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Highlights:
- The Lancet study highlights a growing number of young adults in England who vape but have never smoked, raising concerns over potential health risks.
- Disposable vapes are identified as a key driver behind the rise in non-smokers taking up vaping.
- The UK government, supported by industry players like Supreme plc, is moving to ban disposable vapes to curb their appeal among non-smokers.
The vaping industry has long positioned itself as a safer alternative to traditional cigarettes, offering adult smokers a pathway to quit tobacco. However, a recent study published in The Lancet raises fresh concerns about the long-term societal impact of vaping, particularly its role in creating new nicotine consumers from previously non-smoking individuals.
Central to the debate is whether vaping truly serves as a tool to help smokers quit or whether it leads to nicotine use among non-smokers, especially younger adults. While vaping has undeniably helped millions quit smoking, The Lancet study shows a growing trend of non-smokers, especially young adults, taking up vaping.
The study, conducted in England, found that the number of adults who vape but have never smoked increased sharply between 2021 and 2024, particularly in the 18-24 age group. According to the research, around 1 million adult vapers in England in 2024 had never smoked regularly, with disposable vapes cited as a primary factor behind this rise. This has prompted concerns over the potential health risks for individuals who might never have smoked but have been introduced to nicotine through vaping.
Supreme plc, a London-listed distributor of popular vaping brands like Elfbar and Lost Mary, claims its mission is to provide smokers with a safer and affordable alternative. However, industry players like Supreme also support the UK government's recent move to ban disposable vapes, reflecting concerns over their appeal to younger, non-smoking individuals.
While the Lancet study acknowledged the harm reduction potential of vaping for smokers, it raised alarm over the growing number of never-smokers who have adopted vaping. The study emphasized that if these individuals would not have otherwise smoked, vaping could expose them to more harm than if they had abstained from both smoking and vaping.
Adding to the controversy, a report from the Australian government cited studies suggesting a link between e-cigarette use among non-smokers and future tobacco use. However, other studies have contested this association, keeping the debate unresolved.
