Smoking has been around for many years and as such is very well embedded in many cultures. Times change however and now there is a new kid on the block; vaping. Not only has smoking been outed for being seriously harmful in a number of ways, there are other factors that have made smoking a poor choice. This, amongst other things, is what has led to the rise in vaping popularity.
The Change in Smoking Public Perception
Once upon a time, if you worked in a cigarette factory part of your wages would often be given in cigarettes. Smoking was the norm, it was sophisticated and it was cool. Fast forward to modern times and public perception is very different indeed. Not only is smoking frowned upon because it is very unhealthy and harmful to health, but it is also seen as being bad for the environment, bad for other non-smokers (via passive smoking) and a drain on the NHS.
Much evidence backs up the claims that smoking is harmful to health. Indeed, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has classified many of the chemicals typically found within cigarettes as being toxic and even carcinogenic (having the potential to cause cancer). Public Health England agree with these findings and anti-smoking campaigns are at the forefront of their public health awareness work.
Public Health England is the government group who spearheaded the Go Smoke Free ban of 2007 which effectively made smoking in public places such as in bars, clubs and restaurants, at work, and on public transport (to name a few places) illegal. These bans and the accompanying public health campaigns have gone a long way towards changing public perception about smoking.
Vaping Awareness
The often terrible consequences of smoking, not to mention the actual monetary cost is enough to change anyone’s perception from a positive to a negative. The fact remains though that as a habit tobacco smoking is popular for a variety of reasons. The internal struggle between smoking being bad for you and not wanting to quit, or struggling to quit has kept people smoking for a long time. Now, however, vaping offers an alternative that ticks the enjoyment boxes, replaces the physical habit (i.e. hand to mouth actions and the relaxing inhale/exhale) and is significantly less harmful to health.
The first known e cigarette design came to light in the 1960’s and was attributed to H Gilbert. The world just wasn’t ready for an alternative at that point and with the harm that tobacco could cause far from proven, few saw the need. Fast forward to 2006 and Hon Lik of China released his own e cigarette and this time, we were ready. This modern alternative to smoking which involved a simple powered e cigarette device and e liquids took the world by storm and was the start of a booming vaping industry and millions of vapers.
The idea has always been for e cigarettes to be an alternative to tobacco cigarettes, to enable smokers to ditch their habit, however, many remained sceptical. With sensational headlines about vaping hitting the media (often unfounded puff pieces) and a general lack of understanding it has taken a long time for the general public to come around to the benefits of vaping over smoking.
The real boon for vaping awareness and of course vaping popularity came earlier this year when Public Health England released an important review on vaping as a valid and PHE supported alternative to smoking. PHE stated that their findings are that vaping is at least 95% less harmful than tobacco cigarettes. The report included many ways in which vaping has helped to lower the adult smoking rates in England (currently the lowest that they have ever been since records began) due to being a highly successful cessation aid.
This announcement went on to include details of how PHE planned to recommend that the government should accept e cigarettes and e liquids as being official cessation devices therefore applicable for use via prescription certainly turned heads. PHE alongside other key medical groups and health charities are also looking at other ways by which to make vaping more accessible, including at work.
Vaping awareness is more widespread than it ever has been, thanks to increased public health campaigns and the passage of time (when vaping was “new” it was harder to trust than it is now that it has been around for a while).
Other Factors That Have Contributed to the Rise in Vaping Popularity
Vaping itself has a lot to do with its own popularity. Not only is it a healthier choice, many would argue that it is more enjoyable and offers a level of customisation smoking just can’t get near. With a wide range of better than one pound e liquids available, as well as the choice of base liquids (high VG e liquid for big vape clouds and 50% PG / 50% VG for more of a throat hit and clarity of flavour) and even a choice of nicotine strengths, it is no wonder that people are switching over from smoking to vaping. With everything from menthol e liquids to tobacco e liquids, fruit e juice and even dessert flavoured e liquid, it is easy to see how vaping offers so much more in terms of versatility and choice.
Price is also a winning factor when it comes to choosing between remaining a smoker and considering switching over to vaping. With a packet of twenty tobacco cigarettes costing around £10, it is easy to see how significant savings may be made over time by switching to vaping. While initial starter kits cost around twenty pounds they last a lot longer than two packets of cigarettes and of course with 99p e liquids being available, it’s no wonder that there has been a noticeable rise in vaping popularity.
Vaping Popularity In Summary
The days of smoking being king are long gone, much to the disappointment of tobacco companies (many of whom are now investing in e cigarette products of their own). While there are still far too many people smoking around the world the tide has most definitely turned, thanks to the rise in vaping popularity, the rise in tobacco cigarette costs and public awareness about the dangers of smoking and the benefits of switching over to vaping as a cleaner, less harmful and more enjoyable hobby.