ash-报告：预测英国已有320万人使用电子烟_2012年的4倍多！！（大健康）（英文）-2018.9-15页

Summary of E-Cigarette Use Among Adults in Great Britain (2018)

Core Content

This document presents findings from the ASH Smokefree GB surveys on e-cigarette (vape) use among adults in Great Britain (GB) in 2018, highlighting the growing popularity of vaping, its perceived benefits, and the impact of regulations on user behavior.

Awareness and Use

• E-cigarette Use Growth: From 2012 to 2018, e-cigarette use among adults in GB increased from 700,000 to 3.2 million, representing a rise from 1.7% to 6.2% of the adult population.
• Smoking Status of Users:
  • Current Smokers: 44.2% of e-cigarette users are current tobacco smokers.
  • Ex-Smokers: 51.6% of e-cigarette users are ex-smokers.
  • Never Smokers: 4.2% of e-cigarette users are never tobacco smokers.
• Use Trends:
  • The proportion of ex-smokers using e-cigarettes has increased over the years, surpassing current smokers since 2017.
  • The rate of increase in e-cigarette use was highest between 2012 and 2013 (86% rise), and has since plateaued.
  • The main reason for using e-cigarettes is to help quit smoking, with 62% of ex-smokers and 40% of current smokers citing this as their primary motivation.

Perceptions of Harm

• Public Awareness: Only 17% of respondents correctly identified that e-cigarettes are a lot less harmful than smoking.
• Improvement in Perception: In 2018, 50% of the public correctly recognized e-cigarettes as less harmful than smoking, showing some improvement from 43% in 2017.
• Smokers' Perception: 53% of smokers believed e-cigarettes to be less harmful or a lot less harmful in 2018, compared to 47% in 2017.
• Misconceptions: A significant portion of the public (26%) still believed e-cigarettes to be as harmful or more harmful than smoking, up from 7% in 2013.
• Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT): Only a third of smokers correctly identified NRT as less harmful than smoking, indicating a lack of understanding of its benefits.

Products and Regulation

• Nicotine Levels: Only 2% of current vapers use e-liquids with nicotine concentrations over 20 mg/ml, the limit set by the Tobacco Products Directive (TPD).
• Nicotine Strength Trends: Most vapers have reduced or maintained their nicotine strength over time, with only 7% reporting an increase.
• Regulatory Impact: The TPD's restrictions on nicotine levels and bottle sizes have influenced sales practices, leading to the availability of mixed products like 'shake and vape'.
• User Behavior: 15% of current vapers using tank devices report using 'shake and vape' products, with ex-smokers being more likely to use them regularly or occasionally.
• Confidence in Safety: 13% of smokers who do not use e-cigarettes reported feeling more confident in their safety after new regulations were introduced, though many still remain concerned.

Key Information

• Health Impact: E-cigarettes are considered significantly less harmful than smoking tobacco cigarettes, with estimates suggesting they are at least 95% less harmful. This is supported by Public Health England.
• Usage Patterns:
  • Among current vapers, 88% use nicotine-containing products.
  • Satisfaction with e-cigarettes is higher among those who have quit smoking compared to those who still smoke.
• Demographics:
  • The majority of e-cigarette users are ex-smokers.
  • Never smokers who vape are a small group and tend to use lower nicotine levels.
• Motivations:
  • Health improvement is the top reason for vaping among all users.
  • Saving money and enjoyment are also cited as motivations, though less frequently.
• Regulatory Influence: While regulations have increased confidence among some smokers, they have not fully addressed concerns about safety and effectiveness.

Conclusion

The use of e-cigarettes among adults in GB has grown substantially since 2012, with a significant shift towards ex-smokers as the primary users. Despite this growth, public understanding of the relative harm of e-cigarettes compared to smoking remains limited. However, there are signs of improving perceptions, particularly among smokers, following regulatory changes. The role of e-cigarettes in smoking cessation is well-established, but there are still concerns about their safety and potential for misuse, especially among never smokers. Continued monitoring and education are necessary to ensure that e-cigarettes are used effectively and safely.