Record High: 8.3% of UK Adults Use E-cigarettes

Aug.29.2022
Record High: 8.3% of UK Adults Use E-cigarettes
E-cigarette use in the UK hits record levels, with an estimated 4.3 million active users, according to a new report.

According to a new report from PA, the use of electronic cigarettes in the UK has reached a record high.


A new report states that electronic cigarette usage in the UK has reached record levels, with an estimated 4.3 million active users.


According to data shared exclusively with the PA news agency, 8.3% of adults in England, Wales, and Scotland use electronic cigarettes.


Just 10 years ago, this number was at 1.7% - equivalent to around 800,000 people.


Over the past decade, we have witnessed a revolution in the world of electronic cigarettes, according to Hazel Cheeseman, Vice President of ASH.


The Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) reports that there has been an "e-cigarette revolution" over the past decade.


Out of the current 4.3 million e-cigarette users, approximately 2.4 million are former smokers, 1.5 million are current smokers, and 350,000 have never smoked before.


Data also shows that the percentage of electronic cigarette users who have never smoked before has increased from 4.9% last year to 8.1% this year.


According to the latest ASH Smoke-free GB survey, 8.3% of adults in England, Wales, and Scotland use e-cigarettes, marking the highest level ever recorded.


The author of the report stated that the figure is at its "highest historical level.


By 2022, 35% of electronic cigarette users also smoke conventional cigarettes, and these individuals are sometimes referred to as "dual users.


However, within this group, individuals who vape electronic cigarettes daily tend to smoke less than those who do not vape frequently.


A report based on a survey conducted by YouGov, of over 13,000 adults from various regions of the United Kingdom, found that 28 percent of current smokers have never tried e-cigarettes. Of those individuals, 10 percent expressed concerns about the safety of e-cigarettes.


One third of adults believe that e-cigarettes are more harmful or equally harmful as smoking.


One-fifth of former smokers claim they have used electronic cigarettes to quit smoking.


More than half (56%) of former smokers say they have been using e-cigarettes for over three years.


According to reports from electronic cigarette users, the main reason they use electronic cigarettes is to quit smoking and prevent themselves from relapsing. 14% of users stated that they use electronic cigarettes simply because they enjoy them.


Most e-cigarette users report using refillable systems, but reports indicate an increase in the use of disposable e-cigarettes - from 2.3% of users in 2021 to 15% this year.


The author contends that young people are driving the rise of disposable e-cigarettes, with 48% of e-cigarette users aged 18 to 24 opting for this type of device.


They found that the most popular flavor is fruit, followed by mint.


In the past decade, we have witnessed an electronic cigarette revolution," said Hazel Cheeseman, Deputy CEO of ASH.


Currently, the number of e-cigarette users has increased five-fold since 2012, with millions of people using it as part of their attempt to quit smoking.


However, they are not suitable for everyone. Of those who have tried them, less than half have stopped using them, and 28% have not even tried them.


The government has stated that the "e-cigarette revolution" will assist them in achieving their ambitious goal of establishing a smoke-free nation by the year 2030. However, this alone is not sufficient, and a comprehensive plan is needed to aid all smokers.


Earlier this year, a report from ASH concluded that the proportion of children vaping is on the rise, with many citing social media sites like TikTok as an influence.


Although it is illegal to sell electronic cigarettes to those under the age of 18, the percentage of children aged 11 to 17 who use electronic cigarettes has risen from 4% in 2020 to 7% in 2022.


Statement:


This article is compiled from third-party information and is intended for industry exchange and learning purposes only.


This article does not represent the viewpoint of 2FIRSTS and the company cannot confirm the authenticity or accuracy of the article's content. The translation of this article is only intended for industry communication and research purposes.


Due to limitations in the translator's proficiency, the translated article may not fully express the original meaning. Please refer to the original text for accuracy.


2FIRSTS maintains complete alignment with the Chinese government on any domestic, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, and international issues and stances.


The ownership of the compiled information belongs to the original media and author, and if there is any infringement, please contact us for deletion.


This document has been generated through artificial intelligence translation and is provided solely for the purposes of industry discourse and learning. Please note that the intellectual property rights of the content belong to the original media source or author. Owing to certain limitations in the translation process, there may be discrepancies between the translated text and the original content. We recommend referring to the original source for complete accuracy. In case of any inaccuracies, we invite you to reach out to us with corrections. If you believe any content has infringed upon your rights, please contact us immediately for its removal.

Qnovia’s Heat-Free Inhalable Nicotine Replacement Therapy Posts Positive First-in-Human Data, Advances FDA and MHRA Filings as Funding Expands
Qnovia’s Heat-Free Inhalable Nicotine Replacement Therapy Posts Positive First-in-Human Data, Advances FDA and MHRA Filings as Funding Expands
U.S.-based medical startup Qnovia Inc. reported positive results from its first-in-human clinical trial of RespiRx, an inhalable nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) device designed to support smoking cessation.
Innovation
Feb.24
New York Proposal to Tax Nicotine Pouches at 75% Draws Opposition
New York Proposal to Tax Nicotine Pouches at 75% Draws Opposition
A proposal by New York Governor Kathy Hochul to impose a steep tax on nicotine pouches has drawn opposition from law-enforcement officials and business groups, who say it could expand the state’s illicit tobacco market. The measure was included in Hochul’s preliminary two-year USD 260 billion budget plan and would treat nicotine pouches like other tobacco products.
Mar.17 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Scandinavian Tobacco Group releases 2025 results: tariffs and weaker demand weigh on performance, revenue about $1.4 billion
Scandinavian Tobacco Group releases 2025 results: tariffs and weaker demand weigh on performance, revenue about $1.4 billion
Scandinavian Tobacco Group (STG) reported its 2025 results: revenue was 9.036 billion Danish kroner (about $1.407 billion); EBITDA before special items was 1.791 billion Danish kroner (about $278 million); and free cash flow before acquisitions was 595 million Danish kroner (about $92.7 million). Multiple metrics declined year over year, and the company did not meet its Q3-updated guidance for revenue and free cash flow.
Mar.05 by 2FIRSTS.ai
France’s ANSES Report Reframes the Vape Debate: Harm Reduction Confirmed, Regulatory Barriers Rising
France’s ANSES Report Reframes the Vape Debate: Harm Reduction Confirmed, Regulatory Barriers Rising
France’s top health agency has confirmed that vaping is less harmful than smoking — but not risk-free — reshaping the country’s regulatory trajectory. As Paris withdraws a proposed vape tax and debates stricter ingredient, emissions and youth-protection rules, the ANSES report signals not prohibition, but tighter technical oversight. For manufacturers, retailers and EU policymakers, France may be previewing Europe’s next phase of nicotine governance.
Special Report
Feb.23
IMF Article Sets Out Three Principles: Cover All Harmful Products, Match Tax Rates to Harm, Improve Cross-Border Coordination
IMF Article Sets Out Three Principles: Cover All Harmful Products, Match Tax Rates to Harm, Improve Cross-Border Coordination
A March 2026 article in Finance & Development, “Taxing Harmful Habits,” argues that taxes on harmful products such as tobacco, alcohol and sugary drinks should better reflect the health harm they cause. The authors propose three principles: capture all harmful products, align tax rates with health harm, and strengthen cross-border coordination to reduce evasion and smuggling.
Mar.24 by 2FIRSTS.ai
UK Smoke-Free Generation Plan Backed by Both Houses of Parliament
UK Smoke-Free Generation Plan Backed by Both Houses of Parliament
Plans to create a smoke-free generation have received backing from both Houses of Parliament in the UK. On Monday, peers approved the Tobacco and Vapes Bill at its third reading, with the measure aiming to prevent anyone currently aged 17 or younger from ever buying cigarettes.
Mar.11 by 2FIRSTS.ai