Mid-May saw Birmingham’s NEC once again become a focal point for the newest developments in consumer goods, as the latest edition of The Vaper Expo UK, a twice-yearly event for the global e-cigarette industry, took centre stage.
A typically lively and colourful affair, The Vaper Expo UK welcomed as many as 300 exhibitors, as well as around 20,000 delegates, reflecting the now-established position of vaping within the broader tobacco and nicotine industry landscape. The presence of food trucks, a lounge area and live entertainment leant something of a carnival feel to proceedings, even amid the serious business of networking and deal-making. Separate days for consumer and trade visitors gave exhibitors the opportunity not only to make new professional connections but also to stress test their latest ideas on existing and prospective customers.
A tour of the showgrounds revealed an obvious emphasis on concerns such as value-for-money, longevity and sustainability, no doubt in part responding to the recently-announced UK government ban on disposable vaping products. This was evidenced by an apparent ‘arms race’ in the number of ‘puffs’ being offered per device (with one brand touting as many as 22,000), and claims being made in respect of enhanced battery life. Elsewhere, brands were offering e-liquid pods that could be refilled so they could be used multiple times rather than discarded.
A second major theme of the show, meanwhile, was customisation, with a number of companies touting devices that could hold multiple flavours at once – in one case as many as five in the same e-cigarette. Twisting the end of the device allowed the user to switch from one flavour to another with no need to replace the refill.
Other notable innovations were technology oriented, such as one brand offering wireless charging, and another that combined vaping with functionality to monitor heart rate and blood oxygen levels.
The second 2024 edition of The Vaper Expo UK is scheduled to begin on 25th October.