Follow-Up
The idea of electronic cigarettes dates back to the 1930s when a similar device was patented in the United States. However, the first successful commercial model was not manufactured until 2003 by the Chinese pharmacist and inventor Hon Lik, paving the way for the global launch of this industry.
At that time, 52-year-old Hon Lik was a heavy smoker seeking an alternative to traditional cigarettes, which drove him to create an innovation that later gained popularity.
Since 2003, more products have been developed, ranging from vaporizers to heating devices to various flavors, encouraging people to abandon traditional tobacco products in favor of the new devices and motivating non-smokers to use them.
In 2024, the number of electronic cigarette users worldwide was estimated to be around 114 million, according to the "Global State of Tobacco Harm Reduction" report. This figure shows a marked increase compared to previous years when the number of electronic cigarette users was estimated at about 82 million in 2021.
Legal Status of Electronic Cigarettes
The World Health Organization has urged governments to treat electronic cigarettes like tobacco and to ban all flavors. However, by 2024, around 54% of adults worldwide could legally access electronic cigarettes (equivalent to 3.1 billion people), while 36% live in countries that prohibit their use (2 billion people), and 10% reside in countries without specific legislation (610 million people), according to the previous report.
Global Electronic Cigarette Market
The electronic cigarette market has grown significantly in recent years, reaching a market size of $24.6 billion in 2024. The market is expected to generate revenues of $27.2 billion in 2025, according to Statista.
The "EMA RC" group predicts that the market size will reach $41.6 billion by 2033, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.4% during the period of 2025-2033.
This growth can be attributed to several factors, including:
- Targeted marketing, particularly towards youth, especially on social media.
- The lower cost of electronic cigarettes compared to traditional ones.
- The belief that they are less harmful than regular cigarettes.
In reality, in the "Statista Global Consumer Survey" conducted in early 2022, 27% of participants from the "Millennial Generation" in the United States reported that they had used electronic cigarettes.
Despite numerous health concerns surrounding these products, with medical studies indicating their harm to human health, they remain very popular among consumers, particularly young people.
China as the Largest Producer
-
China is the leading global producer of electronic cigarettes, according to Reuters, producing about 90% of vaping devices worldwide according to the "Tobacco Reporter" platform.
-
The city of Shenzhen is regarded as the main hub for this industry, described by The Guardian in a report as "the capital of electronic smoking in the world."
-
Chinese manufacturers are focusing heavily on exporting their products to international markets, with electronic cigarette exports from China in 2024 valued at approximately $11 billion, and the country exports more than 90% of its products abroad.
-
The United States accounted for the largest share of China’s exports, comprising 36% of total exports worth approximately $3.7 billion, followed by the United Kingdom at $1.2 billion, South Korea at $717 million, and Germany at $677 million, according to the same platform.
- Chinese exports peaked in 2021, reaching approximately $19 billion but have seen annual declines since then due to strict global regulatory measures.
Despite this, the domestic electronic cigarette market in China is under strict supervision. In 2021, the State Tobacco Monopoly Administration imposed controls on the industry, including licensing requirements and a 36% excise tax on production.
Chinese authorities banned flavored cigarettes, but this prohibition only came after electronic cigarettes began threatening the sales of traditional cigarettes, which generate $200 billion annually for the state-run tobacco company, according to the Associated Press. China has approximately 300 million traditional cigarette smokers, according to the World Health Organization.
The U.S. and European Countries as the Largest Users of Electronic Cigarettes
North America holds the largest market share in the global electronic cigarette market, with the United States, in particular, being a major contributor to market growth, as it is among the countries with the highest electronic cigarette usage. This is coupled with a favorable regulatory and legal framework that permits their sale and consumption, according to the "EMA RC" group.
Based on insights into the electronic cigarette market, Europe is the second-largest market, with the United Kingdom, France, and Sweden being prominent contributors, thanks to government policies that allow the circulation of this type of cigarette.
Electronic cigarettes are also prevalent in Asian countries, particularly in Indonesia, South Korea, and Japan.
Top 10 Countries for Electronic Cigarette Usage
Below is a list of the top 10 countries in the world using electronic cigarettes according to the "Research and Markets" platform, Statista, and statistics from relevant countries:
-
Indonesia
Studies indicate that Indonesia ranks among the highest countries in electronic cigarette usage. A 2023 study revealed that 25% of participants had tried electronic cigarettes at least once, which is higher than Switzerland at 16%, the United States at 15%, and the United Kingdom at 13%.Another study by Statista compared the percentage of electronic cigarette users in selected countries worldwide, finding that the highest percentage was in Indonesia, at 32% of consumers.
-
United States
The American market is one of the largest for electronic cigarettes, witnessing continuous growth in usage among both adults and youth.The percentage of adults using electronic cigarettes rose from 4.5% in 2019 to 6.5% in 2023, equivalent to 17 million people. The age group of 21 to 24 years old was the most frequent users of electronic cigarettes (15.5%), according to the National Center for Health Statistics.
-
United Kingdom
The UK is one of the leading countries in electronic cigarette usage, with a noticeable increase in its use as a tool for quitting smoking.In 2024, the number of electronic cigarette users in the UK was approximately 5.6 million, equating to about 11% of the adult population, which represents the highest recorded usage rate of electronic cigarettes in the country to date, according to The Independent based on a report from ASH.
-
France
In 2023, the number of electronic cigarette users in France was around 3.8 million, representing about 7% of adults in the country, according to the "Global State of Tobacco Harm Reduction" report.Data indicates that electronic cigarette usage in France has witnessed a significant increase since 2016, with daily usage rates rising from 2.5% that year to 5.5% in 2022, with a continuing upward trend in the following years.
-
Germany
Germany experiences noteworthy growth in the electronic cigarette market, with increasing interest in alternative smoking products. It is estimated that around 5 million people in Germany regularly use electronic cigarettes.A German study found that electronic cigarette usage increased by 38% between 2016 and 2023, with a significant rise in single-use electronic cigarettes, particularly among young women who often also smoke traditional cigarettes.
-
Australia
Data from the National Drug Strategy Household Survey 2022-2023 indicates a notable increase in electronic cigarette use among adults.The number of daily electronic cigarette users rose from around 100,000 people (0.5%) in 2016 to about 700,000 people (3.5%) in 2022-2023.
-
South Korea
South Korea is among the growing markets for electronic cigarettes, with data from the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency indicating a significant increase in electronic cigarette usage among adults, rising from 5.1% in 2019 to 8.1% in 2023, while the proportion of traditional smokers declined during the same period. -
Russia
Electronic cigarette usage in Russia is notably increasing, with a survey conducted in 2023 revealing that 21% of participants exclusively use electronic cigarettes, while 16% use both electronic and traditional cigarettes.The market volume grew by 18.7% in 2023, reaching approximately 170 billion rubles ($2.1 billion).
-
Brazil
Brazil is experiencing an increase in electronic cigarette usage, with approximately 2.9 million electronic cigarette users. This figure marks a significant rise compared to previous years, highlighting an increasing trend in electronic cigarette consumption despite the country’s long-term ban on their sale and importation. - Japan
Japan is displaying growing interest in electronic cigarettes as an alternative to traditional cigarettes. The market size of electronic cigarettes in Japan was estimated at $1.18 billion in 2023, and it is expected to reach $8.14 billion by 2033, with a compound annual growth rate of 21.30%.
Electronic Cigarettes in the Arab Region
The electronic cigarette market in the Middle East and North Africa is growing significantly, with Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries being pivotal in the regional market.
The value of the electronic cigarette market in GCC countries was estimated at approximately $670 million in 2024, and it is expected to reach $2.34 billion by 2033, with a compound annual growth rate of 14.2%, according to the "EMA RC" group.
The broader Middle East and North Africa market is expected to exceed $1.5 billion by 2025, with the GCC countries contributing the largest share in the region according to "Hangson Group."
Leading Arab Countries in the Electronic Cigarette Market
Saudi Arabia: Saudi Arabia is a leader in the region, with the electronic cigarette market valued at $610 million in 2024, representing over 60% of the Middle East and North Africa market. The kingdom has implemented strict regulations, including compliance certifications with European Union standards, leading to market consolidation and increased compliance according to "Hangson Group."
United Arab Emirates: The electronic cigarette market in the UAE is estimated to be between $250 and $300 million in 2024, with Dubai being a major commercial center. The market is characterized by an increasing demand for high-tech single-use devices, according to the previous source.
Egypt: The electronic cigarette market in Egypt is between $150 and $200 million, characterized by price sensitivity, dominated by open system devices, and primarily reliant on offline sales channels, according to the previous source.
Facts You May Not Know About Electronic Cigarettes
Here are some facts you may not know about electronic cigarettes according to the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine.
Electronic Cigarettes Are Addictive Just Like Traditional Cigarettes
Both electronic and traditional cigarettes contain nicotine, which research suggests can cause addiction similar to heroin and cocaine. Worse still, many electronic cigarette users obtain more nicotine than they do from combustible tobacco products, as users can purchase high-strength cartridges that contain higher levels of nicotine or increase the voltage of the electronic cigarette for a bigger dose.
Electronic Cigarettes Are Not the Best Way to Quit Smoking
Despite being promoted as a smoking cessation aid, electronic cigarettes have not received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as a smoking cessation tool. A recent study found that most individuals intending to use electronic cigarettes to quit smoking ended up using both traditional and electronic cigarettes.
Vaping Is Bad for the Heart and Lungs
Nicotine, the primary substance in both traditional and electronic cigarettes, is highly addictive and toxic, as it raises blood pressure and increases adrenaline levels, which heightens heart rates and the likelihood of heart attacks.
