The rise of disposable e-cigarettes in England and implications for public health
Hammond D. Editorial. The rise of disposable e-cigarettes in England and implications for public health BMJ 2024; 386 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.q1508 (Published 17 July 2024)
Until recently, England was notable for achieving higher rates of vaping among adult smokers while maintaining lower levels among young people. However, as Jackson and colleagues report in a linked paper (doi:10.1136/bmj-2023-079016), vaping has markedly increased in recent years, particularly among young people: by 2023, almost one quarter (23%) of 18 year olds in England reported long term vaping, including 16% of 18 year olds who had never smoked.
These increases in vaping coincided with the rising popularity of disposable e-cigarettes in England. Use of disposable devices increased from negligible levels before 2021 to about half of the vaping market by 2023.
Comment: The introduction and marketing of unregulated, disposable e-cigarettes has resulted in a rapid increase in e-cigarette use, especially among young people. Controlling e-cigarette use will only result in continued and increasing regulatory actions, including banning the manufacture, distribution, and sale of all types of e-cigarettes. Government officials have been slow to respond to the threat of increased use of e-cigarettes.
Stephen Hamann
