
Recently, the UK organization ASH (Action on Smoking and Health) released new findings from a comprehensive survey that studied the e-cigarette behavior of 11-17 year olds in the UK. The data showed that in 2024, approximately 18% of British teenagers had tried using e-cigarettes, a decrease from 20% in 2023. While the proportion of teenagers using e-cigarettes has decreased, almost a million teenagers have still tried them. ASH believes that the survey results highlight the need for immediate government intervention.
The UK Tobacco and E-cigarette Bill was not able to be introduced before the summer recess, much to the disappointment of ASH. The earliest it could now be introduced is in September, meaning the government does not have the power to regulate the appearance and advertising of e-cigarettes that may appeal to young people until the bill is passed. This delay hampers the government's ability to effectively regulate e-cigarette products and puts teenagers at risk.
ASH's deputy chief executive, Hazel Cheeseman, stated:
The ongoing trend of teenagers vaping e-cigarettes and signs of increased dependency have raised alarm bells. The Tobacco and E-cigarette Act must be reintroduced to the agenda immediately after the summer recess, and swiftly passed in parliament to implement much-needed regulations to protect youth from the influence of e-cigarettes. E-cigarettes are an important tool for adult smoking cessation and should be properly regulated to prevent them from being packaged and marketed as children's toys.
Survey data shows that nearly three-quarters (72%) of teenagers have reported being exposed to e-cigarette advertising, a higher proportion compared to previous years. The most common channels for advertising were in stores (55%) and online (29%).
Although the law prohibits the sale of e-cigarettes to individuals under the age of 18, 48% of underage e-cigarette users report purchasing their products from stores. Disposable e-cigarettes remain the most common product at 54%, a decrease from last year's 69%, possibly due to the impending ban on disposable e-cigarettes and the introduction of reusable options.
At the same time, there are indications that young e-cigarette users may be more dependent on e-cigarettes than four years ago, with more users mentioning strong cravings for smoking. This suggests that new products may be increasing dependence and emphasizes the urgency of strengthening regulations.
We welcome news tips, article submissions, interview requests, or comments on this piece.
Please contact us at info@2firsts.com, or reach out to Alan Zhao, CEO of 2Firsts, on LinkedIn
Notice
1. This article is intended solely for professional research purposes related to industry, technology, and policy. Any references to brands or products are made purely for objective description and do not constitute any form of endorsement, recommendation, or promotion by 2Firsts.
2. The use of nicotine-containing products — including, but not limited to, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, nicotine pouchand heated tobacco products — carries significant health risks. Users are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions.
3. This article is not intended to serve as the basis for any investment decisions or financial advice. 2Firsts assumes no direct or indirect liability for any inaccuracies or errors in the content.
4. Access to this article is strictly prohibited for individuals below the legal age in their jurisdiction.
Copyright
This article is either an original work created by 2Firsts or a reproduction from third-party sources with proper attribution. All copyrights and usage rights belong to 2Firsts or the original content provider. Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or any other form of unauthorized use by any individual or organization is strictly prohibited. Violators will be held legally accountable.
For copyright-related inquiries, please contact: info@2firsts.com
AI Assistance Disclaimer
This article may have been enhanced using AI tools to improve translation and editorial efficiency. However, due to technical limitations, inaccuracies may occur. Readers are encouraged to refer to the cited sources for the most accurate information.
We welcome any corrections or feedback. Please contact us at: info@2firsts.com