Smoking levels fall as vaping continues to rise.
In its latest annual report, Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) has released the current facts and figures regarding e-cigarette use in the UK. It has been revealed that vaping has helped 2.7 million quit smoking[1].
Vaping can help you quit smoking
The number of adult vapers in Great Britain has been on the rise in recent years, reaching an impressive 4.7 million in the present day. This figure represents a significant increase from 4.3 million in 2022 and 3.3 million in 2020. What’s particularly encouraging is that a substantial 57% of these vapers, or 2.7 million individuals, have successfully transitioned from smoking. This represents a notable increase from 2.5 million in 2022, highlighting the positive impact that vaping has had on helping people quit smoking. It’s worth noting that the actual number of individuals in Great Britain who have successfully quit smoking with the help of e-cigarettes is likely much higher than reported, as this figure doesn’t account for ex-smokers who have also quit vaping.
It’s important to note that many vapers who aren’t former smokers may still be dual-users – people who both vape and smoke. In fact, the majority of these vapers fall into this category, with around 1.7 million individuals who both vape and smoke. While quitting smoking is the best choice for your health, reducing your cigarette consumption can still be beneficial. It’s common for new vapers to go through a transition phase where they continue to smoke alongside vaping before ultimately switching entirely to vaping.
Smokers still haven’t tried vaping
The UK government aims for the UK to be smoke-free by 2030. This means that less than 5% of the population will vape. Considering that vaping is one of the most effective stop smoking tools, it needs to be promoted more and get into the hands of these smokers. In fact, the NHS highlight that it doubles the chance of quitting on its website[2].
Over a quarter (27%) of smokers in Great Britain have yet to try e-cigarettes, which amounts to 1.8 million people. This is a significant missed opportunity for public health, as vaping has helped many individuals quit smoking. The question remains: why haven’t these smokers tried vaping yet? Let’s look at the reasons given in the ASH report.
I don’t want to substitute one addiction for another
Vaping nicotine is indeed highly addictive. But if both provide it, why would you willingly choose the option that’s 95% more harmful? Plus, nicotine content in e-cigs can be gradually reduced. So vapers can keep lowering their intake until they’ve quit completely.
I am concerned they are not safe enough
Vapes and e-liquid in the UK are controlled by the The Tobacco and Related Products Regulations (TRPR), which limits what can be included in them. 10ml bottle sizes, maximum strength of 20mg and banning harmful additives are only some of the topics these laws cover.
Although there are horror stories in the mainstream media that claim e-cigs contain harmful metals and toxins, these are illegal devices in the UK. At the end of the day, while not 100% safe, vaping is still 95% safer than smoking.
I do not think they would me quit or cut down
While vapes might not guarantee a 100% success rate, they stand as the most effective aid for quitting. As stated earlier, you’re twice as likely to quit with an e-cigarette than with other NRTs such as patches or gum.
I do not know enough about them
Here lies the problem. There is a wealth of information about the benefits of vaping vs smoking. But, these are overshadowed by media misleading headlines scrambling for attention. Vaping guidance should be published from reliable sources to help smokers make informed decisions.
They cost too much
Compared to smoking, vaping is a much cheaper alternative. In fact, you could save up to £3200 per year if you make the switch. Also, you can pick up easy to use starter kits for as low as £6.99.
VOOPOO Doric Q
| Type | disposable pod |
| Resistance | 1.0ohm |
| Price | £6.99 |
Joyetech WideWick Air
| Type | disposable pod |
| Resistance | 1.2ohm |
| Price | £9.99 |
Eleaf IORE LITE 2
| Type | disposable pod |
| Resistance | 1.0ohm |
| Price | £9.99 |
If you’d like to see how much you can save, why not check out our quit smoking calculator?
Smokers’ perceptions of vaping are a major concern. It is worrying to note that 39% of smokers mistakenly believe that vaping is equally or even more harmful than smoking itself. Such misconceptions can discourage smokers from transitioning to vaping. Furthermore, an additional 25% of smokers are unsure whether it is less or more harmful than smoking, which can result in missed opportunities for smokers due to insufficient information.
Even though vaping has helped 2.7 million to quit smoking, there’s still a long way to go.
Sources
[1] Action on Smoking Health. (2023). Use of e-cigarettes among adults in Great Britain.
[2] NHS. Vaping to quit smoking.
