[Use of Disposable E-Cigarettes and Concurrent Use of Other Nicotine Products in Adolescence: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of 28,554 Students (Prevention Radar 2025/2026)].

Authors

Julia Hansen, Clemens Neumann, Reiner Hanewinkel

Published in

Pneumologie (Stuttgart, Germany). Sep 30, 2026. Epub Sep 30, 2026.

Abstract

This study, conducted as part of the Prevention Radar 2025/2026, aimed to describe the 30-day prevalence of disposable e-cigarette use compared to other nicotine products among German adolescents and to analyze patterns of concurrent use.
Cross-sectional data from n=28,554 students across 15 federal states were analyzed (collection period 2025/2026; mean age: 13.3 years, SD=1.75; 51.5% female, 1.2% diverse; 62.4% academic-track secondary school). The sample comprised early (11-14 years; 71.7%) and late adolescence (15-17 years; 28.3%). 30-day prevalence was assessed for disposable e-cigarettes, reusable e-cigarettes, tobacco cigarettes, and waterpipes. For current disposable e-cigarette users (n=2,255), product combinations were determined.
Disposable e-cigarettes exhibited numerically the highest 30-day prevalence at 8.9%, followed by conventional cigarettes (7.5%), reusable e-cigarettes (7.4%), and waterpipes (2.6%). Given the overlapping confidence intervals, the prevalence rates of disposable e-cigarettes, conventional cigarettes, and reusable e-cigarettes remain at a comparable level. Prevalence rates were significantly higher in late adolescence than in early adolescence (disposable e-cigarettes: 19.4% vs. 4.9%). Gender differences were minimal (girls: 9.0%; boys: 8.5%), while use of all products examined was roughly twice as high among students at other school types compared to those attending Gymnasium (disposable e-cigarettes: 11.8% vs. 5.3%). Within the subgroup of disposable e-cigarette users (n = 2,255), only 15.9% reported exclusive use. The majority additionally used reusable e-cigarettes (70.6%) and/or conventional cigarettes (61.3%). Overall, 34.5% reported consuming two additional products, and 18.4% reported using all three accompanying product categories concurrently.
Disposable e-cigarettes represent numerically the most frequently used nicotine product in the sample, yet remain epidemiologically on par with conventional cigarettes and reusable e-cigarettes. Isolated mono-use represents the exception; the vast majority of users exhibit concurrent use of multiple products. Prevention approaches should address this pronounced simultaneous use of multiple nicotine products and not narrow their focus to single product categories.

PMID:
42815546
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 01 Oct 2026.

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