Recent statistics from 2025 show continuing shifts in smoking and vaping patterns across the United Kingdom. More than one million individuals who report having never smoked cigarettes are now using e-cigarettes, representing an increase from approximately 940,000 the previous year. This growth reflects broader trends in nicotine consumption as traditional smoking continues its long-term decline.
For the second consecutive year, the number of people using vapes or e-cigarettes in Great Britain has surpassed the number of cigarette smokers. Current smoking rates have fallen to approximately 4.9 million adults, or nearly one in 10, down from 5.3 million in 2024. Meanwhile, vaping has reached 5.4 million users. People aged 25 to 34 now represent the largest vaping demographic at 16.4% using e-cigarettes daily or occasionally, surpassing the 16 to 24-year-old age group.
Health authorities maintain that while vaping carries lower risk than smoking cigarettes, the long-term health effects remain unclear. The National Health Service advises that non-smokers and individuals under 18 should not vape. Men continue to show higher smoking rates than women, and the 45-54 age group contains the highest proportion of current smokers at 12.4%. Young adults aged 18 to 24 have experienced the steepest decline in smoking across all demographic groups.
Government action is underway to further reduce tobacco use. New legislation set to take effect in the new year will permanently ban the legal sale of tobacco to anyone born on or after January 1, 2009. Health advocates have responded positively to the declining smoking statistics, noting that tobacco remains the leading preventable cause of death in the UK. Some 7.2% of the population reported e-cigarette use in 2025, up from 6.6% the previous year.
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