Underage Smoking Is Still Rising – And Vaping Is Not the Gateway Many Claim

There’s a growing belief in the UK that vaping is driving a new generation into smoking.

However, when you look at the actual data from respected public health organisations, a very different picture emerges.

Underage smoking remains a serious issue — and many young people who smoke have never vaped at all.

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What the ASH Report Actually Shows

Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) is one of the UK’s most respected public health charities. Their annual surveys of young people provide one of the clearest pictures of smoking and vaping behaviour.

According to the ASH report on young people and e-cigarettes:

• The majority of young people who try vaping do not become regular users
• Regular smoking among young people still exists, despite falling long-term trends
• A significant proportion of underage smokers have never used e-cigarettes

This directly challenges the idea that vaping is a primary gateway into smoking.

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Smoking Predates Vaping – And Still Exists Without It

Smoking among young people existed long before vaping.

Data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) and ASH shows that:

• Underage smoking has fluctuated for decades
• Smoking uptake occurred long before e-cigarettes were available
• Social factors such as deprivation, peer influence and access remain key drivers

In other words, smoking is not a new problem — and it cannot be blamed solely, or even primarily, on vaping.

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Does Vaping Lead Young People to Smoking?

This is where headlines often get it wrong.

ASH and UK public health bodies have repeatedly stated that correlation does not equal causation.

According to ASH:

“The evidence does not support the claim that e-cigarettes are causing significant numbers of young people to start smoking.”

Most young people who experiment with vaping were already more likely to engage in risk-taking behaviours. Vaping does not create that risk — it follows it.

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Many Underage Smokers Have Never Vaped

One of the most overlooked facts is this:

A notable proportion of underage smokers report never having used a vape.

This means:

• Vaping cannot be the sole or main cause of youth smoking
• Other factors are driving underage tobacco use
• Focusing only on vaping risks ignoring the real issue

The ASH data makes it clear that youth smoking needs targeted prevention — not misplaced blame.

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What Are the Real Drivers of Underage Smoking?

Public health research consistently points to:

• Social deprivation
• Family smoking behaviour
• Peer pressure
• Illegal tobacco sales
• Lack of enforcement

According to OHID, tackling youth smoking requires enforcement, education and prevention — not moral panic.

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Why This Distinction Matters

When vaping is incorrectly blamed as a gateway:

• Adult smokers may be discouraged from switching
• Resources are diverted away from illegal tobacco sales
• The real causes of underage smoking are ignored

The NHS continues to state that vaping is intended for adult smokers and is far less harmful than smoking.

NHS guidance on vaping and quitting smoking

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The Vapour Central Position

At Vapour Central, we are clear:

• We do not sell to under 18s
• We support strong age enforcement
• We support evidence-based harm reduction
• We oppose illegal tobacco and vape sales

Protecting young people means addressing smoking properly — not spreading misinformation.

Learn More About Vapour Central

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Final Thoughts

Underage smoking is still a real problem in the UK.

The evidence shows that vaping is not the primary cause — and in many cases, not involved at all.

Policy and public understanding must be based on facts, not fear.

This article references publicly available data from ASH, NHS, ONS and OHID. Vapour Central supports lawful, age-restricted harm reduction.