World No Tobacco Day campaign targets South Africa’s rising youth vaping crisis

SA Medical Association journals reveal alarming school vaping rates, with nearly 30% of matric pupils using nicotine devices to fuel deep addictions.

May 24, 2026

Tamlyn Cramer 1 minute read

A MAJOR public health concern has emerged around youth vaping in South Africa, with high school surveys showing vaping rates as high as 16.8%.

This is according to the South African Medical Association (SAMA) journals highlighting nicotine and tobacco addiction this World No Tobacco Day.

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The day is observed annually on 31 May, with this year’s World Health Organisation (WHO) theme, Unmask the Appeal.

The campaign highlights the marketing of nicotine and tobacco products as being designed ‘to get young people stuck in a cycle of addiction’.

In South Africa, 29.4% of adults (12.7 million) use tobacco, of which 43.2% are men.

E-cigarette use is at 2.2%.

The SAMA journals reported that while roughly 9% of Grade 8 learners vape, this jumps to nearly 30% among matric pupils.

The study highlighted severe nicotine addiction, with 88% of school-going vapers using nicotine-containing devices, and 47% reporting that they need to vape within the first hour of waking up.

The objective of the SAMA studies was to describe the use and co-use of cannabis, hookah, tobacco cigarettes and e-cigarettes (including vapes) among South African high school learners.

This as data on this among the youth remains scarce.
Vape use (16.8%) was most prevalent, followed by cannabis use (5.13%), hookah (3.16%) and tobacco cigarettes (2.08%).

Combatting addiction
Sanca (SA National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence) dedicates the whole of May to Anti-Tobacco Campaign Month to educate the public about the physical and societal harms of tobacco and nicotine consumption.

Key initiatives include awareness campaigns, support and treatment, and specialised programmes.
If you or a family member suffer with addiction, contact Sanca Zululand on 035 7723290.

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