VAPE Magazine Military Special Issue by Matt Schramel

WINTER 2017 SPECIAL ISSUE

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KILOELIQUIDS

NEWS, BUSINESS & CULTURE VAPE Magazine is the only international vaping industry focused magazine with more than 35,000 readership in the United States, Europe and Asia, where vaping professionals

EDITORIAL Publisher Matt Schramel content@vapemz.com 800-958-6427 x2 Editor in Chief Corey Noles Managing Editor Chris Mellides Social Media Manager Eric Vonheim Art Director Van Avazando Graphic Designer Anil Verma

On the Cover Left: Kyle Coenen, Right: Cameron Stubblefield, Kandahar Vape Club

Read more at https://goo.gl/QFc11o

Letter from the Editor Dear readers,

Director of Photography Ezra Zuniga Webmaster Axel Gillespie Contributors Corey Noles, Susan Oser, Norm Bour, Tony Ottomanelli, Chris Mellides, John Castle, Ray Norcross, Todd Richards, Allan Kwasnik ADMINISTRATIVE

Happy Thanksgiving and welcome to another special issue of VAPE Magazine. This November issue, while a bit smaller than our regular edition, focuses entirely on vaping in the military. The decision for this special issue is one that the staff felt was important. With Veteran’s Day falling in November, we felt it was the right time to recognize veterans whose lives were saved by vaping — as well as those who found a new career in the industry after their time of service reached its end. The most surprising thing to all of us was the sheer numbers of veterans who work in this industry every day. Being a journalist, I apologize for not having a hard number to throw out, but trust me when I say it’s more than you might expect. The Battlefield at Home, a piece by writer John Castle, talks extensively with veterans and the roles they play both in the industry and in advocacy. Longtime writer Susan Oser interviewed a variety of veterans who are not a part of the industry, but are hands on involved with the community. We at VAPE Magazine would like to take this opportunity to offer our heartfelt thanks to all veterans — vapers or otherwise — who have served our country. To those who serve our community, we’re honored to have you on the team!

Chief Executive Officer Matt Schramel Co-Owner/Vice President Jon Laverde Executive Assistant Erin Aly ADVERTISING Jon Laverde, jon@vapemz.com 800-958-6427 x4 Jacob Barger, jacob@vapemz.com 949-910-2138 China-based advertisers contact Wingle Group Electronics LTD +852 51759256 dev@winglegroup.com CONTACT Advertising sales@vapemz.com News news@vapemz.com New Products newproducts@vapemz.com

Enjoy the holidays, and, as always, vape on.

Employment jobs@vapemz.com

Corey Noles Editor in Chief

VAPE Magazine is wholly owned by Starpixel Marketing LLC 6209 Mid Rivers Mall Dr,Suite 194 Saint Peters, MO 63304 info@vapemz.com 800-958-6427

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NOVEMBER 2017

Contents columns

FEATURES

Saluting those with Military Connections in the community

Marine Corps Veteran turned E-liquid Company owner shows smokers the way

The Battlefield at Home: Smoking kills Veterans, but Vapers can save them

Vaping as a last resort: How Veterans break the chains of cigarette addiction

EVENTS

Vape Shop Events: Scottsdale Goes live on Facebook!

DEPARTMENTS

Vaping from the outside: Many thanks to our Vets

8 17 36

Letter from The Editor Holiday Gift Guide Vape Visionary: Derek Keefe From Navy Recruit to Youtube Personality

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FEATURES

S a l u t i n g

T h o s e

W i t h

MILITARY Connections I n

T h e

C o m m u n i t y By Susan E. Oser

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Joe

Barnett

Joe Barnett has been a very strong advocate for the vaping industry. He is mostly known for being one of the main people you would see at a vape convention representing Vaping Militia. In addition, he advises shop owners, manufacturers, policy makers and legislators about their proposed vaping laws and ordinances. He has always advocated for the sensible regulation of vaping products. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s what drives him to keep going, despite what is against the community currently. As far as his military background is concerned, he was a submarine sonar tech in the Navy. He served in the Pacific theater, Hawaii, Guam, on the USS Omaha, USS Tunny, USS Aspro, USS Holland, and USS Proteus. A lot of the vets that he served with were smokers in the military. Once he made the switch to vaping as a vet, he knew he found something. And that was five years ago

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FEATURES

A lot of companies are usually featured in the vape community, but usually not the individuals behind them. Some of these people are military veterans who are very active in the community with their activism. Others are just business owners whoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve done well and give back to their fellow vets in the vape community, or the community in general. The following people are ones that I either know or heard a lot of information about, and I think itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s time they deserve a special salute.

FEATURES

WILL

Cohen

Robb “Ohm Punisher” Marshall This name is known pretty well in the vaping community. He’s the Vape-A-Vet guy. His organization was founded in 2013 while he was working for Veterans Services in Phoenix, Arizona. He saw how vaping was helping others, but didn’t see anything available to help veterans do the same. As he states, “smoking is endemic to the military. It’s a part of the culture. So, why not try to change the culture. William is not a vet, but he has family in the military. He always sees how vaping bans hurt not only the greater vaping community, but also the veterans he serves. He also has been called to serve in vaping advocacy. info@vapeavet.org http://www.vapeavet.org

Robb “Ohm Punisher” Marshall smoked two packs a day for many years. It wasn’t until 2013 that he discovered vaping. Robb served his time in the United States Air Force from 2004 to 2011. He is familiar with how big tobacco use is in the military and knows how difficult it is to quit based on his own experiences. While there are programs to help with quitting tobacco, they haven’t worked very well, and he’s hoping that vaping can be that help. In addition, he’s tried everything to get off cigarettes, including going to chewing tobacco to cut down. It wasn’t until he tried a vape from a gas station that he realized vaping was the way to start. In fact, he ended up quitting with his wife. Since he is a disabled vet, Robb has more special needs than most vets, so he’s turned his disability to his advantage and got into the vape business. He currently owns Cloudy Dreamz Vape Shop with his wife, and hosts a vape show on Facebook called Mr. and Mrs. Ohm Punisher. He can be found on Instagram: @ohmpunisher

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FEATURES

JIM

Jim Raines is a veteran of the US Navy. He served in multiple locations as a tech for nuclear powered submarines and other positions connected to nuclear reactor operations.

He was one of the first people youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d see at a vape event along with Joe Barnett and the Vaping Militia crew. He was also one of the first people to create vaping activism shows such as Vaperâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s World View, which lasted for one year from 2013-14. Jim got into vaping with his wife back in 2012 and continues to work with her in

RANES the business. While he is no longer a part of the Vaping Militia, he is still active in the vaping community. Currently he runs Stinky Free which is a web-based business selling premium diacetyl/AP free e-liquid, high quality devices and accessories. It also has deep connections with other companies and organizations who are also strong vape advocates, including Baker White. Professional Bio - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ jamesranes/Website: http://www.stinkyfree.com

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FEATURES

MARINE CORPS

VETERAN OWNER Turned E-liquid Company

Shows Smokers The Way

By Chris Mellides

nspired by his older brother, Paul Roger found himself wanting to join the military and follow in his brother’s footsteps.

A self-proclaimed patriot, Roger decided to enlist in the Marine Corps during a difficult period in his life when he didn’t feel like he was living a fruitful one, instead he felt as though he was merely surviving day-to-day. Roger wanted a change. He needed a change.

“A sense of pride and honor came over me when I thought about earning the title of Marine and serving our country,” Roger said. “I was seeking more purpose out of life and wanted to be a part of our nation’s strongest fighting force. I always aspired to be the best of the best.” The 31-year-old Florida resident’s service record became official on April 28, 2008. Early that year, Roger spent time in the Marine Corps Poolee Program where he met Luis Magdariaga, 30. The two completed recruit training and

Marine combat training together and became best friends. Following his discharge from the Marine Corps, Roger continued to struggle with a cigarette smoking habit he took up when he was just 15 years old. That habit only intensified when he began serving his country overseas. “The truth of the matter is that smoking creates an escape from the stressful and hectic environment sometimes associated with military life,” Roger said. “We all unanimously agree that vaping is a much better alternative to smoking.” Although Roger says that he desperately wanted to put an end to the horrible habit, he simply was unable to, making multiple attempts at trying to quit with no permanent success. “Quitting for me was never in sight,” he said. In 2013, Roger discovered vaping and the “innovative technology” behind it. He regained a sense of hope that this new innovation would end his cigarette addiction and possibly undo the years of damage he had done to his body. He was sick of his clothes reeking of cigarette

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FEATURES

Paul Roger, owner of EZPuff Vapor Labs.

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FEATURES The EZPuff staff. (left to right) Brooke Sanchez, Richard Delapaz, Alex Fernandez, Paul Roger, Caroline Roger, and Luis Magdariaga.

smoke, the bad breath, smelly hands and the trouble breathing.

where they could make a purchase.

“I began to see the light at the end of the tunnel,” Roger said. “Within weeks, I gave up smoking altogether, and began enlightening others on the science of vaping.” Since making the switch to vaping, Roger has reported an increase in his lung capacity and no signs of any shortness of breath. He firmly believes that he now has a substantial decrease in his risk of heart disease, a decreased risk of cancer and a decrease in oxidative stress. After discovering vaping in 2013, Roger decided to put his passion for the industry to use and began delving deeper into market research. He says that upon making the switch, many people he knew would often ask him what vaping was all about, the cost to get started and

With that came the idea to launch his own e-liquid company called, EZPuff Vapor Labs.

“I saw great opportunity in helping others transition from combustible forms of tobacco to vaping. Transitioning from smoking to vaping should be and can be enjoyable,” Roger said.

#VAPEMAGAZINE

31 sampling and test-panel approvals to specifically make certain that the end user will be pleased with their purchase.”

With multiple e-liquid flavors to choose from, the EZPuff line includes flavors from custards, to watermelon bubble gum, coffee and more. All EZPuff e-liquid products are manufactured by experts under strict supervision, in a clean and sterile enclosure utilizing a 3-stage HEPA-Filtration system.

“Each of our flavors are handcrafted in small batches to ensure the utmost precision, consistency, and quality of finished products,” Roger said. “EZPuff Vapor Labs uses a proprietary steeping process along with the finest and freshest ingredients available in the industry.” The EZPuff owner says that the biggest detriment facing the vapor industry today is government overreach and regulation. “We feel proposed regulations are funded by larger corporations seeking to regain market share of customers who have transitioned away from using tobacco products,” he said. When it comes to his own business, Roger sees a “large range of possible difficulties due to over-regulation.”

His company’s mission is to assist those who are still using traditional forms of tobacco products by offering a viable option considered to be a healthier alternative by a large score of respectable medical professionals, according to Roger.

“It can potentially deter future growth, business relations, as well as consume income needed to continue operations,” Roger said. He says that he also realizes that sourcing ingredients, supplies and related materials might one day become a serious issue.

EZPuff has a dedicated staff committed to delivering quality e-liquid flavors using a variety of natural and artificial flavoring concentrates, extracts, essential oils, and emulsions. During the company’s experimental stages Roger’s team was able to discover, which ingredients resulted in the most satisfying and superior products. This ranged from the company’s choice in propylene glycol and vegetable glycerin, along with flavor concentrates and nicotine bases. “We do not sell any products that we personally do not use ourselves,” Roger said. “Each flavor has gone through rigorous

Still, Roger and his staff are unwavering in their commitment to bettering the lives of their clients, while also singing the praises of vaping as a viable alternative to cigarette smoking. “Vaping is considered a healthier alternative by countless respectable medical professionals,” Roger said. “From personal experience and the testimony of thousands more, we would highly recommend making the transition.”

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FEATURES

He added, “All of our products have been tested and approved by our staff flavorists, fellow vapers, and loyal customers.”

DEPARTMENTS

VAPE VISIONARY

DEREK AmbitionZ VapeR

KEEFE

From Navy Recruit To YouTube Personality

By Chris Mellides

ith an interest in seeing the world and the earnest desire to serve his country, Derek Keefe joined a delayed entry program and then shortly after the devastation that befell New York on 9/11, the Boston native shipped off to boot camp. “The reason I went into the military is because of a lot of reasons,” Keefe said. “I wanted to try something different and also help my country fight this terrorism. Best decision I ever made.” Keefe served in the U.S. Navy and was all too familiar with the

tendency for recruits to indulge in cigarette smoking due in large part to the stress involved with their military service. “There are a lot of sailors that smoke in the military,” Keefe said. “It’s because we are very stressed in these circumstances and tomorrow is never guaranteed.” “So, smoking does help with stress. It also gives us an excuse to take a break from what we are doing,” he added. Earlier this year the U.S. Navy began enforcing a policy that effectively banned the use of vapor products on military vessels. Keefe acknowledges the dangers that can stem from a faulty battery or through misuse,

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which can put lives in jeopardy, especially in close quarters.

him a vape device to try. He was instantly drawn in.

“Military is all about politics. If it will hurt them they have to be careful and I think that having vapes on ships could be a safety concern,” Keefe said. “If a young person buys one and doesn’t know how to use it and it explodes on the ship, that could be a very bad situation.”

Since then Keefe says that he has reaped a lot of benefits from vaping. “I don’t smell like crap, I feel better, I don’t get winded easy or get sick, because my immune system is back to 100 percent working order.”

“Regulation is what they need to let it be available on the ship,” he continued. The 35-year-old says that he started smoking at the age of 13 and continued his cigarette habit until he reached 30. Smoking a pack of Newport Reds for much of his adult life, Keefe discovered vaping four years ago when a coworker offered

Determined to explore the various vapor products on the market and to share his knowledge and experiences with those products with an audience, Keefe began uploading videos to YouTube under the name “AmbitionZ VapeR” and garnered a loyal fan base on the popular platform. “There are a lot of misconceptions about vaping and I wanted to help people get

VAPEMZ.COM

KEEFE STARTED CREATING VAPE VIDEOS WITH JUST HIS FACETIME CAMERA AND THINGS QUICKLY GREW FROM THERE. AS HE BEGAN INVESTING IN BETTER EQUIPMENT, THE REASON BEHIND WHY HE FREQUENTLY UPLOADS CONTENT HAS NEVER CHANGED. “I SAW A LOT OF PRODUCTS AND THINGS THAT PEOPLE HAD QUESTIONS ABOUT AND WANTED TO ALSO HELP PEOPLE GET OFF THE SMOKES AND MAKE THE SWITCH TO E-CIGS,” KEEFE SAID. HE ADDED, “I HAVE GAINED BEING A VOICE TO THE PEOPLE AND THE COMMUNITY THAT NEED AN HONEST VOICE ON VAPE PRODUCTS. THERE ARE A LOT OF PRODUCTS AND MY JOB IS TO HELP THEM FIND THE BEST ONES AND TO HELP SOMEONE MAKE THE SWITCH.” Keefe says that finding the time to balance YouTube with a fulltime job and family is challenging and that it often seems as though there aren’t enough hours in the day to tackle the various tasks that he needs to complete.

DEPARTMENTS

it right,” Keefe said. “I also have a background in digital audio and media technology, a bachelor’s in it, and it felt like a perfect fit for me!”

DEPARTMENTS Keefe says that he takes anywhere from 5-10 hours to record, edit and upload a single video to YouTube. “I do all of the editing during my day at work, on the train, at lunch and record at night when I get home from work,” Keefe said. Adding, “My whole life is dedicated to making quality videos for people. You have to sacrifice in order to succeed in life.” Keefe has a deep connection to the vaping community and attends conventions to meet with other reviewers and the fans that serve as his inspiration to keep reviewing products with the utmost honesty in his approach. “I put everything I have into my videos and the bottom line is that

I will tell you like it is. No sugar coating or filter, I am who I am on camera in real life. My priority is helping you. Period!” Keefe exclaimed.

The future of the vape industry is constantly changing, evolving and innovating, according to Keefe, who also believes that someday vaping will overshadow smoking, but that #VAPEMAGAZINE

we have to advocate and continue to work together as a community to meet that end. “Don’t listen to the rumors on TV, vaping is 100 percent safer than smoking,” Keefe said. “I’ve been vaping for four years now and I haven’t felt better since I made the switch.” “Vaping is safer than smoking no matter what Big Tobacco and the pharmaceutical companies say,” he added. “They are losing money on a big industry and we are getting bigger and bigger by the day! Smoking is gone vaping is on, vape on!”

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COLUMNS

By Susan E. Oser or those of you who are vets and/ or are currently serving our country: Thank You. These are probably words that you do not hear very often and even if you do, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s probably not enough. If you are a vet owning a shop, and you have a successful thriving business. Good for you. You deserve it.

#VAPEMAGAZINE

F R O M

T H E

Many Thanks To Our Vets

When I heard that this month’s VAPE Magazine would have a military theme, I felt like I needed to contribute somehow and in some way. This January, I lost a dear friend/ former neighbor to a heart attack. While he didn’t vape, he was a Vietnam Vet and had a heart of gold. He was also infamous for riding his Harley and playing his harmonica while singing the blues. He always did what he felt was right, which is one thing I highly respect of all members of the military service. He was a Marine. His name was David A. Caylor. Since his death, and increased connections with friends, as well as fellow vapers who have served or are serving in our armed forces

I think as a vaping community who has a strong military and veteran connection, we need to stand up and raise our voices. Tell our politicians that vets vape too and it’s really helping them with their quality of life. If all our leaders support veterans, wouldn’t it make sense to support vets who vape?

VAPEMZ.COM

right now, I feel that more than ever that the military needs our support. This is especially true when they get out and they literally have nowhere to turn or are taken care of in some of the most deplorable conditions possible. It just doesn’t seem right since these are the people who choose to make a sacrifice and do what they thought not only for our country but the greater good. For my part, along with this article and the feature I created for this issue, I’ve bought e-juice from companies like BRV Liquids and any companies that send vaping gear to the Vape-A-Vet project among other charities. I’ve even donated money to Disabled Vets groups. So, when I read some of the background information of people who were interested in wanting to know more about this issue, I saw a trend of

COLUMNS

VAPING OUTSIDE

COLUMNS looking to help a fellow man and brother-in-arms. I think as a vaping community who has a strong military and veteran connection, we need to stand up and raise our voices. Tell our politicians that vets vape too and it’s really helping them with their quality of life. If all our leaders support veterans, wouldn’t it make sense to support vets who vape? When it came to decide what I wanted to write about as well as who to feature in this month’s articles, I was overwhelmed with ideas and responses. While I could’ve chosen everyone, I chose people that I not only knew personally, but also those people who are doing vaping the right way. Quite frankly, some of you that were interested in being in this issue still need to change your labelling a bit so it doesn’t look too cartoonish. We are already having that issue with copyright infringement of copying

Just as you honor your country in the military, that same philosophy should be translated to honoring the vape community. I’m sure your fellow non-vet vapers would agree.

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legit companies for the sake of creating a vape product. Just as you honor your country in the military, that same philosophy should be translated to honoring the vape community. I’m sure your fellow non-vet vapers would agree. So once again, my fellow military brothers and sisters. Thank you for your service. Thank you for letting me honor you. Thank you for being a great member of this vaping community. If you are a vet who’s been vaping a while and would like to share your story, contact me at: angelwritercreations@gmail.com I can also be reached on Twitter @ angelwriter78 and my website for other writings at www.angelwritercreations. com You can also catch me on VapeTVLive, mostly on Friday nights at 10pm at www.vapetv.com/ vapetvlive.

AT HOME

Smoking Kills Veterans,

BuT Vapers Can Save Them VAPEMZ.COM

FEATURES

THE

462

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By John Castle

hen it comes to vaping advocacy and the men and women who serve in our armed forces, I approached this article from an entirely wrong direction. So much of my experience with former and current military members who vape has been in the context of people who are already engaged in advocacy. I thought that writing an article about them would be a slam dunk. But there’s a much more important story that needs to be told here, and it’s this one: Military service produces incredible stress. Unfortunately, smoking has historically been one of the most widespread answers to that stress. The problem is that this is far from a historical footnote. It wasn’t left behind when the military stopped issuing cigarettes to soldiers and sailors. As Army veteran Dennis Sutherland pointed out, as recently as 2007, “…we were told at (the) time to smoke ‘em if you got ‘em.”

As for how he quit: “It all came down to curiosity about these electronic cigarette things and whether they worked or not. It started out with buying Blu online. I used it and quickly realized that there’s something going on here, but it wasn’t fully satisfying enough to totally switch. Then on May 5 of 2013, I snubbed out my last cigarette and never looked back. Shortly thereafter I walked into Butt Out and bought a Protank 2. As of this date, I am still the Production Manager for Butt Out Labs.” In speaking with veterans, the picture that began to emerge was the reason why

David Albert Desrosiers, former Navy Seaman and current Production Manager for Butt Out Labs, says: “In my case, separation from service and separation from smoking had a distance between them that spanned over 20 years. I was an avid smoker during service and the totalitarian edicts of no smoking anywhere hadn’t hit the branches yet.”

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so many former servicemembers have turned to vaping: not only as a solution to the problem of smoking, but as their next personal mission.

Dennis Sutherland’s response reveals more: “The stressors of being in the theater were real and everyone was smoking. It was everywhere in the army. Hell, we were told at the time to smoke ‘em if you got ‘em. So, I got ‘em so I could take a smoke break, too. Then the buzz hit and I was chasing a buzz. By the end of my deployment in 2008, I was at twoish packs a day plus a can of dip. I smoked about 1.5 packs a day when I got back and slimmed that down to 1 pack. More when I was drinking. I maintained that until 2013, when I bought my first setup.” VAPEMZ.COM

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Here’s how he turned vaping into his own personal war on smoking: “I ended up making friends with Michael Ciampi and he recommended an Innokin MVP. I picked one up and was helped through nic levels and such. He also introduced me into some of the local FB groups, shops, etc. That’s where it began. Since about 2014 I have been active in the local, national, and even international vaping community.”

“I started smoking in the military up to two packs a day before I Veteran Jacob started vaping. Picked Allard’s story is it up in Iraq. I basically remarkably similar. quit overnight once I “So, personally, I found the setup and started smoking at the the juice I liked. After age of 15 to talk to a that, I wanted to help girl. I tried and quit others stop like I did; after basic (training), and we turned it into and two other times Blackbeard’s Brew. during active duty. That’s pretty much the The stress of military short story of it all.” life got in the way of that. Smoking was There are two lessons I took from these conversations: such a common thing that it was expected The first is that for every soldier to at military service — least try smoking for the environments, the tasks, the a week or so, even if it life in general didn’t stick.”

Timothy Sosa’s story holds to the pattern — for ill and for good:

to one of the most colossal and lethal health epidemics faced by modern civilization: smoking and smokingrelated diseases and death.

But the second lesson, the one that shines hope on this problem, is that advocacy can save them. The military are among the people most at risk from this modern health epidemic. These are the people who most need our time, our attention, our care, and our most powerful resource — information — brought to bear in service to that cause.

They take staggering risks in service to us. Offering — imposes incredible them information and stressors on those who live resources that can save that life. Unfortunately, their lives, livelihoods, and that renders our families is the least we can servicemembers vulnerable do in return.

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vaping as a

LAST Resort

derek savage u.s. navy 47

How Veterans Break The Chains Of Cigarette Addiction

By Chris Mellides

stark reality for a lot of servicemen and women serving overseas is their entanglement in the throes of cigarette addiction.

The perils and intense stress that come with serving in the military are hard to fathom, but what’s certain is that tobacco use is common, and veterans are quick to say that using these products helps take the edge off while offering a quick break from daily life in distant conflicts. Jerry Iozzo, 50, recalls joining the U.S. Navy to be a Navy Corpsman in 1987, and while serving he would witness the delivery of what seemed

like endless cartons of cigarettes sent to his unit directly from Philip Morris International. “I joined the military as a non-smoker and once I got into the military it was kind of your standard smoke ‘em if you got ‘em attitude,” Iozzo said. “When I got sent over to Kuwait the stress level was high and that’s when I got addicted to smoking.” The former sailor remembers that the shipments of cigarettes were sent under the guise that Big Tobacco was helping to take care of the troops, but that it was all just propaganda that culminated in the inclusion of cigarette ads ad related literature. #VAPEMAGAZINE

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Jerry Iozzo u.s. navy 50

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“I also have a lot of buddies in the service that didn’t smoke and when they sent them it just wasn’t for them,” Iozzo said. “For me, I was just doing it to do it.” Derek Savage, another U.S. Navy veteran, who’s also a retired federal police officer, joined the military when he was 18 and homeless. He recalls having very few options available to him, and was offered to enlist by a town military recruiter. Savage, 47, began serving on October 31, 1989 and was active in Desert Shield/ Desert Storm, serving tours in Somalia, Yugoslavia, Russia and Iraq. “There was no other military in my family and when I joined I literally did not know what I was getting into other than what he [the recruiter] sold me— three hot meals and a cot,” Savage said.

When he was in Iraq, Savage was hand selected to be on a special team where he ran convoys as a gunner. Savage says that he was on site for the first Iraqi elections and that he and his team accomplished roughly 160 missions with zero fatalities and never breaking down. Like Iozzo, Savage witnessed the popularity of smoking during his service in the military, and how many of his fellow service members frequently used cigarettes and other tobacco products.

“You know there is a lot of cigarette use and a lot of dip use,” Savage said. “It’s like the only thing that we can use to step out of the warzone. It’s our only time we can actually VAPEMZ.COM

resort to relaxing, other than writing letters or cleaning our weapons.” In 2013, Savage says that without him knowing he had suffered seven heart attacks, which forced him to reexamine the food he ate, his exercise and having to abruptly come to the realization that he had to quit smoking entirely. “My son was there when I was at the hospital and when the doctor said that I had a massive heart attack and that they were bringing me in for surgery that last thing I saw was my son and I was like, ‘Oh my God, just give me another chance, I’ll quit, I can’t do this to my kid.’” Iozzo also came to a similar crossroad. His smoking continued after his military service ended and when he was in his mid-forties he began feeling unhealthy. “It takes me a lot to go to a doctor,” Iozzo said. “And probably about 20 minutes into my psychical, the doctor kind of sat and had a heart-to-heart talk

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if someone says, harm reduction, it’s harm reversal in my case.”

with me saying that you are developing symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and he was pretty stern that I had to give up smoking that day.” When he was told that COPD is nonreversible and that he was approaching an early onset of the illness, Iozzo said that the news scared the hell out of him. His doctor hinted at vaping being the healthier alternative, and during that time, Iozzo thought that this smokefree alternative was worth a shot. “When I started feeling well it was probably two weeks after I switched to vaping,” Iozzo said. “I literally walked into a vape shop a smoker, and walked out a nonsmoker. It was that easy. I was trying to quit for 20 years.” Both Iozzo and Savage tried nicotine replacement therapies like the gum, patches and prescription medications with no positive or lasting results. “I’ve tried those before and obviously they didn’t work,” Savage said. “I’ve done the patch and then I’d go and have a cigarette with the patch on. And I’m not the only one, I know a lot of people that tried that, you just didn’t get that fix.” Iozzo saw himself getting a second chance at life and has since become an avid runner, and biker. He started feeling well enough to go for walks and before long he began feeling at ease with running again, thinking that it would help him lose some weight.

Iozzo also got involved with local advocacy efforts in northern Minnesota and has joined consumer advocacy groups, like the Consumer Advocates for Smoke-Free Alternatives Association (CASAA).

“I just felt incredible and I started running more and more and more and then figured I’d try to do a halfmarathon and then I did a half-marathon and then I decided to do a full marathon and I’ve done three of them now, “Iozzo said. “So, I mean

After discovering the non-profit NOT Blowing Smoke and becoming emboldened by their fight against the misinformation presented by antivaping groups, Iozzo reached out to the group to lend a hand. “I would see the commercials for Still Blowing Smoke and all of that stuff and all of a sudden I saw NOT Blowing Smoke and I thought it was just genius,” Iozzo said. So obviously, I followed NOT Blowing Smoke.” Soon after he reached out to Stefan Didak, the founder and president of NOT Blowing Smoke, and told him that he was ready to run a marathon and that he’d like to use a NOT Blowing Smoke t-shirt during the run. “I just sent Stefan an inbox saying, ‘Hey, I’m getting ready to run a marathon and I’d like to use a NOT Blowing Smoke shirt,’” Iozzo said. “And he sent me the graphic design so I put it on my running shirt and then after that I ran my marathon.” While becoming involved with advocacy, or simply educating a person on vaping is important, what’s more important is that switching to a reduced harm alternative like vaping is well within grasp. And often, it serves as the last resort for veterans whose smoking habits are reinforced by the stress and pressures of war. “You’re looking at a guy that had seven heart attacks, I’m a retired federal police officer, and a retired combat vet, I’ve had my dealing with stress and smoking was always my easy out,” Savage said. “You can do what you want obviously, but I made the change. Here’s your second chance, don’t lose it.”

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EVENTS

Vape Shop Events Goes LIVE on Facebook!

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By Norm Bour Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been covering Vape Shop Events since their second show in 2015. As they have learned and grown, so has the industry and the people in it. The last event in Scottsdale, AZ., indicated the directions going forward. VAPE magazine has been the exclusive media sponsor and at this latest show we unveiled the Media Room. While we videotaped most of the buyers, we also broadcast live on Facebook. (The videos can be viewed at https://vapenewsmagazine.com/ the-vape-shop-events-vse-scottsdaleinterviews/)

60 What is the Media Room?

EVENTS

Since Vape Shop Events brings 29 sellers and 20 buyers together for private behind closed doors meetings, this time we wanted to profile the buyers in the group, rather than the sellers. With such prominent names like Avail Vapor, Elevate Lifestyle, Ecig Lounge, and Big Smoke, these represent some of the biggest vape buyers and buying groups in the country. As we learned their stories, we shared them with you on film.

Tales from the Street Amy McCann-Baddi and her husband started opening convenience stores 15 years ago and launched their first vape shop in 2013, which proved to be a seminal year amongst many of the companies we spoke with. “My husband is from the Middle East, so it seemed natural that he open a c-store,” Mccann-Baddi teased, “and we were introduced to vaping by another major player in the vape industry, Moon Mountain Vapor. In between they opened smoke shops and currently have all three models in full operation. When asked which she has the most passion for, the response was immediate: “Vape shops, hands down. Plus, it’s the most profitable from a per square footage basis.” “My mother died from smoking related cancer,” she confided, “and I was a smoker since I was young, along with my sisters. When I got pregnant I was motivated to quit, which I did, cold turkey.” She runs the four vape shops and her husband runs the smoke shops, some of which evolved with the growth of the vaping movement. We spoke about the “transitional drug,” i.e., CBD, which they offer #VAPEMAGAZINE

EVENTS

Since Vape Shop Events brings 29 sellers and 20 buyers together for private behind closed doors meetings, this time we wanted to profile the buyers in the group, rather than the sellers. in their Virginia tobacco stores with little push back, but not in their vape shops. That is due to opposition from a source that is no big surprise: the military. “We carry no CBD in our vape shops since we can get ‘black-listed’ by the local military bases, and they are one of our largest customers. We don’t highlight it in our smoke shops, either, since we could be targeted just the same,” McCann-Baddi shared. She estimated that military money in both

shops is about sixty percent of their business. Her video can be seen in its entirety at https://www. facebook.com/VapeMZ/ videos/1451905178219855. The world of tobacco and vape is changing and to fast forward into the future I visualize a large retail shop, like a Rexall or Walgreen. They will be your “Vice of Choice” store, offering tobacco, vape, alcohol, and possibly more. VAPEMZ.COM

The world of tobacco and vape is changing and to fast forward into the future I visualize a large retail shop, like a Rexall or Walgreen. They will be your “Vice of Choice” store, offering tobacco, vape, alcohol, and possibly more.

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Another company to watch, and one heading that way, is Big Smoke and Tobacco from Nampa, Idaho. Tori Roberts is no stranger to Vape Shop Events as well as Smoke Shop Events, since his shops sell to both customers as well. They operate 55 hybrid shops and have opened five in 2017 and are amongst the largest purveyors of tobacco and vape in the nation. Since 1993 they have been on a constant growth curve and show no signs of slowing down. So why would a smoke shop come to a vaping event and encourage smokers to stop? “We are converting an eight percent margin customer to a forty-five percent margin customer,” Roberts shared, and how can you argue that math? “We’re on the front line of the conversion process,” he said, “and we are dedicated to keeping our customers alive.” You can see his Facebook LIVE video at https://www.facebook.com/VapeMZ/ videos/1451058828304490/ A bit ironic, since tobacco conversion is how this industry started once upon a time. Before it became a money grab, social media circus, and target of massive criticism from many pundits. Vape Show Events and Smoke Shop Events are held in Scottsdale, LaJolla, CA, Park City, UT, and Orlando, FL, several times though the year. For information on becoming a seller or a buyer, please contact Mike Sessoms at www. VapeShopEvents.com Norm Bour is the founder of VapeMentors and creator of the VAPE U online programs. He’s also the host of Vape Radio, the largest vaping radio show in the world with more than 1.3 M downloads. He is also a founding partner in the Vape Industry Business Exchange (VIBE). Contact him at norm@VapeMentors.com. #VAPEMAGAZINE #VAPEMAGAZINE

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