Europe is the global leader in tobacco use and vaping may be to blame, WHO warns
The WHO warns Europe will remain the world's largest tobacco consumer by 2030, with rising vaping rates, especially among young girls, hindering progress.Summary
A new report from the World Health Organization (WHO) projects that its European region, encompassing 53 countries, will continue to be the world’s largest tobacco consumer by 2030. While overall tobacco use is declining, the increasing popularity of e-cigarettes and flavored nicotine products is attracting a new generation of users. WHO Regional Director for Europe, Hans Kluge, stated that tobacco use currently causes over 1.1 million deaths annually in the region and without significant action, Europe will remain the worst-performing region globally. The report highlights a particularly concerning trend: e-cigarette use is rising rapidly among adolescents, with rates nearly equal between boys and girls, and is higher among young girls than boys in many countries. The WHO attributes this to deliberate industry strategies targeting young people with flavored products and sophisticated marketing. Kluge urges all countries in the region to regulate novel products, ban flavors, and restrict advertising to protect future generations, citing examples like Belgium, Denmark, and the Netherlands as positive models. The report also notes that Europe is unlikely to meet its 2025 target for reducing tobacco use among women, with over 40% of the world’s adult female smokers residing in the region.
(Source：Euronews)
