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Shocking Rise! One in 20 Adults in England Now Smoke and Vape!
2025-01-23
Author: Rajesh
Introduction
A startling new study from UCL researchers reveals that over 5% of adults in England are now both smokers and vapers. This marks a significant increase from just 3.5% between 2016 and 2024, particularly fueled by the surge in popularity of disposable e-cigarettes starting in 2021.
Study Overview
The research, published in the prestigious journal Addiction, examined survey data from an impressive 128,588 adults aged 18 and over. Alarmingly, the greatest increase in dual use was among young adults, where nearly two-thirds of 18- to 24-year-olds who smoke are now also vaping—up from just 20% in 2016.
Usage Patterns
In terms of usage patterns, dual users appear to be shifting towards more frequent vaping and less frequent smoking. The number of individuals smoking daily and vaping occasionally has halved, while the reverse—daily vaping with non-daily smoking—has more than doubled. This shift may reflect younger users' lifestyle choices, who tend to vape more frequently and smoke less than their older counterparts.
Expert Insights
Lead author Dr. Sarah Jackson from the UCL Institute of Epidemiology & Health Care noted, 'It’s critical to understand that dual usage of vapes and cigarettes can sometimes represent a step towards quitting smoking. While it's not perfect, the trend shows potential for reducing health risks among those transitioning away from traditional cigarettes.'
Misconceptions and Solutions
However, the study highlighted concerning misconceptions. Almost half (44%) of dual users believe e-cigarettes are as harmful as or more harmful than traditional cigarettes. This misbelief is problematic; daily vaping has been shown to help smokers quit, while non-daily vaping does not deliver the same benefits.
Call for Public Education
Professor Jamie Brown emphasized the need for informative public messaging regarding the relative risks of smoking versus vaping. He called for a robust media campaign to educate smokers about the potential advantages of switching to vaping as part of the government’s smoke-free generation policy.
Quitting Smoking
Cancer Research UK's Alizée Froguel reinforced the importance of quitting smoking altogether, as tobacco is responsible for approximately 160 cancer cases daily in the UK. Simplifying access to safer alternatives like vaping is crucial, but it must be managed responsibly to ensure they do not fall into the hands of non-smokers or minors.
Current Trends
Moreover, despite the rising trend in vaping, the most prevalent pattern among dual users remains daily smoking alongside daily vaping, particularly amongst older and more disadvantaged groups. Interestingly, those who had been vaping for over a year were more likely to engage in non-daily smoking, suggesting that vaping might indeed support a transition away from traditional smoking.
Conclusion
The NHS reaffirms that while vaping is less harmful than smoking, it should not be an initiation point for non-smokers. The clock is ticking; as vaping becomes more commonplace, experts urge for immediate action in education and support to facilitate healthier choices among the public.