Nicotine use rises among young adults in England, but cigarette smoking continues to decline

A University College London study shows a rise in nicotine use among adults in England due to increased vaping with disposable devices, while smoking rates slightly declined. Vaping particularly surged among young adults, tripling in those aged 18-24, with an increase from 9% to 29% since 2021. Older age groups showed smaller changes in vaping and smoking rates. Concerns over the potential impact on non-smoking young individuals were raised. The study analyzed data from 132,252 adults between 2016 and 2023. Researchers urge balanced policies to address youth vaping without hindering smoking cessation efforts and emphasize the deadliness of smoking compared to potential risks of vaping.