Vaping Ban May Push 1 in 5 Back to Smoking
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Almost 1 in 5 Vapers Plan to Return to Cigarettes Following Vaping Ban
With the ban on disposable vapes coming into force on June 1st, new research finds this could lead 1 in 5 (19%) vapers to to back to smoking.
That’s according to new research by the life insurance experts at Confused.com, based on 500 UK adults who currently vape. It found just under 2 in 5 (37%) plan to quit vaping when the ban comes in. Of those, almost 1 in 5 (18%) claim they’ll use nicotine products to help them stop.
But worryingly, more people plan to keep vaping than quit. Almost 1 in 4 (24%) claim the ban on disposables will encourage them to switch to refillable vapes.
It seems vaping and smoking is a habit on the rise. New data from Confused.com shows a 44% increase(2) in the number of people declaring they smoke or vape on their life insurance policy since 2019.
Why did people start vaping?
According to the data, nearly 3 in 10 (29%) people who vape started to help them stop smoking – and no longer smoke at all. . However, almost 1 in 2 (46%) claim they started vaping for the same reason, but still smoke as well.
At what age did people start vaping and how much are they spending on them?
1 in 3 vapers (33%) started between the ages of 18-25, while 1 in 50 (2%) were under 18. Around 1 in 5 (21%) began between 21-30, around 1 in 6 (17%) between 31-40, and just under 3 in 10 (28%) started at 41 or older. Interestingly, the most popular starting age for both men (33%) and women (33%) is 18-25.
Around 3 in 5 (59%) vapers are spending up to £20 per week on disposables, whilst 1 in 33 (3%) are spending more than £50. 35-44 year-olds are spending the most on disposables, with nearly 1 in 5 (19%) claiming they spend up to £30 per week. The highest percentage of people spending more than £50 per week falls into the 25-34 year-old category – just over 1 in 20 (6%).
How do people currently feel about the vaping ban?
Currently, around 1 in 5 (18%) claim they plan to stop vaping from the 1st June, using alternative nicotine products instead. Another 1 in 5 (19%) say they’ll return to cigarettes once the vaping ban comes into play.
At the same time, 1 in 5 (20%) of 45-54 year-olds are considering stopping completely once the ban starts, while 1 in 4 (23%) 25-34 year-olds plan on smoking cigarettes instead.
Although disposable vaping products will be banned, refillable devices will still be available. Nearly 1 in 4 (24%) say they’ll switch to those instead. 1 in 4 (27%) of men plan on switching to refillable vapes, compared to 1 in 5 (21%) women.
Which regions will be most affected by the disposable vape ban?
Currently 1 in 20 (5%) people from the East-Midlands are spending more than £50 per week on disposables – the highest percentage of any other region. Londoners think the ban will have the most positive effect on their vaping habits, with 7 in 10 (70%) claiming it will help them cut down or quit.
In the North East, over 1 in 5 (22%) are currently trying to quit, and around 1 in 4 (26%) say they plan on switching to alternative nicotine products to quit for good when the ban starts – the highest percentage out of all regions.
In terms of quitting support, around 2 in 5 (39%) say what’s currently available is adequate, but 1 in 4 (25%) weren’t aware that support exists at all. More than half (51%) have never tried any methods of support to stop vaping, prompting Confused.com to share key resources for those looking to quit:
Bupa: https://www.bupa.co.uk/newsroom/ourviews/is-vaping-harmful
NHS:https://www.nhs.uk/better-health/quit-smoking/ready-to-quit-smoking/vaping-to-quit-smoking/
Smoke Free: https://smokefree.gov/quit-vaping-resources
Tom Vaughan, life insurance expert at Confused.com comments, “It’s refreshing to see that many people who vape are using the ban as a springboard to try to quit for good. Particularly with the financial and health implications of maintaining the habit. We’ve had a significant increase in smokers’ policies for life insurance, which are extremely important for family security and future prospects.
When applying for life insurance, it’s important that smokers or vapers declare their habit, as it could impact policies due to the long-term health impact. For further information, please visit our site here: https://www.confused.com/life-insurance/guides/life-insurance-for-smokers”
