The surge in the number of Britons smoking e-cigarettes appears to have stalled, a new study suggests, ahead of a nationwide ban on single-use vapes.
Scientists discovered the proportion of UK citizens taking up vaping rose by nearly a quarter between the start of 2022 and 2024.
But the team from University College London also found that vape usage stayed constant between January last year and January this year — including for young people.
The findings come ahead of a nationwide ban, first announced by Rishi Sunak, on the sale of disposable vapes from June 1 in a bid to crackdown on students getting hooked and prevent littering.
Certain flavours that directly appeal to children and the advertising of vapes will also be restricted if the Tobacco and Vapes Bill becomes law.
The NHS has historically recommended vapes to help people quit smoking, which is linked to around 76,000 deaths each year, including strokes and cancer.
E-cigarettes are far less harmful and can help people quit smoking for good, according to the health service.
Despite health chiefs insisting it is safer than smoking, vaping is not risk-free. E-cigarettes contain harmful toxins and their long-term effects remains a mystery.
Nearly 350 hospitalisations due to vaping were logged in England in 2022, which are thought to be mainly down to respiratory problems, such as lung inflammation.
By analysing data from the Smoking Toolkit Study — an ongoing survey that interviews British adults — the UCL researchers found that, between January 2022 and January 2024, the prevalence of vaping among over 16s increased from 8.9 per cent to 13.5 per cent.
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Nearly 350 hospitalisations due to vaping were logged in England in 2022
For those aged 16 to 24, prevalence increased from 17 per cent to 26.5 per cent, the research funded by Cancer Research UK and published in the scientific journal Addiction uncovered.
In January 2024, nearly half (43.6 per cent) of all vapers aged 16 and over mainly used disposables.
However, this fell to less than a third (29.4 per cent) a year later, with the fall being steepest among 16- to 24-year-olds.
Nevertheless, the study noted 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 single-used vapes following the announcement by the previous Conservative administration.
It is important measures are introduced to encourage and support smokers to quit smoking
But Dr Sarah Jackson, the study’s lead author, 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.
“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.”
Dr Jackson predicted that nicotine users will simply move to re-usable vapes rather than stop smoking completely.
Professor Jamie Brown, of UCL’s Institute of Epidemiology & Health Care, added: “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.”
