What Foreign Buyers Look for in E-Cigarettes: Differences Between Chinese and Overseas Vape Culture
In recent years, the vaping industry has developed rapidly, and the number of brick-and-mortar vape stores has also grown quickly. However, almost no one has surveyed vapers about their smoking or vaping habits, preferences, or the reasons they frequently
In recent years, the vaping industry has developed rapidly, and the number of brick-and-mortar vape shops has also grown quickly. However, almost no one has surveyed vapers’ smoking/vaping habits, preferences, or the reasons they frequently visit a particular physical store. A small-scale survey conducted overseas addressed these questions and filled this gap at just the right time.
This survey randomly selected 100 customers from physical vape shops and asked them to complete a simple questionnaire to assess their e-cigarette usage habits, vaping preferences, and reasons for regularly visiting a certain store. In addition, each participant took an exhaled carbon monoxide test to help determine their smoking status.
The results showed that most participants chose e-cigarettes for health reasons and to help quit smoking. Nearly 62% of participants had already reduced how often they smoked cigarettes by using e-cigarettes, and 100% of participants were already using e-cigarettes as a new alternative device.
Compared with smoking traditional cigarettes, 91% of participants enjoyed e-cigarettes more, and 80% said they preferred non-tobacco e-liquid flavors. Even so, 60% of users also said that if only tobacco flavor were available, they would still accept it and continue using e-cigarettes.
When it comes to e-cigarettes, the three things participants cared about most were battery life, e-liquid flavor and taste, and how effective they were in easing cigarette cravings. The factor they cared about least was “whether it looks or feels like a real cigarette.”
Most people preferred buying products from physical vape shops because “the staff can help answer their e-cigarette-related questions” (85%) and because they “like the atmosphere of physical stores” (74%).
Although there are differences between domestic and overseas e-cigarette users in flavor preferences, habits, and cultural background, the data also shows some common ground. One major difference is that new users in China generally prefer tobacco-flavored e-liquid, while 80% of overseas respondents prefer non-tobacco flavors. In terms of devices, Chinese consumers at the beginner stage tend to prefer products shaped more like traditional cigarettes, while overseas users say they do not really care. These many differences, along with broad similarities, are exactly what give vaping its unique appeal.
