OECD Report: Irish Young People's E-cigarette Use Rate Ranks Fourth in The EU, Higher Than The EU Average

OECD report: Irish young people's e-cigarette use rate ranks fourth in the EU, higher than the EU average

According to an OECD report, the e-cigarette use rate among young people in Ireland ranks fourth in the EU, with more than 10% of young people aged 15-24 using e-cigarettes regularly, while the EU average is 2.7%.

According to ITV on December 26, a global report pointed out that the e-cigarette use rate among young people in Ireland ranks fourth in the EU.

According to the OECD's "Health at a Glance" report, which analyzes health trends in EU countries, including health data for Irish teenagers. The report shows that tobacco use, harmful alcohol consumption, malnutrition, lack of physical activity and obesity are important contributors to the disease burden and mortality rate in EU countries.

The report found that among 15-year-olds, Ireland's smoking rate is 7%, one of the lowest in the EU. Regarding the use of e-cigarettes, the report said it could be a "potential smoking cessation tool" but could also "lead to smoking, especially among teenagers." Data from 2022 showed that more than 10% of young people aged 15-24 and more than 5% of adults regularly use e-cigarettes in Ireland, while the EU averages are 2.7% and 2.1% respectively.

Irish Public Health Minister Colm Burke said,

"Ireland has long been a world leader in reducing smoking rates and we are also working towards our vision of a smoke-free Ireland, including raising the minimum age for tobacco sales to 21."