According to a recent report by The Guardian, research data shows that one in every ten people aged 16 and above in the UK is using e-cigarettes. The number of non-regular smokers in the UK who have started using e-cigarettes has increased sevenfold in three years, reaching 1 million. This has raised concerns among health experts.
Before 2021, the usage of e-cigarettes among non-regular adult smokers remained stable, with approximately 1 in 200 people, or about 133,000 individuals, using e-cigarettes. However, a study published in The Lancet Public Health indicates that by 2024, this proportion is projected to increase sharply to 1 in every 28 people, equating to 1.006 million individuals.
Data released this week by the Office for National Statistics in the UK reveals that there are a total of 5.1 million e-cigarette users aged 16 and over in the country. The age group with the highest e-cigarette usage rate is 16 to 24-year-olds, with a rate of 15.8%.
The study also found that the majority of e-cigarette users who had never smoked regularly are using e-cigarettes on a daily basis and for longer periods of time. This sharp increase is mainly driven by young people, with research showing that 14% of non-regular smokers aged 18 to 24 in the UK are now using e-cigarettes.
Researchers warn that the UK government's plans to ban disposable e-cigarettes may not fully address the issue, as some brands have already introduced reusable products. Experts suggest that reducing the appeal of e-cigarette products may require stricter regulations and laws.
Professor Jamie Brown from the Institute of Epidemiology and Health Care at University College London (UCL) believes that although measures to ban disposable e-cigarettes may not be enough to solve the problem, stricter regulations on the appearance, packaging, and marketing of products could be introduced. These measures are unlikely to reduce the effectiveness of e-cigarettes in smoking cessation. He points out that by 2023, the overall prevalence of e-cigarettes seems to be stabilizing, which may provide a reasonable basis for implementing these measures and assessing their effectiveness.
The study analyzed survey data from 153,073 adults in the UK between 2016 and 2024, of which 94,107 had never smoked regularly. The data showed that the proportion of non-smokers who used e-cigarettes increased from 0.5% in 2016-2020 to 3.5% by April 2024, surpassing 1 million people, with over half of them aged between 18 and 24.
Researchers also found that in recent years, the group of people who smoke irregularly tends to be younger, with an increase in the proportion of women. They are more likely to use disposable devices and high-concentration nicotine e-cigarette liquid, and mainly purchase products in supermarkets or convenience stores.
In a statement released by the Department of Health and Social Welfare in the UK, the department emphasized that although e-cigarettes can effectively help adults quit smoking, children and non-smoking adults should not use e-cigarettes. The department stated that the Tobacco and E-cigarette Act will protect future generations from the harms of tobacco and nicotine, save countless lives, and alleviate pressure on the national healthcare system.
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