Data Shows Potential of Vaping for quiting smoking

New data from Action on Smoking and Health U.K. (ASH U.K.) found that more than half of ex-smokers in the UK who quit in the past five years – equivalent to 2.7 million adults – used a vape pen in their most recent attempt to quit.

It also revealed that the top reasons for vaping among current smokers included “to reduce smoking”, “to protect others from the risk of second-hand smoke” or “to help them quit”.

ASH U.K. also reported that misconceptions around vaping are at an all-time high, with 50 percent of smokers incorrectly believing that vaping is as or more harmful than smoking.

The new data also showed that while current and ongoing vaping use among young people has declined between 2023 and 2024, people under the age of 18 still have access to these age-restricted products.

“The latest figures from ASH U.K. once again highlight the smoking cessation benefits of vaping for adults and reinforce the crucial role these products have and must continue to play in reducing the health burden of smoking for good,” said John Dunne, director general of the U.K. Vaping Industry Association, in a statement.

“That said, if vaping is to reach its full potential in supporting the ambition of smoke-free living, action must be taken to address growing misconceptions about the less harmful alternative, which are undoubtedly exacerbated by scare stories in the mainstream media and some mixed messages within the public health community. This could be achieved through the introduction of national public education campaigns, providing adults with the best, science-based information to help them quit.”