Number of adults in the UK who vape has hit highest level ever, report finds

The proportion of adults in the UK who vape is at its highest level ever, with the number who both smoke and vape doubling over the past three years, according to analysis.

- Tobi Thomas

The number of smokers who use both cigarettes and vapes has doubled over the past three years to 2.2 million, increasing from 17% of smokers in 2021 to 32% in 2024.

The analysis, conducted by Action on Smoking and Health (Ash) and based on data collected by YouGov, found that 5.6 million adults in Britain vape about 11% of the adult population and the highest rate ever.

According to the research, 53% of those who vape are former smokers, which is the equivalent of 3 million people. Among all former smokers including those who still or no longer vape - the median time spent using e-cigarettes is two years.

However, in the last three years Ash found that more than half of current vapers who are ex-smokers had been vaping for more than three years. This is compared with 18% in 2017.