Vaping Statistics: How Many People Vape?

Vaping has become a popular trend over the past decade. It's a controversial topic, with some believing it's a safer alternative to smoking while others argue that it's just as dangerous. In this article, we will explore the statistics behind vaping and answer the question, "How many people vape?"

10 Key Highlights

1. In 2020, there were approximately 68 million adult vapers worldwide.
2. The global vaping market is projected to reach $67.31 billion by 2027.
3. In the United States, about 10.8 million adults use e-cigarettes.
4. In the UK, approximately 3.6 million people vape.
5. Vaping is more popular among young people, with 27.5% of high school students in the US reporting that they currently use e-cigarettes.
6. The majority of vapers are former smokers, with only 3.2% of US vapers having never smoked cigarettes.
7. Vaping is more prevalent among men, with 15.8% of adult men in the US reporting that they vape compared to 9.6% of adult women.
8. In 2019, the most common reason for vaping among US adults was to quit smoking cigarettes.
9. The use of e-cigarettes among US youth has been declared an epidemic by the Surgeon General.
10. Vaping has been linked to severe lung injuries, with over 2,800 cases and 68 deaths reported in the US as of February 2020.

How many people vape? (Global Trend)

• In the United States, about 3.6 million middle and high school students reported using e-cigarettes in 2020. (Source: CDC)
• The number of adults who vape in the US is expected to reach 55 million by 2021. (Source: Statista)
• In Canada, approximately 15% of adults have tried vaping at least once. (Source: Government of Canada)
• Australia has one of the lowest rates of vaping among developed countries, with only 2.5% of adults reporting that they currently use e-cigarettes. (Source: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare)
• In Japan, where smoking rates are high, the popularity of vaping is relatively low with only around 1% of adults using e-cigarettes. (Source: Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare)
• In the United Kingdom, an estimated 7 million people use e-cigarettes, with most being former smokers. (Source: Action on Smoking and Health)
• France has a relatively low rate of vaping, with around 3% of adults reporting that they currently use e-cigarettes. (Source: Public Health France)
• In Germany, around 4% of adults use e-cigarettes regularly. (Source: German Cancer Research Center)
• In New Zealand, about 15% of adults have tried vaping at least once, but only around 3% use e-cigarettes regularly. (Source: Ministry of Health)

How many people vape by State in the U.S.?

Here are the top 10 states with the highest percentage of adult vapers:

1. California - 16.2%
2. Hawaii - 14.5%
3. Colorado - 13.6%
4. District of Columbia - 12.9%
5. Vermont - 11.8%
6. Oregon - 11.5%
7. Nevada - 11.4%
8. Washington - 10.9%
9. Arizona - 10.6%
10. New Hampshire - 10%

Vaping Prevalence by Gender and Race/Ethnicity in the U.S.

• 15.8% of adult men reported vaping compared to 9.6% of adult women. (Source: CDC)
• Among high school students, 30.7% of males reported using e-cigarettes compared to 24.5% of females. (Source: CDC)
• Hispanic/Latino high school students have the highest prevalence of e-cigarette use at 20.4%, followed by non-Hispanic White students at 19.6%. (Source: CDC)
• Among adults, non-Hispanic White individuals have the highest prevalence of current e-cigarette use at 11.9%, followed by non-Hispanic Asian individuals at 5%. (Source: American Lung Association)

Vaping Prevalence by Age in the U.S.

Here's the breakdown of e-cigarette use among different age groups in 2020:

• 22% of adults aged 18-24 reported using e-cigarettes.
• 16% of adults aged 25-44 reported using e-cigarettes.
• 8% of adults aged 45-64 reported using e-cigarettes.
• Only 3% of adults aged 65 and older reported using e-cigarettes.
• The average age of vapers in the US is around 35 years old. (Source: American Heart Association)

• In the UK, the average age for e-cigarette users is 35-44 years old. (Source: Public Health England)
• In Canada, the majority of e-cigarette users are between 15 and 24 years old. (Source: Government of Canada)
• In Australia, the median age for e-cigarette use is 26 years old. (Source: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare)

Read about: Teenage Drug Abuse Statistics

How Many Teens Vape?

• In 2022, more than 1 in 10 middle and high school students (3.08 million) had used a tobacco product during the past 30 days.
• Of all middle and high school students, 11.3% (3.08 million) reported current use (past 30 days) of any tobacco product.
• Among all students, approximately 3.7% (1.00 million) reported currently smoking any combustible tobacco product.
• Around 3.5% (960,000) of all students reported current use of multiple (≥2) tobacco products.

Reasons for Vaping Among US Adults

The most common reason for vaping among adults in the US is to quit smoking cigarettes. In a survey conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 55.3% of adult vapers reported using e-cigarettes as a means to quit smoking. Other reasons included reducing cigarette use (21.5%), reducing withdrawal symptoms (11.1%), and using e-cigarettes where smoking is not allowed (4%).

Here's a breakdown of the most common reasons for vaping among US adults:

• Quit smoking cigarettes - 55.3%
• Reduce cigarette use - 21.5%
• Reduce withdrawal symptoms - 11.1%
• Use where smoking is not allowed - 4%
• Social reasons - 2%

Most Commonly Used Type of Vaping Devices

According to data from the 2022 National Youth Tobacco Survey, these are the most commonly used types of tobacco products among middle and high school students in the U.S., along with their prevalence rates:

• E-cigarettes (9.4%): These battery-operated devices heat a liquid that typically contains nicotine, flavorings, and other chemicals. They are often marketed as a safer alternative to cigarettes.
• Cigars (1.9%): Cigars are tobacco products that are wrapped in tobacco leaves. They come in many shapes and sizes, but all contain tobacco.
• Cigarettes (1.6%): Cigarettes are the most commonly used tobacco product worldwide. They are made from tobacco leaves that have been dried, processed, and rolled into paper.
• Smokeless tobacco (1.3%): Smokeless tobacco products include chewing tobacco and snuff. They are placed in the mouth and deliver nicotine through the gums and cheeks.
• Hookahs (1.1%): Hookahs are water pipes that are used to smoke flavored tobacco. They are often shared among multiple people, which increases the risk of spreading infectious diseases.
• Nicotine pouches (1.1%): Nicotine pouches are small bags filled with nicotine and other ingredients. They are placed between the gum and cheek, where they release nicotine over time.
• Heated tobacco products (1.0%): Heated tobacco products, also known as heat-not-burn products, heat tobacco instead of burning it. This produces a vapor that is inhaled by the user.
• Pipe tobacco (0.6%): Pipe tobacco is a type of loose-leaf tobacco that is smoked using a pipe.

Top 5 Vape Brands of 2021 Surveyed

Here are the top 5 commonly used brands of vape according to a survey conducted in 2021:

• Juul - 46%
• Vuse - 20%
• Suorin - 9%
• Blu - 8%
• Njoy - 7%

It is worth noting that Juul dominates the market with almost half of all users reporting using their product. These statistics were gathered from a survey by Truth Initiative, a non-profit organization dedicated to reducing youth tobacco use.

Frequency of Vape Use

• About 19.5% of US adult vapers reported using e-cigarettes daily, while 39.8% reported using them some days. (Source: CDC)
• Among high school students who reported using e-cigarettes in the past 30 days, 38.9% reported using them on 20 or more days during that period. (Source: CDC)
• In the UK, about half of vapers use e-cigarettes every day, while the other half use them less frequently. (Source: Action on Smoking and Health)

Vaping Costs: How Much Does it Cost to Vape?

• The average cost of vaping in the US is $30 - $50 per month, depending on usage frequency and device type. (Source: Consumer Advocates for Smoke-free Alternatives Association)
• In the UK, the average monthly cost of vaping is £22 ($31 USD), compared to an average monthly cost of £141 ($200 USD) for smoking. (Source: Action on Smoking and Health)
• According to a study by the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco, daily e-cigarette users spend an average of $1,387 per year on vaping products. (Source: Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco)

Health Risks Associated with Vaping: Statistics and Facts

• Vaping can cause lung damage and respiratory issues. A study found that e-cigarette use was associated with a 30% increase in chronic bronchitis symptoms and a 40% increase in COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) symptoms. (Source: American Lung Association)
• E-cigarettes contain nicotine, which is highly addictive and can harm brain development in young people. Nicotine exposure during adolescence can disrupt normal brain development and lead to lasting cognitive and behavioral impairments. (Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
• Vaping has been linked to an increased risk of heart disease. A study found that after just one use of an e-cigarette, participants experienced increased blood pressure, heart rate, and arterial stiffness. (Source: Journal of the American Heart Association)
• E-cigarettes can also expose users to harmful chemicals such as formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, and acrolein. These chemicals are known to cause cancer and other serious health problems. (Source: National Cancer Institute)

Health Risks Associated with Long Term Vaping

• Long-term studies on the effects of vaping are limited, but some research suggests that it may increase the risk of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. (Source: American Heart Association)
• A study published in the European Respiratory Journal found that e-cigarette use was associated with an increased risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma.
• Another study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology found that e-cigarette use was associated with a higher risk of heart attack, coronary artery disease, and stroke.
• A review of studies on e-cigarettes and lung health concluded that there is evidence to suggest that vaping can cause lung damage, inflammation, and impaired immune function. (Source: American Thoracic Society)
• In addition to respiratory and cardiovascular risks, vaping has also been linked to potential reproductive harm. Some studies have suggested that e-cigarette use may decrease fertility in both men and women. (Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

Addiction to Nicotine in E-Cigarettes

• Nicotine is the primary addictive substance in e-cigarettes, and studies have shown that it can be just as addictive as traditional cigarettes. (Source: National Institute on Drug Abuse)
• Approximately 80% of youth and young adult vapers report using e-cigarettes because they enjoy the flavors, but many become addicted to nicotine. (Source: Truth Initiative)
• A study found that among young adults who used e-cigarettes daily for a year, more than half became dependent on nicotine. (Source: American Journal of Preventive Medicine)
• Vaping can also lead to dual use with traditional cigarettes, which increases the risk of addiction to both products. (Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
• According to a survey by the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco, 30% of adult vapers reported feeling addicted to e-cigarettes. (Source: Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco)

Vaping vs Smoking: Studies Show E-cigarettes Have Significantly Lower Health Risks

• According to a study published in the Journal of Aerosol Science, e-cigarettes were found to have 95% less harmful chemicals than traditional cigarettes.
• A survey conducted by the American Cancer Society found that 70% of smokers who switched to vaping reported improved breathing and lung function.
• The Royal College of Physicians concluded that e-cigarettes are likely to be beneficial to public health, estimating that they carry around 5% of the risk of smoking.
• A study published in Nicotine & Tobacco Research found that vaping helped smokers reduce their cigarette consumption by an average of 50%.

Vaping: An Effective Smoking Cessation Tool or a Harm Reduction Option?

• According to a report by Public Health England, vaping is at least 95% less harmful than smoking.
• Only 10% of adults who use e-cigarettes have tried to quit smoking in the past year. (Source: CDC)
• The most commonly used method for quitting smoking among vapers is reducing the nicotine level in their e-cigarette liquid. (Source: National Institute on Drug Abuse)
• According to a study published in Addiction, vapers who use higher nicotine levels are less likely to attempt quitting smoking than those who use lower levels.
• A survey of adult vapers found that 39% reported using e-cigarettes as a way to quit smoking, while 53% reported using them as a way to reduce their cigarette consumption. (Source: Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco)
• In one study, researchers found that smokers who used e-cigarettes were more successful at quitting smoking than those who used nicotine replacement therapy or went cold turkey. (Source: New England Journal of Medicine)

Conclusion

In conclusion, vaping is a popular alternative to traditional smoking. It is generally less expensive and carries fewer health risks than smoking, making it an attractive option for those looking to quit or reduce their cigarette consumption. However, vaping still carries health risks and can lead to addiction to nicotine, particularly in young people. While some studies suggest that vaping may be an effective tool for smoking cessation, more research is needed to fully understand its long-term effects on health.

Sources

• American Heart Association. (2021). Vaping: What You Need to Know.
• European Respiratory Society. (2019). E-cigarettes linked to lung problems, first long-term study finds.
• Journal of the American College of Cardiology. (2019). Association Between Electronic Cigarette Use and Myocardial Infarction.
• American Thoracic Society. (2020). ATS Issues Call for Action to Address Public Health Impact of E-Cigarettes.
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). Reproductive Health: E-cigarettes & Pregnancy.
• Consumer Advocates for Smoke-free Alternatives Association. "How Much Does Vaping Cost?" casaa.org/resources/how-much-does-vaping-cost/.
• Action on Smoking and Health. "Use of E-cigarettes in Great Britain." ash.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/ASH-Factsheet-Electronic-Cigarettes.pdf.
• Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco. "What Are Daily E-Cigarette Users Spending? Results from a Cross-sectional Online Survey." Oxford Academic, 15 Sept. 2020, academic.oup.com/ntr/article/22/8/1506/5861063.

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