KUWAIT: Dr Khalid Al-Saleh, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Kuwait Society for Combating Smoking and Cancer, highlighted the alarming global rise of vaping, particularly among young people. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the use of e-cigarettes has spread rapidly across all regions, with the number of young people aged 13 to 15 who use tobacco estimated at 37 million worldwide, surpassing the rates among adults.

Dr Al-Saleh shared that the society’s smoking cessation clinic has observed that while regular cigarette smokers are increasingly motivated to quit due to awareness of its harmful effects, there is a significantly lower percentage of e-cigarette users seeking help. In 2024, the clinic treated 121 patients of all ages, including 12 percent women. Of those, 6 percent successfully quit smoking, with ongoing follow-up and counseling sessions provided.

He emphasized that the relatively low number of e-cigarette users visiting the clinic could be attributed to the misconception promoted by media that e-cigarettes are a healthier alternative to traditional cigarettes. This misunderstanding has led many to believe there is no need to quit or seek help. Dr Al-Saleh warned that e-cigarettes are just as harmful as regular cigarettes. Scientific studies, including research published on the American medical platform PubMed, have linked e-cigarette use to an increase in sudden deaths, though the exact cause remains undetermined.

Dr Hussa Majid Al-Shaheen, representative of the Kuwaiti Society for Combating Smoking and Cancer in the National Anti-Smoking Program at the Ministry of Health, praised the program’s ongoing efforts to fight smoking. Al-Shaheen emphasized the importance of enacting laws to protect youth from the dangers of smoking, which not only harm health but also hinder the development of countries striving for growth across all sectors.