Latest UK survey: if vapes are banned, nearly 1 million vapers could return to smoking

According to a national survey in the UK, if flavored electronic cigarettes are banned, nearly one million electronic cigarette users may return to smoking.

The sample study shows that among approximately 4.5 million electronic cigarette users in the UK, 21% would be willing to smoke again if the government implements restrictions. This result comes ahead of the government's public consultation deadline on creating a smoke-free generation, which ends on Wednesday, December 6.

The government plans to ban disposable and flavored electronic cigarettes to protect children. However, activists warn that such measures will increase smoking rates and have little impact on underage smoking.

This electronic cigarette survey conducted by FocALData was commissioned by the We Vape movement group and surveyed over 2,000 electronic cigarette users and non-users in the UK over a week.

Among them, 33% of respondents said flavor is very important, and 37% said it is extremely important.

Additionally, one million people indicated they would purchase flavored electronic cigarettes from abroad, while 14% would turn to the black market, where products are unregulated and potentially dangerous.

Worryingly, 12% of respondents said they would be forced to try making their own DIY flavors at home to prevent themselves from returning to smoking.

Mr. Oates, founder of We Vape, added: "These results are deeply concerning and clearly indicate that banning flavors and disposable electronic cigarettes will lead those who have quit smoking to return to cigarettes. Flavor is a key factor for transitioning adults."

"It provides them with the nicotine they need without the tar. Just because you ban something doesn't mean the demand disappears. Shockingly, among the surveyed electronic cigarette users, 12% said they would consider trying to make their own flavors at home, which is very dangerous."

"Evidence suggests that the government's plans will have the opposite effect and actually increase smoking rates. This harms the long-term treatment costs for the NHS and affects individuals facing death or serious illness, further hindering England's progress towards the government's smoke-free target for 2030."

These alarming figures come after earlier reports indicated that if disposable electronic cigarettes were banned, an additional one million electronic cigarette users would return to smoking.

After the government consultation ends, Health Minister Victoria Atkins' first project may be to implement a ban on flavored electronic cigarettes and disposable electronic cigarettes.

This move is a response to the colorful electronic cigarettes and exotic flavors, with activists concerned that this may entice children to purchase age-restricted products.

TikTok has been a popular platform for minors promoting illegal electronic cigarettes, which are unregulated and often proven to be dangerous.

Last month, Birmingham Trading Standards officials and West Midlands police confiscated over 1,000 illegal devices from a store that was "openly displaying electronic cigarettes," with some devices having an astonishing 9,000 puffs.

However, claims that banning flavors and disposable devices will be effective contradict new evidence from the United States, which shows that banning flavors not only increases adult smoking rates but also increases youth smoking rates.

A study by Yale University across 375 locations and seven states that have already impacted youth smoking shows that for every flavored electronic cigarette pod not sold, 15 cigarettes will replace it.

Worse still, many of those purchasing cigarettes instead of electronic cigarettes are minors.

The study concludes: "By matching new flavor policy data with retail sales data, we found that for every pod not sold due to flavor restrictions, there are 15 additional cigarettes sold."

"Moreover, cigarette sales have even increased among brands that are more popular among youth. Therefore, any public health benefits may be offset by the public health costs associated with increased cigarette sales."

Sweden will become the first country in Europe to achieve a smoke-free status before Christmas, with less than 5% of the population smoking. The Swedish Public Health Agency credits electronic cigarettes, Swedish tobacco, and nicotine pouches.

The UK has adopted a harm reduction model, with the NHS providing electronic cigarette starter kits to smokers.

However, the World Health Organization still refuses to recognize electronic cigarettes as an effective method for quitting smoking.