Former smoker Andre Hansen (33) has overcome a 17-year tobacco addiction, shedding light on the rising health threat of teenage smoking. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has expressed concerns about the growing use of tobacco and nicotine products among Namibian teenagers. The figures indicate that newer nicotine products, including electronic cigarettes (vapes), are now more prevalent among teenagers than traditional cigarettes. Hansen says smoking became part of his daily routine and was eventually “impossible to stop”. However, nicotine use can lead to addiction and long-term dependence, while exposing users to risks to their physical health, including cardiovascular diseases and various cancers.