A national cohort study of nicotine use among Danish youth
The use of nicotine products among children and young people in Denmark is changing rapidly. In particular, products such as e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches have become increasingly popular and have contributed to new patterns of nicotine use among youth.
This development poses challenges for both prevention and public health. There is therefore a need for updated knowledge on children’s and young people’s use of nicotine products in Denmark.
Aim of the project
The §SMOKE Cohort aims to generate new knowledge about nicotine product use among young people in Denmark, with a particular focus on newer products such as e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches.
The project seeks to improve our understanding of:
- why young people initiate nicotine product use
- how patterns of use and consumption develop over time
- which factors influence use
- how prevention and regulation can be strengthened
The knowledge generated through the project will support the development of more targeted and effective prevention initiatives for children and young people.
The project’s five work packages
The project is organised into five interconnected work packages:
1. Establishment of a national nicotine cohort
Building on the 2026 §SMOKE survey, we will establish a national cohort of young people aged 15–25 years in Denmark. Participants will be followed through annual questionnaire surveys over a five-year period.
2. Changes in patterns of nicotine use
This work package examines how young people transition between different forms of nicotine use over time, based on data from the national cohort.
Using advanced statistical models, we aim to identify typical patterns of use. For example, who experiments with e-cigarettes and later stops, and who progresses to regular use? By studying these transitions, we can identify when and how preventive interventions may be most effective.
3. Drivers and mechanisms underlying nicotine use
This work package examines the social, psychological, and societal mechanisms that influence young people’s use of nicotine products, with a particular focus on newer product types.
For example, is nicotine pouch use driven by social media advertising, peer group norms, or perceptions that these products are less harmful? By exploring these mechanisms, we can identify the key drivers of young people’s use of new nicotine products and propose ways to counteract them.
4. Health and societal consequences
This work package will quantify the health economic and societal costs associated with young people’s use of nicotine products.
This includes healthcare expenditures as well as consequences for education, wellbeing, and quality of life. By estimating these costs, the project will provide policymakers with a stronger evidence base for assessing where society may benefit from prevention and regulation.
5. Evaluation of existing tobacco prevention initiatives and legislation
This work package evaluates the impact of existing prevention initiatives and legislation, including advertising bans, flavour restrictions, and increased taxation.
The evaluation will focus on patterns of use, attitudes, exposure, and potential unintended consequences — for example, whether young people switch to alternative products that are less strictly regulated.
Together, these five work packages will provide a detailed understanding of nicotine use among young people in Denmark.
Organisation and management
The research project is led by Postdoctoral Researcher Lisbeth Lund and Senior Researcher Lotus Sofie Bast. The project team also includes Postdoctoral Researcher Isabelle Pascale Mairey, Professor Christian Ritz, and a research assistant.
Project period
July 2026 – July 2031
Funding
TrygFonden