Use of electronic cigarettes among young people Youth Smokefree GB Survey, 2016. YouGov, commissioned by ASH

Introduction These slides report the results from the annual Youth Smokefree GB Survey carried out by YouGov for ASH. All figures, unless otherwise stated, come from surveys carried out in 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016. The total sample sizes were: 2016: 2,331, 2015: 2,291, 2014: 2,068, 2013: 2,178. The survey is carried out online. For more information please contact admin@smokefreeaction.org.uk

What we’re going to cover What is an electronic cigarette? Use of e-cigarettes among young people. Use by smoking status. Frequency, type and flavouring of products used. Perceptions of harm.

What is an electronic cigarette?

What is an electronic cigarette? In general an electronic cigarette is a battery powered device which delivers nicotine. It typically contains water, nicotine and propylene glycol [which is used to help vaporise the liquid nicotine]. It is does not contain or burn tobacco and therefore does not create smoke which is a product of combustion. A typical electronic cigarettes consists of three main components: a battery an atomiser (heating element) a cartridge containing nicotine

Use of e-cigarettes among young people

Numbers: Never used/not aware: 11-13: 96%, 14-15: 90%, 11-15: 93%, 16-18: 79% Have tried once/twice: 11-13: 3%, 14-15: 9%, 11-15: 6%, 16-18: 18% Sometimes (more than once a month): 0%, 0%, 0%, 16-18: 1% Often (more than once a week): 1% across the board Don’t want to say: 0%, 0%, 0%, 16-18: 1%

Summary Whilst awareness and use of e-cigarettes among young people has increased from 2013 – 2016, regular use, more than once a month, remains low at 1% in 2016. Likelihood that a young person has tried an e-cigarette increases across the age bracket with 18% of 16-18 year olds reporting to have tried e-cigarettes compared to 3% of 11-13 year olds.

Use by smoking status

Illustrates that not only is current/regular use rare it is almost entirely confined to those who have already tried smoking or are current smokers.

Grey line shows that there are an increasing number of young people who have tried vaping but never smoked, and orange line shows that an increasing number (though still low) have tried e-cigarettes before smoking. However, remember that only around 10% of young people have ever tried vaping so this graph represents a small number of individuals, and that over this time period youth smoking rates have hit their lowest ever levels approximately 8% of 15 year olds. This graph does illustrate the need to keep monitoring whether there is a link between e-cigarettes and subsequent uptake of smoking, but shows no cause for concern at present.

Summary While current or regular use of e-cigarettes is rare, it is also almost entirely confined to those who have already tried smoking or are current smokers. In 2016 regular use, more than once a week was reported at 13% among current smokers compared to 0% among never smokers. While the graphs illustrate an increase in the number of never smokers who have tried an e-cigarette, from 18% in 2014 to 29% in 2016, it is important to remember in 2016 just 10% of young people had ever tried vaping.

Frequency, type and flavouring of products used.

Flavour of e-cigarette last used by those who have tried but do not currently use e-cigarettes

Summary Among both current and former e-cigarette users fruit flavours are the most popular, for example, among current users 36% report fruit as their preferred flavour in 2016. However, vapers are using a wide range of flavours including tobacco.

Perceptions on harm

Summary Overall it is encouraging that a clear majority of young people correctly identify vaping as less harmful than smoking. However, what is concerning is the increase in the number of young people who believe that vaping is about as harmful as smoking – increasing by more than 10% between 2013 and 2016. This need to be monitored and it is important that young people are given accurate information about the relative risks of vaping and smoking.