F E AT U R E
HOW I HAVE SEEN THE VAPING INDUSTRY
STRENGTHEN AND GROW
IN JUST ONE YEAR
BY PAUL CAPLIN
I think it is fair to say that we have
seen a lot of change in the vaping
industry in the past 12 months.
Most of that change, I am pleased
to say, has been for the good but there
have also been some very disappointing
changes in terms of regulation here
in Europe and the USA looks set to
get even harsher regulation unless
common sense can prevail.
But first let’s concentrate on the positive
changes that have occurred. For me
the most obvious change is how much
the industry has grown, just take the
Vaper Expo UK show at the NEC as
one good example.
When it launched in 2015 it was held
over 40,000 square feet, had around
80 exhibitors, attracted 7,000 visitors
and was held over two days.
Within a year it had expanded to
110,000 square feet, attracted more
than 230 exhibitors and pulled in 15,000
visitors over three days. In fact the show
was such a success that another show
“Vaper Expo - The Return” will take
place in October.
I see similar things with shows I go
to around the world. Well established
events are getting bigger while new
ones are cropping up all the time
58 ISSUE 06 VAPOUROUND MAGAZINE
to reflect the huge growth that this
industry is going though.
Vaping might have started off as a small
niche industry after the invention of the
first e-cigarette in 2003 but it has now
grown into a massive, global industry
where market research analysts expect
the worldwide vape products market to
reach US $32 billion by 2021 and US
$50 billion by 2025.
THIS IS AN INDUSTRY
WHICH REWARDS
ENTREPRENEURIAL SPIRIT
This is massive because it shows a thriving,
growing market for a product which can
undoubtedly help save lives by encouraging
smokers to switch to a considerably safer
method of delivering nicotine.
Not only that but it means the industry is
a huge global employer providing jobs
in manufacturing, retail and scientific
testing on a truly international scale.
The opportunities for further jobs in
the industry in the years ahead are
potentially enormous with the power
to boost economies around the globe
which is clearly a good thing to come
from vaping.
This is an industry which rewards
entrepreneurial spirit - the pages of
our magazine regularly feature thriving
businesses which were launched on a
shoestring by one or two people selling
products to family and friends on a tiny
scale to begin with.
From visiting shows and vaping events
all over the world we are constantly
seeing this worldwide growth in an
industry which is big, diverse and global
with everyone sharing the same passion
and love for vaping.
I am always amazed at the diversity
in the industry which is reflected by the
exciting and innovative new products,
juices and accessories which are
constantly being created, updated
and improved upon.
A growing and thriving industry like this
means that people with the desire to
succeed and the vision to constantly
help this industry grow and improve
can do very well for themselves while
providing jobs for others in the process.
I am sure the levels of innovation we