WHO Teen Vaping Report Highlights

In a landmark release in October 2025, the World Health Organization (WHO) issued a stark warning about the explosive rise of teen vaping across the globe. According to the WHO Teen Vaping Report, at least 15 million adolescents aged 13 to 15 are using e-cigarettes, highlighting a growing epidemic of nicotine addiction among youth.

Alarmingly, teenagers are up to nine times more likely than adults to vape, a ratio that has caused concern among public health experts and policymakers.

First Global Estimate of Vaping

The WHO Teen Vaping Report marks the first comprehensive global estimate of vaping. The report states that there are over 100 million vape users worldwide, including 86 million adults, mostly living in high-income countries. While tobacco use has declined in recent years, aggressive marketing strategies by the industry have shifted the focus towards youth vaping, particularly in urban and digitally connected regions.

Key Numbers from the WHO Teen Vaping Report

• Teen vapers (13–15 years): 15 million globally

• Teenagers vape 9x more than adults

• Total global vapers: 100 million+

• Adult vapers: 86 million, primarily in high-income nations

These figures highlight the severity of the teenage vaping epidemic and the urgent need for intervention to prevent lifelong addiction.

Tobacco Use Declining, But Vaping on the Rise

The WHO Teen Vaping Report also notes a decline in traditional tobacco use, which fell from 1.38 billion users in 2000 to 1.2 billion in 2024. However, this decrease has not eliminated nicotine addiction.

Many tobacco companies have pivoted to promoting electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) such as e-cigarettes, leading to a surge in youth vaping trends. Flavored products, social media marketing, and peer influence have all contributed to making vaping among teenagers more appealing.

Health and Policy Concerns

The WHO Teen Vaping Report warns that e-cigarettes are not risk-free, especially for adolescents whose brains are still developing. Early nicotine exposure can impair cognitive function, attention, and emotional regulation. Furthermore, adolescents who vape are more likely to transition to regular cigarette smoking, raising long-term health risks.

While some public health experts argue that vaping may help adult smokers quit tobacco use, the WHO Teen Vaping Report cautions that these potential benefits are outweighed by the surge in youth uptake and the vaping health risks associated with adolescent e-cigarette use.

Global Regulatory Gaps

Many countries lack effective laws to restrict youth vaping, sale, advertising, and flavoring of e-cigarettes. Some have implemented bans, but enforcement remains inconsistent.

The WHO Teen Vaping Report urges governments to adopt stricter regulations, including:

• Age restrictions on purchase

• Bans on flavored products targeting youth

• Public education campaigns about vaping health risks

• Taxation and packaging controls similar to tobacco use policies

Regional Trends and Global Response

Europe now leads in tobacco prevalence, surpassing other regions. Despite the global decline in smoking, one in five adults still uses tobacco products, placing additional pressure on health systems. The rise of teen vaping worldwide is particularly strong in high-income and urban areas, where digital platforms influence youth culture.

The WHO Teen Vaping Report emphasizes the need for a global response to the youth vaping epidemic. Countries are encouraged to implement e-cigarette regulations that protect adolescents and reduce youth nicotine addiction.

Final Thoughts

The WHO Teen Vaping Report, released in October 2025, has raised global concern over the rapid surge in teen vaping. According to the World Health Organization, nearly 15 million adolescents aged 13 to 15 now use e-cigarettes, making teenagers up to nine times more likely to vape than adults.
This report, the first global estimate of vaping, reveals that there are over 100 million vape users worldwide, with 86 million adults mostly from high-income countries.
While tobacco use has declined since 2000, the tobacco industry’s shift toward promoting electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) has redirected addiction toward young people.
Experts warn that nicotine exposure during adolescence can harm brain development, attention, and emotional control and may increase the risk of smoking later in life.