By Ilda Hoxha

Driven by social media and influencers, children and teenagers in Albania are increasingly using electronic cigarettes, which are sold illegally and pose a risk to their health.

Enkelejda reports that her niece first tried an electronic cigarette at the age of 12 and has since become a regular user. The woman from Tirana is worried about the health impacts on her minor niece, who has developed increased anxiety and insomnia.

‘My niece now uses the electronic cigarette every day. She purchases them online, and it’s the influence of her peers that has led her to this habit,’ she says.

Enkelejda is not alone in her concern.

Electronic cigarettes—also referred to as VAPEs—are gaining growing popularity among children and adolescents in Albania, who purchase them without difficulty, even though current legislation forbids their sale to individuals under 18.

A survey conducted through the ECR platform revealed that Faktoje spoke with parents and family members who are worried about their children starting to use electronic cigarettes as young as 13, driven by social influence and targeted advertising.

Parents also reported that their children easily buy these cigarettes from specialized VAPE stores, supermarkets, or obtain them from friends and peers.

Approximately 66% of parents and family members believe that their children have developed an addiction to electronic cigarettes. More concerning is that 43% of parents have reported that their children have experienced negative health effects from using these devices, such as anxiety, insomnia, and respiratory problems.

The lack of regulation and the sale of electronic cigarettes to those under 18 are considered major issues by tobacco control experts.

‘Electronic cigarettes have surpassed traditional cigarettes in popularity,’ Roland Shuperka, a physician dedicated to combating tobacco use, told Faktoje. He highlighted that the prevalence of use among students in Albania is significantly higher than the global average.

‘These products are available for purchase by children under 18 from retailers, despite our laws banning their sale to this age group,’ Shuperka added.’

The law is not being enforced

According to data from the General Directorate of Customs, the import of electronic cigarettes in Albania has multiplied over the last three years. While about 70,000 single-use electronic cigarettes were imported in 2021, this number rose to over 516,000 in 2023—nearly eight times greater.

The World Health Organization has voiced concerns that products with nicotine and other harmful substances are specifically targeting adolescents and young people through social media and influencers. Some of these products feature cartoon characters, while others have appealing designs intended to attract younger users.

‘There is an alarming rise in electronic cigarette use among children and youth, with usage rates exceeding those of adults in numerous countries,’ the WHO states.

Furthermore, the WHO highlights that, unlike traditional cigarettes, many countries have not legally regulated the minimum age or usage of these ‘harmful products.’

Roland Shuperka told Faktoje that, unlike many other countries, Albania has legal regulations for the use of electronic cigarettes, but these are not effectively implemented. He also noted that there are currently more than 250 different types of VAPEs available in Albania.

‘According to Albanian law, these products enter the country and are not subjected to laboratory tests,’ he said with concern.

The Albanian law ‘On the Protection of Health from Tobacco Products’ was updated in 2019 to include electronic cigarettes and shishas/water pipes, and to ban their sale to individuals under 18. Nonetheless, parents and adolescents have informed Faktoje that such products are still being sold without restrictions to minors and teenagers.

Arlinda, a mother of a Teenager from Tirana, shared with Faktoje that her 13-year-old son managed to obtain an electronic cigarette, using it due to peer pressure.

She highlighted that, as a result of using electronic cigarettes, her son has experienced health problems, including anxiety and insomnia, which have also affected his concentration at school.

Electronic cigarettes should be banned by law, and those who sell them to children should face fines,’ she insists.

A 14-year-old from Durrës thinks that electronic cigarettes are ‘healthier’ than traditional ones and purchases them freely at supermarkets, even though he is a minor.

Despite this, he admits to being addicted to VAPE, noting that he has tried to quit but has been unsuccessful.

‘It has become a trend’

The use of electronic cigarettes among teenagers has emerged as a significant issue within the educational system, with an observable increase in consumption over the last 2-3 years.

Lediona Asabella, a social worker at ‘Besnik Sykja’ high school in Tirana, attributes this rise to the influence of social media and the use of electronic cigarettes by high-profile individuals.

‘Teenagers use them more because it has become a trend rather than because they experience any genuine need or sensation from these electronic cigarettes,’ Asabella explains.

‘They simply use them, create smoke, and carry a VAPE to appear as trendy as possible, emulating VIPs whom they admire and want to be like. Naturally, they are adolescents with idols and spend a lot of time on social media,’ she adds.

Asabella also points out that not all high school students use VAPE; there are those who are focused on their studies and well-behaved, but these students are often seen as ‘out of touch’ with current trends.’

Psychologists are calling for the cessation of electronic cigarette use due to its harmful effects on the health of minors and adolescents. Psychologist Arjana Muçaj warns that the addictive nature of VAPE and the social pressure to use it can significantly increase stress and anxiety, especially when individuals feel they need to stop or cut back on their usage.

‘Electronic cigarettes (VAPE) can lead to stress and anxiety, particularly among youth and adolescents. This is largely due to the nicotine found in most VAPE products. Nicotine is a highly addictive substance that impacts brain development,’ Muçaj explains.

She has encountered numerous cases where parents and teachers have reported that children have started showing symptoms of anxiety and stress after beginning to use VAPE.

‘In some cases, these symptoms have worsened to the point where they affect the students’ academic performance and their social interactions,’ she adds.

Albanian school regulations treat electronic cigarettes the same as traditional ones, with students caught using them facing disciplinary committees. However, Lediona Asabella, a social worker at ‘Besnik Sykja’ high school, reports that schools have struggled to effectively reduce consumption.

‘They often use them in secret or find a hidden spot just outside the school to use them,’ Asabella concludes.