British ASH study: The use of disposable e-cigarettes by adolescents has dropped by 15%, and reusable products are entering the market

British ASH study: The use of disposable e-cigarettes by adolescents has dropped by 15%, and reusable products are entering the market

The British organization ASH (Action on Smoking and Health) released a survey report. The data showed that about 18% of British teenagers tried e-cigarettes in 2024, and this proportion was 20% in 2023. Although the proportion of teenagers smoking e-cigarettes has decreased, nearly one million teenagers have tried e-cigarettes. The proportion of disposable e-cigarettes has decreased from 69% last year, which may be due to the upcoming ban on disposable e-cigarettes and the entry of reusable disposable e-cigarettes into the market.

Recently, the British organization ASH (Action on Smoking and Health) released new results of a comprehensive survey that studied the e-cigarette behavior of British teenagers aged 11-17. Data shows that about 18% of British teenagers will try e-cigarettes in 2024, and this proportion was 20% in 2023. Although the proportion of teenagers smoking e-cigarettes has decreased, nearly one million teenagers have tried e-cigarettes. ASH believes that the survey results highlight the need for immediate government intervention.

The UK Tobacco and E-cigarette Bill was not submitted before the summer recess, and ASH expressed deep disappointment. The bill is not likely to be tabled until September at the earliest, and the government has no power to regulate the appearance and advertising of e-cigarettes that appeal to young people until the bill is passed. This delay limits the government's ability to effectively regulate e-cigarette products, putting young people at risk.

ASH Deputy Chief Executive Hazel Cheeseman said:

"The continued phenomenon of youth vaping and the signs that dependence may be increasing are a wake-up call. The Tobacco and E-Cigarettes Bill must be put back on the agenda immediately after the summer recess and passed quickly in Parliament to implement much-needed regulations to protect young people from the influence of e-cigarettes. E-cigarettes are an important tool for adults to quit smoking and should be properly regulated to prevent e-cigarettes from being packaged and promoted as children's toys."

Survey data shows that nearly three-quarters (72%) of young people said they had been exposed to e-cigarette promotional information, an increase from previous years, and the most common promotion channels were in stores (55%) and online (29%).

Although the law prohibits the sale of e-cigarettes to teenagers under the age of 18, 48% of underage e-cigarette users said they bought them in stores. Disposable e-cigarettes remain the most common product (54%), a decrease from 69% last year, possibly due to the upcoming ban on disposable e-cigarettes and the entry of reusable disposable e-cigarettes into the market.

At the same time, there are signs that young e-cigarette users may be more dependent on e-cigarettes than four years ago, with more users citing a strong desire to smoke. This suggests that new products may be increasing dependence, highlighting the urgency of strengthening regulation.