Issue 21

Róisín Delaney - The Editor roisin@vapouround.co.uk

Guess who’s back with a brand-new wrap? The Vapouround Bus has undergone a total makeover for 2019 and personally it’s my favourite wrap yet. We worked closely with our pals at USONICIG to find the perfect blend of their ZIP device and our double-decker bus and it’s fabulous!

Happy new year to our readers old and new. We’d like to thank everyone who voted for us in the recent ecigclick awards. We’ve now won Best Vape Magazine / Publication two years running and we couldn’t have done it without your support.

We’ve had some exciting developments of late, which we can’t reveal too much of right away. Let’s just say this will be the biggest year for our brands yet.

In what is our fourth year in business, we are kicking things off with a new CBD magazine. Vapouround CBD is our first step into the cannabidiol industry and we anticipate great things with this new publication, as the budding CBD world blossoms in the UK and Europe. Unlike

our original publication, Vapouround CBD is going out to vape shops, health food stores, gyms and more.

And that’s not all. We’re also gearing up to launch a range of premium CBD products. I really want to tell you all about this but you’ll just have to wait a bit longer for details. I promise you’ll love it.

We’re also in serious prep mode for the fourth annual Vapouround Awards, sponsored by Vape Dinner Lady. We’re just a few months out from the biggest night in vaping so get voting for your favourite brands in the awards categories now. Voting closes April 14 and the awards take place Friday, May 3.

Don’t worry vapers! We may sound like we’ve a lot going on but your tried and trusted vape publication isn’t going anywhere. Our flagship title is more important to us now than ever before.

Take a break from Brexit, grab a cuppa and have a good read.

Director David Turner Managing Director Paul Caplin

General Manager Abida Razaque

The Editor Róisín Delaney Executive Editor Patrick Griffin Journalist Leo Forfar Journalist Gordon Stribling

Finance Director Joanne Stubley Accountant Kris Worton Finance Executive Anna Difusco Finance Executive Lauren Pilliner

Marketing Manager Katie Loomes Photographer & Videographer Josh Tysoe Senior Web Developer Reuben Hodgkins Web Developer Aadil Popat Events Coordinator Abida Razaque

Sales Manager Tim Pritchett Sales Executive Steve Culf Sales Assistant Phoebe Shaw

Design Manager Hayley Parker Creative Director James Parnell Graphic Designer Connor Dimberline Graphic Designer Kyle Bednall Junior Graphic Designer Victoria Smith

FEATURES

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The Cloud

NHS unveils new long-term plan

One in seven mums in Derbyshire smoked during pregnancy VPZ (Vaporized) named the fastest growing company in Scotland

Vaping helps wipe £100bn off tobacco industry in just one year Irish millennials are smoking too much Scottish Prison Service invests £150k in vapes for inmates

Vape Science: CBD & drug tests

Vaping Entrepreneur

Diary of a Vaper

ADACT Medical on Brexit Cover edit: Vampire Vape Ultroner x Vapouround collaboration Thoughts from the Shopfloor

Ask the Scientist

Column: By Victor Mullin

Vapouround Awards - A Preview Vapouround Awards - The Categories Study: Vapers are more resilient to smoking replases

Is Spain’s smoking rate going in the wrong direction?

Brexit: Deal, or no deal? Smart-tech vaping, how smart is it? The Vapouround Club FAQs

Vapouround Club sponsors list The latest from Down Under: Australian Tobacco Harm Reduction New Zealand on the cusp of a boom? State of the nation: The UK

US: A possible flavour ban?

US: A step back for Arizona?

US: The senate passes the Farm Bill Latin America: Future CBD capital? Meet this Canadian CBD entrepreneur PHE’s latest video campaign aims to dispel myths on smoking -v- vaping

EVENTS REVIEWS

129 130 134 138 142 146 151 157 158 159

163 164 165 166 168 169 170 171 172 173 174 175 176 178 179 180 182 183 184 186 187 188 190 191 192 194 196 197 198

Vapouround on Tour

Vape Conventions - Miami’s CBD Expo IECIE China

Middle East Vape Show (MEVS) CBD.io - Las Vegas

Vapouround Reviews

Teslacigs GG starter kit Teslacigs WYE2 Geekvape Flint Vaporesso Sky Solo Vaporesso Luxe Nano HQD Comma Voopoo Drag 2 Famovape SMOK Nord Freemax Twister Usonicig Zip Nasty Salts Kapka’s Flava The King of Vapes Bord O2 PJ Empire Evolved Vaper Diamond Mist Daddy’s Vapor Dainty’s E-liquid One Up Vapor Vape Syndrome Red Liquids My E-liquids Capella Flavors Flavour Art IVG Premium E-liquids Drip Potion

FYI

200 202

‘Sir Vaping A Lot’ gets back in the ring

The Vapouround Club: Snap & win competition winner revealed

THE CLOUD THE CLOUD

LIFE AFTER BREXIT

It was previously said that the TPD at a domestic level (TRPR) would not be revised with Brexit in mind. However, in response to the Science and Technology Committee’s evidence review report published in August, the Department of Health and Social Care said: “The government will review where the UK’s exit from the EU offers us opportunities to re appraise current regulation to ensure this continues to protect the nation’s health. The government will explore those areas identified by the committee, such as the 20mg/ ml maximum nicotine refill limit, a size restriction of 2ml on the tank, a block on advertising e-cigarettes’ relative harmreduction potential and the notification scheme for e-cigarette ingredients.”

NATIONAL CIGARETTE AMNESTY DAY

Ninety percent of UK smokers believe using a vape has helped them either quit or reduce the number of cigarettes they smoke. That’s according to research conducted by VPZ, formerly Vaporized, which recently rolled out National Cigarette Amnesty Day. Thousands of Brits across the UK quit smoking on National Cigarette Amnesty Day in January. The nationwide campaign saw smokers bin their cigarettes in vape shops a bid to stop smoking for good in 2019.

VPZ was recently named as Scotland’s fastest growing company by The Sunday Times Fast Track list.

PHE TO ADVISE MENTAL HEALTH TRUSTS ON VAPING

Public Health England will advise mental health trusts on e-cigarettes. The government has said the National Health Service should set “clear” and “central” policies on e-cigarettes in mental health facilities.

Responding to a recommendation made last August by the UK’s Science and Technology Committee, the government said the NHS should issue guidance on e-cigarettes to all NHS mental health trusts. The move would better inform trusts to ensure that they understand the physical and mental benefits of the harm reduction smoking alternative to their patients. Until now, one third of the 50 mental health trusts located in England enforced a ban on e-cigarettes on their premises.

FRENCH MARKET ON THE RISE

Vaping in France is catching up to the UK with more than two million French people regularly using an e-cigarette. That’s according to a recent study, which indicates a major surge in the popularity of vaping in the next three years in the country. The market grew in France by 21 percent from 2017-2018 and French e-liquids account for one-third of sales. The research points toward fast growth in the French vape industry, citing an increase in the cost of smoking by 2020 as one factor in encouraging smokers to switch to the less harmful alternative. The Xerfi Institute study examined the main brands of e-cigarette products currently on the market, policy and regulatory framework and the main consequences for brands and retailers. The Xerfi Institute is the leading independent institute of economic research in France.

S paIN THE WRONG DIRECTION

Daily cigarette smoking in Spain has gone up to 34 percent: two points higher than before the public smoking ban came into force in 2005. That’s according to Spain’s latest biannual drug consumption survey. The Spanish government is accused of being “self-complacent and passive” after “alarming” new figures revealed that smoking rates have climbed above presmoking ban levels. National Committee for Tobacco Prevention president Dr Regina Dalmau said she was “indignant” at the findings and has called for enforcement of existing policies plus the introduction of new measures to tackle the problem. The cardiologist said: “We will have to analyse in detail what sections of the population have seen an increase in smoking, but in any of them, the data is alarming.”

GOOD BUY?

British American Tobacco has bought Germany’s leading chain of vape shops, Highendsmoke, according to market intelligence leaders Ecigintelligence. With more than 80 shops across the country, the acquisition was approved by the German Federal Cartel Office (Bundeskartellamt) before the festive period.

SHAPE THE FUTURE

NO DEAL?

Firstly, if no agreement is reached in Westminster on how hard or soft the UK will exit the EU, the picture warnings on tobacco products will change in the UK. The Australian government will provide their warnings free of cost to the UK in such a case.

Secondly, where there is a no deal the UK will need to develop its own domestic notification systems for companies that wish to sell tobacco products and e-cigarettes on the UK market. A transfer of powers would also be required. Currently, the EU Commission holds a range of powers under the TPD which allow it to respond to threats, changes in safety compliance and quality standards plus technological advances. The instrument transfers these powers from the Commission to the Secretary of State.

NUMBER OF IRISH SMOKERS TOO HIGH

Twenty years ago one third of Irish adults smoked. That number now lies at one-fifth. But experts warn the number of smokers in Ireland is still too high. The Royal College of Surgeons’ Dr Paul Kavanagh, who advises the Irish Health Service Executive (HSE) Quit programme. Speaking on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland radio programme, Dr Kavanagh said the number of people smoking from the age of 25 to 34 is a staggering onein-three. He said while the smoking rate has fallen in the last 20 years, tobacco still has a grip on the population and also acknowledged vaping may have a role to play in loosening that grip.

“We currently know that about three percent in the population are using e cigarettes and I think it’s very important that we are open and honest with what we know and do not know when it comes to e-cigarettes. Vaping does deliver nicotine but what’s different to smoking is that people don’t burn tobacco, so the risk profile associated with vaping is different and that has been in a number of large reports.”

Researchers at the UK Centre for Tobacco and Alcohol Studies (UKCTAS) want your help in identifying the top 10 unanswered questions on e-cigarette use. The online survey takes about five minutes to complete and is open to vapers, dual users, smokers and never-smokers. Dr Abby Hunter of Nottingham University’s Division of Epidemiology and Public Health, said these studies are essential, “Because e-cigarettes are a fairly recent product, very little is known about the long-term health effects of using them. To guide our future research into this we need to identify the most important questions associated with vaping and would like the opinions of the general public as well as clinicians.” The survey will be open until March 7. Respondents will then be asked to complete a follow-up survey to rank the top 10 priority questions. To participate, go to Nottingham.onlinesurveys.ac.uk/ electronic-cigarettes-priority-settingpartnership-survey.

NHS:

NEW LONG-TERM PLAN WILL TARGET SMOKING RATE

BY STAFF REPORTER

The National Health Service will invest £183m in long-term plan which will tackle smoking among other leading causes of preventable illness.

The NHS has unveiled a new long-term strategy which aims to curb smoking in the UK. Smoking costs the healthcare system billions annually.

Under the new initiative, launched in January, the NHS will offer advice on how to quit smoking for good to every smoker admitted to hospital.

According to the NHS, more than half a million hospital patients who smoke, including pregnant women and their partners, will also be helped to stop for good.

This will also include patients suffering from poor mental health and those with learning disabilities. This plan, which has been met with a mixture of optimism and scepticism, is based on a similar scheme already in place in Manchester, which is expected to save £10 million and over 30,000 hospital beds across the city. An estimated 600,000 smokers will receive help to quit over the next five years as part of the plan with smoking hotspots being targeted specifically.

It’s not yet clear what role e-cigarettes will play in the initiative, however the support for vaping as a smoking cessation tool in the UK is on the rise, in particular from Public Health England.

Announcing the plan, the NHS said:

“Problem drinkers and smokers who end up in hospital will be helped by dedicated new services,” as part of the initiative which promotes “prevention measures.”

In a statement, the NHS said:

“The scheme comes alongside action on obesity and diabetes as part of a renewed focus on prevention that will benefit patients and make the NHS fit for the future, by curbing demands on the health service.”

Announcing the long-term plan which overall aims to boost public health and the NHS purse, NHS England chief executive Simon Stevens said:

“Alcohol and tobacco addiction remain two of the biggest causes of ill health and early death, and the right support can save lives.

“The NHS long term plan delivers a sea-change in care for a range of major conditions like cancer, mental ill health and heart disease, as well as stepping up to do more on preventing ill health in the first place by giving patients the support they need to take greater control of their own health and stay fitter longer.”

Commenting on the long-term plan, the Royal College

on NHS services in the future. Every contact a health professional has with a patient is an opportunity to help the patient give up smoking – having a system in place to treat tobacco dependency with allocated funding will

Meanwhile, Deborah Arnott, Chief Executive of Action on Smoking and Health (ASH UK) said: “From cancer to cardio-vascular and respiratory disease, dementia to diabetes, and maternity to mental health, stopping smoking improves patients’ life expectancy and quality of life and reduces pressure on our overburdened NHS. So we’re delighted the NHS long-term plan includes provision of support to stop smoking for pregnant women, people with mental health conditions and all patients admitted to hospital. We look forward to publication of the detailed plans, and the timetable for implementation.”

Duncan Selbie, Chief Executive, Public Health England said making an investment in the future of public health is “the smartest thing the NHS can do.” He added: “Tobacco kills 1500 people a week so helping people to quit when admitted to hospital helps them, their families and the taxpayer. And it is equally smart for hospitals to have new expertise focused on supporting the most alcohol dependent people. Both measures announced today will save thousands of lives and help the NHS

Derbyshire county council will spend £120,000 over two years in a bid to curb smoking during pregnancy, after it was revealed that one in seven expectant mothers from the county admitted to smoking during pregnancy.

The number of women in the midlands county that admitted to having smoked cigarettes during pregnancy – or smoked at time of delivery (SATOD) – is ‘significantly higher’ than the national average. In fact, it’s at 14.1 percent, with the national average resting at 10.7 percent.

What does this mean? It means more than 1,000 women in Derbyshire are continuing to smoke at the time of delivery each year. However, this has dropped from 16.8 per cent in 2010 and the rate is on the decline.

Within the county itself there is a growing divide. Over 11 percent of expectant mothers smoked during pregnancy in Chesterfield while the SATOD figure was 16.9 percent in Bolsover.

Smoking during pregnancy is known to cause up to 5,000 miscarriages, 300 perinatal deaths, 2,200 premature births, and 19,000 babies to be born with low birth weight in the UK every year.

According to UK charity The Lullaby Trust (formerly The Foundation for the Study of Infant Deaths), by smoking between one and nine cigarettes a day during pregnancy, expectant mothers are more than four times as likely to have a baby suffer sudden infant death (SID) than a woman who didn’t smoke at all during pregnancy. The 2017 Tobacco Control Plan for England drew up plans to reduce rates of smoking in pregnancy to less than six percent by 2022. Now Derbyshire County Council is concerned that not only will it miss this target, but fears it is unlikely to achieve this goal for another 15 years as it would require 600 pregnant women to quit smoking each year.

The investment of £120,000 will go towards midwives actively discouraging expectant mothers from smoking, by becoming what the local authority calls ‘Smokefree Champions,’ according to the Derbyshire Times newspaper.

The newspaper reports “Mothers in routine and manual occupations are five times more likely to have smoked throughout pregnancy compared to women in managerial and professional occupations, meaning those from lower socio-economic groups are at a much greater risk of complications during and after pregnancy.”

Pregnant teenagers are six times more likely to smoke than older mothers, and studies show children who grow up with a smoking parent are also more likely to become smokers themselves, spinning the cycle further out of control.

One US study in particular funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has shown children of current and former smokers face an elevated risk of smoking. Researchers on the 2013 study, which was published in the Official Journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics, concluded:

“Our longitudinal trajectories reveal that parental smoking at any age (even before the child is born) increases the chances that their children will smoke. Intervention efforts to heighten parental disapproval of smoking and weaken possible intergenerational influences should target parents who were smokers at any point from adolescence to adulthood.”

Vape shop chain VPZ, formerly Vaporized, tops the league tables as the fastest-growing company in Scotland, and features in the top 25 for the UK.

Vape shops up and down the UK have been at the centre of regenerating the Great British high street. Now VPZ (Vaporized) has emerged as Scotland's fastest growing private company.

The chain placed 24th in the annual Sunday Times Virgin Atlantic Fast Track 100, which lists the top 100 fastest-growing companies in the UK, topping the league table for Scotland.

VPZ is the only vape retail outlet to appear on the list, which features privately owned companies from across the beauty, medical, property development, aircraft and hospitality sectors among others.

Big names such as fast food favourite Five Guys, Flat Iron steakhouse and make-up artist to the stars Charlotte Tilbury Beauty also place on the list.

Behind VPZ and its success are brothers Callum and Connor Henderson, who opened their first store in Leith, Edinburgh, in

EXPANSION

In November, VPZ expanded operations and invested in its manufacturing facility outside Edinburgh with a view to facilitate increased distribution and keep up with market growth.

Over one million products were bottled during October alone, with additional capacity available to increase production levels for future demand.

Brewing company BrewDog is the only other Scottish company featured on the top 100 list, coming in at number 71.

The Sunday Times Virgin Atlantic Fast Track 100 league table ranks Britain’s leading 100 private companies, those with the fastest-growing sales over the last three years. The top 100 brands are compiled by Fast Track and published in the newspaper each December, with an awards event the following May.

2013. Fast forward to 2018 and the company has opened more than 100 shops with plans for the expansion of 200 further shops due to open by 2021.

Commenting on the news, Doug Mutter, Compliance Director at VPZ told Vapouround:

“We are delighted to be placed in the top 25 fastest growing private companies in the UK, and ranked as Scotland’s fastest growing company. Vaporized was established in 2012 and has evolved into one of Scotland’s 21st century business success stories.”

“We have grown rapidly into the UK’s leading chain of vaping stores by offering our customers the widest range of quality approved products. Our staff have also been at the heart of our success, bringing a personalised service that offers a knowledgeable and well-informed experience for our growing customer base. Our great staff and quality products are the reason VPZ is doing so well. We look forward to building on this success, with more stores planned for across the UK and Europe.”

BY RÓISÍN DELANEY

By Gordon Stribling

VAPING HELPS WIPE OFF TOBACCO INDUSTRY IN JUST ONE YEAR

MEANWHILE, ALTRIA LOOKS TO JUUL FOR VAPE INDUSTRY FOOTING

Vaping helped wipe over £100 billion off the tobacco industry in 2018. British American Tobacco (BAT) was the hardest hit, losing around 50 percent of its stock market value.

Imperial lost around 25 percent, followed by Philip Morris and Altria with around 30 percent and Japan Tobacco around 20 percent.

Smoking prevalence in the US and UK is at an all-time low, with millions of people switching to e-cigarettes every year.

Royal Bank of Canada analyst, James Edwardes Jones, said:

“The impact of the FDA’s menthol cigarette ban and margin erosion from the growth in nextgeneration products is priced in, although for this previously uber-defensive and predictable stock the future is very opaque.”

While small, independent businesses make up the lion’s share of the international vaping market, the major tobacco companies have established a notable presence in recent years.

Blu, Vype and Logic products are readily available in supermarkets and convenience stores and are for many people the first port-of-call in the transition from smoker to vaper.

Altria discontinued its MarkTen and Green Smoke vape brands last year. However, the Philip Morris US parent company will be looking to gain a stronger foothold in the industry after acquiring a 35 percent stake in JUUL Labs.

As part of the Altria deal, JUUL distributed $2 billion in bonuses to its 1,500 staff-members, netting the average employee $1.3 million. The deal proved to be highly controversial, attracting criticism from within the industry and from anti-tobacco groups such as the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids.

JUUL Labs CEO Kevin Burns said in a statement:

“We understand the controversy and scepticism that comes with an affiliation and partnership with the largest tobacco company in the US. We were sceptical as well.”

“But over the course of the last several months we were convinced by actions, not words, that in fact this partnership could help accelerate our success switching adult smokers.”

“FOR THIS PREVIOUSLY UBER-DEFENSIVE AND PREDICTABLE STOCK THE FUTURE IS VERY OPAQUE”

Irish millennials are smoking too much, despite rise in spending on vaping

One leading medical expert says the Irish smoking rate is still too high, and adds it may be a matter of the cost of quitting being too expensive.

By Róisín Delaney

Dr Paul Kavanagh of the Royal College of Surgeons

Twenty years ago, one third of Irish adults were smokers. That figure has fallen to one-fifth, with the country being a leader in implementing a widespread smoking ban in 2006 followed by tobacco product warnings coupled with year-onyear rises in the cost of a pack of cigarettes. Despite these measures, plus an uptick in vaping in recent years and the emergence of a health conscious boxercising and crossfitting generation, one expert has warned that Irish millennials in particular are smoking too much.

Dr Paul Kavanagh of the Royal College of Surgeons is an adviser to the Health Service Executive’s Quit programme. Speaking on national radio, he said more than one-in-five people aged 15 or over in Ireland smokes. The expert told RTÉ’s Morning Ireland programme this figure increases to one-in-three of 25 to 34-year-olds. He welcomed the reduction in adult smoking rates over the past two decades but said there is a long way to go.

“There’s about half a million quit attempts in Ireland each year, and unfortunately one-in-two people go it alone, they go cold turkey.”

One factor in the ‘going it alone’ mentality, Dr Kavanagh said, could be the cost of nicotine replacement therapy in the Republic of Ireland, where it is more expensive to purchase the stop smoking aid than across the border in Northern Ireland.

However, he said that someone who is smoking a pack of cigarettes a day is spending around €2,000 - €4,000 a year on the bad habit, so the investment upfront in an alternative to smoking increases their likelihood of becoming smokefree and saving money and lives long-term.

Dr Kavanagh added: “We are very conscious in terms of the costs facing people who are thinking about making a quit attempt.”

On e-cigarettes as a means to quit smoking for good, the doctor said: “We currently know that about three percent in the population are using e-cigarettes and I think it’s very important that we are open and honest with what we know and do not know when it comes to e-cigarettes. Vaping does deliver nicotine but what’s different to smoking is that people don’t burn tobacco, so the risk profile associated with vaping is different and that has been in a number of large reports. But reports show that we don’t yet know the long-term implications of vaping.”

Meanwhile figures from Euromonitor International published last summer show Irish vapers are the third biggest spenders on devices and e-liquids. The nation’s spend on vape products shot up by over 30 percent from €10.70 in 2015 to €14.40 per capita in 2017.

“We are very conscious in terms of the costs facing people who are thinking about making a quit attempt… We currently know that about three percent in the population are using e-cigarettes and I think it’s very important that we are open and honest with what we know.”

—

SCOTTISH PRISON

By Leo Forfar

A nationwide prison smoking ban was brought in last November, but Scotland still had to contend with a high rate of nicotine addiction in prisons.

In August, the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) strengthened its commitment to going smoke-free by announcing it would provide inmates with starter kits. Prominent vape company JAC Vapour stepped up to provide the kits. The investment by SPS totals £150,000, averaging £14 each.

Though some have criticised the cost, the SPS insist that this is a worthwhile investment in the long and short-term health of both prisoners and staff.

At the time of the ban, a study found that prisoners in Scotland had a 72 percent smoking rate, significantly higher than any demographic in the general public. They also had a second-hand smoking rate comparable to a public bar in Scotland prior to the 2006 ban.

It is too early to get a full measurement of how this will affect the prison smoking rate, but staff have praised the changes already.

Scottish Prison Services spokesman Tom Fox said: “It’s a very positive step for the well-being of the people in our care and the people who work for us. I think it’s money well spent. The health benefits for our staff and those in our care greatly outweigh any initial cost we have introducing the programme.”

Both prison staff and inmates have also reported a noticeable improvement in air quality, with the SPS claiming it to be 80 percent cleaner.

Speaking to BBC Scotland, a female inmate claimed that providing e-cigarettes lessened the negatives of the ban:

“There’s not been a lot of trouble, or anything like that, since the smoking ban came in, which you would expect, and that’s down to the fact we have had the vapes.”

Inmates are provided with an e-cigarette and three flavoured e-liquids free of charge. However, they are expected to pay for refills.

Services spokesperson

It’s a very positive step for the well-being of the people in our care and the people who work for us. I think it’s money well spent.

– Scottish Prison

The Science Bit

By Richard Cunningham, PhD

Will CBD show up on a drug test?

The benefits of CBD products are garnering significant attention and their use is becoming much more widespread. These CBD products can utilise purified CBD isolate or whole hemp extracts containing CBD which contain a range of other cannabinoids and terpenes (full spectrum).

While CBD isolate is excellent by itself, some believe the full spectrum products could be more beneficial due to what’s known as ‘the entourage effect,’ arising from the other cannabinoids being present.

One question I’ve been asked a few times now is, ‘Will the use of CBD products cause me to fail a drug test?’

With these sorts of questions, we always have to err on the side of caution as no two situations are the same. Please don’t consider the following as a simple yes or no answer.

As CBD is legal, CBD and its metabolites are not tested for in routine drug tests. Therefore, there really is no concern when using CBD isolate products purchased from a trusted and reliable source.

You can check this information out for the product range you are using simply by requesting a certificate of analysis (COA) from the supplier or manufacturer.

A COA is usually completed by a laboratory that has performed the analysis on the sample, using a method like high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). A COA should show the purity of the sample and if any other cannabinoids are present as well as their associated concentrations or strengths.

The issue arises with THC content

This is the compound behind the psychoactive effects of cannabis, and it is a controlled substance within the UK. THC is found in full spectrum products; as hemp plants grown for CBD under a Home Office licence and in the EU must contain less than 0.2 percent THC. Any oil extracted will therefore have very low concentrations. In the UK, the legal blood limit to drive is 2µg/L, above this and you are by definition ‘drug driving’ which acquires driving penalties. Many employers now opt to drug test their staff which can be during recruitment or at random, although this is not just limited to THC, but other narcotics such as MDMA and heroin among others. Cannabis screening tests target THC and its metabolite THC-COOH, and this can be tested for by using saliva, urine, blood or even hair.

Although it is very rare for normal use of full spectrum CBD products to show up on a test due to the minute quantities of THC content, abnormally heavy usage each day at 1000mg or more may cause a false positive result for THC. So, putting it all together, there is a small possibility to test positive for THC when using full spectrum CBD products. Although it is unlikely, but if you have any concerns or work in a tightly monitored industry where this could be an issue, you can safely use products containing pure CBD isolate, or you may want to look into broad spectrum. .

Disclaimer: Please note the advice expressed by this contributor in this article is given to the best of his knowledge. It is not binding and may not be the case in some situations.

BY LEO FORFAR

MOHAMMAD SHAIKH SIGNATURE TIPS

MAKING DRIP TIPS IN THE WORKPLACE OF THE WORLD

The Vaper Expo UK is a magnet for the world’s best and brightest, bringing them in from every corner of the globe. But sometimes – and especially in vaping – the best can be found right on your doorstep. At the October expo in Birmingham, we decided to honour the occasion (and location) by checking in with a local manufacturer.

No dedicated vaper treats their drip tip casually. Those of us who shop around for the perfect mods have experimented with a multitude of tip types, always seeking the best shape and material.

This issue’s Vaping Entrepreneur is Mohammad Shaikh, founder and chairman of Signature Tips, who has carved out a distinct place in the “workshop of the world,” skilfully living up to their city’s legacy.

“We started in December 2014,” Mohammad says. “Our background is originally in CNC precision machining. We developed our first eight styles of drip tips as soon as we moved onto the scene.”

Many in the trade remember this as the start of an impressive boom period. But why specialise in hardware? Mohammad’s foray into drip tips actually started with a personal venture; making his own perfect tip. One happy accident later, he had more than he could ever use personally, and thought there might be some potential for a new product.

“At the time, I was unsatisfied with the tip on my own mod and figured I could do better. I went into the machine shop, fired it up to make a drip tip and forgot to put it on single cycle. I came back the next morning and found it had knocked out about eight hundred! I didn’t want to waste them, so I figured I might as well put them up on eBay and see how well they do.”

Hardware manufacturing is obviously a cornerstone of the industry, but a crowded one. Mohammad cites his company’s flexibility and variation as its greatest strength. Any new change in consumer trends can be accommodated.

“We’ve got an impressive workshop, even for Birmingham. So, when a new tank or atomiser hits the scene with a particular size and shape to it, we can immediately meet the demand and make the correct tips. And I think one of the main appeals of our products is they’re all British-made. Everything we do is inhouse, we don’t outsource anything, we don’t import anything except for some of the magnets.

“The first drip tips we made were 510s because it was at a time when vaping was all about mouth-to-lung devices. Then people began moving to the 810 size, and over the last few months we’ve seen a return to 510s as pod system-oriented vaping is very popular.”

Empathy with the smokers’ struggle to quit unites almost all people in the vaping industry and gives us a unique edge in reaching customers with what they need. There are more former smokers than never-smokers, and Mohammad is no exception. Like many origin stories in the trade, Mohammad’s entry started with the end of his own smoking habit.

“I made the switch from smoking to vaping about four years ago, just before starting Signature Tips. I came back from holiday with some duty-free cigarettes, finished the packs, and didn’t want to go to the petrol station and break into another ten-pound note for a new one. And a friend of mine happened to have an E-Lite on him and suggested I try that instead. I tried the E-Lite for a weekend and I was hooked. After E-Lites, it went on to a CE4. I then imported a few CE4 models and familiarised myself with drip tips, the rest is history.”

Having established such a strong base at home, Signature Tips have engaged with the wider vaping world as a manufacturing powerhouse. Their stop at the NEC was the latest of many, and they aren’t slowing down.

Foxwoods, Connecticut,

done the California ACC, and the Middle East Vape Show in Bahrain before returning to Connecticut in March.”

“It would be wrong for us not to do the NEC expo in Birmingham. It’s our home turf and we can really show what business in Birmingham is capable of, and not just to British vape companies. We’ve been exhibiting overseas recently. We’ve done the National Vape Expo in

we’ve

“WHEN A NEW TANK OR ATOMISER HITS THE SCENE WITH A PARTICULAR SIZE AND SHAPE TO IT, WE CAN IMMEDIATELY MEET THE DEMAND AND MAKE THE CORRECT TIPS.”

DIARY OF A VAPER

My vaping journey began five years ago. I noticed a little shop selling e-cigarettes and decided to take the jump and get myself one. I bought an 1100mAh ego battery starter kit with 24mg Hangsen blueberry e-liquid.

Unfortunately, this didn’t quite cut it and I ended up going back to cigarettes, using the Ego on and off but never really sticking to it. I eventually managed to upgrade my set up to an Aspire Atlantis tank with a Smok M80 box mod from Premier E-cigs. The staff at the time couldn’t have been any more helpful and, from that day, I stuck with vaping and binned the stinkies for good! I went back to Premier E-cigs time and time again and began to build a great friendship with Matt Savage, the sales manager.

This opened me up to a completely different world in the vaping industry. Eventually Matt invited me to work at the Vaper Expo UK with Premier E-cigs and I loved every minute of being there. Meeting other enthusiasts as well as seeing an amazing amount of different companies just opened my eyes to what an amazing community the vaping world is. Years later I am now the company’s retail manager and I haven’t missed an expo since. Each time it gets bigger and better.

As well as that I’m also known as ‘Mr Boost It,’ which all stemmed from Premier E-cigs and the Council of Vapor Xion Mod. This, yet again, opened up more avenues in the vaping industry for me, I now have a YouTube channel ‘Mr Boost It Reviews It’. The vaping community for me is what keeps people using e-cigarettes and it is such a friendly, welcoming community to be a part of.

Here’s to the rest of 2019. I can’t wait to see what it brings for Mr Boost It and the crew.

Featuring Matt Pickering of the Boost It! Crew

WHAT WILL BREXIT MEAN FOR REGULATION, PROCESSES AND CROSS BORDER SALES IN THE UK AND ON THE BLOC?

BY DAMIEN BOVE, CEO, ADACT MEDICAL

Now the news is full of talk of Brexit and the UK’s exit from the European Union, there are a number of implications of this for the UK vape industry and it’s not all bad. Regardless of your political leaning on the topic, let’s have a look at some of the potential rules and business changes.

WILL TPD STILL APPLY?

Yes. TPD will still apply, but how it’s implemented will change. Despite the TPD being a European directive, it has been implemented into UK law, in statutory instrument 2016, No 507. So regardless of the outcome of Brexit it will still be a legally binding piece of legislation in the UK. There will be some changes to the legislation to cover for the fact that we are no longer part of the EU and hence have no access to the EU portal to upload product files and make notifications. The other interesting component is that the UK will also be free to make changes to the legislation as we feel we need to and recent parliamentary debates have indicated an appetite to make these changes. We will make the distinction between regulatory changes and process changes, changes to the rules versus changes to the way we comply with the rules.

WHAT MIGHT CHANGE FROM A REGULATORY STANDPOINT, CHANGES TO THE RULES?

Mark Pawsey, MP for Rugby stood up in parliament on January 7 and said the following.

“There are three issues that are of concern to users in particular. The first is the cap on nicotine strength in vaping liquids. In many cases, it is too low to encourage heavy smokers to switch to e-cigarettes, which

RULES

we know are far better for their health and which we want to encourage. There are restrictions on both the size of bottle in which vaping liquids can be sold and the tank size of vaping devices, both of which appear to be completely arbitrary, with no basis to them. Both users of e-cigarettes and the manufacturing sector are hoping that this may be an opportunity for the Minister to rectify the regulations, which, frankly, are nonsensical. I look forward to the Minister’s response on those points.”

Mark who heads up the All Party Policy Group for vaping and has been instrumental in looking at the vaping industry and how regulations can impact on then will be pressing for regulatory changes post Brexit when the UK will no longer be required to follow EU directives on these issues. Of course, any product that is exported to Europe will have to obey the rules there.

Cross border sales may be an area where we could face difficulty though, currently companies based in the UK can sell directly to consumers in other EU countries without registering their products. Some countries have opted out of this; Finland have opted out and Slovenia, Turkey, Iceland and Croatia have not confirmed if they will allow it. The rules require EEA or third countries to preregister to allow cross boarder sales. This may not be allowed either following Brexit or if we make changes to our product rules. For the moment, the technical rules for selling nicotine containing e-liquids in the UK will not change following Brexit, but there is a strong possibility that it will change sometime after we leave the EU.

WHAT MIGHT CHANGE FROM A PROCESSES PERSPECTIVE?

There are three main areas of concern that are immediately obvious, firstly it’s the local representative. Under EU rules, whilst you can import e-liquids from outside the EU and can be registered by companies outside of the EU, it is a requirement to have a representative inside the EU that takes responsibility as the manufacturer. For UK companies selling into Europe they will need to add a local company as the manufacturer and provide contact details on the notifications. The other key component and probably the most important component is the notification process. As indicated above, we will no longer be able to use the EU portal to notify products for the UK market. Several things are going to happen and the MHRA are working in the background to develop a solution. But to the best of our knowledge this is what it is likely to look like. Please note this is open to change:

· The MHRA will develop their own portal for handling notifications.

· All companies will have to re-apply for submitter accounts on this new system

· Products will be sent up to the MHRA’s portal

We have seen a schematic of the new proposed system and we have to say it does looks like a well thought out process and should not present much difficulty for companies used to using the EU portal moving over to using the new one. It also offers a system for small companies to do their own notifications. However, we are unable to share any details of what it will look like as it’s currently under embargo. As soon as the details are available, we will publish a detailed guide.

WHAT IS THE IMPACT OF THESE CHANGES ON COMPANIES?

Well, there are two key questions that we need to answer. Will companies need to re-notify existing products? We are guessing no, as the logistics of this would cause the MHRA considerable concern in terms of data management. Will companies be able to update existing products through the new system? We are guessing yes. The alternative gives the industry huge cause for concern. Assuming the above, the most obvious impact is that companies with products in both the UK and the EU will have to use two submission processes simultaneously, and that will raise some logistical obstacles. For those of us that have our own XML generator software, basic tweaks to the software will make this manageable and should not raise costs too much, but it’s not unforeseeable that companies will face additional burden and hence additional costs.

The next big issue is what happens when the EU and UK rules on electronic cigarettes start to diverge, which as discussed above is not only possible is likely. Then companies will have a much increased burden.

This is unavoidable. This is the fallout from Brexit, however the proposed changes we feel will be of benefit to the UK industry for its domestic products.

Also companies in Europe who wish to sell products in the UK will also face the same divergence.

For more information on any of the topics covered in this feature, contact ADACT Medical on +44 1302 98 60 88 or email enquiries@adactmedical.com. For more information about ADACT Medical, go to www.adactmedical.com

“FOR THE MOMENT, THE TECHNICAL

FOR SELLING NICOTINE CONTAINING E-LIQUIDS IN THE UK WILL NOT CHANGE FOLLOWING BREXIT, BUT THERE IS A STRONG POSSIBILITY THAT IT WILL CHANGE SOMETIME AFTER WE LEAVE THE EU.”

VAMPIRE VAPE

UNCOVERED: STAYING GROUNDED AND REACHING NEW HEIGHTS

LANCASHIRE-BASED VAMPIRE VAPE RECONNECT WITH WHAT MADE THEM HUGE, WHILST LAUNCHING NEW PROJECTS TO BECOME THE ULTIMATE VAPE BRAND.

BY LEO FORFAR

The start of year marked one full year since Vampire Vape’s co-founders and directors Nathan Walton and Phil Boyle moved one of the industry’s most recognised brands into new facilities, with a fresh vision of how far they could take it.

From short-fills to nicotine salts to CBD, there’s nothing an energised vape industry can’t do at this point, and there’s nothing they aren’t willing to try.

BACK TO BASICS

Nathan says the team has realised it’s been a while since Vampire Vape brought out a 10ml range. “Vampire Vape was built on the appeal of its 10ml liquids. That’s what we’re known for: the perfect starter juice ranges for getting you off the cigarettes. Bloodsucker was the last new 10ml flavour and that was over 18 months ago. So, we began the year deciding that, by February we’d have five brand new flavours. They’ve been tried and tested by all the staff and they’re ready to go. Everything is available in the standard nicotine strengths: zero

nicotine up to 18mg. Next month there will be another five, so 10 by the end of March.”

With renewed confidence in their reputation for welcoming former smokers into vaping, Vampire Vape have been helping New Year’s Resolution-makers keep their pledge by partnering with SMOK. They provide two 10ml bottles of their signature juices with every Novo starter kit sold on their website.

“We’ve never been too involved with hardware, but that’s going to change this year. Pod systems are really popular and we want a cost-effective delivery product. We will be branching out into hardware by the middle of this year,” Phil says.

Vampire Vape has diversified, embracing every new arena in the wide spectrum of the vaping industry. And the spotlight isn’t just on hardware, but nicotine salts. “Once we’ve seen how the new liquids perform, we’ll move on to bringing out a nicotine salt version of the more popular ones, as we did for Heisenberg and Pinkman – which both went through the roof.”

Nathan adds, “We didn’t want to leave it too late. There were so many types of salts that were out there, we held back. But we’re confident that we took the time to develop the best-grade product.”

Vampire Vape are also riding a wave of momentum driven by their new cocktail range. Sometimes simplicity works best for inspiration, as the idea came from straightforwardly observing the wider culture’s obsession with specialised spirits.

“Spirits – especially gins and cocktails, have captured everyone’s imagination. We wanted to latch onto that and bring out a cocktailinspired range. We’ve got flavours like watermelon mojito and a rhubarb with ginger. Such drinks are very popular in the holiday season, with a lot of people giving them [as] gifts,” says Phil.

With the celebratory drink flavour market secured, the company has also ramped up another old favourite: the DIY e-liquid set.

“We’ve been doing DIY liquids for a long time. Now that we sell to 68 countries worldwide, we’ve found that each country wants

something a little different. The German market loves concentrates, the same goes for Holland. People like to experiment, they don’t just want to vape a lemon flavour, they want to infuse it with something like aniseed and create something new.”

Combining their new liquid lines has proven an excellent business move for team Vampire Vape.

“We’re not just bringing out those 10 new flavours, but providing concentrate versions, and have already seen a lot of pre-orders placed from our big distros in France and Germany. It’s a matter of meeting demand, which is more diverse than ever before. Not everyone goes for a complete product right off the shelf: some people want to mix, some people want a bigger bottle (hence the short-fills). We cater for every part of the vape trade and everyone in it.

“If you don’t try new things, you stagnate,” says Nathan. “People were a bit too hesitant with short-fills, seeing them as more of a TPD loophole than a genuine option. We thought it was an opportunity to meet new demand. But all new liquids still go through the required testing, even when they aren’t in 10ml bottles.”

Both Nathan and Phil see this as the new standard for how a vape company should look and operate in the modern world. And what could be more current than a CBD range?

“Our company is Flavour Warehouse, Vampire Vape is the brand and it’s about 90 percent of what the company focuses on. CBD will be the big thing for 2019. I won’t say too much right now, but I will say that Flavour Warehouse will be making CBD products this year, including vape products.”

They welcome both growth in the CBD market and tighter regulations to ensure safe, high-quality products.

IT’S HERE

THE AETHER X VAPOUROUND & ULTRONER

After more than three years in the vape industry, Vapouround is proud to unveil the first ever Vapouround mod.

The Aether squonk mod is the result of a collaboration between Vapouround and hardware experts Ultroner. With our brand and reputation in mind, we wanted to bring vaping enthusiasts a compact, ergonomic, regulated squonk device, made from the very best materials available.

We believe that close attention to detail is needed to create the ideal device, so we have made sure to only incorporate practical design choices into the Aether.

Ultroner’s SEVO chipset powers the mod, with a focus on battery efficiency, simplicity and intuitive operation. Although tailored towards mid-wattage vapers, the board is capable of up to 80W of power output, along with variable voltage and bypass settings. This back-to-basics approach has allowed us to get the most out of a single 18650 cell.

The Aether’s intuitive slide and lock bottle system allows mess-free refills and easy installation, as well as the option of protecting the bottle from accidental presses during travel. We wanted to take the hassle out of squonking and we are proud to say that we have succeeded.

The body of the Aether is crafted from Ultroner’s signature stabilised wood, with a luxurious high gloss finish. This ensures that every device is uniquely stunning and also means the Aether is extremely lightweight, for those users who prefer an inconspicuous device.

We designed the Aether with ergonomics as a top priority and its unique shape allows for comfortable operation with both the right hand (index finger fire) and left hand (thumb fire), incorporating easy access to the squonk action at all times.

If you have been looking for an affordable stabilised wood squonking device that incorporates user friendly design, look no further than the Vapouround x Ultroner Aether.

The Aether, a collaboration between Ultroner, will be available from February. For all the latest news and updates about this device, head to: members.thevapouroundclub.co.uk

“If you have been looking for an affordable stabilised wood squonking device that incorporates user friendly design, look no further than the Vapouround x Ultroner Aether”

INNOVATE TO THRIVE

If you’re a juice manufacturer, you’ve already put blood, sweat, tears and countless sleepless nights into the development of your liquids. Now what?

With an endless variety of flavours available to vapers, it’s never been more important to pay attention to detail.

PRESENTATION IS EVERYTHING. SO IS CONVENIENCE.

ENTER EASYSNAP.

The cost effective, convenient and innovative solution to your packaging.

Last year, there were just 100,000 new vapers in the UK compared to 800,000 in 2014 (Action on Smoking and Health). You and your competitors are now racing to fight for the same consumer pool.

You’ve been seeking the next big thing in vaping, well here it is!

Easysnap is the only one-hand opening and dispensing portion pack for liquid and is oneof-a-kind in the global e-cigarette industry. Using patented technology, vapers can snap, fold and squeeze these simple, pocket-friendly TPD compliant sachets.

Easysnap enables your liquids to stand out, to attract not just current vapers but smokers looking for an alternative to cigarettes, helping you to target your brand to the independent retail sector – a brand that is cost-effective, ergonomic and innovative.

Competitively

Quality

NO RISK OF CONTAMINATION

Thanks to an airtight seal.

UNIVERSAL TECHNOLOGY

ASK THE SCIENTIST

What is the endocannabinoid system?

By Richard Cunningham, PhD

Search for the ECS online and you’re instantly blinded by graphics and definitions only a scientist could understand. So, we asked our go-to scientist Dr Richard Cunningham to break it all down.

DID YOU KNOW?

THE ECS IS INVOLVED IN THE REGULATION OF A LARGE RANGE OF PHYSIOLOGICAL FUNCTIONS IN THE BODY INCLUDING MOOD, MEMORY, FERTILITY, PAIN-SENSATION AND APPETITE.

First of all, what is a cannabinoid?

A cannabinoid is a class of chemical compounds that bind to the cannabinoid receptors found within the human body. Generally, they are hydrophobic/lipid soluble molecules. This means they don’t mix well with water.

A receptor is a protein molecule that receives chemical messages from outside of a cell and there are two main cannabinoid receptors found within the body. These are CB1 and CB2.

CB1 receptors are found mainly in the central nervous system and also in organs like the liver, lungs and kidneys, while CB2 receptors are more associated with tissues of the immune system.

endocannabinoids

phytocannabinoids synthetic cannabinoids

When a cannabinoid binds to a cannabinoid receptor, it acts as an agonist, which means it activates the receptor to produce a biological tissue response. Whereas cannabinoid antagonists block a cannabinoid receptor from being activated by an endocannabinoid.

Naturally occurring cannabinoids within the body are known as endocannabinoids, from plants phytocannabinoids such as that from the cannabis plant, and lastly synthetic cannabinoids which are manufactured artificially.

The grouping of the cannabinoid receptors, receptor proteins and endocannabinoids make up what is called the endocannabinoid system (ECS).

The ECS is involved in the regulation of a large range of physiological functions in the body including mood, memory, fertility, pain-sensation and appetite.

As such administration of phytocannabinoids and synthetic cannabinoids, which are not naturally found in the body, can influence physiological functions mentioned earlier, such as mood, pain-sensation and appetite. And this happens through interactions with the cannabinoid receptors of the body.

Different cannabinoids will have different physiological responses through how and which receptors they bind to, such as the appetite stimulating effect of THC, and the pain-relieving effects of CBD.

DO YOU HAVE A SCIENCE-BASED QUESTION FOR DR RICHARD? EMAIL YOUR QUESTIONS TO THE EDITOR AND THEY MAY BE FEATURED IN THE NEXT ISSUE OF VAPOUROUND:

ROISIN@VAPOUROUND.CO.UK

CB1 = The brain and nervous system, as well as the lungs, liver and kidneys.

CB2 = Gastrointestinal system, tonsils, spleen

About the scientist:

Dr Richard Cunningham has a PhD in medicinal chemistry from Queen’s University Belfast where he also worked as postdoctoral researcher for a number of years before working in the US at the Mitchell Cancer Institute in Alabama. Among his areas of expertise are organic synthesis, nucleosides, nucleotides, cellular biology, vitamins, aminoglycosides, drug delivery, phosphorous chemistry and chemical analysis. He is now the director of quality at Liquid Sciences in the UK.

THE DARKER SIDE OF BEING A VAPE REVIEWER

Vapouround columnist and YouTube personality Victor Mullin talks anonymity online, trolls and why he won’t give up despite the cyberbullies.

“Every year on the run up to the May Vaper Expo, there’s usually one or two emails sent from throwaway accounts where the sender warns me not to go. Otherwise I will be given two black eyes.”

COLUMNIST | VICTOR MULLIN

It is true. Whether you are on YouTube with 50 or 100,000 subscribers, or you are on Twitter, Instagram or any social media network, you will encounter trolls.

It’s more apparent on YouTube, however, due to user accounts being completely anonymous. Anonymity online sometimes can bring out the worst in people, which is why a lot of companies avoid YouTube, or simply switch off the comments and direct people to their Facebook presence.

I have been a reviewer for almost five years now and as the channel has grown, especially in the last year, the trolling has grown along with it. In nearly all cases, the old adage of “a minute to type, a second to block” holds true, the back-end of YouTube has some very fast and easy methods to ban people from making comments on live shows and comments on videos. However, along with trolling are the people who like to take things a step too far.

It was no secret, in the early days of the ‘Vaping with Vic’ channel and up to May of last year, I was on disability. To be more precise, Employment and Support Allowance. First on the support group then brought down to the work-related category as my health problems slowly got better. I made it no secret on the YouTube channel either. The Department of Work and Pensions, which takes care of all benefits, regularly had a look at my bank account. Any money coming in from the YouTube channel was instantly seen by the DWP as I held the print offs of the bank balance to them at the beginning of every year. It may surprise people to know, that people in disability can earn some money, not a lot, but some.

The trolling back in 2016 and going into 2018 started to take a dark turn, due to me being disabled. There is trolling, and then there is directly impacting peoples’ real lives. Over the course of two years, I was called into the DWP on seven separate occasions for an anonymous report that I was committing benefit fraud. Of course, the report was anonymous which means the person who made the claim couldn’t be tracked, but the fact that some people out there took it upon themselves to make a false claim of benefit fraud just shows what kind of people are out there.

There have been several occasions where my home address was given out on Facebook along with my home telephone number. So far my home number has had to be changed twice. It doesn’t end there. Like clockwork, every year on the run up to the May Vaper Expo, there is usually one or two emails sent to me from throwaway accounts where the person sending it has warned me not to go. Otherwise I will be given two black eyes.

Even up to December 2018, with Vaping With Vic now an actual company, the threats have shifted from reporting me to the DWP, to reporting me to the Her Majesty’s Revenue Commission (HMRC) for tax evasion, even though the company has been around long enough to actually file its first tax return.

There have been some instances where it has felt like myself and the channel have been under attack from a select few people, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

I myself have been branded a ‘bully’ by some small groups of people, due to my habit of calling people out in public. Lately other select people have branded me a ‘cyberbully.’ Yet, in these same groups where they all hang out, if you look back on the history of the Facebook group, you can see them giving out information about me. What I clamed in benefits, how

much I must have got in benefits, the address of the HMRC to report me for benefit fraud.

When ‘trolling’ starts to impact someone’s life, which it has for me on several occasions, that’s when it crosses the line.

Even while I am typing this article, only yesterday, another reviewer in the UK used a silhouette of me on a live show, with a title that they are going to ‘speak their mind’ about a reviewer in the UK. Turns out the image and the title were clickbait designed to draw in more viewers to their failing channel.

If it was me that did something like that I would have been hauled over the coals for it. Yet, it’s ok for them to get away with practically anything they want to, and for the most part they do.

When it all comes down to it, it’s mainly pure and simple jealousy that has caused people to go on the attack, and when it comes down to it, the more they attack, the more the general public can see exactly what’s going on. The sad part in all of this is an old saying which rings very true if you are in the public eye which is: ‘No one sees when you are provoked, they only see when you retaliate.’

I could just pack it all in and walk away. However, the vast majority of the time, the interactions I have with the folks who watch me are positive. I have helped probably hundreds of people give up smoking in the last year alone. Over the lifetime of the channel, the numbers are anyone’s guess. And when it comes right down to the heart of the matter, that’s what keeps me going. It’s the fact that the channel has, and still is, helping a large number of people switch to vaping to live a healthier life compared to being a smoker.

Follow Victor online: Vapingwithvic.co.uk

There have been occasions where my home address was given out on Facebook along with my telephone number. So far my home number has had to be changed twice. “

“

Thoughts from the shop floor

A peek behind the scenes of The Puffin Hut

By Gordon Stribling

The beginning of the year is a notoriously challenging time for the retail sector. The hectic boom leading up to Christmas is a distant memory, with credit cards to pay off and winter fuel bills to account for.

What’s it like for a growing business with a new shop over this difficult period? Helen Seward is director of The Puffin Hut in Wiltshire. Her five shops offer a tailored smoking-cessation service as well as providing to a loyal vaper customer-base. We checked in with Helen to find out how her new shop is faring.

“We opened the week before Christmas, which isn’t the best time of year to be opening a shop, to be fair, but we wanted to be open in time for the Christmas rush.

“It’s picking up, but we are getting a lot of people coming in asking, ‘what can I get for a fiver?’ January’s a killer for a lot of people. A lot of people got paid before Christmas and then have to wait a lot time before they get paid again. I think there’s a lot of what they thought were empty bottles being squeezed for the last little drop.

“We’re doing lots of door-banging to the big corporates in the local area so we’re looking to work out something with them.

“It’s getting there. It might take a long time for the new one to take off because it’s not on a main road as such so it’s going to take a lot of shouting about but once people know where we are, we’ll no doubt see a lot of old and new faces walking through the door.”

Follow @ThePuffinHut on Facebook and Instagram for the latest from Helen and The Puffin Hut team.

“January’s a killer for a lot of people. A lot of people got paid before Christmas and it’s a long way to wait until you get paid again.”

FOUR YEARS OF GLITZ AND GLAMOUR

The history of the Vapouround Awards and what you need to know ahead of May’s spectacle

It’s a whole new year, and in vaping one always has another calendar date to mark down. The annual Vapouround Awards stand as one of the vaping industry’s must-attend events. Hot on the heels of B2B day at the Vaper Expo UK, the awards ceremony is a perfect way to end the first act of the expo and usher in the spirited rush of two B2C days by richly rewarding and commending the people and companies who make this all possible.

On Friday May 3, we’ll be bringing the Vapouround Awards to you for the fourth year running. We’re honouring the industry’s competitive spirit by continuing the tradition of outdoing ourselves in every possible way since the last outing.

Beginning at the second Vaper Expo in May 2016, the awards instantly became a pillar of an industry that had entered a golden age and was still full of promise. The awards proved to be prescient in their predictions, as several winners have since become leaders and examples for us all to follow. Remember this when entering your own products – you have nothing to lose and everything to gain. May 2017 saw further diversification, with the night evolving into a full-blown extravaganza of entertainment. BHVape’s irrepressible Johnnie Lovell joined Ashley Hansen from Strawberry Queen, forming a now inseparable double act. The two have become synonymous with the Vaper Expo and Vapouround Awards, ushering

in both rising stars and established standbys. DJ Richard Kibble provided the music, and magician Nick Einhorn pioneered another discipline on this night: the obscure art of vape-related magic tricks. Each subsequent show has ushered in more fun, more sparkle and more memories. In May 2018, we added the comedic brilliance of Ian Irving.

But for all the pageantry, we never forgot that the most important part of the awards are those watching the stage. Last May’s awards evening brought 450 leading figures into the suite and we welcome any business owner or affiliate who wants to join us next year at our new venue.

The Vapouround Awards are also known for honouring new, emerging trends in the industry which become essential mainstays. Last year we gave out our first trophy for Best CBD, in 2019 we debut Best Salt Nicotine – as it has been hugely helpful in getting smokers off cigarettes, going hand-in-hand with starter kits and smaller, pod-based devices.

In addition to new trophies for the industry’s new stars, we’ll be holding the festivities in a new venue. The 2019 awards will take place in the National Conference Centre, within the National Motorcycle Museum, a stone’s throw from the NEC.

Full details of our sponsorship packages can be found at the ceremony’s official website: Vapouroundawards.co.uk

We hope to see you there.

Official Sponsor

WHAT PAST WINNERS HAVE TO SAY:

“The night was one to remember and all the staff had a great time. Ashley and Johnnie made the night as always with their crazy antics and witty humour. I think everyone was blown away with the fantastic magic show and the hilarious comedian that had us all in stitches. We were very thankful for winning the award for Best Menthol again. Thanks again for a fantastic evening and well done to all the other winners. This industry wouldn’t be what it is today without you all so keep up the good work, continue to keep making great liquids and good luck to everyone in the future.”

“It’s been a tough journey but a memorable one, with many hurdles along the way. Winning the Best Branding and Marketing award two years running was an honour but winning the Industry Leader is really special as it shows our hard work is paying dividend and being recognised within the industry. I would like to thank everyone for voting Nasty Juice. This is just the beginning as we have some very exciting and amazing projects ahead of us. To all our resellers and fans out there, watch this space. Nasty got the juice.”

“This really is the highlight of the vape industry calendar and we’re incredibly proud to be recognised here, at such a high-profile international event. The fact that this particular award is voted for by consumers – and in such huge numbers – is the icing on the cake for us. Lemon Tart, as with all our juices, is about flavour quality and user enjoyment.”” –

Mo Patel.

“It was our first time attending the Vapouround Awards and it was really awesome. The food was lovely and the whole night was joyful. We enjoyed it very much and appreciate Vapouround giving us a chance to be known and recognised by more people. Also, thanks to the Usonicig team who worked hard behind this. It is they who worked out the brilliant vaping device that does not require coil and brings the industry a safer and better vaping experience. We hope we can come again next year and win the first place of the innovation award.”

Vape Dinner Lady Founder,

Vampire Vape – Official Sponsors of the Vapouround Awards 2018

Nasty Juice – Best Branding/Marketing and Industry Leader 2018

Vape Dinner Lady – Juice of the Year 2018 and official sponsor 2019

Usonicig – Outstanding Contribution to the Vape Industry 2018

These are decided in a blind taste test by independent judges

These awards are decided solely by a public vote online

These are decided by independent judges

These awards are decided by Vapouround

Vapers are more resilient to smoking relapses, even after the occasional cigarette

Researchers have found some key advantages to vaping that keep the strongest temptations of old smoking habits away, even after relapses

By Leo Forfar

New research conducted at the University of East Anglia’s Norwich Medical School has suggested that vapers are less prone to smoking relapses than non-vapers, even if they have the odd cigarette.

A 40-strong group of ex-smokers who had successfully used e-cigarettes to quit were interviewed by the research team. Roughly half of the subjects reported slip-ups and occasional bouts of dual use. One of the most interesting findings of the study was that vapers view smoking relapses differently to non-vapers in that those that relapsed exhibited less stress and defeatism and were less likely to let it adversely affect their willpower.

Project lead, Dr Caitlin Notley said: "In the past – a brief smoking lapse would almost always lead to a full relapse, and people would usually feel like a failure for slipping up. But this was before people started switching to vaping.”

“The difference is that, for some vapers, the odd cigarette was thought of as being ‘allowed.' For others, an unintentional cigarette made them even more determined to maintain abstinence in future. Either way, it didn't necessarily lead to a full relapse back into smoking."

This discovery is not just important for continuing to make the case for vaping as an effective method of smoking cessation, but it fleshes out just how three-dimensional vaping is as a method of nicotine replacement. Vaping supplements the myriad physical and mental factors in nicotine use in ways other replacement methods don’t, changing our very attitudes and viewpoints on smoking.

Even anecdotal evidence taken from your local vape shop will soon reveal a common thread of camaraderie, mutual support and the importance of personal input and advice when it comes to maintaining smoking cessation. Getting – and keeping – our friends and relatives off of smoking (and remaining disciplined ourselves) doesn’t often happen in isolation and doesn’t begin and end with our body chemistry. Now we have the data to back our experiences up.

Research into smoking cessation and nicotine replacement covers both physical and mental factors, and Dr Notley has made recent waves through her work specialising in this area. In her July 2018 study into smoking relapses, Dr Notley found that former smokers crave a lost sense of social identity. Years of smoking (especially when it begins in a formative stage like adolescence) results in seeing oneself as a “smoker” and closely associating the habit and its traits with their own identity. The study hinted that only through vaping could one fully shed the “smoker” identity, by having a full replacement for lost habits and activities surrounding their nicotine use.

This new research all but confirms that and developing a habit of e-cigarette use provides strong substitutes for previously lost pleasures in smoking that go beyond mere nicotine ingestion. Nicotine isn't the only thing being replaced, but behaviours and mental cues triggered by the old habit.

“E-cigarettes are the most popular aid to quitting smoking in the UK. Our previous research has shown that e-cigarettes are really important for helping people stay smoke free – by substituting the physical, psychological and social aspects of smoking."

Dr Notley also mentioned how the inherent qualities of vaping do a good job drawing a would-be lapsed smoker away from their old temptations. She said:

“Because vaping is a more pleasurable alternative, our research found that a full relapse into smoking isn't inevitable when people find themselves having the odd cigarette.”

This finding doesn’t just represent a significant step forward in research covering vaping’s role in instigating smoking cessation, but in maintaining a smoke-free lifestyle for vapers. Dr Notley found that not only was vaping a more enjoyable alternative but had particular pull with former smokers.

“There has been a lot of theorising around the process of smoking relapse after quit attempts. But all of these date back to pre-vaping times. This fresh evidence makes us question the usefulness of that understanding now that so many people are choosing to switch to vaping.”

“For ex-smokers, vaping offers a pleasurable, social and psychological substitute to cigarettes – and it powerfully alters the threat of relapse. The old ‘not a puff’ advice may need revisiting.”

The study, ‘Vaping as an alternative to smoking relapse following brief lapse’ and was funded by Cancer Research UK. It was published via Drug and Alcohol Review.

“Because vaping is a more pleasurable alternative, our research found that a full relapse into smoking isn't inevitable when people find themselves having the odd cigarette.”

Spain’s smoking rate rises to pre-ban levels

Daily cigarette smoking in Spain has gone up to 34 percent. Two points higher than before the public smoking ban

By Leo Forfar

The Spanish government is accused of being “self-complacent and passive” after “alarming” new figures reveal that smoking rates have climbed above pre smoking ban levels.

Spain’s biannual drug consumption survey has shown that 34 percent of the population smoke every day compared to 32.8 percent when the anti-smoking legislation was introduced in 2005.

National Committee for Tobacco Prevention (CNPT) president Dr Regina Dalmau said she was “indignant” at the findings and has called for enforcement of existing policies plus the introduction of new measures to tackle the problem.

The survey results showed that the youth smoking rate has risen by five percent in just two years and the data shows that more women are also smoking.

Dr Dalmau, a cardiologist, said: “We will have to analyse in detail what sections of the population have seen an increase in smoking, but in any of them, the data is alarming.

“Part of the explanation is the lack of policies to control tobacco, the self-complacency and passivity, which, given it is our main public health problem, indicates the lack of a sense of responsibility from the governments involved.”

Health minister María Luisa Carcedo announced the survey findings in December and has already vowed to introduce a new plan specifically tailored towards curbing the climbing youth smoking rate.

She said she did not know the exact reason for the rise, but said more must be done to enforce the existing laws.

Carcedo did not say if there would be any expansion of the current laws which regulate smoking in private spaces such as homes or cars where children are passengers.

Francisco Rodríguez Lozano, the president of the European Network for Smoking Protection said the increase in women smokers was part of the reason for the rise.

He wants Spain to fast-track new anti-smoking measures in both public and private spaces such as bans on smoking at beaches and in cars.

While the survey showed that the percentage of people who smoke has risen, the number of cigarette packs sold has actually fallen to 2.2 billion in 2017 from from 4.6 billion in 2005. It is unclear whether the drop is down to people smoking less, more smokers opting to roll their own or a combination of both.

The original 2005 law prohibited all workplace smoking but allowed it in bars and restaurants under 100 square metres in size, provided they restricted it to a specified smoking area. A 2010 update largely closed the indoor loophole and banned smoking in almost all enclosed public spaces, as well as outdoor spaces in schools, hospitals and children’s play areas.

Former CNPT head and anti-tobacco campaigner Rodrigo Córdoba does not see the existing laws as adequate and feels successive governments have incorrectly viewed a smoking crackdown as a one-and-done battle, rather than a process.

“Nothing has been done in recent years,” he said. “In the fight against tobacco you have to continue to introduce measures. It’s like riding a bike. If you stop pedalling, you fall over.”

Córdoba has proposed raising taxes on cigarettes – another effective method used elsewhere in Europe, though it is not clear which actions the government will take in the near future.

Other survey findings showed that alcohol remained the country’s most popular drug with consumption at 75.2 percent while daily cannabis use remained constant at 2.1 percent of those surveyed.

“We will have to analyse in detail what sections of the population have seen an increase in smoking, but in any of them, the data is alarming.”

National Committee for Tobacco Prevention

BRE XIT:

BY STAFF REPORTER

DEAL,

OR NO DEAL?

THAT’S THE QUESTION EVERYONE IS ASKING,

MATTER WHAT INDUSTRY YOU’RE IN.

With each day that passes, it is anyone’s guess what the result of Brexit will be, and what the knock-on effects may be to the vape industry.

In December, news came from Westminster that the UK government was not ruling out revising vape regulations postBrexit. Up until this point, it had been thought that no changes would be implemented, and all would run as it has been since the introduction of the TPD. Back then, the TPD was seen as a massive inconvenience to the industry. Now, can you imagine this industry without it?

In response to the Science and Technology Committee’s evidence review report published last August, the Department of Health and Social Care said before Christmas it would look at the options Brexit could present for the Great British vape industry, one of the leading vape industries worldwide.

“The government will review where the UK’s exit from the EU offers us opportunities to re appraise current regulation to ensure this continues to protect the nation’s health. The government will explore those areas identified by the committee, such as the 20mg/ml maximum nicotine refill limit, a size restriction of 2ml on the tank, a block on advertising e-cigarettes’ relative harm-reduction potential and the notification scheme for e-cigarette ingredients.”

Merely a week into 2019, MPs debated and then agreed a list which will ensure that if no deal is reached by the exit deadline, two pieces of EU tobacco legislation will be signed into UK law.

This allows for the provision of the Tobacco Products Directive and the Tobacco Advertising Directive to remain in place following a bad break-up.

NO

There are three main changes which will affect the regulation of the vape industry in the event of a no deal Brexit, as confirmed by MPs in January.

1. The Australian Government will provide the graphic imagery used in warnings contained on tobacco product packaging. A deal between both governments has arranged for this to be done free of charge.

2. The UK will need to develop its own domestic notification systems for companies that wish to sell tobacco products and e-cigarettes on the UK market.

3. A transfer of powers will be required from the EU Commission to the government’s Secretary of State. The EU Commission currently holds a range of powers under the TPD that enable it to respond to emerging threats, changing safety and quality standards, and technological advances. If there is a no deal Brexit, these will be overseen in London from March 29.

SMART VAPES: THE NEXT STAGE OF MOD TECHNOLOGY?

FROM ‘FIND MY VAPE’ TO ‘GEOFENCING.’

JUST HOW ‘SMART’ IS SMART VAPE TECHNOLOGY?

BY LEO FORFAR

As the centrepiece of the vape trade, the mod is always evolving. The quest for the ultimate nicotine, flavour and throat hit delivery system will never end, and chasing that perfect balance keeps consumers – both struggling smokers and veteran vaper hobbyists – on the hunt.

With the digital revolution leading global culture, and technology shaping almost everything we do, it’s no surprise that our mods are evolving along the same cultural lines. Maximising our hardware’s potential is crucial to achieving smoking cessation. As the user’s life literally hangs in the balance, vape companies have been going all out to make this happen. Already there are a myriad of device-connected apps calculating nicotine dosage, frequency of puffs and the ohms level, many of them synced to devices. Voice-activated devices such as the SMOK I-Priv 230W and Wismec Active kits are making waves, adding a new level of efficiency to the experience. The latter even features a Bluetooth-enabled speaker for playing music, a function that once migrated from the Walkman to the smartphone. Now finding its way to the mod, showing how essential the device is to the mobile vaper.

CANNABIS VAPORISERS AND A CONTROLLED HIGH

The growth of CBD and THC in the vape market has been one of the strongest recent catalysts for such innovation. Canadian cannabis company Canopy Growth Corp filed a patent application for a smart pen in November last year. The patent is still pending as of this printing, as cannabis vaporisers are not yet legal. But a look at the patent application form reveals how much hope and work is already going into such a pen. It hasn’t passed through the vetting process yet, but Canopy Growth’s proposed pen has an impressive array of features. One notable function of this device would allow is for the user to track it down should they misplace it. A feeling of panic and loss

those who have left their mod at a random stand at a colossal expo will be all too familiar with. This feature is made possible by the same technology as the Find iPhone™ app as used by Apple®

Another feature likely to please tech enthusiasts is the availability of linking ones vape device to one’s smartphone. The company describes this function as: “A personal vaporizer device or “vape device” that can communicate with smart phones or devices and operate in conjunction with applications running thereon to control and monitor the use of the vape device by a user.”

The pen would also sync up with data collected by devices such as FitBit, providing an ongoing analysis of the user’s lifestyle habits.

TRACKING MISUSE OF E-CIGARETTES

It appears some e-cigarette companies and advocates are hoping that a more sophisticated, controllable mod can alleviate improper (and illegal) use. One problem that isn’t going away any time soon is the use of e-cigarettes by teenagers in the US. JUUL is hoping to roll out Bluetooth-enabled devices at some point this year: “We are actively evaluating new technologies and features to help keep JUUL out of the hands of young people,” JUUL spokesperson Victoria Davis said.

These new technologies even extend to locking mods out of use specific to location, with ‘geofences’ around schools. Activation of new devices would require age verification via PIN numbers and potentially biometric data. Such advances would require thorough FDA vetting.

Certain institutions outside of the vape trade are already giving similar technology a trial run. Cybersecurity and environmental intelligence company Soter Technologies have developed AI called Fly Sense, which has sensors capable of detecting any vaping happening in the room. Founder and CEO Derek Peterson says it was originally used to monitor sound anomalies associated

with fighting and bullying: “After receiving feedback from school administrators about the explosion of the vaping problem with young people in secondary schools, an advanced vape detection and alert system was [also] integrated into the system solution,” he said.

PRIVACY, DATA MISUSE AND SAFETY

One can’t provide an honest perspective on emerging tech and the increasing interconnectedness of the world without covering areas giving people pause. Human rights and pro-privacy groups have long warned of the risks rising from data misuse and encroaching surveillance. A report from the InfoSec Institute divided the security risks of smart vapes into three straightforward categories:

(A) MONITORING USERS’ BEHAVIOURAL PATTERNS (B) INFECTION WITH MALWARE AND (C) COMMUNICATION BETWEEN DEVICES

The report advises users to keep themselves safe by only using hardware supplied by reputable companies who can provide proof of security certification. It also encourages users to take advantage of settings which provide an opt-out and method for tracking and data collection, and power mods in a socket instead of personal computer.

Perhaps the biggest drawback of the smart device right now is availability. New products always have limited distribution, and, like mech mods, their use may require a little more skill and experience than normal.

But as we’ve seen before in business, the cutting edge takes the lead, and often the obscure ambitions of today are the norms of tomorrow. We have only seen the beginning of discussion about new ethical and logistical difficulties.

FROM THE MAKERS OF CANDY KING

WANT MORE REASONS TO ? #jointheclub

Can anyone sign up to the Vapouround Club for free?

Yes – All memberships of the Vapouround Club are 100 percent free!

Do you have to be employed in the vape industry to sign up?

No – The club box is a subscription-based service which the first one thousand industry members are eligible to receive. The Vapouround sample box will soon be discontinued.

Isn’t this just like a group on social media?

No – through the Vapouround Club, we bring vapers news, announcements, offers, discounts and more straight from the epicentre of the industry. The opportunities are endless. By signing up, you get one step closer to the heart of the industry.

How can I sign up?

Log onto members.thevapouroundclub.com and register for your account to access the benefits the Vapouround Club has to offer.

I work in a vape shop, can I sign up?

Absolutely! Many vape shop workers think the club is something their bosses or store owners can avail of, but the Vapouround Club was created with the people who make this industry what it is in mind – that’s you vape shop workers! This makes you eligible for an industry membership, which includes amazing offers like deals on pre-release hardware from the hottest brands around the world.

Can anyone else sign up?

Yes! Reviewers, photographers, vape personalities … the list goes on. Anyone working within the vape industry can sign up to an industry membership. If you don’t work in the vape industry, don’t panic. You can sign up to a public membership.

PRE-RELEASE HARDWARE EXCLUSIVES

How can I get pre-release hardware before anyone else?

You must be working within the vape industry and be registered as an industry member with the club to avail of these offers. Vapouround has teamed up with hardware giants in Asia, the US and closer to home to bring the newest devices exclusively to members of the club before they hit the market for general sale.

How long are these offers valid for?

Once announced, the pre-release sale will last for one week.

Can I get the hardware from the club after the pre-release period ends?

Don’t worry! We’ve teamed up with ADV Distro, official distributor to the Vapouround Club to make this possible. When each pre-release timeframe draws to a close, there’s the option for industry members to purchase the hardware on wholesale directly from ADV Distro at unbeatable prices.

How many can I buy?

Hardware is limited to one per person. In fact, we recently sold out of the SMOK V2 Species in one colour just a day after the pre-release deal was advertised. As these deals are for devices which haven’t even hit the market yet, availability is limited so you’ll have to act fast to avoid missing out!

Can I buy pre-release hardware outside of the UK with the club?

Absolutely! We ship internationally. Just go to members.thevapouroundclub.co.uk/ international-shipping for your shipping and delivery options.

Are the pre-release hardware offers good value?

We think so – The companies we have teamed up with to bring industry members these exclusive deals have allowed us to offer great prices on the hardware items. We promise you won’t find a better deal on the devices in our pre-release specials anywhere else.

SPONSORS OF THE VAPOUROUND CLUB

Vapouround Club sponsors enjoy a private club online forum, leaflets in the bi-monthly club box, product reviews in any Vapouround magazine, blog posts on Vapouround.co.uk, a video produced by Vapouround’s videographer and reach club members with bespoke marketing content every quarter. FROM EXCLUSIVE DISCOUNTS TO PRE-RELEASE HARDWARE, THE SKY’S THE LIMIT WITH THE VAPOUROUND CLUB. Call +44 (0)1332 650239 or email theclub@vapouround.co.uk

AUSTRALIA:

Tests reveal nicotine and unlisted chemicals in ‘nic-free’ juices

The latest media scare only strengthens the argument that Australia should legalise and regulate vaping

By Gordon Stribling

Australia gets a lot of column inches in Vapouround but unfortunately, it’s rarely for positive reasons.

Despite having a large vaping community and one of the world’s most well-known YouTube vapers among its citizens, the government’s approach to e-cigarettes remains stuck in the past.

Regulations vary state-by-state but for all intents and purposes, vaping is an illegal practice. E-cigarette users face fines of up to AUD $45,000 for possessing nicotinecontaining e-liquid without the prescription that many doctors are unwilling to supply.

So, it will come as no surprise that reductions in smoking have slowed in recent years. According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, there was no decline in daily tobacco smoking between the years 2013 and 2016. In the UK, smoking prevalence dropped from 18.4 percent to 15.5 percent over the same period.

According to a recent report by the Australian Bureau of statistics, Aussies spend AUD $14 billioWn a year on smoking.

Despite this – or perhaps because of the country’s strong tobacco-control policies – the government has been reluctant to embrace e-cigarettes.

The latest media furore centres on a recent study published in the Medical Journal of Australia that led the Therapeutic Goods Association (TGA) to warn the public of the ‘serious risks’ posed by e-liquids.

Six of the 10 ‘nicotine-free’ e-liquids purchased by researchers at Curtin University were found to contain nicotine. The tests also found benign food additives, some chemicals commonly found in soups, detergents, solvents and pesticides and certain ‘byproducts of animal or human bodily functions.’

Lead researcher Alex Larcombe was critical of the lack of regulation for vaping products.

He said:

“The real take-home message here is that people are buying these liquids unaware of what’s in them, and there’s no way they can tell based on what the label says.”

Simon Chapman, vape industry critic and Professor Emeritus in the School of Public Health at the University of Sydney, said: “Vaping retailing in Australia is a real cowboy … they say they can sell the juice without nicotine, but there’s no specification about what can and can’t be in it.

“I’ve also been told there’s a fair amount of amateur, backyard lab production of e-juices which are being sold.”

The campaign group Legalise Vaping called the TGA’s warning ‘absurd’, noting that they were well-aware that vaping products were untested and unregulated and yet they had failed to act.

Campaign director Brian Marlow said:

“While the TGA has sat on its hands, these products are regulated and legally available to smokers in the United Kingdom, Canada, the United States, the European Union and New Zealand.”

“Australians deserve access to the same reduced risk alternatives to smoking, and we are calling on the TGA and public health authorities to work with us to deliver the safety standards and regulations that all Australians expect.”

Conjoint Associate Professor Colin Mendelsohn, chairman of Australian Tobacco Harm Reduction Association (ATHRA) responded via a press release, noting that the average concentration found in the e-liquids was in fact 15 times lower than normally found in commercially-available nicotine juices and would be highly unlikely to cause harm at such low levels.

Professor Mendelsohn said:

“Trace amounts of several chemicals were also identified. It is impossible to say if these are toxic without knowing the dose and the level at which they cause harm. Neither were provided.”

Professor Mendelsohn has been vocal in calling for vaping products to be legalised and regulated. In an interview with Inside Sources he referred to the UK as ‘leading light’ in tobacco harm reduction thanks to the government’s endorsement of e-cigarettes. The push for proportionate regulation has gained some momentum since Andrew Laming MP issued a dissenting report in response to the government’s year-long enquiry into e-cigarettes issued in March last year.

Mr Laming’s report simply read: ‘Life is short and shorter for smokers. Just legalise vaping.’

“These products are regulated and legally available to smokers in the United Kingdom, Canada, the United States, the European Union and New Zealand. Australians deserve access to the same reduced risk alternatives to smoking.”

NEW ZEALAND ENTERS POTENTIAL BOOM PERIOD

We’re only a couple of months in, but 2019 is already proving to the beginning of a potential boom period for New Zealand’s e-cigarette industry.

The government of New Zealand has been steadfast in its commitment to going smoke-free by 2025. A closer embrace of the domestic vaping industry may be on the table, as with only a few years left, the pressure is mounting.

The country’s smoking rate is falling, now standing at just under 14 percent. Though this marks the continuation of a consistent fall, it does not reflect the full potential a fully-optimised anti-smoking movement could achieve with vaping pushed as a cessation option, and some politicians in the opposition are voicing their concerns.

Nicky Wagner, MP, (pictured) has confronted the government over its reluctance to make full use of e-cigarettes as a method to reach their ambitious goal.

“The Ministry of Health has highlighted the potential for vaping to be used as a smoking cessation tool to help achieve Smokefree 2025, and yet the government will not move to make e-cigarettes and vaping devices more accessible,” she said.

Wagner praised the yearly tax excise increases on tobacco but insists they won’t break through to the most addicted smokers who need nicotine replacement rather than deterrence.

"These year-on-year increases have achieved their purpose in reducing smoking rates and now we must help our most ingrained smokers who are not put off by price by providing an alternative

like vaping."

Wagner has put forward the Smoke-free Environments (Regulation of E-Cigarettes) Amendment Bill, which she insists will save the government time by both boosting and regulating the country’s vaping industry, providing grounds for compromise between the trade and those who have their concerns about its unresolved issues.

"These regulations would prohibit sales to under 18s, allow the ability to encourage vaping on tobacco products, ensure there are appropriate rules around advertising, set quality standards, require the Ministry of Health to approve products and prohibit vaping in smoke-free areas."

The comparatively high smoking rate of New Zealand’s Maori community has been a focal point of the government’s smoke-free mission, with Maori women aged 18 to 24 smoking at a worryingly high rate of 38 percent.

Wagner insists that the early days of a new year mark a time of self-improvement for citizens, especially smokers, and the government must act quickly to use this momentum.

Vape companies are doing their part to strike while the iron is hot. On January 1, New Zealand saw the launch of its first ever vaping price comparison site – VapePrices.co.nz.

The Auckland-based site describes itself as “PriceSpy for vapers” and promises to “help Kiwis compare the prices of different mods, kits, and liquids from all of the major retailers across New Zealand.”

A press release from VapePrices claims the site is seeing 800 to 1,000 unique visitors per day.

“WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE APPROACHING THE RIGHT PEOPLE AND THOSE ARE CURRENT SMOKERS, ADULT SMOKERS WHO NEED TO STOP”

STATE OF THE NATION:

From MPs endorsing e-cigarettes to regulating cannabis?

British patients are still being refused access to medical cannabis despite reforms

By Gordon Stribling

The question of whether the UK should legalise cannabis use is one which is unlikely to go away any time soon.

A recent poll commissioned by think tank Volteface found that the majority of the public supported the legalisation of cannabis, including 68 percent of 18 to 24year olds.

As recently as December the whole legalisation issue even made it to the House of Commons where Liberal Democrat MP Norman Lamb sought the legalisation of cannabis for medical and recreational use.

Norman Lamb was also the chair of the Science and Technology committee which last year reported e-cigarettes needed further endorsement at a government level to combat stubborn smoking rates.

MPs narrowly rejected the former health minister’s motion on the legalisation and regulation of cannabis by 66 to 52. Mr Lamb said afterwards: “It is total hypocrisy that the most dangerous drug of all, in terms of harm to yourself and others, alcohol, is consumed in large quantities right here in our national parliament, whilst we criminalise others for using a less dangerous drug – with many using it for the relief of pain.”

“It is shameful that we continue to criminalise people who use cannabis for the relief of pain. It is equally shameful that we criminalise many young people for using cannabis, when many people in Government will have themselves used cannabis at some stage of their lives.”

While it was unlikely that the bill would have progressed much further, the fact that it even made it to the House of Commons reflected the growing appetite for drug reform among the UK public.

Campaign group End Our Pain estimate that around a million people in the UK use cannabis as medicine every day, most obtaining it on the black market at a risk to their safety and the threat of criminal action.

Following intense public pressure, Home Secretary Sajid Javid announced that specialist doctors would be allowed to prescribe cannabis in the UK. The new law came into effect on November 1, but the reform has proven to be far less of a medical revolution than campaigners had hoped for.

“IT IS SHAMEFUL THAT WE CONTINUE TO CRIMINALISE PEOPLE WHO USE CANNABIS FOR THE RELIEF OF PAIN.”

NORMAN LAMB, MP

Royal College of Physicians guidelines state that ‘there is no robust evidence for the use of [Cannabis-Based Products for Medicinal use] in chronic pain and their use is not recommended,’ so doctors are still reluctant to prescribe.

In an interview with the Daily Express, Jersey pain specialist Dr Chad Taylor explained that he was ‘duty bound’ to follow professional guidance and not bow to public or political pressure to prescribe cannabis.

Dr Taylor said: “The guidance is quite clear … that for chronic, persistent pain that medical cannabis is not recommended. I have no option, I don’t feel, professionally,

Patients prescribed cannabis in the UK can legally import it from abroad but for most it is prohibitively expensive.

Carly Barton was prescribed Bedrocan for her fibromyalgia from a private doctor. Dr David McDowell was willing to prescribe after noting the growing body of evidence showing that patients with access to cannabis were able to reduce their opioid consumption.

The cost of her medicine? £2,500 for three months.

“The product costs six pounds a gram and the rest is import fees, there are lots of small packages and they all get taxed

The rescheduling of cannabis gave hope to millions, yet it is increasingly looking like nothing more than an attempt by the government to deflect public pressure without actually improving access for those who desperately need medical cannabis.

Henry Fisher, policy advisor at drug policy consultancy and think tank, Hanway Associates summed up the government’s actions:

“Given the backdrop of a very preoccupied and socially conservative government, the legislation is a victory in and of itself.”

“But that’s reflected in why they’ve made it very restrictive. They are very wary of

By Leo Forfar

Governor Andrew Cuomo has backed a proposal which would carry over to the legal purchase and consumption of e-cigarettes and may be included in the 2019 budget.

It is part of a wider effort on the Governor's part to curb what he describes as a crisis of nicotine addiction:

"With this comprehensive proposal, we are taking aggressive action to combat this very real public health crisis and curb the use of nicotine products before they result in deadly consequences for an entire generation of New Yorkers."

A statement released from the Governor’s office revealed a four-point plan, which has implications for the state's vaping industry. It would make the following changes:

- Ban the sale of any tobacco or e-cigarette products to anyone under the age of 21

- Prohibit pharmacies from selling any tobacco or e-cigarettes

- Prohibit retailers from displaying tobacco products if they allow children inside

- Give the state Department of Health clear power to ban flavoured e-cigarette liquids

If implemented, New York would become the seventh US State to raise the smoking and vaping ages to 21, and the second most populous overall.

Though 20 of New York's counties and municipalities already have a smoking age of 21, this would be a state-wide change.

Previous attempts to raise the age on such a level have not made it past the legislature, despite support from the American Cancer Society.

Julie Hart, an ACS spokesperson and New York government relations director, praised the initiative:

"We must do more to protect low income residents from the tobacco industry and prevent our kids from being enticed by tobacco products, including e-cigarettes.”

New York’s vape shops and companies have already voiced some displeasure, including at the common categorisation of e-cigarettes as a "tobacco product" despite their common use in smoking cessation.

Tony Canestaro, an employee of Elmira's Vapor NY, said it would affect sales somewhat, many of which go to smokers trying to quit.

“It will affect our sales a little bit just because we are a college town with Elmira College around the way…But a big portion of our sales are from people being sent here to stop smoking.”

"They [local shops and vapers] are going to be a little disgruntled, because it is a pretty big college town, I think they're going to be a little mad about it."

However, Vapor NY don't foresee a large drop in sales ahead and aren't

worried, owing to the conviction that the vape trade's prosperity doesn't come from tobacco, but as an alternative to it.

Giving the Department of Health the power to ban flavours, however, would be met with trepidation. Since it was first published two years ago, vaping advocates have cited recent research from Yale School of Public Health and the Centre for Health Policy at the Imperial College in London suggesting e-liquid flavours could be essential in helping smokers quit:

"...Recent quitters display a preference for fruit/sweet flavored e-cigarettes, but not for other flavoured e-cigarettes.”

A similar study from the Centre for Substance Use Research (CSUR) published last year made a similar case.

“The results show that non-tobacco flavours, especially fruit-based flavours, are being increasingly preferred to tobacco flavours by adult vapers who have completely switched from combustible cigarettes to vapour products.”

Michael Hughey, owner and CEO of Vapor NY, echoed this sentiment:

Does your Flavour specification say designed for vaping ?

Or does it state just food flavouring ?

If the experts manufacturing the flavours you use will not declare their Flavour fit for use in E-Liquid then how do you ensure the safety of your customers?

Here at JPL we design Flavourings specifically for E-Liquid and dedicate many resources into researching the safety of all aroma chemicals available to us. This is why JPL have never had a Flavour fail any compliance testing.

Get in touch today for bespoke Flavour solutions: info@JPL-Flavours.com | tel: 0151 334 0789

A new bill has been proposed in the Arizona State Senate which would effectively allow vape products to be treated as tobacco.

Bill SB 1009 would bring vape products under the rule of the existing state law, last updated in 2013, which currently prohibits the sale of tobacco products to anyone under 18. It comes via Senator-elect Heather Carter of the Republican Party. She considers current law in the state to be obsolete, failing to anticipate and adapt to the rise of new products which deliver nicotine and mirroring the FDA’s rhetoric on underage use: “If the current statutory language was working, we wouldn’t see the problem we have today. What we do to prevent underage individuals from purchasing and using tobacco should be the same for vaping products.”

Carter also cited the disputed “gateway effect” as a justification: “Products containing nicotine should be treated like other product that contain nicotine. Essentially, e-cigarettes, vapes, e-pens – or whatever else you want to call them – have become the training wheels to develop future smokers.”

SB 1009 currently has some bi-partisan support, finding cosponsors in Senator Kate Brophy McGee (R-Phoenix) and Sean Bowie, (D-Chandler).

Naturally, the proposal has been met with stiff opposition from the state’s vape companies and adjacent advocacy groups.

One of the more outspoken critics was Steve Johnson, the Executive Director of a vape trade association called the Arizona Smoke Free Business Alliance. Citing recent research, Johnson said:

“We are opposed to classifying these products as tobacco. There’s a lot of good data that specifically shows these products are up to 95 percent less harmful than tobacco.”

Johnson remains in favour of limiting nicotine access to minors, or anyone else who shouldn’t be using e-cigarettes. He does not feel such a measure will help minors or smokers.

“It’s long been established that nicotine is not a good thing for minors, and we want to do whatever we can to keep e-cigarettes out of the hands of youths …Lumping them together is not the solution.”

WE ARE OPPOSED TO CLASSIFYING THESE PRODUCTS AS TOBACCO. THERE’S A LOT OF GOOD DATA THAT SPECIFICALLY SHOWS THESE PRODUCTS ARE UP TO 95 PERCENT LESS HARMFUL THAN TOBACCO.

“ “

US: Green acres for legalised hemp. What does this mean for CBD?

“Green acres is the place to be. Farm living is the life for me.” That famous clip from the 2006 Emmy Awards, during which Donald Trump and Will and Grace actress Megan Mullaly sang Green Acres on stage, marked the legalisation of hemp in all 50 US states.

Hemp farmers can now import and export raw materials across state lines without the threat of Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) intervention.

However, CBD derived from marijuana remains a Schedule I substance. This means it sits in the same drugs category classified by the FDA as heroin and meth.

At the signing ceremony for the bill on December 20, the US president said: “Through fires, floods and freezing weather, we will always stand with the American farmers. It opens new markets for American agriculture all over the world.”

While the provisions set out in the Farm Bill have been well-received by the farming and hemp communities, FDA commissioner Scott Gottlieb warned that foods and supplements containing CBD would continue to be regulated under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.

Dr Gottlieb wrote in a statement: “Selling unapproved products with unsubstantiated therapeutic claims is not only a violation of the law, but also can put patients at risk, as these products have not been proven to be safe or effective.”

The FDA approved UK-made CBD drug Epidiolex last year. Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell had pushed for the legalisation of industrial hemp after seeing its potential to revitalise the agricultural industry in Kentucky, where farmers were seeking an alternative crop to tobacco, demand for which continues to decline.

Senator McConnell said: “I used my very own hemp pen to sign the conference report, clearing the way for the House and Senate to pass legislation and send it to the president’s desk.

“I’m proud that the bill includes my provision to legalise the production of industrial hemp. It’s a victory for farmers and consumers throughout our country.”

The new bill also makes hemp farmers eligible to access federal crop insurance and participate in USDA programs for certification and competitive grants.

Banking barriers lifted

CBD product manufacturers and retailers who sell hemp-based CBD will now be able to work with banks and credit card processing companies such as PayPal, who had previously barred all CBD sales due to former Schedule I classification.

While hemp is legal at the federal level, patchwork regulations apply state-by-state.

For example, New York state allows CBD in dietary supplements but California does not, despite CBDcontaining marijuana being legal in the state.

Tribal governments can impose their own restrictions and requirements, but they must not interfere with the interstate transportation of hemp or hemp products.

Blake Butler is executive director of the North Carolina Industrial Hemp Association. He said: “This is a great day for our farmers, ranchers, foresters and producers. Hemp gives people hope, and that’s what gives me goosebumps.”

The final draft of the bill bars people with drug felony convictions from working in the hemp industry for 10 years after the date of their conviction.

The long-awaited 2018 Farm Bill was signed into law by the US president on December 20 and it became law on January 1.

Hemp farmers can now import and export raw materials across state lines without the threat of DEA intervention. By Gordon Stribling

“This is a great day for our farmers, ranchers, foresters and producers. Hemp gives people hope and that’s what gives me goosebumps.”

LATIN AMERICA THE FUTURE CAPITAL OF THE CBD WORLD?

By Leo Forfar

With CBD emerging as an international phenomenon and inspiring hurried, Gold Rush-like fervour amongst everyone from investors to retailers, there’s one massive region that’s become impossible for the vape and CBD companies to ignore.

Central and South America appear to have all the key ingredients in abundance for a boom: land for production, increasingly relaxed laws for trade, people for creation and consumption, and most importantly, will. A prominent power player is Mexico, which is taking advantage of a recent series of legislative changes. Mexico legalised medical marijuana in June 2017, with all products available for purchase, personal use and distribution provided they were less than one percent THC. In November 2018, the country issued 38 distribution licenses to seven CBD companies, with 21 of them going to CBD Life. The press release revealed that the ruling would make

“Cannabis products like hemp-derived CBD available on the shelves of general retailers across the nation. With 40,000 points of sale in its current distribution channels, CBD Life is set to immediately distribute to over 4,000 of Mexico’s top retailers and pharmacies.”

Raul Elizalde, President of HempMeds Latin America said: “Cannabinoids with below one percent THC content can be in medicine, supplements, lotions, food, anything. This is very, very good for our country, and I think we’re one of the very first in the world to take that path.”

Products are already diversifying. Rocky Mountain High Brands, a subsidiary of CBD Life, is now the sole provider of Mexico’s CBD-infused beverages.

Countries striking out in CBD appear to be following a pattern beginning with marijuana legalisation for medicinal purposes, followed by recreational ones. They owe it to arable farming land. In February 2018, Colombian senator and pro-cannabis

FAVOURABLE LEGISLATION AND AN IDEAL CLIMATE FOR GROWING SOUTH OF THE BORDER COULD PUT NORTHERN COMPETITORS TO SHAME

“

WE’LL END UP RELYING ON ANY COUNTRY THAT CAN PRODUCE HEMP FOR ALMOST ZERO COST

advocate Juan Manuel Galán said Peru, Mexico, Uruguay, and Colombia had the potential to dominate marijuana exports, generating billions in revenue.

Paraguay’s Law 6007 – passed in 2017 and instigated in 2018 – expanded marijuana imports and cultivation, placing national production under the government’s oversight with a central focus on scientific research. Though they are not necessarily CBD-specific advances, they are crucial. The success of CBD products in the region has often sprung from the seeds of medical marijuana legalisation and increased hemp production, with governments eager to optimise their agricultural centres. Industry leaders in the world’s strongest economies have already noticed. For example, according to a report by the Latin American Post, there are 21 companies with licences to grow medical marijuana in Colombia alone, backed by capital flowing from Mexico, Israel, the US and Canada. And the region isn’t just primed for exports, but imports. Brazil’s 200 million strong population and comfortable position as an agricultural powerhouse has inspired predictions that it will lead the world on both fronts.

Brazil’s Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária (or the National Sanitary Surveillance Agency) decriminalised CBD and even removed its import tax as far back as November 2015. A substantial development came in October 2018, when HempMeds Brasil released a 5000 mg CBD hemp oil for general consumption.

Mike Hodgson, owner of Green Leaf Productions and its cannabidiol-focused offshoot company Three Fourteen CBD, has created a business model of extracting premium hemp for a versatile range of CBD products.

As a close observer of the Canadian, European, US and Latin American markets, Mike has kept an eye on who can grow premium hemp and marijuana plants, and who’s buying them. He predicts the next great stage in the story of CBD will lie in

how nations compete and sees South and Central America as having crucial advantages.

It’s a grower’s game, and there’s no substitute for holding the most product.

“As an extractor, what we’re looking for is biomass – the plant material we can put through our extraction machine. As the plant commoditises, you’ll get a lot of players involved in growing. Right now, an average pound of industrial hemp at 18 percent CBD sits somewhere around the 200 dollars-a-pound mark. Colombia has come to the table pricing it at around five dollars, and you’ll see Mexico as another place that’s coming up as a major player. In order for countries like the UK, US and Canada to compete worldwide and have GMP certification for exports, we have to find biomass that is of good value.

“We’ll initially look to our domestic farmers to grow it, but eventually we’ll end up relying on Mexico, Colombia or even somewhere like South Africa; any country that can produce hemp for almost zero cost. Unfortunately, this means farmers getting paid very little in this economic model. These countries also have the perfect climate for such growth. They’re not spending millions or even billions of dollars building indoor farming facilities. Greenhouses are extremely energy inefficient; indoor and warehouse growth may not survive when the industry commoditises.

“Some predicted this commoditisation would happen in five years, I can see it happening in about two. Colombia has already come online with massive acreage. And the other South American countries – especially Nicaragua, will follow suit. Vaping and CBD are still the best places to be right now if you’re in a business with vertical integration and a tangible end product. For example, if you were able to get a really low-cost biomass and turn that into a vape pen product, those prices won’t compress for a while. They’ll stay aloft. It’s going to take time for the industry to catch up with that demand.”

MIKE HODGSON, OF THREE FOURTEEN CBD FEATURE

Meet the canadian CBD entrepreneur keeping the budding industry grounded.

Forty-seven-year-old Mike Hodgson of London, Ontario has turned an intimate familiarity with the marijuana plant into a promising business in the booming cannabidiol trade. Having honed his business skills in the creation of two successful start-up companies, Mike now occupies an invaluable position on several crucial fronts.

Mike manages GreenLeaf Productions, the mother company of ThreeFourteen CBD. Mike’s dedication to understanding and optimising the many sides of hemp down to the smallest detail is reflected in the brand name: 314 is the molecular weight of CBD.

Having kept a close eye on Canada’s view of hemp, Mike made strategic moves when the time came for legalisation. He remains well-informed of this evolving, sometimes turbulent relationship between the government and the plant.

“I’ve always had my eye on the industry, and when the authorities started to embrace it, I wondered how I could fit into the new landscape. It takes a lot of big money to get into the growth side of marijuana, so I decided my best fit was in CBD and oils. In Canada, the marijuana industry was worth approximately seven billion dollars before legalisation. The government is trying to flip that over and convert the cashflow from the black market to the legit market in the hopes of protecting the average citizen, so they know exactly what they’re smoking.”

Like many who have quickly risen to a place of prominence in this business, Mike’s motivation is as personal as it is professional.

“My father has had Parkinson’s for ten years now. I was able to introduce him to CBD almost five years ago. You hear a lot of anecdotal evidence of what CBD can do and I can confirm it works.”

Mike believes these properties are key to the product’s appeal. “Despite recent marijuana legalisation, I think on a global scale, CBD is really where the true growth potential lies due to its versatility and better image. People will quickly embrace the physically altering properties of this plant. Once we have an aging population, and once older people realise CBD works, this industry could be truly massive. When the US gets hold of something, they know how to do business. I think the new Farm Bill will be great for their CBD industry. The US has also got a lot of southern growing states and vast amounts of fertile land. There are very few regulations there compared to Canada. I predict Europe’s future will be similar to ours.

“As a business, ThreeFourteen is going to be focused on CBD isolates and being able to get certain supplements to the market, like protein and pre-workout powders. Products like that blend well with its muscle recovery properties. Our initial business model is extraction. Once we extract from hemp, we can refine it into a full range of hemp products.” Though in most matters of business, the US is often in the lead as the default. Mike senses a distinct advantage Canadian products currently have: ‘the entourage effect.’

“In Canada, because we’re allowed to deal with THC, our hemp varieties will eventually contain a strain of it too, whereas everything in America needs to be 100 percent THC-free. In order for CBD to be fully optimised, it needs some THC in there as an activating ingredient. Researchers call this the entourage effect. Until the US goes completely pro-weed across all states, we won’t see that quality of product yet.”

CBD is still finding its feet as an integrated global market, and

“In Canada, the marijuana industry was worth approximately seven billion dollars before legalisation… We need a clearer division, we need to separate the ‘high side’ of the plant, so to speak, from the CBD side.”

every entrepreneur needs to know the hurdles, hindrances and other growing pains that come with such maturation. Mike provided an impressive rundown of what he’s observed at home and abroad.

“I’ve said this for over a year now: if the Canadian government, Health Canada in particular, don’t get things sorted out quickly, this whole industry has the potential of sliding by and losing its edge. It’s not just the US and UK markets that are on the rise, there’s a lot of South American companies that are coming on fast and furious. Canada is very heavily regulated and the amount of hoops businesses need to jump through to get licensed by Health Canada have really become harmful. Also, I don’t think CBD should be a Schedule One narcotic or listed as something illegal in any context. Even the World Health Organisation is against listing it as any kind of drug. Canada has taken a position of legalising but closely watching over product quality and ensuring patrons are safe, it’s one of the reasons our Prime Minister was able to sell the public on legalising it.”

With this in mind, there are ways for the hemp and CBD industry improve its image overall.

“It’s fairly straightforward: we need a clearer division, we need to separate the “high side” of the plant, so to speak, from the CBD side. If the line is drawn, CBD can flourish under looser laws. We don’t have to worry about people driving under the influence or behaving anti-socially on CBD. If we let the THC side run its own course and let the people involved sort out their issues, we’ll see both prosper. Fortunately, the black market has never really been involved with CBD and I think as the industry opens up, there won’t be a chance for criminals to really grab onto it.”

With the experience and encyclopaedic knowledge on their side, ThreeFourteen CBD is ready to take flight.

“We’re looking to be fully licensed by Health Canada very soon. We’re built up with our own lab and production facilities. We’re just waiting for Health Canada to clear our license and we’ll be ready to go. There is opportunity everywhere.”

2019: a year to watch for CBD

While

CBD has be en one of the stories of 2018, the novelty phase is now over, and 2019 will be the year the longer-term future of

CBD products be comes clearer.

There is every sign of big continued interest in medical and recreational marijuana And while such products should not be confused with CBD, we can expect some of that interest to rub off on the CBD market.

Meanwhile, there is likely to be increased scientific interest in trying to establish how efficacious CBD really is for health, pain relief and general well being.

Globally 2019 will continue to be a mixed bag for CBD, with growth expected to continue at a rapid pace in established markets while barriers remain in smaller or non existent ones. Countries such as the UK should continue to see growth. CBD Intel analysts expect CBD use to become even more wide spread as it is accepted into more health food stores and mainstream supermarkets.

But in other jurisdictions, such as France and Italy, where CBD products have seen greater restrictions,

About CBD-Intel

the future does not appear quite as bright. Despite some advances, uncertainty and clampdowns are expected to continue in France. In Italy the story is slightly better. Flowers and foods are expected to see continued restriction but a ministerial decree should add some clarity on foods.

And in Spain an increase in enforcement is expected to continue while the country sorts out its CBD regulation.

There is mixed news in the Czech Republic. A new proposal for the legalisation of cultivating, handling and using small amounts of low THC cannabis for personal consumption was given a negative recep tion by the Czech government during its first reading in the country’s House of Representatives. It is expected that the soon to be published national anti drug strategy for 2019 2027 will mention cannabis in general. However, that does not mean it will deal with CBD

Other countries that have taken a negative approach to CBD are not expected to loosen controls in the near future CBD Intel does not predict a market in Russia within the next year, for example. Further afield, countries such as Australia will see slow increases in CBD popularity but levels will depend on future regulation.

CBD Intel provides impartial, independent and premium market and regulatory analysis, legal tracking, and quantitative data for the cannabidiol (CBD) sector, with a focus on non US markets.

We of fer a one stop source of market and regulatory strategic data for the CBD industry. Providing all the data in one online platform reduces the amount of time and money spent monitoring the sector for multiple international markets Our global perspective on the international CBD sector offers you key data such as market trends, key players, regulatory obligations and industry dynamics

CBD Intel’s team is made up of lawyers, economists and journalists. The team is based in London, Barcelona and New York, and enhanced by correspondents and contributors from around the world.

In addition, we offer customised research and consultancy support. We also publish ECigIntelligence for the global e cigarette and tobacco alternatives sector.

STARTING THE YEAR AS YOU MEAN TO GO ON

Public Health England’s latest video campaign, launched in December, aims to dispel myths on vaping versus smoking.

By Staff Reporter

A video produced by Public Health England attracted huge attention over the festive period by graphically showing just how much more harmful smoking is than vaping.

The new campaign was launched on December 28, potentially inspiring thousands of smokers to try vaping in a bid to quit for good.

The video begins with Dr Rosemary Leonard explaining that while three million people use e-cigarettes in the UK, there are still lots of misconceptions about their safety compared to regular cigarettes.

Expert Dr Lion Shabab of University College London placed a cigarette into the top of a glass bell jar containing cotton wool balls, an e-cigarette in the top of a bell jar containing cotton wool balls and used a third bell jar with just air and cotton wool ball as a control.

After the equivalent of one month’s worth of cigarette smoke had passed through the first jar, the cotton wool balls were completely drenched in brown-black tar. Meanwhile, there was very little to distinguish between the cotton wool in the e-cigarette jar and the otherwiseempty control jar.

Dr Shabab said:

“The false belief that vaping is as harmful as smoking could be preventing thousands of smokers from switching to e-cigarettes to help them quit.

“I hope this illustrative experiment helps people see the huge damage caused by smoking that could be avoided by switching to an e-cigarette. Research we and others have conducted shows that vaping is much less harmful than smoking and that using e-cigarettes on a long-term basis is relatively safe, similar to using licensed nicotine products, like nicotine patches or gum.”

Professor John Newton, director of health improvement at Public Health England, said that it would be ‘tragic’ for smokers to be put off from switching due to misplaced fears about the potential harms of e-cigarette, a sentiment echoed by PHE’s Martin Dockrell, who said:

“We like to think of our scientists as being detached about these things, but in fact the scientists involved in this area on both sides are deeply passionate about it.

“People don’t know who to believe and they believe the thing that suits them best.”

“THE FALSE BELIEF THAT VAPING IS AS HARMFUL AS SMOKING COULD BE PREVENTING THOUSANDS OF SMOKERS FROM SWITCHING TO E-CIGARETTES TO HELP THEM QUIT.”

IMAGERY: YouTube Video Public Health England

A G A Z I N E V A P O U R O U N D

VV on tour

NORTH CAROLINA VAPERS CARNIVALE • MOSCOW VAPEXPO 2017

CBD.IO, LAS VEGAS • IECIE, CHINA • MIDDLE EAST VAPE SHOW, BAHRAIN

USA CBD EXPO TO DEBUT THIS SUMMER

The showcase promises to be a huge draw for CBD vape fans

By Staff Reporter

– USA CBD EXPO ORGANISER JASON MONTI

“CBD is the next avocado toast,” proclaimed Coca-Cola executiveturned CBD start-up founder, Chris Burggraeve in October last year. But if anything, consumers have embraced CBD with far more enthusiasm. “It’s really kind of amazing that nearly anywhere you go right now, there’s something on a counter or on a shelf that has some kind of CBD labelling on it,” USA CBD Expo host Jason Monti said. “Whether it’s going to a health food store and finding a CBD cream or supplement sitting on the counter or going to a local corner store and picking up some milk, it’s there.”

The inaugural USA CBD Expo will take place on August 3 and 4. The event promises to be both a networking opportunity for businesses and a chance for consumers to learn about the huge range of products and companies currently on the market. A similar scale show in Las Vegas has been pencilled in for early 2020.

“We’re excited to experiment with the CBD shows to do the same exciting and consumer-heavy style of event that vape was really known for,” Jason said.

“We feel like this industry has gotten away from the consumer and we want to include the consumer on the CBD side of things.” Jason was introduced to CBD via running international vape events. The team began discussing a potential CBD event after Vape South America in Colombia in May 2018.

“We had noticed that there were quite a few companies who had added CBD products to their lines and we thought at that point that we were seeing a trend. Since then, it’s been at every show we attended. As we’ve been planning our other shows, we’ve noticed more and more CBD vendors looking to be involved.”

Many vape companies have expanded their CBD ranges beyond e-liquids. Meanwhile, CBD and hemp companies have turned to the expo model to promote their products and network. This has created a fertile ground for an expo that encompasses the full range of CBD products and markets.

“In addition to just the vape side of things, that there is a broad range of practical uses for CBD,” Jason said. “It’s not just limited to the vape category.”

The cannabis market has a very broad reach. But while there is some overlap with the legally murky marijuana industry, Jason decided early on to focus squarely on CBD and hemp. The highly-publicised Farm Bill has helped draw a clear line between the two industries

and opened up interstate commerce.

“It will be anything with the legal amount of THC,” Jason said.

“It’ll be CBD, it’ll be hemp, it’ll be accessories, it’ll be financial. There’ll be investors looking to get involved in this industry with people that are maybe looking to raise capital.”

There will also be buyers and large distributors looking to bring CBD into mainstream outlets, such as convenience and chain big box stores and local and chain pharmacies.

From the outset, Jason wanted the event to be as accessible to consumers as possible, so consumer entry will either be free or subject to a very small fee. This should ensure that members of the public only recently exposed to CBD via the media or wordof-mouth will be able to attend.

“It seems that every other day you pick up a newspaper there’s an article, every time you go online there’s some type of release, there’s another company making a big equity buy into another company,” Jason said.

“Our goal as an organisation is to reach as many people to invite them to our event.”

The event will also feature a panel of experts who will educate businesses on hemp and CBD market trends, the potential health benefits of hemp products and the many complex legal considerations surrounding them.

“There are so many different uses right now for CBD, so it’ll be great to have so many speakers that can speak eloquently on those topics.”

Jason hopes to help bridge the gap between consumers and the ever-growing businesses and products competing for their custom. And much like the vaping world, those working in within the industry often have personal stories to tell.

“We really want them to come in and have an opportunity to meet manufacturers and vendors and hear their story. Our goal’s always been to get as many consumers to these events as possible. Consumers set the market, they’ll let the buyers know what to stock in their stores.”

“IN ADDITION TO JUST THE VAPE SIDE OF THINGS, THERE IS A BROAD RANGE OF PRACTICAL USES FOR CBD. IT’S NOT JUST LIMITED TO THE VAPE CATEGORY.”

BY DAVID TURNER

MIDDLE

EAST VAPE SHOW (MEVS), JANUARY 17-19, BAHRAIN

One day – more for my interest than anything else – I might sit down and work out just how many miles I’ve travelled around the world visitin g vape expos.

I’m sure it will be a pretty crazy number. For this show the most important miles were not the amount I travelled personally but the extra ones the event organisers went to in terms of making this event not just good – but great.

Held at the Bahrain International Circuit, the event was scheduled for mid-January. Anybody who exhibited or attended will know that due to unforeseen circumstances the first day was unable to take place. For those of you who don’t know, the unforeseen circumstances were something most expo organisers wouldn’t have to worry about – a sandstorm. It was the first sandstorm I’d witnessed firsthand and it was eerie to say the least. Undeterred, the show did go ahead on the Friday and Saturday and both a very productive very enjoyable days were had by all. It was great to catch up with Stuart and the Red Box team and as ever, it’s always a pleasure to see expo regulars such as IVG and Chubby Gorilla in attendance as well as getting the opportunity to meet some new companies from the Middle East region.

Alongside some high-level entertainment arranged by the organisers on the stage, in particular Flipperachi and Daffy with DJ Outlaw, it made for a thoroughly enjoyable time on all levels.

I’d particularly like to thank both Khalid and Ali for the efforts they went to – not just for the expo itself but for our party personally – it made the whole trip one we will all look back on fondly.

If you didn’t attend, then I’d highly recommend that you add

this event to your calendar. Despite the best attempts of Mother Nature and the sandstorm, it’s a fantastic part of the vaping calendar and one which I see going from strength to strength.

BY PATRICK GRIFFIN CBD.IO-THE FUTURE OF WELLNESS

LAS VEGAS CONVENTION CENTER - NOVEMBER 9-10

They are used to putting on a good show in Las Vegas and the CBD.io event in November was no exception.

For two days at the Las Vegas Convention Center we were immersed in all things CBD as The Future of Wellness event got underway.

Having worked with Vapouround since it was launched three-anda-half years ago, I have covered my fair share of vape events and anyone who has attended a vape expo would feel right at home here.

In fact, this event was two shows in one – CBD.io for the CBD contingent and VapExpo Las Vegas for the vaping community. Both shows complemented each other perfectly and proved to be a natural and totally seamless fit.

The vaping and CBD markets are both young, vibrant and exciting and the same spirit of adventure is evident in both.

The same passion that is so often encountered in the vape industry is here in the CBD market too and it is easy to see why there has been something of a cross-over between the two sectors. It was good to see established vape companies launching or promoting their new CBD lines at this show as this is a logical and natural progression as the industry grows and evolves.

There is clearly synergy between the vaping and CBD sectors and many people who have switched from smoking to vaping can see the benefit of using CBD-based products too.

At every stand I visited, exhibitors were keen to help me understand their products and the benefits they could provide.

Exhibitors were often just as happy to tell their own personal stories of discovering CBD products and wanted to help others understand this young, up-and-coming market.

Needless to say, this meant that right from the outset I felt really

comfortable speaking to people from the CBD community and learned so much during the two days I was in Vegas.

Those from a vaping background may see CBD products as a vaping add-on but this could not be further from the truth. Just spend five minutes at a show like this and you will see the huge range of CBD products that are out there.

There were oils, edible chews, gummies, pet products, supplements, alternative medicine and CBD vape products at the show and this was just scratching the surface.

This was a truly international event with companies from the US, Europe and Asia all well-represented and at no time did I feel that this was two separate shows sharing the same space.

Conventions like this are great ways to catch up with existing industry contacts and also to meet new people. I was particularly pleased to catch up with David Goerlitz who is now a big name in the CBD industry.

When I first met David a few years back he was still known as the former Winston Man but he has managed to reinvent himself as a leading – and often outspoken – voice in the CBD world as he seeks to spread the message of the benefits of these products. We had a stand at the show both for Vapouround Magazine and the Vapouround Club and it was great to meet so many people who wanted to find out more about what we do.

A huge thanks to everybody who took time to say ‘hi’ to us and to the organisers who put this event together and worked hard to make it a really memorable experience.

Here’s to the next one.

BHVape, Bournemouth. Friday, January 18

We love a good spin down south with the Vapouround Bus, and it’s even better when our smoking cessation service on wheels has had a total makeover. Kicking off the new year, we hit the road and headed for Bournemouth for a weekend of starter kits, games and shenanigans.

Johnnie Lovell — known to most as a host of the Vaper Expo and Vapouround Awards — was his usual jovial self and pulled out all the stops, inviting members of the local community to BHVape and the Vapouround Bus on what was a freezing cold Friday.

Despite the cold climes, there was an impressive turnout of dedicated vapers and curious smokers trying their first kit aboard the bus. Everyone commented positively on the new wrap, which stood out more than ever with a special helping of pink.

In-keeping with the theme of newness and bold fashion statements, the bus also featured a line of “Vee-Shirts” from Ohm Made Apparel. These brightly-coloured t-shirts are made by vapers, for vapers and were designed by Ohmbré, a close friend of everyone at BHVape, who joined us for the day.

Paradox, Bournemouth. Saturday, January 19

We rolled up at Paradox on Old Christchurch Road at 10.30am. We received a very warm welcome from both Eddie and Cissa, who introduced us to all the staff. Paradox is a unique place that has not only reached out to one subculture, but two. One half of the shop provides tattoos and piercings, the other provides all your vaping needs. Both the shop and its visitors were so pleased with their Vapouround Bus visit, they booked another one. We hope to return for a special evening on Friday, June 28, and warmer temperatures we hope!

British Vape Company, Bournemouth. Sunday, January 20

On Sunday, we were greeted by sisters Tatiana and Alex. An eventful day saw us doing our duty for the local smokers by hooking them up with starter kits. Staff and vapers at The British Vape Company were very excited about the arrival of CBD in the vape trade, and look forward to seeing what it can do for those who need it. We were later joined by co-owner Matt, another pillar in the local vape community, who helped fill us in on The British Vape Company’s own brands and unique liquid ranges.

Vapourtrade,

Next up was Vapourtrade on Alder Road where we met Charlie, before heading to another Vapourtrade stop, this time on Wimborne Road where we were greeted by Harry. Our pit-stops at both Vapourtrade sites were introductory, familiarising staff with the purpose and functions of the Vapouround Bus. Everyone at both Vapourtrade stores were thrilled with its new look and layout, eager to take pictures and videos both inside and out. We hope to return soon and give them a full outing!

Bournemouth. Saturday, January 19

The

VAPOUROUND REVIEWS

It’s no secret that the pod system market is very saturated at this point, and as a result, hardware manufacturers are starting to realise that new ideas are needed if a product is to stand out from the crowd. Teslacigs are throwing their hat into the ring with the new GG kit, which seems to be aimed squarely at smaller pod style devices such as the JUUL and SMOK Infinix. How does this measure up against the giants of the vaping industry?

This is incredibly lightweight. That’s not to say it feels flimsy, though. There aren’t any rattles or unsightly seams here, and the device feels well-made in the hand, and almost unnoticeable in the pocket due to its tiny size.

It’s draw activated, a function that has now almost become an industry standard, and the sensor hasn’t missed a beat during my testing process. Normally, that’s pretty much all there is to talk about when it comes to features of a pod system, but the GG throws in some surprising functionality.

The GG is able to pair with android devices via Bluetooth, allowing the user to adjust their vaping experience. Initiating pairing mode is done by shaking the device, which is quite novel. When this is done, an LED on the GG flashes on, and the Teslacigs apps controls are enabled. Among the settings are voltage output, temperature control and the option to change the colour of the LED on the end of the GG that lights up when in use. It’s not exactly an advanced suite of controls, then, but it’s certainly nice to have choices.

Out of the box, my GG was set to 3.5V. For me, this was a slightly cool vape, but setting it anywhere between 3.7-3.8V allowed me to get the low power experience I was looking for, using 20mg/ml nicotine salt e-liquid. The 2ml pod has a satisfying, old-school MTL draw that’s appropriate for the power output on offer. It’s a particularly good emulation of a cigarette, and I feel this is an important detail that some pod systems forget to focus on. Strangely, setting the device to the full 4V still meant an output of 3.8V. This isn’t a deal-breaker by any means, since this gives a fairly warm vape, but the beauty of having app connectivity is that this can be amended down the line.

Flavour and vapour production are both on par with what we have come to expect from tiny, low power devices, so don’t expect to taste the more subtle nuances of complex e-liquid. Simple fruit flavours seem to work best for this application, and I have no complaints about the performance in that instance. Pod longevity is just short of average, however. Expect to get between threeto-four refills from each pod, before needing to swap a new one in. This translates to roughly three-to-four days of moderate use though, so it’s far from terrible. Teslacigs are soon to release ceramic coil pods for the device, which may well solve this issue. If you’re looking for a tiny, stealthy vape that has some level of adjust-ability, this could be a good choice.

WYE 2

At the end of 2017, Teslacigs released the WYE, which couldn’t be more of a departure from other Teslacigs offerings, with its super lightweight ABS construction and utilitarian styling. This device quickly gained traction as a portable workhorse mod and seemed to only become more popular throughout 2018. A sequel is the natural result of this, and so now we find ourselves with the WYE 2. It’s got big shoes to fill, so how does it fare?

The WYE 2 is made from polycarbonate and ABS, just like its predecessor. This is going to be a divisive choice. Tolerances are tight and there’s no complaints from me in the construction department, but inevitably some vapers are simply not going to be keen on a mod that is mostly made out of plastic. Fans of the original WYE will be pleased to hear that the new version is still extremely lightweight. This makes the device very unobtrusive when carried in a large pocket or bag.

Aside from the material choices, the WYE 2 is totally different to the original model. They’ve ditched the Minikin 2 style shape for a more unique form factor. This bears some resemblance to the XT220’s computer aesthetic, with a few more edges thrown in for good measure. I will admit that upon first glance the WYE 2 doesn’t look particularly comfortable to hold, but even with my tiny hands, I found the device to have decent, if not the best, ergonomics. The edges give your hands something to grip, and the fire button is placed nicely, allowing for intuitive thumb or index finger firing.

We’ve seen this chipset before in Teslacig mods, and it’s every bit as solid as you would expect. The board allows for variable wattage, temperature control on a variety of materials and TCR too. It’s not the most comprehensive list of settings, but the menu system is extremely simple and should cover all of the bases that most vapers require. The temperature control settings are slightly conservative, so you will need to bump the temperature up compared to higher end chips. This isn’t a huge issue, unless you are a hardcore TC user, in which case, DNA or SXmini devices will be more suitable.

The bundled Resin tank is mostly an aesthetic overhaul of Teslacig’s Tallica. It uses the same press fit mesh coils, which are very user friendly when it comes to installation, and I had no connectivity issues. The top-fill feature is basic but very functional, and the airflow control ring has good tolerances, whilst offering a generous range of settings. The mesh coils themselves seem to have improved. At 75W, with the airflow closed to approximately two-thirds of the way open, flavour and vapour production is great. Coil longevity is slightly below average. I was able to run approximately 60mls of standard testing e-liquid through each coil before needing to switch it out.

The WYE 2 kit is a solid and affordable option for vapers who are looking for a lightweight setup.

Flint Kit Specifications:

Dimensions: 55.6mm x 22mm

Battery Capacity: 950mAh internal cell

Power Output: Three levels – 3.2V, 3.5V and 3.8V (7W, 8W, 9W)

Resistance range: 0.5-3ohms

Tank Capacity: 2ml

Of the larger hardware companies in this industry, Geekvape were one of the few to not offer a pod system, until now. This tiny stick-style kit is around the same length as your average pod, but with its 22mm diameter, it’s able to employ a much more substantial internal cell and more traditional MTL tank in lieu of a disposable cartridge.

It has just one button, which acts as a firing mechanism and gives you the ability to toggle between three power settings. Aside from this, there’s a microUSB port to charge the internal cell, and that’s it. The construction here feels solid, and much more rugged than the average pod system, with just one seam and no visible gaps or rattle to speak of. The cell charges from flat to full in just north of an hour, which is well within acceptable limits.

This is one of the smallest MTL stock coil tanks on the market today. Despite its tiny size, it boasts a full 2ml capacity, the maximum allowed for markets under TPD jurisdiction. They’ve gone for a minimalist industrial aesthetic here. The drip tip is non-removable, which may be a con for some people, but thankfully it’s comfortable and has a narrow bore, perfectly suited for the style of vaping the tank provides.

The bottom of the Flint tank features an airflow control ring, which allows the user to choose from five settings, ranging from old-school MTL, all the way to a more modern, loose MTL experience. A slide to open top-fill is indicated clearly by an arrow towards the top of the tank, and the tolerances for this action are spot on.

The 1.6ohm coils are rated for 6-9W, coinciding with the different levels of power output on the battery, toggled with three clicks of the fire button. Filled with 20mg/ml nicotine salts, I found myself using the full 9W most often, and at this point the coils perform best, putting out a relatively warm vape and respectable flavour considering the small size of the coil-head. This is where my one gripe with the kit lies. The coils perform fantastically for the first three-to-four refills, but after this, the experience drops off substantially. The coil does not burn out in the traditional sense, it simply stops producing as much flavour or vapour. This isn’t a complete deal-breaker though, as this translates to roughly three-to-five days of use. And the Flint coils are cheaper than replacement pods for similar entry level devices. It is something to bear in mind though.

Overall, this is an impressive little pod alternative. Its 950mAh cell lasts almost a full day’s use on a charge, which is more than can be said for most pod systems. The device is very simple to operate, has respectable performance for the size and coils are very inexpensive. This makes it a great option for stealthy vapers who want more battery life than a smaller pod can offer. You can also pair the Flint tank with the Geekvape Aegis Mini for a stealthy, rugged MTL vape that can go days without a charge.

SAFETY PROTECTION

LOW VOLTAGE PROTECTION: WHEN BATTERY VOLT. IS LOWER THAN 2.8V,DEVICE WILL STOP WORK TO PROTECT BATTERY.

SHORT CIRCUIT PROTECTION:

WHEN THERE IS SHORT CIRCUIT, THE FAR LEFT LIGHT FLASHES AND DEVICE STOP WORKING. LOW RESISTANCE PROTECTION: WHEN RESISTANCE IS LOWER THAN 0.8Ω, THE LEFT LIGHT FLASHES AND DEVICE STOP WORKING. OVER-HEAT PROTECTION, DEVICE STOP WORKING WHEN IT IS OVER-HEAT

Device Specifications:

Dimensions: 103mm x 22mm

Battery: 1400mAh (built-in)

Tank capacity: 3.5ml, 2ml (EU Edition)

Advanced OMNI Board Mini chip

Charging: Micro-USB

This tiny yet surprisingly powerful Sky Solo kit is a great little device produced by Vaporesso. This device is aimed at the starter market, an area within vaping that is growing all the time. The Sky Solo includes a 1400mAh battery which outputs up to 90W depending on the coil installed. Battery life is surprising to say the least, getting almost a full day without a charge this device has impressed us. The kit itself has a great kick with the installed mesh coil. The device has one single button to fire, allowing the chip to handle all the power options for an optimum vape for the coil being used. The fire button itself is click and tactile which is a positive for functionality.

The styling of this device is reasonably simple being a tubular design with tank on top. However simple, it’s important to note that this is increasingly a style which is in demand for the starter market. As we know, a new vaper isn’t necessarily wanting a complex design and can often be put off by a technical looking device. The simplicity of this device certainty works to its favour in the intended market area.

This device produces a large amount of vapour, which I thought surprising for the size making it a perfect fit for a beginner or intermediate vaper looking to get their nicotine hit from a high VG liquid.

The device doesn’t have a regular 510 connection but rather a built-in tank system, tying you into their coil system however this is to be expected which the size of the device.

The ergonomics of this device are quite simple, being tubular design the smooth metal casing fits well in hand. In conjunction with a medium-sized mouth piece, this device can comfortably fit any user. Reaching 103mm top to bottom and 22mm in diameter, this device is certainly in the very small category, an easy fit in any pocket. Although not advisable if you get pocket fluff.

Included in the packaging is the device itself with either 3.5ml or 2ml-TPD compliant tank. Depending on whether or not you have the TPD compliant version, a spare GT Meshed coil, a pack of ‘O’ rings and charger cable for built-in charging via the micro-USB port (two amp charge) and the standard user manual.

Overall, this is a great device for a range of uses, as this device is capable of vaping high VG liquids up to a ratio of 80:20. Its versatility increases, allowing the user to vape pretty much any liquid on the market. Although this product is aimed at the starter vaper, an experienced vaper may also have a use for it as either a backup device that can fit in a pocket un-detected or alternatively as a dedicated CBD vaping device.

The Luxe Nano by Vaporesso is a great intermediate device, for any vaper coming from a small pod system or starter kit looking to upgrade. The small formfactor combined with the built-in 2,000 mAh battery makes for a handy little vape with a kick. Using the SKRR-I tank included in the kit, you can have great flavour, longevity and battery life in a pocketable form.

Vaporesso have a good track record of well-designed devices and this is no exception. The device we tested is the rainbow edition however all variations share the same stylistic points. Both sides of the device are shiny and smooth to the touch, the smooth front hides the light-up capacitive controls giving the device a quality feel. The quality is re-enforced with the use of a metal surround along the sides and bottom which gives the device an overall solid fe el.

The device has a good amount of functionality as you’d expect from an intermediate device, this includes: temperature control, wattage control and memory mode. This little device packs a punch in the power output area, with a maximum of 80W. The device can power most RDAs and tanks – combined with a firing rate of 0.001 seconds – there’s little to no heating time depending on the coil installed. Charging at two amps, this device charges quickly with the on-board chip regulating input.

The included SKRR-I tank is a recently new addition to the Vaporesso hardware line up. The tank is small and has a flat glass in the TPD version. The non-TPD version for readers outside of the EU includes a bubble glass for up to 3.5ml. The coils produced for this tank are slightly different to the regular ones you’d expect with a mesh coil and re-designed airflow system, which points the air directly at the coil you can produce a large amount of vapour with great flavour on a reasonably low wattage. The tank has the standard top-fill system revealed by unscrewing the top section attached to the mouth piece.

Included in the box is the device as expected, along with the SKRR-I tank already connected to the device. The box also contains a spare mesh coil to keep you going, a spare glass in-case you’re the clumsy type, a selection of multicoloured ‘O’ rings for spares or to alter the appearance of your tank, and the mandatory paperwork.

Overall, this device is not only well-built with a solid structure, it is also aesthetically pleasing. With its smooth look and feel it can only feel sleek in the hand. In-addition to this the Luxe Nano device is not without substance, packing a punch in the power department and including a range of functionality. This is certainly a device to recommend to the intermediate vaper or a vaper heavily influenced by style.

Comma

HQD are a relatively new player in the vaping hardware scene, and so far they’ve had a clear focus on small, discrete devices. This part of the market is now perhaps the most highly contested, though, so is the Comma worth considering?

The first thing you’ll notice about this kit is its construction and unique form factor. With a zinc alloy chassis, the Comma feels a fair bit more solid than a lot of its peers, and has already survived quite a few knocks and falls during my testing process. This material choice makes the Comma truly feel like a premium product, among a sea of pod devices that give the impression that they are not built to last. The titular comma shape of the system is a very interesting choice. It allows the user to conceal the entire unit, aside from the mouthpiece, whilst in use. For those who prefer a more inconspicuous vape, this is quite nifty.

A tiny 0.55-inch LED screen is located on the bottom right hand corner of the chassis. This displays remaining battery life, whilst also tracking the total number of puffs and puff time. Some vapers may feel that a display is somewhat of a redundant feature on such a simple device, but in the context of a starter kit, it actually makes a lot of sense. Users who are trying to cut down on their nicotine intake will be helped by the puff counter, and it’s always nice to have a visual indication of how much battery life is left, especially when dealing with a small 380mAh cell.

In terms of performance, the Comma is quite different in comparison to other devices in its class. Although it uses a fairly standard draw activated firing mechanism, the 1.4ohm pods provide a very restricted MTL vape, which is becoming less common these days. I’d go as far as to say that this is the tightest MTL pod system out there right now, making it a great option for those with this preference. For the majority of the cells’ run time, the Comma produces a satisfying, warm vape and above average flavour for a pod system. This is another area where the Comma excels, as many pods produce a cooler vape that leaves a lot to be desired when it comes to flavour. Battery life is about what you’d expect from a 380mAh cell, which is to say the Comma will last approximately half a day’s use before needing a charge, when filled with 20mg/ml e-liquid.

The pods themselves have also been executed rather well. Boasting 2ml capacity and a removable rubber seal for filling, this should be fool proof and with the low power output, one fill should last most vapers a whole day. Pod longevity is very respectable too, averaging between four or five fills during my testing.

The HQD Comma is a simple, but well-built pod system that’s ideal for beginners due to its display. Veteran vapers may also enjoy the very tight MTL draw on offer here.

Device Specifications:

Size: 88.3mm x 51mm x 26.5mm

Weight: 158g (without batteries and tank)

Power Range: 5W-177W

Resting Current: ≤10ᵤA

Output Voltage: 0V-7.5V

Resistance Range: 0.05-5.0ohms

Temperature Range: 100-315℃

Tank Specifications

Size: 28 × 54.4mm.

Capacity: 5ml (Standard) / 2ml (EU) (other glass options up to 8ml) 510

Going from strength-to-strength, Voopoo have produced some fantastic mods over the last few years, and now they’ve updated the uber popular Drag kit, namely the Drag 2. The Drag 2 comes in an almost identical box to its predecessor. Inside, you will find the fabulous mod itself, the Voopoo UForce T2 tank, alongside two different coils, a spare glass (always handy), spare seals, a USB cable and a user manual. From the minute you open the box, you can start to see the likenesses and differences between the Drag and Drag 2.

Firstly, they’ve tried to eliminate the boxy, cumbersome feeling of the original Drag, and have opted for a smoother, sleeker design. The edges have been marginally rounded to make it a little more comfortable to grasp, however I still felt that the Drag 2 had somewhat of a sharp edge box feel to it.

The Drag 2 is constructed using a zinc alloy, with a totally unique and gorgeous, swirled resin design on the rear panel. The panel fits rather well to the main chassis, thanks to two sturdy magnets based at either end of the door. There was very little rattle and the door sat snug.

There are just three buttons on the entire mod, symbolised with a plus and minus respectively, and the main fire button. The fire button has a concave shape to it, making it incredibly comfortable to press.

The Drag 2 is smaller and lighter – about 25 percent lighter – than the earlier version, however it still has enough weight to it to feel robust and substantial in your palm. I found it to be quite a comfortable device to hold. Despite its more compact size, the Drag 2 can take two 18650s and goes all the way up to 177W.

Two 2500mAh 18650s provided plenty of battery power for me to vape at 75W for about six hours. Normally, I would be vaping at 80-90W, but I found that I got the same hit at 75W on the Drag 2, as I would at higher wattages on other mods.

The device has a micro-USB port, suitable for charging the mod, and updating firmware. The Drag 2 runs a GENE FIT chipset, which claims to help protect sub-ohm tank coils from dry burning, and to prolong battery life, amongst others. The FIT feature is much like a soft, medium and high setting, however in the user manual, it is described as FIT 1: Battery Setting, FIT 2: Flavour Setting and finally, FIT 3: Cloud Setting.

As with many regulated devices on the market at the moment, the Drag 2 offers important safety features, such as reverse battery protection, 10-second timeout, short circuit protection, overcharge protection and temperature protection.

The Drag 2 comes as a kit, both in EU and standard versions. In the UK, the average RRP of the entire kit is about £60.

The kit comes alongside a Voopoo UForce T2 tank, that holds 2ml (EU version) of e-liquid. It features an easy slide top-fill system and an adjustable bottom airflow. The pre-installed coil is 0.4Ω and has a recommended wattage range of 40-80W. The coil lasted about a week of moderate usage at 50W.

Despite the fact that I rarely use tanks, I found that using both the Drag 2 and the UForce tank, worked incredibly well together, and gave me great battery life, a decent hit, strong flavour and billowy cloud production. It was reliable, sturdy and looked great. The performance was unreal, and I particularly appreciated the fact that I didn’t have to have the wattage too high to get a good inhale hit, making the batteries last even longer.

REVIEW BY PEACHES ATKINSON

BlackCell Proton 18650

The world of vape branded cells is a strange one. Many have limited information available and no way to verify authenticity of the product. Blackcell is a bit different in this regard. They provide specifications for their products, printed clearly on the wrap, and also have a full QR code authenticity system, so you can determine whether or not your product is legitimate.

The Proton cell is rated at 3018mAh capacity, with a 20.3A continuous discharge rating and 40.2A maximum load. This capacity rating goes toe-to-toe with some of the best 18650 cells currently available, such as the LG HG2 and Samsung 30Q. During my testing of these cells, it’s been quite clear that the Proton is able to last for at least the same run time as these cells, which is great to see and adds another option to the list of cells which have a practical ratio of run time to discharge limit.

At the 20A mark, using a variety of regulated devices, the Proton did not heat up beyond normal levels, and Mooch’s thorough testing of the cells show that this CDR is accurate. My only issue then, is with the enigmatic 40.2A “MAX” rating of the cell. This is meant to be taken as a pulse rating, which means when used in very short bursts the cell can (in theory) handle a load of 40.2A.

The problem with pulse ratings is that there are far too many variables which are not fully stated. How long is a ‘pulse’? What resistance should the coil be? Does the cell need to be fully charged for this usage?

Fortunately, Blackcell do clearly state that this rating should be disregarded when using mechanical devices, and the vast majority of regulated mods will protect against overheating cells, but I would much prefer this increased risk of failure be entirely avoided, by only promoting more measurable specifications such as the CDR and capacity, which are impressive as is.

FamoVape Magma Box + Fat Baby Mesh Pro

Some of the testing of the Blackcell Protons was done using the FamoVape Magma Box and Fat Baby Mesh Pro.

With beautiful resin panels and a zinc alloy chassis, this device feels very solid. It has a classic three button design, allowing for simple navigation of the fully featured proprietary chipset, which offers wattage mode, temperature control and a direct output bypass setting. This is one of the most aggressive chipsets I’ve ever used. There is absolutely no delay when pressing the fire button, and the power delivery is very impressive, with no rampup time whatsoever. This makes the Magma Box an excellent choice for high wattage vapers. Charging is also extremely impressive. The Magma Box successfully charges installed cells in a balanced fashion and does it quickly, too. This is actually quite a rare feature within the mid-price bracket and is certainly welcome.

On to the Fat Baby Mesh Pro. The Baby Mesh Pro is fairly small as mesh sub tanks go, but this does not necessitate a sacrifice in performance. The tank features a simple sliding top-fill and fairly standard airflow control ring at the bottom of the tank. The coils themselves are really quite impressive. They consist of a single strip of fine mesh. Despite the small size, however, vapour and flavour production is fantastic.

SMOK’s Novo pod has seen great success in recent months, and with demand growing for slightly larger pod devices, something like the Nord was inevitable.

This is larger than your average pod system but is still smaller than more traditional pen-style starter kits. Construction, fit and finish seem to be an improvement on previous SMOK pods. With an aluminium frame, the Nord retains a lightweight feel but is sturdier than some of the smaller pod devices on th e market.

The focus here is on convenience and ease of use. There’s just one button, which turns the device on or off and acts as a firing mechanism. There’s no power adjustment or settings to fiddle with here. The 1100mAh internal cell is substantial considering the Nord’s compact size, and this delivers on many vaper’s requirements for a stealthy device that can last for a full day’s use comfortably.

Moving on to the coil and pod section. This is a slight departure from the Novo, in that the user replaces coils rather than the whole pod itself. This adds an extra step for the user, but it’s very easy to swap out the press-fit coil heads and cuts down on the cost of replacement pods. Refilling is performed by removing a rubber seal on the side of the pod, and the opening gives ample room for the vast majority of bottles.

Interestingly, there are two different coils to choose from when using the Nord, and they perform rather distinctly from one another. The more traditional 1.4ohm round wire coil is pretty much what we’ve come to expect from a pod system. It provides a moderately restricted MTL vape, certainly more restricted than the puzzlingly loose draw of the Novo. The result of this added restriction is a warmer and more flavourful vape than its predecessor. When using relatively sweet e-liquid with the device, I got through almost five refills before needing to replace the coil. For the TPD edition, this translates to roughly seven refills, which is really quite impressive longevity compared to other refillable pods on the market. Battery life when using this coil was also great, easily lasting a full day of moderate use with 20mg/ml nicotine salt e-liquid.

The 0.6ohm mesh coil is likely what has caught many vapers’ eyes, though. This provides a different experience and certainly surprised me. It’s a looser draw, with a warmer vape and substantially higher vapour production than its MTL counterpart. The relatively low power output meant that my usual 3mg sub-ohm e-liquids didn’t quite suit this coil, though. Instead, I loaded it up with 20mg nicotine salts, and the result was fantastic. This allows for short, sharp bursts of high nicotine vaping.

This is a versatile device. Using the 1.4ohm coil is a great option for a restricted MTL vape, with longer puffs and good battery life. The 0.6ohm mesh coil is ideal for short bursts of salt nicotine, and using it in this way means battery life is almost as good as with the MTL coil. If using lower nicotine concentration and longer puffs on this coil, expect much shorter battery life.

We’ve all had days where we want a simple pen-style vape but with the option to ramp up the wattage every now and then. Well… now you can, the FreeMax Twister 80W kit is here, and it’s awesome. This is the newest variable wattage pen style mod on the market.

This kit is from FreeMax the company that gifted the vape industry the mesh pro early last year, which is indisputably one of the best sub-ohm tanks to date.

The Twister kit is a press-and-go pen-style vape but for sub-ohm vapers. The device is ergonomic and slick looking. What makes this mod so great is at the base of the battery is a ridged output dial allowing you to change the variable wattage. This rotates smoothly with a clicking motion.

The battery cell in the twister mod is 2300mAh. This lasts around 150 puffs, around the day mark when infrequently vaping on 60W. When chaining at the 80W mark, you’re going to get less than half-a-day battery life. The battery life indicator is a slight issue due to the LED being covered when you press the fire button. The LEDs are also quite dim, so you don’t really notice them

The Twister mod is paired with the popular Fireluke 2 tank that has a 0.2ohm mesh coil pre-installed but also an additional 0.15ohm mesh coil in the kit, so you can get the most out of the maximum wattage. At 60W using a 3mg 70:30VG e-liquid the kit provides a solid sub-ohm vape experience. The Fireluke has a wide airflow channel allowing the pull to be smooth and providing the desired hit. The fire-up is instant and powerful. I was surprised that the tank is capable

As a pair, the tank sits tidy on the twister mod with just a small recess of 1mm. This, paired with the various graphic wrap options, makes the kit a nice option for everyone. The overall vaping experience has an immediate fire-up transitioning into a smooth pull with a solid flavour production. The battery life is good when efficiently vaping. This is one of the best device combinations to buy if you’re looking

The ideal solution to an easy transition from smoking to vaping is mouth-tolung vaping (MTL), which closely imitates the sensations and nicotine delivery of smoking.

Last year saw a growing popularity with MTL pod systems as either open or closed pod systems. USONICIG kicked off 2019 along the same lines with the new and innovative ZIP kit.

The ZIP is an open pod system unlike any other. It utilises the ultrasonic vape technology of the Rhythm kit but on a smaller scale. This ultrasonic vape technology saw USONICIG win an award for outstanding contribution to the vape industry at the Vapouround Awards last year. Since then, the technology has been developed further and is even more efficient.

The ZIP pod system is one of the larger pod systems on the market but fits the hand nicely. The design is sleek and ergonomically sound. The device features a 2ml capacity, replaceable open pod held securely to the battery with magnets. Each pod is stated to have the lifespan of around 5,000 puffs, so each pod should endure well over one month of MTL vaping.

The kit is very tidy and has a simple single button function making the device effortless and easy to transition from smoking. The ZIP is totally fool-proof.

The pods have a simple 90°right-angle twist function that reveals the fill holes which are of a brilliantly wide diameter ideal for 10ml bottles, making the filling mess free providing that the max fill line is adhered to.

The device has a modest 1200mAh that sees each charge lasting for the best part of a day with infrequent use. But the charge time is only up to an hour so there’s no worry if the battery depletes.

The ZIP is reliable at delivering a smooth vape with modest flavour intensity, regular for pod devices. I would advise that the device is fired up for a second before you draw a pull to give the most efficient experience. The pod vaporises the liquid with a 3.0MHz ultrasonic frequency so the output isn’t as instant as coil-based pods/atomisers. I am actually impressed with the vaping experience provided from the ZIP. Patience is key with this innovative technology; as for a more intense hit, a lengthier pull is required. The MTL experience is soft and not too restrictive. For best results with this device I would advise sticking with 50/50 VG/PG nic salts, although the device is fully compatible with CBD liquids too.

This device is an easy-going vape to start any smoking cessation journey or even just as a handy pocket size vape alternative for travellin g.

CUSH MAN

Cush man is a mango flavoured juice with summery fruits and tropical fusions with a slight icy menthol undertone. On the first inhale the mango flavour fights its way through the other flavour profiles delivering a strong succulent tropical flavour and the aftertaste leaves a refreshing, punchy menthol taste. The salt-based nicotine inside this juice will give you a strong throat hit. The sweet mango flavour helps soften the inhale, so it goes down a smooth and creamy treat. If mango is one of your go-to flavours, then this juice would be a welcome entry to your juice collection.

SLOW BLOW

Slow Blow is described as a gorgeous blend of pineapple and lime soda flavour. When vaping this juice, I noticed how the soda fizzes and crackles on the tongue, the salt nic version of this juice delivers a powerful throat hit that really hits the spot. The bitter sweetness of the pineapple flavour harmonises well with the tangy soda which ensures that each hit is as refreshing and zesty as the last. On the inhale I get the taste of the complex blend of lime and soda flavours then the cool menthol aftertaste which really calms the richness of the

ASAP GRAPE

This is described as a ripe berry blended with other assorted fruits alike which produces this delicious grape juice. Before I even heated the coil, I could smell the sweet grape flavour from the wick fill the air, so I knew this was going to be a strong and potent flavour profile. On the initial hit I immediately noticed the richness of the grape flavour come through, however with the presence of the other fruit flavours it balances it out preventing it from becoming too strong or sickly. Asap grape is an impressive grape juice which I would highly recommend to anyone looking for that specific grape hit.

BAD BLOOD

In terms of blackcurrant flavours out there on the market at the moment this by far has to be one of my favourites. For me blackcurrant flavoured juices are always a hit or miss as sometimes they can remind me of cough sweets. Bad Blood, however, is definitely a hit. The blackcurrant flavouring is not sickly or sugary but more subtle and flavoursome that tastes like the real thing as if the raspberry was plucked straight from the bush and squeezed into the bottle. The throat hit I get from these nic salts are not as strong as the others, for me it goes down much smoother.

SICKO BLUE

Sicko blue’s flavour profile is described as tasting of freshly plucked raspberries, full of flavour with raspberry bursting to life on every pull. With fruity flavoured e-liquid being a personal favourite, I was excited to try it for myself.

Immediately on the first pull, I noticed how light and airy the taste was. It was subtly sweet yet still very flavoursome, a juice I could easily keep refilling my tank with and not be sick of by the end of the day. The berry flavour profile is very apparent and mouth-wateringly good, I can definitely picture myself vaping this on a sunny day.

TITLE SHOT

VG/PG ratio: 70/30

Additional sweetener: Moderate Throat hit: Mild

Champ Sauce is an interesting up-and-coming brand with a tempting selection of flavours. Title shot has a sweet candy scent with hints of fruit. The scent may not be completely indicative of the flavours included. The first flavours that become apparent to the tongue when vaped is the blood orange, a flavour that isn’t commonly used in a fruity medley. Once the blood orange has passed a mix of a smooth peach, sharp cranberry and orange hit, a collection of flavours complementing each other creating a broad array of fruity flavour notes. Throughout the vape, an undertone of prosecco is present although it does stay reasonably low in strength and it’s not at all overbearing. Overall, the combination of fruit flavours and prosecco in this liquid leave a good impression, although a little sweet for me. It is clear there is a moderate amount of additional sweetener which gives the liquid a small amount of candy flavour also present. Prosecco fans should try this one.

T.K.O

VG/PG ratio: 70/30

Additional sweetener: Moderate Throat hit: Mild

T.K.O aka Technical Knockout. This curiously named liquid is set to impress your taste buds with an interesting array of flavours. The two main flavours here are a sweet vanilla along with a strong passion fruit. In conjunction with the main flavours there is an undertone of prosecco, which when you peak maximum flavour on the tongue is similar to a popular summer cocktail. This liquid is rather sweet in comparison to said cocktail, perhaps appealing to dessert vape fans and their sweet tooth. It’s clear T.K.O has a medium/moderate amount of sweetener, which isn’t a turn off in this case as it adds to last flavour left on the tongue postvape. Overall, T.K.O is an enjoyable juice for anyone who likes sweets or fruits.

IT’S THE CHAMP

VG/PG ratio: 70/30

Additional sweetener: High Throat hit: Medium

‘It’s The Champ’ is a flavour with a little more depth compared to the other liquids in the Champ Sauce range. This liquid has a darker appearance and a strong coffee scent as soon as it’s opened. When vaped this liquid produces a broad flavour with some serious depth to it. There’s something about a thick strong flavour that really works well for me. Obviously, the most dominant flavour is the coffee but along with the coffee comes a strong brown sugar flavour, something that’s a little unusual in e-liquids. These two flavours combine to create this depth with the coffee hitting a few bold, sharp notes at the same time. In addition to this, there is an extra hint of liqueur or vodka that adds little twang to after taste. Overall this juice is delicious, again it reminds me of a popular cocktail, maybe an espresso martini. The depth in the coffee and brown sugar make it so moreish. This liquid does contain a high amount of sweetener, which isn’t all that surprising and seems to be a trend with coffee flavours.

LAST WORD

VG/PG ratio: 70/30

Additional sweetener: Minimal Throat hit: Mild

‘Last Word’ is described as a pistachio pudding-styled vape. This is quite a sophisticated profile to aim for, so have Kapka’s Flava done it justice? The top note here is a strong nut mix. If I wasn’t aware that this was a pistachio vape, I might not have picked it out, but there is a distinct nutty flavour permeating through the blend. This brings a nice dark sweetness to the profile, along with an almost salty accent, which I have personally not experienced before in the context of an e-liquid. The nutty top notes are supported by a satisfying but light pudding base which adds a nice dense mouth-feel to the mix, whilst amplifying the overall sweetness on offer. The pudding base also imparts some subtle eggy notes, which further compliment the rich top notes. This is an interesting dessert e-liquid, ideal for a vaper looking for something that’s a bit different.

THORN

VG/PG ratio: 70/30

Additional sweetener: Moderate.

Throat hit: Mild, with cooling

‘Thorn’ has been a rather popular flavour in the German vaping community for some time now. Described as a blend of dragon fruit, pomegranate, blueberry, green tea and coolant, this is another unconventional profile from the mixologists at Kapka’s Flava. Pomegranate and blueberry seem to be the most prominent elements of the mix. This is a classic pairing that works fantastically in this case, with a blend of sweet, sour and earthy notes. The dragon fruit component is more subdued but does help tie the rest of the profile together with its tropical sweetness. The green tea notes are quite present and work very nicely with the fruit top notes, without dominating the profile. Instead this just serves to make Thorn all the more unique. The mix is finished with a moderately strong blast of coolant, imitating the sensation of drinking a freshly made iced beverage.

RED DEATH

VG/PG ratio: 70/30

Additional sweetener: Moderate Throat hit: Mild, with cooling

This is a simpler fruit profile from Kapka’s Flava. Billed as a mix of strawberry, raspberry and coolant, if executed properly this should be a light and refreshing vape. In a similar vein to Cold Blood, the top note here is a hybrid ripe/candy strawberry. It brings the same bright sweetness to this mix but features more prominently as it competes with less ingredients. This is complemented superbly with a more subtle candied raspberry. This element brings a solid tartness to the mix, and further enhances the brightness of the strawberry component. The mix is finished with a moderately strong coolant which does not interfere with the flavour profile whatsoever. The result is a basic but very pleasant fruit vape, which should be a crowd pleaser.

DRUNKEN PUDDING

VG/PG ratio: 70/30

Additional sweetener: Minimal Throat hit: Mild

Kapka’s Flava describe ‘Drunken Pudding’ as a creamy pudding with a dash of rum and light biscuit finish. Alcohol inspired flavours are notoriously hard to balance, so when they work, it’s a sign of great mixology. The top note here is a warm, rich vanilla that brings a pleasant sweetness to the blend. This is supported by a dense, creamy pudding base that adds substantial body to the mix, along with a luxurious mouth-feel. Alone this would already be a fantastic desert vape, but the additional accents make for a rather unique profile. The rum is subtle but brings a dark boozy sweetness to the pudding, without overpowering other elements. As described by the manufacturer, the biscuit finish is light, but imparts texture with its mellow bakery notes. This is a very well balanced and unique desert blend.

GOOD JUJU

VG/PG ratio: 70/30

Additional sweetener: Minimal Throat hit: Mild

Cheesecake profiles are usually among the heaviest of dessert e-liquids, but this is not the case here. Instead, the fruit toppings take centre stage. A baked blackcurrant is most prominent, it brings a good helping of sweetness to the profile, along with some hints of its natural earthiness. This is contrasted well by a natural lemon which provides a pleasant hint of zesty sharpness, along with a light sweetness that runs counter to the heavier blackcurrant. The cheesecake element of Good Juju is actually rather subtle. Although you can taste a mild dairy background note and biscuit base, it is more of an accent than anything else. The result is a mellow desert vape which is very light.

Good Juju may be a great option for those who are usually put off by heavier desert vapes.

COLD BLOOD VG/PG ratio: 70/30

Additional sweetener: Moderate Throat hit: Mild, with cooling

Described as a blend of strawberry, red apple, cranberry and black tea with a cooling finish, ‘Cold Blood’ is at the very least an unconventional e-liquid profile. Ripe strawberry is the top note here. It’s somewhere between an authentic strawberry and a more candied take, bringing a vibrant sweetness and some juicy notes to the mix. This is contrasted nicely with a startlingly authentic red apple flavour that cuts through the strawberry with some sharper notes.

Cranberry is much less prominent in the mix but is certainly noticeable and brings a welcome tartness to this fruit medley. A subtle black tea accent lurks in the background and does a great job of separating Cold Blood from other fruit medley e-liquids which its dark, earthy flavour. A moderately strong coolant finishes the profile and ensures a light and refreshing vape every time. A must try for fruit fans.

THE BARBER KAPKA’S

ICE CREAM STRAWBERRY CHEESECAKE

VG/PG ratio: 70/30

Additional sweetener: Moderate Throat hit: Mild

Based on a popular ice cream flavour loved the world over, Strawberry Cheesecake is a classic profile from The King of Vapes team. With so many sweet elements going into one mix, it would be easy for this flavour to become cloying or sickly. Happily, that’s not the case here. The top note is a candied, almost syrupy strawberry. It brings a pleasant sweetness to the mix, without overpowering other elements. This is supported by a dense and satisfying dairy base, which has notes of vanilla ice cream and a hint of cheesecake tang. These creams do a good job of bumping up the mouth-feel and substance of the profile. Strawberry Cheesecake is finished with a moderately sweet biscuit accent which adds some texture and authenticity to the mix. This is a solid choice for dessert lovers.

THE KING OF VAPES BLACKCURRANT & LEMONADE

VG/PG ratio: 70/30

Additional sweetener: Moderate

Throat hit: Mild, with cooling

Part of the original line-up, Blackcurrant & Lemonade is a simpler blend from The King of Vapes. Unlike some other mixed fruit lemonade profiles, blackcurrant is the most dominant element of this mix. It brings a substantial dark sweetness to the blend, along with a pleasant dose of floral notes which are quite authentic to a candied blackcurrant. This is contrasted by a more reserved lemon flavour, which cuts through the top note nicely, without overpowering it. This is more akin to a hard candy lemon than a commercial or home style lemonade, which isn’t an issue, since it contrasts with the blackcurrant nicely. The mix is finished with a mild menthol coolant which works well with the profile and prevents the potent blackcurrant note from overstaying its welcome. Overall, this comes across as more of a fruity cough sweet than a lemonade, but it’s pleasant nonetheless.

DESSERT KING RASPBERRY DONUT

VG/PG ratio: 70/30

Additional sweetener: Moderate Throat hit: Mild

Doughnut vapes are notoriously difficult to get right, so how does The King of Vapes’ offering fare? The top note is a potent raspberry jam. This has been accomplished quite well, with a warm, sweet raspberry that retains some of the bright floral notes that you would expect in an authentic conserve. This is supported by a subtle vanilla which slightly rounds off the raspberry and stops it from becoming harsh, as is often found with this fruit. The doughnut element is interesting to say the least. It’s far from being a dominant part of the mix, but it’s definitely present. There’s a noticeable bakery base here, which brings some texture to the profile and there also seems to be a powdered sugar note, which is quite authentic. Overall, this comes across as more of a cake than a doughnut, but this is hardly a complaint.

ROOBY SHERBET RASPBERRY

VG/PG ratio: 70/30

Additional sweetener: Moderate Throat hit: Mild

Rooby is described as a raspberry sherbet blend from the new King of Vapes sherbet line-up. All too often, sherbet blends come across as a muddled fruit concoction that lacks authenticity, so how does this compare to its real confectionery counterpart? The top note here is a bright candied raspberry. It brings plenty of sweetness to the mix, without any of the florals you might expect from the natural fruit. This is spot on to the flavour of a hard-boiled raspberry sweet. The top note gives way to an explosive candy citrus mix. This seems to be comprised of both lemon and lime and is eerily true to a real fizzy sherbet centre. This citrus blend contrasts with the sweeter raspberry very well and makes the profile much more vivid than some other sherbet blends. Those who enjoy candy vapes should give this a try.

HIZENBOMB BLUEBERRY BLAST

VG/PG ratio: 70/30

Additional sweetener: Moderate Throat hit: Mild, with cooling

The Hizenbomb range is The King of Vapes’ ode to the classic Heisenberg profile that’s become a staple of UK vaping. Blueberry Blast in particular seems to aim squarely at the original flavour, so how does it measure up? Unsurprisingly, a bright and almost medicinal blueberry dominates the mix here. This is a love it or hate it top note, and exactly what you might expect from this kind of profile. The blueberry is complemented by some more mysterious fruit flavours, akin to fruity bubblegum. This helps to bolster the sweetness of the mix, without making things too candy like. A mild aniseed accent adds intrigue, and without it this could hardly be a Heisenberg mix. The blend is finished with a moderately strong menthol, which cuts through the sweeter layers and keeps things light. A competent take on a classic profile.

ICE KING MENTHOL

VG/PG ratio: 70/30

Additional sweetener: Moderate Throat hit: Mild, with cooling

Menthol, from The King of Vapes’ Ice King range is a very simple and likely divisive e-liquid. Those vapers with a hardcore dedication to all things menthol should be interested by this one. The top note is a mildly sweet but intense spearmint. This is certainly not for the faint of heart and is in fact so strong that there seem to be notes of wintergreen found here too. This is backed up with a potent mentholated finish that should please veterans of colder vapes and will likely clear the sinuses of anyone daring enough to try it. Whether you’re trying to cool down in hot climates or soothe yourself during flu season, this is a solid if basic option.

REVIEWS

HAPPY FEET

VG/PG ratio: 50/50

Throat hit: Mild

Additional sweetener: Moderate

‘Happy Feet’ is described as a blend of banana, peach and pomegranate by BordO2. This is a highly unusual combination of fruits, so does it work? The top note here is a bright candy peach. This is very reminiscent of the gummy sweets commonly found in confectionery shops and brings plenty of sweetness to the mix, along with a moderate dose of tartness. This is contrasted by a more reserved candy banana note, which adds some creaminess to the profile and makes for a really unique pairing with the more dominant peach. The blend is finished with a pomegranate accent that doesn’t interfere with the balance of things but does give a slight increase to the overall sharpness of the profile.

HELL’S KITCHEN

VG/PG ratio: 50/50

Throat hit: Mild

Additional sweetener: Moderate

BordO2’s choice to create unusual flavour profiles continues with Hell’s Kitchen. This is described as a blend of guava and red fruit jam, so there’s no excuse for a bland mix here. The top note is a potent candy guava, which brings plenty of sweetness to the blend, along with a mild earthy note that’s often found with this fruit. This is complemented by an intense red fruit medley. This further increases the sweetness of this profile, though I’m not sure I would describe it as a jam. To me, this is more like a candied fruit medley. This doesn’t hamper the profile, though, in fact it works very well to create a unique fruity blend.

BEST FRIENDS

VG/PG ratio: 50/50

Throat hit: Mild

Additional sweetener: Moderate

‘Best Friends’ is described as a blend of raspberry and pastry. This is a more familiar profile, with stiff competition from other brands, so what sets this rendition apart? Raspberry dominates the blend. It’s a very authentic portrayal of the fruit and carries much more of the natural sharpness than is usually found in e-liquid. There is still some sweetness and sticky mouth-feel, but these qualities play second fiddle to the sharper notes. This is balanced with a moderately strong bakery note, which adds some substance to the body of the mix, and also lends some rich buttery flavour, which somewhat counteracts the bright raspberry. This is a competent, mature dessert vape.

FREE HUG

VG/PG ratio: 50/50

Throat hit: Mild

Additional sweetener: Moderate

‘Free Hug’ is described as a lemon verbena blend by the manufacturer. This is a popular herbal infusion in France, where BordO2 is based, and is made with a species of herb indigenous to South America. This is an ingredient I’ve never heard of, let alone seen in e-liquid form, which often makes for an interesting experience. The top note here is a potent medicinal lemon. It has some sweetness, but mostly brings an authentic bitterness to the blend. This is complemented by a strong herbal note and the result is a simple yet sophisticated vape, which may be something of an acquired taste.

FISHIN HIM

VG/PG ratio: 50/50

Throat hit: Mild, with cooling

Additional sweetener: Moderate

‘Fishin Him’ is described as a blend of red fruits, passion fruit and menthol, making for another unusual entry in the Les Deglinos line-up. The red fruit medley takes centre stage here. It’s a bright, sweet combination of fruits which are quite hard to pick out but could well be strawberry and raspberry. This is contrasted by the tropical sweetness of passion fruit. It’s quite potent, but not to the extent that it overpowers the berry flavours and offers a modest sharpness which helps the top note pop. The blend is finished with a moderately strong menthol additive, which makes for a light and refreshing fruit vape.

SLUSHY QUEEN APPLEGIZER

VG/PG RATIO: 70/30

ADDITIONAL SWEETENER: MINIMAL

THROAT HIT: MILD, WITH COOLING

Described as a frozen apple and kiwi energy drink, Applegizer is a unique profile that I’ve not come across before. Apple is the most prominent note here and it has elements of both candied and natural crisp Fuji. It’s a bright, tart top note which is rounded out well by a more reserved kiwi accent that brings some slightly deeper body to the mix. The energy drink aspect of Applegizer is more of a background note and this is probably for the best, since the bold apple and kiwi works so well. The mix is finished with a moderate icy coolant, which really enhances the bright profile here. Applegizer should please any fruit fan.

YUMMY DOOH

VG/PG RATIO: 70/30

ADDITIONAL SWEETENER: MINIMAL

THROAT HIT: MILD

PJ Empire describe Yummy Dooh as a raspberry glazed doughnut with a strawberry filling. Doughnut e-liquids have become very popular over the years, but all too often become sickly sweet in a short space of time. Yummy Dooh is slightly more reserved than what you might expect from such a profile. This is a well-balanced mix with no single dominant flavour. A combination of syrup like strawberry and more natural raspberry are the top notes here. This is a tried and tested combination and it works well in this case. The doughnut and bakery notes are more subtle than what we normally find, but they still bring substantial sweetness and density to the mix. This is a competent doughnut e-liquid that will be enjoyed by vapers with a penchant for all things sweet.

SLUSHY QUEEN – INDIGO FLOW

VG/PG RATIO: 70/30

ADDITIONAL SWEETENER: MINIMAL

THROAT HIT: MILD, WITH COOLING

Indigo Flow is described as a blend of blackcurrant, berries and grapes, with a cooling finish. Fruit and coolant blends make up for a large portion of the e-liquid market these days, so does this one stand out? A rich candied blackcurrant is the top note here. It brings a good amount of sticky sweetness to the mix, but also carries some of the darker sweetness you might expect from a more natural rendition of the fruit. This is complemented well by a berry medley, which turns the brightness up a notch and also enhances the sweeter top notes. There’s also a subtle grape accent here, which works well with the deeper notes of the blackcurrant. The profile is finished with a moderately strong coolant which does not impart any menthol flavour. This is a great fruit blend with tonnes of all day vape potential.

SALTED CARAMEL FUDGE DOUGHNUT

PG/VG ratio: 50/50

Additional sweetener: Moderate Throat hit: Moderate

Another more ambitious profile from this bakery line. Doughnut is one of those flavours that can easily produce some undesirable off-notes if it’s not balanced correctly. The top note here is a warm caramel. It seems to have a slightly darker sweetness than what is found in Million Shortcake, but not to the extent that it begins to have bitter qualities. I’m not quite picking up on the fudge note here, but this may simply be due to the stronger caramel note that’s on offer. This is supported by a moderately strong bakery note, which adds a fluffy texture to the profile. To me, this tastes more akin to cake than a doughnut, but it works well in any case. As the name may suggest, Salted Caramel Fudge Doughnut is quite a rich vape, but it’s been executed quite well.

CREAM

PG/VG ratio: 50/50

Additional sweetener: Moderate

Throat hit: Moderate

This is a slightly more laid-back dessert from the Bake N Vape line. A grainy top note is the star of the show here. It’s not something we see very often in the vaping world, but it works very nicely. I’m not sure if I would pick it out as rice crispy treats without knowing beforehand, but it certainly has the right texture and is rather memorable. This is complemented by a dense creamy base. This has more of an authentic dairy cream note than a sweeter vanilla ice cream, but it works very well nonetheless, adding a substantial mouth-feel to the vape, without over-sweetening the profile. This is a moreish dessert blend that is a good choice for those who prefer simpler flavours.

COOKIE DOH CINNAMON & CREAM

PG/VG ratio: 50/50

Additional sweetener: Moderate

Throat hit: Moderate

Getting the balance right with cinnamon in bakery vapes is always a difficult job. I’m happy to say that the Bake N Vape team have done well in this case. The cinnamon top note is a bit more subdued than I’m used to, but this is not a complaint, since it gives the profile much more all day vape potential. The spiced note is complemented well with a subtle bakery accent. This boosts the sweetness of the mix, whilst acting as a bridge between the other flavours. The profile is finished with a light cream base that’s quite similar to what is found in Rice Crispy Treats & Vanilla Ice Cream. It bears the same authentic dairy notes but is not quite as potent here. The result is an interesting cinnamon dessert vape, which doesn’t become overbearing in the slightest.

MILLION SHORTCAKE

PG/VG ratio: 50/50

Additional sweetener: Moderate Throat hit: Moderate

Million Shortcake is described as a blend of chocolate, fudge and caramel with a biscuit base. This is an ambitious profile, since both chocolate and fudge are notoriously difficult to capture in e-liquid form. Caramel stands out here, it’s a fairly light rendition, and brings plenty of sweetness to the mix, without the more bitter notes you would expect from a darker caramel. This is supported by a luxurious biscuit base which really sells the bakery connotations, whilst adding some body and texture to the profile. The chocolate and fudge notes are more of an accent, and I feel that’s for the best. They’re definitely noticeable, but do not overpower the mix by any stretch. This is quite rich as dessert vapes go but should please many vapers with a sweet tooth.

RICE CRISPY TREATS & VANILLA ICE

VANILLA CUSTARD

VG/PG ratio: 50/50

Additional sweetener: Minimal Throat hit: Moderate

Custard is arguably the king of desserts in the vaping world, but when it comes to salt nicotine e-liquids designed for low power devices, they sometimes fall short of the mark. That’s not the case here. Normally custards are quite a heavy profile, but Diamond Mist have gone for a slightly more laid-back approach. The top note is a mellow vanilla, which adds brightness without dominating the blend. This is supported by a creamy custard base, which has some eggy notes for authenticity, but not to the extent that you may expect from a traditional custard mix. The result is a nicely balanced custard with great all day vape potential for dessert lovers.

SILVER MIST

VG/PG ratio: 50/50

Additional sweetener: Minimal Throat hit: Moderate

Tobacco flavours are a bit of an oddity, as they usually appeal to one of two distinct kinds of vaper; those who are making the transition from smoking, or tobacco flavour enthusiasts seeking complex blends. Silver Mist seems to be the kind of tobacco vape that would be suited to the former. This is a fairly sweet but strong profile, with moderate smoky notes and a touch of nuttiness. There’s not too much going on here to confuse the palate, but it conveys the experience of Virginia style tobacco rather well. A good choice for new vapers who are looking for something familiar.

GOLD & SILVER

VG/PG ratio: 50/50

Additional sweetener: Minimal Throat hit: Strong

Another simple tobacco blend from the Diamond Mist salt line. This follows on from Silver Mist and adds just a touch more complexity to the profile. In addition to the sweet smokiness of the previous blend, Gold & Silver has a deeper nut note and tangibly more gritty texture when it comes to mouth-feel. I personally found that this particular blend packed a slightly increased throat hit compared with some other tobaccos, which could well be a desirable trait for some. Another solid choice for newer vapers making the switch.

TOONZ

VG/PG ratio: 50/50

Additional sweetener: Moderate Throat hit: Moderate, with cooling

Toonz is based on the flavour profile of a mentholated cherry sweet, with a twist. This has become a staple in the e-liquid market, and for good reason; when done right, it’s a simple but satisfying vape that acts as a fantastic palate cleanser and is particularly suited to those making the transition from smoking. The top note here is a potent medicinal cherry, which dominates the mix. It’s a touch sweeter than what is normally found in this kind of profile, but that’s a welcome bit of variety from the standard fare. This is accented by a moderately strong aniseed, which should be familiar to many vapers. The blend is finished with an intense menthol. A competent rendition of a classic profile.

COLA

VG/PG ratio: 50/50

Additional sweetener: Moderate Throat hit: Moderate

A very simple blend from the Diamond Mist Salt line. We see a wide range of cola profiles in vaping, and this is decidedly of the candy variety. A sweet gummy cola makes up the entirety of the mix, without any of the citrus accents that are sometimes found in these kinds of profiles. This gives the mix a sticky mouth-feel, which is rather true to life. For those that are in search of a basic candy flavour this is a worthy option.

ICEBERG MENTHOL

VG/PG ratio: 50/50

Additional sweetener: Moderate Throat hit: Strong, with cooling

Do you like menthol? Do you like menthol so much that it’s all you vape? Look no further than this offering from Diamond Mist. In my time reviewing e-liquids, I have had the pleasure of trying many straight menthol blends, but this one is the most intense of them all. Upon vaping Iceberg Menthol, expect your sinuses to be totally cleared, and to feel like you’ve just been kicked in the throat by a polar bear. This is certainly not for the faint of heart, but it does what it says on the tin and clears the palate extraordinarily well.

REVIEWS

MANGO

TWIST – MANGO CREAM DREAM

VG/PG ratio: 70/30

Additional sweetener: Moderate | Throat hit: Mild Mango dessert vapes are few and far between, but Twist E-liq uid tackle this elusive profile head on with Mango Cream Dream. The mango here is very authentic and perfectly ripe, just what you’d expect from Daddy’s Vapor. This is not the usual candied portrayal and instead provides a soft sweetness and some deep earthy tropical notes to the blend. This is accompanied by a lux urious cream base, which enhances the natural creamy notes of the mango, whilst seriously boosting the volume and mouth-feel of the profile. There seems to be some very mild notes of vanilla here too, which is a great pairing with the rest of what’s going on here. Mango Cream Dream is a solid choice for fans of dessert flavours who are looking for something a bit more exotic.

LEMON TWIST X STRAWBERRY QUEEN STRAWBERRY MASON LEMONADE

VG/PG ratio: 70/30

Throat hit: Mild | Additional sweetener: High Lemon Twist have become one of the most well-known brands in the US vaping scene, and they have reached similar levels of success in the UK as well. Strawberry Mason Lemonade is the result of a collaboration with their sister company, Strawberry Queen, so is this the best of both worlds? The top note here is the same hone-style lemonade that made the original Lemon Twist so popular. It doesn’t pull any punches with sweetness, but still retains that extra dimension found in the original. This is complemented by a less potent strawberry note, which acts as a nice contrast to the lemon. It has some connotations of a ripe strawberry but comes across as more of a candied interpretation. This is a blend packed with flavour, ideal for vapers with a sweet tooth.

SUNRISE SMOOTHIE

A delicious and realistic blend of sweet, creamy banana and smooth strawberries. I found this flavour to taste exactly like a real smoothie, and not at all artificial. The banana presents itself as mild, but holds enough flavouring in it to add a unique and wellrounded element to this e-liquid. The banana is most prominent during inhalation, and it offers a balanced and subtle sweetness. As you hold the vapour in your lungs, the smooth strawberry comes into play. The most accurate way to describe the notes of strawberry would have to be wholesome, slightly tangy and this complements the banana perfectly. This is closely followed by a subtle creaminess that really wraps up the other flavours in a very satisfying way. Easily the best strawberry and banana flavour I have ever tried.

COOKIE TWIST – FROSTED SUGAR COOKIE: VG/PG ratio: 70/30

Additional sweetener: High | Throat hit: Mild Cookie Twist is a simple but classic dessert profile from the Twist E-liquid team. The top note here is a bright, sweet vanilla frost ing, which coats the palate with its sticky mouth-feel. This is defi nitely leaning heavily towards confectionery vanilla rather than a slightly darker natural rendition. The top note is supported by a heavy bakery base, which tastes spot on to a freshly baked butter cookie. This adds a bit of texture to the mouth-feel and stops the sweeter top note from becoming too cloying, but still keeps things simple. Frosted Sugar Cookie is well-suited to vapers looking for a simple and sweet dessert flavour. If you like American cookies, give this one a go.

FRUIT TWIST – TROPICAL PUCKER PUNCH

VG/PG ratio: 70/30

Throat hit: Mild | Additional sweetener: High Billed as a tropical medley, this is a slightly enigmatic blend from the Fruit Twist team. The top note is a bright candy pineapple. It has a slight tartness that you would expect from the real fruit, but also brings plenty of sticky candy sweetness to the mix. This is complemented by an equally bright candy orange that turns up the tropical connotations a notch or two and adds some depth to the mix. The profile is finished with a mild mixed berry accent. This brings some darker sweetness to the blend without interfer ing with the brighter top notes or confusing the palate. At a guess, this seems to be strawberry and perhaps blueberry, but it is diffi cult to say, as these are not the strongest flavours in the profile. Another great option for fruit fans who like sweeter vapes.

GRAHAM FINALE

A one-of-a-kind flavour, Graham Finale is a Graham cracker coated with strawberry jelly. You can certainly pick up on a fruity, edgy strawberry jam, followed closely by a sweet, and sugary cinnamon biscuit. The cinnamon is soft and complementary to the ever-so-slightly sharp strawberry jelly. It comes across as incredibly smooth and incredibly easy to vape. The jam elements are more potent, especially when combined with the sweeter element of a cinnamon biscuit. What I appreciated most about this juice would be the full on, but not overwhelming, way it vapes. It has just the right amount of sweetness, without becoming overly potent. I could definitely see this as an all-day vape. This is a high VG e-liquid, meaning it’s ideal for sub-ohm setups. Expect great cloud production.

BLUEBERRY PANCAKE

VG/PG ratio: 70/30

Additional sweetener: Moderate Throat hit: Mild

Attempting to capture this classic American breakfast profile in e-liquid form is no easy feat, so have Dainty’s managed it here?

The top note is a warm, baked blueberry. It brings plenty of sweetness to the blend and is very accurate to its real-life counterpart. This is noteworthy, as many times attempts at baked blueberry simply taste candied. This is accented with a strong maple syrup note, which further boosts the sweetness on offer, and adds a pleasant sticky body to the mix. The profile is finished with a bakery base, and although it is rather nice, I’m not sure that I would pick it out as pancake specifically. This is a well-rounded, if quite sweet, dessert vape that should please many.

RASPBERRY SHERBET

VG/PG ratio: 70/30

Additional sweetener: Moderate Throat hit: Mild

A simple blend from the Dainty’s line. The top note here is candied raspberry. It’s a fair bit softer than what is normally found in raspberry e-liquids, but some vapers may prefer this omission of the bright and sharp notes. The top note also lends a somewhat sticky mouthfeel, which is true to the confectionery that this blend takes inspiration from. A moderately strong citrus cuts through the top note and provides some contrast in the profile. This adds some of the sharpness that you might usually expect from raspberry and the result is a fairly convincing sherbet flavour.

VANILLA CREAM TOBACCO

VG/PG ratio: 70/30

Additional sweetener: Moderate Throat hit: Mild

At first glance, you’d be forgiven for thinking that this is an RY4 style blend. RY4 has become a staple of vaping by balancing caramel, vanilla and mild tobacco, but this offering from Dainty’s takes a different approach. This is much more tobacco forward than most dessert tobacco blends, with a strong nutty top note and plenty of dark sweetness. This tobacco element is complemented by a thick creamy base which adds plenty of body to the mix, and also gives a good boost to the overall sweetness of the profile. A good choice for tobacco vapers who wish to try something a little different.

RED AIR

VG/PG ratio: 70/30

Additional sweetener: Moderate Throat hit: Mild, with cooling

Red Air is clearly based on the ever popular Red Astaire flavour profile, which has a loyal following in the UK. Dainty’s rendition doesn’t attempt to reinvent the wheel here, with a strong mix of candied raspberry and grape taking centre stage. This is a classic pairing at this point, and I’m happy to say that it has been balanced well in this case. These top notes are accented by a very mild aniseed, which keeps things interesting without becoming overbearing. The blend is finished with a moderate dose of menthol that helps to lift the recipe and cuts through the sweeter fruit components. A tried and tested profile that has been well executed.

BUBBLEGUM BLAST

VG/PG ratio: 70/30

Additional sweetener: Moderate Throat hit: Mild, with cooling

Bubblegum flavours have seen a huge surge in popularity over the last 18 months or so, and this is Dainty’s take on the profile. The top note here is a very pronounced bubblegum, reminiscent of the kind found at the centre of hard candy. This is complemented by a softer candy blueberry flavour which helps boost the sweetness of the profile and stops it from becoming one dimensional. The blend is finished by a rather intense blast of menthol additive, which is sure to please vapers looking for a bold fruity vape.

REVIEWS

RAINBOW SPECTRUM

PG/VG ratio: 30/70

Additional sweetener: Minimal Throat hit: Mild

Straight away, an immense, fruity candy blast hit my taste buds with full force. A zesty, sherbet sweet taste was there from the get-go.

Again, as with the Pineapple Passion, this e-liquid is not too complicated, and still delivers an impressive yet simple collection of flavours.

On inhalation, you can really notice the more sour elements of the candy, whereas when you exhale, the sweeter, sugary notes come in to play. I found this to be a pleasant and interesting sensation, as it felt very much like actually eating the popular fruity rainbow sweets. Overall, an astounding success by One Up for creating such an enjoyable e-liquid.

STRAWBERRY CHEESECAKE

PG/VG ratio: 30/70

Additional sweetener: Minimal Throat hit: Mild

From the second the bottle was opened, there was an instantaneous aroma of creamy and sweet strawberry. I was very impressed with the way that the strawberry was presented. It was just the right amount of sweet. The majority of cheesecake flavours tend to be rather sickly, due to their overly sweet flavour profile. This e-liquid from One Up, however, managed to retain the amazing, succulent strawberry notes, whilst incorporating a sweet and velvety cheesecake undertone.

I was particularly impressed with the pure palatability offered by this e-liquid. When vaping, it never became sickly or too overwhelming but still achieved a high level of smooth flavour.

BOLT SERIES

TROPICAL WORM

PG/VG ratio: 30/70

Additional sweetener: Minimal Throat hit: Mild

The typical, sour and fruity gummy worms we all know and love, but in e-liquid form. This flavour is spot on. You really can appreciate the same fruity notes that you experience when eating the gummy candy this e-liquid has set out to replicate. Throughout my time vaping on this flavour, I noticed a blend of juicy tropical fruits, such as pineapple, melon and perhaps mango. As I exhaled, a sour blast brought my taste buds back to life again and that made me want to vape it more and more.

I found that this e-liquid from One Up didn’t last very long, as I enjoyed it so much, and I would certainly recommend it to fans of sweet or fruity vapes.

SOUR BELTS

PG/VG ratio: 30/70

Additional sweetener: Minimal Throat hit: Mild

One Up is back at it again with the delicious sour candy flavours, and this is probably my favourite one yet. A sugary, tart strawberry is most noticeable on inhalation, and is closely followed by a lip-smacking, sharp, green apple.

The sour green apple added a fantastic edge to the sweeter, slightly more subtle strawberry, in a satisfying way.

One would think that all of these flavours may be a little overwhelming, however I found I enjoyed the strong feel to this e-liquid. There were plenty of different sensations when it came to vaping this flavour, including making your mouth water, which is a slightly odd thing to happen when vaping, but pleasant nonetheless. Again, another incredibly easy to vape e-liquid, especially to sweet flavour fans.

PINEAPPLE PASSION

PG/VG ratio: 30/70

Additional sweetener: Minimal Throat hit: Mild

A realistic and fresh blast of pineapple is the first thing you notice when you vape this e-liquid. The pineapple is very powerful in taste, making it a tremendously juicy and revitalising flavour.

I initially thought that due to the e-liquid’s strong flavour, I may have gotten a little overwhelmed rather quickly when vaping Pineapple Passion. I couldn’t have been more wrong. The flavour remained strong, and continued to make my mouth water. As a flavour profile, this e-liquid is quite basic, but effective. There are no needless complications, and the pineapple on its own is enough to deliver a refreshingly smooth vape. I really enjoyed the simplicity of this e-liquid, and how easy it was to vape.

CRAZY PINEAPPLE

VG/PG ratio: 50/50

Additional sweetener: Moderate Throat hit: Mild, with cooling

Crazy Pineapple is the last of the Lunatics Gal range that I have sampled for review. Again, this is a stripped back fruit profile, but that doesn’t mean it’s bland. This has got to be one of the most potent pineapple flavours I’ve had the pleasure of vaping. Predominantly this comes across as a pineapple soda, which brings plenty of bright sweetness to the profile. There are hints of a more natural fruit, though, and when vaped for a while, some fleshy, tropical notes will become more apparent. In a similar vein to Sweet & Sour Mango, there is a sour tang to the pineapple here, which is quite pleasant and prevents this flavour from becoming too one dimensional. As with the other Lunatics Gal offerings, Crazy Pineapple is finished with a mild coolant, which doesn’t interfere with the flavour profile at all.

LUNATICS GAL

MAD GRAPE

VG/PG ratio: 50/50

Additional sweetener: Moderate Throat hit: Mild, with cooling

Described as a blend of grape and berries, Mad Grape is another simple profile from the Lunatics Gal range. The top note here is a sweet dark grape. Rather than coming across as a candied Concord grape, this is more similar to a grape juice. It’s not often that we find this kind of grape flavour in e-liquid, so this definitely sets Mad Grape apart from its peers. The grape top note is contrasted by a much brighter berry medley. This gives a substantial boost to the overall sweetness of the profile, along with some tartness. The berry medley seems to mostly comprise of candy raspberry, but there’s certainly some other fruity accents here too. This makes for a vivid and rather sweet fruit blend that should be a crowd pleaser. The profile is finished with a mild coolant, which stops the sweeter elements from becoming cloying.

MAD BOYS

LYCHEE HONEYDEW

VG/PG ratio: 50/50

Additional sweetener: Moderate Throat hit: Mild, with cooling

We’ve come to expect exotic profiles from Malaysian e-liquid makers, and Lychee Honeydew from the Mad Boys range is no exception. Honeydew is the more prominent note here, and it’s been recreated in a very authentic fashion. It brings a substantial sweetness to the mix, along with a very subtle creaminess that is found in the real fruit. This is one of the most accurate renditions of Honeydew that I’ve personally vaped. This main note is contrasted with a moderately strong lychee element. Lychee isn’t a flavour often found in vaping and is rarely done well. In this case, it’s been blended masterfully, and again tastes very true to life. It brings some sweetness to the mix, along with distinctive floral notes that make for a unique experience. The mix is finished with Vape Syndrome’s signature mild coolant. Lychee Honeydew is a great choice for more adventurous vapers.

PINEAPPLE BLACKCURRANT

VG/PG ratio: 50/50

Additional sweetener: Moderate Throat hit: Mild, with cooling

Another bold, fruity blend from Vape Syndrome. Although quite balanced in potency, the Blackcurrant element of this mix comes out on top for me. It’s a touch sweeter than the blackcurrant found in most western e-liquid profiles, but it still retains traces of the dark sweetness of the real fruit, despite being a more candied portrayal. This is contrasted with a bright pineapple note that is quite similar to what is found in the Lunatics Gal Crazy Pineapple profile, albeit with more of a natural connotation. There’s slightly more of the sharpness found in the real fruit and less of a sweet soda pineapple in this case and it works well to cut through the heavier blackcurrant notes. The mix is finished with a mild coolant, making for a simple but refreshing fruit vape.

SWEET & SOUR MANGO

VG/PG ratio: 50/50

Additional sweetener: Moderate Throat hit: Mild,

with cooling

Sweet & Sour Mango, from the Lunatics Gal range is a Malaysian e-liquid, soon to be hitting shelves across Europe. Mango is perhaps the first profile we associate with the far eastern vaping community, so how does this one compare? As you might hope for, this is a vivid and authentic mango blend. Although a very simple mix, there is a lot of bright, tropical sweetness on display here. The mango is ripe and perhaps verging on overripe, which is actually a desirable trait for many vapers. In addition to the mango note, there is also a sour accent, which is difficult to pinpoint. It could be a subtle citrus, or a different variety of mango, but in any case, it adds an interesting tang to the profile. The mix is finished with a mild, flavourless coolant, a signature of Malaysian mixology. A simple but well executed vape.

MANGO LYCHEE

VG/PG ratio: 50/50 Additional

Moderate Throat hit: Mild, with cooling

Mango Lychee is perhaps the most exotic profile from Vape Syndrome, which is saying something considering how bold their other flavours are. The mango here is quite different from that found in Lunatics Gal Sweet & Sour Mango. Where that was a bright and mildly sour mix, this mango has more of the earthy and slightly musky notes, indicative of a different variety. It still brings plenty of sweetness to the mix but has an overall deeper flavour. This is paired nicely with the same lychee note found in Mad Boys Lychee Honeydew. It brings the same distinctive floral sweetness to this blend and is a perfect contrast to the heavier mango notes. The mix is again finished with a mild coolant, which cuts through the sweetness of the mix. Mango Lychee is a great choice for any fruit fan looking for something unique.

sweetener:

Black + White

VG/PG ratio: 70/30

Additional sweetener: Minimal Throat hit: Mild, with cooling

Red Liquids are reasonably new to the market, bringing with them a large selection, varying in flavour. Black and white is described as a blackcurrant and lemonade flavour and as many lemonades do, this liquid comes with a cooling effect to increase the similarities to the real drink. The blackcurrant flavour within this juice is more closely related in flavour to a hard candy sweet, maybe a hard candy sweet that helps sooth throats. The lemonade flavour mirrors this candy theme being close in flavour to a lemon sherbet. Together the two main flavours work well together and produce an overall candy flavour complemented by the added cooling effect.

Red Kola VG/PG ratio: 70/30

Additional sweetener: Minimal Throat hit: Mild

It’s reasonably easy to know what flavour to expect with this liquid, however there is an unexpected flavour in there. Red Kola is a simplistic cola flavour which closely resembles everyone’s favourite childhood sweet. The classic gummy cola bottle is something that has been thoroughly replicated throughout the e-liquid market however this liquid has a hint of menthol added. The menthol makes the liquid more of a cross between the gummy sweet and a realistic cold drink of cola, it’s this mix that keeps the profile simple while adding to the dynamic. This juice contains a minimal amount of added sweetener keeping the juice a little cleaner on the coil and less sticky on palate.

The Pink One

VG/PG ratio: 70/30

Additional sweetener: Medium Throat hit: Mild

The pink one has been described as a fruit, tropical and menthol liquid and the tropical note to this liquid is rather surprising. This liquid has no obvious single flavour as its profile focal point, however the mix of the fruits contained are a delicious concoction. This complex liquid has a hint of pineapple, blackberry, raspberry and a hint of strawberry all at similar strengths. Finally, in a slightly lower dosage a note of menthol, which isn’t too over powering. The menthol adds a palate cleansing effect making this liquid have little to no after taste. This may a negative for some, but it does leave you wanting more.

The Blue One VG/PG ratio: 70/30

Additional sweetener: Minimal Throat hit: Moderate

The Blue One by Red Liquids is possibly the most visibly blue liquid I’ve seen. This liquid has everything you’d expect from the name, blueberry and menthol. The menthol in this one is much stronger than Red Liquids’ other juices however it is appropriate. Combined with the menthol is a stronger blueberry flavour, with small notes of blackcurrant. Mixed together these flavours create a tasty blend that could be described as refreshing and slightly cooling on the tongue. The additional sweetener in the liquid is reasonably low, allowing the sweet and cooling flavours to work together.

The Red One

VG/PG ratio: 70/30

Additional sweetener: Minimal Throat hit: Moderate

Possibly Red Liquid’s signature liquid? The Red One is very red is colour, and just as bold in flavour. This liquid has a hint of strawberry although this isn’t so obvious because of the powerful aniseed and menthol flavour. Aniseed and menthol liquids tend to be a more acquired taste however there is a large market for these types of flavours. It is clear Red Liquids are hitting this market with the profile of this juice. This liquid has minimal additional sweetener which is always a bonus for a menthol flavour. This liquid has been marked down to have a medium throat hit because of the menthol hit.

Red + Black

VG/PG ratio: 70/30

Additional sweetener: Medium Throat hit: Minimal

Red + Black is another minimalistic liquid from Red Liquids. This bells but no whistles liquid is sure to please the vaper looking for consistent flavour without a complex flavour profile. This liquid quite simply has two flavourings; blackcurrant and aniseed. The strongest flavour of which is the aniseed which combines well with the blackcurrant. The blackcurrant takes the sharp edge from the aniseed making the liquid as a whole much smoother and more palatable. This liquid has a medium level of sweeter, something that is more required with an aniseed flavour to bulk out the flavour profile.

REVIEWS

MY CHEESECAKES

RASPBERRY RIPPLE

PG/VG ratio: 30/70

Additional sweetener: Minimal Throat hit: Mild

A subtly sweet and enticing dessert flavour, there is a delectably rich and creamy sensation straight from the outset which is carried on throughout the whole vaping experience. During inhalation, a soft yet indulgent note of sweet raspberry is most noticeable. It comes across as incredibly smooth and very similar to a raspberry sauce, although I found the e-liquid to be more on the decadent, sweet side rather than the sharp or sour side. After the wave of fruity, syrupy flavours, a creamier element came into play. Straight away, I noticed a mild yet whole-tasting cheesecake flavour. I felt that the smooth and velvety undertones of the cheesecake were carefully blended together with a sweet and almost savoury, crumbled biscuit base. Together, the rich raspberry is balanced by the soft and creamy cheesecake, followed up with a buttery biscuit that wraps up all of the different flavours in a satisfying and well-designed manner.

PINK SWEETY’S

PG/VG ratio: 30/70

Additional sweetener: Minimal Throat hit: Mild

A fantastically realistic strawberry-based chewy candy, Pink Sweety’s is here to make your mouth water. Initially there is a strong blast of sugary strawberry that comes across as having an almost bubblegum edge to it.

In contrast to the other flavours in this line, the constituents to this e-liquid are far simpler and uncomplicated but, by no means, does that imply that this e-liquid is poor or unsavoury, in fact perhaps the opposite. It is not spoiled with unnecessary complicated flavours, it is just a modest yet extraordinarily palatable candy flavoured e-liquid.

Due to its mild profile, I felt that Pink Sweety’s is a perfect all-day-vape, and it is rather difficult to become tired or overwhelmed by it.

BUENO CHEESECAKE

PG/VG ratio: 30/70

Additional sweetener: Minimal Throat hit: Mild

A firm favourite of mine, a sweet and nutty chocolate bar, has finally been incorporated into a creamy and luscious cheesecake, but in e-liquid form. At first, I had doubts, as I know how incredibly challenging it can be to get a chocolate e-liquid flavour right. However, as soon as I tasted it, all of those doubts were blown away by the perfectly executed hazelnut, cocoa and creamy combinations.

The likeness to the real dessert is extraordinary. The chocolate is a milky, smooth and rich set of flavours. The hazelnut is more similar to a sweet hazelnut butter rather than an actual, roasted nut. It has a very understated but wholesome edge to it, and I feel that this gives this e-liquid a unique and difficultto-recreate profile.

The cheesecake taste takes a bit of a back seat with this e-liquid. You can still clearly notice it, however the chocolate and nut flavours are certainly more prominent. Overall, I found this e-liquid to be luxuriously sweet and realistic. It was so well concocted, all the flavour components balanced out one another and I could tell that it had been produced with great care.

STRAWBERRY WATERMELON LEMONADE

PG/VG ratio: 30/70

Additional sweetener: Minimal Throat hit: Moderate

A crisp, flavour-packed lemonade e-liquid, this one is going to really appeal to fruit and cold/menthol lovers. First, when inhaling, you get a blast of mild iciness, closely followed by a sharp but sweet lemonade. As you begin to exhale, a touch of subtle strawberry bridges the gap between the lemonade and the mellow, juicy watermelon.

The blast of koolada is very noticeable just after exhaling and gives you that unmistakeable icy sensation on the back of your throat.

In conclusion, another fantastic choice for a refreshing, summer vape, but can also be enjoyed all year round.

STRAWBERRY

PG/VG ratio: 30/70

Additional sweetener: Minimal Throat hit: Mild

I have been able to try out quite a few strawberry cheesecake flavours during my time as a vaper, and all are slightly different. This one was definitely up there amongst the best.

The primary thing you notice when vaping this e-liquid, is the sharp and tangy jamlike taste of strawberry on the inhale. The soft and delicate cheesecake tastes mildly of vanilla and takes a more relaxed approach in terms of flavour. It quietly counteracts the more pronounced, fruitier notes.

Like the other e-liquids in this line, there is a sweet and gentle undertone of a digestive biscuit base. There is also a fluffy, whipped cream taste that mellows out all of the other flavours. This e-liquid brings lots of separate flavours to the table, and sometimes, it can get a bit complicated. Nevertheless, I found these to work relatively well when combined into an e-liquid.

BLUE’Z

PG/VG ratio: 30/70

Additional sweetener: Minimal Throat hit: Moderate

A fruity, tart berry-based e-liquid, Blue’z is an exceedingly refreshing vape. There are definitive tones of sour blueberry and sweet blue raspberry. The blueberry is slightly less pronounced than the raspberry, although both present themselves as vital parts of this exciting flavour. When vaping this e-liquid, the berry elements become intermingled, and are closely followed by a cool, icy sensation. The iciness of this e-liquid gives it a satisfying throat hit and adds to the invigorating nature of this e-liquid. While this is a great flavour to vape in the summertime you will find that Blue’z can be enjoyed all year round.

The fact that this e-liquid didn’t involve too many rich flavour ingredients meant that it would be an ideal candidate for people who enjoy mild or flavours that were not overly sweet.

Tart Cherry

Percentage used + VG/PG ratio: 4% at 70/30 VG/PG

Cherry flavours have been an elusive flavour in vaping for the longest time. All too many of them carry a potent medicinal note, which is fine for some profiles, but not always desirable. There are a few good choices when it comes to natural cherry, but solid candy variants are few and far between. In comes Tart Cherry from Capella. This is a simple but well executed sour candy cherry that should find a place in any mixer’s arsenal. It’s certainly not aiming to be a natural representation, but this is not a complaint. The citric acid component does do a good job of delivering some sour tang, but this does fade a few weeks after mixing. Nonetheless, this is a fantastic flavouring that can be used in a wide variety of applications. Mix with other bright fruits for a solid fruit punch or try some gummy bases for a well-rounded sour cherry candy profile.

Golden Pineapple

Percentage used + VG/PG ratio: 5% at 70/30 VG/PG

Veteran vapers will immediately recognise the aroma of Capella’s Golden Pineapple. It’s been used in countless commercial e-liquids and for good reason. This pineapple flavouring does have some natural elements but leans more heavily towards the candied end of the spectrum. This is not an overly potent flavour, and its strength seems to scale quite linearly, making it a forgiving ingredient for new mixers. This also means that it can be used either as an accent or main note, so it’s versatile too. Simple fruit mixes benefit greatly from a touch of pineapple, as it will bring some tropical brightness to the mix. If you want to use it as a main note, it may be more suited to beverage or candy profiles, but with the right ingredients, it can also be used in bakery recipes. Golden Pineapple is a true jack of all trades.

Tangy Orange

Percentage used + VG/PG ratio: 3.5% at 70/30 VG/PG

Another new sour fruit ingredient from Capella. Tangy Orange seems to borrow elements from two of Capella’s previous flavours and in doing so creates an interesting and useful orange. The natural juiciness found in Capella’s Juicy Orange is definitely still here, but where Juicy Orange fell slightly short in potency, Tangy Orange delivers. The best elements of Capella’s Sweet Tangerine also seem to be present here. The bright top notes and moderate tartness are vital to making a great orange mix and Capella have done very well to properly capture them. The result is a full bodied, authentic orange that I highly recommend to lovers of all things fruit. Tangy orange works well in both candy and natural fruit applications, so creativity is welcome.

Powerful Sour Concentration: 1-3 drops per 30ml

True sourness has always been something of a white whale in the vaping world. It’s very difficult to properly capture, leading many mixers to use bright citrus flavourings to fill the gap with their natural sharpness.

Powerful sour is slightly different to other sour additives I have used. This one contains lactic acid as well as the more traditional citric acid, so I was immediately intrigued to see if Capella had cracked the code. I used 1-3 drops per 30ml of e-liquid, in a variety of fruit and candy mixes. The results varied with profiles, but overall I’m quite impressed. This definitely adds a mild sour tang to your mix of choice, but don’t expect it to be a lipsmacking experience, as this simply does not seem to be possible in the context of vapour products. Nonetheless, I very much enjoyed this additive and found it brightened up flatter fruit mixes well. Powerful Sour is likely best used by advanced mixers due to its somewhat tricky potency but is an interesting tool.

Banana Split

Percentage used + VG/PG ratio: 4% at 70/30

Banana has always been a tough case to crack in the e-liquid world. Many concentrates come across as either artificial (think foam banana candies) or under-ripe. For this reason, it has pretty much always been necessary to mix around the banana concentrate in order to achieve an enjoyable recipe. Capella’s Banana Split seems to be much more forgiving than most. Mixed at four percent, the top notes of this concentrate fall somewhere between candied banana and a more natural, ripened banana. This is backed up by a fairly mellow cream base that brings some body and sweetness to the mix. There aren’t any real off-notes to speak of, but the banana is still quite in your face even at this fairly low concentration. In a single flavour mix, Capella’s Banana Split is quite accurate but if you’re a more advanced mixer consider playing around with some additional cream or bakery flavours to get the most out of it.

POSH CHOC

VG/PG ratio and % used in mix: 70/30 at 2.5% | Throat hit: Mild

Chocolate, the white whale of the vaping world. For the longest time, it’s seemed impossible to create a realistic chocolate blend, without huge amounts of sweetener and many mixers have tried and failed to get the balance right. Posh Choc is a complex flavouring, but the most prominent note is an intense cocoa, with plenty of dark sweetness. There’s also a mild nutty texture on offer too, especially when used in higher concentrations. The final element of this flavouring that I detect is a subtle cream base, which rounds off the profile of the concentrate and stops the cocoa note from becoming overly dry. Flavour Art claim that there is also an exotic fruit note here, but I must admit that I am not personally tasting this. Posh Choc is a very intriguing flavouring, more suited to advanced mixers who are willing to put in the time to unlock its true potential.

VANILLA ICE CREAM

VG/PG ratio and % used in mix: 70/30 at 3% | Throat hit: Mild

Vanilla flavourings are often a good starting point for new mixers but are also hugely important for experts looking to add dessert connotations to their blend. Vanilla Ice Cream is a simple concentrate, but it fulfils a wide variety of roles. The most prominent feature here is a warm vanilla that leans more towards confectionery, but still has traces of a darker spiced note. This is joined by a moderately strong cream base, which has a luxurious mouthfeel and is sure to add substance in almost an application. There are also hints of a very mild egg note here, which should be expected from a traditional ice cream. This is a versatile flavouring that has a place in any mixer’s arsenal.

BLOOD ORANGE

VG/PG ratio and % used in mix: 70/30 at 3% | Throat hit: Mild

There is a wealth of orange flavourings available to mixers these days, but the vast majority of them have an inescapable candied or soda connotation. Flavour Art have a reputation for nailing natural, authentic profiles, so can the same be said for their Blood Orange? Spoiler alert, yes. This is a fantastic orange flavour, that brings a vivid bright sweetness to any mix, and doesn’t skimp on the natural sharp notes of the zest. I can honestly say that I was blown away when I first tasted this flavouring, and it has brought new life to any fruit mix that needed a slight push to make it really pop. Blood Orange is not quite as sweet as some of its contemporaries, but this is easily remedied by pairing it with a sweeter fruit, and the result is almost always brilliant. If you’re looking for a natural orange flavouring, this is the one.

PEARL CHAMPAGNE

VG/PG ratio and % used in mix: 70/30 at 3% | Throat hit: Mild

Alcohol-inspired concentrates tend to be very hit or miss and are generally speaking more suited to advanced mixers, so have Flavour Art managed to capture the essence of champagne here? This is a bold and bright flavouring, that does not pull any punches when it comes to intensity. Pearl Champagne will add a very pleasant sparkling grape top note to any mix it’s used in, with just a hint of booziness. I’m glad that the alcohol element isn’t overpowering here, as this makes it easier to balance. This flavouring is also very useful as an additive, and when used in small concentrations it does a great job of brightening up any fruit mix, without adding any alcoholic or grape notes.

JUICY STRAWBERRY

VG/PG ratio and % used in mix: 70/30 at 4% | Throat hit: Mild

Strawberry continues to be among the most popular flavour profiles in vaping, and as a result there’s a huge number of different concentrates that offer their own spin on the fruit. Although Flavour Art already offer several other strawberry flavourings, Juicy Strawberry is the first from the company that’s specifically intended for use in candy profiles. This is a bright and potent candy strawberry and will bring a familiar sticky sweetness to any blend. Unlike many other candy strawberries, though, Juicy Strawberry is quite concentrated, which makes it more suitable for high VG mixes and will also save money in the long run. Along with the sweet and tart candy strawberry notes, are hints of some of the more natural flavour, found in Flavour Art’s Fragola, making for a very well-rounded strawberry candy.

BLUE RASPBERRY

VG/PG ratio: 50/50

Additional sweetener: Moderate

Throat hit: Moderate, with cooling

Blue raspberry has always been an incredibly popular profile in vaping, and its enigmatic nature allows e-liquid makers to put their own spin on things. The top note in this case is a strong candy raspberry, that brings a sticky sweetness and impressive amounts of tartness to the blend. This is reminiscent of a hard candy, doing away with some of the earthy notes you might expect from a more natural interpretation. This is complemented by a more subdued candy blueberry, which adds subtle floral notes to the mix, along with a slightly deeper sweetness. The mix is finished with a very mild coolant, which does not interfere with the mix at all. The result is a classic blue raspberry candy flavour that’s sure to be a crowd pleaser.

SPEARMINT

VG/PG ratio: 50/50

Additional sweetener: Moderate Throat hit: Moderate, with cooling

A slightly simpler mix from the IVG Salt line. The top note here is an intense, sweet spearmint, which is a spot-on representation of the kind that you would expect from chewing gum. This is great as a palate cleanser, and also seems to totally avoid the dreaded vaper’s tongue problem, even when used for an extended period of time. This top note is supported by IVG’s signature bubblegum base, though it’s used more sparingly here. The bubblegum reinforces the sweetness of the spearmint, whilst adding that familiar sticky mouth-feel that many vapers have come to love. If you’re looking for a stripped back profile that’s refreshing and doesn’t fade in terms of flavour intensity, this is a great option.

SUMMER BLAZE

VG/PG ratio: 50/50

Additional sweetener: Moderate Throat hit: Moderate, with cooling

IVG describe Summer Blaze as a blend of Sicilian lemonade and mixed berries with coolant. The mixed berries take centre stage here, with a full-bodied candy blackcurrant being the most dominant. This lends a sticky dark sweetness to the mix, along with some very mild floral notes. There also appears to be a good helping of candy raspberry, which further increases the sweetness on offer, along with some brighter notes. The lemonade element of Summer Blaze sits in the background, but it still has a great effect on the profile, with its combination of candied and natural lemon flavour. The sharper notes of the lemon contrast nicely with the berries and give an accurate beverage connotation. A moderately strong coolant finishes the mix, and the result is a very well-balanced fruit vape that could well be all day material for lots of people.

BUBBLEGUM

VG/PG ratio: 50/50

Additional sweetener: Moderate Throat hit: Moderate, with cooling

Bubblegum was the flavour that put IVG on the map, so it only makes sense that it’s now been made available in their new Salt range. The top note here is a vivid candy bubblegum that you’ll almost certainly recognise, unless you’ve been living under a rock for the last 18 months. This brings plenty of sweetness to the mix, and a somewhat sticky mouth-feel to boot, and is a very good replication of the sweets that it’s inspired by. There also seems to be a very subtle mint in the background, which works well with the bubblegum top note and ensures that this is a light and refreshing candy vape.

RAINBOW BLAST

VG/PG ratio: 50/50

Additional sweetener: Moderate Throat hit: Moderate

Rainbow Blast is described as sour mixed fruit candy, leaving much to the imagination of the consumer. There’s a lot going on with this mix, with a variety of berries and citrus, so it’s difficult to pinpoint every part of the profile. The most pronounced notes, though, are a heavy candy lime and strawberry. The lime is particularly dominant, and brings plenty of sweetness to the mix, along with a good helping of tartness. This is balanced by the candy strawberry, which enhances the sweet notes of the lime, and ensures that the sharper notes are toned down. Besides this, there seem to be other berries and perhaps lemon in the background, but these notes are more accents than anything, and it’s anyone’s guess as to what they truly are. A solid candy vape.

KIWI

LEMON COOL

VG/PG ratio: 50/50

Additional sweetener: Moderate Throat hit: Moderate, with cooling

Kiwi is a fairly uncommon fruit in the context of e-liquid profiles, but when it’s done right, the result is usually a compelling vape. IVG’s take on this fruit is well done indeed. It has elements of a natural kiwi, with a slight tartness and juicy mouth-feel, but also brings some candied connotations to the mix with a good helping of sweetness. The kiwi is complemented nicely with a moderately strong candied lemon. This sharper note of the candied lemon does well to enhance the tartness of the kiwi and give a satisfying boost to the throat hit. The blend is finished with a mild coolant, which imparts no menthol flavour, making for a light fruit vape, suited to anyone looking for something a little different.

Strawberry Cheesecake

E-Sheesh have done a great job at replicating the authentic taste of strawberry cheesecake with this e-liquid. Upon the first inhale the flavour notes you get are a light strawberry with the wonderful biscuit base finish. The flavour is very smooth, it doesn’t hit the back of your throat unduly hard and it is rather easy to vape. This produces an abundance of clouds, being a popular mix of 70/30 PG/VG, even after a small inhale you get plenty of flavour and a lot of clouds.

Jammie Marmalade Fusion

This e-liquid has to be one of my favourites to date. The flavour denotes sweet apricot jam coupled with a savoury taste of buttered toast to create the finished product. There isn’t much of a throat hit as this is a very smooth liquid. Coupled with your favourite hot beverage, this e-liquid is perfect for those cold winter mornings. The flavours complement each other and reflect the authentic jam on toast taste. The Jammie Marmalade Fusion is a perfect blend of two classic flavours that creates an essential vape.

Tangy Lychee

Tangy Lychee is a very powerful flavour. The smell hits you with a zesty hint to it. The best way to describe Tangy Lychee is cool and refreshing. Close your eyes and this particular e-liquid can transport you to a sun-kissed beach with a gentle breeze blowing at your back. The flavour notes and the zest of the tangy lychee has a real calming effect – all that is missing is a cocktail to go with it.

Lemon Cheesecake

Lemon Cheesecake isn’t usually my go-to choice of dessert, however I may have to reconsider my thinking process as E-Sheesh have captured the taste impeccably well with this product. In some e-liquids I regularly find that one flavour overpowers the others and this could easily happen in a lemon cheesecake liquid. I am happy to report that there is no such problem here – E-Sheesh have done a great job in getting the balance of the individual elements just right. A great liquid with a zesty feeling to it, zesty and easy to vape.

Tutti Fruity Candy

Tutti Fruity Candy hits you with notes of blackcurrant and strawberry on the first inhale. The flavour is rich and very satisfying indeed. It is clear that the flavour elements have been chosen with care and mixed to perfection. The taste tickles the back of your throat which is exactly what you would get if you were biting into a mouthful of juicy fruits so I can say that Tutti Fruity Candy works really well indeed for me. This is another juice which reminds me of summer, but it is one you will want to vape all year round.

A DIFFERENT KIND OF HIT

YouTuber Vinny ‘SirVapingALot’ Luciano wins his second charity boxing match in first round knockout

With party season in full swing, YouTube vape vlogger and reviewer Vinny Luciano of SVAWorld stepped into the ring for a charity boxing match to raise money for Cancer Research UK in November.

The showdown took place at the Mercure Hotel in Brand’s Hatch Place, Dartford, hosted by Ultra White Collar Boxing. Mirroring Olympic rules, UWCB’s fights last for three, twominute rounds. Vinny needed less than one, knocking his opponent out in one minute and 34 seconds.

Vinny went in as the vaping industry’s sole representative, and this wasn’t the first time he did us proud. Vinny won his first charity fight in December 2017 on points and so raised his winning streak to 2-0.

Vinny’s victory came in the middle of a globetrotting tour – he had just come back from the US and went straight on to a trip to China, but his busy schedule didn’t stop his plans to (literally in this case) fight for what’s right.

Speaking to Vapouround after the bout, Vinny said:

“Vaping personalities and reviewers aren’t celebrities to the wider culture in any sense of the word, but we have a more prominent place in our own communities. We should use our position to take part in things like this and encourage others not just to be aware of charities, but to be generous with them.

I’ve always wanted to do things that make a difference, and if YouTube gives me the opportunity to raise a few more pounds for Cancer Research UK then I’ll step in the ring, fighter or not.”

In November, Vinny even made it a family affair. His brother Antonio also walked away with a first round victory, his in one minute 42 seconds, exactly as long as Muhammad Ali’s knockout of Sonny Liston 54 years ago.

It wouldn’t have been right for Vinny to return to the ring without a proper nickname. He now goes by ‘Mani di Pietra’ (Hands of Stone) in honour of his Italian heritage and as a tribute to his favourite boxer Roberto Duran, the Panamanian legend who went by Manos de Piedra. Vinny considers Duran a hero, not just for his accomplishments in the ring, but his charity work outside of it.

Vinny sees the vaping industry as perfectly compatible with cancer research charities. At its core, vaping is about smoking cessation: a public good.

“When I first got involved in this, I was really surprised, because obviously there’s nothing like this community around smoking. I hope we never lose our way. I couldn’t have picked a better charity. Smoking is still one of the biggest causes of cancer and we’ve all come from a smoking background.”

Unsatisfied with his first performance between the ropes, Vinny worked on a new strategy. He took inspiration from Duran, coming in with a game-plan centred around counters and body punches. Vinny ended the bout with a rare, risky but devastating punch: the liver shot.

“It played out exactly how I planned it.”

According to the Cancer Research UK’s rules, this second fight will be Vinny’s last for them, but he has no plans to stop. He’s a lifelong boxing fan and feels encouraged by finding something that lets him simultaneously help others stop smoking and pursue a passion. Vinny has even been in talks with former world cruiserweight champion Enzo Maccarinelli about visiting his gym in Wales for a training session.

“I want to carry on, do it for other charities or even potentially organise events myself. Even if I raise as little as £50, it’s still money that Cancer Research wouldn’t have otherwise, plus it’s great for my personal fitness.”

Vinny also pointed out that though he kept vaping throughout the training and build-up (though never during sessions) his cardiovascular fitness wasn’t affected in the slightest.

“If I had been smoking to the same extent, I would have been destroyed!”

Stopping an opponent inside a round before they can dish out any damage isn’t our usual definition of ‘harm reduction’ but the result speaks for itself.

“ I ’ VE ALWAYS WANTED TO DO THINGS THAT MAKE A DIFFERENCE, AND IF YOUTUBE GIVES ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO RAISE A FEW MORE POUNDS FOR CANCER RESEARCH UK THEN I ’ LL STEP IN THE RING ”

WE ASKED YOU TO SNAP AND SHARE A PICTURE OF YOUR VAPOUROUND CLUB BOX ON SOCIAL MEDIA TO BE IN WITH A CHANCE TO WIN A MOD. LOTS OF YOU ENTERED, BUT THERE CAN ONLY BE ONE WINNER…

SCOTLAND

VPZ

11 Brandon Parade S Motherwell, North Lanarkshire, United Kingdom, ML1 1RB Telephone +44 1698 265111

Scotvapes Inverness

2-4 Market Arcade, Academy Street, Inverness, Highland, United Kingdom, IV1 1PG Telephone +44 146 326 2470

VPZ

6 Broad St Fraserburgh, Aberdeenshire, United Kingdom, AB43 9AU Telephone +44 134 651 3049

The Vapour Lounge 86 Commercial St, Dundee, United Kingdom, DD1 2AP Telephone +44 138 220 4611

Emporium Vapour 11 Dalderse Ave, Falkirk, United Kingdom, FK2 7EF Telephone +44 800 612 7270

Aqua Vapour 33 Dalry Rd, Edinburgh, United Kingdom, EH11 2BA Telephone +44 131 629 0900

Dr Vapor 91 Portobello High St, Edinburgh, United Kingdom, EH15 1AW Telephone +44 131 669 1959

Bean Smoking 67 Hyndland St Glasgow, United Kingdom, G11 5PS Telephone +44 141 334 7284

Pencig

6 Ormiston Terrace Edinburgh, United Kingdom, EH12 7SJ Telephone +44 131 334 4604

Totally Wicked 112 Gallowgate, Glasgow, United Kingdom, G31 4EB Telephone +44 141 550 3555

Vaporeyes 335 Victoria Rd Glasgow, United Kingdom, G42 7SA Telephone +44 141 237 9600

Vaporium Glasgow 12 Budhill Ave Glasgow, United Kingdom, G32 0PN Telephone +44 141 387 5939

Ecigarus

28 Quarry St Hamilton, South Lanarkshire, United Kingdom, ML3 7AR Telephone +44 169 842 0068

Barracuda Vape

Unit 6 Loreburne Shopping Centre, Dumfries and Galloway, United Kingdom, DG1 2BD Telephone +44 138 724 7785

NORTH WEST ENGLAND

Ladybird Vapours

5 Princes Rd Ellesmere Port, Cheshire West, United Kingdom, CH65 8AS

Telephone +44 151 355 9999

The Vapour Bar

5-6 New Oxford Street, Workington, Cumbria, United Kingdom, CA14 2NA Telephone +44 190 026 7373

The Crafty Vaper

Unit 1 Cannon Corner, 24 Church St, Accrington, Lancashire, United Kingdom, BB5 2EH Telephone +44 125 423 0600

StateSide Vape

71 Poulton St Kirkham, Lancashire, United Kingdom, PR4 2AJ Telephone +44 1772 686862

The Vapour Corner 78 Lord St Fleetwood, Lancashire, United Kingdom, FY7 6DS Telephone +44 756 145 6592

Up In Smoke 99 Lancaster Rd Morecambe, Lancashire, United Kingdom, LA4 5QJ Telephone+44 152 442 1985

Vapepod

30 Finkle St Kendal, Cumbria, United Kingdom, LA9 4AB Telephone +44 153 973 4408

The Vapour Stop 256 Whitegate Dr. Blackpool, United Kingdom, FY3 9JW Telephone +44 125 369 9086

The Gourmet Vapor Shop 42 Harrison Street, Blackburn, United Kingdom, BB2 2JE Telephone +44 333 344 6555

Just Vapours

11 Clarendon Pl Hyde, Greater Manchester, United Kingdom, SK14 2ND Telephone +44 161 964 4638

Vape Street

17 Hazel Rd Whitefield, Greater Manchester. United Kingdom, M45 8EU Telephone +44 161 796 2916

Vape World

226 Ashton Rd Oldham, Greater Manchester, United Kingdom, OL8 1QN Telephone +44 161 621 0088

Tutzys Piccadilly Vape Shop

14 Piccadilly, Greater Manchester, United Kingdom, M1 4AJ Telephone +44 161 236 9763

Vapour Nation

100 Gorton Road Stockport, Greater Manchester, United Kingdom, SK5 6UE Telephone +44 161 442 5532

Cloud Chasers

248 Grange Rd Birkenhead, Merseyside United Kingdom, CH41 2QH Telephone +44 151 649 0283

Bulldog Vapours

282 Park Rd Liverpool, Merseyside, United Kingdom, L8 4UE Telephone +44 151 726 9139

Vape Saloon

41 Wallgate Wigan, Greater Manchester United Kingdom, WN1 1BE Telephone +44 194 249 8206

Crystal Vapours 6 Chemical Street, Newton-Le-Willows, Merseyside, United Kingdom, WA12 9AT Telephone +44 192 522 1101

EcigWorld 57 Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire East, United Kingdom, SK9 5BQ Telephone +44 162 553 9550

NORTH EAST ENGLAND

Healthier Smoker - Totally Wicked 6 Fowler St, South Shields, United Kingdom, NE33 1NF Telephone +44 191 427 1760

Liquid Lounge Vapour Supplies 19a Olive St, Sunderland, United Kingdom, SR1 3PE Telephone +44 191 447 1171

The Vape Company 2c Leazes Park Rd, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom, NE1 4PF Telephone +44 191 261 9972

Uptons Vapourium 214-216 Chillingham Rd, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom, NE6 5LP Telephone +44 191 265 1011

Vapour Street 194 High St, E Wallsend, Tyne and Wear United Kingdom, NE28 7RP Telephone +44 191 649 8416

Punkmonkey Vape

2 Tyne Terrace South Shields, United Kingdom, NE34 0NF Telephone +44 191 456 8995

Vapour Logic

2 New Market Morpeth, Northumberland, United Kingdom, NE61 1LA Telephone +44 167 050 3966

Galaxy Vape

Unit 2 Kellaw Road, Darlington, United Kingdom, DL1 4YA Telephone +44 132 546 9887

The Electric Cigarette Shop 83 Westdyke Road, Redcar Cleveland, United Kingdom, TS10 2AA Telephone +44 164 296 1323

EciggyUK

86, Market Village, The Galleries, Washington, United Kingdom, NE38 7RT Telephone +44 191 417 6555

Castle Vape

3c Front St Prudhoe, Northumberland, United Kingdom, NE42 5HJ Telephone +44 1661 831580

First Floor Vaporium

10A Market Place Hexham, Northumberland, United Kingdom, NE46 1XG

Telephone +44 1434 604250

Vapour Blast 88 High St W Wallsend, Tyne and Wear United Kingdom, NE28 8HY Telephone +44 7837 551187

Lunar Vape 100 Coatsworth Rd Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, United Kingdom, NE8 1QP Telephone +44 191 440 2677

Smooth Vapourz 158 York Rd, Hartlepool, United Kingdom, TS26 9DT Telephone +44 7789 692993

YORKSHIRE

Cigara

599 Attercliffe Rd Sheffield, South Yorkshire, United Kingdom, S9 3RD Telephone +44 114 243 2662

VapeHQ

11 Manvers Way, Wath upon Dearne, South Yorkshire, United Kingdom, S63 7FN Telephone +44 1709 872714

Vapour Boutique 66 Owlerton Green, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, United Kingdom,S6 2BH Telephone +44 114 327 3933

Optimum Vapes 299 Roundhay Road Leeds, West Yorkshire, United Kingdom, LS8 4HT Telephone +44 113 235 0292

Richard’s E-Cigs

11 Upper Millergate Bradford, West Yorkshire, United Kingdom, BD1 1SX Telephone +44 790 448 3779

Ikon Vape Lounge

11 Market Pl Batley, West Yorkshire, United Kingdom, WF17 5DA Telephone +44 192 469 4240

Vapour Worx 39A High St Knaresborough, North Yorkshire, United Kingdom, HG5 0HB Telephone +44 142 361 0083

Fresh Electronic Cigarettes

4 W Gate Wetherby, West Yorkshire, United Kingdom, LS22 6LL Telephone +44 193 758 8410

Vape Safe 8 Stonegate, York, United Kingdom, YO1 8AX Telephone +44 190 484 8488

Richmond Vape Station 5 Castle Hill, Richmond, North Yorkshire , United Kingdom, DL10 4QP Telephone +44 7464 100993

Moorends Vape Shop 144 Marshland Rd Moorends, South Yorkshire, United Kingdom, DN8 4SU Telephone +44 1405 740293

Vapour Workz

17 Sheffield Rd Warmsworth, South Yorkshire, United Kingdom, DN4 9QH Telephone +44 1302 570371

Flava Vape

5 Market St, Barnsley, South Yorkshire, United Kingdom, S70 1SL Telephone +44 1226 289581

SMKD Electronic Cigarettes

The Ridings Shopping Centre, Wakefield, West Yorkshire, United Kingdom, WF1 1DS Telephone +44 1924 728100

Avid Vapers

46 Savile St Hull, Kingston upon Hull, United Kingdom, HU1 3EA Telephone +44 1482 221444

The Emporium Hull

279a Hessle Road, Hull, United Kingdom, HU3 4BQ Telephone +44 1482 221883

JAC Vapour

11 Boar Ln Leeds, West Yorkshire, United Kingdom, LS1 6EN Telephone +44 113 245 2509

VapeShop Leeds 229 Selby Rd, Leeds, West Yorkshire, United Kingdom, LS15 7HW Telephone +44 7873 617767

We Are Vapes 394 Kirkstall Rd Leeds, West Yorkshire, United Kingdom, LS4 2HQ Telephone +44 7453 804247

NORTHERN

IRELAND

Titanic Vapour 264 Shankill Rd. Belfast, United Kingdom, BT13 2BL Telephone +44 7955 485176

Titanic Vapour 122 Longstone St, Lisburn, United Kingdom, BT28 1TR Telephone +44 7938 476622

The Vape Bar

57 Market St, Lurgan, Craigavon, United Kingdom, BT66 6AR Telephone +44 7803 795587

Vape and Tech 42 Market St Tandragee, Armagh, United Kingdom, BT62 2BP Telephone +44 28 3898 9415

Rude Boy Vaping

4 Dufferin Ave Bangor, North Down, United Kingdom, BT20 3BU Telephone +44 28 9147 2097

Vape Hunter 748 Upper Newtownards Rd, Dundonald, United Kingdom, BT16 1RJ

Total Vapour 148 Cregagh Rd, Castlereagh, United Kingdom, BT6 9ET Telephone +44 28 9070 5428

Northern Vape 10 North St Belfast, United Kingdom, BT1 1LA Telephone +44 799 996 6944

Ziggicig

Unit 9 Upper Main Street, Strabane, United Kingdom, BT82 8AR Telephone +44 28 9560 7313

The Electric Smoke Company 26 Irish St, Downpatrick, Co. Down, United Kingdom, BT30 6BP Telephone +44 289 756 2896

Ciggy Point

374 Upper Newtownards Rd, Belfast, United Kingdom, BT4 3EY Telephone +44 28 9543 8867

iVape

27 Railway St Strabane, United Kingdom, BT82 8EG Telephone +44 28 7138 3606

ISLE OF MAN

Totally Wicked

7 Market Hill Douglas, Isle Of Man, IM1 2BF Telephone +44 1624 616205

Electrovape

The Victoria Mall, Unit P, 2 Christian St, Ramsey, Isle of Man, IM8 2EN Telephone +44 7624 220993

Offshore Vapes

11 Castle Street Douglas, Isle of Man, IM1 2EU Telephone +44 1624 625212

WALES

Ladybird Vapours

42 Henblas St, Wrexham, United Kingdom, LL13 8LP Telephone +44 1978 264919

Ladybird Vapours

35 Station Rd Deeside, Flintshire, United Kingdom, CH5 1SU Telephone +44 1244 810835

Ejuice Couture

232 Victoria Rd Holyhead, Isle of Anglesey, United Kingdom, LL65 1UD Telephone +44 1407 238008

Bangor Vapes

173 High Street Bangor, Gwynedd, United Kingdom, LL57 1NU Telephone +44 7388 344650

North Wales Vapour

27 Madoc St Llandudno, Conwy, United Kingdom, LL30 2TL Telephone +44 1492 330865

Mat’s Vapour Lounge

30 Vale Rd Rhyl, Denbighshire, United Kingdom, LL18 2BU Telephone +44 1745 350274

Celtic Vapours 46 Commercial Rd, Neath, Port Talbot, United Kingdom, SA13 1LG Telephone +44 1639 898220

Barracuda Vape 75 Caerphilly Road Birchgrove, Cardiff, United Kingdom, CF14 4AE Telephone +44 29 2062 6722

Switch Xpress 236 Corporation Rd, Newport, United Kingdom, NP19 0DZ Telephone +44 1633 549342

Vapourlicious 40 Terrace Rd Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, United Kingdom, SY23 2AE Telephone +44 1970 358693

VAPE Barmouth

Church St Barmouth, Gwynedd, United Kingdom, LL42 1EW Telephone +44 7400 898088

Topvape1 50 Heol Maengwyn Machynlleth, Powys, United Kingdom, SY20 8DT Telephone +44 1654 703925

Chameleon Vapes 42 Bridge St, Wrexham, United Kingdom, LL13 7HP Telephone +44 7943 609219

The Vape Escape Shop 7b Mold Rd Buckley, Flintshire, United Kingdom, CH7 2JA Telephone +44 7936 469677

Beaum Vape

Unit 3 Ivor House Bridge St, Cardiff, United Kingdom, CF10 2TH Telephone +44 29 2037 2687

Vapour Queen 24 Albany Rd Cardiff, United Kingdom, CF24 3RQ Telephone +44 7714 191102

SOUTH WEST ENGLAND

Trip Hammer 6 Station Rd Poole, United Kingdom, BH14 8UB Telephone +44 1202 738444

Betty’s Vapour Lounge & Coffee House 71 Trelowarren St, Camborne, Cornwall, United Kingdom, TR14 8AL Telephone +44 1209 711133

Ecigarus Pannier Market, Lemon Quay, Truro, Cornwall, United Kingdom, TR1 2LW Telephone +44 1872 264177

Flavour Vapour 5-6 Kenwyn Street, Truro, Cornwall, United Kingdom, TR1 3DJ Telephone +44 1872 225333

Coastal Haze 11 Strand, Newlyn, Cornwall, United Kingdom, TR18 5HH Telephone +44 1736 448050

Phoenix Electronic Cigarettes

4 Harliquin Centre, Paul St, Exeter, Devon, United Kingdom, EX4 3TT Telephone +44 1780 764585

Hodges Vape Lounge

10 Belgrave Promenade, Wilder Rd, Ilfracombe, United Kingdom, EX34 9AS Telephone +44 1271 269655

AMB Vapours / Totally Wicked 33 Bear Street, Barnstaple, United Kingdom, EX32 7BZ Telephone +44 1271 322999

Potion Vapour

21a Broad St, Ottery Saint Mary, Devon, United Kingdom, EX11 1BY Telephone +44 1392 580008

Vaper Trails 3 St Albans Street, Weymouth, Dorset, United Kingdom, DT4 8BZ Telephone +44 7719 890080

Travelling soon? Find vape stores in 121 countries.

Vape Of Good Hope

18 Fairmile Rd, Christchurch, Dorset, United Kingdom, BH23 2LJ

Telephone +44 1202 484108

Trip Hammer 6 Kings Rd E, Swanage, Dorset, United Kingdom, BH19 1ES

Telephone +44 1929 421526

Juicy One of Wareham 2 South Street, Wareham, Dorset, United Kingdom, BH20 4LT Telephone +44 1929 556000

Severn Vape

79 Northgate St, Gloucester, Gloucestershire, United Kingdom, GL1 2AG Telephone +44 1452 526062

RedJuice

Unit 7, Neptune Business Centre, Tewkesbury Rd, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, United Kingdom, GL51 9DN Telephone +44 1242 312024

Electro Clouds Vape Co 21 High St, Tewkesbury, United Kingdom, GL20 5AL Telephone +44 1684 850222

E-Cigarette Direct Unit 18a Angel Place Shopping Centre, Bridgwater, Somerset, United Kingdom, TA6 3TQ Telephone +44 1792 852843

Flavour Vapour

1 The Courtyard, 47 St James Street, Taunton, Somerset, United Kingdom, TA1 1JR Telephone +44 1823 275612

Gorilla Vapes

28 Fore St, Burnham-on-Sea, Somerset, United Kingdom, TA8 2EX Telephone +44 1278 781834

Exmoor Vape

56b The Avenue, Minehead, Somerset, United Kingdom, TA24 5BB Telephone +44 1643 709251

Amesbury Vapourium 22 Salisbury St, Amesbury, Wiltshire, United Kingdom, SP4 7HD Telephone +44 7548 933336

Hazy Trails

19a Station Rd, Tidworth, Wiltshire, United Kingdom, SP9 7NR Telephone +44 1980 258081

The Puffin Hut

18 High St, Royal Wootton Bassett, Wiltshire, United Kingdom, SN4 7AA Telephone +44 1793 850200

Choice E-Cigs

16 Maryport St, Devizes, Wiltshire, United Kingdom, SN10 1AH Telephone +44 1380 698170

Spectrum Vaping 3 Budlake Rd Exeter, United Kingdom, EX2 8PY Telephone +44 1392 927937

SOUTH EAST ENGLAND

Cloud Vapers

Unit 20, Regent Trade Park, Barwell Lane, Gosport, Hampshire, United Kingdom, PO13 0EQ Telephone +44 1329 283552

Ecigwizard

75 High St, Newport Pagnell, Milton Keynes, United Kingdom, MK16 8AB Telephone +44 1908 766396

Vapourium 105 Stoke Rd Gosport, Hampshire, United Kingdom, PO12 1LR Telephone +44 239 258 6333

Socialites

Midsummer Arcade, Buckinghamshire, Milton Keynes, United Kingdom, MK9 3GB Telephone +44 845 340 3899

Oxford Vapours

142b London Rd, Oxford, United Kingdom, OX3 9ED Telephone +44 1865 751666

Carmichael’s Vaping 11 Swan Walk, Thame, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom, OX9 3HN Telephone +44 1844 216551

Evapo 198 Terminus Rd, Eastbourne, East Sussex United Kingdom, BN21 3BB Telephone +44 7388 995053

Ejuiceology

14 Queens Road, Hastings, East Sussex, United Kingdom, TN34 1QY Telephone +44 1424 547085

ESAUCE

1 Heath Buildings, High Street, Oxshott, Leatherhead, United Kingdom, KT22 0JP Telephone +44 1372 849789

Coffee and Clouds Vape Shop

5c High St, Caterham, Surrey, United Kingdom, CR3 5UE Telephone +44 7955 585740

Cheeky Smoke

4 Coronation Buildings, Ham Road, Worthing, United Kingdom, BN11 2NN Telephone +44 7500 015475

IdealVape

249 London Rd, Burgess Hill, West Sussex, United Kingdom, RH15 9QU Telephone +44 1444 628758

Every Cloud Vape Shop

105a Commercial Rd, Portsmouth, United Kingdom, PO1 1BQ Telephone +44 2392 815342

There’s No Place Like Ohm

7 Northern Buildings, Northern Rd, Portsmouth, United Kingdom, PO6 3DL Telephone +44 7940 057485

Lucid

111 East St, Southampton, United Kingdom, SO14 3HD Telephone +44 2380 636636

Totally Wicked

127e Above Bar St, Southampton, United Kingdom, SO14 7FN Telephone +44 2381 781020

Anglo Vapour

42 Market St, Eastleigh, Hampshire, United Kingdom, SO50 5RA Telephone +44 2380 615692

Steampunk Vape Lounge 18 St Thomas’ Square, Newport, Isle of Wight, PO30 1SN Telephone +44 757 250 0135

The Vapour Room

18 St. Thomas Square, Newport, Isle of Wight, United Kingdom, PO30 1SG Telephone +44 1983 716110

Solvape

48A High St, Gillingham, Medway, United Kingdom, ME7 1AZ Telephone +44 1634 855736

101 Vape 34 High St, Gravesend, Kent, United Kingdom, DA11 0AZ Telephone +44 1474 878906

No. 1 Ejuice

50 Guildhall St N, Folkestone, Kent, United Kingdom, CT20 1EE Telephone +44 1303 259333

Premium Vapes

72 Northgate, Canterbury, Kent, United Kingdom, CT1 1BB Telephone +44 1227 780544

WEST MIDLANDS

The Vaper Expo Shop UK 8 Alexandra Road, Halesowen, Birmingham, B63 4DJ

Switch Xpress

58 High St, Bristol, United Kingdom, BS11 0DJ Telephone +44 117 336 1278

VapeClass

384 Filton Ave, Bristol, United Kingdom, BS7 0BE Telephone +44 117 904 9752

The Vapour Hut

70 Regent St, Bristol, United Kingdom, BS15 8JA Telephone +44 117 961 5522

The Vapour Place

86 West Street Bristol, United Kingdom, BS3 3LL Telephone +44 117 939 8665

E-Vapor

58 Union St, Bristol, United Kingdom, BS1 2DL Telephone +44 7473 731198

Black Country Plume

118 Walsall Street Wednesbury, United Kingdom, WS10 9BY Telephone +44 121 448 7245

White Mist Vapours

9 Kings Rd Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands, United Kingdom, B735AB Telephone +44 121 439 1717

Vapes R Us

125 Graingers Ln, Cradley Heath, West Midlands, United Kingdom, B64 6AH Telephone +44 1384 910844

UltraVapour

68 Long Ln Halesowen, West Midlands, United Kingdom, B62 9LS Telephone +44 121 293 5786

Grey Haze

163a High St Birmingham, West Midlands, United Kingdom, B12 0LD Telephone +44 121 306 9296

Vape Shack

1a Shirley Rd Birmingham, West Midlands, United Kingdom, B27 7XU Telephone +44 121 792 9004

Clowdz Coventry

3 City Arcade Coventry, West Midlands, United Kingdom, CV1 1DG Telephone +44 24 7622 5515

Sky Blue Vape Lounge

274 Walsgrave Rd Coventry, West Midlands, United Kingdom, CV2 4BL Telephone +44 24 7644 0055

Warwick Vapes - Vape & Coffee Shop

13C Smith St Warwick, Warwickshire, United Kingdom, CV34 4JA Telephone +44 1926 257390

VapeHQ 41A The Tything Worcester, Worcestershire, United Kingdom, WR1 1JT Telephone +44 1905 25565

Turtle Vapes 80 Edinburgh Place, Cheltenham, GL51 7SE Telephone +44 1242 702484

EAST MIDLANDS

Vapouround Vape Lounge Derby 3 Market Place, Corporation Street, Derby, DE1 3PW

Vapouround Lounge @ Delboys 35 Roosevelt Avenue, Derby, DE21 6JR

Vapouround Vape Lounge Arnold Unit 2, 4 Croft Road, Arnold, Nottingham, NG5 7DX

CBD First by Vapouround CBD 28 Highfield Road, Littleover, Derby, DE23 1DG

Vapouround Vape Shop Draycott 4A Market Street, Draycott, Derby, DE72 3NB The Brews Bros

Suite 3, Garrod House, Manby Park, Louth, Lincolnshire, LN11 8UT Telephone +44 150 732 8000

Atmos Central 285 Narborough Rd Leicester, Leicestershire, United Kingdom, LE3 2AQ Telephone +44 116 225 2824

The E-Cig Shop 26 Chesterfield Rd, Staveley, Chesterfield, S43 3QF Telephone +44 1246 472295

The Vapourist Brimington Rd N, Chesterfield, Derbyshire, S41 9AP Telephone +44 800 195 0077

888 Vapour

17 Sheep Market Spalding, Lincolnshire, United Kingdom, PE11 1BE Telephone +44 1775 720205

Phoenix Electronic Cigarettes

18 Maiden Ln, Stamford, Lincolnshire, United Kingdom, PE9 2AZ Telephone +44 1780 764585

Vapers Place 38 Elizabeth St Corby, Northamptonshire, United Kingdom, NN17 1PN Telephone +44 1536 269622

Audacious Vapes

1 Piccadilly Buildings, Sheep Street, Kettering, Northamptonshire, United Kingdom,NN16 0AN Telephone +44 1536 628070

Electro Mist

7 The Parade Northampton, United Kingdom, NN1 2EA Telephone +44 7497 593231

Rate and review your favourite stores.

Right Vape

88 Kingsley Park Terrace, Northampton, Northamptonshire, United Kingdom, NN2 7HJ Telephone +44 1604 313789

VapeWorks

13 & 14 Market Street, Loughborough, Leicestershire, United Kingdom, LE11 3EP Telephone +44 1509 231457

NGVape

2-4 West End Arcade, Nottingham, United Kingdom, NG1 6JP Telephone +44 115 998 5582

E Liquid Paradise

47 Bramble Dr, Nottingham, United Kingdom, DE22 3AF Telephone +44 115 998 0847

Vape-X

162 Nottingham Rd Eastwood, Nottinghamshire, United Kingdom, NG16 3GG Telephone +44 1773 687201

Eco-Vape 82a Seacroft Rd, Mablethorpe, Lincolnshire, United Kingdom, LN2 2DR Telephone +44 1507 477268

888 Vapour

3 Lincoln Rd Sleaford, Lincolnshire United Kingdom, NG34 8AB Telephone +44 1529 307045

Vapors Mansfield 19a Ratcliffe Gate, Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, United Kingdom, NG18 2JA Telephone +44 1623 237577

VapeHQ

6 The Forum North Hykeham, Lincolnshire, United Kingdom, LN6 8HW Telephone +44 1522 687427

Liberty Flights 23 Cornmarket Derby, United Kingdom, DE1 1QH Telephone +44 1332 297052

Vapourbay 74 Outram St Sutton-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire, United Kingdom, NG17 4FS Telephone +44 1623 555750

The Vape Cave 33 Queen St Market Rasen, Lincolnshire, United Kingdom, LN8 3EN Telephone +44 7821 794095

Vaping Worx 25-27 Mercer Row Louth, Lincolnshire, United Kingdom, LN11 9JG Telephone +44 1507 604350

EAST ANGLIA

RC Vapes

24A St Nicholas St Diss, Norfolk, United Kingdom, IP22 4LB Telephone +44 1379 308090

Peterborough Vape Lounge 5 Wentworth Street, Peterborough, United Kingdom, PE1 1DH Telephone +44 1780 764585

Another Vape Shop 69 Ledbury Rd, Peterborough, United Kingdom, PE3 9RF Telephone +44 7745 631959

Make My Vape 21 George St Luton, Luton, United Kingdom, LU1 2AF Telephone +44 1582 722223

The Vape Guru 32-34 Queensway Stevenage, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom, SG1 1BS Telephone +44 7570 254629

Liberro Electronic Cigarettes

14A High St Buntingford, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom, SG9 9AG Telephone +44 800 111 4753

Vape and Juice

71 High Street, Southend-on-Sea, United Kingdom, SS1 1HZ Telephone +44 1702 339 536

Vapeology Lounge 41 Ness Rd Southend-on-Sea, Southend-on-Sea, SS3 9DB Telephone +44 1702 625581

Urban Vapor 259 Broomfield Rd Chelmsford, Essex, CM1 4DP Telephone +44 1245 255477

The Vape Hut 63 High St Maldon, Essex, United Kingdom, CM9 5EP Telephone +44 7969 759965

Sheppards - Tobacconists

and Vape Specialists

15 Eld Ln Colchester, Essex, United Kingdom, CO1 1LS Telephone +44 1206 578201

The Vaping Emporium 10 Northgate St Ipswich, Suffolk, United Kingdom, IP1 3BZ Telephone +44 1473 871380

Vvapour

8 Hall Rd Norwich, Norfolk, United Kingdom, NR1 3HQ Telephone +44 1603 948957

The Alchemists Cupboard 12 Charles Watling Way, Norwich, Norfolk, United Kingdom, NR5 9JH Telephone +44 1603 396906

Huff n Puff

47 Regent Rd Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, United Kingdom, NR30 2AL Telephone +44 7802 693425

Total E-Cig Vape Shop & Cafe 125 High St Great Yarmouth, Norfolk United Kingdom, NR31 6RE Telephone +44 1502 588788

LONDON

Vapouround Vape Shop Canning Town 56-57 Barking Road, Canning Town, London, E16 4HB

Vape Emporium 16 Eton St Richmond, Greater London, United Kingdom, TW9 1EE Telephone +44 20 8940 7111

Vape and Volts 30 Chalk Farm Rd, London NW1 8AH Telephone +44 2037 583777

Vape Emporium 87 Heath St London, Greater London United Kingdom, NW3 6UG Telephone +44 20 7693 7279

Vape

315 Ruislip Rd E Greenford, Greater London, United Kingdom, UB6 9BG Telephone +44 333 323 7733

D-VAPE SHOP

142 Southwark St, London, United Kingdom, SE1 0SW Telephone +44 7778 727800

Vape Superstore 51 Rupert St, London, United Kingdom, W1D 7PG Telephone +44 2072 874524

Smokin Sin 21 Borough High St, London, United Kingdom, SE1 9SE Telephone +44 7752 505544

UK ECIG STORE

30-32 Fleet St, London, United Kingdom, EC4Y 1BW Telephone +44 2034 754885

VapeHut UK 35 Oxford St, London, United Kingdom, W1D 2DT Telephone +44 7771 557799

Le-Vap

196 Edgware Rd, London, United Kingdom, W2 2DS Telephone +44 7435 094979

Noble Vaping 36 Great Eastern St, London, United Kingdom, EC2A 3ES Telephone +44 2034 870612

Vapester

34 New House, 67-68 Hatton Garden, London, United Kingdom, EC1N 8JY Telephone +44 3030 311020

Vapourcore

274 Old Brompton Rd, London, United Kingdom, SW5 9HR Telephone +44 3333 052822

Tower Vape Shop 111 Abbey St, London, United Kingdom, SE1 3NP Telephone +44 2072 376343

EzCloudz

17-19 Stockwell Rd, London, United Kingdom, SW9 9AU Telephone +44 2077 337641

Peckham Vape 80a Rye Ln, London, United Kingdom, SE15 4RY Telephone +44 7577 580171

House of Vapes

494 Fulham Rd, London, United Kingdom, SW6 5NH Telephone +44 2073 865049

Otherside

261 Portobello Rd, London, United Kingdom, W11 1LR Telephone +44 7802 335476

Hyde Vapes 53 Queensway, London, United Kingdom, W2 4QH Telephone +44 2035 385858

Vapor Works 167 Stoke Newington Rd, London, United Kingdom, N16 8BP Telephone +44 2079 231016

Vape Emporium 87 Heath St, London, United Kingdom, NW3 6UG Telephone +44 2076 937279

CS Vaporizers 9b Perry Vale, London, United Kingdom, SE23 2NE Telephone +44 7399 491451

Vape Shop London 108 Charing Cross Rd, London, United Kingdom, WC2H 0JN Telephone +44 2072 403513

F&S Electronic Cigarettes 114 Newgate St, London, United Kingdom, EC1A 7AE Telephone +44 7592 927485

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND

Ecigarettes World 3 Wine St Sligo, County Sligo, Ireland, F91 N2XV Telephone +353 873960076

Evapour 7 Market Square, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal, Ireland, F92 RT26 Telephone +353 74 911 4746

The Ecig Store Bridge St, Cahernamart, Westport, Co. Mayo, Ireland, F28 HW83 Telephone +353 098 29597

Healthier Smoker Kiosk 1, Tuam Shopping Centre, Trinity Court, Tuam, Co. Galway, Ireland, H5 4YW21 Telephone +353 83 464 5265

Hale Vaping 34 O’Connell St, Limerick, Ireland, V94 A973 Telephone +353 1 253 0594

E-Lixor Vaping 33 Fair St, Mallow, Co. Cork, Ireland, P5 1W722 Telephone +353 22 50469

Wicked Vapes

97 Oliver Plunkett St Cork City, County Cork, Ireland, T12 PK2F Telephone +353 21 239 4545

Vintage Vape Rooms

52 Shandon St, Gurranabraher, Cork, Ireland, T23 VP68 Telephone +353 85 223 6230

Puff ‘n’ Stuff Smoke Shop 123 N Main St, Youghal-Lands, Youghal, Co. Cork, Ireland, P36 NW58 Telephone +353 24 25576

Hale Vaping 52 High St, Kilkenny, Ireland, R95 T685 Telephone +353 85 713 6523

Smoke Green Nutgrove Shopping Centre, Rathfarnham, Dublin, Ireland Telephone +353 87 352 9111

Madvapes

12 Bunting Rd, Walkinstown, Dublin 12, Ireland, D12 A9Y2 Telephone +353 1 563 9658

VIP E Cigarette

The Mill Shopping Centre, Ninth Lock Rd, Dublin, Ireland Telephone +353 1 475 0000

The Vape Club

8a Coolock Village Centre, Coolock, Dublin 5, Ireland, D05 WY83 Telephone +353 1 430 6666

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