The number of people in France and Britain who have tried an electronic or e-cigarette has risen sharply in just two years, according to a Europe-wide study.
The research, led by scientists at Britain's Imperial College London and published today, looked at attitudes to and use of e-cigarettes across Europe between 2012 and 2014.
It found that France had the highest use of e-cigarettes, with the proportion of those who had tried one nearly tripling to 21.3 per cent from 7.3 per cent.
In the UK the figure rose from 8.9 per cent in 2012 to 15.5 per cent in 2014 - higher than the European average.
Using data from more than 53,000 people across Europe - with at least 1000 from each country - the study also found the proportion of people across Europe who consider e-cigarettes dangerous nearly doubled to 51 per cent from 27 per cent.