Is Vaping Bad for You and How Are the Regulations Evolving?

The rise of e-cigarette and vape usage among adults and young people has paralleled a decline in traditional smoking rates. Recent political initiatives aim to prevent vapes from being marketed to children, fostering a smoke-free generation.

Why Is Vaping Considered Safer Than Smoking?

Cigarettes contain tobacco, tar, and numerous toxic chemicals known to cause cancer, making them the leading preventable cause of illness and death in the UK¹. Approximately half of all lifelong smokers die prematurely, losing about 10 years of life on average.

Health authorities urge smokers to quit, and nicotine vapes have emerged as an effective tool for cessation—surpassing nicotine patches and gum². Research indicates that individuals receiving face-to-face support while using vapes are up to twice as likely to quit smoking compared to those using other methods³.

While vaping isn’t without risks, it’s significantly less harmful than smoking cigarettes⁴. Therefore, it is recommended exclusively for adult smokers. The NHS supports this approach by encouraging the use of e-cigarettes as a means to quit smoking as part of its “swap to stop” programme..

Is Vaping Bad for Your Health?

Using e-cigarettes or vapes is considerably less harmful than smoking traditional cigarettes. However, health experts agree that non-smokers should not start vaping. Doctors warn that vaping may cause long-term damage to young people’s lungs, hearts, and brains⁵.

The vapour inhaled from e-cigarettes contains small amounts of chemicals, often including nicotine, an addictive substance. More research is needed to fully understand the health effects of e-cigarettes. The World Health Organization (WHO) has expressed concerns, stating that evidence on their adverse health effects is mounting⁶.

Illegal vapes pose additional risks, as they are more likely to contain other harmful chemicals or drugs like cannabis.

How Many Adults Use Vapes in UK?

Smoking rates in the UK have fallen to an all-time low, with about 13.3% of adults smoking in 2021⁷. Among young adults aged 18-24, smoking prevalence has significantly decreased over the past decade⁸.

As smoking declines, vape use has risen sharply, particularly among 16-24-year-olds, where usage rates have increased. In 2021, approximately 3.8 million adults in Great Britain used e-cigarettes. Daily vaping among adults aged 16 and over has seen a steady rise, while occasional use has also increased⁹.

Research published in 2023 indicated a significant rise in vaping among individuals in England who have never been regular smokers¹⁰.

How Many Children Are Vaping in UK?

Despite laws prohibiting the sale of nicotine-containing vapes to under-18s and preventing adults from purchasing them on minors’ behalf, vaping among younger teenagers is growing. According to a 2023 survey by Action on Smoking and Health (ASH), nearly 8.6% of 11-17-year-olds were current vapers, up from 4% in 2020¹¹.

The survey found that 20.5% of this age group had tried vaping, with inexpensive, brightly coloured disposable vapes driving the increase from previous years. Vaping is now more common than smoking among children.

How Are Vaping Regulations Changing in UK?

The previous Conservative government announced changes to the rules around vapes as part of its plans to create a smoke-free generation¹². These changes included:

a ban on disposable vapes
a new tax on vaping products
marketing restrictions to make vapes less appealing to young people
increased fines for retailers who sell vapes to under-18s

Also Read:
UK Vape Marketing Laws: Guide for Vape Businesses
UK Vape Tax: Implications for Vapers and the Industry
UK to Ban Disposable Vapes in Crackdown on Youth Vaping
Compliance Guide of UK Vape Age Verification

Although the Conservative Tobacco and Vapes Bill had not become law before the July general election, the Labour government has said it will introduce its own Tobacco and Vapes Bill¹³. Labour’s policy priorities include introducing a progressive smoking ban, stopping the branding and advertising of vapes to appeal to children, regulating flavours, packaging, and display of vapes and other nicotine products, and giving Trading Standards more power to prevent under-age sales of tobacco and vapes.

The Environmental Impact of Disposable Vapes

Campaigners highlight the environmental hazards posed by disposable vapes. The materials and chemicals used—including lithium batteries—make safe disposal challenging. While vapes can be recycled, research suggests only 17% of vapers do so. An estimated 1.3 million disposable vapes are discarded weekly in the UK, raising significant environmental concerns.

Environmental Impact of disposable Vaping

What Are the Vaping Rules in Other Countries?

Countries around the world have implemented various regulations on vaping:

United States: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has prohibited some vape flavours like mint and fruit in particular e-cigarettes to reduce youth appeal. In 2022, the FDA ordered Juul Labs to stop selling its products; however, this decision was later challenged, and the review is ongoing.
Australia: E-cigarettes containing nicotine are generally available only by prescription for smokers looking to quit tobacco. Pharmacies do not sell disposable vapes.
New Zealand: New rules introduced in 2021 ban most disposable vapes and target flavours that appeal to children.
Other Countries: Nations like South Korea, India, and Brazil have implemented strict vaping regulations, while China has announced restrictions. According to the WHO, many countries lack comprehensive laws regulating e-cigarettes.

Also Read:
New Worldwide Vape Regulations in 2024

As the UK government moves forward with its plans to create a smoke-free generation, the debate around vaping and its role in smoking cessation, as well as its potential health risks and environmental impact, continues to evolve.

References

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Matthew Ma

Marketing at Ecigator

With over a decade of experience in the e-cigarette industry, Matthew Ma is a seasoned expert in both the manufacturing and usage aspects of vaping products. His extensive background has provided him with a deep understanding of the intricacies and evolving dynamics of e-cigarettes.