1 in 5 Youths Smoke in Spain, Vaping Soars in Age Group
Nearly one in five young people in Spain aged 14 to 18 (19.3%) are current smokers, with a significant portion also using e-cigarettes, according to new survey data from “Smoke-Free Week” presented by the Spanish Society of Family and Community Medicine (semFYC). The survey highlights a dramatic rise in vaping among this age group.
Of these young smokers, 11.1% also report vaping. This means vape use among 14-18 year olds is nine times higher than the overall average (1.2%) and shows a considerable increase from 2024, when 6.6% of minors reported using such devices. Experts like Dr. José María García Basterrechea warn that youth vaping could lead to future tobacco addiction, noting that vapes are intended for adults trying to quit smoking.
Among 14-18 year olds, roll-your-own tobacco is the second most consumed product (8.9%), followed by conventional cigarettes (6.7%). The average age for smoking initiation is 14. While overall youth smoking has remained stable, a slight decrease in recent years is noted, potentially due to the rise in vaping.
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