The E-Cigarette Revolution: ASH Survey Finds More Smokers Quitting

Aug.30.2022
The E-Cigarette Revolution: ASH Survey Finds More Smokers Quitting
Electronic cigarettes have helped 1/5th of smokers quit, but ASH warns they should not replace efforts to address smoking.

A survey by anti-smoking organization ASH (Action on Smoking and Health) has revealed a true "electronic cigarette revolution" in the world over the past decade. Approximately 8.3% of people in the UK frequently use e-cigarettes. However, ASH's Deputy Chief Executive Hazel Cheeseman believes that electronic devices have become a lifeline for those desperately trying to quit regular cigarettes. According to the organization, of the 4.3 million e-cigarette users, approximately 2.4 million are former smokers.


Over 13,000 UK adults participated in the company's annual survey. The results showed that one in five smokers used e-cigarettes to assist with smoking cessation. Additionally, more than half of the respondents (56%) switched to using e-cigarettes over three years ago.


However, currently, 28% of smokers said they have never tried electronic cigarettes. 21% of respondents refuse to switch one addiction for another. Others believe that electronic cigarettes are not like smoking regular cigarettes, or have found modern devices to be more harmful.


As pointed out by an employee of ASH, the issue of smoking has not been completely resolved by alternative solutions. Furthermore, e-cigarettes are particularly popular among young people and there is a growing trend of children aged 11 to 17 purchasing them by 2022. Despite the law prohibiting the sale of e-cigarettes to those under 18 years old.


We cannot rely on e-cigarettes to fully solve the smoking problem. We must make greater efforts to meet this challenge. It is now time for the government to take action," added Kisman.


According to annual population survey data, the smoking rate among adults aged 18 and over in the country declined from 20% in 2011 to 14% in 2019. According to an ASH report, e-cigarettes were the reason for an increase in the number of smokers quitting in the UK in 2017.


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