TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — E-cigarette use in Taiwan has declined, the Health Promotion Administration said Friday.
Data showed that 6.3% of high school and vocational school students used e-cigarettes in 2023, down from 8.8% in 2021. Among junior high school students, usage also fell, from 3.9% to 3.2% over the same period, according to CNA.
Among college students, usage dropped from 5.3% in 2022 to 3.8% in 2024. The adult usage rate declined to 1% in 2024, compared to 1.4% two years earlier.
The HPA said many youths first encountered e-cigarettes by receiving them for free from friends or family members. Other common sources included online purchases and direct peer-to-peer sales.
To help parents spot potential e-cigarette use, the agency urged them to watch for unfamiliar electronic devices, chargers, metal coils, or unmarked liquid containers in their children’s belongings.
Unusual sweet or fruity odors on clothing, in rooms, or on the body may also indicate use. Changes in spending habits, such as rapidly used allowances or unexplained online purchases, could be additional red flags.
Nicotine exposure from e-cigarettes can affect the brain, the administration added. It may cause mood swings, difficulty concentrating, anxiety, headaches, or nausea.
The administration reminded the public that selling, or promoting e-cigarettes is prohibited in Taiwan. Sharing related content online or via messaging apps could also break the law.
