Study Shows Number of UK Teens Trying E-Cigarettes Rose 50% in One Year

Today, it was reported that as of May 18, new data shows that the proportion of children in the UK trying e-cigarettes increased by 50% last year.

Data from the UK indicates that the proportion of teenagers aged 11 to 17 who tried e-cigarettes rose from 7.7% last year to 11.6% this year.

Children were asked if they had ever tried vaping once or twice, and this proportion has doubled over nine years, increasing from 5.6% in 2014 to 11.6% this year.

When asked what they used, disposable e-cigarettes seemed to be the preferred choice among young people, with most purchases coming from corner shops.

It is illegal to sell e-cigarettes to children under 18, but there are posts on social media where teenagers showcase e-cigarettes and discuss flavors like pink lemonade, strawberry, banana, and mango.

Experts have previously warned about how a new generation of disposable e-cigarettes known as PUFF bars—containing nicotine—has flooded the market.

The latest survey confirms this, with Elf Bar being the most popular disposable brand among children, followed by Lost Mary, Elux, Geek Bar, and Crystal.

In 2021, current child e-cigarette users were least likely to use disposable e-cigarettes (7.7%), but by 2022, they became the most frequent users (52%), and this proportion continued to grow to 69% in 2023.

YouGov conducted the latest survey in March and April, targeting 2,656 teenagers for Action on Smoking and Health (ASH).

This will be submitted as part of the government's call for evidence to take measures to reduce children's exposure to e-cigarettes while ensuring that adults who want to quit smoking can still use e-cigarettes.

New data shows that the proportion of children currently smoking (4.8% in 2022, 3.6% in 2023) or saying they currently use e-cigarettes (6.9% in 2022, 7.6% in 2023) has not changed significantly.

When asked why they vape, 40% of young people said they just wanted to try it, 19% used e-cigarettes to fit in with others, and 14% said they liked the flavors.

Nearly three-quarters (73%) of young people reported that their first e-cigarette was given to them by a friend, and two-thirds received theirs from friends, but for those currently using e-cigarettes, nearly three-quarters (72%) said they usually buy e-cigarettes, most commonly from corner shops (26%).

Other places where children purchase e-cigarettes include gas stations or convenience stores (9.4%) and online (7.6%).

When it comes to awareness of e-cigarette promotions, children are most aware of in-store promotions, rising from 37% last year to 53% in 2023.

Online awareness has also increased (from 24% to 32%), while awareness through buses stands at 11%.

When asked about online awareness, children who have seen online promotions for e-cigarettes reported seeing them on TikTok (49%), YouTube (29%), Instagram (28%), and Snapchat (24%).

ASH CEO Deborah Arnott stated: "We need to curb the wave of children experimenting with e-cigarettes, and government investment to combat illegal sales of e-cigarettes to minors is a crucial first step."

"However, without stricter regulations to address the child-friendly promotions of these cheap and appealing products, enforcement alone will not be effective. The ASH youth survey shows a rapid increase in in-store promotions for e-cigarettes, using colorful packaging reminiscent of past cigarette displays."

"The evidence is clear; the government needs to take strong action to prevent the sale of e-cigarettes to children."

Geoff Worsley, a father from Abergele, North Wales, has over 100,000 signatures on his change.org petition "Stop Children's E-Cigarettes—More Regulation Now," stating: "Parents like me across the country are calling on the government to take action to protect our children from e-cigarettes and smoking."

"Providing more funding for enforcement is a good start, but it is not enough. E-cigarettes are safer and better for smokers than smoking, but they should not be marketed to children. Regulations need to be established to prevent e-cigarettes from being displayed prominently in stores, with colorful packaging and sweet names that appeal to children. We need stricter regulations to stop our children from vaping, and we need it now." #p#分页标题#e#

However, ASH stated that the evidence so far does not support concerns that e-cigarettes will lead to a new generation addicted to nicotine.

It stated that data shows that among the 20.5% of young people who have ever vaped, most have only vaped once or twice, or have only tried e-cigarettes or vape less than once a week.

About 1.8% of respondents reported vaping daily or weekly, with the daily vaping rate at 2%.

Data also shows that most (63%) of those who have tried vaping once or twice have never smoked. However, most (71%) current e-cigarette users have tried smoking.

Professor Ann McNeill from King's College London stated that data shows too many smoking adults and children believe that the harms of e-cigarettes are equal to or greater than those of smoking.

"These misconceptions may encourage children to believe they can smoke just as they vape, and prevent non-smoking adults who have never vaped from accepting the government's 'swap to stop' proposal (using e-cigarettes instead of cigarettes)." she said.

"A well-funded campaign is needed to address these growing misconceptions."

A spokesperson for the Department of Health and Social Care stated: "It is already illegal to sell e-cigarettes to children, and we are exploring further ways to address the issue of youth vaping through a newly launched evidence-gathering initiative that will focus on the appearance and characteristics of e-cigarettes, marketing promotions, and the role of social media."

"We have also recently announced a new illegal e-cigarette enforcement team—backed by £3 million—to remove illegal products from shelves and prevent them from crossing our borders."

Daisy Cooper, health spokesperson for the Liberal Democrats, stated: "E-cigarettes are a great aid for quitting smoking, but efforts to market them to children are cynical and harmful to young people."

"We need stricter regulations on e-cigarettes, such as age warnings on packaging, ending toy-like advertising aimed at children, and banning the sale of disposable e-cigarettes and free samples."