The unis where students are most addicted to vaping in 2024, and what their habits are

Over half of all university students say they are now addicted to vaping, an investigation by The Tab has found.

Every year, The Tab conducts a survey of over 6,000 university students to find out the drug and vaping habits of university students up and down the country. The figures are even more shocking than last year, and provide an exclusive look into the changing vaping habits of students at the below universities. What they’re vaping, where they’re vaping and exactly how much.

So, what’s changed in a year then?

This year it’s no surprise that it’s all about Lost Marys. Exclusive data found that Lost Marys have officially taken over as the most popular vape, with 34 per cent of students saying it was their first choice. Elf Bars, which dominated uni campuses last year, were the choice of 21 per cent of students.

Of all the students who admitted to vaping, 52 per cent said they didn’t smoke before picking up the habit and 34 per cent said they get through a disposable vape as quickly as one day or night out.

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As a result, 16 per cent of students reported having health complications since starting vaping with common ones including gum disease, mouth ulcers, constant shortness of breath, coughing and teeth problems.

Last year, a Tab survey found that 27 per cent of students said they were addicted to disposable vapes. So most shockingly, only a year later, our exclusive data found that 57 per cent of students now say they are addicted to vaping. This ranges from 35 per cent at some unis to nearly 75 per cent of students at others.

So with disposable vapes being set to be banned by the end of the year, you better get your puffs in quick! Promise we won’t tell Rishi.

So, these are the unis that are most addicted to vaping in 2024, and what their habits are:

24. University of Sussex – 35 per cent

The University of Sussex is the uni where students are the least addicted to vaping. Only 35 per cent of students admitted to being addicted to vaping and only 44 per cent admitted to vaping generally. Of those that did though, the most popular was the classic Lost Mary making up 46 per cent of Sussex students’ vape of choice.

23. Lancaster University – 48 per cent

Just under half of Lancaster students said they were addicted to vaping. Of this 48 per cent though, a big 58 per cent did not smoke before they picked up vaping. Breaking the norm of Lost Marys, SKE Crystal Bars were actually the most popular vapes for Lancaster students.

22. Imperial College London – 48 per cent

A very different vibe from Lancaster but with the same percentage of vape addiction, 48 per cent of Imperial students said they were addicted to vaping. The most popular vape is Lost Mary and it takes the average Imperial student a few days to inhale their favourite Watermelon Ice.

21. University of Bristol – 50 per cent

Surprisingly low, 50 per cent of Bristol students admitted to being addicted to their vapes. Of these students, 15 per cent of them reported health complications as a result including gum disease chest pain and a constant cough.

20. University of Nottingham – 50 per cent

Exactly half of Nottingham students said they were addicted to vaping. Still stuck in last year, Elf Bars were the most popular in Nottingham students with 42 per cent picking it as their vape of choice.

19. University of York – 52 per cent

It might be consistently referred to as a boring uni, but 52 per cent of York students admitted to being addicted to their vapes. Lost Mary, again, is the most popular vape at York and 32 per cent of those who vape said they get through one in less than a day.

18. University of Cambridge – 52 per cent

A bit of a dark horse, 52 per cent of students also admitted to being addicted to vaping at Cambridge, consistently named as one of the best unis in the world. Always having to be a bit different and quirky, the most popular vapes were actually Juuls. What in the 2015??

17. Durham University – 53 per cent

Of COURSE Durham is right next to Cambridge, classic. 53 per cent of Durham students said they were addicted to vaping and a big 31 per cent of them opt for an Elf Bar.

16. University of Birmingham – 53 per cent

Also with 53 per cent of students admitting their vape addiction, Birmingham is the 15th most hooked uni. Elf Bars were by far the most popular weapon of choice and it is 50/50 for students who smoked beforehand versus those who didn’t.

15. University of Lincoln – 53 per cent

Lincoln is next, also with 53 per cent of students telling The Tab they are addicted to their vape. Also moving away from the crowd, SKE Crystal Bars are Lincoln’s most popular vape, with it being the choice of 35 per cent of students.

14. University of Exeter – 54 per cent

54 per cent of Exeter students said they were addicted to vaping. Of these, 13 per cent revealed they have experienced health complications including bronchitis, wheezing and being unable to catch their breath.

13. University of Liverpool – 55 per cent

At 55 per cent, just over half of Liverpool students said they were addicted to vaping. Of these, three-quarters of students said they smoked before they picked up their Lost Marys.

12. University of Manchester – 56 per cent

Last year, 33 per cent of students said they were addicted to vaping. This has increased by 18 per cent in less than a year. Manchester has one of the highest percentages of students who said they did smoke before they picked up vaping.

11. University of Edinburgh – 56 per cent

At Edinburgh, 56 per cent of students admitted to being addicted to vaping. 35 per cent of Edi students also said they get through at least one whole vape a day. Lost Mary is clearly an Edinburgh student staple, with it being the preferred brand by 56 per cent, closely followed by Elf Bars which were chosen by 25 per cent of students.

10. University College London – 56 per cent

56 per cent of UCL students report being addicted to vaping. Lost Mary is the most popular brand at UCL and the majority of students say it takes them a few days to get through one vape.

9. University of Sheffield – 59 per cent

Last year, 31 per cent of students at Sheffield admitted to being addicted to their Elf Bars. This has increased by a massive 28 per cent this year to 59 per cent.

8. University of Warwick – 60 per cent

Three-fifths of students at Warwick say they are addicted to vaping. This is a 32 per cent increase from last year. Again, it’s all about the Lost Mary at Warwick, closely followed by the SKE Crystal Bar chosen by 27 per cent of students.

7. University of Glasgow – 61 per cent

61 per cent of Glasgow students said they are addicted to vaping. This is a significant rise from last year’s 22 per cent. 29 per cent of students who did vape said they had experienced health problems as a result, including asthma, high blood pressure and constant shortness of breath.

6. University of Leeds – 64 per cent

At Leeds, 63 per cent of students said they were addicted to vaping. 50 per cent of these people said they did not smoke before they started vaping. Surprisingly, though the most popular vape at Leeds was Elux, with 25 per cent of students citing it as their preferred brand.

5. Newcastle University  – 64 per cent

64 per cent of Newcastle students admitted to being addicted to vaping, and 35 per cent went with Lost Mary as their favourite brand.

4. King’s College London – 64 per cent

64 per cent of King’s students admitted being addicted to their vapes. The most popular vape at King’s is actually a SKE Crystal Bar, taking 55 per cent of the vote.

3. Cardiff University – 67 per cent

As the third most vaping-addicted uni, 67 per cent of Cardiff students say they are addicted. Last year, only 27 per cent of Cardiff students admitted to being addicted to vaping, this has gone up to 67 per cent in less than a year.

2. Oxford Brookes – 68 per cent

One of the most addicted last year, Oxford Brookes is officially the second most addicted uni in 2024. 68 per cent of students said they were addicted to their vapes and 40 per cent of these didn’t smoke before they started vaping.

1. Northumbria University – 74 per cent

Northumbria University students are officially the most addicted to vaping. A huge 74 per cent of students admitted to being addicted to vaping. The most popular vape is of course the Lost Mary and 38 per cent of vaping Northumbria students said they get through their vapes as quickly as one day or night out.

Speaking on vape addiction and offering advice to students who may be addicted, Doctor Babak Ashrafi said: “Similar to regular cigarettes, vapes release nicotine – a substance that releases neurotransmitters like dopamine, which generate feelings of pleasure and reward in the brain. Certain electronic vapes can deliver nicotine to the bloodstream more rapidly than cigarettes, making them more addictive.

“Quitting vaping after you’ve become addicted to nicotine can result in withdrawal symptoms. This, coupled with the wide array of flavours available in stores, has played a key role in the increase in vaping we’ve seen in the past few years. For students hooked on vaping, it’s important to ask for help. If you’re struggling, talking to your GP or an addiction specialist is a good first step. They can offer personalised plans and medication to help you quit.

“To kick the habit, it’s crucial to understand what’s driving your need to vape. Talking with a healthcare professional can help you uncover the stressors or mental health issues that are contributing to your addiction. By tackling these issues, you can adopt healthier ways of dealing with stress. Don’t forget about the power of your support network. Mental health counsellors and support groups are there for you. Connecting with them can offer the support you need to beat the addiction.”

If you have had a bad experience with vaping or vape addiction at uni let us know in confidence by emailing [email protected]. 

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• ‘I didn’t even smoke beforehand’: How Elf Bars took over uni campuses across the country