Considering vaping went mainstream circa 2011, it’s fair to say the industry is still relatively new. However, the speed at which the segment has grown over the course of its decade in existence has been nothing short of impressive and not just in terms of numbers.

Sure, there are approximately 70 million vapers globally as of 2022, a 10x jump from the 7 million people estimated to have been vaping in 2011, with the US, the UK and Japan leading the line. But the hardware to has witnessed a radical revolution off the back of the growing demand, and naturally, so have the vaping trends continued to evolve through the years. Vapers too have become more discerning in their taste and preferences.

That said, each year sees some notable vaping trends emerge that not only dictate what’s hot at the moment but also hold sway over the direction the industry takes.

Here are some of the latest vaping trends making news in 2022.

Smaller is better

Remember the craze for smaller and slimmer mobile devices that preceded the launch of the first iPhone which introduced the touchscreen to the world?

While this is not to intimate that the industry is at such an inflection point, the demand for smaller, more compact e-cig devices has been on the up lately. Initially, e-cigarettes used to be typically large in size. Well, there are still plenty of those around (depending on what you’re in the market for) but an increasing number of vapers has been gravitating towards smaller devices.

This has been popularised by the emergence of the pod device which has been around for a few years now, but advancements in the sector have seen the pod kit evolve into a more powerful performer while still retaining the miniature size. In fact, some pod kits (aptly named pod mods) promise as intense an experience as a mod or sub-ohm, complete with a battery that would put most vape pens to shame.

In 2022, the demand for smaller, powerful e-cig devices looks set to continue from where we left off last year, as vapers prioritise portability and convenience without having their vape experience compromised.

Vaping

Mad rush for customisable vape juice

The long list of appealing flavours available to vapers has been one of the main drivers behind the meteoric growth of the vape industry. While users still have an embarrassment of choices in that regard, a growing number are looking to expand their palate by ordering custom vape juices from e-liquid manufacturers.

Of course, customisable e-liquid blends have long been a staple of the industry, but it was largely a DIY trial-and-error affair that was best left to inventive experienced vapers and hobbyists. No longer do you have to get your hands dirty in the name of blending your own juices now, however – unless, of course, you’re doing it for the fun.

For the first time, some e-liquid vendors are providing the option of ordering expertly-blended custom e-liquids shipped directly to your door.

Vaping

Nicotine salts are forever

Nic salts – or salt nics as they are also known – have surged in popularity since they became a thing a few years ago. Nicotine salts are a special type of e-liquid that gets absorbed into the body faster than ordinary e-liquid which is based on freebase nicotine.

Nic salts allow you to vape higher levels of nicotine while providing a smoother throat hit at the same time, delivering a nicotine buzz that can be likened to that of a traditional cigarette hit. For this reason, nic salts have become widely popular, particularly with former smokers who have been struggling to kick the habit.

Nic salts provide for a more seamless transition from smoking to vaping, and it’s little wonder they continue to fly off the shelves in 2022. The fact that they are available as a refillable e-liquid now (initially they only came in closed pod systems) has also aided the cause immensely.

Advanced disposables are the go-to

While this might be an extension of the first point, it really shows the inclination of the modern-day vaper towards a ‘leaner’ vaping style. As the world starts to venture outdoors again following the global health pandemic, most people are leaving behind the bulkier, more involving devices for something more portable but reliable at the same time.

Disposables have been around for some time, but as manufacturers strive to feed the growing demand for these devices, what we are seeing today are more capable disposable vapes that address the shortcomings of their predecessors.

In particular, the tank has got bigger (and turned refillable), and the battery capacity of some even rivals that of larger vape pens and sub-ohms. Some of the latest disposables also pack technologies like mesh coil heating, ensuring you enjoy an unadulterated taste of your favourite flavours.

App integration becoming a norm

At a time when we’re living in the digital age, it was only a matter of time until things took this turn. The latest vape hardware coming into the market is fully implementing fresh unconventional tech, with devices these days boasting a slew of bells and whistles.

Bluetooth was one of the first technologies to make it to vape devices, making it possible to link your e-cig device to your smartphone, thereby enabling you to access important information such as monitoring your vape consumption.

Today, vaping has become even more interactive with the availability of fully-fledged platforms like Vape Boss, an app that serves as a one-stop-shop for all vape information you may need – from looking up vape products online to finding product reviews and local vape shops. Vaffle is another app that’s literary a social network designed exclusively for vapers.

It’s a trend we’ll be seeing more of well beyond 2022.

GREEN is the colour

The tobacco industry is known for its massive carbon footprint. From widescale deforestation intended to make room for tobacco plantations, right down to the disposal of the biodegradable material that is cigarette filters everywhere, cigarettes are terrible for the environment – a fact inadvertently lost on most smokers. Vape products are not entirely sustainable either, but the vape industry is a lesser evil by comparison. Fortunately, with vaping, there are things you can do to become eco-friendlier.

As more and more people embrace a greener lifestyle, vapers too have not been left behind. We are seeing a growing number of them turn to more sustainable vaping practices which is evident in their daily choices – opting against single-use e-cig devices to reduce littering, purchasing products (particularly e-liquids) locally to reduce carbon emissions, buying e-liquids both in bulk and in larger bottles (short fills), safe disposal and recycling etc.

Closing Word

Despite the regulation imposed on the industry, vaping continues to grow by the year, so much so that the ratio of smokers vs vapers is gradually skewing in vaping’s favour.

The products and technology keep improving, resulting in better experiences for the users.

Being a relatively nascent sector, you can bet there will be plenty of vaping trends to come moving forward.

 

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