The world is vaping like never before. Waking up to the dangers of regular smoking and responding with a health-conscious product, electronic cigarettes have evolved hugely in the last 10 years to become advanced and sophisticated, offering products in-line with growing user demand.

Recent findings show that users of e-cigarettes - estimated to be around 2.1m in the UK - mostly identify as smokers (70%) who wean themselves off cigarettes with the use of the vapour-emitting device, while 1% is accounted for by those who have never smoked.  Only 1.8% of children are regular users, the study showed, undermining some publicised misconceptions that the product is encouraging use in young people thanks to 'child-friendly' fruit flavours. With hundreds of flavour combinations and custom-blends available, it's more an issue of finding a flavour that's not available than trying to identify who can be targeted by what's on offer.

The current breed of e-cigarettes is not only providing a safer alternative to smoking than ever before, but it's available in increasingly diverse manifestations. Gone are the days of e-cigarettes that mimicked the look of real cigarettes: nowadays devices are sleek and minimal, and flavour options comprehensive.

As the popularity of vaping has rocketed exponentially in recent times, so has a new subculture. Keen to maximise on the need for users to communicate about the most trustworthy suppliers, best flavours and everything in between, a plethora of internet forums were born eager to host such conversations. Vaping became more than just switching smoking for something less dangerous. It became a lifestyle choice, and vapers proved themselves to be a discerning bunch interested in the latest trends and constantly on the look-out for what's new.  

Invariably armed with a catchy moniker (including Planet of the Vapes), these forums have proved invaluable in allowing intelligent discussion about all facets of vaping. The UK's first vaping convention, Vape Jam, has even been conceived and will run in May, proving both the country's growth in this sector and the need for users and businesses to interact and professionally network in an organised environment have been realised. 

As the vaping scene grew, the next generation of online companies keen to meet the needs of users began to pop up. Vape Club was one: a stockist boasting a dizzying array of gourmet liquids and accessories. Over 300 liquids are listed by the brand, arranged into genres ranging from bakery to desserts, from the weird and wacky (bacon and gingerbread appear in its arsenal) to the more conventional tobacco and mint.

Also proving popular are vapers' own YouTube review channels packed with tutorials, information and first-hand experiences of products new to the market. Scottish reviewers have even happened upon an Irn Bru flavour, showing that it's possible for even the most fervent fizzy pop addicts to get their fix in more unorthodox ways.

Many would argue that judging by the way the e-cigarette market has been so successful and developed in such a far-reaching way in the last two years, the current culture is merely a hint of what's to come. Keeping in mind that it's not just a trend, but a way to recalibrate the nation's attitude to health, vaping seems like a very welcome progression.