In March 2025, the latest report released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the United States attracted widespread attention: between 2017 and 2023, the number of adult e-cigarette users in the United States increased by 7.2 million, far exceeding the 6.8 million decrease in smokers during the same period. This data not only reveals the change in nicotine consumption, but also triggers a heated debate on the “harm reduction” and “health risks” of new tobacco products. As a representative company in the field of global health technology, VEEHOO calls for a balance between protecting the health of young people and promoting adult harm reduction based on scientific evidence.
The CDC report shows that e-cigarettes have become an important choice for American smokers to replace traditional cigarettes. A study by New York University pointed out that in 2022, 53.9% of smokers who quit smoked relied on nicotine substitutes, of which e-cigarettes were the main tool. Research from King’s College London in the United Kingdom further confirmed that after smokers switched to e-cigarettes, the level of carcinogens in their bodies decreased by more than 90%, and their cardiovascular function improved significantly.
However, the popularity of e-cigarettes is also accompanied by health risks for young people. According to the 2024 data of the World Health Organization, about 37 million adolescents aged 13-15 worldwide use tobacco products, among which e-cigarettes have become a “hard-hit area” due to the diversity of flavors and social media marketing. The American Heart Association warned that e-cigarettes may interfere with adolescent brain development and cause addiction, and the CDC report also showed that the use rate of adolescents continues to rise.
The rapid development of e-cigarettes has exposed the problem of lagging regulation:
Supporters believe that e-cigarettes are an effective tool to reduce the harm of traditional tobacco. For example, data from the National Center for Health Statistics of the United States show that the success rate of e-cigarettes in quitting smoking is higher than that of traditional prescription drugs, and British studies have confirmed that the risk of lung damage is significantly lower than that of cigarettes.
Opponents emphasize that excessive marketing in the e-cigarette industry has exacerbated the trend of youth use. The World Health Organization pointed out that some companies attract minors through Internet celebrity promotion and fruity design, and even lobby the government to relax regulations.
This contradiction is particularly prominent during the epidemic: traditional cigarette sales rebounded due to increased pressure, while e-cigarettes experienced a short-term decline due to the obstruction of offline channels. Market fluctuations reflect that policy making needs to take into account both public health goals and economic realities.
In response to the controversy over e-cigarettes, VEEHOO proposed three core principles: support CDC, WHO and other institutions to conduct follow-up research on the impact of e-cigarettes on adolescent health, and refer to the UK’s 10-year harm reduction effect evaluation model to avoid policies being swept up by short-term data or public opinion. For teenagers: strictly prohibit e-cigarette advertising and online sales, strengthen retailers’ age verification responsibilities, and impose heavy penalties on violators. For adult smokers: retain the accessibility of e-cigarettes as a harm reduction alternative, while suppressing non-essential consumption through tax adjustments.
Encourage companies to develop low-nicotine or nicotine-free products, and prevent minors from contacting them through Internet of Things technology (such as smart cigarette locking devices). VEEHOO has introduced biometric recognition functions in its heat-not-burn products to limit unauthorized use.
The explosive growth of e-cigarettes is both a public health challenge and an opportunity for technological innovation. VEEHOO believes that excessive “demonization” or “letting things go” is not desirable. Only hierarchical management based on scientific evidence, cross-departmental collaboration and industry self-discipline can achieve the dual goals of “reducing the harm of traditional tobacco” and “protecting the health of the next generation”. In the future, the global regulatory framework needs to respond to real needs in dynamic adjustments and avoid black-and-white policy traps.
Tags: e-cigarette user growth, adolescent health risks, reducing the harm of traditional tobacco, veehoo vape