The number of vapers in the UK is on the rise, according to the latest statistics which revealed the largest increase was in the 16 to 24-year age group.

Figures released by the Office for National Statistics show electronic cigarette use last year increased in the 35-49, 50-59 and 60-plus age groups but decreased slightly in 25 to 34-year-olds compared with 2021.

The number of female vapers aged 16-24 who smoked on a daily basis hit its highest number since data collection started in 2014, going from 1.9 per cent in 2021 to 6.7 per cent in 2022.

Women in the same age group who vaped occasionally also increased from 7.1 per cent in 2021 to 12.2 per cent last year while for men, it went up from 7.9 per cent to 8.7 per cent.

The number of young people in total between 16 and 24 who vaped every day or occasionally increased from 11.1 per cent to 15.5 per cent over those 12 months.

Last year, the number of daily and occasional vapers was highest among cigarette smokers (27.1 per cent) and former cigarette smokers (16.5 per cent). Respondents to the study who said they had never smoked but vaped on a daily or occasional basis increased from 1.5 per cent in 2021 to 2.4 per cent last year.

The number of smokers aged 18 and over fell to 6.4 million people in 2022, its lowest level since records began in 2011. England had the lowest number of smokers (12.7 per cent) followed by Scotland (13.9 per cent), Northern Ireland (14 per cent) and Wales (14.1 per cent).

Across the UK, 14.6 per cent of men smoked compared with 11.2 per cent of women, while 25-34 year-olds had the highest number of smokers and the 65 and over age group the lowest in 2022.