Vaping has soared to new heights of popularity in recent years, but when did vapes become so popular and why? And what vape trends will we see next?
It may seem like vapes burst from obscurity into ubiquity overnight. Just a few years ago, vaping was rare and the range of vape devices available was limited. Now, however, it’s hard to go outside without seeing someone puffing on their favourite Elf Bar or Geek Bar or blowing huge clouds from a chunky vape mod.
So why has vaping suddenly become so popular?
To understand why vapes have shot to popularity in recent years, we first need to look back at their predecessors: tobacco and cigarettes.
A brief history of smoking
You may be surprised to learn that although the first e-cigarette wasn’t invented until 2003 the history of vaping is in many ways older. Smoking and vaping have for a long time been intertwined, so our story starts with tobacco.
Archaeological evidence shows that tobacco was used in the Americas as far back as 12,300 years ago. In North America, tobacco was smoked from pipes, used in spiritual ceremonies, and even used as a painkiller. When European colonists came to the Americas they discovered tobacco and took it back to Europe with them in the 16th century. It spread around the world and became extremely popular, with mechanised cigarette production causing massive growth in the tobacco industry from the 1880s onwards. The tobacco industry was extremely profitable throughout much of the 20th century.
Yet, even since the early days of cigarettes people have pointed out their dangers. While major anti-smoking campaigns are a fairly modern invention, one doctor predicted the link between smoking and cancer as early as 1798.
However, there was little scientific evidence for the dangers of smoking until 1948 when British physiologist Richard Droll published his research showing that smoking could be seriously harmful to one’s health. Subsequent research backed this up, although it took some time for regulatory measures for the industry and health warnings on cigarette packages to be introduced.
Introducing the e-cigarette
The first patent for an electronic cigarette was filed in 1927 by an American man, Joseph Robinson. He imagined this proto vape being used medicinally. In 1963, Herbert Gilbert patented a similar design for his ‘smokeless non-tobacco cigarette’ but no manufacturer wanted to make the product.
After a few more false starts, the modern e-cigarette was finally born in 2003, invented by Chinese pharmacist Hon Lik. A heavy smoker whose father had died of lung cancer, Hon Lik wanted to create a less harmful alternative to tobacco smoking.
Vaping came to Europe in around 2006, and although early cig-a-likes (e-cigarettes designed to look and act like traditional cigarettes) struggled to catch on, vaping grew in popularity in the mid 2010s when brands like JUUL started marketing to a younger audience.
Why is vaping so popular today?
So what has caused this major increase in the popularity of e-cigarettes in recent years? Here are some of the key causes.
Health benefits over smoking
One of the biggest reasons for the surge of popularity for e-cigarettes and other vaping products is the growing evidence for the health benefits of switching from smoking to vaping. According to Public Health England, vaping is 95% less harmful than smoking.
E-cigarettes are far better for your health than cigarettes because they do not burn tobacco or produce carbon monoxide or tar, two of the most harmful elements in tobacco smoke. This means that with an electronic cigarette you are less likely to experience the harmful risks of smoking including:
- Cancer
- Heart disease
- Lung disease
- Stroke
- Diabetes
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
- Tuberculosis
- Immune system problems
Smoking is still the leading preventable cause of premature death and disease, according to Public Health England.
While vaping has been found to be significantly less harmful than smoking cigarettes, it’s important to note that vaping, like most things in life, is not 100% safe. There are some health risks associated with vaping and nicotine consumption, although these are far less significant than the risks of being a smoker.
Success rate for quitting smoking
Another reason that e-cigarettes have become so popular is that they are a very effective way to quit cigarettes. In fact, it has been estimated that over 50,000 smokers in England quit smoking with the help of their vape in 2017 alone.
Moreover, a 2021 review found that smokers who used an e-cigarette in addition to expert face-to-face support were up to twice as likely to successfully quit smoking than people using nicotine replacement products such as nicotine patches or nicotine gum.
Vaping is a great way for smokers to quit for a few reasons. Firstly, the action of taking a puff on your vape mimics that of smoking a cigarette, helping smokers fight their cigarette habit. Secondly, it is a great way to still get your nicotine fix and avoid those nicotine cravings without reaching for a cigarette. Thirdly, vaping is a fun hobby with a great community and lots of fun devices and e-liquids to try, which can help make it easier for ex-smokers who are making the transition.
With many former smokers making the switch to e-cigarettes, it’s no surprise that the vape market is more successful than ever. Some vape brands are seeing huge profits which allow them to invest in research and development, leading on to the next factor that has contributed to the surge in popularity…
Advances in vaping technology
Since the invention of the first e-cigarette in 2003, vape tech has come a long way. Vapes are no longer simply a smoking cessation tool; they’re a hobby and the focus of constant innovation by vape brands and hobbyists to create the best vaping experience.
The earliest vapes basically tried to mimic cigarettes. They were designed with the shape, size, and appearance of cigarettes in mind, and while these were great e-cigarettes for anyone trying to quit smoking they weren’t particularly fun or creative.
Today, vaping technology has advanced to provide an immense range of different types of vape. This includes colourful disposable vapes in a variety of different flavours that are fun to collect and try, high-powered sub-ohm vape kits that can reach high temperatures to provide immense vapour clouds, and everything in between. E-cigarettes are no longer a replacement for cigarettes; they’re a hobby in their own right.
Today there are so many different exciting types of vapes to try – disposables, MTL pod kits, sub-ohm kits, power-hungry mods and rebuildables – that it’s no surprise that vaping is more popular than ever.
Increase in availability
Advances in vape tech go hand in hand with the increase in availability of vape products such as vape kits, disposables, and e-liquids. While a few years ago it might have been tricky or expensive to get your hands on a great vape kit, today vaping is more accessible than ever. There’s a vape shop on most high streets, and online vape shops offering the best value for money.
Your local corner shop probably even has a selection of the latest disposable vapes – Lost Marys, Elf Bars, Elux, and more – although to get the cheapest prices it’s best to take advantage of online multi-buy offers.
How to start your vaping journey
If you want to try vaping to quit cigarettes, two great options are disposables and pod kits.
Disposable vapes
Disposable vapes, also known as disposables, disposable e-cigarettes or disposable pods are a great option for anyone starting their vaping journey. Pre-filled with tasty e-liquid and charged so they’re ready to go straight out of the box, disposable vapes require no maintenance or setup. All you need to do is take a puff and it’s ready to go. When the battery dies and the e-liquid runs out, just dispose of the disposable vape according to the packaging instructions and use a new one.
Disposables are perfect for former smokers who want to get their nicotine fix without any hassle or fuss. Small and easy to fit in a pocket, disposable vapes are the perfect alternative to cigarettes. They usually last around 500-600 puffs, which is a few days of regular usage, or shorter if you’re a frequent vaper.
However, the cost of disposables can add up quickly if you use them frequently. This is why many new vapers soon graduate to a more long-term type of e-cigarette such as a pod kit.
Pod kits
Pod kits are a step up from disposables. Still very easy to operate, these can be charged using a USB charger. There are two types of pod kits: closed pod systems and open pod systems. Closed pod systems are the easiest to use — just buy replacement pods which are pre-filled with e-liquid and slot them into your e-cigarette to start vaping.
Open pod systems feature pods that can be refilled with e-liquid — usually around 10 times before you need to replace the pod. Both are very user-friendly, but open pod systems are more popular because they allow vapers to use any e-liquid they choose.
E-liquid
If you opt for an open pod kit with refillable pods, you’ll need to choose an e-liquid to use with the pods. E-liquid, also sometimes called e-juice or vape juice, is the flavoured liquid that you put in your vape to be turned into the delicious vapour you inhale. There are e-liquids in nearly every flavour in existence, with simple menthol or tobacco e-liquids being a favourite among some new vapers while dessert-loving vapers may opt for delicious flavour options such as fried doughnut, lemon tart, or blue slushie.
There are also various strengths of nicotine as well as nicotine-free e-liquids. Some vapers like to start at a higher nicotine strength and slowly reduce the amount of nicotine in order to reduce their consumption.
Future vape trends
E-cigarettes go through trends like everything else. Trends are one of the reasons that e-cigarettes have become so popular in recent years, with growing numbers of people wanting to try the coolest new disposable or vape kit. So what trends are we seeing at the moment in the vaping industry and what can we expect next?
Disposables continue to grow in popularity
Disposable vapes have been rapidly growing in popularity for years and there’s no sign of them stopping. Easy to use and small enough to fit in a pocket for a night out or in any bag, these tiny e-cigarettes are definitely having a moment. With brands like Elf Bar coming out with new disposable vape models and flavours all the time, it’s likely that this trend for disposables will continue for a while.
Eco-friendly e-cigarettes
Another vape trend that looks set to take off in 2023 is environmentally friendly vapes. Disposables such as the Riot Squad Q Bar are already using bioplastic made from natural recyclable materials and it looks like many other disposable vapes will follow suit.
Online vape shops will become your go-to
While it’s always nice to have a nearby vape shop to pick up a new bottle of e-liquid or that flavour of disposable vape you’ve been wanting to try, shopping at online vape shops is another likely trend of 2023. With more wholesale stock and better multi-buy offers as well as the convenience of delivery, online vape shops look set to be the way to shop in 2023.
If you’re ready to get started on your vaping journey, head over to Vaping 101. This online vape shop with a friendly brick-and-mortar shop in Aberdeen stocks vape products at affordable prices to help smokers kick the habit. Whether you’re ready to buy your first e-cigarette or just want to learn more about the wonderful world of vapes, Vaping 101 is the perfect destination.
