Trump Scores a Win Among Vapers

Preliminary results of the U.S. presidential election have been announced. Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump defeated Democratic candidate and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, winning the election and becoming the 45th President of the United States.

Donald Trump’s favorability ratings came in late, but one voting bloc in which the Republican presidential candidate remained popular was American vapers.

According to a survey published on Thursday, the GOP frontrunner was seen as the most “pro-vaping candidate” among e-cigarette users.

Thirty-eight percent of vapers identified with the Democratic Party, while only 24% considered themselves Republicans. In addition, nearly one-third of e-cigarette users supported former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign, while 24% supported Trump.

However, when vapers were asked whom they believed would be the most “supportive” of vaping in the White House, Trump’s popularity began to surge.

Thirty-six percent of respondents said the outspoken New York billionaire was the friendliest to vaping, while 28% chose Clinton. Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders received 18%, while Trump’s Republican rivals Ted Cruz and John Kasich trailed at 12% and 6%, respectively.

Adam Kustin, vice president of marketing at leading e-cigarette distributor V2, said in a statement: “Trump favors reducing government regulation in most areas, and vapers are concerned about e-cigarette regulations.”

“That may explain the surge in his support. Trump also backed California’s Duncan Hunter, known as the ‘vaping congressman,’ which is a key factor for the vaping community,” Kustin added.

From this U.S. presidential election, we can see that support from any particular group can have a disruptive impact on an election. Clinton appeared to have victory in hand early on, but Trump ultimately turned the tide with the decisive win. As for the future of e-cigarette regulation, we will wait and see.