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November 2025 - Health

There are now more vapers than smokers for the first time in Britain, according to new research: A recent study shows that as of 2024 there are now 5.4 million (10.0%) over 16s vaping daily or occasionally, overtaking the 4.9 million (9.1%) current smokers for the very first time in Great Britain.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) collects data on adult smoking habits through two main surveys. The Annual Population Survey (APS) gives headline data on numbers of over 18 smokers in the UK and works with a sample size of around 320,000. The Opinions and Lifestyle Survey (OPN) provides statistics on e-cigarette and smoking habits of those aged 16 and over in Great Britain (excluding Northern Ireland) with data being collected and published monthly.

The popularity of cigarettes in Great Britain has been falling steadily over the past decade, declining from 19% in 2014 to 9.1% in 2024. This is due to many factors including greater information about, and awareness, of the harmful effects of tobacco. The biggest reduction in smoking prevalence has been amongst 18-24 year olds with only 8.1% likely to smoke tobacco compared to just over a quarter (25.7%) in 2011. In stark contrast, the age group just above them, 25 to 34, have the highest percentage of those likely to smoke in the UK, at just under 13% (12.6%).

The study finds that the numbers of e-cigarettes used also differs between demographics. One of the most worrying statistics shows that e-cigarette usage remains highest among 16 to 24 year olds in Great Britain, with 13% using one daily or occasionally. On a more positive note, the 2024 figure was a slight improvement on the previous year where usage sat at 15.8%. Interestingly, the proportion of men using e-cigarettes has decreased by 1 percentage point year on year whereas an increase has been noted amongst women (rising from 8.5% in 2023 to 10% in 2024). 

Although the volume of research on the effects of e-cigarettes is growing, the long-term impact of vaping is still relatively unknown. Current evidence suggests they pose less risk to physical health than traditional cigarettes, but there is a mounting body of evidence to indicate they may have a causal link to a number of mental health issues, particularly amongst young people. It will be interesting to see if the decline in smoking and increase in vaping continues at the same rate over the next decade, as more research on the associated risks and impacts is made public.

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