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

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.

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