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Sign in or register for an accountVapes, also known as electronic cigarettes, e-cigarettes or e-cigs, are handheld electronic devices which produce an aerosol by heating a liquid, usually containing nicotine.
The use of vapes containing nicotine can serve as a valuable tool for adults attempting to quit smoking, offering a less harmful alternative to traditional cigarettes. Smoking is widely known to cause severe health issues, including lung disease, heart disease, and cancer, due to the harmful chemicals produced when tobacco is burned, whilst 15% of deaths all are attributed to smoking. In contrast, vaping delivers nicotine without many of the toxic byproducts found in cigarette smoke, making it a potentially safer option.
For individuals heavily dependent on nicotine, vaping can help satisfy cravings while gradually reducing nicotine intake, supporting them on their journey to quit smoking entirely. This process may improve overall health and reduce the risks associated with long-term tobacco use. However, vaping should ideally be viewed as a transitional step toward quitting nicotine altogether rather than a permanent replacement for smoking.
According to National Statistics from the Opinions and Lifestyle Survey (OPN), vaping in Great Britain is most common among ex-smokers or current smokers. In 2023, approximately 5.1 million adults, or 9.8% of the population aged 16 or older, reported using e-cigarettes either daily (5.9%) or occasionally (3.9%). Among these users, 64.6% were former smokers, while 30.5% continued to smoke while also vaping, a practice known as dual use.
Users often cite several reasons for choosing e-cigarettes, including cost savings compared to smoking, reduced second-hand smoke exposure for others, and enjoyment from the act of vaping itself.
At the same time, there is a growing concern about young people who are starting to vape without previously having smoked. The appeal of flavoured e-cigarettes and the perception of vaping as less harmful than smoking have contributed to increased uptake among adolescents. This trend raises concerns about potential nicotine dependence and resulting health issues in a group who might otherwise have avoided nicotine entirely.
Unlike tobacco smoking, there is no official regional or local authority level estimate for the share of the population who use e-cigarettes. It is possible that Salford has a higher proportion of adults using vapes than is seen nationally. Salford has typically had a higher smoking rate than England and a larger share of the adult population who are younger (13.1% of adults in England are aged 16-24 year olds, compared to 16.7% in Salford), both of these groups are more likely to use vapes. However, there may be other protective factors at play locally.
HealthWatch Salford recently conducted a comprehensive study on vaping attitudes and behaviours in Salford schools, titled ‘The Vape Debate 2025’. Surveys of 1,487 pupils, parents and teachers were conducted. The surveys indicated widespread concern about children and young people (CYP) using vapes and the health and wellbeing impact of that use. The most common age CYP who use vapes reported starting to vape was 12 years old. Purchasing vapes from shops (30%) was the most common way to get hold of them, followed by getting them from friends aged under-18 (26%). Three-quarters of users have tried to quit or reduce usage. The most popular time for CYP to have their first vape of the day is in bed in the morning, which is an indicator of addiction.
As mentioned above, the groups with highest rates of vaping are current or former smokers. This is welcome, given the relative harms, but since introduced as a quitting aid vaping has become more widespread. Vaping has raised significant concerns regarding its prevalence among adolescents, with many young people initiating vaping without prior experience of smoking. Various studies indicate differing rates of vaping and smoking uptake in this age group.
The OPN survey identified men (11.0%) and younger adults, 16-24 years olds (15.8%) as people more likely to use e-cigarettes, with the biggest increases in the 25-34 and 50-59 age groups.
Daily use of e-cigarettes is similar for all adult age groups except over 60s.Occasional use is highest for 16-24 year olds.
[Download the vaping chart data (cvs format, 16kb)]
A survey conducted by the tobacco control charity Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) found that 7.6% of young people aged 11- 18 years old in Great Britain vape regularly, while 17% have tried vaping at some point. Similarly, the International Tobacco Control (ITC) study, an international cohort study on smoking and vaping, reported that 24% of 16-19 year-olds in England had vaped within the past 30 days in 2022. Data published by the Office for National Statistics in the same year revealed that 16-24 year olds were more likely to report daily or occasional vaping compared to other age groups.
One factor believed to make vaping particularly appealing to adolescents is the availability of fruity and sweet flavours in vaping liquids. Research from the ASH Smokefree GB Youth Survey showed that three-quarters of young people surveyed preferred fruit or sweet flavour, while tobacco or unflavoured options were the least popular (just 2.3% of respondents). While it is challenging to determine whether these flavours are the primary driver of vaping uptake among young people, it is evident that they contribute to its appeal and increase the likelihood of experimentation.
Another notable issue is the high level of exposure to vape marketing among young people. Only 19% of surveyed adolescents reported that they never encounter vape promotions. The majority (55%) see vapes being promoted in shops, followed by online advertising (29%). TikTok is the most common online platform where 11 to 17 year olds report encountering vape promotions, further demonstrating the reach and influence of targeted marketing.
In contrast to adolescents, adults often take up vaping primarily as a tool for smoking cessation. Public Health England (PHE) has also emphasised that vaping is significantly less harmful than smoking, encouraging many adults to switch as a harm-reduction strategy. Convenience and cost also play a role in adult vaping uptake, as e-cigarettes are often cheaper than traditional tobacco products, making them an appealing option for those looking to save money while managing nicotine dependency.
At the time of writing The Tobacco and Vapes Bill is before the UK Parliament. The aims include controlling the sale, advertising and promotion of vapes, including the banning the sale of disposable vapes from June 2025, and making vape-free places.
The easy availability of vapes is important for those trying to quit smoking, but that must be balanced by adequate protections, including safe products and protection of children and young people. The HealthWatch Salford report gives a set of recommendations aimed at better understanding the issue, including informing parents and pupils of the legislation, the harms, and the support available, whilst developing youth-led initiatives and peer support roles. Only half of schools report having a vaping policy.
Salford’s primary prevention initiatives focus on equipping residents, partner organisations, workplaces, and community groups with accurate information about vaping. These efforts aim to promote vaping as a quit aid for adults seeking to stop smoking while dispelling common myths and misconceptions. Public awareness is further bolstered by connecting individuals to stop smoking services, where specialists provide professional guidance and encourage positive behaviour change.
For children and young people, Salford’s Youth Service and Early Break deliver education on vaping, aligned with Government health messages. These organisations run workshops for professionals, students, and parents to raise awareness of the risks associated with vaping. They also provide referral pathways for young people needing one-on-one or group support.
Secondary prevention in Salford focuses on reducing harm and preventing complications among current smokers or dual users who have not yet developed serious health issues. Early detection and harm reduction strategies, such as medical assessments and screenings in hospital settings, play a vital role. Lung health checks are a key service for identifying at-risk individuals and offering targeted support to minimise smoking-related health risks.
Salford provides a range of stop-smoking support services to help residents quit. These include free advice, personalised support plans, access to nicotine replacement therapies, and prescription medications. Resources are available through local NHS services, community programs such as the Health Improvement Service, GPs, and pharmacies. Residents can also use digital tools like the Greater Manchester Smoke Free app and online resources.
The Salford Health Improvement Team offers a free 12-week Stop Smoking Support program featuring one to one or group sessions, access to nicotine replacement therapies, and personalised guidance. These sessions, available by phone or in community settings, aim to help individuals quit smoking and improve overall health. The team also provides free vapes during community workshops, along with guidance on their use, including options for flavoured e-liquids and atomisers.
The CURE (Conversation, Understand, Replace, Experts) Stop Smoking Support program, run by Salford NHS Foundation Trust, supports patients at Salford Royal who wish to quit smoking. After discharge from the hospital, patients are referred to either the Health Improvement Team who work closely with partnering pharmacies dispensing up to 12 weeks of nicotine replacement products including stop smoking medication (subject to approval) or the Greater Manchester Smoke Free application for ongoing support to help them remain smoke-free.