How Brexit Could Elevate The E-Cig Industry

While Brexit is many things to many people, manufacturers and distributors of electronic cigarettes and related nicotine infused vaping products could see benefit from the highly controversial departure of the United Kingdom (UK) from the European Union (EU).

Even though the e-liquid that fuels modern e-cigs contains nicotine, which is derived from tobacco, but not tobacco itself, it’s still regulated under the EU’s Tobacco Products Directive (TPD). However, with Brexit well underway and the UK scheduled to leave the EU on March 29, 2019, TPD regulations will no longer apply. But does this mean for the electronic cigarette industry?

Following Brexit, UK ministers will have the opportunity to dramatically diminish regulations imposed by the EU on vaping products. These existing regulations, the result of the TPD, limit not only the size of nicotine refills, but also their strength. Subsequently, e-cig manufacturers may have the opportunity to increase the potency and volume of their cartridges, leaving wholesalers and retailers with more products to sell to customers.

According to the UK Vaping Industry Association’s head, Christian Mulcahy, this potential deregulation of the e-cig industry could lead to more current cigarette smokers giving up the smoke in favor of vapor, The Telegraph reports.

Whatever the case, one thing is for sure: the United Kingdom, in regards to the European Union, is on its way out the door.

On June 23, 2016, UK voters cast their votes in favor of abandoning the EU. Subsequently, the UK government invoked article 50 of the Treaty on the European Union. Presently, the date of their departure from the EU is set for March 29, 2019. What exactly the results of this departure will be remain unclear at this time, however, as some vape companies are surely hoping, it could result in deregulation that could prove to be favorable to the UK vapor industry.