The number of vapers aged 16 years and over in Great Britain (GB) has climbed higher than the number of smokers aged 16+ for the first time, according to the Opinions and Lifestyle Survey (OPN) by the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
The newly published figures show that around 5.4 million (10%) over 16s used a vape daily or occasionally in 2024; overtaking around 4.9 million (9.1%) current smokers aged 16+.
The percentage of over 16s in GB who said they smoked cigarettes had decreased from 10.5% in 2023, while the number of over 16s who said they vaped had increased from 5.1million users in 2023.
An estimated 6.7% of over 16s reported using an e-cigarette daily in 2024, up from 5.9% in 2023. A further 3.3% of over 16s reported using an e-cigarette occasionally, down from 3.9% in 2023. The ONS claimed that the decrease in occasional users of vapes this year suggested that some individuals may have either transitioned to daily use or stopped vaping altogether.
The number of over 16s who have never vaped continued to decrease in 2024 (83.4%), compared with 2023 (84.2%).
Jamie Strachan, operations director at vape retailer VPZ, said: “These latest figures show a historic shift in the UK’s smoking habits – with more adults now using e-cigarettes than smoking traditional tobacco for the first time.
“This milestone is a clear sign that vaping is continuing to play a vital role in helping millions of people across the country move away from cigarettes.”
