Health
Over one million non-smokers in Britain now use e-cigarettes, figures show
Office for National Statistics data shows vaping has surpassed smoking for a second year as adult cigarette use declines.
The short version
- Official 2025 statistics reveal that approximately 1.1 million Britons who never smoked cigarettes now vape daily or occasionally, increasing from about 940,000 in 2024.[The Guardian · BBC News]
- Overall adult cigarette smoking across the UK fell to 4.9 million, leaving e-cigarette users outnumbering traditional smokers for the second consecutive year.[BBC News]
- People aged 25 to 34 became the demographic most likely to use e-cigarettes, overtaking the 16-to-24 age group.[BBC News]
- The NHS warns non-smokers and youths against vaping, noting that while it is less damaging than smoking, long-term health consequences remain uncertain.[BBC News]
Key facts
- Roughly 1.1 million Britons who never smoked cigarettes reported using e-cigarettes in 2025, up from approximately 940,000 in 2024.[The Guardian · BBC News]
- For the second straight year, more people aged 16 and over used e-cigarettes than smoked traditional cigarettes.[BBC News]
- The count of UK cigarette smokers decreased to 4.9 million adults, down from 5.3 million in 2024.[BBC News]
- Individuals aged 25 to 34 became the highest-vaping demographic at 16.4%, surpassing 16-to-24-year-olds.[BBC News]
What remains uncertain
- The long-term health consequences of using e-cigarettes remain unknown according to the NHS.[BBC News]
Sources
Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.
- One million UK people who have never smoked are now vapingBBC News - Top Stories
- Proportion of people in Great Britain vaping who never smoked doubles in four yearsThe Guardian - World