Increasing Number of Children in England Vaping: Report

Sep.08.2022
Increasing Number of Children in England Vaping: Report
More English children are vaping, with 9% of 11-15 year olds using e-cigarettes, up from 6% in 2018.

The number of children in England using electronic cigarettes has increased, with 9% of children aged 11 to 15 currently using them, up from 6% in 2018. More than half (57%) of regular e-cigarette users, according to the latest data from the National Health Service and technology partner NHS Digital, are purchasing them from stores.


A report on smoking, drinking, and drug use among young people in England in 2021 found that 61% of regular e-cigarette users stated that they were given their e-cigarette by someone else, with friends being the most common source (45%).


The percentage of purchases made from any type of store has increased from 29% in 2018 to 57% in 2021. Newsstands are the most common type of store (41%), followed by e-cigarette stores (27%), supermarkets (13%), garage shops (10%), and other stores (10%), with only one-quarter of purchases made online.


The report also found that smoking rates among school-aged children have declined, with 3% of students claiming to currently smoke, which is lower than the 5% reported in 2018.


The percentage of regular cigarette smokers who frequently use e-cigarettes has more than doubled, from 29% in 2018 to 61% in 2021. Additionally, 18% of all 15-year-olds are currently e-cigarette users.


Currently, the usage of electronic cigarettes among 15-year-old girls has increased from 10% in 2018 to 21% in 2021, which equates to approximately one-fifth.


According to a study conducted by age verification provider 1account, children and young people who purchase disposable electronic cigarettes illegally are more likely to do so in physical stores rather than online.


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