Industry Insights 2025: Elite Perspectives and Speculations on the Vaping Market Trends

With the continuous advancement of technology and the growing global awareness of health, the vaping industry is standing at the crossroads of transformation. Looking back at 2024, the industry has undergone a series of profound changes, from regulatory adjustments to technological innovations, each development painting new possibilities for the industry's future.

Driven by global health trends, vaping has become a popular alternative to traditional tobacco products, with its market acceptance and technological innovations reaching unprecedented heights. As 2024 comes to a close, we stand on the threshold of 2025, filled with anticipation and curiosity about the vaping industry's development trends for the coming year.

Earlier, we issued a call for insights and predictions about the 2025 vaping industry, inviting partners within the industry to share their perspectives. We received enthusiastic and valuable feedback from many, and based on these valuable contributions, this article will attempt to outline a blueprint for the vaping industry’s development in 2025.

Large Puff and Adjustable Flavors Dominating the Market in 2024

In our recently published article "Top Ten Industry Events in 2024," we summarized the key development trends in the vaping industry this year. A survey was conducted at the end of the article, and the results indicated that large puff experiences and adjustable functions have become popular trends in the current market. These innovative features are leading the development of vaping products and meeting consumer demands for personalized and high-quality experiences.

The survey showed that large puff and adjustable features accounted for 11.94% and 11.44%, respectively, with a relatively high overall share. This reflects the market's strong recognition and preference for these innovative features. It also provides a powerful forecast for the vaping industry's development trends in 2025, suggesting that these features are likely to continue driving market growth and product innovation.

US Election Victory Brings Positive News for the Vaping Industry

In the 2024 US presidential election, former President Donald Trump was re-elected as the 47th President of the United States, returning to the White House to lead the country.

Trump had previously stated that if re-elected, he would “save” the vaping industry again, criticizing President Biden and Vice President Harris's comprehensive ban policy, claiming it led to small business closures. This stance could have a significant impact on the future direction of the US vaping industry, particularly in terms of regulatory policies and market access.

After announcing the call for predictions about the 2025 vaping industry, a friend responsible for the US market shared: "Trump’s return to power next year is certainly good news for the vaping industry. The largest market in North America is basically stabilized, and the growth of vaping in 2025 will certainly step up compared to this year. This is also why we are preparing in advance with vaping pods and ceramic coils, to seize new opportunities in the industry."

With positive market expectations and strategic plans, the vaping industry is expected to usher in a new wave of growth in 2025, especially in the North American market, where the potential for industry growth and innovation will be further unleashed.

A New Beginning for the Vaping Industry After Market Reshuffling

Standing on the threshold of 2025, we have reason to believe that the vaping industry will continue to evolve along these positive trends, but will also face new challenges and opportunities.

One friend shared: "Next year, the flavor ban and tax policies in the US West will only become stricter, and there are signs that these might extend to the Midwest. As long as China is making money, the US will suppress it in various ways, such as using the ‘youth harm’ excuse, a tactic similar to the one used against TikTok. In 2025, the industry is expected to undergo some level of reshuffling. In my opinion, establishing deep cooperation with US local companies or directly setting up production in the US to create jobs and issue tax certificates is a key strategy to maintain competitiveness and survive in this reshuffling."

After the market reshuffling, the vaping industry is standing at a new starting point and will move forward with a more solid pace, facing both challenges and opportunities in the future.

Pessimists Step Back, Brave Pioneers Press On

In 2025, the vaping market is expected to continue its growth momentum. While some companies may choose to "lie flat" in response to market challenges, there will still be brave pioneers and newcomers actively exploring international markets. As of now, China’s vaping exports have reached approximately $9.95 billion, and the recovery of the market has given later entrants strong confidence and motivation to venture onto the international stage.

For example, many brands are launching new 2+10 series products in the UK market by the end of the year. Companies that choose to continue expanding internationally will have the opportunity to tap into new growth points, pushing the industry further forward.

Emerging Markets Surge, Product Iteration Accelerates

As emerging markets continue to emerge and demand for vaping products increases, the vaping industry is expected to maintain stable growth through 2025 to meet the diverse needs of the global market.

Looking at China's vaping export data from November this year, regions like Latin America, Central Europe, and the Middle East have seen a surge in vaping demand. For example, exports to Romania in Central Europe reached $3.82 million, a 20.94% increase from the previous month and a 120.59% year-on-year growth; exports to Serbia reached $3.71 million, a 7.80% decrease month-on-month, but a 548.97% increase year-on-year; exports to Austria reached $3.17 million, a 21.55% increase month-on-month and a 373.95% increase year-on-year. The continuous emergence of new markets is injecting new vitality into the vaping market.

Major Brands Dominate the Market, Time Running Out for New Entrants

As the vaping market matures in 2025, major brands such as SKE, Lost Mary, and SMOK, with their strong market influence and brand loyalty, have firmly established their dominance in the market.

The success of these brands reflects their advantages in product quality, technological innovation, and market strategy, but it also signals that emerging brands will face increasingly difficult challenges in gaining a foothold in the market, and the time and space available to them are shrinking.

More Countries Implement Strict Regulations on Vaping

As global health awareness rises and a deeper understanding of the potential impacts of vaping takes hold, the global vaping industry is entering a new era of regulation starting in 2025. Many governments are moving to implement stricter vaping regulations to protect public health, regulate market behavior, and ensure the safety and quality of vaping products.

• Belgium's Minister of Health has warned that youth vaping rates are surging, and from January 2025, Belgium will become the first EU country to ban the sale of disposable vapes to reduce youth smoking and environmental impact.
• The UK has announced a ban on disposable vapes starting June 1, 2025.
• Vietnam plans to ban the production, sale, import, storage, transportation, and use of vaping and heated tobacco products starting in 2025.
• The President of Kyrgyzstan has signed a new law that will fully ban vaping from July 2025, including the import, circulation, and use of vaping products, with fines for violations.
• New Zealand’s government has urgently passed a series of tobacco control regulations, banning disposable vapes and imposing additional restrictions on vape sales. The ban on disposable vapes and display restrictions will take effect in six months to allow retailers time to prepare for the new rules.

Faced with this new regulatory landscape in 2025, the vaping industry will have to adapt to a more standardized market environment, which will undoubtedly push the industry towards higher quality and safer product standards.

Conclusion

With 2025 fast approaching, the vaping industry stands at a pivotal moment of transformation. Driven by stricter regulatory policies in various countries, the industry will inevitably undergo a profound shift. This will be a test of companies' adaptability, innovation, and responsibility.

In the future, brands that align with trends, adhere to safety standards, and continue to innovate will shine in the new market environment. The trend forecasts for next year are not only an exploration of possibilities but also a hopeful look toward the future. Let us look forward to a healthier and more sustainable development for the vaping industry in 2025, where challenges and opportunities coexist.