A new 2025 study by Germany’s Federal Institute for Public Health (BIÖG) reveals a rise in nicotine consumption among teenagers, driven by reusable e-cigarettes and illicit nicotine pouches, even as traditional smoking drops among young adults.
- Rising Teen Smoking: Smoking rates among 12-to-17-year-olds climbed to 9.6% in 2025, up from 6.1% in 2021.
- Vaping Surge: Reusable e-cigarette use more than doubled among teenagers, with 90% of users opting for nicotine-infused liquids.
- Pouch Popularity: Despite a national sales ban, 5.5% of teenagers and 18.9% of young adults have tried nicotine pouches.
- Health Warning: Health officials warn that these products act as easy entry points to lifelong chemical dependency.
Germany’s Federal Institute for Public Health (BIÖG) has confirmed a sharp increase in nicotine use among teenagers, driven by reusable e-cigarettes and flavored liquids. This trend, highlighted in the BIÖG 2025 Drug Affinity Study of 7,001 young people aged 12 to 25, shows that while traditional smoking is decreasing among young adults, younger teens are increasingly picking up vaping and illicit nicotine pouches.
The data reveals a clear generational split in nicotine habits. While young adults (aged 18 to 25) are gradually moving away from traditional cigarettes, younger teens (aged 12 to 17) are experiencing a resurgence in smoking alongside a dramatic rise in reusable vape usage.
| Age Group & Demographic | Product Type | 2021 Rate | 2025 Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12–17 Years | Traditional Cigarettes | 6.1% | 9.6% |
| 18–25 Years | Traditional Cigarettes | 29.8% | 26.3% |
| 12–17 Male | Reusable E-Cigarettes | 2.9% | 6.7% |
| 12–17 Female | Reusable E-Cigarettes | 1.8% | 7.8% |
| 18–25 Male | Reusable E-Cigarettes | 6.9% | 13.3% |
| 18–25 Female | Reusable E-Cigarettes | 4.7% | 11.9% |
Nicotine pouches, small bags placed under the lip, are also gaining traction. Although their sale is illegal in Germany, 5.5% of teens and 18.9% of young adults admitted to trying them in 2025, up from 4.1% and 14.8% respectively in 2023.
Prof. Dr. Hendrik Streeck, the Federal Government Commissioner for Addiction and Drug Issues, described these findings as a clear warning. Nicotine damages the cardiovascular system and causes rapid addiction. In addition to nicotine, e-cigarette aerosols contain chemical substances that irritate the lungs and throat. While the majority of German youth remain smoke-free, the rising popularity of these alternative products makes long-term dependency more likely.
Parents can identify youth nicotine use by looking for rechargeable vape hardware, sweet-smelling e-liquids, or small, easily hidden oral pouches.
For those seeking help, the BIÖG provides several resources. Parents and youth can access free educational materials or join the online cessation program. Telephone counseling is available at 0 800 8 31 31 31. Detailed data charts are available on the BIÖG statistics page.
