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.

KT&G Launches Two New lil AIBLE Dedicated Sticks as Aim Portfolio Expands to 13
KT&G Launches Two New lil AIBLE Dedicated Sticks as Aim Portfolio Expands to 13
KT&G said on April 20 that it has launched two new “AIIM” sticks for its lil AIBLE heated tobacco device at convenience stores nationwide in South Korea. The new products are “AIIM CHANGE UP” and “AIIM COOL SHOT.” The company said the products were developed based on the existing lil SOLID dedicated sticks “Fiit Change Up” and “Fiit Cool Shot.” With the launch, the Aim lineup for lil AIBLE has expanded to 13 products.
Apr.20 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Glas Says FDA Scientific Review Backed Several Flavored Products Before Senior Leaders Blocked Them
Glas Says FDA Scientific Review Backed Several Flavored Products Before Senior Leaders Blocked Them
Glas says newly released internal FDA records show agency scientific reviewers supported authorization for several flavored G2 products before senior leadership halted them. According to documents obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request, FDA’s Office of Science first recommended marketing authorization for all eight products in December 2025 and later supported six of them in February 2026. FDA ultimately authorized only the G2 device and one tobacco-flavored pod in March.
Apr.23 by 2FIRSTS.ai
RLX Technology 2025 Revenue Rises 44.0% YoY to Nearly USD 566.1 million, International Business Accounts for 76.5% in Q4
RLX Technology 2025 Revenue Rises 44.0% YoY to Nearly USD 566.1 million, International Business Accounts for 76.5% in Q4
RLX Technology Inc. announced its unaudited financial results for the fourth quarter and full year of 2025. Q4 net revenue reached RMB 1.1413 billion, a 40.3% year-over-year increase, while full-year net revenue grew 44.0% to RMB 3.9589 billion.
Mar.13 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Russian Vape GOST Revision Would Limit Capacity, Packaging Design and Warning Labels
Russian Vape GOST Revision Would Limit Capacity, Packaging Design and Warning Labels
Russia is preparing changes to its e-cigarette state standard GOST R 58109–2018. Under a draft order submitted to Rosstandart, the shelf life of vape devices and liquids would be limited to no more than two years, and capacity would be strictly capped at 2 mL for replaceable capsules, 10 mL for disposable systems and 30 mL for refill containers.
Apr.27 by 2FIRSTS.ai
FDA Authorizes Glas Vape but Flavor Hopes Fall Short
FDA Authorizes Glas Vape but Flavor Hopes Fall Short
The FDA has added Glas products to its authorized electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) list, granting Marketing Granted Orders (MGOs) to the Glas G DEVICE and a BLONDE TOBACCO pod. The decision expands the number of FDA-authorized ENDS products to 41, marking the first new authorization since Juul’s approvals in July 2025. However, widely anticipated non-tobacco flavored products were not approved.
Mar.13
Canada Studies UK-Style “Smoke-Free Generation” Tobacco Ban
Canada Studies UK-Style “Smoke-Free Generation” Tobacco Ban
Canada’s federal health minister, Majorie Michel, said she is looking into legislation that would permanently ban the sale of tobacco products to anyone born after 2008. She said Canada has seen the approach recently proposed in the United Kingdom and is reviewing it with partners. Health Canada previously said the Government of Canada has invested C$66 million annually since 2018 to help Canadians quit smoking and reduce the harms of nicotine addiction.
Apr.29 by 2FIRSTS.ai