How Many Are/Were We?

[DonDaBoomVape]

Would anyone care to guess at the total number of vapers in the U.S. (or the world) and/or the growth rate? Also, does anyone have an idea how many smokers there are?

The reason I ask is that I'm thinking of re-approaching my literary agent to put a book proposal together. I'm thinking: Electronic Cigarettes for Dummies [I'd prefer vaping for Dummies, but I believe that is a lesser-known term to the outside world.]

Now, if anyone who reads this runs off and presents the idea to their agent or a publisher ... I'll bop 'em! [The wink emoticon is there merely to protect me from prosecution for threatening violence ... but there are other means to wreak revenge.]

 

[The Wiz]

Would anyone care to guess at the total number of vapers in the U.S. (or the world) and/or the growth rate? Also, does anyone have an idea how many smokers there are?

The reason I ask is that I'm thinking of re-approaching my literary agent to put a book proposal together. I'm thinking: Electronic Cigarettes for Dummies [I'd prefer vaping for Dummies, but I believe that is a lesser-known term to the outside world.]

Now, if anyone who reads this runs off and presents the idea to their agent or a publisher ... I'll bop 'em! [The wink emoticon is there merely to protect me from prosecution for threatening violence ... but there are other means to wreak revenge.]

I should have a whole chapter dedicated to me in that book Don!!

The Wiz!

 

[JerryRM]

I found you a pic for the cover, Don.

 

[D103]

Excellent idea Don re: the book....I think it would be a success. Regarding number of smokers, I always see reported by a variety of health organizations - 46 million smokers in the U.S. - I don't know how accurate this is or how in the world this figure was ever determined.

 

[DonDaBoomVape]

Thanks, DC103!

The problem with devoting a chapter to you, Wiz, is that I would be at a loss for words. Would you settle for having the book dedicated to you?

Jerry, regarding that photo of Alfred: I always wondered how Paul Newman (and Joanne Woodward) could have such a homely child.

 

[Kobudo]

Excellent idea Don re: the book....I think it would be a success. Regarding number of smokers, I always see reported by a variety of health organizations - 46 million smokers in the U.S. - I don't know how accurate this is or how in the world this figure was ever determined.

I think a well-written and organized book like that will help many people, Don. Your current articles have been the starting point I like to point new people towards who are interested in learning more about what I'm puffing on.

As far as where those numbers come from, it's market research. Basically you hire a company, work out a survey with them, and they gather as many survey responses as it takes to achieve the accuracy you pay for (usually +- 3% for an accurate survey). You can then apply the results to the known number in the total population and extrapolate a close enough number.

Of course, market research is expensive, so it's usually large companies who pay for it and keep the results. For a public health question like smoking, government agencies will perform this type of research and publish the results.