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A new study by researchers at University College London (UCL) reveals that just over one in 20 adults in England now both smoke and vape, with the proportion rising significantly over recent years. The research, published in the journal Addiction, analyzed survey data collected between 2016 and 2024.
The study highlights a notable increase in dual use — defined as using both cigarettes and e-cigarettes — from 3.5% of adults in 2016 to 5.2% in 2024, with a sharp rise observed after 2021. This coincides with the growing popularity of disposable e-cigarettes. The trend was particularly pronounced among young adults, with nearly two-thirds of 18- to 24-year-olds who smoked also using e-cigarettes in 2024, compared to just one in five in 2016.
Researchers also noted a shift in behavior among dual users. The frequency of smoking decreased as vaping became more common. The proportion of people who smoked daily and vaped non-daily halved from 32% to 15%, while those who vaped daily and smoked non-daily more than doubled, from 8% to 22%. This change was particularly notable among young adults, who tend to vape more frequently and smoke less than older generations.
Dr. Sarah Jackson, lead author of the study and a researcher at UCL Institute of Epidemiology & Health Care, explained that dual use may often serve as a transitional phase for individuals trying to quit smoking. “If dual use helps people reduce their smoking or quit altogether, it may not necessarily be harmful to their health,” she said. “However, quitting smoking completely is essential for realizing the full health benefits.”
The research analyzed data from the Smoking Toolkit Study, which surveys a representative sample of English adults monthly. In total, 128,588 participants were included in the study.
Interestingly, the study also revealed that dual users who mistakenly believed that e-cigarettes were equally or more harmful than cigarettes were less likely to vape daily. This is concerning, as daily vaping is linked to higher success rates in quitting smoking. Around 44% of dual users held the misconception that e-cigarettes were as harmful or more harmful than smoking, which the researchers argued could prevent them from reducing or quitting smoking.
Professor Jamie Brown, senior author of the study, emphasized the need for accurate public health messaging about the relative harms of smoking and vaping. “Accurate information is crucial to help people make informed decisions about their health,” he said. “Mass media campaigns are key to this effort, and government investment in such campaigns is essential.”
Alizée Froguel, prevention policy manager at Cancer Research UK, echoed this sentiment, stating, “Tobacco causes around 160 cancer cases every day in the UK. While vaping is far less harmful than smoking, it is essential that e-cigarettes are only used as a tool to quit smoking and not by those who have never smoked.”
Despite these concerns, the most common pattern of dual use in 2024 remained daily smoking and daily vaping, reported by 45% of dual users. This behavior was more common among older adults, those with fewer resources, and those who smoked hand-rolled cigarettes.
While vaping is recognized as a less harmful alternative to smoking, the NHS advises that it should only be used as a tool for those trying to quit smoking, and that non-smokers should not take up vaping.
The findings underscore the complexity of smoking cessation and the evolving role of e-cigarettes in public health. More research and informed health campaigns are needed to help people transition away from smoking altogether and reduce the harmful impact of tobacco use.
For more information, the study can be accessed in the journal Addiction (2025).
