A captivating new study conducted by researchers at the prestigious University College London (UCL) and published in the esteemed Addiction journal has shed light on a remarkable trend sweeping across the United Kingdom – the skyrocketing popularity of high-strength nicotine vaping products.
The Dramatic Shift in Vaping Habits
The researchers delved deep into the vaping habits of 7,314 adults in England, meticulously tracking the changes in nicotine levels used between July 2016 and January 2024. The findings paint a vivid picture of a seismic shift in the vaping landscape, with a staggering increase in the number of people embracing e-liquids at or above the UK’s highest legally available nicotine level of 20 milligrams per milliliter (mg/ml).
- In June 2021, only 6.6% of the surveyed group were using the highest-strength vapes.
- By January 2024, this figure had escalated to a remarkable 32.5% of users.
The Rise of Disposable Vape Products
The researchers attribute this meteoric rise to the introduction of a new generation of disposable vape products, many of which boast nicotine strengths at the very pinnacle of the legal limit. These cutting-edge devices employ a clever trick – the use of nicotine salts in their e-liquids. This innovative approach allows for the inhalation of higher nicotine concentrations without the harsh, unpleasant sensation often associated with traditional freebase nicotine e-liquids at such elevated levels.
Read More: About vaping landscape