Inhaling change: adapting to 3 major challenges in the vaping industry

Contents:

• The Rise of Vaping: Exploring the Market
• Factors Contributing to Vaping Popularity
• 3 Major Challenges in the Industry
• One Philosophy Behind the Brand

The Rise of Vaping: Exploring the Market

Before we dive into the challenges facing the industry, let's start with some positive news: the industry is growing at a rapid pace. Multiple studies have shown that this trend is set to continue. According to a report published in Business Research Insights, the global e-cigarette market is predicted to reach $40 billion by 2028.

It is fair to say, cigarettes and traditional tobacco products still dominate the market. Same time, vaping has risen to become the largest category among all tobacco-free products.
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So, why is the market continuing to expand towards vapes? The primary reason is the increasing understanding that alternatives such as vaping can be a safer option than traditional cigarettes. And there are certainly reasons to believe this.

Factors Contributing to Vaping Popularity

Scientists have been repeating for decades that smoking is a major cause of deadly diseases, with 8 million people dying from smoking-related illnesses each year. For comparison, the number of deaths caused by Covid-19 in three years is less, at almost 7 million people!

Although vaping can still have a negative impact on the human body due to the presence of potentially dangerous chemicals, it can be viewed as a less harmful alternative to nicotine consumption. Studies, including one conducted by Cancer Research UK, have shown that vaping poses much lower risks than smoking in terms of cancer development. This is because e-cigarettes don’t contain cancer-causing tobacco, and the majority of toxic chemicals present in cigarettes are not found in vapes.

Another argument in support of vaping is that it can aid in quitting smoking traditional tobacco products. The Public Health England's report states, vaping had some of the highest quit success rates, ranging from almost 60% to 74% in 2019 and 2020.

At first glance, the vaping industry can seem all sunshine and rainbows: a safer alternative to smoking, increasing popularity, and lower rates of deadly diseases among smokers. But unfortunately, the reality is a bit more complicated.
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3 Major Challenges in the Industry

To date, we can identify three main challenges the vaping industry is facing due to growing concerns from both society and regulatory authorities. These issues should be seriously considered.

- Access of minors

In 2022, the FDA reported that up to 2.5 million teenagers in the US were using e-cigarettes, and approximately 85% of them prefer flavoured options. This alarming trend is not limited to the US alone, but is a global issue. Vaping devices have become so user-friendly that even a three-year-old child potentially can find and attempt to use one in the absence of parents.

Indignantly, numerous market players manipulate and exploit young audiences through aggressive marketing campaigns, flashy cartoon-style designs, and sweet flavors, disregarding legislative restrictions.

- Enviromental harms

The environmental damage caused by used e-cigarettes is a relatively new topic of discussion in the industry. The large number of disposables that are discarded results in additional plastic waste, adding to the 400 million tons annually that cannot be properly recycled.

However, the primary environmental concern with e-cigarettes is not about plastic waste, but the batteries they contain. Sadly, even if someone attempts to disassemble the device to separate the battery from the plastic, it is often not feasible to do so.

- Nicotine addict

In 2022, the FDA reported that up to 2.5 million teenagers in the US were using e-cigarettes, and approximately 85% of them prefer flavoured options. This alarming trend is not limited to the US alone, but is a global issue. Vaping devices have become so user-friendly that even a three-year-old child potentially can find and attempt to use one in the absence of parents.This issue in relation to vaping is currently a topic of much debate. Some argue for increased consumption, while others suggest that it results in comparable or even lower levels of dependency than traditional cigarettes. However, we should keep in mind that nicotine is a harmful substance for the human body, so its consumption should be approached with caution.

A potential solution to ease the tensions in the market for manufacturers would be to prioritize the safety of consumers. These issues can be solved by being mindful of the concentration and amount of nicotine liquid in their products.

At Alfabet Labs, we have developed our products answering to these challenges in the market. Now we want to explain how we did it.

One Philosophy Behind the Brand

The philosophy of Alfabet Labs can be summed up in a single sentence:

Provide an ethical alternative for adult smokers based on research, technologies and human-centered approach.

While this statement may sound simple, there are three core principles that let us make the difference in the market, and which we apply to everything we do: from product development to customer engagement and beyond.

1. We consider the ethical perspective and focus on adult cigarette smokers.
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This includes our recently launched devices Flonq Plus E and Flonq Max E, our marketing campaigns and storytelling, packaging design, and non-artificial flavors.

Alfabet Labs' device, Flonq Plus E — suitable for recycling and equipped with added safety features.

2. We prioritise research and technologies.
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When developing our products from scratch, we carefully select the best components and constantly improve our technologies.

3. We take into consideration the consumer needs.
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We provide a complete experience, from environmentally conscious materials to convenient, ergonomic designs, top-quality manufacturing, safety features, and of course, a touch of style. The numerous awards received from industry experts and professionals serve as a testament to the hard work that has been rewarded.