More individuals in the United Kingdom are now using vaping devices instead of traditional cigarettes, marking a significant shift in smoking habits. According to the Office for National Statistics, the number of individuals aged 16 and above who use e-cigarettes daily or occasionally has reached 5.4 million, surpassing the 4.9 million tobacco smokers. The sharpest decline in smoking rates was observed among young adults, with only 8.1% reported smoking in 2024, a considerable drop from 25.7% in 2011.
Hazel Cheeseman, the chief executive of anti-smoking charity ASH, commented on this trend, stating that it is a noteworthy milestone for more adults to consume nicotine through vaping than through tobacco for the first time. She acknowledged that the rise in vaping has likely contributed to the decrease in smoking rates, which is a positive development. However, she also expressed concerns about non-smokers and young individuals taking up vaping.
Despite the overall trend towards vaping, there has been a slight decrease in the number of men using e-cigarettes in the past year, dropping from 11% in 2023 to 10.1% in 2024. Conversely, the percentage of women vaping has increased, with 10% reported in 2024 compared to 8.5% the previous year. The data indicates that government measures targeting colorful and sweet-flavored disposable e-cigarettes aimed at children have been effective.
The statistics show a stabilization in the increase of younger individuals vaping. The 16 to 24 age group experienced a decline in daily vaping from 6.9% to 6.1%. On the other hand, individuals aged 35 to 49 exhibited the largest rise, from 6.8% in 2023 to 9.5% in 2024, with the majority of vapers being current or former smokers.
Ms. Cheeseman emphasized the importance of reducing smoking rates in the UK, contrasting it with stagnant trends in smoking across Europe. She highlighted the ongoing challenge of individuals addicted to smoking and the significant burden this places on the healthcare system.
Smoking remains a leading cause of preventable deaths in the UK, resulting in over 70,000 fatalities annually. The use of e-cigarettes, whether daily or occasionally, was most prevalent among 16 to 24-year-olds in 2024 at 13.0%, although this figure is down from 15.8% in 2023. Those who vape daily were most common in the 25-34 and 35-49 age groups, with percentages increasing to 9.3% and 9.5% respectively in 2024 compared to the previous year.
The percentage of smokers has reached a historic low across the UK, standing at 10.6% of individuals over 18 years old. This figure reflects a 0.5 percentage point decrease from the previous year. Smoking rates varied among the different UK nations, with figures of 10.4% in England, 11.4% in Wales, 12% in Scotland, and 10.5% in Northern Ireland.
John Britton, Emeritus Professor of Epidemiology at the University of Nottingham, praised UK tobacco policies over the past 15 years, attributing the shift to vaping as a key factor in reducing smoking prevalence, particularly among young people. He emphasized the potential of this transition to prevent premature deaths in the future.
The comparison between vaping and smoking rates is based on data from the ONS Opinion and Lifestyle Survey in Great Britain. Official smoking rates for the UK are derived from the Annual Population Survey.