Nicotine addiction surge among European teens highlighted at Milan health conference

Health experts at the European Conference on Tobacco or Health in Milan warned of a growing nicotine addiction crisis among adolescents. Across Europe, about 4 million youths aged 13‑15 use tobacco products, and in the United Kingdom e‑cigarettes now exceed traditional cigarettes among the youngest. One in seven teenagers aged 15‑18 reported vaping before turning 13.

Data from an Irish survey of over 5,500 students aged 15‑18 showed that nearly 40 % have tried e‑cigarettes and more than 20 % use them regularly, with 13.7 % having vaped before age 13. In Italy, roughly 1.7 million adults aged 18‑34 regularly use e‑cigarettes or heated‑tobacco products, representing about 45 % of the nation’s total users. Experts said the new devices are normalising nicotine consumption and questioned the industry’s “reduction‑of‑harm” narrative, noting that vaping often does not help smokers quit and can lead to dual use of cigarettes and e‑cigarettes. Dual users face markedly higher health risks, including a 29 % increase in cardiovascular disease, 39 % rise in stroke risk, 41 % higher chance of chronic obstructive lung disease, and a 42 % boost in oral health problems.