Recent findings published in The Lancet Public Health Journal this October shed light on a new trend: a growing number of adults in England who have never regularly smoked are now vaping. This highlights a significant shift in the use of e-cigarettes, which were once primarily used by current or former smokers to reduce harm or aid them in quitting smoking altogether.
Key Findings from The Lancet Study
This study, which analysed data from a survey of over 153,000 adults from 2016 to 2024, found that vaping among non-smokers remained relatively stable at 0.5% between 2016 and 2020. However, the introduction of disposable vapes in 2020-21 spurred a rapid increase, particularly among young adults and heavy drinkers. By April 2024, the vaping rate among non-smokers had increased to 3.5%. This surge was especially noted among 18-year-olds, with 19% of this age group who had never smoked now using vapes.
The study also highlighted how 56% of ‘never-regular-smokers’ (as The Lancet define) who vaped reported daily use, with 82% having vaped for six months or longer, pointing to sustained, habitual use. Disposables were the most popular devices, used by 50% of non-smokers, while nearly half (45%) of these vapers opted for e-liquids with high nicotine levels of 20 mg/mL or more. Nearly 8% of 11-17-year-olds vaped in April 2023, according to figures from ASH (Action on Smoking and Health).
This rise in vaping among non-smokers, especially young adults, mirrors the concerns raised in Serve Legal’s 2023 Auditor Survey, which showed that 71% of our predominantly 18-20-year-old auditors had observed their peers starting vaping before the legal age of 18. Even more troubling, 14% of these respondents reported that individuals as young as 11-14 were vaping, driven by the availability of cheap, brightly coloured disposable vapes with attractive flavours. With vaping now more common than smoking among children, the findings from The Lancet underscore the urgency of addressing the rise in vaping among young people.
Public Health Concerns
Health experts and policymakers are increasingly concerned about the long-term impact of vaping, particularly for non-smokers, as the long term repercussions are yet to be studied. Although e-cigarettes are considered a less harmful alternative to smoking, they still expose users to toxins. The Lancet study notes that for people who would not have smoked otherwise, the adoption of vaping could increase their health risks. This is especially true given the biomarker studies that show higher concentrations of harmful substances in the bodies of vapers compared to non-users.
The findings raise important questions about whether vaping is attracting individuals who might not have otherwise engaged in risk-taking behaviours. The study also found that vaping was more prevalent among individuals with higher alcohol consumption, with 22% of heavy drinkers who had never smoked now choosing to vape. We see here a culture developing around vapes that mirrors that of social smoking only a few decades ago, before the health repercussions were well known.
Serve Legal’s Role in Ensuring Compliance and Protecting Youth
As the market leading providers of ID and Compliance testing services across the UK and Ireland, Serve Legal are proud to be supporting retailers in adhering to the changing regulations through bespoke audit services and best practice advice assured by Trading Standards.
To offer our clients a range of data, Serve Legal offer both ID and No ID tests, where the auditor completing the visit must show their ID when questioned, or withhold it (usually by pretending they have left it at home). Serve Legal currently complete both of these tests at supermarkets, convenience stores, forecourts, and vape specialists, to ensure retailers comply with the laws governing the sale of age-restricted products, protecting both their customers and business reputation.
Serve Legal’s audit data for 2023-24 revealed a number of interesting trends:
Government Response and New Regulations
In response to the rising concerns around underage vaping, the UK government has announced a series of regulations aimed at curbing the use of e-cigarettes among young people. Key measures include (Source):
Experts say that banning disposable vapes, as the UK government currently plans, is not likely to fix the problem as some brands have already launched reusable products.
At Serve Legal, we are aware that changes in legislation often means complications for customers, staff and retailers, as everyone attempts to grasp the new laws and processes. Serve Legal’s work in ensuring that retailers adhere to ID check policies will be essential as new regulations come into effect and businesses are challenged to adhere to high standards of compliance.
To discuss how we can support your business through our audit programmes or best practice advice, get in touch with a member of our Client Management team.