We live in turbulent times and it seems that every month there are new rules, regulations and information being thrown around. The vape industry is just one of those that are seeing changes that can impact consumers.
1. More regulations are likely coming
Already we've been seeing this in various countries where vaping has been established. Whether it be the US and its war against flavours, or Australia that has outright banned vaping unless on a GP prescription. These slap-dash rules are only throwing up more barriers between smokers and a less harmful alternative that could help them quit.
Much of these rules have been based off misinformation, poor mishandling of regulations within their countries and outright avoidance of science that continues to mark vaping as a safer alternative.
This could unfortunately mean that in some countries flavoured E-Liquids may become altogether unavailable for the public.
2. Synthetic nicotine may become more popular with E-Liquids and E-Cigarettes
Especially in the USA, newly instated regulations that cover nicotine-containing products, do not include synthetic nicotine. This product has been around for years and is synthetically made in state-of-the-art laboratories. It doesn't contain anything from the tobacco plant which means synthetic nicotine is often has a less harsh feel, no taste, and no smell. Most experts agree that vaping is substantially safer than smoking tobacco cigarettes, and synthetic nicotine is just as safe.
Could the future become synthetic nicotine? It's certainly a way around certain US regulations but also could potentially be a more suitable version of nicotine for vaping.
3. Black markets are going to start popping up
We've been here before, and we'll be here again. History has already told us once you take something from the people that's in demand, it leads to a black market. It's already starting to happen in places like Australia that have limited vaping to GP prescriptions ‚– one of the main worries by opposers to the new regulations in Australia.
Black Markets are likely to grow and with this, more illicit products are likely to make their way to unsuspecting hands.
4. Tax based on nicotine strength could inflate prices
A few countries have already begun to adopt a tax based on the strength of nicotine in your device/E-Liquid. South Africa has recently begun to consider this approach also, a move that could potentially see prices of E-Liquids and E-Cigarettes with higher nicotine strengths in the country, soar.
It yet remains to be seen how popular this move will be, especially for countries that continue to push vaping as a less harmful alternative. Upping the tax and price of vaping products could potentially deter smokers from making the change.
5. New technology could lead the way
Can you vape without a coil? It most certainly is possible and judging by initial responses, it works even better! Typical E-Cigarettes use an atomiser with a small heating element to vaporise E-Liquid. But new ultrasonic vaping technology has made E-Cigarettes coil free. By using an ultrasonic chip that vibrates at a super-high frequency, it can turn E-Liquid into a cloud of vapour.
This could potentially nullify a lot of complaints from governing bodies about potential harm from the by-product of heating a coil. By using a lower working temperature, it produces fewer by-product chemicals.
6. It's not all doom and gloom
It may take some time but vaping is certainly seeing continual growth despite changes in regulations and differing methods of handling it across the globe. As more successes come to light, as they are already, it's only a matter of time before the rest cotton on.
The UK continues to lead the world in vaping as a harm-reduction method to quitting smoking, and each year more evidence comes to light that continues to push the positive effects of vaping. More and more eyes are falling on the UK due to our stalwart approach to sense and science when it comes to vaping, with our successes only bolstering the efforts of others.
For more on how the world of vaping is changing and evolving, keep checking our blog for the latest news on vaping.
