Overview

• The agency estimates at least 15 million e‑cigarette users are aged 13 to 15 worldwide.
• The report counts more than 100 million vapers globally, with use concentrated in higher‑income countries.
• WHO leaders say tobacco companies pitch e‑cigarettes as less harmful while cultivating early nicotine dependence among minors.
• Authors highlight heavy exposure to online ads and influencer content for nicotine products, calling such promotion difficult to regulate.
• Despite a long decline in adult smoking since 2000, WHO reports roughly 40 million children use tobacco and more than seven million people die from it each year.