In light of impending FDA regulations, the vaping industry should be suffering. But in fact, it’s not — which is a testimony to the importance of electronic cigarettes and vaping products to the US public. Sales continue to double yearly while smoking becomes less popular. Maybe e cigs aren’t good for the tobacco industry, but they are excellent for the US economy in manifold ways.

Vaping for a Strong Economy

When seen through the eyes of small businesses and individuals, one realizes how important this relatively new industry is to the pocket books of average Americans. People vape for numerous reasons: a smoking alternative, have fun, and because they are inquisitive.

Their interest in the industry has led to a boom in small businesses. Every major city is home to several vape shops. These stores often replace empty commercial space where companies thrived for a while but lost footing when the US economy stumbled.

When buildings are empty, they affect the way consumers see other stores in the same location. Commercial areas resembling ghost towns don’t attract customers the way a bustling hot spot full of parked cars and “open” signs does.

A number of independent convenience stores and garages are enjoying greater profits through their sales of disposable e cigs. Most people are introduced to e cigs through these products.

Returning Veterans

A lot of vape stores are run by veterans who came home from active service to find there were no jobs for them. Returning to civilian life was hard enough, especially if they planned to quit smoking too. Vaping gave them a way to give up cigs and to make a living for themselves and their families.

E Liquid

E cigs have led to the formation of many tiny businesses making e liquid in small batches, sometimes so small they only take orders on certain days until a certain time. After that, customers have to wait a few more days before trying to place an order before they sell out again.

Some consumers are supplementing their incomes by making e liquid; some make enough to quit their day jobs. Certain businesses operate labs and factories for making e liquid on US soil where they employ several people including chemists and culinary experts.

Spreading the Money Around

While reviving their own hopes for prosperity, business owners are able to share their success with a variety of people directly and indirectly. First are their employees: people hired to work in the shop or warehouse, dealing directly with customers online or at a physical location. Then, there are shipping companies which handle parcels mailed to online customers. Thirdly, numerous businesses appear to have hired web designers judging by the professional quality of their web pages. Vape shops support e liquid artisans and even, sometimes, American manufacturing of items such as hand-blown glass drip tips and CNC-machined American mods.

When a business makes e liquid, owners have to buy bottles and ingredients such as flavorings, propylene glycol, vegetable glycerin, and nicotine. Many companies choose to purchase only American-made ingredients, thus benefiting industries like flavor manufacturers otherwise associated with baking, cooking, or confectionery supplies. Their profit margins are also expanding, thanks to a field they might not have been interested in otherwise.

Within a community, the non-smokers and non-vapers think all of this is great for vapers alone, but they fail to see the bigger picture. Consumers who now have jobs and run businesses are able to pay more taxes and have more disposable income. They spend it in other local stores selling everything from bedding to perfume. There’s even more good news, too, thanks to one important benefit of vaping.

Saving Money, Spending Money

Cigarettes are more expensive than e cigs if e cigs are used to replace cigarettes and do not become a costly obsession. When consumers make the switch, they have more money available to go out for meals, purchase nice clothes, and renovate their homes. The savings can be so significant as to pay for major purchases like a new roof, fancy landscaping, or a piece of furniture. Everyone in a small community benefits from the growth of this exciting industry.

And those communities come together at conventions where they continue to support local economies. Hotels benefit from hosting conventions and putting up guests. Restaurant profits increase. The potential for e cigs to positively influence the economy seems endless.