Number of UK adults vaping reaches record high, report shows

Analysis shows that the percentage of adults who vape is the highest in the UK, with the number of smokers and vapers doubling in the last three years.

The number of smokers who use both cigarettes and vapes has increased from 17% in 2021 to 32% in 2024 – the equivalent of 2.2 million people.

The analysis, carried out by Action on Smoking and Health (Ash) and based on data collected by YouGov, found that 5.6 million adults in the UK vape, around 11% of the adult population.

The research found that more than half (53%) of people who vape are ex-smokers, which equates to 3 million people.

Among all ex-smokers – including those who still vape or no longer vape – the median length of time spent using e-cigarettes is two years.

However, over the last three years, Ash found that more than half of former smokers had been vaping for more than three years, compared to 18% in 2017 when the question was first asked as part of the analysis.

Labour said it would revive the former Tory government’s Tobacco and Vaping Act, which banned anyone born after January 2009 from buying cigarettes, with the aim of eventually phasing out cigarette smoking. It could also introduce restrictions on the flavours, packaging and display of vapes.

Hazel Cheeseman, Ash deputy chief executive, said: “Smoking remains the biggest preventable cause of death in the country and vaping is one of many tools needed to help smokers quit if we are to create a smoke-free country for current and future generations.

“Millions of people have used vapes to successfully quit smoking in recent years, increasing healthy life expectancy and improving the nation’s productivity. Tighter vape regulations are urgently needed, but it is important that they are tailored to address youth vaping without discouraging the use of vapes as a quitting aid.”

Henry Gregg, director of external affairs at Asthma + Lung UK, said: “Giving up smoking can be incredibly difficult, so it’s great to see that so many smokers are finding vapes to be a really effective smoking cessation aid.

“But to help as many smokers as possible quit, it is vital that the government invests more in local stop smoking services. They have suffered drastic cuts in recent years but do a fantastic job of helping people quit smoking for good and dealing with the deadly legacy of smoking.”

Leonie Brose, professor of addiction health at King’s College London, said: “More than half of long-term smokers will die prematurely as a result of smoking.

“It is alarming that half of smokers think vaping is as or more harmful, and almost as many are unaware that nicotine-containing medications are less harmful than smoking. These misconceptions are costing lives and we must continue to focus on reducing the harms of smoking.”

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: “While vaping can be an effective smoking cessation tool, the public health advice is clear: children and adults who don’t smoke should never vape.

“The upcoming Tobacco and Vaping Bill will protect future generations from the harms of tobacco and nicotine, save thousands of lives and ease the pressure on the NHS. By creating a healthier society, we help create a healthier economy.”