Vaping Statistics 2025: Trends, Risks, and Health Impacts

Vaping involves using a handheld electronic device that creates a mist or “vapor” for you to inhale. Devices like e-cigarettes, vape pens, or other electronic nicotine delivery systems heat up a liquid mixture of nicotine, flavors, propylene glycol, and other chemicals, turning it into an aerosol that you breathe in through a mouthpiece.

While many people believe vaping is a safer alternative to smoking, it’s important to know that it comes with its own health risks. Both vaping and smoking are addictive and introduce harmful chemicals into your body.

Today, vaping has become more popular among young people than traditional cigarette smoking. A recent report by the University of Glasgow, commissioned by the World Health Organization, highlights this growing trend. Many kids and teens are curious about vaping and are drawn in by advertisements they see in stores and online. They often experiment with vapes because they are easy to access, come in appealing flavors (like fruity or dessert varieties), and can be a way to fit in or connect with friends.

For anyone wanting to dig deeper into vaping, understanding the statistics can be eye-opening. While numbers can’t tell the entire story of vaping or fully capture its risks, they offer valuable insights for those looking to gain a clearer understanding, especially when it comes to vaping among youngsters.

Vaping Statistics Worldwide

It was estimated that the number of vapers worldwide would reach approximately 86.1 million in 2023. Modern electronic cigarettes, introduced around 2007, have risen in popularity rapidly. (1)
In 2021, the data estimated that around 82 million people were vaping worldwide. This shows that the number of vapers continued to rise, with most growth happening in North America and Western Europe. (2)
In 2020, there were estimated to be about 68 million vapers worldwide. Compared to the 1.1 billion people who smoke tobacco globally, the shift towards using alternative products like e-cigarettes was progressing slowly. The number of vapers remains a small percentage of the total number of smokers. (1)

How Popular is Vaping?

Among young people who vape, 89.4% used a flavored e-cigarette in the past month. Thousands of flavored, high-nicotine and affordable e-cigarette products are still available on the market, with many being sold illegally. These products are a major factor in the rise of vaping among young people, leading to increased nicotine addiction. (3)
Young individuals who had ever used e-cigarettes were seven times more likely to become smokers within a year compared to those who had never vaped. What’s even more concerning is that nearly half of the young people who have tried e-cigarettes continue to use them, with many vaping on a daily basis. (3)
More than 8 out of 10 current e-cigarette users (87.6%) choose flavored options, with fruit flavors being the most popular, followed by candy, dessert, sweet flavors, mint, and menthol. E-cigarette companies target young people by marketing these products with kid-friendly flavors and designs that resemble toys, foods, or cartoon characters. (4)
More than half (54.6%) of students currently using e-cigarettes reported using flavors labeled as “ice” or “iced” in their names. (4)
Findings revealed a significant decrease in e-cigarette use among U.S. middle and high school students. The number of students who reported using e-cigarettes in the past 30 days dropped from 2.13 million (7.7%) in 2023 to 1.63 million (5.9%) in 2024. (4)

Vaping Statistics in US

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that e-cigarette use among adults has been on the rise, increasing from 3.7% in 2020 to 4.5% in 2021. This growth is mainly driven by a higher prevalence of use among young adults aged 18–24. (5)
According to the National Health Interview Survey, e-cigarette use among young U.S. adults aged 18-29 rose from 8.8% in 2019 to 10.2% in 2021. This trend suggests a growing risk of nicotine addiction, which could lead to the use of traditional tobacco products. Additionally, it may increase exposure to harmful substances, and carcinogens, and raise the risk of respiratory diseases. (6)
In 2024, an estimated 1.63 million U.S. middle and high school students were using e-cigarettes, marking a significant decrease from 2.13 million in 2023. Implementing comprehensive tobacco control strategies, regulations, and strict enforcement is essential to prevent and reduce e-cigarette use among young people. (7)
Of the students currently using e-cigarettes, 38.4% reported using them frequently, while 26.3% reported daily use. (7)

In 2024, 87.6% of students who used e-cigarettes chose flavored products, with the most popular flavors being fruit (62.8%), candy (33.3%), and mint (25.1%). (7)

Among students currently using e-cigarettes, 36.1% used Elf Bar, followed by Breeze at 19.9%, Mr. Fog at 15.8%, Vuse at 13.7%, and JUUL at 12.6%. In the past year, there has been a significant decline in the number of young people reporting the use of e-cigarette products from the Elf Bar brand as the FDA does not authorize it. (7)
The most commonly used vaping devices among current e-cigarette users were disposable e-cigarettes (55.6%), followed by prefilled or refillable pods and cartridges (15.6%). (4)

E-cigarette Users in the United States by Age

In the United States in 2021, adults aged 25 to 44 were the most likely to smoke or vape e-cigarettes, making up nearly 70% of the e-smoking population. (8)
Only 10% of e-cigarette users were smokers aged 18 to 24 years old. (8)
34.1% of American e-cigarette users are aged 35-44, making up a significant portion. (8)
14% of e-cigarette users in the United States are within the 45-54 age group. (8)
7.1% of U.S. e-cigarette users are aged 55-64, representing the smallest age group segment. (8)

2024 U.S. E-Cigarette Use by Generation

56% of Millennials (1980-1994) used e-cigarettes; 45% used vaporizers or vape pens in 2024. As of 2024, Millennials (Generation Y) represented the largest group of e-cigarette and vape pen users in the United States, significantly outnumbering other age groups. (9)
21% of Gen Z (1995-2012) used e-cigarettes; 32% used vaporizers or vape pens in 2024. (9)
21% of Gen X (1965-1979) used e-cigarettes; 20% used vaporizers or vape pens in 2024. (9)
2% of Baby Boomers (1946-1964) used e-cigarettes; 3% used vaporizers or vape pens in 2024. (9)

Teen Vaping Statistics

In 2024, 5.9% of middle and high school students reported using e-cigarettes, with 7.8% of high school students and 3.5% of middle school students using them. (7)

The Cost of Vaping in US

The revenue in the ‘E-Cigarettes’ segment of the U.S. tobacco products market is projected to steadily rise by a total of 2.9 billion U.S. dollars (+32.84%) between 2024 and 2029. (10)
After ten consecutive years of growth, the revenue is expected to reach a new peak of 11.72 billion U.S. dollars in 2029. (10)

E-cigarette revenue growth in 2024 is 6.75% in the U.S. market. (11)
According to this forecast, by 2029, the growth rate will have declined for the eighth consecutive year to 5.22%. (11)

The average per capita revenue in the ‘E-Cigarettes’ segment of the U.S. tobacco products market is projected to steadily rise by a total of 8.5 U.S. dollars (+29.1%) between 2024 and 2029. (12)
After ten consecutive years of growth, the indicator is expected to reach 37.68 U.S. dollars, marking a new peak in 2029. (12)

E-cigarettes Industry Global Revenue

In 2024, the worldwide e-cigarette market is expected to generate $25.98 billion in revenue. (13)
By 2029, the global e-cigarette industry is projected to reach a revenue of $31.5 billion. (13)

E-cigarette Users by State

When comparing the percentage of e-cigarette users across various countries, Indonesia leads with 32% of consumers using e-cigarettes. Greece ranks second, while Argentina is at the bottom of the list with the lowest share of users. (14)

Final Thought

The rising use of electronic nicotine delivery system reveals a complex landscape, especially when considering the impact on youth and overall public health. Findings from the National Youth Tobacco Survey demonstrate that youth e-cigarette use has become an alarming trend, with many high schoolers choosing flavored e-cigarettes over traditional cigarettes. These vaping products, which often contain nicotine, are marketed as less harmful alternatives, yet they pose significant risks.

E-cigarettes are highly addictive, and the use of e-cigarettes among young people raises concerns about a potential progression to combustible cigarettes, as regular cigarettes also contain nicotine. The American Heart Association has raised alarms about the connection between vaping products and serious health issues like heart disease and lung injury. The reality is that while some may use e-cigarettes as a means to quit smoking, the long-term health effects remain uncertain, and without stricter regulation, vape products will continue to threaten the health of the younger population.

For adults seeking smoking cessation, switching from regular cigarettes to vape products is often seen as a step forward. However, it’s critical to acknowledge that the habit of using e-cigarettes daily still carries risks. Public health campaigns need to focus not only on the addictive nature of e-cigarettes but also on their potential to harm health in the long term.

Despite the perceived benefits of quitting smoking through the use of e-cigarettes, the similarities between vaping and smoking combustible cigarettes, such as nicotine addiction and the risk of heart disease, suggest that these products require the same level of scrutiny. Comprehensive tobacco control strategies and education are crucial to combat the growing acceptance of vape products and safeguard future generations from their harmful effects.