AV News #26

Recent reports suggest that 4 in 10 smokers still believe that vaping is as harmful or more harmful than smoking cigarettes. It’s important to educate your smoking customers about the myths and benefits of vaping and why they should make the switch (ASH, 2023)

With the tobacco tax set to increase again and the cost of living still making an impact, smokers will look for alternatives to save money. Vaping offers retailers more margin on products sold, so it is important to ensure your store is your customers’ number one vape destination.

How many smokers left and the perceptions of vaping

Last year, four in ten smokers believed that vaping is as risky or riskier than smoking (ASH, 2023) and there has been increasing discussion that vaping is more harmful than smoking, likely arising after news of the disposable ban.

According to ASH (2023), there are around 6.4 million adult smokers in the UK and 4.7 million adult vapers.

Whether vaping is used to reduce the habit of smoking or quit it altogether, statistics show an increase in those using vaping as a smoking cessation.

Approximately 12% of UK adults are current vapers (HMRC, 2024), with a large fraction that view vaping as an alternative to smoking.

Despite a large chunk of adult smokers having quit tobacco in exchange for vaping, there is still a large portion of the market that has been untouched.

Vaping can offer benefits not only to your customers, such as saving money, but also benefit your shop.

Vape products offer higher margins than tobacco, so retailers should be empowering their customers to transition to vapes and clear up any misconceptions.

Educate your staff and customers on the benefits of vaping and the vape products available to your smoking customers.