For the first time in Britain, the number of people using e-cigarettes has surpassed traditional cigarette smokers. New data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) shows a historic shift in nicotine consumption habits across Great Britain.
The 2024 figures reveal that 10% of adults aged 16 and over identify as e-cigarette users, while 9.1% identify as cigarette smokers. This translates to approximately 5.4 million vapers compared to 4.9 million smokers.
David Mais from the ONS said: "Interestingly, our 2024 data show that, for the first time, the number of users of e-cigarettes or vapes has overtaken the number of smokers." He added: "Among adults aged 16 (and over) in Great Britain, 10% said they were e-cigarette users, compared with 9.1% that were cigarette smokers."
Long-term Decline
The milestone aligns with a decade-long trend of declining cigarette smoking. Mais noted that the shift is "in line with the long-term trend of fewer people smoking cigarettes over the past decade."
The data marks a significant change in how British adults consume nicotine, with vaping emerging as the more prevalent choice for the first time since e-cigarettes gained popularity.
Note: This article was created with Artificial Intelligence (AI).
