Overview

• The report estimates at least 15 million users are aged 13–15, drawing on 2,034 national surveys that cover roughly 97% of the global population.
• Adolescents in that age group are on average nine times more likely to use e‑cigarettes than adults, signaling a concentrated burden among children.
• Adults make up at least 86 million users, with use concentrated largely in high‑income countries, according to the WHO analysis.
• Global tobacco use has declined from about 1.38 billion people in 2000 to roughly 1.2 billion in 2024, with women leading reductions and meeting the WHO target early.
• WHO leaders warn industry marketing is shifting to novel nicotine products that hook young people and call on governments to accelerate proven control policies.