The prevalence of smoking among adults in Ukraine has declined, yet the popularity of new tobacco and nicotine products is rising among young people. These findings were released by the NGO “Life,” citing a survey conducted by the World Health Organization in 2024.
According to the study, the share of adults who use tobacco and nicotine products fell from 27% in 2023 to 26% in 2024. Daily tobacco or nicotine use remains at 22% of Ukrainians. At the same time, the smoking rate of traditional cigarettes among men has noticeably decreased.
In contrast, the 18–29 age group shows the opposite trend. The share of young people consuming tobacco products grew from 36% to 42%. E-cigarettes have become the most popular choice, with 20% of young adults using them — twice as many as the year before. Traditional cigarettes are losing ground, now smoked by just 14% of young Ukrainians.
Flavored products are also gaining traction. Currently, 22% of Ukrainians consume only flavored tobacco and nicotine products, compared to 15% in 2023. The highest demand is observed among young people, with more than half of those aged 18–29 preferring flavored products. Women are also more likely to choose them, with 27% reporting use.
Experts note that these results highlight a shift in consumer preferences within the tobacco sector and underscore the importance of ongoing monitoring of trends, particularly among younger generations.
Read also: Seventeen more Ukrainian children rescued from occupation
