Vaping is significantly safer than smoking and is a valuable smoking cessation tool
- Vaping is estimated to be around 95% less harmful than smoking.
- Smokers who switch are twice as likely to quit compared with patches or gum.
- Successful switching away from cigarettes can add 5–15 years of life expectancy.
- Awareness is low: over 90% of smokers don’t know vaping is far less harmful.
- Programmes like Swap to Stop offer strong public‑health value.
Consumer choice is vital for adults to choose vapes over cigarettes
- Flavoured vapes are used by adults to stay off cigarettes.
- ASH data: 14% of adult vapers would return to smoking if flflavours were restricted.
- Over 70% of vapers say flavour variety helps them quit or stay quit.
- Most adult vapers now prefer fruit or sweet flavours.
- Responsible retailers play a key role in guiding smokers and ensuring compliance.
The UK’s Vapes industry is a growing part of the UK’s economy offering a uniquely positive social value by supporting adults to quit smoking.
- A home‑grown sector originating in some of the UK’s most deprived regions.
- Worth £2.5–£2.8 billion annually across tracked and independent retail.
- Supports British jobs, supply chains, and local economies.
- NHS savings: switching half of England’s smokers could save over £500m per year.