Filenews 1 March 2025
Cypriot students rank highest in Europe in the use of e-cigarettes and hookahs, according to the Pan-European Survey "ESPAD", while 4.6% of students reported daily use, surpassing the average of other European countries (3.1%) that participated in the survey.
These data were published by the Cyprus Addictions Authority (AAEK), on the occasion of the 20 years of implementation of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), of the World Health Organization (WHO), which is a global treaty that recognizes the fact that the epidemic of tobacco use is a global problem with serious consequences for public and individual health.
According to AAEK in a General Population survey (in people aged 15-64), which is conducted in Cyprus every 4 years, the longitudinal stability in the age of smoking initiation, which is 18 years, is highlighted.
About 4 out of ten smokers (38%) have smoked an e-cigarette in the last month, while compared to 2019 there is a significant increase in the percentage of smokers who tried the e-cigarette (57% vs 21%).
Moreover, AAEK reports that 40% in Cyprus have stated that the main reason for using e-cigarettes is the desire to quit smoking conventional cigarettes, with the largest percentage wanting to stop smoking in the age groups 25-44 years.
Regarding the student population, the Pan-European Survey 'ESPAD' (2019 the most recent), in which Cyprus participates and which concerns students aged 15-16, showed that 14% reported using conventional cigarettes in the last month with this percentage being in a downward trend, compared to previous years (18% in 2015 and 23% in 2011).
AAEK, taking into account the data on new tobacco products, says that its priority is to enlighten young people about these products, focusing on the effects they have on their health, noting that the false impression that such products are "less harmful" compared to conventional cigarettes, leads to increased consumption by young people.
Through an enlightenment campaign and information leaflet, which has been promoted to all secondary schools and specifically to Counselling and Vocational Education teachers, the correct information is given about the "myths" and "truths" about these products, the Authority says.
At the same time, it promotes targeted information and awareness campaigns for teachers and parents regarding the use of tobacco or other new tobacco products and their consequences on children's health.
Moreover, it stresses that it continues to promote the amendment and strict implementation of the legislation, as a key measure to avoid the consequences of the use of new and conventional tobacco products, both for the individual user and for the passive smoker.
Referring to the Framework Convention, AAEK notes that despite the significant progress in tobacco control it has brought, there are still approximately 1.3 billion tobacco users worldwide, with 80% residing in low- or middle-income countries, where socio-economic burdens are greatest.
"Since its entry into force in February 2005, the WHO FCTC has kept tobacco control on the global agenda, promoted international cooperation, and provided countries with a framework for national action to combat the global tobacco epidemic. The prevalence of tobacco use has been steadily decreasing since the entry into force of the WHO FCTC (estimated at 29.3% in 2005), with a projected global prevalence of 18.1% by 2030.
CNA
