For the first time, the number of people who vape in Great Britain has surpassed the number of traditional cigarette smokers, according to the latest Opinions and Lifestyle Survey from the Office for National Statistics (ONS). The data shows that 10% of adults over the age of sixteen now use vapes (e-cigarettes), slightly edging out the 9.1% who report smoking cigarettes.
This milestone reflects a significant shift in nicotine consumption habits, driven by a rising preference for vaping among adults and a continued decline in smoking rates. The survey indicates that approximately 5.4 million adults, particularly those aged 25 to 49, now favor vapes over cigarettes. Furthermore, the data suggests an increase in smoking cessation, with 74.2% of smokers attempting to quit in 2024, up from 70.3% in 2023.
While the NHS acknowledges that vaping poses a much smaller risk than smoking, which releases thousands of harmful chemicals, health experts caution that vaping is not entirely harmless and should be avoided by children and non-smokers. The long-term health effects of vaping are still not fully known.
This shift comes as the UK implements stricter nicotine regulations. A ban on the sale of single-use disposable vapes took effect in June to curb environmental harm and youth vaping. Additionally, the upcoming Tobacco and Vapes Bill aims to create a “smoke-free generation” by prohibiting anyone born from January 1, 2009, onwards from ever legally buying tobacco. The bill also plans to tighten laws around vape packaging and in-store displays to reduce their appeal to children.
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