According to a recent survey, the percentage of young smokers has decreased in Paris. The first declines are believed to date back to 2011, a date that coincides with the introduction of the e-cigarette
The annual survey conducted by the organization “Paris sans Tabac” is based on a poll of a representative sample of Parisian middle and high schools. The results are striking: between 2011 and 2014, the number of young smokers decreased by about 10%. Among 16- to 19-year-olds, the proportion of smokers fell from 43% to about 33%. Among 12- to 15-year-olds, it dropped from 20% to 11%.
Opponents of e-cigarettes like to highlight the risk that this product could serve as a gateway to smoking among young people, yet smoking rates among young people are reportedly on the decline.
There may be a link between this decline and e-cigarettes
According to Professor Bertrand Dautzenberg, a pulmonologist who advocates for vaping and serves as president of the OFTA (French Office for Tobacco Prevention), which conducted the survey, there is a clear link between the rise of e-cigarettes and the decline in smoking among young people. In fact, 40% of them have tried vaping.
Let’s all remember that the sale of cigarettes (and e-cigarettes) to minors is prohibited. This is a very good thing. At Liquidbox, we make it a point of honor to verify the age of our users as thoroughly as possible. It is important not to turn e-cigarettes into a gateway to smoking, nor to make it easier for young people to access nicotine-containing products.