For years, the United Kingdom has been considered the essential reference for vaping worldwide. “ Electronic cigarettes are considered to be “at least 95% less dangerous” than smoking", this quote from a report by Public Health England in 2015 will obviously have had a strong impact on the minds and especially the imagination of vapers. If at first glance it may seem logical to put the United Kingdom on a real pedestal, it remains very interesting to analyze the real situation of vaping on site. To find out if we are dealing with a true holy land for vapers, we went to the sanctuary, simply in London! SO ? United Kingdom, true el dorado of vaping? Not so sure !
UNITED KINGDOM: FREEDOM FOR VAPERS?
According to many sources, the United Kingdom has a lot of vapers (2,2 million users) or 4% of the population, a figure which is ultimately no more important than in neighboring countries like France (3 million) or Germany (3.7 million). The territory is no longer part of the European Union since January 31, 2020 (Brexit), it remains very free in its health and financial policy regarding vaping.
If the British government is today so open to vaping, it is largely thanks to the work of the former Public Health England (today National Institute for Health Protection) from 2015. With this in mind, the United Kingdom authorizes vaping but even more, it encourages all smokers to vape, under a real risk reduction strategy, supported by the Ministry of Health and the government.
The United Kingdom is often considered an example to follow since the PHE distinguished itself by commissioning various scientific reports on the risks inherent in vaping. These famous reports are today references for the world of vaping and have directly participated in the position taken by the British government, considering since then that vaping is at least 95% less harmful than smoking.
In a territory that still counts 5,4 million smokers, the reduction of smoking risks is highlighted with “one-shot” operations such as the distribution of electronic cigarettes to a million British smokers recently. In recent years it has not been uncommon for a distribution to be organized in hospitals across NHS (National Health Service) or in prisons in the United Kingdom.
The notion of " free vape » applies in a particular way to the United Kingdom, particularly when we talk about communication and advertising on electronic cigarettes. Indeed, unlike the countries of the European Union, advertising is authorized in the territory provided that it does not contain therapeutic claims, vaping can therefore be presented as an aid to stopping smoking.
Traveling around the London capital the observation is rather obvious with advertisements for major vape brands on buses (blu) or posters promoting electronic cigarettes to put an end to smoking. From a health point of view, this is something that is not found anywhere else and which makes the United Kingdom the only “reference” in this area in the world. However, is this enough to present the United Kingdom as a vaper's paradise, the essential place of pilgrimage for vaping aficionados? Well no and here’s why!
UNITED KINGDOM: WHERE ARE THE VAPERS AND SHOPS?
According to official statistics, there were around 2000 vape shops in 2019 in the United Kingdom compared to more than 3000 in France. While exploring London we had great difficulty sourcing quality e-liquid. Indeed, although many English brands are known on the market (Dinner Lady, T-Juice, Vampire Vape), it remains very difficult to find even a simple physical store on site.
After careful research we ended up discovering a beautiful shop in the Notting Hill district where the sellers, enthusiasts did not hesitate to tell us that the few physical stores were not very busy and that the trend had long been towards pods and puffs. And what was our disappointment to discover during our journey that in reality the vaping market extended to all types of businesses (drugstore, barber, telephone, grocery store) with an almost unique offer of very colorful pods and puffs .
On the population side, we could have expected a minimum of visibility for this so-called “el dorado of vaping” but this was not the case. London specificity or habit in the United Kingdom? The fact remains that the English smoke very little in society and do not vape anymore. Armed with our mods and atomizers in the city center, we might as well tell you that we attracted certain glances without feeling slighted.
UNITED KINGDOM: A HEALTH CHALLENGE MORE THAN A FASHION!
In conclusion, even if in the collective imagination the United Kingdom remains a real reference, the reality on the ground seems very different with a very discreet vaping population who are generally content to consume puff or pods. In comparison, although France places less emphasis on vaping in its health policy, specialized physical stores are omnipresent and it is common to see large plumes of vapor in public places. The experienced English vaper will prefer to place their order discreetly on specialized online sites.
If the London capital remains a pleasure for tourists and for outings, it will clearly not be the capital of vaping. Don't plan to make any big discoveries or buy a bunch of new e-liquids, you would probably be disappointed by the lack of options.
