The Rise of Water Pipes and E-cigarettes Among Spanish Youth

Sep.20.2024
The Rise of Water Pipes and E-cigarettes Among Spanish Youth
Spanish youth have turned to hookahs and e-cigarettes, surpassing traditional tobacco use, prompting calls for stricter regulation.

According to the Spanish media La Opinión de Murcia, the rise of hookah use in Spain during the COVID-19 pandemic was curbed due to public place bans. However, the use of these products has quickly rebounded post-pandemic, gradually replacing traditional tobacco among young people, along with e-cigarettes. Data provided by Adelaida Lozano Polo, representative and expert of the National Committee for Tobacco Prevention (CNPT) in the Murcia region of Spain, shows that in the latest national drug survey, 40% of Spanish adolescents (aged 14 to 18) reported using hookah in the past month.


The latest data from 2023 shows that tobacco consumption among 14 to 18 year olds in the region of Murcia is better than the national average. Despite the average age of first-time use being around 14 years old, the rate of daily smoking is lower, with 18.7% in the Murcia region compared to 21% nationally. Lorena Polo pointed out that "in all types of tobacco consumption, teenagers in the Murcia region, regardless of gender, are below the national average.


However, the age of those using these alternative devices is decreasing, with 9.5% of students aged 12 to 13 admitting to having used hookah, and even cases of 11-year-old students using e-cigarettes. The National Committee for Tobacco Control has warned that in recent years, the tobacco industry has expanded and repositioned its business by promoting heated tobacco and e-cigarette products, using powerful marketing tactics to attract young people with attractive ads and colors.


Experts believe that this strategy aims to offset the losses from declining cigarette sales. They have hired internet celebrities with thousands of followers on various platforms and social media to participate in large events and promote new forms of smoking. Products like hookah and e-cigarettes are becoming increasingly popular among young people, but they also come with the increased risks of traditional tobacco. The Spanish National Committee for Tobacco Prevention emphasized in its declaration the need for stricter regulation of these new tobacco products, including increased taxes, plain packaging, and a total ban on displays and advertising at point of sale.


Most of the people buying these products are not traditional tobacco users," observed Darío Moreno, the manager of a tobacco shop on the main street of Los Garres in the Murcia region. He mentioned that the initial hookah trend has slowed down and now the demand for e-cigarettes has surpassed hookahs. In his shop window, various shapes and sizes of hookah devices are displayed, ranging in price from 30 euros to 500 euros.


Regarding e-cigarettes, Moreno pointed out that there is a greater demand for rechargeable models and ones that can be refilled with capsules. Among these, those containing nicotine can be smoked up to 600 times, while those exceeding 600 times do not contain nicotine. This new trend has sparked widespread public and professional group attention.


We welcome news tips, article submissions, interview requests, or comments on this piece.

Please contact us at info@2firsts.com, or reach out to Alan Zhao, CEO of 2Firsts, on LinkedIn


Notice

1.  This article is intended solely for professional research purposes related to industry, technology, and policy. Any references to brands or products are made purely for objective description and do not constitute any form of endorsement, recommendation, or promotion by 2Firsts.

2.  The use of nicotine-containing products — including, but not limited to, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, nicotine pouchand heated tobacco products — carries significant health risks. Users are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions.

3.  This article is not intended to serve as the basis for any investment decisions or financial advice. 2Firsts assumes no direct or indirect liability for any inaccuracies or errors in the content.

4.  Access to this article is strictly prohibited for individuals below the legal age in their jurisdiction.

 

Copyright

 

This article is either an original work created by 2Firsts or a reproduction from third-party sources with proper attribution. All copyrights and usage rights belong to 2Firsts or the original content provider. Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or any other form of unauthorized use by any individual or organization is strictly prohibited. Violators will be held legally accountable.

For copyright-related inquiries, please contact: info@2firsts.com

 

AI Assistance Disclaimer

 

This article may have been enhanced using AI tools to improve translation and editorial efficiency. However, due to technical limitations, inaccuracies may occur. Readers are encouraged to refer to the cited sources for the most accurate information.

We welcome any corrections or feedback. Please contact us at: info@2firsts.com

Product | VOZOL Launches Two New E-Cigarettes with 40,000 Puffs and Four-Level Adjustable Output
Product | VOZOL Launches Two New E-Cigarettes with 40,000 Puffs and Four-Level Adjustable Output
VOZOL has launched two new e-cigarette models, VISTA 40K and STAR 40K, on its official website following their debut at the 2025 Dubai Expo. Featuring 40,000 puffs, a 1000mAh battery, “quantified” flavor descriptions, display screens, and S.i.L.C. Tech dual mesh coils, the devices are now available on UK distributor websites VapeSourcing and Vape Cave.
Jul.10
Indian Tobacco Control Expert Contributes to 2Firsts: Understanding India’s Smokeless Landscape
Indian Tobacco Control Expert Contributes to 2Firsts: Understanding India’s Smokeless Landscape
On the occasion of World No Tobacco Day 2025, Indian tobacco control expert Dr. Kiran Melkote contributed an article to 2Firsts, providing a comprehensive overview of the current landscape of smokeless tobacco products in India, the associated risks, and his recommendations for the future.
Jun.03
2Firsts Research | Dubai Market: Shift Away from Centralized Distribution Highlights Role as Key Product Testing Ground
2Firsts Research | Dubai Market: Shift Away from Centralized Distribution Highlights Role as Key Product Testing Ground
Before the 2025 Dubai Vape Expo, 2Firsts visited Dragon Mart to research the local market. They found Dubai's role as a transit hub is fading, with tougher competition and lower wholesale profits. Loose regulation allows both legal and illegal products. At the same time, Dubai is becoming a key place for testing and launching new vape products.
Jun.17
Photo Gallery | 2025 Dubai E-Cigarette Expo Officially Opens, Over 300 New Tobacco Brands Gather and Showcase
Photo Gallery | 2025 Dubai E-Cigarette Expo Officially Opens, Over 300 New Tobacco Brands Gather and Showcase
The 2025 Dubai E-Cigarette Expo officially opened on June 18, with over 300 companies from around the world participating. As an official media partner, 2Firsts is on-site for the third time, providing in-depth coverage focused on exhibition updates, industry trends, and brand highlights. Exclusive photo galleries offer a direct look at the vibrant scenes from the expo floor.
Jun.18
PMI Positions Indonesia as Key Asia-Pacific Hub to Drive Innovation and Export of New Tobacco Products
PMI Positions Indonesia as Key Asia-Pacific Hub to Drive Innovation and Export of New Tobacco Products
PMI and its Indonesian affiliate Sampoerna are investing $330 million (IDR 5.35 trillion) to build Southeast Asia’s first smoke-free product facility in Karawang, West Java. As PMI’s seventh global site for next-gen products, the plant includes Asia’s only advanced lab of its kind. It produces devices like IQOS and VEEV and has launched a localized BLENDS line, now available in 20 major Indonesian cities.
Jul.04 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Photo Collection of New Products: A Comprehensive Review of Innovative E-Cigarette Products at the Dubai Vape Show
Photo Collection of New Products: A Comprehensive Review of Innovative E-Cigarette Products at the Dubai Vape Show
The official media partner of the exhibition, 2Firsts, visited the exhibition hall in depth and observed on the spot that many brands showcased multifunctional all-in-one e-cigarettes and other new types of e-cigarette products with diverse forms.
Jun.23