Introduction to E-Cigarette Use in the UK
According to the Office for National Statistics, for the first time in the UK, there are more over-16s who use e-cigarettes or vapes than smoke cigarettes. About 5.4 million adults use e-cigarettes daily or occasionally, compared to 4.9 million who use cigarettes.
E-Cigarette Use Among Adults
Daily use of e-cigarettes is most common among those aged 25 to 49, with use increasing among women. The popularity of cigarette smoking has declined over the past decade as the harmful effects of tobacco have led many to quit, while less risky use of e-cigarettes has increased – particularly among younger age groups.
Health Risks of E-Cigarettes
E-cigarettes pose only a small portion of the risks of smoking. Cigarettes release thousands of chemicals when burned, many of which are toxic and can cause cancer. Switching to e-cigarettes reduces these risks, but the long-term effects of e-cigarette use are not yet known. Health experts say vaping is not completely harmless, so children and non-smokers should never smoke.
Public Health Implications
The charity Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) said the decline in smoking was "good news for public health" but warned that those who still smoke are "trapped in a cycle of addiction that is likely to cost them their lives". According to ASH, smoking is responsible for 70,000 deaths each year and is the leading preventable cause of death in the UK.
Government Legislation
The government has introduced various legislations to reduce smoking and e-cigarette use. In 2006–2007, a ban on smoking in enclosed public spaces and workplaces was introduced, and in 2015, a ban on smoking in cars with children was introduced. Most recently, in 2017, plain cigarette packaging was introduced. Furthermore, the Tobacco and E-Cigarettes Bill will soon mean that people born on or after January 1, 2009, will no longer be legally able to buy tobacco in the UK.
Regulations on E-Cigarettes
Rules on the packaging and display of e-cigarettes in stores are also set to be tightened amid concerns the devices are attractive to children. Since June, it has been illegal for businesses in the UK to sell or supply disposable or disposable vapes. The aim of the ban is to reduce environmental damage and reduce the number of children and young people who smoke.
Current E-Cigarette Use Trends
The ONS survey shows that 6.7% of people aged 16 and over in the UK use a vape or e-cigarette daily, up from 5.9% in 2023. Another 3.3% say they use one occasionally. This represents 5.4 million current e-cigarette users, an increase from 5.1 million in 2023. Daily or occasional e-cigarette use remained highest among 16-24 year olds in the UK at 13% in 2024, up from 15.8% in 2023.
Concerns and Future Directions
There are still concerns that non-smokers and young people might start vaping. The number of respondents who have quit smoking has increased – 74.2% in 2024, up from 70.3% in 2023. By the 1970s, less than 30% had broken the habit. At that time, almost half of the population was smokers. However, a lot has changed since then, and the trend is expected to continue with the introduction of new legislations and regulations.
