Vaping refers to the act of inhaling and exhaling vapor produced by an electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) or similar device. These devices, commonly known as vapes or e-cigarettes, use a battery-powered heating element to aerosolized a liquid (often containing nicotine, flavorings, and other chemicals) into a vapor that is then inhaled. Vaping is considered an alternative to traditional smoking, with the intention of providing a less harmful way to consume nicotine. However, concerns have been raised about the potential health risks associated with vaping, including respiratory issues and the long-term effects of inhaling the chemicals present in vape liquids. The popularity of vaping has grown, particularly among young people, prompting ongoing research and regulatory efforts to better understand its health implications.

Facts about vaping

• Vaping involves the use of electronic devices such as e-cigarettes, vape pens, and mods.
• Many vape liquids contain nicotine, an addictive substance found in traditional cigarettes.
• Vape liquids come in various flavors, ranging from fruit and dessert to tobacco and menthol.
• The marketing and flavors of vape products have contributed to their popularity among young people.
• Vaping is associated with potential health risks, including respiratory issues and lung injuries.
• Besides nicotine, e-liquids may contain propylene glycol, vegetable glycerin, and various chemicals for flavor and aroma.
• Secondhand exposure to vape aerosol may pose health risks, similar to secondhand smoke from traditional cigarettes.
• Nicotine in vape liquids can lead to addiction, especially in young users with developing brains.
• Some studies suggest that vaping may serve as a gateway to traditional cigarette smoking, particularly among youth.
• Vaping products are subject to evolving regulations to address health concerns and marketing practices.
• Vaping has gained popularity as an alternative to smoking, particularly for those seeking to quit tobacco use.
• Advocates argue that vaping can be a harm reduction tool for smokers trying to quit traditional cigarettes.
• The marketing of vape products often targets a younger demographic through social media and appealing packaging.
• Vape devices are powered by batteries, and incidents of battery explosions have been reported.
• The wide variety of vaping devices allows users to customize their experience, impacting nicotine delivery and vapor production.
• Individuals attempting to quit vaping may experience withdrawal symptoms such as irritability and cravings.

Major vaping statistics 

1. In 2021, there were 82 million vapers worldwide, with the highest concentrations in the Eastern Mediterranean region.
2. Over 3 million high school and middle school students reported using tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, within the past 30 days.
3. Nearly 85% of adolescents favor flavored e-cigarettes.
4. About 4.5% of U.S. adults vape, with usage higher among young adults aged 18-24 at 9.3%.
5. U.S. e-cigarette retail sales totaled $3.8 billion in 2018, with Pax Labs leading the market at 42% share in 2020.
6. The U.S. has the largest population of vapers (9 million), followed by the UK (3 million), and France (2.4 million).
7. Adults aged 18-29 show the highest e-cigarette use compared to older adults aged 60-69.
8. Approximately 20% of Canadian students in grades 7-12 reported vaping in the past 30 days.
9. About 19.8% of Australians aged 14 and older vape, with 4.5% usage among young adults aged 18-24.

How many people use vape pens globally?

• In 2019, there were about 35 million individuals worldwide who use e-cigarettes or tobacco products.
• In 2022, over 2.5 million youths used e-cigarette.
• Research from 2021 highlights that 1 in 5 non-smoking high school students used vape pens in 2020.
• One out of every 20 Americans engages in vaping, and there has been an alarming 1,800% surge in teenage e-cigarette usage within thOne out of every 20 Americans engages in vaping, and there has been an alarming 1,800% surge in teenage e-cigarette usage within the past year.

Vaping statistics by age

• Nearly 85% of adolescents prefer flavored e-cigarettes.
• The FDA's National Youth Tobacco Survey reports that over 3 million high school and middle school students used tobacco products in the past 30 days.
• Adults aged 18 to 29 show higher e-cigarette use compared to those aged 60 to 69.
• Young people aged 15 to 17 years are 16 times more likely to vape than those aged 25 to 34 years.
• In a survey conducted in October 2019 in the United States, around a quarter of those aged 18 to 29 years old reported using e-cigarettes, compared to only 3 percent of older adults.
•  More than 400,000 youths in grades 6 to 12 and 275,000 young adults (20-24 years of age) reported vaping in the last 30 days That's as many as there are people in Halifax.

Vaping statistics by region 

• In 2021, there were 82 million vapers globally, with the majority in the Eastern Mediterranean region. 
• Between 2014 and 2018, the United States and Western Europe were the largest markets for vaping products.
• Flavored e-cigarette usage is more prominent among 18 to 44-year-olds in 2020, compared to those aged 45 and older.

Vaping statistics by market size

• Total U.S. retail sales of e-cigarettes amounted to 3.8 billion U.S. dollars in 2018.
• Pax Labs is the most popular e-cigarette company in the US. They controlled over 42 percent share of e-cigarette dollar sales in 2020.
• The number of vapers varies by country, with the United States having the highest population at 9 million, followed by the United Kingdom with 3 million, France with 2.4 million, and Japan with 1.2 million.
• E-cigarette was the most popular Tobacco product of the year 2023.
• Among people currently using e-cigarettes, most prefer disposables (60.7%), followed by prefilled/refillable pods or cartridges (16.1%).
• Just 15% of U.S. e-cigarette users are non-smokers.
• 8% of Americans have reported vaping every other week.

Vaping statistics by country

1. United States: About 4.5% of adults in the U.S. currently use e-cigarettes, with usage higher among young adults aged 18-24, at 9.3%. Over 14% of high school students reported using e-cigarettes in 2023. As of 2019, the U.S. saw over 2,800 cases of e-cigarette or vaping-associated lung injury (EVALI), with 68 deaths confirmed.
2. United Kingdom: Approximately 8.3% of adults in the UK are e-cigarette users. Over 27% of vapers in the UK use e-cigarettes to quit smoking traditional tobacco. About 7% of 11-17-year-olds reported trying vaping at least once in 2022.
3. Canada: About 5% of Canadians aged 15 and older vape regularly, with the highest rates among young adults aged 20-24. Approximately 20% of Canadian students in grades 7-12 reported using e-cigarettes in the past 30 days.
4. Australia: About one in 5 people (19.8%) aged 14 and over use e-cigarettes, with higher rates among younger adults (4.5% among those aged 18-24). An estimated 10% of teenagers aged 15-17 have tried vaping. 
5. New Zealand: Vaping is 2-3 times more prevalent than smoking in New Zealand. Around 6.2% of adults vape daily or occasionally, with rates as high as 12% among young adults aged 18-24. About 8% of high school students reported regular e-cigarette use in 2022.
6. China: about 50% of Chinese adults have heard of e-cigarettes while only about 5% have used it in real life. E-cigarette use was higher in males aged between 15-24. 

India: Vaping rates are extremely low, as India implemented a nationwide ban on the sale of e-cigarettes in 2019. Despite the ban, anecdotal evidence suggests a small portion of urban youth still access e-cigarettes illegally.

Sources

1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022, October 7). CDC report highlights e-cigarette use among youth in 2022. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2022/p1007-e-cigarette-use.html
2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. E-cigarette statistics and trends. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/databriefs/db475.htm#:~:text=Interview%20Survey%2C%202021.-,Summary
3. Cross River Therapy. Vaping statistics. Retrieved from https://www.crossrivertherapy.com/vaping-statistics
4. Food and Drug Administration. Results from the annual National Youth Tobacco Survey. Retrieved from https://www.fda.gov/tobacco-products/youth-and-tobacco/results-annual-national-youth-tobacco-survey
5. Government of Canada. Vaping: What we know. Retrieved from https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/smoking-tobacco/surveys-statistics-research/vaping-what-we-know.html#:~:text=Canadian%20Community%20Health%20Survey
6. Lung.ca. Vaping statistics. Retrieved from https://www.lung.ca/lung-health/lung-info/lung-statistics/vaping-statistics
7. SingleCare. Vaping statistics: 2023. Retrieved from https://www.singlecare.com/blog/news/vaping-statistics
8. Statista. Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) - Statistics & facts. Retrieved from https://www.statista.com/topics/1913/electronic-cigarettes-e-cigarettes/#topicOverview
9. Tobacco in Australia. Legal status of e-cigarettes. Retrieved from https://www.tobaccoinaustralia.org.au/chapter-18-e-cigarettes/18-3-legal#:~:text=In%202022%E2%80%9323
10. Truth Initiative. E-cigarettes: Facts, stats, and regulations. Retrieved from https://truthinitiative.org/research-resources/emerging-tobacco-products/e-cigarettes-facts-stats-and-regulations
11. World Economic Forum. (2019, October). Why India banned e-cigarettes. Retrieved from https://www.weforum.org/stories/2019/10/vaping-ban-india-ecigarettes-health/
12. Zhang, L., & Liu, H. (2022). Health and social implications of vaping: An emerging global concern. ScienceDirect. Retrieved from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1326020023003722#:~:text=Vaping%20was%202

Zhang, X. (2022). The rising trends of e-cigarette use in China. PMC Journal. Retrieved from https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9234419/#:~:text=48.5%25%20of%20Chinese