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.

2Firsts Outlines 2026 Global Product Trends in the New Tobacco Industry
2Firsts Outlines 2026 Global Product Trends in the New Tobacco Industry
As regulation tightens and innovation matures, competition in the new tobacco industry is shifting. In its 2026 Global Product Trends in the New Tobacco Industry report, 2Firsts examines how heated tobacco, nicotine pouches, and vape products are moving beyond feature-driven upgrades toward system-level design, where experience management, compliance structure, and engineering capability increasingly shape long-term competition.
Jan.13 by 2Firsts Perspectives
Michigan Governor budget to seek major tax hikes on tobacco, vaping and gaming to address Medicaid gap
Michigan Governor budget to seek major tax hikes on tobacco, vaping and gaming to address Medicaid gap
Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s proposed fiscal year 2027 budget includes significant tax hikes on tobacco and gaming to address a projected $1.8 billion shortfall in Michigan’s Medicaid funding, the report said. The plan calls for raising the per-pack cigarette tax from $2 to $3 and increasing the wholesale tax on other tobacco products from 32% to 57%.
Feb.12 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Russia’s Duma Deputy Speaker Davankov calls for a total vape ban, citing drug sales disguised as vapes
Russia’s Duma Deputy Speaker Davankov calls for a total vape ban, citing drug sales disguised as vapes
Vladislav Davankov, deputy speaker of Russia’s State Duma, urged a nationwide ban on vapes, arguing it would help prevent drugs being sold under the cover of vaping products, including near schools. The remarks come as Russia prepares to enforce a separate ban on vape sales at public transport stops starting Sept. 1, 2026.
Feb.09 by 2FIRSTS.ai
European survey: current e-cigarette use among 15–19-year-olds rises from 14% (2019) to 22% (2024)
European survey: current e-cigarette use among 15–19-year-olds rises from 14% (2019) to 22% (2024)
A European study cited in the report says the share of young people aged 15 to 19 who are current e-cigarette users increased from 14% in 2019 to 22% in 2024, with Italy reflecting the broader European pattern. Over the same period, conventional cigarette smoking among young people is described as declining, with the proportion of students who have smoked at least once in their lifetime falling sharply from 1995 to 2024, and the largest drop occurring between 2019 and 2024.
Feb.12 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Alan Zhao: In the Post-“Absolute Resolve” Era: Speculating on U.S.-Referenced Regulatory Alignment and the Restructuring of Order in South America’s Novel Tobacco Market
Alan Zhao: In the Post-“Absolute Resolve” Era: Speculating on U.S.-Referenced Regulatory Alignment and the Restructuring of Order in South America’s Novel Tobacco Market
Alan Zhao analyzes post-Operation Absolute Resolve geopolitics and the rise of “U.S.-referenced regulatory alignment” in South America’s novel tobacco market as U.S. influence grows. Using regulatory reliance, digitalized enforcement, and industrial shifts, he assesses how rule redesign may alter market access, competition, and supply chains, asking how firms can find durable certainty as order is rewritten.
Jan.06 by 2Firsts Perspectives
KT&G’s Heated Tobacco Brand “lil” Named to Korea’s Brand Hall of Fame for Eighth Consecutive Year
KT&G’s Heated Tobacco Brand “lil” Named to Korea’s Brand Hall of Fame for Eighth Consecutive Year
KT&G said its heated tobacco brand “lil” was selected as an outstanding brand in the heated tobacco category of the “2026 Korea Brand Hall of Fame,” marking its eighth straight year on the list. The awards are organized by the Industrial Policy Research Institute (IPS) and determined through a composite evaluation of customer satisfaction, brand value and market performance.
Jan.26 by 2FIRSTS.ai