New analysis shows 18-24-year-olds have seen the biggest decrease in cigarette smoking and the largest increase in users of disposable vapes since 2011.
Online vape store Go Smoke Free says it analysed ONS (Office for National Statistics) data to identify which age groups have the highest and lowest proportion of smokers. The data also revealed that the UK has seen a 26% decrease in smokers nationwide between 2011 and 2022, with the current rate of smokers at 12.9%.
The age group with the highest smoking prevalence is 25–34-year-olds. As of 2022, 16.3% of people aged between 25 and 34 are smokers, a 36% decrease compared to 2011, when the proportion of smokers for this age group was 25.8%.
Despite rates decreasing over the years for other age groups, the proportion of smokers aged 25 and 34 increased by 16% between 2021 and 2022. According to the analysis, the age group that has seen the most significant decrease in the number of smokers are 18-24-year-olds.
New laws and bans surrounding disposable vapes may lead to an increase in cigarette smokers.
Since 2011 there has been a 55% decrease in the proportion of smokers aged between 18 and 24 – 25.7% compared to the current figure of 11.6%. The number of daily vape users aged between 16 and 24 has increased annually, according to the analysis.
Commenting on the findings, a spokesperson for Go Smoke Free, said: “Despite the significant drop in smokers aged between 18-24, we must take into consideration the recent trend of vaping and e-cigarettes, which could explain the decrease in smoking.
“New laws and bans surrounding disposable vapes may lead to an increase in cigarette smokers, especially in the 18-24-year-old category, as this age group has the highest proportion of vapers.”
Proportion of cigarette smokers in the UK by age group, 2011-2022 (%).
|
Year |
18-24 |
25-34 |
35-44 |
45-54 |
55-64 |
65+ |
|
2011 |
25.7 |
25.8 |
23.3 |
21.6 |
18.5 |
10.2 |
|
2012 |
25.0 |
25.0 |
22.5 |
21.0 |
18.0 |
10.1 |
|
2013 |
23.5 |
24.6 |
21.2 |
20.3 |
17.1 |
9.8 |
|
2014 |
23.5 |
24.0 |
20.1 |
19.6 |
16.7 |
9.3 |
|
2015 |
20.7 |
23.0 |
19.5 |
19.0 |
16.0 |
8.8 |
|
2016 |
19.3 |
20.8 |
18.1 |
17.3 |
15.1 |
8.3 |
|
2017 |
17.8 |
19.7 |
16.9 |
16.7 |
14.9 |
8.1 |
|
2018 |
16.8 |
19.2 |
16.4 |
16.8 |
14.5 |
7.9 |
|
2019 |
16.0 |
19.0 |
15.5 |
15.9 |
13.9 |
7.8 |
|
2020 |
14.7 |
18.0 |
16.3 |
15.8 |
14.2 |
8.1 |
|
2021 |
13.2 |
15.8 |
15.4 |
15.5 |
14.0 |
8.0 |
|
2022 |
11.6 |
16.3 |
14.5 |
14.3 |
13.6 |
8.3 |
Last year, Labour MP for Warrington North Charlotte Nichols asked Defra (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) Minister for Resources and Waste Robbie Moore whether he is taking steps to encourage the use of refillable rather than disposable vapes.
Moore responded: “On 12 October 2023 the government launched a consultation on smoking and youth vaping, which has now closed. As part of this consultation, we are considering restrictions on the sale and supply of disposable vape products (including non-nicotine vapes) due to the environmental impacts of disposable vapes.
“We are currently analysing responses to this consultation and are working with the Department of Health and Social Care to publish a Government response in due course.”
