The US market for nicotine products continues to change rapidly. According to recent analyses, smokeless alternatives - such as vejp and white snus - are now close to accounting for half of all nicotine consumption. Developments in the US show a society where consumers are leaving cigarettes behind, despite an arsenal of policy incentives to make that transition more difficult.
Nicotine-free products are now approaching 50 per cent of the US market. This is according to a new analysis by the Tobacco Analysis blog, which tracks developments in the tobacco and nicotine industry.
There is a clear shift away from traditional cigarettes, which have completely dominated the market in the past, in favour of vejp, nicotine pouches and other alternatives, which are growing rapidly.
This is due to both changes in consumption habits and increased awareness of the risks of smoking. At the same time, the analysis suggests that technological developments have made smoke-free alternatives more accessible and attractive to users.
Confirming previous trend
This is despite the picture previously reported by Vejpkollen, where the US vejp market has become increasingly fragmented. States are imposing their own regulations, bans and taxes - often without coordination. This is because the federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which has been responsible for approving all new vejp products, has been dragging its feet on the issue for ten years now - so the states have been running their own races instead.
The industry is changing
The change is also visible in the tobacco industry. Major companies are increasingly focussing on smoke-free products, while cigarette sales are declining or stagnating.
It's no longer about niche alternatives - it's about a structural shift in the whole industry. When half the market is involved, it becomes difficult to talk about it as an alternative complement.
”Crucial for public health”
At the same time, organisations working in the field of smoking cessation point out that this development could have a major impact on people's health.
- The reduction in smoking is a great success for public health, but we need to ensure that smokers have access to less harmful alternatives, says the organisation ”Action on Smoking and Health” in a statement
Trying to ban the smoke-free
Current policies and consumption are simply not moving in the same direction. While several states are introducing bans, restrictions and taxes on vejp and other nicotine products, the demand for smoke-free alternatives continues to grow.
How that balance will play out in the long run, or whether the FDA will start acting nationally, is still unclear. But the figures show that for individual consumers, the patchwork of rules doesn't seem to matter much, as long as they can still get their hands on vejp and snus.
