More than one million people in the United Kingdom who regularly use e-cigarettes have never smoked traditional tobacco products, according to recent data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS). The figure reached approximately 1.1 million in 2025, marking an increase from 940,000 in the previous year. This milestone coincides with the second consecutive year that vaping has surpassed smoking in popularity across the country.

The ONS report highlights that 5.4 million people, or 9.9% of the population, use e-cigarettes either daily or occasionally, compared to 4.8 million (8.7%) who continue to smoke traditional cigarettes. Public health officials attribute the decline in cigarette smoking to increasing awareness of its health risks and expanded restrictions on tobacco use in public spaces. While vaping is generally considered less harmful than smoking, experts caution that it should primarily serve as a smoking cessation aid, noting that the long-term health effects of e-cigarettes remain uncertain.

Demographically, the highest prevalence of vaping is now among those aged 25 to 34, with 16.4% reporting regular or occasional e-cigarette use. This represents a shift from the four years following the pandemic when the 16-to-24 age group had the highest vaping rates. The average age of vapers appears to be rising, which analysts say may reflect both an aging existing user base and growing uptake among certain adult age groups.

The ONS also found that one in five former smokers now use e-cigarettes, a figure consistent with 2024 data. Meanwhile, roughly one-third of current smokers report using e-cigarettes alongside tobacco products.

Ahead of the introduction of new legislation next year, the UK government aims to further reduce smoking rates, with a key measure being the permanent ban on legally selling tobacco to individuals born on or after January 1, 2009. This initiative is part of a broader plan to create a “smoke-free” generation. Additional regulatory changes will also impose stricter controls on the packaging, sale, and usage of vaping products.

Experts have acknowledged ongoing progress in lowering smoking prevalence but remain cautious about meeting long-term targets. Hazel Cheeseman, representing the charity Action on Smoking and Health, described the decline in smoking as encouraging yet warned that achieving a smoking rate below 5% by 2030 remains a challenge. She emphasized that despite the reductions, smoking continues to be the leading cause of preventable mortality in the UK.