Newsroom
A recent European-wide survey (ESPAD) has revealed that Cypriot students rank among the highest in Europe for e-cigarette and hookah use, with 4.6% reporting daily use—well above the European average of 3.1%. The data, released by the Cyprus National Addictions Authority (NAAC), reports concerns over youth tobacco consumption and the growing popularity of alternative smoking products.
Despite a decline in conventional cigarette use among 15- to 16-year-olds in Cyprus (from 23% in 2011 to 14% in 2019), the use of e-cigarettes is rising. Notably, 57% of smokers have tried e-cigarettes, a sharp increase from 21% in 2019. Many users (40%) cite quitting traditional cigarettes as their main reason for switching, with the highest percentage found in the 25-44 age group.
The NAAC is intensifying efforts to raise awareness among young people about the health risks of e-cigarettes and other new tobacco products, warning against misconceptions that they are "less harmful." To combat misinformation, the authority has launched educational campaigns, distributed informational materials in schools, and engaged teachers and parents in awareness initiatives.
Marking the 20th anniversary of the WHO’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, the NAAC acknowledges progress in global tobacco control but stresses the ongoing challenge, with 1.3 billion tobacco users worldwide.
