With vaping becoming the popular culture and lifestyle worldwide, don't you think there should be relevant events to celebrate the success and guide the new leaves? Well, believe it or not, such events have been happening for years! And if you've missed out on attending any of them, there's an opportunity to attend an upcoming exhibition in the UK. 

But before we reveal the details of it, how about going back in time and overlooking the history of such local events or when they became such a social affair, or what exactly happens in these events anyway? Luckily, we're about to answer all these questions and much more, so start reading this blog now! 

Vaping Popularity & Trends: From Ancient Times To Modern

Vaping didn't get this much popularity overnight. Instead, there's a lot of dedication and hard work behind labelling it a safer smoke-cessation tool. And to give you a brief of such an evolution, we've listed a few points; 

• Ancient Roots

The concept of inhaling vapours dates back to ancient civilisations. For example, in ancient Egypt, people would heat herbs and oils to produce aromatic vapours for rituals and relaxation.

• Early Devices

While smoking was quite popular, Herbert A. Gilbert proposed the first patent related to a smokeless, non-tobacco cigarette in the 1960s. However, this invention did not gain widespread attention.

• E-Cigarettes

Moving on, in the early 2000s, Chinese pharmacist Hon Lik invented the modern e-cigarette. His motivation was to find a less harmful alternative to smoking. Thus, his designed device used a battery-powered heating element to vaporise a liquid solution containing nicotine.

• Global Spread

E-cigarettes gained popularity globally in the following years, especially in the 2010s. They were marketed as a safer alternative to traditional cigarettes, with the idea of reducing the harm associated with smoking.

• Modern Trends

The vaping subculture emerged, with enthusiasts creating customised devices, experimenting with flavours, and participating in cloud-chasing competitions to produce huge vapour clouds. Further, the introduction of flavoured e-liquids contributed to the diversification of the market, appealing to a broader range of users.

• Pod Systems & Nicotine Salts

In the mid-2010s, pod-based systems gained popularity. These devices, like the JUUL, offered a convenient and discreet way to vape, using nicotine salts for a smoother experience.

• CBD & THC Vaping

The popularity of vaping extended beyond nicotine to include the use of cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) for both medicinal and recreational purposes.

• AI-Infused Modernity

While the government is looking for ways to limit vaping access to the underage population, we can't deny the modern advancement and endless customisation features in vape devices. Further, with the increasing infusion of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in wearables, we can expect such integration in certain vape devices as well.

• Current Challenges

As vaping gained popularity, concerns about the safety of e-cigarettes and their potential appeal to children and teenagers have led to increased regulatory scrutiny. Thus, several countries, including the UK and Australia, have implemented restrictions on advertising, sales to minors, and flavourings, and a ban on disposable vapes.

The History Of Vape Events (Late 2000’s - 2019)

So, before all the hype started here, vaping was sort of on the edges of cool for a while. Then, in the late 2000s, bam! E-cigarettes became crazy popular in the US, and that's when things got interesting. 

Thus, those vape events were no less than epic Tomorrowland festivals. And one event, i.e., VapeFest in Virginia, became popular in the news, and soon everyone caught wind of such a trend.

After the US, the vapers all over the UK jumped on the bandwagon as well, and so the event was renamed VapeFest UK, gathering over 70 people during the first show. As predicted, everyone in Great Britain adopted this trend and vape events started happening everywhere.

Later, in 2015, these gatherings went from pub hangouts to full-blown events. The first-ever Vape Jam in London was like the Woodstock of vaping, bringing together thousands of vape enthusiasts from all corners of the UK. It was massive! However, the global pandemic did cause a gap in the timeline; nevertheless, we're back to enjoying these events more than ever!

The Vaper Expo UK 2023 & 2024

The Vaper Expo UK stands out as Europe's largest and most significant vaping event, serving as the essential gathering for manufacturers, suppliers, and distributors across the UK, Europe, and beyond. 

Held at NEC Birmingham every May and October, the event gathers around prominent vape players in the industry, serving as the main platform for launching innovative products and services.

And since it's positioned as the central European hub for the vaping community, the expo attracts a diverse audience of trade and consumer visitors from around the world.

Further, people connect with like-minded individuals to explore an extensive range of new vape products and experience the latest liquids and equipment firsthand. And the best part? The event takes place annually and becomes a B2B day for consumers looking for networking and trading.

Though the 2023 shows have already been celebrated, the tickets are now open for the May 2024 exhibition, which you shouldn't miss out on at all! So, go and grab the passes now!

What To Expect In The Expo Event?

Now, it's okay to be curious about what will happen in the event, especially if you've never been a part of it. For instance, you can get in the queue and meet celebrities representing renowned vape brands like Vaping Bogan, Phil Busardo, and Dimitris Agrafiotis. For accurate insight, you can explore the official website and get a list of all the guests. 

Besides these guys, there's an expectant arrival of heavyweights like Smok, Lost Vape, Vapefly, Vaporesso, Innokin, Voopoo, OXVA, and other confirmed attendees.

Further, you can dive deep into the vape wonderland booths and get a firsthand preview of cutting-edge devices, disposable vapes, and chamber of e-liquids to Heat Not Burn (HNB) devices, CBD products, and even a dedicated space for DIY coil enthusiasts and skilled builders ready to craft your RDA/RTA.

And the festivities don't stop there! You can also enjoy a vibrant main stage for enjoyment and receive exciting giveaways. Lastly, as such events seem bland without food, you can check out numerous food stalls and bars scattered throughout the halls and make the most of your Vaper Expo experience!

Looking For The Tickets?

As hinted earlier, you can buy the tickets for the 2024 Vaper Expo event at the official Vaper Expo website. And the recent upgrade is you can also avail yourself of the lifetime reusable passes. Though this decision is still in the works, and you've got to wait for a while, the future is surely bright and fantastic! 

And this was all in this exciting vape event evolution guide. We hope you enjoyed reading this and are as excited as we are to get those tickets! Good luck!