Under persistent gray skies, Blackburn, once renowned as the world’s cotton weaving capital, now finds itself at the center of an unexpected industry: electronic cigarettes. The Lancashire town has emerged as what some describe as Europe’s vape capital, hosting a cluster of companies manufacturing millions of vaping products annually. This burgeoning sector has provided a boost to the local economy, employing over 2,000 people across various roles, from laboratory scientists to production line workers, and generating annual sales exceeding half a billion pounds.
Blackburn’s transformation into a vaping industry hub is credited in large part to pioneering local entrepreneur Jason Cropper. With a background that includes service in the Royal Navy and a post-military degree in homeopathic medicine, Cropper introduced e-cigarettes to the UK market in 2007 through his company Totally Wicked, which has become one of Europe’s largest independently owned vape firms. The company’s headquarters, encompassing offices, laboratories, production, and retail outlet, operate near the historic industrial heart of Blackburn, symbolizing the town’s shift from cotton manufacturing to vaping innovation. Totally Wicked employs around 400 staff and was acquired last year by Chinese vape manufacturer RLX Technology.
Other businesses, such as Flavour Warehouse, also contribute significantly to the sector, employing over 500 people with annual revenues exceeding £160 million. Local officials, including Phil Riley, leader of Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council, highlight the vape industry as a key source of employment and investment, particularly at a time when many former industrial towns grapple with economic decline.
Despite the economic benefits, public opinion in Blackburn remains divided. While some see the vaping industry as fostering entrepreneurship and innovation reminiscent of the town’s industrial past, concerns have been raised about the health implications and social consequences associated with e-cigarettes, particularly among youth. A report released recently indicated that more than half of surveyed schoolchildren in Blackburn have used nicotine vapes, with nearly 28% admitting to using drug-laced devices containing substances such as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) or synthetic cannabinoids commonly known as Spice. The latter carries significant health risks and has caused alarm among parents and foster carers.
Charity workers dealing with youth substance abuse, such as Janine Day of Early Break, emphasize that vapes are increasingly accessible to minors, with some vape shops reportedly selling to underage buyers. The appealing flavors—which include names like cherry ice, bubble gum, and pink lemonade—are believed to contribute to youth uptake, provoking calls for improved education and parenting to discourage early vaping.
Industry representatives acknowledge these challenges while maintaining their position on vaping as a harm reduction tool. Totally Wicked’s technical director, Liam Humberstone, stresses the company’s collaboration with quit-smoking services and references NHS guidance, which considers nicotine vaping significantly less harmful than smoking traditional cigarettes. He cautions against youth uptake but underscores the relative toxicity difference between vaping and smoking tobacco.
Meanwhile, local attitudes reflect a mix of skepticism and resignation. Some residents express concerns about the unknown long-term effects of vaping and the replacement of traditional cigarette habits with what they view as another form of addiction. Others, such as Simon Brierley of the East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, recognize the industry’s role in sustaining local employment and attracting investment, aligning it with the region’s historical strengths in entrepreneurship and trade.
As Blackburn navigates this complex economic and social landscape, the town’s identity appears to be evolving—shaped not by spinning looms, but by the proliferation of vape products that now mark its economic terrain.