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.


Disclaimer: 1. The content of this article is compiled from third-party information and is only for industry communication and learning. 2. This article does not represent the views of 2FIRSTS, and 2FIRSTS cannot confirm the truthfulness and accuracy of the article. The compilation of this article is only for communication and research within the industry. 3. Due to limitations in the level of compilation, the compiled article may not fully correspond to the original text, so please refer to the original text. 4. For any statements and positions concerning domestic, Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan, and foreign affairs, 2FIRSTS is fully aligned with the Chinese government. 5. The copyright of the compiled information belongs to the original media and author. If there is any infringement, please contact us for removal.



Disclaimer

This article is provided solely for professional research, industry discussion, and informational purposes. Any references to brands, companies, products, technologies, or policies are made for factual reporting and analytical purposes only, and do not constitute endorsement, recommendation, promotion, or advertising by 2Firsts.

Nicotine-containing products, including but not limited to cigarettes, e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products, and nicotine pouches, carry significant health risks. Readers are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions, including age restrictions and access limitations.

The information contained in this article should not be regarded as investment, legal, medical, regulatory, or commercial advice. While 2Firsts strives to ensure the accuracy and reliability of its content, it does not assume liability for any direct or indirect loss arising from errors, omissions, inaccuracies, or reliance on the information contained herein.

This article is not intended for individuals below the legal age for accessing tobacco or nicotine-related information in their jurisdiction.

 

Copyright Notice

This article is either original content produced by 2Firsts or content reproduced, translated, summarized, or adapted from third-party sources with attribution where applicable. The intellectual property rights of the original content remain with 2Firsts or the respective original rights holders.

No individual or organization may copy, reproduce, distribute, republish, modify, translate, or otherwise use this content without prior authorization. Any unauthorized use may result in legal action.

For copyright-related inquiries, corrections, or removal requests, please contact: info@2firsts.com.

 

AI-Assisted Translation and Editing Notice

Portions of this article may have been translated, edited, or reviewed with the assistance of artificial intelligence tools to improve efficiency and readability. Due to the limitations of AI-assisted translation and editing, discrepancies, omissions, or inaccuracies may exist when compared with the original source.

Where applicable, readers are advised to refer to the original source for the most complete and accurate information. If you identify any errors or believe that any content infringes upon your rights, please contact us at info@2firsts.com, and we will review and address the matter promptly.

Special Report | Vape bans and tougher rules: the South Caucasus takes different paths
Special Report | Vape bans and tougher rules: the South Caucasus takes different paths
Azerbaijan's sweeping e-cigarette ban has raised concerns over enforcement errors and the emergence of illicit sales, while neighboring Armenia is tightening technical rules and preparing higher excise taxes. Georgia, meanwhile, has resisted calls for broader vape restrictions and introduced preferential taxes for some domestically produced cigarettes. The divergent approaches across the South Caucasus highlight a regional policy dilemma: how to curb nicotine use and protect public health without encouraging black markets or creating unintended economic consequences for businesses and consumers.
Nov.03
EU Tobacco Tax Reform Targets November Push as Sweden Holds Nicotine-Pouch Minimum at €20 per Kilogram
EU Tobacco Tax Reform Targets November Push as Sweden Holds Nicotine-Pouch Minimum at €20 per Kilogram
The Irish presidency of the Council of the European Union is using bilateral talks to push the bloc’s Tobacco Taxation Directive toward a political agreement in November. According to Law360, citing an EU official, Sweden is unwilling to accept a minimum excise threshold above €20 per kilogram for nicotine pouches. Council negotiations have already lowered the European Commission’s original proposal, but a May 2026 presidency compromise still set the minimum at 10% of the tax-inclusive retail price or €30 per kilogram in 2028-29, with higher levels later.
Market
Sep.17 by 2Firsts Perspectives
EU Tobacco Tax Reform Stalls as Malta Withholds Support Despite Backing From 26 States
EU Tobacco Tax Reform Stalls as Malta Withholds Support Despite Backing From 26 States
EU finance ministers failed to reach agreement on tobacco excise reform at the November 9, 2026 Economic and Financial Affairs Council (ECOFIN) meeting in Brussels. The Irish Council presidency's compromise secured support from 26 of the EU's 27 member states, but Malta withheld consent, preventing the Council from reaching a general approach requiring unanimity. The reform would raise minimum taxes on conventional tobacco and bring e-cigarette liquids, heated tobacco and nicotine pouches into a common EU minimum excise framework. Finland and Estonia accepted further concessions during the meeting, while the presidency proposed separating the inclusion of nicotine pouches in the framework from setting their precise minimum tax rates. Another compromise would allow ten qualifying member states until 2036 to meet certain tobacco excise requirements. Ireland intends to continue negotiations in December.
Regulations
Nov.11
South Korea Extends Vape Rules to Unmanned Stores After Bringing Synthetic Nicotine Under Tobacco Law
South Korea Extends Vape Rules to Unmanned Stores After Bringing Synthetic Nicotine Under Tobacco Law
South Korea's Ministry of Gender Equality and Family said on September 14 that it plans to designate unmanned e-cigarette stores as businesses where minors are prohibited from entering or working. Operators would be required to verify customers' ages and display notices restricting access by minors. The proposal is open for public comment through October 6. The move follows an April expansion of South Korea's statutory tobacco definition that brought products made with natural or synthetic nicotine under the Tobacco Business Act. Nicotine-free liquids and products using nicotine analogues such as 6-methylnicotine, however, remain an emerging regulatory issue.
Sep.21
Product | Philip Morris Korea Launches Two TEREA ONYX Capsule Tobacco Sticks, Expanding Portfolio to Five Lines
Product | Philip Morris Korea Launches Two TEREA ONYX Capsule Tobacco Sticks, Expanding Portfolio to Five Lines
Philip Morris Korea launched TEREA ONYX, a new tobacco stick line for IQOS ILUMA devices, on October 15, 2026. The initial products, AMANG PEARL and CALI PEARL, feature tropical-inspired flavors, Fresh Filters and capsules designed to deliver different flavor experiences before and after activation. Both are priced at KRW 4,800 per pack and are available at convenience stores nationwide and IQOS-operated stores in South Korea. The launch expands the Korean TEREA portfolio from four product lines to five, following earlier capsule tobacco stick additions in 2026.
product
Oct.23
Product | KUMI SCENIC 50K Offers Nicotine and 6-Methyl Nicotine Versions as 6-MN Products Appear in Multiple U.S. State Directories, With Louisiana Listing FDA Exemption
Product | KUMI SCENIC 50K Offers Nicotine and 6-Methyl Nicotine Versions as 6-MN Products Appear in Multiple U.S. State Directories, With Louisiana Listing FDA Exemption
An October 2026 review of U.S. state vapor product directories found KUMI 6 SCENIC 50K listed in Louisiana and Nebraska. Louisiana classifies 20 related product entries as “FDA EXEMPTION.” The SCENIC platform is marketed in both conventional nicotine-salt and NoNic6 formulations, each advertised with 22mL e-liquid capacity and up to 50,000 puffs. U.S. wholesaler Midwest Goods listed both versions in August 2025 with a suggested retail price of $19.99 each. The NoNic6 version is associated with 6-methylnicotine and is also marketed by some distributors as “nicotine-free.”
product
Oct.27