World Health Organization: Young people in Europe use e-cigarettes more than cigarettes

According to a new report from the World Health Organization, the use of e-cigarettes has surpassed that of cigarettes among adolescents in Europe.

The WHO found that 32% of 15-year-olds had used an e-cigarette in the past 30 days, and 20% had ever used an e-cigarette.

Dr Hans Henry Krueger, WHO Regional Director for Europe, said: "The widespread use of harmful substances by children in many countries in the European region and beyond is a serious public health threat. Given that a person's brain is still developing in their mid-20s, teenagers need to be protected from harmful and dangerous products."

Historically, there have been differences between boys and girls, with boys smoking more than girls. For e-cigarettes, girls reach the same level of use as boys by age 15, and even exceed boys' use after age 15.

While acknowledging that health ministries in some countries see e-cigarettes as a positive alternative to adult smoking, the WHO expressed concern that manufacturers are aggressively targeting the younger market, which it said has led to a sharp rise in e-cigarette consumption in the 13 - to 15-year age group.

The WHO report calls for e-cigarettes to be included in smoke-free policies and similar measures to limit marketing, reduce toxicity, remove flavor and increase taxation. The WHO also called for e-cigarettes to be made available only to those trying to quit smoking, and for e-cigarettes to be regulated like medicines, rather than sold as consumer goods.