Imperial College London

Academic Institute

OFHS250026

The main aim of this study is to explore the characteristics of e-cigarette users (vapers) compared to non-vapers and cigarette users. This will allow us to understand who is most likely to vape. We also aim to investigate whether vaping is associated with cancer and type 2 diabetes. Although e-cigarettes were initially introduced as an alternative to cigarettes for smokers, their growing popularity among non-smokers and young people raises concerns about potential health implications, behavioural patterns, and regulatory needs. The latest data from the Action on Smoking and Health (ASH-Youth) 2024 survey in England showed that 7.2% of 11–17 year-olds were vaping in 2024 compared to 3.2% in 2021. Those who had ever used an e-cigarette also rose from 11% to 18% during this period (https://ash.org.uk/resources/view/use-of-e-cigarettes-among-young-people-in-great-britain). Not much is known about who is most likely to use e-cigarettes. In addition, few studies have looked at the overlap between e-cigarette and traditional cigarette usage. In order to investigate future health outcomes associated with vaping and prevent uptake of vaping, it is important to first understand factors associated with this behaviour. Our Future Health provides a valuable opportunity to understand whether some people are more likely to vape than others and investigate whether vaping increases the risk of chronic diseases. This may help with targeting future public health initiatives.

Whilst e-cigarettes are now widely used, and have been considered to be less harmful than cigarette smoking, their long-term effects remain unclear. This research will help to understand who is most likely to use e-cigarettes. Identifying factors associated with e-cigarette use will be useful for future analyses of their health impacts and will also help to guide public health initiatives to prevent uptake of vaping in never smokers. Our study will provide some initial insights into the relationship between vaping and cancer and type 2 diabetes. In the future, the results of this research will be used to further explore associations between vaping and these diseases as well as many other health outcomes. This will ultimately provide greater clarity about the potential harms of vaping.

Public Health Research

14/05/2025

02/04/2025

TRE