In the fourth district of Bucharest, a tobacconist named Marie T. operates a shop where she sells various tobacco products, including disposable e-cigarettes from the “Elfbar” brand. She notes that these e-cigarettes are popular among young people due to their sweet taste and the dense smoke they produce, which is appealing to that demographic. Despite the age restriction of 18 years for the consumption of tobacco products and e-cigarettes in Austria, a significant number of 17 to 18-year-old apprentices are already using e-cigarettes, as reported in the 2023 apprentice report from the Rauchfrei advisory center.
Dr. Lukasz Antoniewicz, a specialist in pulmonary medicine at the Vienna General Hospital, sees the increasing popularity of e-cigarettes among young people as a danger. He believes that the attractive packaging and sweet flavors of disposable e-cigarettes are contributing to the rise in usage among minors. Antoniewicz points out that the tobacco industry is targeting new customers, especially as the number of smokers is declining in the Western world. This has led to an “epidemic” of e-cigarettes, which are being heavily marketed to underage individuals.
While some alternative tobacco products like tobacco heaters are gaining popularity, there is still a demand for German language classes in Bucharest. Many individuals seek to improve their communication skills in order to secure better job opportunities or pursue academic studies in Germany. The desire to learn German is driven by personal and professional motivations, reflecting a growing interest in
