Real talk: the landscape of nicotine use in the UK is shifting fast. According to fresh 2025 data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), we’ve officially hit a point where more adults are reaching for vapes than traditional cigarettes. It’s a total vibe shift, but there are some stats here that might surprise you.

The numbers don’t lie

First off, the number of people who vape despite having never smoked a cigarette has officially topped one million. That’s up from about 940,000 in 2024. While smoking rates are thankfully on the decline—down to 4.9 million adults from 5.3 million last year—vaping is clearly filling the gap, with 5.4 million people now using e-cigarettes.

Who is actually vaping?

If you thought this was just a Gen Z thing, think again. The 25-35 age bracket has officially overtaken the 16-24 group as the most active vapers, with 16.4% of them using e-cigarettes daily or occasionally. David Mais from the ONS noted that vapers are getting older, which could just mean existing users are aging up, or that the habit is becoming more popular with millennials.

The health reality check

It’s lowkey important to remember what the pros say: the NHS maintains that vaping is less harmful than smoking, but that doesn't mean it’s risk-free. The long-term impacts are still a mystery, which is why the NHS says loud and clear that non-smokers and anyone under 17 should stay far away from vapes.

What's next?

With smoking rates falling, experts like Hazel Cheeseman from the charity Action on Smoking and Health are pushing to "finish the job." Plus, new legislation hitting in the new year is set to permanently ban tobacco sales to anyone born on or after January 1, 2009. The goal? A completely smoke-free generation. Say less.

Why it matters

While vaping is helping many people step away from the health risks of tobacco, the rise in usage among people who never smoked is a growing concern. It’s a classic case of trading one habit for another, and with long-term health data still TBD, it’s worth being mindful about what you're putting in your body.