UK Vaping Trends: Quitting Challenges and Health Information

Vaping has become a common method of nicotine consumption in the UK. Data released by the Office for National Statistics indicates that the number of adults aged 16 and over in Great Britain who use vapes or e-cigarettes has surpassed those who smoke cigarettes for the first time. Currently, 5.4 million adults report daily or occasional vaping, while 4.9 million adults smoke.

Quitting Vaping

Some individuals who vape express a desire to cease or reduce their usage, citing difficulties in doing so. Concerns have also been noted regarding some individuals considering a return to cigarette smoking, with differences in usage patterns compared to vaping identified.

Risk Perception and Health Data

Variations in public perception of vaping risks have been observed. Some public health experts express concern that perceived risks of vaping may be overstated, potentially influencing smoking initiation. Data from September by Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) indicated that 63% of young people believe vaping to be as harmful as, or more harmful than, smoking. This contrasts with established evidence indicating cigarettes pose significantly greater health risks.

Public health experts state that vaping and smoking belong to distinct risk categories. Martin Dockrell, former tobacco evidence lead at the UK's Office for Health Improvement and Disparities, affirmed that vaping is considerably less harmful than smoking. This distinction is attributed to the absence of combustion in vaping, which avoids the harmful constituents of smoke such as tar, carbon monoxide, and various toxic combustion products. While vaping involves inhaling different chemicals, these are fewer in number and, based on current evidence, considered safer.

Past health incidents, such as the US outbreak of vaping-associated lung injury, were largely linked to illicit cannabis vapes rather than regulated nicotine e-cigarettes. The hypothetical risk of