Study Finds Concerning Trends Among E-cigarette Users in UK

Sep.30.2024
Study Finds Concerning Trends Among E-cigarette Users in UK
A study of 1,020 e-cigarette users found 39% may buy from unregulated sources, raising concerns about safety.

According to a report by Internewscast on September 29th, a study conducted on 1,020 e-cigarette users found that 39% of them admitted that they may purchase e-cigarettes from unregulated channels that have not been officially safety-checked.


The research results also show that one-third of the respondents believe that their nicotine consumption will increase. However, 22% of people believe that the upcoming law will motivate them to quit their e-cigarette habit.


A study commissioned by the nicotine pouch brand Übbs and retailer Haypp, carried out by OnePoll.com, aimed to respond to the UK government's commitment to achieve a "smoke-free Britain". Earlier this year, the UK government announced legislation that will restrict the sale and use of disposable e-cigarettes by 2025.


According to the survey, since the ban on e-cigarettes was announced, 24% of respondents have attempted to quit using them. 26% of respondents have switched to other alternatives, such as traditional cigarettes (36%), nicotine pouches (26%), and gum (25%).


The study also found that 85% of the respondents had smoked before switching to e-cigarettes, with 52% of them expressing concern about reverting to smoking habits after the ban is implemented.


The spokesperson for the Übbs brand, Steve McGeough, stated that,


Hearing e-cigarette users say they will seriously consider switching to smoking after the ban is implemented is really concerning. Additionally, research also shows that some people may even seek unregulated e-cigarettes, which is very worrying in terms of quality and safety. Our research suggests that while disposable e-cigarettes may be gradually phased out, there are still many safe and regulated alternatives available now or when the ban comes into effect. Nicotine pouches are a popular choice, providing support for the UK's goal to become a smoke-free nation.


The study also found that 73% of e-cigarette users have not tried any e-cigarette alternatives. However, among them, 28% are most likely to try traditional cigarettes, 21% are willing to try gum, and 25% are open to trying nicotine pouches.


Additionally, 30% of respondents are "very aware" of the risks of using unregulated e-cigarettes. The most familiar features of such devices among respondents include the lack of nicotine warning labels (41%) and the absence of emissions testing information (30%). When looking for alternatives, 52% of people prioritize the smell and taste of the product, followed by considerations of safety and quality assurance (50%), and the product's discreteness (33%). 30% of individuals prefer products that are "readily available," while 24% believe that open system e-cigarettes are too complicated.


The study also revealed that running out of battery is the most annoying thing when using e-cigarettes (32%), followed by not being able to use them freely anytime and anywhere (30%). Another major concern is having to leave social gatherings to smoke and missing out on time with friends (23%), and the issue of not being able to use e-cigarettes on airplanes (21%).


Haypp spokesperson Markus Lindbald stated,


From a positive perspective, it is a good phenomenon that before the ban is implemented, so many people are trying to quit e-cigarettes or explore other low-risk alternatives, such as nicotine pouches, instead of turning back to smoking. Based on the nearly smokeless experience in Sweden, nicotine pouches can play an important role in reducing smoking rates and improving public and personal health.


We welcome news tips, article submissions, interview requests, or comments on this piece.

Please contact us at info@2firsts.com, or reach out to Alan Zhao, CEO of 2Firsts, on LinkedIn


Notice

1.  This article is intended solely for professional research purposes related to industry, technology, and policy. Any references to brands or products are made purely for objective description and do not constitute any form of endorsement, recommendation, or promotion by 2Firsts.

2.  The use of nicotine-containing products — including, but not limited to, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, nicotine pouchand heated tobacco products — carries significant health risks. Users are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions.

3.  This article is not intended to serve as the basis for any investment decisions or financial advice. 2Firsts assumes no direct or indirect liability for any inaccuracies or errors in the content.

4.  Access to this article is strictly prohibited for individuals below the legal age in their jurisdiction.

 

Copyright

 

This article is either an original work created by 2Firsts or a reproduction from third-party sources with proper attribution. All copyrights and usage rights belong to 2Firsts or the original content provider. Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or any other form of unauthorized use by any individual or organization is strictly prohibited. Violators will be held legally accountable.

For copyright-related inquiries, please contact: info@2firsts.com

 

AI Assistance Disclaimer

 

This article may have been enhanced using AI tools to improve translation and editorial efficiency. However, due to technical limitations, inaccuracies may occur. Readers are encouraged to refer to the cited sources for the most accurate information.

We welcome any corrections or feedback. Please contact us at: info@2firsts.com

UK Vape Duty Starts in October as Hayati, DOJO and Others Launch Lower-Capacity Products With Lower Per-Unit Tax
UK Vape Duty Starts in October as Hayati, DOJO and Others Launch Lower-Capacity Products With Lower Per-Unit Tax
The UK's Vaping Products Duty will take effect on October 1, 2026, at a flat rate of £2.20 per 10ml of vaping liquid. Ahead of implementation, DOJO, PIXL and Hayati have introduced or been reported to be adding lower-capacity tiers alongside larger products. DOJO has added a 6ml BLAST7K Fresh below its 10ml BLAST10K Fresh, PIXL offers both a 12ml 8000 and a 6ml 5K, while retailer Ninja Vapes says Hayati is preparing a 7ml 4K alongside its existing 12ml 6K. The pattern points to a growing lower-capacity tier in the UK market, although the brands have not all explicitly linked the changes to the new duty.
Sep.23
Kelly White Bets on Female Consumers as Nicotine Pouch Competition Intensifies | 2Firsts Interview
Kelly White Bets on Female Consumers as Nicotine Pouch Competition Intensifies | 2Firsts Interview
Swedish nicotine pouch brand Kelly White is building its strategy around adult female consumers. Founder and CEO Sophia Wilsby told 2Firsts that women accounted for around 70% of the brand’s repeat customers on HAYPP in Sweden in 2025. The interview explores female consumer segmentation, product and design differentiation, gender stereotypes, packaging regulation, and how independent brands can compete with global players such as ZYN and VELO while considering funding, partnerships and future ownership options.
Business
Sep.24
Kantar Study Finds More Than 93% of Vape Products in Ukraine Fail Regulatory Requirements
Kantar Study Finds More Than 93% of Vape Products in Ukraine Fail Regulatory Requirements
According to Interfax-Ukraine, a study conducted by market research firm Kantar Ukraine at the request of major tobacco companies found that more than 93% of vape products in Ukraine did not fully comply with regulatory requirements. The research examined product categories, brand distribution and consumer purchasing channels, showing that pod systems and disposable vapes represent major segments of the market, while offline retail remains the dominant purchasing channel. The findings highlight ongoing compliance challenges in Ukraine’s vape market.
Aug.26
2Firsts Compliance Solutions Hosts PMTA Briefing on FDA Review Signals After JUUL2 Authorization
2Firsts Compliance Solutions Hosts PMTA Briefing on FDA Review Signals After JUUL2 Authorization
Following recent FDA authorizations for JUUL2 and ZYN ULTRA, 2Firsts Compliance Solutions held an online PMTA briefing on Sept. 4 to examine what the decisions may signal about review efficiency, scientific evidence and U.S. market access. Nearly 30 participants from brands, manufacturers, compliance service providers and investment firms joined the discussion.
2Firsts Events
Sep.06
Malaysia Police Seize RM12.7 Million in Illegal Vapes and Cigarettes as Probe Points to Sea Shipments From China
Malaysia Police Seize RM12.7 Million in Illegal Vapes and Cigarettes as Probe Points to Sea Shipments From China
Police in Malaysia’s Selangor state seized illegal vape products and contraband cigarettes worth about RM12.7 million (approximately $3 million) in two enforcement operations. According to New Straits Times and The Star, the vape-related operation uncovered 131,036 boxes of vape products, 4,900 bottles of e-liquid and 25,510 vape devices, valued at about RM9.4 million. Police said preliminary investigations indicated that some illegal vape products entered Malaysia through sea shipments from China before moving through storage and distribution networks.
Aug.10
Trump Picks White House Health Policy Aide Heidi Overton to Lead FDA, Pending Senate Confirmation
Trump Picks White House Health Policy Aide Heidi Overton to Lead FDA, Pending Senate Confirmation
U.S. President Donald Trump has chosen White House health policy aide Heidi Overton to lead the Food and Drug Administration, Bloomberg reported, citing a person familiar with the matter. Overton currently works on health policy at the White House and previously held a senior role at the America First Policy Institute. If confirmed by the Senate, she would take over an FDA that has experienced months of senior-level turnover. The agency regulates products representing roughly one-fifth of U.S. consumer spending, including e-cigarettes, drugs, vaccines and much of the food supply.
News
Aug.19