Vaping and Music Festivals.

For a variety of reasons, the adoption of vaping as a preference to cigarette smoking in the last decade has been increasing. *The global e-cigarette and vape market size was valued at USD 22.45 billion in 2022 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 30.6% from 2023 to 2030. How does this rise in vaping impact on the music festival sector?

The vaping sector is a developing industry with a bewildering array of products available and a regulatory framework that is trying to catch up. Vaping is generally accepted in North America and Europe in preference to cigarette smoking as it is perceived as less harmful and annoying to others as well as being considerably cheaper that traditional smoking. Vaping requires some key components that include a battery powered electronic device to heat a coil and liquid. The devices used can be disposable, but most are rechargeable and account for the highest share of more than 43.35% in 2022*.

Rules and Regulations.
In Europe and North America, the same rules for traditional cigarette smoking apply equally to vaping and e-cigarettes. This will usually mean that indoor areas and public spaces will not allow vaping with some slight variations depending on specific local rules. As most music festivals take place outdoors vaping is accepted along with cigarette smoking but some organisers insist on this taking place in designated smoking zones. For anyone travelling overseas for their summer music festival fix it is worthwhile checking the prevailing rules and regulations. The countries that have already banned e-cigarettes and any vaping include Argentina, Brazil, Nepal, Thailand, Singapore and Bhutan.

Health Risks.
Many cigarette smokers have switched to vaping with a view to quitting smoking altogether or as a healthier option. However, the exact impact of vaping on an individual's heath is still being researched but it is generally accepted that vaping still contains the addictive element of nicotine along with chemical compounds in both e-liquids and aerosols that are often labelled as harmful, toxic, and cancer-causing. A possible benefit of vaping to non-smokers is that the aerosol emitted may not be as harmful as traditional second-hand smoke however, studies have found that second-hand exposure to vaping may raise nicotine levels in the bloodstream to rates similar to the levels found with second-hand smoke.

Disposal. 
Festival-goers who intend to use e-cigarettes during a festival should be considerate when vaping and manage responsible disposal. Disposable devices contain batteries and other trace toxic chemicals and should be disposed of appropriately, if in doubt take used devices and empty liquid bottles home and do not leave them on the festival site. If there is an on-site vaping vendor, they will probably be able to provide disposal facilities but it's worth checking prior to travel.

Packing for a Festival. 
Festival-goers who regularly vape and intend to do so at a music festival should plan appropriately. Packing sufficient liquids to last for the event duration is common sense and it’s worth having extra coils too. Rechargeable devices are preferred by most and recharging facilities are widely available on festival sites. As a back-up plan it may be worth packing some disposable vaping devices should liquid run out or devices get lost.

For festival organisers planning their events using a software management platform like Festival Pro gives them all the functionality they need manage every aspect of their event logistics. The guys who are responsible for this software have been in the front line of event management for many years and the features are built from that experience and are performance artists themselves. The Festival Pro platform is easy to use and has comprehensive features with specific modules for managing artists, contractors, venues/stages, vendors, volunteers, sponsors, guestlists, ticketing, cashless payments and contactless ordering.

*Data source: Grand View Research
Photo by Eduardo Lempo via Pexels

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