New Data Shows Stability in Vaping Rates Among Young People in Great Britain
The DSM Foundation, a charity dedicated to drug education, has welcomed the new data released by Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) showing stability in vaping rates among young people in Great Britain. The YouGov survey polled 2,746 individuals aged 11-17 and revealed that rates of “ever vaping”, “current vaping”, and “regular vaping” have plateaued. These behaviours remain more prevalent among current or former smokers, and overall smoking rates among this age group continue to be low.
The survey, which was conducted prior to the UK-wide ban on disposable vapes enacted on June 1, 2025, revealed that disposable devices remained the most commonly used, although popularity dropped from 69% in 2023 to 42% in 2025. When asked how they would respond to the ban, 25% said they would stop vaping altogether, while 59% indicated they would continue, with 67% planning to switch to reusable devices and 44% saying they would turn to illicit disposable products.
However, the survey also showed a concerning increase in the number of young people identifying as “ever smokers”, rising from 14% in 2023 to 21% in 2025. This highlights the importance of continued efforts to educate young people about the harmful effects of smoking and vaping.
Among younger respondents aged 11-15, just 16% reported having ever tried vaping – a figure that has remained steady in recent years. Notably, 95% of this group do not currently vape, underscoring the relative rarity of regular use among younger teens. This is a positive trend, as it suggests that most young people are not regularly engaging in risky behaviours such as vaping.
The survey also revealed that nearly half of youth vapers (47%) reported experiencing strong or very strong urges to vape – up from 26% in 2020. This indicates a rising level of dependence on vaping among young people. Additionally, around 30% admitted to using nicotine concentrations at or above the adult legal limit (20mg/ml), while a similar proportion were unsure or declined to disclose their usual strength.
Social influence remains a dominant factor in young people’s use of vaping products, with over three-quarters receiving their first vape from someone they knew, typically a friend. Despite legal restrictions, 46% of underage vapers said they had purchased devices from shops, while 25% sourced them informally.
Exposure to promotional content continues to play a role in young people’s use of vaping products, with 55% seeing vape advertising in shops and 29% encountering promotions online, most commonly on TikTok, followed by YouTube and Instagram.
Fiona Spargo-Mabbs OBE, founder and director of the DSM Foundation, commented on the survey results, stating: “This annual survey by ASH is such a valuable insight for us as a drug education charity into trends in young people’s experiences of vaping and smoking. It enables us to ensure our provision is relevant, current and of use to young people – and the adults in their lives – when it comes to managing decisions that affect their health and wellbeing. With such significant shifts in policy relating to vaping, as well as in public perceptions and attitudes to vaping, smoking and other nicotine products, having current data is so important. Seeing this rise in young people smoking after so many years of steady low numbers highlights this importance – this is a real concern that we need to respond to urgently.”
The DSM Foundation is a drug education charity established in 2014 following the death of 16-year-old Daniel Spargo-Mabbs from an accidental overdose of ecstasy. The aim of the foundation is to provide young people with relevant, age-appropriate, up to date and evidence-based information about drugs so they can make informed decisions about their health and wellbeing. The foundation works in almost 750 schools, colleges, and community organizations, providing workshops for parents and caregivers, and training for school and college staff. They also offer educational resources and a verbatim play called “I Love You Mum, I Promise I Won’t Die” which tells Dan’s story and is studied in schools as part of the GCSE Drama syllabus.
For more information about the DSM Foundation, visit their website at https://www.dsmfoundation.org.uk/.
Media enquiries about this press release or the work of the DSM Foundation should be sent to media@dsmfoundation.org.uk.
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