Vaping in teenagers is off the charts according to the latest health ministry statistics provided by minister Neophytos Charalambides, following relevant parliamentary questions by Alma MPs Odysseas Michaelides and Litsa Drousiotou.
The epidemiological data indicate that 16% of pupils aged 15-16 have smoked over the last month, with that percentage rising up to 23% when including vaping, out of which almost a third are teenage girls.
In regard to daily vaping, Cyprus ranks higher that the European average.
Almost one in four 15 year old Cypriots have admitted to vaping at least once in their lives, out of which 8% were regular users.
The student percentage is even higher. Vaping in university undergrads is now approaching 60%.
According to World Health Organisation numbers, 15 million teenagers aged 13-15 regularly smoke e-cigarettes and are nine times more likely to use them in comparison to the adult population.
WHO points out the fact that vaping and nicotine products provide a choice of more than 16 thousand products, sweet, fruity and candy, giving a taste which raises demand, particularly amongst children and teenagers.
Social media and influencers are the main source of ‘pushing’ these products.
