Researchers say there has been a shift away from disposable vapes ahead of their ban in June, but it may have only a “limited impact” on vaping rates.
That is despite a study by University College London (UCL) suggesting the rapid rise in the use of e-cigarettes in recent years has “stalled”.
The government’s ban on the sale and supply of single-use vapes in the UK is designed to tackle waste and the impact on the environment but also aims to deal with concerns about their appeal to young people.
Lead author Dr Sarah Jackson, of the UCL Institute of Epidemiology and Health Care, said their results suggest the ban “may have limited impact on vaping rates in general, given that vapers are already moving away from disposable vapes”.
“It seems likely that people using these products will move to reusable versions rather than stop vaping completely.”
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The study, funded by Cancer Research UK, analysed a survey of 88,611 people across Britain before and after the ban was announced.
Between January 2022 and January 2024, vaping rates among those aged 16 and over increased from 8.9% to 13.5%, with rates among young adults rising from 17% to 26.5%.
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After the ban was announced in January 2024, the study said trends changed and vaping rates among both adults and young adults remained “relatively stable”.
Meanwhile, the use of disposables has fallen, with the decline steepest among 16 to 24-year-olds, according to researchers.
Dr Jackson also warned that while “action is likely still required to reduce high vaping rates… it would be sensible to avoid stricter policy options” as that could deter smokers from using vapes to quit smoking.
Caroline Cerny, deputy chief executive of public health charity Action on Smoking and Health (Ash), said the findings were positive and “planned regulations have potential to tackle the trend in youth vaping”.
“At the same time, it’s important to strike the right balance: protecting young people while still supporting adults to stop smoking. With well-designed policies, we can achieve both,” she added.
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Gillian Golden, chief executive of the Independent British Vape Trade Association, said they welcomed research showing vapers are already moving away from single-use vapes but also urged caution.
“We echo calls by the researchers for regulators to think very carefully about applying further restrictions on vaping before current and forthcoming regulations have fully taken effect.
“Nearly three million people in Britain have successfully quit smoking using vapes in the last five years.”
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The Tobacco and Vapes Bill, which is currently working its way through Parliament, also includes powers to potentially restrict the packaging, marketing and flavours of e-cigarettes.
The health secretary said the bill aims to tackle the sale of nicotine products “deliberately targeted at children”.
