Vaping History in the UK | Blog | Vanilla Vapes
Posted by Claire on 15th Aug 2023
Vaping's origins trace back decades before exploding into British culture. Here we explore the key events that shaped the UK's vibrant vaping scene.
Inventing the Smokeless Cigarette
While early smokeless cigarette patents date back to the 1930s, pharmacist Hon Lik is credited with creating the first commercially successful model in 2003, kicking off a global vaping timeline. However, uptake in the UK started slowly.
E-cigs first reached the UK in 2005-2006. Online communities like VapersNetwork and UKVapers grew around these early cigar-style models like E-Lites. However, vaping remained underground until a few years later.
smokers seeking to quit tobacco. However, many first-generation devices failed to deliver the satisfaction needed to make the full transistion.
Rise of the Vape Shop
Dedicated vape shops like Vanilla Vapes began popping up to serve customers looking for better-performing devices. These specialist retailers offered what, at the time, were considered advanced devices, like the Kanger T2 tank system, fueling fast growth among early adopters of vaping. Oh how times have changed for the better and tastier!
Sub-Ohm Vaping
Around 2012, hobbyist vapers discovered that sub-ohm coils produced more vapour and flavour. Soon, affordable mods and tanks made this accessible. Brands like Innokin and Aspire brought sub-ohm vape kits to local shops, improving the experience.
The EU Tobacco Product Directive
In 2016, EU regulations limited tanks to 2ml capacity and restricted higher-strength e-liquid sales. While intended to increase safety, critics argued it made vaping less convenient for quitting smoking. Nevertheless, vaping continued to thrive despite the challenges.
DIY Mixing Goes Mainstream
Many vapers embraced mixing their own e-juice to avoid higher prices on premade liquid. DIY shops and improved recipes allowed custom flavours that could be challenging to find in shops. This creativity enabled a thriving DIY community.
Groups like the UK Vaping Industry Association, the New Nicotine Alliance, a charity founded to support and promote tobacco harm reduction, and other advocates continue to campaign against excessive regulation, helping to highlight the tobacco harm reduction potential to policymakers.
The Emergence of Disposables
The vape market has been defined by the meteoric rise of disposable e-cigarettes in recent years. Brands like Elf Bar, Lost Mary, and SKE Crystal Bar offer compact, user-friendly disposable vapes in fruit and dessert flavours. While criticised by some for appealing to young people, their affordability and ease of use make them an incredible gateway for smokers looking to switch. Disposables have captured an enormous share of the market by removing the need to refill and recharge. While their environmental impact remains a concern, disposables have undeniably disrupted the vaping landscape. Their phenomenal success demonstrates the demand for simpler but satisfying vaping alternatives to smoking.
The Future of UK Vaping
Despite regulatory obstacles, UK vaping continues to grow. Dedicated communities, shops, and advocates have driven impressive innovation. As the culture matures, vaping looks set to improve many more British lives.