Vapers outnumber smokers in Britain for the first time

For the first time, more Britons aged 16 vape than smoke, according to the National Statistics Office.

sarah

Nov 4, 2025 - 19:58

Vapers outnumber smokers in Britain for the first time

An ONS survey from 2024 shows that approximately 5.4 million adults use vapes daily or occasionally, while 4.9 million people smoke cigarettes.

Daily vaping is most common among 25-49 year olds, and its use is increasing among women.

The popularity of cigarette smoking has declined over the past decade as many people have quit due to the harmful effects of tobacco, while the use of lower-risk vapes has increased – especially among younger age groups.

The NHS says that vaping carries significantly less risk than smoking cigarettes, as cigarettes release thousands of chemicals when burned, many of which are toxic and can cause cancer. Switching to vaping reduces these risks.

The ONS Opinion and Lifestyle Survey shows that 10% of adults aged 16 and over currently use e-cigarettes every day or occasionally – slightly more than the 9.1% who say they currently smoke cigarettes.

The number of people who have quit smoking has increased – reaching 74.2% in 2024, up from 70.3% in 2023.

In the 1970s, fewer than 30% of people had quit the habit. At that time, almost half the population smoked.

But much has changed since then. In 2006-2007, smoking was banned in enclosed public places and workplaces, and in 2015, smoking was banned in cars carrying children. Recently, in 2017, plain cigarette packaging was introduced. And government legislation currently going through Parliament will soon mean that anyone born on or after January 1, 2009, will never be able to legally buy tobacco in the UK.

Rules will also be tightened on the packaging and display of vapes in shops, amid concerns that these devices are appealing to children. An ONS survey shows that 6.7% of people aged 16 and over in Great Britain use vapes or e-cigarettes daily, up from 5.9% in 2023.

Another 3.3% say they use them occasionally.

This means that 5.4 million people currently use vapes, up from 5.1 million in 2023.

In 2024 in Great Britain, "daily or occasional" e-cigarette use was highest among 16 to 24-year-olds at 13.0%. However, this is down from 15.8% in 2023.