New data reveals continued concerns regarding youth vaping: ASH calls for urgent government action

Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) has released new findings from a comprehensive survey examining the vaping behaviour of 11-17 year olds in Britain [1]. The data reveals that while the rate of youth vaping has stabilised, it remains a serious cause for concern, with close to a million children having tried vaping. The survey highlights key trends which emphasise the need for immediate government intervention.

ASH is deeply disappointed that the Tobacco and Vapes Bill was not tabled prior to the summer recess and will not be tabled until September at the earliest. Until the Bill is passed the Government will not have the powers it needs to regulate the appeal, the advertising and promotion of vapes which make them particularly attractive to young people. This delay hampers the government's ability to regulate vaping products effectively, leaving youth vulnerable.

Hazel Cheeseman, Deputy Chief Executive of ASH, said:
"The sustained level of youth vaping and evidence that dependency may be increasing sets alarm bells ringing. The Tobacco and Vapes Bill must be brought back immediately after summer recess, and fast tracked through parliament, so urgently needed regulations to protect young people from vaping can be implemented. Vaping is an important tool to help adults quit and it should be regulated accordingly, to prevent e-cigarettes being packaged and promoted as though they were children’s toys.”

Key Findings
Prevalence of Vaping Among Youth:

• Around 18% of 11-17 year olds, equating to 980,000 children, have tried vaping.
• Of those who have tried vaping, over half (53%) had only done so once or twice, amounting to 520,000 children.
• 3.0% vape less than once a week (160,000 children), while 4.2% vape more than once a week (230,000 children).
• 1.3% of children who tried vaping reported they no longer vape.

Exposure to Vape Promotion:

• Nearly three quarters (72%) of 11-17 year olds reported exposure to vape promotion, an increase from previous years. The most common sources of exposure were in shops (55%) and online (29%).

Purchasing Trends:

• Despite laws prohibiting the sale of vapes to under-18s, 48% of underage vapers reported purchasing vapes from shops.
• Disposable vapes remain the most common product among young users (54%), although this figure has declined from 69% last year, possibly as a result of the arrival on the market of reusable variants of disposable vapes in anticipation of an upcoming disposable vape ban.

Dependency Concerns:

• There is an indication that young vapers may be more dependent than they were four years ago, with more current vapers reporting strong urges to vape compared to 2020. This suggests that newer products may be increasing dependency, underscoring the urgency for stronger regulations.

ENDS

Notes to the Editor
Action on Smoking and Health is a health charity working to eliminate the harm caused by tobacco use. For more information see: ash.org.uk. ASH receives funding for its programme of work from Cancer Research UK and the British Heart Foundation.

Contact: press@ash.org.uk Hazel Cheeseman Deputy Chief Executive is available for media interviews.

[1] Smokefree GB Youth survey 2024. Total sample size was 2,872 young people aged 11-18. Conducted by YouGov for ASH, and is carried out in the Spring each year. The survey began in 2013, and this update includes the results of the 2024 survey (n=2,596) carried out in February and March 2024. Unless stated otherwise, reported results are for 11-17 year olds, under the legal age to be sold vapes (n=2,336). Use of vapes among young people in Great Britain 2024.