Smoking falls in Austria as vaping rises from zero to 17.2%
Three large studies together show that although the number of people who smoke is declining, people are taking up smoking at a younger age and vaping has increased, particularly among children and young people.
Three large studies have revealed that while smoking rates in Austria and Ireland continue to decline, the use of alternative nicotine products, such as vaping, has risen significantly, particularly among younger individuals. The research was presented at the European Respiratory Society's Congress in Barcelona, Spain. Dr. Charmaine Helk-Lim, from the Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Lung Health in Vienna, Austria, found that smoking fell from 24.2% to 16.3% over a 12-year period, while the use of vaping products increased dramatically from 0% to 17.2%.
Another study led by Professor Joan Hanafin from the TobaccoFree Research Institute in Ireland showed that among Irish 15- to 16-year-olds, while smoking rates fell, vaping increased from 10.1% to 15.7%, often without previous cigarette use. A third study by Professor Luke Clancy indicated that both smoking and vaping generally increased from adolescence into young adulthood, with current e-cigarette use reaching 38% by age 25 and current smoking at 25%.
These findings highlight the need for comprehensive public health measures to address nicotine addiction across all forms of nicotine products, especially among children and young people.
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