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A September 2022 study entitled "The Unseen Cloud—A Survey of Vaping Practices and the Acquisition of Vaping Products within the United Kingdom" that was published in the journal QJM: An International Journal of Medicine explored how "cannabinoid-based products" are acquired and used within the United Kingdom.
"Current prevalence of cannabinoid-based vaping within the United Kingdom is not known and literature regarding the acquisition of vaping products is limited," reported the study's authors. They stated their goal as estimating the "prevalence of nicotine-based, nicotine-free, and cannabinoid-based product vaping within the UK" and to determine "where vaping products are acquired."
The Study
The study design was that of a voluntary online survey of individuals 16-years-old or older who lived in the United Kingdom. The researchers collected data about participant "demographics, smoking/vaping history, and acquisition of e-liquids/products."
The research survey received 2,478 responses. Participants featured a median age of 45.
The research survey received 2,478 responses. Participants featured a median age of 45, 14 percent of whom reported consuming "nicotine-based e-liquids," 11 percent of whom said they use "nicotine-free e-liquids," and six percent of whom use "cannabinoid-based products."
Results
"Current nicotine-based and nicotine-free vaping was most prevalent in 25-34 year olds," reported the study. It noted that cannabinoid-based vaping "was most prevalent in 16-24 year olds." The most commonly used cannabinoid-based products were found to feature cannabidiol (CBD) oil, cannabigerol (CBG) oil, and "cannabis leaves."
Cannabinoid-based vaping "was most prevalent in 16-24 year olds." The most commonly used cannabinoid-based products in the UK feature CBD, CBG, and "cannabis leaves."
Specialized vaping stores were the most common source of acquisition of all vaping products. The study's authors concluded that their research revealed a "higher prevalence of current cannabinoid-based vaping within the UK (six percent) than previously reported in the United States (two percent)."
