Rapid rise of vaping in Britain appears to have stalled as users anticipate a Government crackdown
The rapid rise of vaping in Britain appears to have ‘stalled’ as users anticipate a Government crackdown, a study suggests.
The rapid rise of vaping in Britain appears to have ‘stalled’ as users anticipate a Government crackdown, a study suggests.
The proportion of people vaping increased by nearly a quarter each year from January 2022 to January 2024 amid the rising popularity of disposable vapes.
But new analysis by University College London found rates then remained constant to January this year, including for young people.
There was also a substantial decline in the proportion of vapers mainly using disposable e-cigarettes over the past year, with rates almost halving among 16 to 24-year-olds from 63 per cent to 35 per cent.
More people have ‘shifted’ to reusable and refillable alternatives.
Researchers believe the trend is linked to the Government announcing in January 2024 that it would introduce laws aimed at restricting vaping, including a ban on disposable vapes.
This will come into force on June 1 this year.
But the academics say the ban is now likely to have a ‘limited effect’ on the number of people using e-cigarettes as many people have already changed their habits.
The rapid rise of vaping in Britain appears to have ‘stalled’ as users anticipate a Government crackdown, a study suggests
They warn further restrictions - aimed at reducing vaping among children and never-smokers - could even hamper efforts to get smokers to switch to vaping.
Lead author Dr Sarah Jackson said: ‘Action is likely still required to reduce high vaping rates, but now that the situation has stabilised policymakers may be reassured that it would be sensible to avoid stricter policy options currently under review.
‘Some of the options being considered may be more likely to have the unintended consequence of deterring smokers from using vapes to quit smoking.
‘Our results also suggest that the Government’s ban on disposables, coming into force in June, may have limited impact on vaping rates in general, given that vapers are already moving away from disposable vapes.
‘It seems likely that people using these products will move to re-usable versions rather than stop vaping completely.
‘The study highlights the value of up-to-date information about vaping and smoking trends, which allow policies to be based on the best possible evidence.
‘The research cannot tell us why vaping rates have levelled off, but we have in the past seen changes in smoking habits before a policy change, with people adapting their behaviour in anticipation of a new policy.’
The Tobacco and Vapes Bill, currently working its way through Parliament, includes powers to potentially restrict the packaging, marketing and flavours of vapes.
The proportion of people vaping increased by nearly a quarter each year from January 2022 to January 2024 amid the rising popularity of disposable vapes
Professor Jamie Brown, a senior author on the new study, which is published in the journal Addiction, said: ‘While it is understandable that policymakers want to take action to reduce vaping among children and never smokers, smoking remains the number one public health priority.
‘These findings should reassure policymakers that they can prioritise measures, such as restrictions on marketing, packaging and display, which are least likely to undermine how helpful vapes are for people trying to quit smoking.
‘It is important that these measures are introduced alongside other messaging and policies that continue to encourage and support smokers to quit smoking, such as mass media campaigns and the swap to stop scheme.’
Researchers used data from the Smoking Toolkit Study, an ongoing survey that interviews a different representative sample of adults in England, Wales and Scotland each month.
They looked at data collected between January 2022 and January 2025 from 88,611 people aged 16 and over.
This revealed that between January 2022 and January 2024, the prevalence of vaping among those 16 and over increased from 8.9 per cent to 13.5 per cent.
For those aged 16 to 24, prevalence increased from 17 per cent to 26.5 per cent.
In January 2024, nearly half (43.6 per cent) of all vapers aged 16 and over mainly used disposables.
There was also a substantial decline in the proportion of vapers mainly using disposable e-cigarettes over the past year
This fell to less than a third (29.4 per cent) a year later. The fall was steeper among 16 to 24-year-olds.
The researchers note that the survey only asked vapers what device they mainly used, meaning that the proportion of vapers using disposables in some form would likely be higher.
They also said it was possible people under-reported their use of disposable vapes following the Government’s announcement.
Caroline Cerny, deputy chief executive at campaign group Action on Smoking and Health, said: ‘This data indicates that the Government’s action on vaping is starting to shift both business practices and consumer behaviour.
‘That’s a positive sign and shows that the planned regulations have potential to tackle the trend in youth vaping.
‘At the same time, it’s important to strike the right balance: protecting young people while still supporting adults to stop smoking.
‘With well-designed policies, we can achieve both.’
Gillian Golden, chief executive of the Independent British Vape Trade Association, said: We welcome the good news that many vapers are already moving away from ‘disposable’, single use devices ahead of the June ban.
We echo calls by the researchers for regulators to think very carefully about applying further restrictions on vaping before current and forthcoming regulations have fully taken effect.
Vaping is not recommended for non-smokers, and sales to under 18s have been banned for a decade now.
Nearly three million people in Britain have successfully quit smoking using vapes in the last five years, and there still are almost six million adults in the UK who could benefit from switching to a proven safer alternative.
A Government spokesperson said: This study provides promising evidence that the rise in vaping amongst young people has stalled. The health advice is clear that whilst vapes can be an effective quit aid for adult smokers, children and non-smokers should never vape.
The landmark Tobacco and Vapes Bill will put an end to the cycle of addiction and disadvantage by creating the first smoke-free generation and stopping the next generation getting hooked on nicotine.
With five million disposable vapes either littered or thrown away in general waste every week last year, the single-use vapes ban will also crack down on waste and clean up communities.