Vaping simply means using an electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) or vape device to inhale vapour created from a liquid known as e-liquid. Unlike traditional smoking, there is no burning or combustion involved. Instead, a small battery powers a coil, which heats the e-liquid and turns it into vapour that you inhale.

In the UK, vaping has become one of the most popular alternatives to smoking, with millions of adults making the switch. According to ASH UK, around 5.5 million adults were vaping by 2025, many of them former smokers. People are drawn to vaping because it is generally considered less harmful than smoking, offers a wide variety of flavours, and allows users to choose different nicotine strengths based on their needs.

The vaping landscape has also shifted in recent years. With the UK disposable vape ban introduced in June 2025, many smokers and vapers have moved towards prefilled pod kits, refillable vape pens, and advanced mods. These alternatives are now the go-to choice for most users, providing a similar experience but in a more eco-friendly and legally compliant way.

In this guide, we’ll break down exactly what vaping is, how it works, why people switch from smoking, and the current trends shaping the UK vaping market in 2025.

What Is Vaping? How It Works

At its core, vaping is the process of turning a liquid (called e-liquid) into vapour that you can inhale. The device you use, often called a vape kit or e-cigarette, has a few simple parts that make this happen:

• Battery (power source): provides energy to heat the coil

• Coil (heating element): warms up when the battery is activated

• E-liquid (juice): a mix of propylene glycol (PG), vegetable glycerin (VG), nicotine, and flavourings

• Vapour production: when the coil heats the e-liquid, it turns into a smooth vapour that you inhale through the mouthpiece

So, in simple words: battery + coil + e-liquid = vapour.

Vaping vs Smoking: The Big Difference

Traditional cigarettes burn tobacco, releasing smoke that contains tar, carbon monoxide, and thousands of toxic chemicals. This process is called combustion, and it’s the main reason smoking is so harmful.

With vaping, there is no combustion. Instead of burning, the device simply heats the e-liquid to create vapour. This means vapes generally contain far fewer harmful chemicals compared to cigarettes.

In fact, studies by Public Health England and the NHS have repeatedly highlighted that vaping is around 95% less harmful than smoking. That’s why many smokers in the UK have switched to vaping as a way to cut down or quit cigarettes altogether.

Types of Vaping Styles

When people talk about vaping styles, they usually mean the way you inhale the vapour. In the UK, there are two main styles that vapers use:

Mouth-to-Lung (MTL) Vaping

• This style mimics the way you smoke a cigarette.

• You first draw the vapour into your mouth, then inhale it into your lungs.

• MTL is smoother, less airy, and gives a stronger throat hit.

• Works best with pod systems and slim vape pens.
  

Direct-to-Lung (DTL) Vaping

• With this style, you breathe vapour directly into your lungs, like taking a deep breath.

• Produces bigger clouds and stronger flavour, but requires more airflow.

• Popular with advanced vape mods and box mods.
  

Which Style Suits You?

• If you’re new to vaping or switching from smoking → MTL vaping is more natural and closer to cigarettes.

• If you’re an enthusiast who enjoys clouds and flavour → DTL vaping with a mod device is better.

Tip: For a detailed breakdown of devices that support these styles, check out our full guide on What Is a Vape Device.

Vaping vs Smoking (Health Comparison)

One of the most common questions people ask is whether vaping is safer than smoking. To understand this, it helps to look at the basic difference between the two.

When you smoke a traditional cigarette, tobacco is burned. This burning process, known as combustion, releases thousands of harmful chemicals into the body, including tar, carbon monoxide, and carcinogens. These are the main substances responsible for the serious health risks linked to smoking, such as lung cancer, heart disease, and breathing problems.

Vaping, on the other hand, works very differently. Instead of burning tobacco, a vape device heats up an e-liquid to create a vapour. This vapour usually contains propylene glycol (PG), vegetable glycerin (VG), flavourings, and nicotine. Because there is no combustion, the number of harmful chemicals produced is dramatically lower compared to cigarette smoke.

In the UK, this difference has been recognised by health authorities. According to Public Health England and supported by the NHS, vaping is estimated to be around 95% less harmful than smoking. This doesn’t mean vaping is completely risk-free, but it does show why so many smokers have switched to vapes as a way to reduce harm or eventually quit tobacco altogether.

Another important health benefit is the absence of second-hand smoke. Cigarette smoke can affect people around you, while vapour from e-cigarettes generally contains far fewer harmful substances, making it less dangerous to others.

To put it simply:

• Smoking = burning tobacco, tar, carbon monoxide, thousands of toxins

• Vaping = heating e-liquid, fewer chemicals, significantly less harmful

This is why many public health campaigns in the UK encourage smokers to consider switching. While vaping should never be taken up by non-smokers or young people, for adults who already smoke, it offers a far safer alternative.

Are Vapes Addictive? Nicotine & Dependency

A common concern for new vapers and non-vapers alike is: are vapes addictive? The answer depends largely on whether the e-liquid you use contains nicotine.

Not all vape juices in the UK contain nicotine—many are available in 0mg strength, which means completely nicotine-free. However, most smokers who switch to vaping choose e-liquids with nicotine, since it helps manage cravings and withdrawal symptoms from cigarettes.

Nicotine itself is the addictive substance found in both cigarettes and many e-liquids. While vaping eliminates harmful chemicals like tar and carbon monoxide, the nicotine inside can still create dependency, just like smoking. The difference is that vaping allows you to control the nicotine strength and even gradually reduce it over time.

There are two main types of nicotine used in UK e-liquids:

• Freebase Nicotine: This is the traditional form of nicotine. It delivers a stronger throat hit but can feel harsh at higher strengths. Freebase is usually found in standard vape juices (commonly 3mg or 6mg).

• Nicotine Salts (Nic Salts): A smoother and faster-absorbing type of nicotine. Nic salts provide a quick and satisfying hit, which is why they are commonly used in prefilled pods and disposable-style devices. They are particularly popular among ex-smokers who want a strong nicotine delivery without harshness.

UK law, under the TPD (Tobacco Products Directive) regulations, limits the maximum nicotine strength to 20mg/ml in e-liquids. This rule, overseen by the MHRA and supported by Public Health England, ensures vapes remain regulated and safer than untested products found in some other countries.

It’s important to remember: while vaping with nicotine can be less harmful than smoking, it can still lead to dependency. That’s why both the NHS and Public Health England advise that non-smokers and young people should not start vaping. For adult smokers, however, vaping is seen as a useful tool to reduce harm and potentially quit smoking altogether.

Common Misconceptions About Vaping

Despite its popularity, there are still many myths and misconceptions about vaping that cause confusion, especially in the UK. Let’s break down some of the most common ones with facts backed by regulations and research.

“Do vapes contain antifreeze?”

This is one of the biggest myths about vaping. The confusion comes from Propylene Glycol (PG), a common ingredient in vape juice. PG is also used in products like asthma inhalers and some food items. While it can be found in antifreeze (to make it safer than toxic ethylene glycol), the PG used in UK e-liquids is pharmaceutical and food-grade quality. It is tested, regulated, and approved by the MHRA (Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency). So no, UK vapes do not contain antifreeze.

“Does vaping cause popcorn lung?”

Another myth is that vaping causes “popcorn lung” (bronchiolitis obliterans), a rare lung condition once linked to exposure to diacetyl in popcorn factories. However, diacetyl is banned in UK-regulated e-liquids under TPD laws. The MHRA strictly tests and rejects any vape products containing harmful additives. This means the risk of developing popcorn lung from vaping in the UK is virtually non-existent.

“Are vapes just as harmful as smoking?”

Cigarettes release thousands of toxic chemicals through combustion, including tar and carbon monoxide. Vapes, on the other hand, heat e-liquid to create vapour without burning tobacco. According to Public Health England, vaping is estimated to be around 95% less harmful than smoking. While not risk-free, it is significantly safer for adult smokers who switch.

These myths often spread due to misinformation or lack of awareness. But in the UK, thanks to strict MHRA regulations, TPD laws, and NHS guidance, vapes are carefully monitored to ensure they meet safety standards.

Vaping Trends in the UK (2025)

The UK vaping landscape has changed a lot in recent years, and 2025 is a turning point for the industry. With the nationwide ban on disposable vapes in June 2025, millions of vapers have shifted towards longer-lasting and more sustainable alternatives. The biggest winner has been prefilled pod kits, which combine the simplicity of disposables with the benefit of being rechargeable and more eco-friendly.

Rise of Prefilled Pod Kits

After the disposable ban, prefilled pod vapes quickly became the go-to choice for many UK vapers. They deliver a familiar, strong nicotine hit and bold flavours, but in a format that’s compliant with UK law. Devices like Hayati Pro Ultra (up to 25,000 puffs), Geekbar Pods, and Fumot T9000 have gained massive popularity because they replicate the disposable experience while reducing cost and waste.

Popular Flavours in 2025

UK vapers still prefer the same flavour categories that made disposables so popular:

• Fruity flavours (blueberry, watermelon, mango, grape)

• Icy/menthol blends (blue razz ice, mint, cherry ice)

• Sweet & dessert flavours (cola, strawberry ice cream, candy mixes)

These flavour profiles are widely available in pod kits and refillable options, ensuring vapers still enjoy variety even without disposables.

UK Vaping Market & Statistics (2025)

According to Action on Smoking and Health (ASH UK), there are now an estimated 5.5 million adult vapers in the UK in 2025. This number continues to grow as more smokers turn to vaping as a harm-reduction tool, supported by the NHS stance that vaping is significantly less harmful than smoking.

Summary of Trends

• Disposables phased out → pods & refillable kits rising.

• Eco-friendly, cost-effective devices leading the market.

• Flavours still drive popularity, especially fruity & icy blends.

• UK remains one of the largest vaping markets in Europe.

FAQs About Vaping

Does vaping help you quit smoking?

Yes. According to the NHS and Public Health England, vaping can be an effective tool to quit smoking. It delivers nicotine without tar or carbon monoxide, making it a less harmful choice for adult smokers.

Is it safe to vape indoors in the UK?

Vaping indoors is not banned by law, but individual venues (pubs, restaurants, workplaces, and transport services) can set their own rules. Always check before vaping indoors.

Can teens vape in the UK?

No. The legal age to buy or use vapes in the UK is 18. Selling to minors is illegal, and youth vaping is a growing concern for regulators.

How many people vape in the UK?

As of 2025, around 5.5 million adults in the UK are estimated to use vapes, according to Action on Smoking and Health (ASH UK). The number continues to rise, especially as smoking rates decline.