Youth Tobacco Consumption in Spain: Decline in Smoking, Rise in E-cigarette Usage

According to a report from the European News Agency on May 31st, tobacco consumption among teenagers aged 14 to 18 in Spain has significantly decreased in the past thirty years. However, the use of e-cigarettes has skyrocketed, with now over half of teenagers aged 14 to 18 having tried an e-cigarette.

According to data released by the FUNCAS Foundation of Savings Banks in Spain on the eve of World No Tobacco Day, thirty years ago, 32.5% of 14 to 18 year olds had smoked in the past 30 days, but by 2023, this percentage had steadily decreased to 21%. The decrease in tobacco consumption is more pronounced compared to trends in consumption of other substances such as alcohol and marijuana.

However, what researchers are concerned about is that the tobacco consumption rate among female students has consistently been higher than male students. Although females smoke fewer cigarettes than males, the proportion of female smokers has been consistently higher than males year after year. Contrary to popular belief, the proportion of daily smokers among 14 to 18 year old females is higher than males. The rapid decline in smoking rates among high school girls has narrowed the gender gap. In 1996, 38% of girls and 26% of boys had smoked in the past 30 days, a difference of 12%. By 2023, this gap had narrowed to 4%, with 23% of females smoking compared to 19% of males.

Although the survey did not provide daily usage data for e-cigarettes, the 30-day prevalence of e-cigarette use in 2023 has surpassed that of traditional tobacco, with rates at 26.3% and 21% respectively. As e-cigarettes continue to grow rapidly in popularity, awareness among adolescents of the risks associated with their use has also significantly increased. In 2021, only 22% of adolescents believed that occasional use of e-cigarettes could be harmful to health; however, two years later, this proportion has nearly doubled to 39%.