OECD 2024 Report: Decline in Smoking & Rise in Vaping

On 18 November 2024, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), in collaboration with the European Commission, published its "Health at a Glance: Europe 2024". This biennial report brings together the latest information on the health of citizens of the European Union and focuses in particular on the issue of smoking. One trend stands out: smoking is declining, while the e-cigarette is increasingly being used as a smoking cessation tool. In this article, find the results of these surveys as well as all our advice on overcoming tobacco dependence.

Smoking among young people and adults

The OECD report highlights the decline in smoking among teenagers in the majority of EU countries, with the exception of Bulgaria, Romania, and Spain. In 2022, nearly one in six 15-year-olds (17%) reported having smoked cigarettes at least once in the past month, compared to 23% in 2014. This decline is linked to increases in tobacco taxes, indoor public smoking bans, and restrictions on advertising and plain packaging. In 2016, flavored cigarettes were notably banned from sale in the EU.

As with teenagers, smoking among adults is declining; over the past ten years, smoking has fallen by nearly 15% in almost all European countries, reaching 18% of smokers in 2022. The proportion of daily smokers varies by a factor of two depending on the EU country, from 25% or more in Bulgaria, Greece, Hungary, and France to less than 12% in Denmark, Finland, and Sweden. As with teenagers, the decline in adult smokers is undoubtedly linked to the implementation of stricter anti-tobacco policies.

A clear correlation between the decline in tobacco use and the use of e-cigarettes

The OECD report shows that the sharp increase in the vaping rate has been accompanied by a significant reduction in the number of tobacco smokers. This trend shows that the e-cigarette is an extremely effective smoking cessation tool in most European countries: in 2020, more than 50% of European vapers had adopted the e-cigarette as part of quitting or reducing their tobacco consumption.

The e-cigarette is increasingly considered an effective substitute for traditional tobacco, particularly among those looking to reduce their exposure to the harmful substances produced by cigarette combustion. Cigarette smoke contains toxic substances such as tar and carbon monoxide, whereas the e-cigarette works by vaporization, without combustion. These are the very substances that pose risks of cancer, heart disease, and lung disease.

Vaping and smoking at the same time: good or bad idea?

60% of European vapers surveyed also reported using both traditional cigarettes and e-cigarettes simultaneously. Someone wishing to quit tobacco for good should not smoke and vape at the same time. This dual use should only last for a very short transition period. Alternating with traditional cigarettes is strongly discouraged, as the user remains a smoker. Replacing a few cigarettes a day with vaping does not reduce the dangers of smoking. The harmful effects of tobacco do not depend on the number of cigarettes smoked: even just one cigarette a day already carries significant risks. With a single cigarette, a smoker's mortality rate is 1.5 times higher than that of a non-smoker.

Successfully transitioning from traditional cigarettes to e-cigarettes

To put an end to smoking, you need to stop smoking entirely and switch exclusively to e-cigarettes in order to maximize your chances of success. The e-cigarette is today the most flexible and customizable solution for successfully quitting tobacco. Vaping allows you to gradually reduce your nicotine dependence at your own pace, without the harmful substances found in tobacco, while retaining the familiar hand-to-mouth gesture of smoking.

The secret to a smooth transition is choosing the right nicotine level. If after a few days of vaping you are ready to give up your goals and go back to cigarettes, it means the nicotine level is not perfectly suited to your needs. Depending on your level of dependence, we recommend choosing a nicotine level of:

• 3 mg/mL for fewer than 5 cigarettes per day
• 6 mg/mL for fewer than 10 cigarettes per day
• 11 mg/mL for 10 to 20 cigarettes per day
• 16 mg/mL for 20 to 30 cigarettes per day
• 19.6 mg/mL for 30 cigarettes per day or more

As for the flavor of your e-liquid, go with whichever appeals to you most. The goal is to combine the pleasure of vaping with effectiveness in order to steer you away from cigarettes. If you're not sure what to choose, we recommend opting for a classic-flavor e-liquid, whose aromas imitate the taste of a traditional cigarette. We also offer a selection of the best e-liquids to quit smoking! As for vaping equipment, we have tested and approved 10 ideal e-cigarettes for quitting smoking.

In the first days after your last cigarette, don't hesitate to redirect your attention when you feel the urge to smoke: a glass of water, a few squats, or a sugar-free piece of chewing gum are very effective at making the craving pass. Also let your loved ones know so they can offer their support — a key factor in your success.