The findings come from a new report from the in-depth Youth Monitor on Tobacco and Nicotine Products. In this study, a total of 5,726 young people aged 12 to 25 completed a questionnaire about their use of tobacco, vapes and snus between February and March 2025.
Of the young people surveyed who reported vaping every month in the previous year, 85% said they had used a flavored vape at some point. The sale of these vapes has been prohibited in the Netherlands since 1 January 2024.
“This is concerning because flavors such as fruit or candy make vapes appealing to young people. From the previous report, we know that many young people start vaping or continue vaping for longer precisely because of the flavors,” says Esther Croes, a tobacco expert at the Trimbos Institute.
One-third of vapes come from tobacco shops or vape shops
Young people obtain vapes in various ways. Young people who vaped every month mainly bought them through friends or acquaintances (31%), at a tobacco shop or vape shop (30%), or from a dealer (20%). Those under 18 in this group more often reported getting their vapes through friends, while those aged 18 and over more often bought them at tobacco shops or vape shops.
Despite awareness, use remains high
About three-quarters of the young people surveyed who vape believe that vaping is harmful to their health and brain development. “Almost all young people also know that the sale of flavored vapes is prohibited,” says Esther Croes. “Yet so many young people still buy and use these illegal vapes. This shows that knowledge-sharing alone is not enough. The vapes are appealing because of their flavors and shape, and social pressure among young people is considerable. We need a systemic approach in which the government sets and enforces strict rules, parents are involved, and illegal sellers develop a moral awareness that they are selling poisonous products that cause illness. Let’s do everything we can to help younger generations grow up healthy and free from addiction.”