European girls aged 13-15 have world’s highest rate of tobacco use for age group
February 27, 2026 by theguardian.com
European girls aged 13-15 have world’s highest rate of tobacco use for age group
Teenage girls in Europe have high tobacco and e-cigarette usage rates, with Europe expected to lead in tobacco consumption until 2030. 40% of adult female smokers worldwide are in Europe, while 4 million European teens use tobacco. Europe also has high e-cigarette use among teens and adults. Tobacco-related deaths in Europe total 1.1m annually. WHO warns that without action, Europe will remain the worst region by 2030. The industry's targeting of young people contributes to high e-cigarette use among children. Countries like Belgium, Denmark, and the Netherlands show regulations can combat this trend. Only a third of European countries have comprehensive smoke-free laws. Strong tobacco control measures are needed to address evolving nicotine products and protect public health.
