Number of young adults vaping triples in two years as nicotine use soars but smoking continues to decline, study shows Upward trend has been driven by the emergence of disposable devices Nine per cent of under 25s vaped in 2021 compared to 29 per cent in 2023 Overall nicotine use rose from 28 per cent to 35 per cent, research revealed By Kate Pickles, Health Editor and Xantha Leatham Deputy Science Editor Published: 00:47, 24 May 2024 | Updated: 00:51, 24 May 2024 e-mail View comments The number of 18 to 24-year-olds vaping has tripled in two years, driven by the emergence of disposable devices, a study has found. Researchers from University College London examined data on vaping and smoking for 132,252 people in England from 2016 to May last year. They found that, while smoking continues to decline across all ages, vaping was on the rise – particularly among under 25s, in which the proportion who said they vaped rose from 9 per cent in May 2021 to 29 per cent in May 2023.
It meant that overall nicotine use rose from 28 per cent to 35 per cent, blamed on the popularity of disposable vapes. Dr Ian Walker – executive director of policy at Cancer Research UK, which funded the study – said: 'This shows a concerning increase in the number of young adults using vapes since disposables came on the market in the UK.' Researchers from University College London have found that the number of 18 to 24-year-olds vaping has tripled in two years, driven by the emergence of disposable .
