Snus remains the most widely used nicotine product in Norway. At the same time, interest in vejpning is increasing, especially among young women. This is according to a recent report from Statistics Norway.
The use of e-cigarettes is increasing in Norway. Especially among young women and people under 18. Currently, 6% of the population as a whole report using e-cigarettes regularly, either daily or occasionally. Among women 16-24, the corresponding figure is 17%, while for men in the same age group it is 7%.
According to Statistics Norway the figures suggest that occasional use is significantly higher than daily use in the younger age groups. Among women, 3 per cent use e-cigs daily and 14 per cent use them occasionally.
"For most young people, the use of e-cigarettes is occasional, and relatively few still use e-cigarettes on a daily basis." writes Statistics Sweden.
Ban on flavours introduced
Nicotine-containing e-cigarettes, whether disposable or e-juice for refillable models, are not authorised for sale in Norway. However, this has not prevented widespread online sales or black marketing through various social channels. Earlier this year, a ban on flavours in e-liquid was introduced, a ban that is likely to reduce sales through legal channels such as vejpshoppar. Users and business owners protested against the decision, as this mainly affects adult consumers and does not affect youth consumption.
Does not continue vejpa in adulthood
At the same time, Statistics Sweden notes that the proportion of people who have vejpat previously, but no longer, has also increased.
"The fact that there are more young people who used e-cigarettes in the past, but are no longer users, suggests that young people's use of e-cigarettes may be characterised by curiosity and experimentation, rather than regular use. We do not yet know whether this trend will lead to increased use over time," says Sindre Mikael Haugen, Advisor at Statistics Norway.
Young men smoke more than young women
When it comes to traditional cigarettes, the pattern is different compared to vejpningen. And it is clearly noticeable among young Norwegian men.
"In 2024, 8% of the population aged 16-79 smoked daily, while 9% smoked occasionally. Very few young people smoke daily and daily smoking is still most common among the older age groups" says Sindre Mikael Haugen.
Yet 24%, or 1 in 4, of young men aged 16-24 say they sometimes smoke. The corresponding proportion among women in the same age group is 11%, or 1 in 10.
"This suggests that more young men still favour traditional cigarettes over e-cigarettes" says Sindre Mikael Haugen.
Snus the most popular nicotine product
At the same time, the use of snus has increased steadily in Norway over the last decade. Not least since the introduction of white snus (in Norway, this product can only be sold with a small amount of tobacco in the pouch - to be classed as snus - for legal reasons).
In 2024, 15 per cent of the population aged 16-79 years report using snus daily, while 5 per cent use it occasionally. Twice as many men (1 in 5) as women (1 in 10) report using snus daily. Among men aged 25-34, 37% say they use snus daily, while 8% use it occasionally. This means that almost half (45%) of men aged 25-34 use snus regularly.
