2023 was a rollercoaster year for the global vaping scene. Despite facing some tough challenges, the industry still managed to pull off growth.
Last year saw some countries putting the brakes on vaping by either banning sales or tightening the reins on regulation. A number of vape shops and manufacturers had to shut their doors for good. The FDA in the U.S. turned down loads of product applications, leaving the door wide open for a black market worth billions.
Disposable vapes were the talk of the town, grabbing nearly 40% of the global market. The CDC notes that disposables have conquered over half of the U.S. market, doubling in size since 2020.
People are calling on vape companies to take responsibility for the environmental mess disposables are making. Suggestions are flying around to make vape parts easier to recycle or more eco-friendly, and to have manufacturers chip in for recycling programs.
A lot went down in the vape world in 2023. Here’s a rundown of some key moments:
Major Vaping Headlines of 2023
- In January, UK retailer Waitrose dropped disposable vapes to protect the environment. Vaporesso snagged a sales license in the UAE, making it a first for the brand. The Netherlands said no to flavored vapes, and Belgium aimed to limit vape flavors and devices. A U.S. court approved a $255 million settlement over accusations that Juul deceived customers.
- February saw RAI urging the FDA to crack down on illegal disposable vape sales, marking the agency’s first fines against such activities.
- In March, Altria swapped its Juul stakes for heated tobacco IP and agreed to buy Njoy for $2.75 billion. The FDA laid out new rules for the manufacture, design, packaging, and storage of tobacco products. Argentina banned importing and selling vapes.
- April removed vapes from Malaysia’s list of hazardous items. Vuse grabbed 41.5% of the U.S. market, with Juul at 26.1%. The UK offered a million smokers free starter kits to ditch cigarettes. Juul settled lawsuits over its marketing tactics towards teens, paying over $1 billion.
- May saw Australia banning all non-prescription vapes, including nicotine-free options. A report revealed UK prisoners spend over £8.5 million yearly on vapes. Altria was fined $235 million for targeting young people with vapes. Flonq launched a fully recyclable vape device, and Altria completed its Njoy acquisition.
- June declared transporting over $10,000 worth of vapes or tobacco products in Hawaii a misdemeanor. ANDS launched a 99.29% recyclable disposable vape, Slix. The FDA warned 189 retailers against selling unauthorized products. Zanzibar banned importing and using vapes.
- In July, Juul asked the U.S. International Trade Commission to ban Njoy Ace for patent infringement. The FDA awarded Ohio State University $3.9 million to study the impact of vape flavors on smoking habits.
- August saw Ukraine taxing disposables, while Venezuela banned all vape sales. High Light Vape faced backlash for selling vapes shaped like highlighters. New Zealand introduced youth vaping restrictions. Juul announced restructuring to cut costs. Suriname banned all vape sales.
- September stated tobacco companies can’t join the UK Vaping Industry Association. Indonesia legalized vapes. A fire destroyed Dinner Lady’s factory. Healthy Choices Management sued Reynolds over patent infringement with Vuse Alto.
- October suggested that banning flavored vapes benefits traditional cigarette sales. The American Vaping Association ceased operations. Njoy sued 34 manufacturers and sellers of illegal disposables. Altria reported a significant sales drop in legal vapes due to illegal flavored disposables.
- November listed nearly 400 approved vape products for sale in Louisiana. Juul raised about $1.3 billion. Australia announced a ban on importing disposables starting January 2024. France plans to ban disposables by 2025.
- December had U.S. lawmakers demanding action against kid-attracting vapes. Mexico’s Supreme Court ruled the vape sale ban unconstitutional. The FDA sued 25 stores and online retailers. Vuse’s market share in the U.S. climbed to 42%, while Juul’s dropped to 24.3%.
Looking Ahead: Tighter Vape Regulations?
Industry insiders predict more scrutiny for disposables in 2024, especially in the U.S. and the UK, where the FDA might not green-light many products. Globally, especially in the EU and UK, the vape scene is expected to grow. By 2030, the market could hit $93.94 billion, growing at an annual rate of 16.27% from 2022.
Gregory Conley from the American Vaping Manufacturers Association thinks the FDA will keep tightening the leash on vapes.
Learn more about vaping trends from Hugtechs.
