Vapes were first introduced to the US market ten years ago, and since then have made their way all around the world. In 2017 they are still are growing product, mostly due to their health benefits over smoking regular cigarettes. Alongside this, a whole vaping culture has emerged.
What is Vaping?
Vaping is not smoking at all, but you are inhaling vapour produced by an electronic cigarette. The vapour is created by a small battery-powered atomizer that heats propylene glycol or vegetable glycerine-based liquid. The liquid can contain small amounts of nicotine, or in fact it can be nicotine free.
The main appeal surrounding vape e-liquid, known commonly as ‘juice’, is that it comes in a variety of flavours, such as fruit, coffee, or blends to make a unique taste. All vape products, from pens and cartridges to a 510 Thread Battery, can easily be bought online, which is usually the preferred method since it is cheaper. Not only is vaping cheaper than smoking, but buying it online saves even more money.
Who is Vaping?
Most vapers are former smokers, who have moved onto e-cigs because of the health benefits over regular cigarettes. A recent study revealed that e-cigarettes slash the health risk of regular smoking by almost 95%. Vapes can also help people to quit consuming nicotine altogether, as users can gradually reduce the amount of nicotine contained within vapes until it reaches level-zero. They can continue vaping after that with nicotine-free e-liquid after that, if they choose. As most vaping pens do have a small amount of nicotine, or none for that matter, if people do still want that nicotine rush from time to time they can instead look to a super strong and spicy snus product to use instead.
The rising trend in Europe and USA suggests that the number of vapers will outnumber the amount of smokers within the next decade. Australia has had a later start taking up vaping due to government restrictions, but the trend is on the up. An estimated seventeen percent of smokers have now switched to vaping, with this rise in popularity set to continue.
The Culture of Vaping
Following the trend in UK and USA, there is a dramatic increase in ‘vaping clubs’ in Australia. These are meetings and events for vapers to get together and discuss the benefits of vaping, their favourite e-juice, and of course to enjoy a vape together. There is even a dedicated VapeFest held in Melbourne, an event where over 15 new flavours of e-juice were showcased.
The popularity of vaping in Australia will continue to grow. More and more people are taking up vaping as an alternative to smoking year on year. The vaping industry is worth more than $2 billion already, with a decline in tobacco sales being attributed partially to this. Australia is a growing market for vapes, and there is already a vaping community in place that fully sings its praises.
Vaping on the Rise
There is already an established community of vapers in Australia, with more set to join them. It seems that an increasing amount of Australians are making the switch from regular smoking to vaping. Most of them buy their products online, which is in part due to government regulations. There are plenty of vaping clubs, and even a festival dedicated to vaping that celebrates the culture of vaping.