Gulf Health Council warns youth that e‑cigarettes are more harmful than traditional cigarettes

Warning from the Gulf Health Council

RIYADH – The Gulf Health Council warned youth in 2026 that e‑cigarettes pose greater health risks than traditional cigarettes.

According to the Gulf Health Council, the warning highlights potential long‑term health consequences, especially for young people.

WHO Findings on Youth Usage

The World Health Organization states that young people who use e‑cigarettes are nearly three times more likely to take up traditional cigarette smoking later in life.

In a 2024 report, the WHO estimated that about 37 million tobacco users worldwide were aged between 13 and 15.

Educational Guide and Prevention Measures

As part of its ongoing awareness campaign titled “Today Before Tomorrow,” the Gulf Health Council has released an educational guide aimed at empowering young people across the Gulf states to resist their first encounter with non‑traditional smoking products, to withstand social pressure and to make informed health decisions.

The guide stresses that these products are not safe and outlines how nicotine affects brain development, attention, learning, mood and impulse control up to the age of 25.

It also looks at the link between e‑cigarette use and symptoms of anxiety and depression, and warns about exposure to toxic and carcinogenic substances.

Further sections detail the harmful effects of smoking on the cardiovascular, respiratory and skeletal systems, as well as on oral and dental health, and examine impacts on sleep quality and academic performance.

The guide also addresses the risks of dual use of traditional and electronic cigarettes and cautions against misleading marketing practices.

The Council emphasized that families, schools and communities play a vital role in prevention, recommending early dialogue, age‑appropriate information, training in emotional regulation and problem‑solving, and support for coping with peer pressure and psychological stressors.