Going back to the time when electronic cigarettes were launched in 2003, the product sales have sky rocketed into billions per year, and proven to be the best alternative to conventional cigarettes. In more than a decade, there have been plenty of manufacturers that went into creating various versions of the electronic cigarette like minis, mid size and mods. However, with the recent proposals for regulations and legalities, the coming years look bleak for small and start up manufacturers.
Recent updates regarding regulations involving electronic cigarettes include premarket applications before approval from designated agencies like FDA, TGA etc. This update has become the nightmare of most manufacturers who have difficulty complying with the premarket applications that require tremendous amount of time and money. This is feared to result to small manufacturers getting sold to big fishes like the stable tobacco companies that have the assets to comply with the regulatory agencies. But, this has not stopped the public from greatly benefiting from these new vaping devices.
The UK has made headlines in the DailyStar for attaining the lowest recorded smoking percentage since the first recorded year. This has come as a direct result of electronic cigarette use among Brits tripling in less than 4 years.
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See Also: Best E-Cigs for the UK & Europe
Why Join the E-Cigarette Revolution
It is no surprise why big tobacco companies are already penetrating the electronic cigarette market especially since smoking rates are declining every year. The UK’s record breaking number is a great sign that smokers have continually and gradually decreased in a progressive manner. According to the Office of National Statistics or ONS, the official smoking rate came in at 18.7%. This is a clear marker that more and more adults have switched to vaping (smoking electronic cigarettes); ultimately, electronic cigarettes will be the norm.
Electronic cigarettes, also called vaporizers, are created with the aim of mimicking the sensation felt while smoking. The liquid nicotine is heated in the device and vapor is released instead of tobacco. This is immediately a plus point when it comes to second hand smoking.
The long term health effects of electronic cigarettes, however, have yet to be anticipated. Current studies support its safety over traditional tobacco products and surmises that these smoke cessation devices are also less harmful in the long run.
Tobacco Companies with E-Cigarette Lines
The world’s leading electronic cigarette supplier according to Bloomberg Business Week is Lorillard taking over a whopping 40% of the available market. Next is R.J. Reynolds and finally Altria Group which is partnered with Phillip Morris.
However, these big tobacco bosses are falling behind with the current demand of the electronic cigarette market. More and more consumers are switching their disposable and rechargeable e-cigarettes for the sturdy vaporizers with an option to be filled with various flavors. This is not yet offered by any of the big three.
News, however, of a smart e-cigarette from Philipp Morris called “Heat Sticks” has been presented in various websites recently. Compared to other electronic cigarettes, the Phillip Morris smart e-cigarette is said to have real tobacco heating up to 660 degrees Fahrenheit. Now, why is it a smart e-cigarette? ‘Heat Sticks’ can be connected via USB or Wi-Fi to a computer or device which allows the user to log every puff. An option to charge you for every puff is available as a way to help in smoking cessation.
With the rapid increase of electronic cigarette smokers and stable decrease of conventional smokers it will be quite a norm to see the tobacco giants slowly enter the new age.