According to a recent report by the Guardian, research data shows that one in ten people aged 16 and over in the UK use vapes. One million non-regular smokers in the UK have started using vapes, a figure that has increased sevenfold in three years, which has aroused the vigilance of health experts.
Before 2021, the use of vapes among adult non-regular smokers remained stable, with one in 200 people using vapes, about 133,000 people. However, a study published in The Lancet Public Health showed that by 2024, this proportion had risen sharply to one in 28 people, equivalent to 1.006 million people.
Data released by the UK National Statistics Office this week showed that there were 5.1 million vape users aged 16 and over in the UK, with the highest vape use rate among people aged 16 to 24, at 15.8%.
The study also found that most vape users who had never smoked regularly were using vapes every day and for a long time. This sharp increase was mainly driven by young people, with the study showing that 14% of non-regular smokers aged 18 to 24 in the UK now use vapes.
Researchers warned that the UK government’s plan to ban disposable vapes may not solve the problem because some brands have already launched reusable products. Experts suggest that stricter laws and regulations should be adopted to reduce the appeal of vape products.
Prof Jamie Brown of the Institute of Epidemiology and Health Care at University College London (UCL) believes that although measures to ban disposable vapes may not be enough to solve the problem, stricter regulations on product appearance, packaging and marketing can be introduced because these measures are unlikely to reduce the effectiveness of vapes in quitting smoking. He pointed out that the overall popularity of vapes seems to have stabilized by 2023, which may provide a reasonable basis for taking these measures and evaluating their effectiveness.
The study analyzed survey data from 153,073 adults in the UK between 2016 and 2024, of which 94,107 had never smoked regularly. The data showed that the proportion of never-smokers who smoked vapes was 0.5% between 2016 and 2020. But by April 2024, this figure had grown to 3.5%, or more than 1 million people, more than half of whom were aged between 18 and 24.
The researchers also found that people who have never smoked regularly in recent years tend to be younger, the proportion of women has increased, they are more likely to use disposable devices and high-concentration nicotine vape oils, and mainly buy products in supermarkets or convenience stores.
In a statement issued by the UK Department of Health and Social Care, the department stressed that although vapes can effectively help adults quit smoking, children and non-smoking adults should not use vapes. The department said that the Tobacco and vapes Act will protect future generations from the harm of tobacco and nicotine, save countless lives and ease the pressure on the National Health Service.
As a member of the vape market, Veehoo vape is committed to providing safe, high-quality vape products and paying attention to the health and well-being of consumers. With the rapid growth of the number of users in the UK vape market, Veehoo vapes are also rising rapidly in the market and are favored by more and more consumers.
Veehoo vapes will continue to uphold the principles of compliance and consumer safety first, continuously innovate and improve products, and provide consumers with a better vape experience. In the booming vape market in the UK, Veehoo vapes will continue to play an active role, lead the trend of market development, and help consumers enjoy a better smoking experience.
The UK Department of Health and Social Welfare emphasized that vapes can effectively help adults quit smoking, but children and non-smoking adults should not use vapes. Veehoo vapes will continue to pay attention to the trends of regulatory authorities, ensure product compliance, protect consumer health, and contribute to building a healthier and more sustainable vape market.
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