The growth in the £1billion vaping industry has largely been driven by the efforts of SME
vaping businesses, which have created significant numbers of jobs, many of them high
skilled, across the UK. This means that, as well as helping millions of smokers to quit
smoking, vaping is also contributing significantly to the UK economy. In particular, vaping
has been one of the only bright spots for the UK’s struggling high streets; a 2018 report
found that the number of vape shops in the UK has doubled in the last three years to more
than 2000.

Hosted by UKVIA and SME4Labour, this fringe reception will combine industry leaders,
regulators and policymakers to discuss what more can be done to encourage future growth
in the industry and will also celebrate the success of one of the UK’s most entrepreneurial
consumer sectors.

Speakers: 

James Dunworth, UKVIA Member and Director at E-Cigarette Direct

Bill Esterson MP, Shadow Small Business Minister

Chi Onwurah MP, Shadow Minister for Industrial Strategy, Science & Innovation