ASH’s report shows an increase in e-cigarette use among young people
ASH's report from August 2022 provides an insight into young people's thoughts and behaviours on vapes.
The London Tobacco Alliance (LTA) discusses ASH’s report on the use of e-cigarettes (vapes) among young people in Great Britain. Published in August 2022, the report confirmed that the use of e-cigarettes has increased in 2022 compared to 2021.
The report also points to a big increase in the use of disposable products occurring concurrently with higher levels of youth use with most adolescents receiving their first cigarette or e-cigarette via their peers.
London Tobacco Alliance draws out the key findings and outstanding observations from their fact sheet published in August 2022.
Key findings from ASH’s e-cigarette report:
● A large majority of 11-17 year olds have never tried or are unaware of e-cigarettes (83.8%).
● In 2022, 15.8% of 11-17 year olds had tried vaping, compared to 11.2% in 2021 and 13.9% in 2020.
● In 2022, 7.0% of 11-17 year olds were current users, compared to 3.3% in 2021 and 4.1% in 2020.
● Children under 16 are least likely to try e-cigarettes.
● 10.4% of 11-15 year olds have tried vaping, compared to 29.1% of 16-17 year olds.
● Among 18 year olds, 40.8% report having tried an e-cigarette.
● Use among 11-17 year olds who have never smoked remains low and largely experimental, while 7.5% of never smokers have tried an e-cigarette in 2022 only 1.7% report at least monthly use.
Click here for more information the London Tobacco Alliance.
Further statistics from ASH’s e-cigarette report:
The report goes on to state that “…children who haven’t smoked are significantly more likely to report their main reason for using one was ‘just to give it a try.”
The report also states that the main source for both cigarettes and e-cigarettes originates from shops. In 2022, 51.9% of 11-17 year olds obtain their cigarettes from shops whereas 46.5% get purchase e-cigarettes from shops.
While a minimum age of sale for e-cigarettes of 18 was introduced in England and Wales, making it illegal to sell e-cigarettes containing nicotine to those under 18s or to purchase them on behalf of those under 18s, a loophole in the law does not make it illegal to give free samples of e-cigarettes to under 18s.
During London Tobacco Control Network’s monthly meeting in August 2022, Deputy Chief Executive at ASH, Hazel Cheeseman, discussed the findings with a wide range of tobacco control figures.
Participants shared their concerns about the increasing popularity of disposable vapes with young people and welcomed the national insights showing the scale of the change.
Having a joined-up and consistent approach to tackling the rising prevalence of e-cigarette usage among young people was welcomed by all.
You can read ASH’s e-cigarette report in full here.
