Vape innovation to ‘slow’ due to COVID-19

The impact of the coronavirus pandemic could have a huge effect on manufacturers’ plans for updating their portfolios this year, a leading industry figure has suggested.

With the impending menthol ban arriving within weeks, Vape Business understands many suppliers had originally planned major updates to their product portfolios during 2020.

But John Dunne, director of the UK Vaping Industry Association (UKVIA) says these launches could be put on hold as businesses focus on delivering core range products without interruption.

In an exclusive interview with Vape Business, Dunne said: “What we’re likely to find is that there will be a focus on getting existing products to market and there is going to be a slowdown in newer products you’ll see coming on to the market.”

Despite this, Dunne said that the industry remained fully able to meet the demands of UK vapers and retailers in the months ahead.

“It’s a novel challenge. What we do know is that our supply chains are strong and in some cases we have suppliers repurposing their factories to make essential items such as hand gels,” Dunne said.