Vaping has quickly become a global phenomenon, with 4.3 million people in the UK considering themselves to be regular vapers. As this alternative to traditional cigarettes continues to evolve, trends have begun popping in and out of the vaping world. While some trends have been able to maintain popularity, others have faded out of the vaping scene over time. This is to be expected as the vaping industry continues to evolve to meet consumer demands and preferences, but what exactly affects which trends become popular and which ones are destined to fail?
This article will explore the different factors that affect the rise and fall of trends in the vaping industry while exploring the different dynamics that shape the industry and consumer choices.
What factors affect vaping trends?
Before looking at any specific vaping trends that have emerged, it’s important to understand what exactly are the different factors that can have an impact on how a trend grows or fades.
1. Consumer preferences
Consumer preferences play a crucial role in driving trends within the vaping world. As vapers begin exploring different e-liquid flavours and types of vape kits, their preferences will undoubtedly begin shaping the wider industry. Which flavour profiles, device features, and nicotine strengths consumers prefer are able to greatly influence which trends thrive and which ones eventually fade away.
2. Technological innovations
Vaping manufacturers are constantly releasing new evolutions of vaping devices, which then contributes to the rise of new vaping trends. Innovative features such as temperature control, adjustable airflow, and variable wattage modes have revolutionised the vaping experience as vapers are more able to customise their kit.
As more new technologies are introduced, vapers and vape sellers can expect to see new trends revolving around these innovations emerge as they offer more novel features and an enhanced vaping experience.
3. Shifting regulations
The laws and regulations surrounding vapes can also greatly impact the kinds of trends that catch on within the vaping world. Changes in regulations, such as those around nicotine strength or tank capacity, can have a real effect on consumer behaviour and in turn which trends begin to emerge.
For instance, the UK’s Tobacco Products Directive states that all e-liquid containing nicotine must have a maximum capacity of 10ml per bottle and maximum nicotine strength of 20mg/ml. This has indirectly led to an increase in the popularity of customisable shortfill e-liquids.
Due to this ever-changing landscape, vape manufacturers and retailers must adapt according to these regulations in order to stay viable. These changes can then either hinder or boost the growth of different vaping trends.
4. The vaping community
As more people begin picking up vapes, vaping communities have started to play a vital role in the rise and fall of trends. Word-of-mouth recommendations, online forums, and live meet-ups contribute to the rising popularity of new products and vaping styles. The collective opinions and preferences of vapers can then have a lasting impact on the direction of trends as they share their discoveries and experiences with each other.
Examples of rising (and falling) vaping trends
1. Disposable vapes
Disposable vapes are perhaps one of the strongest vaping trends that have come about in recent years. Due to their convenience, flavour range, and affordability many consumers primarily vape using disposables. But the tide may soon turn, especially as local councils in England and Wales have called for disposable vapes to be banned by 2024 due to how unsustainable they can be. With these changing regulations, the future of disposable vapes is starting to look more murky and reusable vapes will likely reign supreme.
2. Nicotine salts
The rising popularity of disposables has also inadvertently led to nicotine salts becoming one of the hottest vaping trends at the moment. Disposable vapes typically come pre-filled with nicotine salts, and this is typically the ‘gateway’ through which most people enter the vaping world.
As such, many vape retailers such as Vaping 101 have begun selling a wide selection of top-quality nicotine salt e-liquid. Consumers can now even find nicotine salts with flavours inspired by their favourite disposable vapes. With nicotine salts going from strength to strength, as well as the possibility of a ban on disposables, this vape trend could be sticking around for much longer.
3. 0 nicotine e-liquid
Many consumers have also started vaping as a way of quitting cigarettes and reducing their nicotine intake, which has led to an increase in the popularity of 0 nicotine e-liquid. E-liquid with no nicotine has become the ideal choice for vapers that are addicted to the physical act of vaping or smoking but want to avoid consuming nicotine. It has also become a popular e-liquid option for vapers looking to customise the nicotine strengths of their e-liquid.
As more and more people begin viewing vapes as an effective smoking cessation method, 0% nicotine e-liquid may soon become one of the more popular and long-lasting trends in the vaping world.
4. Smaller vape kits
Size isn’t everything, and the rise of compact yet powerful vape kits has really proven this statement to be true. More vapers have begun looking for vape kits that are smaller in size while still providing the same level of performance as more advanced vape kits. This is because vapers are starting to prefer devices that are easy to hold and portable enough for daily use.
Likewise, vape manufacturers have also begun producing advanced pen-style and pod kits that provide an enhanced vaping experience despite their smaller sizes. These smaller devices are likely to become more advanced and efficient as vaping technology develops, which means the trend of more compact vaping devices may be here to stay.
Final thoughts
The vaping world has shown itself to be a dynamic and ever-changing landscape, with some trends that have completely changed the industry while others have faded away as quickly as they appeared.
But these trends don’t appear and disappear out of nowhere, as various factors can influence the type of impact they make. From changing regulations to shifting consumer preferences, there are many different elements that can shape the vaping industry.
By understanding the complex dynamics of the industry, retailers, manufacturers, and vapers themselves can begin to appreciate the many different trends that have started to emerge and the potential for innovation and experimentation possible as part of the vaping experience
