More than 1 million people across Great Britain are now vaping despite never having been regular smokers, according to new official statistics that health experts have described as concerning.
The Office for National Statistics reported that approximately 5.4 million people aged 16 and over in England, Scotland and Wales used e-cigarettes either daily or occasionally in 2025, representing 9.9% of the population. The data revealed that around 2.9% of Britons – roughly 1.1 million people – who had never smoked cigarettes reported using an e-cigarette.
The figure marks a sharp increase from 2021, when just 1.5% of never-smokers said they vaped. The 2025 total of 1.1 million represents a rise from 940,000 recorded in 2024, according to the ONS.
Justin Webb, an associate professor of physical activity and health at London Metropolitan University, said the figure was “somewhat concerning”. He noted that whilst vapes can help adults stop smoking, they are not risk-free and their full long-term effects remain unclear.
“We need to preserve their value as a quitting aid while strengthening protection against uptake among children and non-smokers,” Webb said.
Young adults now leading users
The statistics showed that people aged 25 to 34 have become the most common e-cigarette users in Britain, with 16.4% vaping in 2025 – up from 12.9% in 2024. This age group has overtaken 16- to 24-year-olds, who were the most frequent users between 2021 and 2024.
David Mais from the ONS suggested the shift may reflect existing users getting older, growing popularity among the 25-34 age bracket, or a combination of both factors.
Meanwhile, traditional cigarette smoking continues its long-term decline. Separate ONS figures covering all four UK nations showed about 4.9 million people aged 18 and over – 9.8% of the population – smoked cigarettes in 2025. This represents the lowest proportion on record, down from 10.6% in 2024.
The sharpest reduction in smoking prevalence between 2011 and 2025 occurred among 18- to 24-year-olds, falling from 25.7% to just 7.2%.
Gender differences persist
Men remained more likely to smoke than women in 2025, continuing a trend observed in previous years. Around 2.8 million men (11.3%) and 2.1 million women (8.2%) were current smokers, according to the data.
Hazel Cheeseman, chief executive of Action on Smoking and Health, welcomed the milestone of fewer than one in ten UK adults smoking, calling it “really encouraging progress” that demonstrates what sustained action can achieve.
What this means for Poles in the UK
Polish residents in Britain are part of this broader shift in smoking and vaping patterns. If you have never smoked but are considering vaping, health experts emphasise that e-cigarettes are not risk-free and their long-term health effects remain unknown. Vaping products are intended as smoking cessation aids, not lifestyle products for non-smokers.
For Polish smokers looking to quit, the NHS offers free support through its smoke-free services. You can access advice in multiple languages by visiting your GP or calling the NHS Smoking Helpline. E-cigarettes are available from pharmacies and retailers, but health professionals recommend seeking guidance before starting to use them as a quitting tool.
If you work in sectors where smoking breaks are common, be aware that employer policies on vaping may differ from those on cigarette smoking. Check your workplace rules, as vaping is not covered by the same legal restrictions that apply to smoking in enclosed public spaces and workplaces.
