Teen vaping surge in Europe

In early August, the European Union Drugs Agency released a report warning that electronic cigarettes, originally marketed for nicotine, are increasingly being used by adolescents to inhale synthetic cannabinoids and potent synthetic opioids. The agency highlighted seizures of such liquids across multiple EU member states and noted a sharp rise in nicotine exposure among Mexican teenagers, underscoring broader health concerns.

Two days later, the local police in Seville, Spain, launched a social‑media campaign to alert the public about the growing prevalence of vaping among minors. The campaign cited that more than half of teenagers aged 14‑18 in the city have tried vaping, with a quarter of 12‑13‑year‑olds having used a device at least once. Police seized over 9,000 illicit products, including vapes, and expanded their preventive Agente Tutor programme to reach a larger number of schools and students.

Together, the reports illustrate a widening European problem: rising nicotine levels and the diversification of substances delivered via vaping devices among youth, prompting both EU‑wide health alerts and local law‑enforcement interventions.