The history of vaping

Vaping as we know it today, with the use of electronic cigarettes or e-cigarettes, started in 2003. The first commercially successful e-cigarette was created by a Chinese pharmacist named Hon Lik, who invented the device after his father died of lung cancer. The original e-cigarette was made up of a battery, a heating element, and a cartridge containing nicotine and flavorings. Since then, vaping has become increasingly popular around the world, with a variety of different devices and e-juice flavors available to consumers. However, it's worth noting that the concept of vaping or inhaling vaporized substances has been around for much longer, dating back to ancient times when people used hot stones to vaporize herbs and inhale the vapors.

Vaping became popular in the UK in the late 2000s, shortly after the technology was developed in China. The first e-cigarettes started to appear in the UK around 2007, and by 2010 they had become more widely available. In 2011, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) classified e-cigarettes as a medicine, which meant that they would be subject to regulation as a medical product. However, in 2016, the UK government introduced new regulations under the Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016, Which brought e-cigarettes and e-liquids under the same regulatory framework as tobacco products. Since then, the use of e-cigarettes has continued to grow in the UK, and they are now a popular alternative to traditional cigarettes.

Vaping has grown significantly in the UK over the past decade, and it has become a popular alternative to smoking. According to a survey conducted by Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) in 2021, around 7.1% of adults in the UK currently use e-cigarettes, up from 3.7% in 2014. The same survey found that most vapers (58%) are former smokers who have switched to e-cigarettes, while 24% use both e-cigarettes and traditional cigarettes, and only 18% are vapers who have never smoked.

The growth of vaping in the UK vape club can be attributed to several factors. First, e-cigarettes are seen as a less harmful alternative to traditional cigarettes, and many smokers have switched to vaping to reduce their health risks. Second, e-cigarettes are more socially acceptable than smoking, and many public places that ban smoking allow vaping. Third, e-cigarettes are available in a wide range of flavors, which has made them appealing to younger people who might not otherwise be interested in nicotine products.

The UK has been seen as a leader in promoting vaping as a harm-reduction tool, and the government has actively encouraged smokers to switch to e-cigarettes. Public health bodies such as Public Health England and the Royal College of Physicians have stated that vaping is less harmful than smoking and can help smokers quit, which has helped to promote the growth of vaping in the UK.

According to a report by ResearchAndMarkets.com, the global vaping market size was valued at USD 14.05 billion in 2018 and is expected to reach USD 67.31 billion by 2027, growing at a CAGR of 19.6% during the forecast period.

The growth of the global vaping market can be attributed to several factors, including the increasing awareness of the harmful effects of smoking, the availability of a wide range of flavors and products, and the increasing popularity of e-cigarettes among younger consumers. In addition, the COVID-19 pandemic has also contributed to the growth of the vaping market, as many smokers have switched to e-cigarettes in an effort to reduce their risk of respiratory illnesses.

The global vaping market is expected to continue to grow in the coming years, driven by increasing demand for nicotine alternatives, the introduction of new and innovative products, and the increasing acceptance of vaping as a harm reduction tool. However, the vaping industry is also facing increasing regulatory scrutiny, as governments around the world seek to balance the potential benefits of vaping with concerns about youth access and addiction.