettes, more are turning to e-cigarettes.

The use of e-cigarettes is particularly prevalent among different categories of smokers. According to a survey conducted by the ASH organisation, current use of e-cigarettes among 11 to 17-year-olds is considerably higher among current smokers (57%) compared to those who are former smokers (42%) and those who have never smoked (2.3%).

This shows that even though vaping is promoted as a tool for smoking cessation, it is slowly becoming a primary introduction to nicotine for many youths.

Health Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni Muriuki noted that, despite a decline in tobacco use from 12% in 2014 to 9% in 2022, Kenya now faces a new challenge with the rapid spread of Novel Nicotine and Emerging Tobacco Products (NNETPs) such as nicotine pouches, vapes and electronic cigarettes. These products are creating new avenues for nicotine addiction among our youth.

Raphael, a 21-year-old from Nairobi, shares his journey from smoking traditional cigarettes to using e-cigarettes.

“I started smoking cigarettes back in high school when I was 16. By the time I was in my early twenties, I was smoking almost a pack a day. I was advised to quit due to health reasons. I managed to slowly quit smoking cigarettes but quitting nicotine entirely proved to be hard.

"That’s when I turned to e-cigarettes ‘vape’. They seemed like a safer alternative and helped me function like normal. Now I am mostly dependent on it and find myself vaping constantly. The ease of use and different flavours make it hard to put down,” says Raphael.

The tobacco industry has long employed aggressive marketing strategies to target young people, and these new nicotine products are no exception. With flavours like cotton candy and mango, attractive packaging and a strong online presence, these products are particularly appealing to children and teenagers. And who wouldn’t want to try them?

As we observe World No-Tobacco Day 2024, it is crucial to recognize the evolving landscape of nicotine addiction and the need to adapt our strategies to address these emerging trends effectively.