Trends in long term vaping among adults in England, 2013-23: population based study

To examine trends in long term (>6 months) vaping among adults in England.

Population based study.

England.

179 725 adults (≥18 years) surveyed between October 2013 and October 2023.

Time trends in prevalence of long term vaping using logistic regression, overall and by vaping frequency (daily or non-daily), and main type of device used (disposable, refillable, or pod).

The proportion of adults reporting long term vaping increased non-linearly, from 1.3% (95% confidence interval 1.1% to 1.5%) in October 2013 to 10.0% (9.2% to 10.9%) in October 2023, with a particularly pronounced rise from 2021. This rise included an increase in long term daily vaping, from 0.6% (0.5% to 0.8%) to 6.7% (6.0% to 7.4%). Absolute increases in long term vaping were larger among people with a history of regular smoking (current smokers: 4.8% (4.0% to 5.8%) to 23.1% (20.4% to 25.9%); recent former smokers: 5.7% (3.4% to 9.2%) to 36.1% (27.6% to 45.4%); long term former smokers: 1.4% (1.0% to 1.9%) to 16.2% (14.2% to 18.4%)), but an increase also occurred among people who had never regularly smoked (0.1% (0.0% to 0.2%) to 3.0% (2.3% to 3.8%)). Growth was also more pronounced in young adults (eg, reaching 22.7% (19.2% to 26.5%) of 18 year olds v 4.3% (3.6% to 5.2%) of 65 year olds), including among those who had never regularly smoked (reaching 16.1% (11.1% to 22.7%) of 18 year olds v 0.3% (0.1% to 0.6%) of 65 year olds). Between October 2013 and March 2021, most long term vapers mainly or exclusively used refillable electronic cigarettes (2.5% to 3.3% of adults) and few (0.1% of adults) used disposable devices. However, prevalence of long term vaping using disposable devices subsequently rose rapidly, and by October 2023 similar proportions of adults mainly or exclusively used disposable and refillable devices (4.9% (4.2% to 5.7%) and 4.6% (4.0% to 5.3%), respectively).

The prevalence of long term vaping increased substantially among adults in England during 2013-23. Much of this increase occurred from 2021, coinciding with the rise in popularity of disposable e-cigarettes. Half of long term vapers now mainly or exclusively use disposable devices. The growth was concentrated among people with a history of regular smoking, but an increase also occurred among people who never regularly smoked, especially young adults.