2022 E-cigarette Industry Blue Book: Export Trends and Analysis

Jun.15.2022
2022 E-cigarette Industry Blue Book: Export Trends and Analysis
2FIRSTS Technology CEO Guo Xiaoyu released the "2022 e-cigarette Export Blue Book" at the industry conference in Shenzhen on June 15, 2022.

On June 15, 2022, at the "6th Conference on Standardized Development and Promotion of the e-cigarette Industry and the First Export Service Development Conference" held in Bao'an, Shenzhen, Guo Xiaoyu, Co-founder and Chief Operating Officer of Shenzhen 2FIRSTS Technology Co., Ltd., officially unveiled the "2022 E-cigarette Industry Export Blue Book" (hereinafter referred to as the "Blue Book"), a joint production of the e-cigarette Professional Committee of China Electronic Commerce Association and 2FIRSTS.

2022 E-cigarette Industry Blue Book: Export Trends and Analysis


The Blue Book provides a comprehensive description of the e-cigarette industry, focusing on aspects such as industry scale, employment, exports, markets, and patents. It is divided into six chapters: an overview of e-cigarette exports, an overview of the e-cigarette export industry, a global overview of e-cigarette consumption, opportunities and challenges, main markets, and the Fog Valley Award.

2022 E-cigarette Industry Blue Book: Export Trends and Analysis


The preparation of this "Blue Book" took one month. The team interviewed over 20 entrepreneurs and conducted site visits to over 50 companies. Through various forms such as research, interviews, seminars, data crawling, and investigation of third-party databases, they obtained industry data and gained an understanding of the actual operation situation. The reliability of the data was further verified by industry experts.

2022 E-cigarette Industry Blue Book: Export Trends and Analysis


According to a report, the global e-cigarette market is projected to surpass $108 billion in 2022. Additionally, it is anticipated that the overseas e-cigarette market will maintain a growth rate of 35% in 2022, reaching a total market size of over $100 billion. In terms of exports, it is expected that the total value of e-cigarette exports in 2022 will reach 186.7 billion RMB, with a growth rate estimated at 35%.

2022 E-cigarette Industry Blue Book: Export Trends and Analysis


There are currently over 1,500 e-cigarette manufacturing and brand companies, with more than 70% of them primarily exporting their products overseas. The e-cigarette supply chain and related service companies amount to nearly 100,000. In terms of patents, domestic e-cigarette patents are mainly concentrated in the field of liquid e-cigarettes. From 2012 to 2021, a total of 28,838 patent applications were filed domestically, with liquid e-cigarette patents accounting for 93.0% of them, totaling 25,954. The majority of e-cigarette patent applications have emerged in the past three years. Over the past three years, the number of patent applications has been consistently above 5,000 per year. Since the fourth quarter of 2021, the monthly number of patent applications has been increasing. It is expected that the total number of patent applications in 2022 will exceed 7,000.

2022 E-cigarette Industry Blue Book: Export Trends and Analysis


In addition to providing reliable data, the "Bluebook" also offers a detailed analysis of various aspects of the e-cigarette industry. In terms of the export industry overview of e-cigarettes, the Greater Bay Area covers the entire e-cigarette supply chain, with a notable surge in e-cigarette patents and a significant increase in appearance patents. Regarding global e-cigarette consumption, there is an apparent trend towards diversification, and the consumption of new tobacco products is expected to be a major growth point in the tobacco industry's future. The United States stands as the largest single market globally, with a clear influence on consumption patterns, while EU countries are expected to achieve a rapid increase in e-cigarette penetration. As for opportunities and challenges, 2FIRSTS, led by renowned entrepreneurs in the industry, held a discussion forum to strategically assess the current state of the sector and provide methods for efficiently expanding into overseas markets. In terms of key markets, the regulatory framework for e-cigarettes in the global arena follows a federal approach in the European Union, the United States, and Canada. However, in Southeast Asia and the Middle East, most countries tend to impose a ban on e-cigarettes, directly prohibiting their import and sale to curb their distribution at the source.


The "Blue Book" offers a comprehensive and objective understanding of the current state and future of the Chinese e-cigarette industry, serving as a professional reference manual with a meticulous perspective.


Scan the QR code to contact our staff for inquiries regarding the purchase of the "2022 E-cigarette Industry Export Blue Book.


Editor: Wang Siyu


We welcome news tips, article submissions, interview requests, or comments on this piece.

Please contact us at info@2firsts.com, or reach out to Alan Zhao, CEO of 2Firsts, on LinkedIn


Notice

1.  This article is intended solely for professional research purposes related to industry, technology, and policy. Any references to brands or products are made purely for objective description and do not constitute any form of endorsement, recommendation, or promotion by 2Firsts.

2.  The use of nicotine-containing products — including, but not limited to, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, nicotine pouchand heated tobacco products — carries significant health risks. Users are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions.

3.  This article is not intended to serve as the basis for any investment decisions or financial advice. 2Firsts assumes no direct or indirect liability for any inaccuracies or errors in the content.

4.  Access to this article is strictly prohibited for individuals below the legal age in their jurisdiction.

 

Copyright

 

This article is either an original work created by 2Firsts or a reproduction from third-party sources with proper attribution. All copyrights and usage rights belong to 2Firsts or the original content provider. Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or any other form of unauthorized use by any individual or organization is strictly prohibited. Violators will be held legally accountable.

For copyright-related inquiries, please contact: info@2firsts.com

 

AI Assistance Disclaimer

 

This article may have been enhanced using AI tools to improve translation and editorial efficiency. However, due to technical limitations, inaccuracies may occur. Readers are encouraged to refer to the cited sources for the most accurate information.

We welcome any corrections or feedback. Please contact us at: info@2firsts.com

Virginia Tightens Vape and Tobacco Retail Enforcement, With Fines Up to $15,000 Per Unlisted Product
Virginia Tightens Vape and Tobacco Retail Enforcement, With Fines Up to $15,000 Per Unlisted Product
A new Virginia law that took effect on July 1, 2026, requires retailers to obtain permits to sell liquid nicotine, vape and tobacco products, while directing Virginia ABC to conduct inspections and verify that stores sell only products listed in the state directory.
Jul.20
VEEV Arrives in South Korea, Completing PMI’s IQOS-ZYN-VEEV Portfolio
VEEV Arrives in South Korea, Completing PMI’s IQOS-ZYN-VEEV Portfolio
Philip Morris Korea has officially launched its VEEV e-vapor brand in South Korea, introducing both the VEEV inPRIME device and VEEBI inPRIME pods. The launch further expands PMI’s smoke-free portfolio in Korea, alongside its IQOS heated tobacco products and ZYN nicotine pouches.
Jun.16
2Firsts Data | China’s Vape Exports Rise 3.1% in H1 2026 as 6-Methyl Nicotine-Related Products Surge 65.2%
2Firsts Data | China’s Vape Exports Rise 3.1% in H1 2026 as 6-Methyl Nicotine-Related Products Surge 65.2%
China’s vape exports showed resilience in the first half of 2026 after a short-term shock from China’s export rebate adjustment. But customs data points to more than a simple recovery: the structure of growth is changing. Vaping devices and atomization hardware emerged as the strongest growth driver, while nicotine-containing vaping products remained broadly stable. Meanwhile, nicotine substitute-related products represented by 6-methyl nicotine expanded rapidly, becoming a new category to watch for both industry and regulators. After the U.S. market went through a cycle of shortages, replenishment and inventory rebuilding in 2025, China’s vape supply chain is entering a new phase of reallocation.
Special Report
Jul.20
Canada Vape Enforcement Action Puts VAPME Website, Trademark and China Supply-Chain Links in Focus
Canada Vape Enforcement Action Puts VAPME Website, Trademark and China Supply-Chain Links in Focus
Quebec police seized about 300,000 suspected illegal vape products and froze more than C$1.8 million in funds. Local media said vapme.ca, a website selling flavoured vape products, was shut down during the operation.
Regulations
Jun.18
State Registries Are Reshaping U.S. Vape Market Access 2Firsts Interview with U.S. Vapor Manufacturers Association President Allison Boughner
State Registries Are Reshaping U.S. Vape Market Access 2Firsts Interview with U.S. Vapor Manufacturers Association President Allison Boughner
As the U.S. vapor market faces FDA authorizations, import seizures and growing state-level restrictions, AVM President Allison Boughner told 2Firsts that state product registries and white-list systems are having the most immediate impact. She said distributors are placing greater weight on documentation, product origin and supply-chain transparency.
Special Report
May.26
Vape Vending Machine Concerns Rise in German-Speaking Europe as Schools and Age Checks Come Into Focus
Vape Vending Machine Concerns Rise in German-Speaking Europe as Schools and Age Checks Come Into Focus
Recent reports from Germany and Switzerland show growing concern over vape and tobacco vending machines near schools or in public settings, with parents, teachers and residents questioning youth access, age-verification controls and the sale of vapes alongside snacks and drinks.
Jul.06