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.



Disclaimer

This article is provided solely for professional research, industry discussion, and informational purposes. Any references to brands, companies, products, technologies, or policies are made for factual reporting and analytical purposes only, and do not constitute endorsement, recommendation, promotion, or advertising by 2Firsts.

Nicotine-containing products, including but not limited to cigarettes, e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products, and nicotine pouches, carry significant health risks. Readers are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions, including age restrictions and access limitations.

The information contained in this article should not be regarded as investment, legal, medical, regulatory, or commercial advice. While 2Firsts strives to ensure the accuracy and reliability of its content, it does not assume liability for any direct or indirect loss arising from errors, omissions, inaccuracies, or reliance on the information contained herein.

This article is not intended for individuals below the legal age for accessing tobacco or nicotine-related information in their jurisdiction.

 

Copyright Notice

This article is either original content produced by 2Firsts or content reproduced, translated, summarized, or adapted from third-party sources with attribution where applicable. The intellectual property rights of the original content remain with 2Firsts or the respective original rights holders.

No individual or organization may copy, reproduce, distribute, republish, modify, translate, or otherwise use this content without prior authorization. Any unauthorized use may result in legal action.

For copyright-related inquiries, corrections, or removal requests, please contact: info@2firsts.com.

 

AI-Assisted Translation and Editing Notice

Portions of this article may have been translated, edited, or reviewed with the assistance of artificial intelligence tools to improve efficiency and readability. Due to the limitations of AI-assisted translation and editing, discrepancies, omissions, or inaccuracies may exist when compared with the original source.

Where applicable, readers are advised to refer to the original source for the most complete and accurate information. If you identify any errors or believe that any content infringes upon your rights, please contact us at info@2firsts.com, and we will review and address the matter promptly.

IKE Tech Launches IKE 2.0 Compliance Platform for Nicotine Products
IKE Tech Launches IKE 2.0 Compliance Platform for Nicotine Products
IKE Tech launched IKE 2.0 on September 28, initially targeting nicotine products with a platform that combines user identity verification, product authentication, configurable policy controls and data analytics. Products can be authenticated through direct device integration or NFC smart tags. IKE Tech was formed with participation from Ispire's Aspire North America, Berify and Chemular, with Ispire currently holding a 40% interest. Its age-verification component PMTA was accepted by the FDA in 2025 and remains under review. The company did not disclose customer names, commercial deployment volumes, pricing or revenue tied to IKE 2.0.
News
Sep.29 by 2Firsts Perspectives
Why AIRSCREAM Built its European Production Hub for Regulated Market Growth
Why AIRSCREAM Built its European Production Hub for Regulated Market Growth
AIRSCREAM’s production hub in the Czech Republic brings nicotine pouch manufacturing, e-liquid bottling, product documentation, warehousing and international logistics into one operation, giving brands and commercial partners a practical platform from which to launch, expand and enter new markets.
Market
Sep.16 by 2Firsts Perspectives
Special Report | Altria Subsidiaries Sue FDA to Vacate 2021 PMTA Rule as Agency Moves to Speed Reviews
Special Report | Altria Subsidiaries Sue FDA to Vacate 2021 PMTA Rule as Agency Moves to Speed Reviews
2Firsts reviewed the original federal court complaint filed by Altria subsidiaries Helix Innovations and NJOY on Sept. 2 challenging FDA’s 2021 PMTA rule. The lawsuit questions whether FDA’s review process complies with the Tobacco Control Act’s 180-day timeline, even as the agency moves to accelerate PMTA reviews and issues more marketing orders. Drawing on the complaint, FDA records, government audits and recent court rulings, 2Firsts examines the legal arguments, supporting evidence and potential implications for the U.S. tobacco review system.
Regulations
Sep.03
Product | JTI Launches Ploom AURA Teal Electric Pop in South Korea, Its First Dual-Color Edition
Product | JTI Launches Ploom AURA Teal Electric Pop in South Korea, Its First Dual-Color Edition
JTI Korea launched the Ploom AURA Teal Electric Pop limited edition in South Korea on September 1, 2026, marking the first dual-color design in the Ploom AURA range. The device combines a dark green body with teal accents and is accompanied by matching Front Panel, Back Cover and Pocket Bag accessories. The standalone device is priced at KRW 29,000, with three additional device-and-accessory bundles available. The release continues JTI Korea's use of limited colorways and interchangeable accessories to expand the Ploom AURA portfolio without introducing a new hardware platform.
Sep.03
RLX Technology Dropped From FTSE All-World as International Business Reaches 68.5% of Q2 Revenue
RLX Technology Dropped From FTSE All-World as International Business Reaches 68.5% of Q2 Revenue
RLX Technology (NYSE: RLX) has been removed from the FTSE All-World Index, effective September 21. FTSE Russell records show RLX was already part of its global equity index universe by 2022, when its American depositary receipts were classified as China Large Cap securities. Trading volume rose to about 44.77 million shares on September 18, roughly 23 times the previous session's volume. RLX reported RMB1.0105 billion in second-quarter revenue, up 14.8% year over year, with international operations contributing 68.5%. The company also acquired a 51% stake in one of Western Europe's largest distributors of next-generation smoke-free and FMCG products in July.
Sep.22
U.S. Ninth Circuit Upholds FDA Denial of MH Global’s Flavored Vape PMTA Applications
U.S. Ninth Circuit Upholds FDA Denial of MH Global’s Flavored Vape PMTA Applications
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit upheld the FDA’s denial of MH Global LLC’s applications to market flavored electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS). The court ruled that FDA’s comparative-efficacy framework, which requires applicants to show that flavored products provide greater cessation or switching benefits than tobacco-flavored alternatives, is consistent with the Tobacco Control Act’s “appropriate for the protection of the public health” standard. The court also found that FDA was not required to establish the framework through notice-and-comment rulemaking.
Aug.26