How many non-smokers vape, and is vaping safer than smoking?

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1. 1

   Prevalence and Distribution of E-Cigarette Use Among U.S. Adults: Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, 2016

   Annals of Internal Medicine (Mirbolouk et al.)Published Aug 30, 2018Checked Oct 11, 2026

   “Of participants with information on e-cigarette use (n = 466 842), 15 240 were current e-cigarette users, representing a prevalence of 4.5%, which corresponds to 10.8 million adult e-cigarette users in the United States. Of the e-cigarette users, 15% were never-cigarette smokers. The prevalence of current e-cigarette use was highest among persons aged 18 to 24 years (9.2% [95% CI, 8.6% to 9.8%]), translating to approximately 2.8 million users in this age range. More than half the current e-cigarette users (51.2%) were younger than 35 years. E-cigarette use is common, especially in younger adults, LGBT persons, current cigarette smokers, and persons with comorbid conditions. The prevalence of use differs across states. These contemporary estimates may inform researchers, health care policymakers, and tobacco regulators about demographic and geographic distributions of e-cigarette use. Primary Funding Source: American Heart Association Tobacco Regulation and Addiction Center, which is funded by the U.S.”

2. 2

   Trends in Electronic Cigarette Use Among U.S. Adults: Use is Increasing in Both Smokers and Nonsmokers

   Nicotine & Tobacco Research (McMillen et al.)Published Nov 6, 2014Checked Oct 11, 2026

   “Sample sizes for 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2013 were 3,240, 3,097, 3,101, and 3,245, respectively. Ever use of electronic cigarettes increased from 1.8% (2010) to 13.0% (2013), while current use increased from 0.3% to 6.8%, p < .001. Prevalence of use increased significantly across all demographic groups. In 2013, current use among young adults 18-24 (14.2%) was higher than adults 25-44 (8.6%), 45-64 (5.5%), and 65+ (1.2%). Daily smokers (30.3%) and nondaily smokers (34.1%) were the most likely to currently use e-cigarettes, compared to former smokers (5.4%) and never-smokers (1.4%), p < .001. However, 32.5% of current electronic cigarette users are never- or former smokers. There has been rapid growth in ever and current electronic cigarette use over the past 4 years. Use is highest among young adults and current cigarette smokers. Although smokers are most likely to use these products, almost a third of current users are nonsmokers, suggesting that e-cigarettes contribute to primary nicotine addiction and to renormalization of tobacco use.”

3. 3

   One million UK people who have never smoked are now vaping

   BBC NewsPublished Oct 6, 2026Checked Oct 11, 2026

   “Latest statistics also show, for the second year in a row, more over-16s vape than smoke.”

4. 4

   Impact of vaping on respiratory health

   BMJ (Jonas)Published Jul 18, 2022Checked Oct 11, 2026

   “Vaping has grown in popularity over the past decade, in part propelled by innovations in vape pen design and nicotine flavoring. Teens and young adults have seen the biggest uptake in use of vape pens, which have superseded conventional cigarettes as the preferred modality of nicotine consumption. Relatively little is known, however, about the potential effects of chronic vaping on the respiratory system. Further, the role of vaping as a tool of smoking cessation and tobacco harm reduction remains controversial. The 2019 E-cigarette or Vaping Use-Associated Lung Injury (EVALI) outbreak highlighted the potential harms of vaping, and the consequences of long term use remain unknown. Here, we review the growing body of literature investigating the impacts of vaping on respiratory health. We review the clinical manifestations of vaping related lung injury, including the EVALI outbreak, as well as the effects of chronic vaping on respiratory health and covid-19 outcomes. We conclude that vaping is not without risk, and that further investigation is required to establish clear public policy guidance and regulation.”

5. 5

   Prevalence and correlates of e-cigarette use among older adults aged 60 years and over.

   European geriatric medicine (Adebisi et al.)Published Jun 29, 2026Checked Oct 11, 2026

   “Prevalence remained broadly stable across survey years, ranging from 2.16% (95% CI: 1.43-3.25) in 2021 to 5.55% (95% CI: 4.43-6.93) in 2023. E-cigarette use was overwhelmingly concentrated among those with a smoking history: current smokers (adjusted OR 18.78, 95% CI: 11.79-29.92, p ConclusionsE-cigarette use among Scottish older adults was low but non-trivial and was strongly patterned by smoking history. The concentration of use among current and former smokers suggests that e-cigarette use in this age group occurs mainly among people with prior exposure to combustible tobacco, although the cross-sectional design cannot determine whether use reflects cessation, substitution, experimentation, or persistent dual use. The steep age gradient, deprivation patterning, and association with poorer self-rated health highlight the need for age-sensitive clinical counselling and balanced risk communication in older adults.”

6. 6

   E-Cigarettes: Prevalence and Attitudes in Great Britain

   Nicotine & Tobacco Research (Dockrell et al.)Published May 23, 2013Checked Oct 11, 2026

   “Awareness, trial, and current use increased between 2010 and 2012; for example, current use more than doubled from 2.7% of smokers in 2010 to 6.7% in 2012. The proportion of ever-users currently using e-cigarettes was around one-third in both years. In 2012, 1.1% of ex-smokers reported current e-cigarette use, and a further 2.7% reported past use. Approximately 0.5% of never-smokers reported having tried e-cigarettes. While we found evidence supporting the view that e-cigarette use may be a bridge to quitting, we found very little evidence of e-cigarette use among adults who had never smoked. British smokers would benefit from information about the effective use, risks, and benefits of e-cigarettes, as this might enable the use of e-cigarettes to improve public health.”

7. 7

   E-Cigarettes: Prevalence and Attitudes in Great Britain

   Nicotine & Tobacco Research (Dockrell et al.)Published May 23, 2013Checked Oct 11, 2026

   “Awareness, trial, and current use increased between 2010 and 2012; for example, current use more than doubled from 2.7% of smokers in 2010 to 6.7% in 2012. The proportion of ever-users currently using e-cigarettes was around one-third in both years. In 2012, 1.1% of ex-smokers reported current e-cigarette use, and a further 2.7% reported past use. Approximately 0.5% of never-smokers reported having tried e-cigarettes. While we found evidence supporting the view that e-cigarette use may be a bridge to quitting, we found very little evidence of e-cigarette use among adults who had never smoked. British smokers would benefit from information about the effective use, risks, and benefits of e-cigarettes, as this might enable the use of e-cigarettes to improve public health.”