A recent study indicates that around one million adults in England now vape regularly despite never being habitual smokers. The research highlights a significant increase in the number of individuals vaping in England who had never smoked regularly since the rise in popularity of disposable e-cigarettes in 2021. As of April 2024, the number has surged to one million, marking a sevenfold increase since 2021.
The study, published in Lancet Public Health, reveals that most of these individuals vape daily and persistently. The spike in vaping is mainly driven by young adults, with an estimated 14% of 18 to 24-year-olds who never smoked regularly now using e-cigarettes. While the overall trend of people vaping has been on the rise since 2021, the study indicates that the increase has plateaued since early 2023.
Experts warn that simply banning disposable vapes, as proposed by the UK Government, may not entirely address the issue as some brands have already introduced reusable alternatives. Suggestions for stricter regulations on product appearance, packaging, and marketing have been put forward to deter young people from starting vaping habits.
Professor Jamie Brown, a senior author at the UCL Institute of Epidemiology and Health Care, emphasised the need for action to prevent vaping among young individuals who had never smoked before. He highlighted the importance of finding a balance to discourage non-smokers from taking up vaping while ensuring smokers can still access e-cigarettes for smoking cessation.
The study, which analysed data from 153,073 adults in England between 2016 and 2024, revealed a notable increase in vaping among individuals who had never been regular smokers. It showed that the proportion of non-smokers vaping in England rose from an average of 0.5% before 2021 to 3.5% by April 2024, translating to approximately one million vapers.
Lead author Dr. Sarah Jackson pointed out that the public health impact of the rise in vaping among non-smokers would depend on whether these individuals would have opted for smoking if vaping was not an option. The study indicated that vaping was more prevalent among younger individuals, heavier drinkers, and those using disposable devices and high-strength nicotine e-liquids.
In a separate study by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), findings suggest that implementing a ban on tobacco sales to certain age groups could prevent a substantial number of lung cancer deaths by 2095. The researchers underscored the importance of ongoing efforts to reduce and eliminate smoking globally to save millions of lives.
As the discussion around vaping among non-smokers continues, researchers and policymakers are considering stricter regulations on e-cigarette products to protect public health and prevent the uptake of harmful habits among young individuals. Vigilant monitoring and proactive measures are essential to address the evolving landscape of vaping trends in England and beyond.