Vapouround magazine Issue 05 | Page 20

NEWS took fewer puffs but of larger volumes (16 puffs, 83mL) compared to 21 puffs of 52mL. ‘The data for those using the ‘cig-alike’ was most similar to that we see for smokers,’ said Murphy. Different devices require different draw effort, have different nicotine levels etc. All these changes combined mean that vapers may adapt their behaviour over time to get the level of nicotine and / or flavour that they require. Eventually this behaviour is very different to that of a smoker. Vapers are developing new habits, using different flavours, different products, in different ways and at different times. They can adjust their behaviour to suit their lifestyle and they have a greater variety of sensorial experiences available to them. They can vary the nicotine levels, vary type and intensity of flavouring and even vary the power input. All of this may help reinforce their behaviour in this category in a way that makes it too great a shift to move back in the other direction to old behaviours and old habits and smoking. There is also the issue of pleasure – 20 ISSUE 05 VAPOUROUND MAGAZINE vapers do enjoy their products. The same cannot be said of NRTs. The narrow approach to NRTs has meant a preoccupation with nicotine with no consideration for consumer satisfaction (meeting sensory and ritualistic needs). Surely, the key aspect of any product that could have a health benefit is that people want to use them? “Before e-cigarettes came along, quitting smoking was a pretty miserable process,” said Dr Christopher Russell of the Centre for Substance Use Research in Glasgow, Scotland. He continued: “With the advent of e-cigarettes, smokers have something that actually makes quitting smoking fun. And who would have thought, even 10 years ago that we’d have something that succeeds tremendously where all other smoking cessation products fail, something that is very good at taking the pain out of, and putting the fun into, quitting smoking? Public health professionals have truly hit the jackpot with the invention and continual innovation of e-cigarettes to appeal to and satisfy more and more smokers at a rate previously unimagined, let alone observed.” Vapers are developing new habits, using different flavours, different products, in different ways and at different times. Consumers’ e-cigarette journey is only starting and the products are evolving rapidly to meet their needs. As products improve, and offer better experiences, more and more smokers will feel these products meet their behaviours and needs and will stick with them. Onwards and upwards!