Increase in Teen Use of E-Cigarettes: Study Finds.

Sep.05.2022
Increase in Teen Use of E-Cigarettes: Study Finds.
New study finds high rates of e-cigarette use among Irish teenagers who have never smoked before.

A study has shown that a significant number of teenagers trying out e-cigarettes have never smoked before. Researchers from the Irish Cancer Society found that the proportion of 16 and 17-year-olds who have tried e-cigarettes has increased from 23% in 2014 to 39% in 2019.


According to a recent survey, 39% of teenagers have tried e-cigarettes, while 32% have tried traditional cigarettes. Of those who have tried e-cigarettes, 68% have never tried traditional tobacco products.


According to data from thousands of adolescents, the main reasons for trying electronic cigarettes among teenagers are curiosity (66%) and their friends using e-cigarettes (29%), with only 3% of respondents stating that they wanted to quit smoking.


Meanwhile, researchers have found that young individuals with parents who smoke are 55% more likely to try electronic cigarettes.


According to Professor Luke Clancy, director of the research institute, "We have found that more and more Irish teenagers are using e-cigarettes, which is a phenomenon occurring in other parts of the world as well. People believe that e-cigarettes are a better choice than smoking, but our research shows that this does not apply to teenagers who have not tried cigarettes before using e-cigarettes.


Chief Researcher Joan Hanafin stated, "The number of young people using electronic cigarettes is rapidly changing, so it is important that we continue to monitor the situation in Ireland and around the world. We also plan to conduct research on social media to understand how it affects teenage e-cigarette behavior.


Professor Jonathan Grigg, Chairman of the Tobacco Control Committee of the European Respiratory Society, has stated: "This applies not only to Irish teenagers but also to families around the world".


Earlier this year, another report by Action on Smoking and Health concluded that the proportion of children vaping is on the rise, with many being influenced by social media websites such as TikTok.


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