How many people who never smoked are now vaping in the UK?

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1. 1

   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.”

2. 2

   Vaping among adults in England who have never regularly smoked: a population-based study, 2016–24

   The Lancet Public Health (Jackson et al.)Published Oct 1, 2024Checked Oct 11, 2026

   “Vaping prevalence among never-regular-smokers was relatively stable up to 2021, at an average of 0·5% (95% CI 0·5-0·6) between July, 2016, and December, 2020; it then increased rapidly, reaching 3·5% (2·8-4·4) in April, 2024. This increase was largely driven by young adults (19·0% [13·9-25·4] among individuals aged 18 years) and those with higher alcohol consumption levels (22·1% [11·7-37·8%] among the heaviest drinkers). By contrast, trends among all adults (including current and former smokers) suggested the rise in vaping prevalence plateaued among all ages by early 2023. The number of adults in England who vape but have never regularly smoked rose rapidly between 2021 and 2024, particularly in younger age groups and most of these individuals reported vaping regularly over a sustained period. The public health impacts of this finding will depend on what these people would otherwise be doing: it is likely that some might have smoked if vaping were not an available option (exposing them to more harm), whereas others might not have smoked or vape…”

3. 3

   Nicotine vaping among UK adolescents: A systematic review and meta-analysis

   GSC Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences (Aghanenu-Ajewole)Published Apr 30, 2025Checked Oct 11, 2026

   “GRADE assessed evidence certainty. Pooled ever-use among 11-17 year-olds was 17.4% (95% CI: 15.2-19.8%; Wales 22.1%, Scotland 19.8%, England 14.2%). Current use was 7.6%, regular use 5.8%, and 8.9% of never-smokers had experimented. Prevalence peaked in 2023 (20.8%) before declining. Socioeconomic inequalities were marked (most vs. least deprived OR=3.7; maternal smoking OR=12.4). Thematic synthesis identified social influences (42.1%) and disposable accessibility (27.8%) as primary initiation drivers. Disposable device use among English youth vapers surged from 8.6% (2017) to 83.2% (2023). Among never-smokers, the vaping-to-smoking transition showed a pooled HR of 2.8 (95% CI: 1.9-4.1). GRADE certainty was moderate for prevalence/inequalities and low for gateway effects. UK adolescent vaping shows stabilized but elevated prevalence with profound socioeconomic gradients and plausible gateway effects. The rapid disposable device transition highlights commercial innovation outpacing regulation. Findings underscore the need for post-ban surveillance, targeted interventions for disadvantaged communities, and validated cessation support.”

4. 4

   P131 Prevalence and types of vaping in UK schoolchildren in 2024

   Research paper (Cass et al.)Published Nov 1, 2024Checked Oct 11, 2026

   “12,524 pupils responded from 34 out of the 195 institutions, covering all counties in Wales. By age 17, 44% of all pupils had tried vaping at least once and more than half (57%) described vaping in their Year group as ‘common’ or ‘very common’. At all ages more girls than boys vaped. 22% of 11-year-olds report vapes are ‘very easy or easy’ to get hold of, rising to 62% of 17-year-olds, with friends or family being the most common source. Children who currently vape were twice as likely to live with a smoker or a vaper than children who had never vaped (66% vs 32%). 92% of current vapers said they used vapes containing nicotine, and 45% said they felt they could not go through the whole school day without vaping. 25% of vapers said they would like to stop. The rise of vaping in UK schoolchildren continues to rise alarmingly with new data suggesting risk factors for uptake. Clear descriptions of (vape) nicotine addiction are now appearing.”