Vaping recently surfaced as a fantastic outlet for smokers and is a great transitional tool as you begin your journey to becoming a non-smoker.
Though vaping is perceived as cool and trendy, its original intention was to serve a functional purpose. It is designed to help people quit smoking, and it’s advantageous as a healthier alternative. The market for e-cigarettes is gathering pace. It is now regulated like never before, and the steady industry growth is set to continue.
How Many U.S. Citizens Vape?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently released a report showing suggesting 3.7% of Americans used electronic cigarettes regularly in 2014. This equates to more than 9 million adult consumers. The same study also revealed that 12.6% of adults in the U.S have tried an e-cigarette.
The popularity of E-cigs continues to increase; in the last seven years sales have increased tenfold. Since the aforementioned study, research from 2015 suggests 6% of adults use vape products. Moreover, the market is expected to reach $27,670 by 2022 and experience a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 16.6% from 2017-2022.
Why People Choose Vaping?
Consumers are drawn in by the multitude of flavors. Varieties of Ejuice stretch further than the imagination, as everything from coffee to lemon is available. Though it’s taken a while for smokers to come round to the idea, people acknowledge it’s a healthier alternative. The accessibility of vaping products has contributed to an increase in sales, where E-cigs are everywhere from online stores to physical retailers. Specialty vape stores are popping up everywhere, which appeals to a broad demographic. Vaping reduces side effects like bronchitis and other illnesses which stem from smoking.
Age Demographic
The trend has reached various age groups, both young and old. Unfortunately, non-smoking teens who start vaping are more likely to start smoking regular cigarettes. The increased risk of teens taking up conventional smoking is a concern and goes against the vaping philosophy. The presence of vaping as a gateway to conventional smoking needs to be addressed, but the benefits outweigh the negatives.
Mental Health Benefits
There are mental health benefits of vaping, too. A 2017 article published by the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health suggests people who vape can benefit from the way vaping alters chemicals in the brain. This can reduce the symptoms of depression and anxiety. It can also lower the incidence of loneliness, because people who vape feel as if they’ve become part of a community. It can effectively be used for nicotine replacement therapy, and is a great way to break the mental habit.
Is It Really Healthier Than Smoking?
There is no evidence on the long-term effects of vaping. One could therefore argue the health benefits are subjective. We don’t know enough to determine whether it helps people quit smoking. WIth this being said, the evidence of today suggests it is healthier than smoking. This is because eliquid isn’t combusted and doesn’t contain the same harmful chemicals. Vaping is the lesser of two evils but should be used as an intermediary to help you transition to life as a non-smoker, not become part of your fabric.
