Full Breakdown
Sharp Rise in Vaping Among Women 25-34 in Great Britain, 2025
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) reported that 18.3 % of women aged 25-34 in Great Britain used e-cigarettes in 2025, the highest point estimate for any age-and-sex group since the survey series began in 2014. The same age group’s overall vaping prevalence (men and women combined) was 16.4 %.
Background & Context
The figures come from the ONS report *Adult Smoking Habits in the UK: 2025*, published on October 6 2026. They appear amid UK vaping policy changes, including a ban on disposable vapes and upcoming regulations on age limits, sales and promotion. Survey methods and question wording changed around 2020, affecting year-to-year comparability.
Data & Statistics
| Metric (2025) | Estimate |
|---|---|
| Women 25-34 vaping | 18.3 % (95 % CI 14.4-22.2) |
| Men 25-34 vaping | 14.4 % (95 % CI 10.6-18.3) |
| Overall 25-34 vaping (all sexes) | 16.4 % (up from 12.9 % in 2024) |
| Adults 16-24 vaping | 12 % |
| Adults 16+ vaping (overall) | 9.9 % (?5.4 million users) |
| Daily vaping – women 25-34 | 11.2 % |
| Occasional vaping – women 25-34 | 7.1 % |
| Daily vaping – men 25-34 | 9.9 % |
| Occasional vaping – men 25-34 | 4.6 % |
| Past-but-not-current vaping – women 25-34 | 10.0 % |
| Never vaped – women 25-34 | 71.7 % |
Long-term trend for women 25-34: 5.4 % in 2014 -> 10.5 % in 2019 -> 13.7 % in 2024 -> 18.3 % in 2025.
Official Statements & Responses
The ONS emphasized that the figures represent “estimated prevalence” from population surveys and cautioned against treating them as exact counts. Overlapping confidence intervals mean the data do not confirm a statistically significant gender difference, and methodological changes limit direct comparison across years.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
*Statistical significance*: Overlapping 95 % confidence intervals prevent a definitive claim that women vape at a higher rate than men in this age group.
*Causes*: The ONS data do not identify drivers of the rise—product design, flavors, advertising, retail availability, or individual motivations remain unexamined.
*Health outcomes*: The survey reports usage patterns only; it does not assess health impacts of vaping versus smoking.
Why It Matters / Impact
- Public-health monitoring: The surge among women 25-34 signals a shift in demographic risk profiles, prompting agencies to track potential long-term effects.
- Policy relevance: Age-specific trends may inform future regulations, such as targeted education campaigns or product-availability restrictions.
- Industry insight: Analysts may view the high point estimate as an indicator of evolving consumer behaviour as the disposable-vape ban reshapes product offerings.
- Statistical interpretation: The contrast between stable overall adult vaping rates (~10 %) and pronounced subgroup growth underscores the importance of disaggregated data for policy decisions.
What’s Next
Future ONS releases will show whether the 25-34 cohort remains the highest-prevalence group and whether any gender gap changes. Ongoing attention to confidence intervals and methodological consistency will be essential for interpreting subsequent trends.