Belarus reports sharp decline in smoking, youth e-cigarette use reaches 15%

Oct.28.2024

Traditional smoking rates among Belarusian adolescents have declined significantly over the past 20 years, but e-cigarette use has increased, with about 15% of middle school students vaping - with girls showing a higher frequency of use.

The number of teenagers smoking traditional cigarettes in Belarus has decreased fivefold in the last 20 years, according to a report by BOBR.BY on 24 October. However, e-cigarettes have emerged as a new trend. A survey by the Belarusian Ministry of Health of around 3,500 middle school students found that 15% of teenagers now use e-cigarettes.

The survey found that e-cigarette use increases with age, with one in five ninth graders using e-cigarettes. Notably, female students are more likely to vape than males. In addition, many male students remain unaware of the potential risks associated with e-cigarettes.

The findings also show that around 80% of students think e-cigarettes are safe, with many saying they have no intention of quitting the habit.

Despite a 2022 ban on the sale of e-cigarettes and related products to minors in Belarus, half of the teenagers said they could easily buy them in shops.

References:

[1] Минздрав: курящих сигареты школьников стало в 5 раз меньше, но теперь в ходу вейпы

Also Read:

[1] Belarus Parliament Member Discusses Plans to Ban E-cigarette

[2] Smuggling of Camel Chewing Tobacco Seized at Belarus Border

[3] Increasing Trend of E-cigarette Usage among Belarusian Students

[4] Massive Illegal Sale of Tobacco Products Exposed in Russia

[5] British American Tobacco Sells Business in Russia and Belarus

[6] Unauthorized Sale of E-Cigarettes in Belarusian stores: Violation Investigation

[7] Belarus Bans Sales of 47 E-cigarette Products for Health Concerns

#Europe #Open system e-cigarettes #Belarus #Public opinion.

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

WHO MOP4 Focuses on Justice and Prosecution to Combat Illicit Tobacco Trade

The Fourth Meeting of the Parties (MOP4) to the Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products opened in Geneva on November 24, 2025. With 60 Parties participating, the meeting focuses on strengthening legal action and international cooperation to combat illicit trade, which accounts for about 11% of the global tobacco market and costs governments billions in lost tax revenue.

Nov.25 by 2FIRSTS.ai

Scottish Retailers Urge Government to Fast-Track Nicotine Pouch Regulations

The Scottish Grocers’ Federation (SGF) is calling on the government to clarify the regulatory framework for nicotine pouches in order to prevent high-strength and illegal products from entering the market, stressing that these products should not be targeted at minors.

Dec.04 by 2FIRSTS.ai

Canadian Media Investigation: BAT’s Nicotine Pouch ZONNIC Sparks Ongoing Controversy as Regulatory Gaps in Canada Come Under Scrutiny

Canadian outlet Rebel News released a long-form video report examining Canada’s regulatory framework for nicotine pouches, market dynamics, and the approval process of ZONNIC, a product of BAT subsidiary Imperial Tobacco Canada. The report highlights issues involving youth access, regulatory gaps, black-market activity, retailer feedback, and company responses. This article summarizes key points based on the video.

Dec.02 by 2FIRSTS.ai

Congress Calls on FDA to Allocate at Least $200 Million for ENDS Enforcement, Multi-Agency Task Force to Target Illegal e-Cigarette Imports. IKE Tech and Ispire Utilize Blockchain and Age Verification Technology to Support Regulation, Submit Chips as Part

Congress demands FDA allocate at least $200 million for ENDS enforcement; multi-agency task force to combat illegal e-cigarette imports.