The first e-cigarette exhibition in Pakistan, the ANTY Pakistan Vape Show, is scheduled to take place on October 18-19, 2024, at the Islamabad Serena Hotel, the capital of Pakistan.
Pakistan has a vast tobacco consumption market, covering an area of 796,000 square kilometers and with a population of 236 million. The country has a rich tobacco culture. According to the latest data, there are approximately 46 million smokers in Pakistan, accounting for nearly 20% of the population.
With the continuous global spread of e-cigarettes, the growth potential of the e-cigarette market in Pakistan is enormous. According to data from China’s General Administration of Customs, in 2022, China’s e-cigarette exports to Pakistan amounted to about $5.13 million. In 2023, the export value was approximately $7.61 million, an increase of over 48%. It is expected to exceed $10 million in 2024.
Policy-wise, Pakistan currently has no clear regulations on e-cigarettes. At present, many brands have already emerged in the Pakistani e-cigarette market, including UNO, VUSE, ELFBAR, RELX, Tokyo, ARTISAN, and E-ELITE.
In terms of e-cigarette user demographics, about 30% are disposable vape users, while 70% use pod systems and open-system e-cigarettes. The typical cartridge capacity is 2ml, with nicotine content ranging from 3% to 5%. The best-selling flavors include mint and various fruit flavors such as strawberry, watermelon, and mango. Sales channels are primarily specialty stores, though some brands also stock their products in 3C digital stores.
In terms of consumer demand, cigarette taxes in Pakistan have increased in recent years, leading to a continuous rise in retail prices and a significant decline in cigarette sales. As a result, more and more Pakistanis are switching to e-cigarettes, smokeless tobacco, and other new tobacco products. It is expected that the market for new tobacco products in Pakistan will continue to grow, with an anticipated increase of over 150% by 2030, indicating a promising development outlook.
