KATHMANDU, June 2: Despite ongoing anti-tobacco campaigns every year, the use of tobacco products among school students in Nepal has become a growing concern. A recent study by the Nepal Health Research Council shows that 18 percent of school students aged 13 to 15 are using some form of tobacco product.
The finding comes from the Council’s Global Youth Tobacco Survey Nepal–2025. The detailed report, conducted after a 14-year gap since 2011, is currently being prepared for publication, the Council said. The survey was carried out to assess changing trends in tobacco use among school-level students.
According to the report, the use of new tobacco products is most prevalent among students. The number of students using shisha and hookah stands at 7.1 percent, while 7.3 percent reported using e-cigarettes (vapes). Traditional cigarette use stands at 3.6 percent, while smokeless tobacco use is recorded at 5.6 percent.
The survey was conducted among students aged 13 to 15 studying in grades 7 to 10. More than 3,000 students from all seven provinces participated, covering both urban and rural areas. Participation of boys and girls was nearly equal, the report stated.
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The study shows a shift in tobacco consumption patterns over the past 14 years. According to researcher Kusum Shahi, while the use of traditional products such as cigarettes and bidis has gradually declined, the use of new tobacco products has increased sharply.
She noted that although cigarette use dropped from 3.1 percent in 2011 to 2.6 percent currently, overall tobacco use among students has not significantly decreased due to the rise of newer products.
“Traditional tobacco use is declining, but the use of new tobacco products is increasing,” researcher Shahi said.
Among students using new tobacco products, 40.2 percent said they started due to influence from family or friends. Similarly, 17.9 percent cited curiosity, while 12.8 percent said they believed such products are less harmful.
“About 6.8 percent of students said they started using vapes and hookah because they believed these do not significantly harm health,” Shahi added.
The report further shows that many students begin experimenting with tobacco at an early age. Among those who tried tobacco for the first time, 27.4 percent were below the age of seven. The highest proportion—41.5 percent—tried tobacco before the age of 10.
The survey also highlights high exposure to secondhand smoke. According to the report, 38.1 percent of students are exposed at home, 76.8 percent in public places, and 34.7 percent within school premises.
Students reported exposure to tobacco-related content through social media, online videos, the internet, and free sample distribution stalls. Researchers said easy availability and the expanding market of new tobacco products are increasingly attracting students.
The report recommends strict enforcement of tobacco control laws to protect school-age children. It also suggests a complete ban on the sale and distribution of tobacco products to minors, regulation of marketing of new tobacco products, prohibition of tobacco trade around school areas, and stronger market monitoring mechanisms.
