- 1. The rise and fall of 2ml disposables
- 2. A boom in reusable vapes and vape kits
- 3. A continued uptick in big puff vapes
- 4. Flavour consolidation and consideration
- 5. Short fills set to become a specialist range
- 6. Smaller e-liquid bottles might gain traction
- 7. An expansion in illicit trade
- 8. High profile debate and consultation
- 9. We may see vaping surpass smoking in the UK
It’s time for our annual deep dive into the vaping trends we expect to see in the year ahead. From a continued growth in reusable and big puff vapes to a higher public profile than ever, we think 2025 is going to be a year of challenges, changes and innovation. Curious about what trends might be ahead for the vaping industry? Check out our predictions.
1. The rise and fall of 2ml disposables
With the introduction of the disposable vape ban on the cards for 2025, we’re very likely to see a lot of movement when it comes to 2ml disposables. Single-use vapes are to be banned from sale in the UK from June 1 and we’re predicting that between now and then, we’ll see a lot of products hitting the streets at reduced prices as manufacturers and retailers clear stocks before the ban comes in to play.
This could mean a short-lived flooding of the market, which will sharply end once the ban is established. Although, that does mean we urge consumers to be vigilant about where they’re buying their vapes from, especially when it comes into the summer months (more on that below).
2. A boom in reusable vapes and vape kits
We’ve already seen a steep increase in both the demand for more reusable vapes and the number of reusable options. This is driven not only by the upcoming disposables ban, but also by a growing number of likeminded industry experts and consumers who’re looking for greener ways to vape.
Look out for lots of refillable and rechargeable alternatives to existing disposable products (especially reusable big puff vapes and prefilled pod kits). It’s particularly likely that we’ll see a sharp increase in traditional 2ml prefilled pods and relevant devices at the start of the year. These have been taking a hit recently due to the popularity of big puff alternatives, but the future ban and changes in tax for e-liquids mean we expect a short term boost.
3. A continued uptick in big puff vapes
The boom in big puff vapes isn’t likely to disappear anytime soon. We’ve seen more and more vapers turn to big puff vapes for a longer lasting and more cost-effective alternative to disposable vapes and with the single-use vape ban coming in, this is only likely to increase.
Expect to see more devices and more brands entering the mix, with reusable big puff vapes set to be a major focus in 2025. Curious about big puff vapes and not sure where to start? Checkout our guide to big puff vapes and flavours.
4. Flavour consolidation and consideration
We would like to see other producers and retailers to follow our lead and move the focus away from introducing the kind of very sweet flavours that might appeal to the under 18s. In the upcoming Tobacco and Vapes Bill, we’re likely to see mandates that restrict the sale of very sweet flavours, like candy and desserts, and now is a good time to focus on consolidating flavours and put the spotlight on those that will appeal to more mature palettes.
5. Short fills set to become a specialist range
With the introduction of the Vaping Products Duty at a flat rate of excise at £2.20 per 10ml of e-liquid, as laid out in the Autumn Budget 2024, we expect to see some big changes around some e-liquids and short fills are likely to be one of the most drastically affected. It’s expected that the new tax will come into force in October 2026 and, with short fill products facing price increases of up to 178%, we anticipate that production will be massively reduced. This means short fill products will probably stick around but will move into a specialist range rather than a general one. Find out more about the new vape tax.
6. Smaller e-liquid bottles might gain traction
There’s potential that the introduction of the Vaping Products Duty might inspire an uptick in the sale of smaller bottles of nic salts and other e-liquids. Some vapers may end up plumping for 5ml instead of 10ml bottles, for example, as a way of offsetting that initial rise in costs. However, this is a false economy that may mean a lower price for that first purchase, but which costs more overall as larger bottles are more cost effective per ml. We’ll be interested to see if this is a direction brands lean in.
7. An expansion in illicit trade
One of the biggest downsides to the introduction of the disposables ban is the fact that it’s likely to cause an increase in illicit trade. When 2ml disposable vapes are no longer legal, we expect to see them being offered through illegal channels and unregulated traders.
A growth in illicit trade can only be a bad thing for vaping, as it funnels money to the kind of sellers who won’t have regulations and safety concerns in mind. It’s possible that underage vapers will seek out black market disposables in the wake of the ban and we encourage all legal vapers to seek out legitimate sellers.
8. High profile debate and consultation
With so many changes set to rock the vaping industry in the next few years, we’re sure to see a lot of high-profile debate and, hopefully, consultation about the various policies. From flavour restrictions to legislations around the display of vapes in shops and their packaging, there is a lot to be discussed in the new Tobacco and Vapes Bill.
9. We may see vaping surpass smoking in the UK
According to the Global State of Tobacco Harm Reduction (GSTHR), a project from the public health agency Knowledge Action Change (KAC), the UK is expected to be the first country where vaping surpasses smoking in 2025. Using data from the Office of National Statistics (ONS) and the public health charity Action on Smoking and Health (ASH), the researchers estimated that vaping would continue to rise above the 11% recorded in 2024, while smoking would fall to just over 10% in 2025. We’ll be delighted to see more and more people enjoy the health benefits of quitting smoking with the aid of vapes.
Overall, we’re expecting to see an eventful year ahead, with a lot of discussion around the various new legislations and taxes likely to affect the sector. We’re confident that the most popular vaping brands will continue to innovate when it comes to reusable devices and compliant products.
Our predications are based on the data and trends we‘ve noticed in recent months and we’ll continue to share the latest news as and when it occurs. Be sure to keep an eye on our blog and browse our range of constantly updated new vapes.
