Eye-Catching Facts About Vaping You Might Not Know

Vaping is now a global phenomenon. It's only when you explore the related facts and figures that you can fully appreciate the size of the industry and how quickly it has developed.

The following are the the statistics that illuminate the history of vaping, how things have progressed and just how many vapers there are across the world.

History of Vaping

1927

First Reference to an E-Cig

The first documented reference to an electronic cigarette was a patent granted to Joseph Robinson in 1930, having been filed in 1927. However, this invention was never commercialised, and a prototype of the device was seemingly never manufactured.

1965

First Vaping Device

Herbert A. Gilbert created the first device that closely resembled the modern e-cigarette in the 1960s. He reported receiving a patent in 1965 (filed in 1963) and even created prototypes, but failed to commercialise them.

2003

First Commerically Successful E-Cig

Hon Lik, a 52-year-old pharmacist, inventor, and smoker, created what would become the first commercially successful electronic cigarette in Beijing, China, in 2003. He reportedly created the device after his father – a heavy smoker – died of lung cancer.

2006

E-Cigs Introduced to Europe and America

Electronic cigarettes arrived in both Europe and the USA in 2006 but failed to take off at this time.

2007

Cartomizer Invented

In 2007, British entrepreneurs Umer and Tariq Sheikh invented the cartomizer. This was a mechanism that integrates a heating coil into the liquid reservoir.

2009

eGo Battery and Clearomizer Launched

In 2009, Joyetech developed the eGo battery which featured a user-activated switch. The clearomizer was also invented in this year. It contained wicking material, an e-liquid chamber, and an atomizer coil in a single clear component.

How Many Vapers Are there?

The global e-cigarette and vape market was valued at $40 billion in 2025.
It is estimated that there are now around 100 million vapers worldwide.
There are 20 million vapers across Europe.
Around 5 million people vape in the UK.
It is estimated that more than 9 million adults in the US are currently vapers.

UK Vaping Demographics

By Age

The 16-24 age group has the highest percentage of vapers (13%). But daily use is most common among 25-49 year olds. There have been significant increases in the number of vapers aged 35-49 recently.

By Gender

In the early days, vaping was more prevalent among men in the UK. But by 2026, the number of male and female vapers in the UK was roughly equal.

The Most Popular Vaping Devices

Until relatively recently, tank kits reigned supereme. But these days it is refillable pod kits that are the most popular choices in the UK, followed by prefilled pod kits including big puff vapes.

SHOP POD KITS

Vaping and Health

Vaping is around 95% less harmful than smoking, according to a study by Public Health England.
The study found that nearly half of the UK population (44.8%) didn’t realise the health benefits of vaping compared to smoking.
It also found that smokers who used an e-cigarette and received additional support from their local stop smoking support services reported some of the highest successful quit rates.

The Cost of Vaping

Costs related to vaping vary greatly worldwide as much is dependent on the taxes imposed in each country. The tax regime in the UK will be changing October 2026 when significant duties will be levied on all e-liquids. However, the duty on cigarettes will also be raised and so vaping will remain much cheaper than smoking.

From October 2026, the annual cost of smoking for someone with a 20 per day habit will be at least £6,347. But it will be possible to vape all day and every day for around £650 per year.

For a detailed explanation of the Vaping Products Duty (VPD), read our guide.

VAPING SATISTICS