Analysis Reveals Record High in British Adult Vaping Rates

A new analysis has unveiled a significant shift in nicotine consumption patterns, showing that the proportion of adults using e-cigarettes in Britain has hit its highest level ever.

Action on Smoking and Health (Ash) conducted the Smokefree GB study, based on YouGov data, which estimates that 11% of the adult population in Britain now vape. This figure equates to 5.6 million people, marking the highest rate recorded to date.

Key Findings

Former smokers make up 53% of vapers, totaling approximately 3 million people.
The percentage of smokers who also vape has jumped from 17% in 2021 to 32% in 2024, representing about 2.2 million individuals.
Over half of ex-smokers who vape have used e-cigarettes for more than three years, up from just 18% in 2017.

Hazel Cheeseman, deputy chief executive of Ash, commented on the findings: “Smoking remains the country’s biggest preventable killer, and vaping serves as one of many tools needed to help smokers quit if we aim to create a smokefree country for current and future generations.”

Expert Insights

Professor Sanjay Agrawal, special adviser on tobacco for the Royal College of Physicians, highlighted the effectiveness of vaping in smoking cessation: “In recent years, almost all the patients I see who successfully quit smoking do so through vaping. Without it, I fear many of them would not have quit.”

Experts emphasize that people should primarily use vaping as an aid to quit smoking, not as a long-term substitute. Cheeseman stressed the need for effective communication: “The government must communicate more effectively that vaping poses less harm than smoking but isn’t risk-free, and people should only use it as an aid to quitting.”

Regulatory Developments

The Labour Government has recently revived plans to introduce the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, which could:

Progressively increase the minimum age for tobacco purchases
Implement restrictions on vape flavors, packaging, and display

Cheeseman emphasized the importance of calibrating these regulations to address youth vaping while not deterring adult smokers from using vapes to quit.

Persistent Misconceptions

The analysis revealed ongoing misconceptions about vaping safety:

50% of smokers believe vaping equals or exceeds the harm of smoking
This figure rises to 60% among smokers who have never used e-cigarettes

Professor Leonie Brose of King’s College London warned: “These misperceptions cost lives, and we need continued focus on reducing the harms from smoking.”

Government Stance

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson stated: “While vaping can effectively help stop smoking, our health advice remains clear: children and adults who don’t smoke should never vape. The upcoming Tobacco and Vapes Bill will protect future generations from the harms of tobacco and nicotine, saving thousands of lives and easing pressures on the NHS.”

As vaping rates continue to climb, the debate around its role in public health intensifies. While many have successfully used e-cigarettes to quit smoking, concerns persist about long-term use and youth uptake. Balancing these factors remains a key challenge for policymakers and health professionals working towards a smoke-free future.

Source: Use of vapes (e-cigarettes) among adults in Great Britain

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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.