Health authorities warn of use of vapes among young people

Health authorities analyzing data from 2024 warn about the rising trend of electronic cigarettes and vapes among young people. 

1.13% of the population aged 15 or over consumes electronic cigarettes and more than 60% of those who use them or have used them also smoke.

The Secretary of Public Health, Esteve Fernández, explained that although the percentage of vape use is low, authorities are concerned about the growing trend as they can be a gateway to smoking.

Meanwhile, tobacco consumption among people over 15 years of age dropped slightly in 2024 to 21.4%. The previous year, this rate of consumption stood at 22.6%.

In 2010, 29.4% of the population smoked, showing a significant downward trend by 2024. The prevalence is higher among men (34.2%) than among women (16.8%).

By age, 28.1% of men aged 15-44 smoke, while 17.7% of women of this age do, and 29.3% of men aged 45-64 smoke compared to 22.9% of women in this age group.

Regarding passive smokers, 7.8% of non-smokers are exposed to tobacco at home. In 2010, this was 18.1% of the population.

Electronic cigarettes

The health department also wanted to especially emphasize the risk posed by electronic cigarettes.

Fernández pointed out that such tobacco products are a gateway for young people to tobacco consumption.

The head of the Prevention and Control of Smoking and Injuries service, Josep M. Suelves, insisted that this consumption is "more frequent" among adolescents and has criticized the "strategies" of the tobacco industry to reach this audience.

For Fernández, these products are "a real threat" and could halt the progress of policies made over the last 40 years to reduce tobacco consumption.

"We don't want them to start experimenting with this type of product, neither with tobacco nor with other nicotine products, which are presented in a very attractive and dangerous way," the secretary said.