The article “E-cigarettes: Kodak Moment” describes the potential of e-cigarettes in the tobacco industry. Although governments all around the world are pending to place regulations and restrictions, “the staid tobacco industry is beginning to wonder if it is reaching a “Kodak moment”, its version of the point at which the world’s leading maker of camera film realised that consumers had gone digital, and it was too late to chase them” (para. 8).
On surface value, it is obvious that e-cigarettes provide a more health-conscious alternative to cancer-inducing cigarettes. However, we must think about the effect on the industry as a whole; what does this mean for those who are already in the tobacco business? Depending on the barriers, businesses may be able to leave or realign their business strategies towards e-cigarette development and sales. Predictions state that e-cigarettes could completely take over within the next five years. Those who are quick to react will be able to develop standardized, well-developed, and highly-tested products. In a sense, it is like a smartphone battle.
Needless to say, there is a huge global market for e-cigarettes; hopefully, the government will let the invisible hand act and we will see just how the new technology will revolutionize the industry.
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