Youth Vaping Rates Remain Stable in Great Britain Amid Rising "Ever Smoker" Figures

Recent data released by Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) reveals that vaping rates among young people aged 11-17 in Great Britain have plateaued, with 20% reporting "ever vaping." However, the charity shares concerns over a significant increase in those identifying as "ever smokers," rising from 14% in 2023 to 21% in 2025. This rise has led to a call for urgent action to address the situation.

Key Takeaways:

• The rate of "ever vaping" among young people aged 11-17 in Great Britain has remained stable at 20%, with "current vaping" at 7% and "regular vaping" at 4% remaining steady.
• The majority of youth vapers (95%) do not currently vape, underscoring the relative rarity of regular use among younger teens.
• Among younger respondents aged 11-15, just 16% reported having ever tried vaping, a figure that has remained steady in recent years.
• Disposable vapes remain the most commonly used devices, with 42% of youth vapers still using them despite the UK-wide ban on disposable vapes enacted on June 1, 2025.
• 25% of youth vapers said they would stop vaping altogether, while 59% indicated they would continue, with 67% planning to switch to reusable devices.
• Nearly half of youth vapers (47%) reported experiencing strong or very strong urges to vape, up from 26% in 2020, indicating rising levels of dependence.
• Social influence remains a dominant factor, with over three-quarters receiving their first vape from someone they knew, typically a friend.
• Exposure to promotional content continues to play a role, with 55% seeing vape advertising in shops and 29% encountering promotions online, most commonly on TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram.