Young people have very easy access to all nicotine products, such as e-cigarettes and vaporizers, according to a study released Tuesday. It is interesting that young people rate access to these products as “very easy” more than their parents.
Access to all nicotine products, including e-cigarettes and tobacco heaters, is still very easy among young people, according to a survey conducted in October 2024 among a group of 1,000 parents and 500 15-17-year-olds. Up to 83% of teenagers and parents of the respondents consider it easy or very easy, and 74% do not see any problem in buying such products. It is interesting that teenagers rate this product as very easy to access more than parents.
The report was prepared on the occasion of World No Tobacco Day, which falls on November 21 this year (held every year on the third Thursday of the month). The Rotary Club of Warsaw and the Institute of Social and Market Research prepared a study on the availability and use of nicotine products by young people.
Parents are in favor of mandatory age verification at the time of purchase
Parents and youth are of the opinion that the most effective way is mandatory age verification of the buyer when buying tobacco products. Further areas mentioned included the introduction of a ban on online sales and a ban on advertising and marketing.
According to the authors of the study, the current activity of the Ministry of Health in the direction of the implementation of the law did not bring expected results. They also note that Poland is late in implementing EU directives (for example, the directive on flavors in water heaters) that are already in force in other countries. “Improving the protection of rights and education of children and young people, as well as the implementation of urgent directives of the European Union, is definitely necessary,” they emphasize.
Recognition of electronic cigarettes
According to the study, tobacco heaters are recognized among parents (79%) and teenagers (83%). According to the report, this may be the result of intensive marketing activities, as well as the large presence of these products in the market, for example, in shopping centers.
Disposable e-cigarettes are more common among minors (73%) than parents (51%). The least known are nicotine pouches, especially among young people – only 18 percent. The young people interviewed know what this product is. Teenagers are more likely than their parents to notice that disposable cigarettes are used by minors. This was recognized by 42 percent. adults and 48 percent of young people.
Parents (48%) are more interested in the use of tobacco heaters by minors than teenagers (41%). Surprisingly, only 7% of nicotine packs are observed. teenagers and much more, because 24 percent are adults.
Young people primarily point to disposable cigarettes (37%) as the most attractive nicotine products. In second place (26%) are tobacco heaters and in third place (10%). 27% of parents recommend electronic cigarettes, only 12% for heaters, and up to 16% believe that bags are attractive to young people.
“The use of nicotine products is a problem in our country”
Parents (73%) and teenagers (69%) observe that the use of nicotine products is a problem in our country. Young people are even more likely than adults to believe that it is “definitely serious” (46% and 36%, respectively).
Teenagers consider disposable e-cigarettes to be the biggest threat (42%). They put heaters in the second place (28 percent) and nicotine bags in the third place (8 percent). On the other hand, parents consider bags to be the biggest risk (28%). Disposable e-cigarettes threaten 15 percent. parents of the survey and heaters – 11 percent. Up to 45 percent of the surveyed parents could not answer the question, which nicotine products are the most dangerous for young people.
Both groups were asked which stimulants were the most dangerous for young people. Both parents (60%) and teenagers (52%) unanimously mentioned alcohol consumption. In second place are traditional cigarettes (17 and 14 percent), disposable cigarettes (7 and 13 percent), pouches (5 and 2 percent), tobacco heaters (4 and 6 percent) and electronic cigarettes (1 and 11 percent). ).
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