Vaping Helped Nearly 3 Million Brits Quit Smoking in 5 Years

Action on Smoking & Health (ASH), a prominent anti-tobacco charity, has released new research revealing that nearly three million people in Britain have successfully quit smoking with the help of vaping in the past five years. The charity urges legislators to carefully consider the value of vapes as a quitting tool when drafting upcoming regulations.

Despite ASH’s long-standing campaign against the rise of youth vaping and disposable e-cigarettes, the charity’s deputy CEO Hazel Cheeseman emphasized the importance of striking a balance in future regulations. “Tougher vape regulations are urgently needed, but it is important they are calibrated to address youth vaping while not deterring use of vapes as quitting aids,” Cheeseman stated.

Vaping Proves Most Popular Quitting Aid

The ASH data highlights the effectiveness of vapes as a smoking cessation tool. Among all those who stopped smoking in the past five years, just over half reported using a vape to quit, equating to 2.7 million people. Remarkably, a third of these individuals have also since stopped vaping, with the average duration of their vaping being one year.

The latest ASH survey found that 5.6 million adults in the UK currently vape, with 53% of them having stopped smoking, 39% still smoking, and 8% having never smoked.

Current Vaping Status of Ex-Smokers Who Quit in Last 5 Years Using a Vape

Calls for a New Tobacco & Vapes Bill

ASH is calling for the urgent reintroduction of a new Tobacco & Vapes Bill, which is likely to include a total ban on disposable vapes and strict restrictions on how vapes can be displayed, packaged, and named.

Cheeseman emphasized the significance of vaping in improving public health, stating, “Millions of people have used vapes to successfully stop smoking in recent years, increasing healthy life expectancy and improving the nation’s productivity. Tougher vape regulations are urgently needed, but it is important they are calibrated to address youth vaping while not deterring use of vapes as quitting aids.”

Long-Term Vaping and Never Smokers

The ASH survey also revealed a growing group of ex-smokers vaping for more than three years. Since 2021, there has been an increase in the number of “never smokers” vaping, with an estimated 8% of vapers (around 440,000 people) reporting they have never smoked.

“Long-term vaping among people who would otherwise not be smoking should be avoided on a precautionary basis. So, as we develop our regulatory approach, this group must not be forgotten,” Cheeseman cautioned. “We would much rather see people stopping using any form of nicotine long term.”

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Experts Welcome ASH Findings

Experts have broadly welcomed ASH’s findings. Professor Lion Shahab, a health psychology expert at University College London, stated, “Given increasing long-term use of e-cigarettes among ex-smokers, they also likely help maintain abstinence, while co-use with cigarettes may encourage further quit attempts among smokers. Overall, this use pattern provides a clear indication that e-cigarettes contribute to the eradication of combustible cigarettes in Great Britain, and public health policy should be aligned with this outcome.”

Smoking Rates in the UK

According to ASH, around one out of every eight people in the UK smokes (12.9%). The proportion of smokers has been declining since records began in 1974, and the number of cigarettes smoked by smokers has also decreased over time.

A June study by the charity found that 3.7% of 11 to 17-year-olds smoke once a week or more, while NHS Digital data shows that only 1% of young people are regular smokers, and less than 2% smoke even occasionally.

Tackling Misperceptions About Vaping

Despite the relative health benefits of quitting smoking for vaping, ASH says half of smokers believe that vaping is just as or more harmful than smoking, when in fact, it is much less harmful.

Professor Leonie Brose, an addictions and public health expert at King’s College London, emphasized the urgency of addressing these misperceptions. “We urgently need to tackle the increase in dangerous misperceptions,” Brose said. “These misperceptions are costing lives, and we need continued focus on reducing the harms from smoking.”

Read the full report: 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.