Dutch hospitals started a one-day drive on Thursday to count the number of people needing emergency care as a result of smoking, vaping or taking snus.

Hospital doctors have been under the impression that more people need emergency care because of nicotine use but it is the first time the actual numbers will be gauged, Nicole Kraaijvanger, who initiated the probe, told broadcaster NOS.

Adults who smoke often need emergency care because of the long-term effects of smoking, such as chronic bronchitis or heart disease and strokes.

But increasingly, doctors are seeing young people who have serious problems caused by smokin and vaping, such as a collapsed lung, or acute pneumonia. Some even end up in intensive care.

The results of the probe are expected in a month and will be used to improve measures to prevent smoking and vaping.