Which European Country Switched from Cigarettes to E-Cigarettes the Fastest?

In Europe, people in the UK have switched from cigarettes to e-cigarette alternatives earlier and faster than those in other countries.

According to new EY research, since 2013 one person has switched from traditional smoking to so-called vaping every four minutes.

There are now more than 2 million vapers in the UK, accounting for 4.2% of adults.

By comparison, the second-highest penetration rate is in France, where just over 3% of people use e-cigarette products.

The perceived health benefits of e-cigarettes are considered a key reason for their acceptance, and the UK government’s advisory bodies, Public Health England and the Royal College of Physicians, have stated that e-cigarettes are safer than traditional cigarettes.

Kingsley Wheaton, General Manager of Next Generation Products at British American Tobacco, said: “The UK is one of the most advanced regulatory environments for e-cigarettes, which is clearly reflected in consumer adoption and category growth.”

“The UK government has created an environment where consumers understand the products, can access them, and manufacturers are allowed to innovate and deliver high-quality products.”

The global e-cigarette market is estimated at £6.1 billion and is expected to reach £12 billion by 2020.