The poll estimates that 29 percent of all registered voters vaped in the past 30 days. That is a significant part of the voting population that should be listened to by lawmakers and candidates. Of those, 51 percent vape daily and 54 percent no longer use combustible tobacco products like cigarettes and cigars.
Of the registered voters who vape that were surveyed by HarrisX, 68 percent said they are somewhat or very likely to vote for a candidate based solely on their alignment on vaping issues. Among those who identify as Democrats, even a higher percentage—79 percent—said they would be likely to base votes on vaping policies alone.
Voters who vape remain mostly loyal to their parties
However, vapers identifying with the two major parties remain mostly loyal to their tribes. Democrats who vaped in the past 30 days widely approve of President Joe Biden’s performance (88 percent versus 30 percent for Republican vapers). And most vapers from both parties said they would probably vote for congressional candidates from their own parties (Dems 94 percent, Republicans 87 percent).
The survey was conducted in early October by HarrisX, polling 1,519 registered voters who used vaping products in the past 30 days. It has a sampling error of plus or minus 2.5 percentage points. According to HarrisX, the results “were weighted for gender, age, income, race/ethnicity, education, and political party within the US, where necessary to align them with their actual proportions in each national population.”
The poll was commissioned by Americans for Tax Reform (ATR), a conservative organization that promotes lower taxes and limiting the government’s power to tax. ATR, which has supported vaping for years. also commissioned a poll of vapers in 2019 to illustrate to President Donald Trump the political risk he would take by banning flavored vaping products. ATR is also sponsoring the current We Vape We Vote ‘22 Tour.
More Republicans oppose restrictions than Democrats, but it’s close
An amazing 48 percent of all vaping voters are in favor of banning internet sales of vapor products, with Democrats more supportive (58 percent) than Republicans (37 percent). Much closer, but still disturbing, 44 percent of those polled support a ban on vape flavors, including 51 percent of Democrats and 39 percent of Republicans.
Some of the responses regarding specific policy positions reflect Republicans’ general mistrust of (and Democrats’ support for) regulation by federal agencies, but a significant chunk of the Republican vaper population is also surprisingly supportive of restrictive rules.
"Most people who vape are just as susceptible as the general population to the misinformation that rules the public discourse around vaping."
If we did a scientific poll of Vaping360 readers—or vaping advocates on Twitter, or CASAA members—the results would probably be much different. But even most frequent vapers don't think of themselves as vapers, in the sense of being part of a movement, and they're not especially well-informed on the issues around vaping, or politically active on behalf of vapers' rights. Most people who vape are just as susceptible as the general population to the misinformation that rules the public discourse around vaping.
However, they know that they like vaping. And they intend to keep doing it—even if lawmakers and regulators try to prevent them.
29% of vapers would defy a flavor ban and buy illegal products
Reacting to the statement “The government should not create obstacles, like e-vapor product taxes and restrictions, for adults who want to use an alternative to cigarettes,” a whopping 83 percent of past-30 day vapers strongly or somewhat agree, including 86 percent of Democrats and 80 percent of Republicans. And 84 percent agreed that the government should not be able to take away an adult’s right to enjoy a legal product.
What will they do if the government does try to eliminate their vaping options? If Congress or the FDA were to ban flavored vaping products, 21 percent said they would use “unflavored” (which presumably includes tobacco-flavored) vapes. Another 31 percent said they would switch to tobacco products (a group that probably includes many of the 46 percent that still smoke).
But 29 percent answered that they would “find another way” to get flavored products. That other way is participating in a black market.
"Nearly a third of registered voters who vape---about 10 percent of the whole voting population---are willing to defy any federal ban of flavored vaping products."
The disposable vape market is now approaching the size of the legitimate market in the convenience store/gas station segment. If Congress or the FDA were to ban flavors outright, demand for flavored products would not go away. Rather, the gray and black markets would quickly expand to fill the need.
Candidates for Congress should take note of that survey response. Nearly a third of registered voters who vape—about 10 percent of the whole voting population—are willing to defy any federal ban of flavored vaping products.
Whatever a candidate’s personal beliefs about vaping may be, ignoring the reality that a large portion of the public is willing to ignore the law and participate in an illegal enterprise to get flavored products should give them pause when it comes to passing laws. Congress should accept reality and recognize the desires of this significant group of constituents.
Jim McDonald
Vaping for: 13 years
Favorite products:
Favorite flavors: RY4-style tobaccos, fruits
Expertise in: Political and legal challenges, tobacco control haters, moral panics
Jim McDonald
Smokers created vaping without help from the tobacco industry or anti-smoking crusaders, and I believe vapers have the right to continue innovating to help themselves. My goal is to provide clear, honest information about the challenges vaping faces from lawmakers, regulators, and brokers of disinformation. I’m a member of the CASAA board, but my opinions aren’t necessarily CASAA’s, and vice versa. You can find me on Twitter @whycherrywhy
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