Vaping in Adults
Currently 5.3 million UK adults currently smoke cigarettes – Office for National Statistics 2025
The statistics show adult smoking has continued to decline and is now at its lowest, but the use of e-cigarettes (vaping) has grown over the last decade.
- Vaping was quite uncommon before 2012, but as e-cigarettes because more widely available, the use of them increased.
- By 2024, 5.6 million adults in Great Britain used e-cigarettes, meaning there are now more adults who vape than smoke cigarettes.
Most adult vapers are either; former smokers who have switched to vaping, or current smokers using vapes to reduce or quit smoking.
Vaping in Young People
About 100,000 11 to 15-year-olds in England smoke now.
The chance of an 11 to 15-year-old being a smoker has halved in the past ten years. This change is partly because of new laws:
- Shops can only sell tobacco to adults over 18 (used to be 16).
- The power to stop shopkeepers from selling tobacco at all if they keep selling it to children.
- Not allowing cigarettes to be on display in shops.
- Cigarettes only being sold in plain packets.
Although vaping remains more common in adults, in recent years it has increased among young people, mainly due to:
- Brightly coloured disposable vapes.
- Sweet, fruit flavoured option.
- Social media marketing and peer pressure.
- Easy access to cheap disposables.
More recently in 2025, the Tobacco and Vapes Bill was introduced to Parliament. This includes measures to end the sale of tobacco to anyone born in or after 2009, creating a smoke-free generation.
Early Detection, Prevention and What We Know About Vaping
Oral cancer survival rates are strongly linked to early detection. Patients should be encouraged to:
- Check their mouth regularly (tongue, gums, throat).
- Look out for ulcers, red or white patches that don’t heal within three weeks.
- Visit their dentist for regular check-ups.
- Seek immediate medical advice if they notice persistent changes.
Research into vaping’s long-term oral health effects is still limited, but some early findings include:
- Dry mouth and sticky plaque formation may increase risk of gum problems.
- Non-nicotine e-liquids can be acidic, potentially contributing to dental erosion.
- Nicotine itself is not a carcinogen, but its impact on gum health is still being studied.
- Currently, there is no strong evidence linking vaping to oral cancer, but concerns remain about long-term use.
Resource Links for Young People:
- Youth smoking – ASH
- Quit your way Youth – NHSGGC
- Smoking — Teen Health 11 – 19 Service
- I am a Young Person – Quit Ready
Resource Links for Adults:
- Find stop smoking support services – NHS
- Explore your support options – Better Health – NHS
- Action on Smoking and Health – ASH
Resource Links for Parents and caregivers:
- Stop smoking advice for professionals working with young people
- Scenario: 12-17 years | Management | Smoking cessation | CKS | NICE
- I am a Parent/Carer – Quit Ready
