The popularity of e-cigarettes in the United Kingdom increased from 5% to 15% between 2012 and 2016, with their sale increasing by 450%. While initially seen as a trend among young people, the growth of the e-cigarette market across all demographic groups in the UK has been significant. Today, approximately 7.4 million people in the UK are current or former smokers, with 2.9 million of them using e-cigarettes and the products’ popularity growing by leaps and bounds among this population.
The e-cigarette industry has become a multibillion-dollar business, with some companies recording sales of $10,000 or more each month. Consumers are increasingly willing to spend large amounts of money on electronic cigarettes and related products, with some people spending up to £60 a week on virtual cigarette products.
Key Facts About e-Cigarettes In The UK
In 2015, the UK government passed the Tobacco Products Directive, which came into effect in 2018. This legislation makes it much easier for smaller businesses to enter the e-cigarette market, as it reduces the amount of paperwork that must be completed in order to sell these products.
The UK is one of the most advanced countries when it comes to regulating and controlling e-cigarettes, with the law now specifying how they must be displayed and sold. According to figures from the Campaign for Tobacco-free Kids UK, the UK has the third-highest level of government restrictions on tobacco in the world, behind only Australia and Singapore.
The Rise Of Social Media Marketing
Over the last decade, social media marketing has changed the game for both advertisers and marketers. While the industry was previously centered around radio and billboards, today’s savvy consumers have shifted to social media platforms like Snapchat and Instagram, where they can connect with friends, family, and other social circles through pictures and videos.
Thanks to these platforms, brand awareness and marketing efforts can now be done virtually on a mass scale, allowing businesses to target the right audience with relevant offers and discounts.
The rise of digital marketing and social media has undoubtedly helped fuel the growth of the e-cigarette industry in the UK. Many major brands have used these platforms to great effect, with some companies using them as a means of completely reimagining their marketing strategy. Indeed, HubSpot’s Senior Manager of Marketing, Helen Kelly has stated that brands must start thinking about marketing and public relations not as separate entities, but instead as a single cohesive strategy that takes place both online and offline.
The Growth Of The E-Cigarette Market In The UK
The number of adults using e-cigarettes in the UK increased from 2% to 10% between 2012 and 2016, while the number of people vaping increased by 450%. The number of students also using the products more than doubled between 2015 and 2016, from 5% to 12% (ONS, 2018).
The market for e-cigarettes and related products in the UK is still largely unregulated and is open to anybody over the age of 16, with almost any item available to be purchased online. While most customers buy the standard items such as e-liquid, mouthpieces, and chargers, a small number of individuals choose to buy customized products, such as engraved or printed cartomizers, created by artists or manufacturers.
How To Effectively Market Products In Today’s Digital World
In order to effectively market products in today’s digital world, businesses must focus on acquiring customers rather than just selling a product.
The best practice for any business, affiliate marketing leader Jamie Smart says, is to build a community of people interested in your niche and to engage with them on a personal level.
Smart explains that by getting involved in discussions about the product or service that you offer, you show that you care about your audience and that you’re motivated to help them achieve their goals. You can also use social media to listen to customers’ needs and wants, and then use that information to help guide your marketing and sales efforts. Additionally, Smart points out that you should always be testing different platforms and methods of communication to find which ones resonate with your audience.
The Impact Of E-Cigarettes On The UK Health Service
The UK government’s decision to regulate e-cigarettes and the subsequent implementation of the Tobacco Products Directive will undoubtedly have a major impact on the country’s health service. Doctors, nurse, and other health professionals, including members of the public, now have the ability to purchase and use e-cigarettes and determine whether or not they pose a health risk.
Many individuals believe that e-cigarettes are a safer alternative to traditional cigarettes, with some studies indicating that they can help reduce the risk of disease. However, this is not necessarily the case, as e-cigarettes are a relatively new phenomenon and we do not yet know enough about their long-term impact. One of the main concerns surrounding e-cigarettes is that people who use them are less likely to quit smoking traditional tobacco products. If this is the case, then we as a society will inevitably pay a heavy price for this new fad.
What Should We Expect In The Future?
It is unclear what this year’s vaping trends will be, but a number of experts have predicted the rise of the smart vape. This is a product that connects to a smartphone app via Bluetooth, allowing the user to track and monitor their usage via visual and audio cues. While this may sound like the next big thing, the smart vape has been around for some time and has never taken off as much as its popularity would have you believe.
Thanks to social media and digital marketing, businesses, brands, and communities can now engage with customers and prospects on a level that was unimaginable a few years ago. The next generation of marketing and public relations is here, and it’s changing the game.