As the year draws to a close, it's a good time to reflect on the vaping trends that have come and gone. The changes in the industry and how vaping has evolved, both for retailers and consumers. We've had more research from the likes Public Health England and the Scottish NHS that suggest vaping is far less harmful than smoking tobacco laced cigarettes. On the other hand, places like New York State have decided to ban vaping in public spaces altogether, indicating that we still much to do in order to break down the vaping stigma that pervades. Whether you've been vaping for years or have just unwrapped your first vape kit for Christmas, there's a great deal to look forward to in 2018. Here are some vaping predictions based on how things are going so far...
Cigarette use will continue to decline
It's been happening for years, but now the data is really starting to get interesting. The UK in particular has been heavily promoting vaping as a healthy alternative to smoking, with even the National Health Service running campaigns to pursuade people to make the switch. Cigarettes are dirty, laced with tobacco and pose a passive risk to those around you. Combined with the fact that they're now banned indoors in most countries and they leave a lingering and unpleasant smell, and it's easy to see why more people are turning to vaping. It's comparatively clean, leaves no mess or smell (unless you want to and love the smell of your cinnamon e-juice), and it's almost harmless to those around you. Indeed, it's possible to vape and leave no sign that you're a 'vaper', whereas cigarettes are far less discrete.
Vaping will continue to evolve
Vaping has come a long way in the past decade. It used to be a niche hobby practices by a tiny percentage of the population, but a quick walk down any high street will tell you just how popular vaping has become. This is due to leaps in technology allowing for more customised vaping experiences, from new coils and batteries to different tanks and flavours. Vape kits are also more accessible as a result which has increased demand and pushed down prices. As the popularity of vaping increases, the industry will likely experience another technology shift and grow yet again. Watch this space.
Vaping will be better understood
There's a stigma attached to vaping and there's no escaping it. It looks like smoking, it can also feel smoking - so it must be just as bad as smoking, right? Actually, that couldn't be further from the truth and more and more people are starting to realise it. Regulations are starting to shift and bigger advocates of vaping are starting to be listened to and understood. In the same way that we were once wary of the effects of caffeine and other chemicals, we're now going through a similar phase with vaping. People are right to think carefully and doubt, but the facts are starting to emerge and all data indicates that vaping is as much as 95% less harmful than smoking.
Mouth-to-lung kits will increase in sales
Mouth-to-lung vaping (known simply as MTL), is probably the most common form of vaping today. If you've been smoking cigerettes for a while and you pick up a vape, you'll draw MTL without even thinking about it. It's how people 'smoke' or in this case, vape. For those looking to give up the dirty habit of smoking and switch to something cleaner and greener, mouth-to-lung will be the experience they're looking for, so we expect to see to a flood of new MTL vape kits on the market in 2018 to help all of those smokers with their new year's resolutions. Just remember, both good and bad product exist on the market so only buy from a respected supplier - and don't forget to ask around and do your research!
Do you have any vaping predictions for 2018? Do you know any friends who are considering making the leap into vaping? Perhaps you've got some questions of your own? Feel free to comment below - we'd love to hear from you.
