A recent study led by researchers from University College London (UCL) has revealed a significant increase in the number of adults in England who have been vaping for more than six months. The study, which surveyed over 179,000 adults, found that the proportion of long-term vapers has risen from 1.3 percent in 2013 to 10 percent in 2023.

The surge in long-term vaping was particularly noticeable since 2021, coinciding with the growing popularity of disposable electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes). The research highlighted that half of long-term vapers now predominantly use disposable devices.

Lead author of the study, Sarah Jackson from the UCL Institute of Epidemiology and Health Care, emphasized the sharp increase in young adults reporting long-term vaping following the introduction of new disposable e-cigarettes to the market.

Notably, the study indicated that the prevalence of long-term vaping has increased more rapidly among young adults compared to older age groups, resulting in a significant age disparity in long-term vaping habits. In fact, 22.7 percent of 18-year-olds reported vaping long-term, while only 4.3 percent of 65-year-olds did.

Furthermore, the research pointed out that while the growth in long-term vapers was primarily observed among individuals with a history of regular smoking, there was also a rise among those who had never been regular smokers.

According to the National Health Service (NHS) in Britain, e-cigarettes have gained popularity as a tool for smoking cessation. Despite being considered less harmful than traditional cigarettes, e-cigarettes are not entirely risk-free.