Recent data names Blackburn as vaping capital of the UK

The British government has recently declared a ban disposable vapes, a ban that may upset many in the borough.

The data comes from mapping the number of vape stores across the country, and Blackburn came out on top against much larger cities such as London.

Compiled by online vape store Go Smoke Free, the data shows the town has at least 27 registered vape retailers catering to a population of 119,707 residents.

This represents around 22.56 vape shops per 100,000 people in the town.

The second, third and fourth places for vape stores went to neighbouring areas such as Bolton, Manchester and Middlesbrough respectively.  

The rest of the top 10 included Salford, Stockport, Doncaster, Newport, Peterborough and Nottingham. 

A spokesperson for Go Smoke Free said: “Disposable vapes have gained popularity in recent years, due to their convenience, portability and low cost, which has made them an attractive option for those who would otherwise have been unlikely to invest in a more complex vaping setup.

“The new disposable vape ban should help to discourage children from taking up vaping, while encouraging adults to shift to more sustainable alternatives, such as refillable vapes.

“This study highlights which areas of the UK are most likely to be affected by the upcoming ban on selling disposable vapes.’

“The [North West] boasts its fair share of stores catering to vapers’ needs, with Blackburn, Bolton and the city of Manchester claiming the top three spots.

“These cities could see a significant shift in their vaping culture, with the ban impacting consumer behaviour, and existing vape retailers adapting their offerings to cater to the new legislation.”

Online vape store Go Smoke Free used the Companies House advanced search feature to find businesses registered for the retail sale of tobacco products in specialised stores.

The number of these active businesses was then compared to each town or city’s population size.

Dr Greg Vida, senior surgeon at Harley Street Hair Clinic, said: “While vaping was originally seen as a healthier alternative to smoking, now more and more of its negative effects are coming to light.

“The most well known are their addictive properties and harmful impacts on lungs and cardiovascular health.”