Research by Action on Smoking Health (ASH) found vaping was the most successful smoking cessation tool in the last 5 years. Let's explore the facts!
New data published by ASH revealed that 5.6 million adults currently vape in the UK. 53% of those who use the cessation tool have quit smoking altogether, equating to almost 3 million[i].
On average, a third of those who have quit, stopped vaping in their first year of use.
This well established evidence demonstrates how effective vaping is as a quit-smoking tool. At the same time it shows the scale of people in recent years who are quitting the habit.
Deputy Chief Executive of ASH, Hazel Cheeseman Stated:
“Millions of people have used vapes to successfully stop smoking in recent years, increasing healthy life expectancy and improving the nation’s productivity. Smoking is still the country’s biggest preventable killer and vaping is one of many tools needed to help smokers quit if we are to create a smoke free country for current as well as future generations”.
Researchers also discovered that more than half of ex-smokers who quit in the last 5 years say they used a vape as their last quit attempt.
The main reasons given by ex-smokers who chose vaping as their quit tool was to help them quit entirely, prevent relapse, and cope with stress and mental health.
Dr Katherine East, King’s College London:
“The 2024 ASH data show vaping among adults has increased in the past year and the main reasons for vaping are to quit, reduce, or remain abstinent from smoking. The majority of adults who have quit smoking in Great Britain used a vape in their last quit attempt. Quitting smoking is one of the best things a person who smokes can do for their health, and the latest ASH data show the importance that vapes can have on this journey.”
Despite the increase in smokers picking up the habit, ASH discovered misconceptions amongst current smokers who had never tried the tool.
The proportion of current smokers who believe vaping is as equally as harmful as cigarettes has increased from 27% in 2019 to 60% in 2024[iv].
Associations such as the IBVTA believe negative media headlines play a crucial role in vaping misinformation. Whilst vaping is not risk free, it represents a fraction of the harm that combustible cigarettes do, and it is important that these facts are portrayed in a balanced, and factual manner.
Professor Leonie Brose, Professor of Addictions Public Health, from King’s College London:
“We urgently need to tackle the increase in dangerous misperceptions. More than half of people who smoke long-term will die prematurely due to smoking. Alarmingly, half of those who smoke think vaping is just as harmful or more harmful and almost as many are unaware that nicotine-containing medication is less harmful than smoking. These misperceptions are costing lives and we need continued focus on reducing the harms from smoking.”
The survey also discovered that since 2021 there has been an increase in the number of never smokers vaping. This amounts to 8% of overall vapers, which represents around 440,000 people.
Research conducted earlier this year by the charity revealed around 18% of 11-17-year-olds (980,000) have tried vaping, with over half of these (53%) having only tried once or twice[ii].
ASH is calling for Tobacco and Vapes Bill to be reintroduced by the Labour Government in order to address the levels of teen vaping.
However, the charity is urging policy makers to ensure that regulations do not undermine the value of vaping as an aid for smokers, which remains proven, as a material number.
What is the positive impact of vaping?
Whilst vaping has attracted illegal sales to children, as well as a small portion of ‘never smokers’, as reported, it is a vital tool in providing long term adult smokers with the products they need to quit cigarettes for good.
In a broader context in 2022 12.9% (6.4 million) of the UK population smoked, compared to 20.2% in 2011.
Considerable progress is being made in the fight against tobacco addiction. However, many charities and academics worry that in the event of disproportionate and poorly considered additional regulation being imposed, it could impact the positive role that vaping has made to adult smoking rates.
There have also been significant changes in the most popular flavours used by adult vapers between 2016 and 2024. In 2016 tobacco was the most popular flavour (33%), followed by fruit and menthol/mint (both chosen by 22%).
However, by 2024 fruit flavours were by far the most popular (47%), followed by menthol/mint (17%) and tobacco (16%). The next most popular are sweet flavours, which has seen little change between 2016 and 2024 at 8.7% and 8.8% respectively.
The above data highlights the importance of keeping non-tobacco flavours readily available to all vapers. Should regulations be introduced that limited e-liquid flavours exclusively to tobacco and menthol, almost half of vapers would be left without a viable alternative, and may return to smoking as a result.
Further, Chief Executive of ASH, Debbie Arnott warned vape flavour restrictions may make the devices less desirable to children, however vaping needs to be kept as a cessation tool.
A study conducted by the University of East Anglia’s Addiction Research Group found the ban of single use devices could result in a major increase in the illicit vape market[v].
Prohibited devices already suspected to make up a third of the current vape market, something we explored in our Scientists Fear Vape Ban Could Lead to Major Youth Smoking Increase blog.
What Happens Next?
The newly appointed Labour Government are still yet to announce their plans surrounding the Tobacco and Vapes Bill. However, the King’s speech confirmed new legislation is in talks around increasing the age of sale of cigarettes and the marketing of vapes. For now, be sure to keep up to date on the latest vaping regulations on our TECC Blog.
References
[i] ASH. Nearly 3 million people in Britain have quit smoking with a vape in the last 5 years.
[ii] ASH. New data reveals continued concerns regarding youth vaping: ASH calls for urgent government action.
[iii]Trading Standards. CTSI statement on vapes.
[iv] IBVTA. Cut through the smoke: explore the facts on vaping.
[v] University of East Anglia. How disposable vapes have become a prominent part of young peoples lives.
