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The Rise of E-Cigarette Use Among South African Teens

Mar.13.2025
The Rise of E-Cigarette Use Among South African Teens
Research from Cape Town University reveals 16.8% of high school students in South Africa use e-cigarettes, regardless of income.

Key points:


A study conducted at the University of Cape Town found that 16.8% of high school students use e-cigarettes, and this phenomenon is not limited to high-income families.


A survey found that up to 61% of teenage e-cigarette users may be at risk of becoming severely addicted to nicotine.


More than half of students start using e-cigarettes due to social influences such as peer pressure or a desire to fit in with a group.


According to a recent report by iol, researchers at the University of Cape Town have found that an increasing number of high school students in South Africa are using e-cigarettes.


The study covered 25,000 high school students from 52 schools in eight provinces of South Africa. The research showed that approximately 16.8% of high school students use e-cigarettes, and e-cigarette use is not limited to high-income families.


Researchers estimate that up to 61% of teenage e-cigarette users may be severely addicted to nicotine. When asked why they started using e-cigarettes, over half of the students mentioned social influences, such as peer pressure or a desire to fit in.


References:
[1] Hooked on vapes: The alarming rise of e-cigarette use in South African schools
Also Read:
[1] South African parliament pushes e-cigarette legislation, plans public hearings
[2] South Africa Releases New Standards for E-cigarette Products
[3] South Africa Tobacco Control Advocacy Urges Government to Prioritize Legislation
[4] The Growing Threat of E-Waste from E-Cigarettes in South Africa
[5] ELFBAR Collaborates with South African Authorities to Combat Counterfeit E-Cigarettes
[6] High Smoking Rates in South Africa: GATS 2021 Report

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