Nicotine consumption shifts toward vaping among youth

Recent studies and reports indicate a significant shift in nicotine consumption patterns, with a notable rise in vaping among adolescents and younger populations.

In Costa Rica, a report from the University of Costa Rica’s School of Public Health reveals that 32.1% of high school students have used electronic cigarettes at least once. The report highlights that the physical characteristics, flavors, and colors of these devices make them highly attractive to teenagers. Among students aged 13 to 15, approximately 23% use electronic cigarettes, compared to 6.2% who are current traditional tobacco smokers. The market also shows a high density of vaping products, with nicotine concentrations reaching up to 55 milligrams in some instances.

Complementary macro-studies presented at the European Respiratory Society Congress in Barcelona, focusing on data from Austria and Ireland, show that while traditional smoking rates have declined, nicotine addiction is evolving. In Austria, traditional smoking dropped from 24.2% to 16.3% over a twelve-year period, but the use of alternative nicotine products like vaping surged from 0% to 17.2%. Researchers noted that the average age of starting nicotine use has dropped significantly, with many users now starting around age 15, prompting calls for specific public health policies to deter youth from all forms of nicotine products.