E-Cigarette Industry Fights for Its Rights as the UK, US, and India Show Support

In the UK, the US, and India, a number of recent measures and studies have shown support for the e-cigarette industry. E-cigarettes are being confirmed more and more often as safe and effective products. This suggests that the relationship between the vaping industry and public authorities was set to improve in 2018.

  　　Previously, the tobacco industry association suggested that the UK should use Brexit as an opportunity to abandon the Tobacco Products Directive (TPD). The TPD is a European regulation that prohibits the sale and use of high-nicotine e-liquids, and many vaping enthusiasts in Europe support abolishing it.   　　In the United States, a government report analyzed all fires caused by e-cigarettes between 2009 and 2016. Despite many alarmist articles, there were in fact only 195 cases over eight years, and in just 18 of those cases was the fire department required.   　　(The above data is for reading reference only. IECIE reminds all users that whether smoking cigarettes or using vaping devices, they should do so in safe environments. Preventing fires is everyone's responsibility.)   　　The UK's Quit4Life organization is well aware of the benefits of e-cigarettes. It is currently offering €25 vouchers in Hampshire to people interested in trying e-cigarettes. Smokers can use them to purchase starter kits at specialty stores, with the hope of gradually expanding the influence of e-cigarettes.   　　In India, the government recently announced that it would begin to tentatively accept the e-cigarette industry. Until now, the country's attitude toward e-cigarettes had been hostile, as seen for example in the cancellation of India's first vape expo last year. However, the federal government has now acknowledged a study on the benefits of e-cigarettes. The report, conducted by North Eastern Hills University in Shillong, confirmed the legitimacy of e-cigarettes as a smoking alternative. Compared with cigarettes, “e-cigarettes pose only minor health and safety concerns.” Even so, some Indian states still ban e-cigarettes.   　　Recently, studies from various countries have continued to show that e-cigarettes are safe and far less harmful to health than traditional cigarettes. These studies are indeed necessary, but they must also be based on scientific evidence and verified. Only then will the view of e-cigarettes as a legitimate alternative to cigarettes become more convincing and more widely accepted.   　　The e-cigarette market is moving toward prosperity   　　According to a report released by P&S Market Research on January 2 this year, global e-cigarette sales are expected to exceed US$48 billion by 2023 (approximately RMB 307.1 billion).   　　Several key factors help explain the expected growth of the e-cigarette industry over the next few years. First, the number of traditional cigarette consumers switching to healthier alternatives is expected to rise significantly. As a result, the number of dedicated brick-and-mortar vape shops is also expected to grow accordingly.   　　Today, there are many smoking alternatives that can help smokers quit. One recent example is non-combustion tobacco products. Since its launch, PMI's IQOS has achieved tremendous success in the market.

  　　However, e-cigarettes currently rank first among smoking alternatives. The wide variety of e-liquid flavors and the versatility of devices are major attractions.   　　Asian markets are driving the global figures   　　China is the world's leading e-cigarette market. In 2017, China became the world's largest e-cigarette consumption base. In fact, China accounted for 40.3% of e-cigarette enthusiasts, making it the clear leader in the industry.   　　Many factors contribute to this:   　　China is the country that invented e-cigarettes, and its huge population creates enormous consumer market demand.   　　In China, only 3.1% of women smoke, but the vast majority of these female smokers started within the past five years. This indicates that their dependence on traditional cigarettes is not yet very deep, and this group represents a new potential market for e-cigarette sales. In recent years, many e-cigarette brands have indeed begun focusing on product designs suitable for female users.   　　At present, 30.3% of China's population smokes, or 360 million people. Each year, 700,000 people die from tobacco consumption. In response, the government decided to launch publicity campaigns aimed at encouraging the use of cigarette alternatives, including in Shenzhen last December.   　　If just 1% of Chinese smokers change their consumption behavior, annual vape industry sales would increase by US$5 billion (approximately RMB 32 billion).