In Ukraine, nearly one in five teenagers uses e-cigarettes
Nearly one in five Ukrainian teenagers aged 13–15 uses e-cigarettes, and the spread of poly-use is forcing parliament to seek new approaches to regulating the nicotine market. During a roundtable in the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Health of the Nation, WHO experts and MPs discussed the effectiveness of bans, enforcement of legislation, and the U.S. experience in this area. This was reported by RBC-Ukraine (Дарина Пшенична), according to the portal PromPolitInform.
Protecting children and adolescents from nicotine dependence is a shared responsibility of state institutions, healthcare professionals, and civil society organizations. The emergence of new product types is significantly altering traditional consumption patterns among minors. The discussion of current challenges took place during a special session at the parliamentary committee.
Teen E-Cigarette Use
According to the 2023 Global Youth Tobacco Survey, 19.6% of Ukrainian teens are current users of e-cigarettes. Andriy Skypalskyi, head of non-communicable disease control at the WHO Bureau in Ukraine, noted that this figure exceeds both traditional cigarette use and the Central European average. Meanwhile, approximately 85% of adolescents are aware of the harms of nicotine, yet first attempts typically occur between ages 12 and 13.
A key feature of the modern market is the rise of so-called poly-use, where youth consume multiple nicotine products simultaneously. Silviu Domente, WHO representative in Ukraine, highlighted that Ukrainian teens favor variety and may use between two to five different product types. This fosters strong nicotine dependence from multiple sources.
State Control and Ban Enforcement
A persistent challenge remains the practical enforcement of existing restrictions. In Ukraine, a ban on flavored e-cigarette liquids has been in effect since July 2024, yet illegal channels continue supplying products to consumers. A similar situation exists with oral tobacco snus, which is also prohibited by law.
Participants in the discussion diverged in their assessments of the future of nicotine pouches, which are rapidly gaining popularity due to colorful packaging and diverse flavors. Some experts advocate for a complete ban on this category, while others propose clear regulatory frameworks. Notably, MP Yuriy Zaslavskyi is the author of draft law №14110-4, which aims to define the legal status of such products.
The U.S. Regulatory Model
As a model for a detailed approach, the U.S. experience is being examined, where the Food and Drug Administration conducts individual scientific assessments of each product. The U.S. regulator has already authorized 43 types of nicotine pouches with nicotine content ranging from 2 to 11 mg per serving. Meanwhile, marketing of such products is strictly controlled, and claims about reduced harm require official approval.
Experts emphasize that effective tobacco control policy must address multiple fronts simultaneously. These include protecting youth from product access, strict composition and labeling requirements, advertising restrictions, school-based prevention, and medical support for cessation. The state should focus not only on formal bans but also on real enforcement at point-of-sale locations.
Photo: rada.gov.ua
