Issue 23

Delaney - The Editor roisin@vapouround.co.uk

Well hello there summer, we’ve missed you. Who’s ready for barbecues, beaches and rosé? Me! There are some stellar new juices out there perfect for a hot summers’ day and you may have come across some of them at the recent Vapouround Awards which took place in May. It was wonderful to meet so many of you again, and we had lots of new faces to greet too which is always great to see.

This year’s Vapouround Awards night was truly an international gathering, with companies in attendance from South America, China, Cyprus, and the Middle East as well as the mainstay vape nations closer to home and the UK’s finest. My favourite thing about the night is watching people and their facial expressions in anticipation of the big announcement. Suddenly, we have a winner and all formalities go out the window. It’s like an animal instinct takes over, like in a David Attenborough documentary and makes for excellent viewing.

Congratulations to all of our winners and we hope to see you all again at next year’s event. We’ll be marking five stellar years of the show at the next

one, it’s already looking incredible and we’ve got Vampire Vape on board as the official sponsor.

Many thanks to our hosts Nigel Mead and Ashley Hansen for presenting a great show and to all of our entertainers – we couldn’t have hoped for more.

If you’d like to access any of the photos from the night you can check those out online at VapouroundAwards.co.uk.

Alas this is my final editor’s letter for Vapouround Magazine. You may have heard earlier this year that we launched the UK’s first dedicated CBD publication, and this is something I’m going to be focusing all of my attention on as editor moving forward. It’s been an absolute pleasure to edit Vapouround for the past year, and as assistant editor before that.

Patrick Griffin, whom many of you will already know, will be stepping up as editor. Go easy on him. As for me, I’ll see you in the land of all things CBD!

R x

Róisín

FEATURES

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The Cloud

ECigIntelligence vape shop survey

Vapouround Investigates

Irish government doing smokers a ‘disservice’

Mental health and vaping, the latest

Local authorities class vape shops as head shops TPD falls under heavy criticism

Vaping Entrepreneur

Diary of a Vaper

Ask Adact

Cover story: Riot Squad Ask the Scientist

Column: Victor Mullin

Vaping better for the environment VApril returns

‘Vaping saved my life’ COPD research: smokers -v- vapers

Taking your vape on holiday? Vacation vapers

Where CAN you vape in America? The stigma around nicotine

VAPER EXPO

90 100 105 110 112 118 122 123 124 135 140

Vapouround Awards: The Highlights

What the winners say

Vapouround Awards: Lost for words

Vaper Expo UK: The Highlights

Vapouround at the Vaper Expo UK

Catch up with ODB Wraps at the expo Chris Bell on running Empire Vape Co

Vaper Expo UK hosts more Chinese exhibitors then ever before

In Ashley’s World Life Lessons with Johnnie Lovell

EVENTS REVIEWS

146 150 154 159 161 166 170 174 176

Vapevent New York Vapexpro Bulgaria

184 185 186 188 189 190 192 193 194 196 197 198 200 202 203 204 207 208 209 210 212 213 214 215 216 217 218 220 221 222 224 225 226 228

Vaptio Tyro Vaptio Solo 2 Acrohm Fush Joyetech Exceed Grip Geek Vape Frenzy Nameless Mods Vaporesso Aurora Play Smok Trinity Alpha Usonicig Zip Hotcig Kubi Aspire AVP Pod Sigelei Exilis Hexa V2.0 Famovape Magma Box The Ace of Vapez Vape Distro MCR Marina Vape

Juccier by Jucce Nasty Salt / Tropic King Mungo / Twist E-liquids Vornagain Flavour Art Humble Juice Co Strapped E-liquid Premier Vaping Dr Vapes VaporArt Innevape IVG Capella BordO2 Vape Airways Candy Cane Vape Syndrome

Irish JUUL

JUUL Labs have announced expansion into Ireland, with products on sale exclusively in 160 Circle K outlets and 50 Hale Vaping shops, with more stores expected to follow. All 210 shops now have JUUL products available behind their counters, including starter kits and replacement pods. Gareth Smyth, General Manager of JUUL Labs Ireland, told Irish publisher for the grocery retail/FMCG sector, Checkout: “Our mission is to improve smokers’ lives by offering an effective switch alternative and our ultimate goal is to eliminate cigarettes.

“The launch of JUUL in Ireland, a country with some 830,000 adult smokers, is an important step towards this goal and towards helping Ireland reach its tobacco-free targets.”

Another development for the vaping giant is the introduction of their first ever accessory –the portable JUUL charging case, which will be available exclusively in the UK joining the company’s core range of products.

Insurance for vapers

Philip Morris International (PMI) is now offering life insurance to UK smokers who switch from combustible cigarettes to e-cigarettes or heated tobacco products, ECigIntelligence reports. Their subsidiary company, Reviti, offers a 2.5 percent discount on premiums for customers who switch to e-cigarettes, and a 25 percent discount if they switch to one of PMI’s own-brand products. Daniel Pender, Reviti CEO, told ECigIntelligence: “The life insurance product we offer is a win-win for Reviti and our customers. They get competitive premiums and, with a little help from us, a better lifestyle.”

Helping Hertfordshire

Smokers in Hertfordshire could receive free e-cigarettes from food banks in the future as part of a ground-breaking research project to be designed, run and evaluated by UK university. Under the initiative, any smoker accessing the food banks would be given the option of a free starter kit.

In addition to benefiting local smokers’ health, it is estimated that switching to an e-cigarette could save a smoker with a 20-a-day addiction more than £70 a week, according to Action on Smoking and Health (ASH).

Not seen, not smoked

Researchers at the University of Stirling found that tobacco display bans reduce the risk of young people smoking. The point of sale bans, which place cigarette products out of sight behind a door, have reduced ‘smoking susceptibility’ among 11 to 16-year olds by 10 percent. By interviewing 3,791 young people before, during and after the ban, the researchers were able to establish the youths’ attitudes to smoking. Their findings suggest that, pre-ban, 28 percent of child never-smokers were likely to start smoking; post-ban, this figure dropped to 18 percent.

Black Box the Second

The second Black Box Vapes store is now open, ready to help smokers in Ash Vale, Aldershot kick the habit for good.

Following the success of their first shop, which opened its doors in 2017, the team keen to take their expert advice further afield.

Company director, Danny, told us: “Since Black Box Vapes opened doors, we have converted 100’s of people, with many feeling healthier and cleaner for it.”

Their new shop can be visited in The Parade, Ash Vale.

A rundown of the latest vape-related stories and research making the news around the world.

Not so second hand

Passive exposure to nicotine from an e-cigarette is a drastic reduction to that of conventional cigarettes, according to a study comparing the two. The study, conducted by the International Journal of Public Health Research, calculated the amount of nicotine that would be ingested by a passive subject when exposed to an active vaper and an active smoker. It concluded that, at a distance of 100cm, the passive smoker reduced their exposure to nicotine from 600 nanograms/puff to 5 nanograms/puff when the active subject was vaping.

Raising the bar

China, the vape hardware capital of the world, recently submitted intent to enforce new industry standards for e-cigarettes to the World Trade Organization (WTO). According to market intelligence leader ECigIntelligence, “packaging, labelling, and instruction manuals” and other suggestions on “test methods” and “storage and transportation” are understood to be included in the 68-page document. Shenzhen alone is home to more than 600 e-cigarette producers, accounting for 95 percent of global e-cigarette production.

Costa del smoke-free?

Spanish authorities are pushing for a voluntary smoking ban on beaches in Majorca and Ibiza, in an effort to curb litter and passive smoking. If this proposed scheme goes ahead, beaches will distribute posters, leaflets and badges discouraging holidaymakers from smoking.General director of public health for the Balearic Government, Maria Ramos, told The Express: “What is involved is to gradually get people to empower themselves and make others respect spaces without tobacco.

“Having these smoke-free beaches or coves will be added value for tourists who visit us and for the residents of the municipality.”

Europe’s Nanny

The UK has been voted one of the “least free” countries in the EU by the 2019 Nanny State Index, which ranks EU member states on how easy it is to eat, drink, smoke and vape. Germany took the top spot and was praised for imposing the fewest restrictions on consumption of legal products. Also at the top were the Czech Republic in second place, Slovakia and Austria in joint third, Luxemburg in fourth, and Spain and Italy in joint fifth.Though the UK came out as “freest” on e-cigarette regulation alone, our rocky relationship with other consumablesincluding alcohol and fast food - landed us in the bottom five overall.

Notre Dame: cigarettes under suspicion

Investigators trying to establish the cause of the Notre Dame Cathedral fire have turned their attentions to cigarettes as a possible explanation, after cigarette butts were found on scaffolding. Though a spokesperson for the restoration company strongly disputes worker negligence as a theory, officials are not ruling anything out and expect the investigation to last for several weeks. Electrical short-circuits near the Cathedral’s spire are also being investigated as a possible major cause of the devastating fire, which ripped through the 850-year-old structure in April.

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UK vapers favour low nicotine

The majority of vapers in the UK are on 6mg of nicotine or less, according to data from a collaborative survey by ECigIntelligence and Vapouround.

By Phoebe Fuller

British vapers are vaping lower strength nicotine, according to a joint survey between leading market research group ECigIntelligence, the Independent British Vape Trade Association (IBVTA), the UK Vaping Industry Association (UKVIA) and this magazine.

The online vape store survey also found fewer people are vaping 20mg of nicotine – the highest strength product allowed under tobacco laws.

A selection of UK vape stores were asked to provide details about products sold between December 2018 and February this year, so that customer preferences and buying habits could be assessed.

Results found that most vapers in the UK favour lower nicotine concentrations, with 6mg accounting for almost 25 percent of total sales; and 3mg for just over 20 percent. Conversely, 20mg or greater represented the smallest level of sales, at just over 5 percent.

This is inline with findings from Public Health England (PHE) which, in a 2019 e-cigarette evidence review update, found that, over time, most vapers either continue using the same nicotine strength or reduced it.

The survey went deeper still, finding that e-liquids made up the highest proportion of vape shop revenue at 59 percent, whereas starter kits only accounted for 14 percent.

10ml e-liquid bottles were unequivocally the most popular choice, making up a whopping 70 percent of e-liquid sales by the end of last year, while 60ml bottles made up less than 30 percent of sales.

In terms of preferred flavours, UK vapers favour fruit and menthol vapes at 25 percent and 23 percent of sales respectively; again, this is in line with findings from PHE which also found that tobacco flavoured e-liquids were another popular choice.

Basic open-system kits were the most widely purchased hardware option, making up 48 percent of hardware revenue, while pod and ultra-portable kits came second, with 26 percent of sales.

Information about product categories, brands, revenue, and attitudes towards the industry were all included in the gathering of this data.

PHE report that quitting smoking remains the main reason for adult vaping in the UK, with nearly 19 percent of UK vapers being current smokers in 2018, and just over 11 percent being ex-smokers.

The ease-of-use associated with basic systems suggests their popularity may be down to a high proportion of vapers using these devices as short-term quit-aids.

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Vapouround Investigates: ‘Vaping Causes Seizures’ Claim

FDA backtracks on vaping causes seizures claim as link was drawn before an investigation had been completed.

By Gordon Stribling

On April 10, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) took the unprecedented step of warning the public of a potential link between e-cigarettes and seizures before an investigation had been completed. Just 35 cases had been reported over a 10-year period. The inevitable media panic followed and for a brief period supplanted the ‘teen vaping epidemic’ narrative that had dominated news over the previous 18 months. The FDA acknowledged that some of the seizures may have been triggered by an underlying medical condition or use of other substances.

Gregory

Conley, President of the American Vaping Association, said:

“While any and all potential risks should be investigated, this release by the FDA is incredibly irresponsible. There is absolutely nothing to suggest that these seizures were caused by vaping.

“With more than one percent of US adults suffering from epilepsy or seizures, it would actually be highly unusual if zero consumers of a product used by millions of adults over the last decade reported suffering a seizure.”

But while the FDA alerted the public of a potential seizure risk associated with e-cigarettes, a number of FDA-approved nicotine-replacement drugs remain on the market despite their seizure risk.

In 2015, the FDA announced that Pfizer’s nicotine-replacement drug Chantix would carry a warning about a rare risk of seizures associated with the product. A medical literature review found that the patients had no history of seizures or seizure disorders. The warning was only issued after hundreds of cases had been investigated. GlaxoSmithKline’s Zyban has a seizure rate of 1 in 1,000.

While the FDA’s aggressive targeting of the vaping industry suggests an institutional distrust of the technology, two documents have revealed that the agency is looking to license vapebased nicotine-replacement products that could compete with conventional e-cigarettes. The documents set out a pathway for the development of novel nicotine-replacement products

(including ‘Orally Inhaled Nicotine-Containing Drug Products’). These would be distinct from the usual e-cigarette, which is classed as a recreational tobacco product, not a therapeutic drug. This pathway is a potential alternative for e-cigarette manufacturers facing the daunting Premarket Tobacco Applications (PMTA) deadline. This will require products for sale in the US to undergo extensive tests before gaining market approval.

Azim Chowdhury is a regulatory and public policy attorney at Keller and Heckman LLP specialising in vape, nicotine and tobacco product regulation.

He told this magazine:

“You have to consider all those types of factors, develop studies and surveys, data, to address those population-level questions for a PMTA.

“No e-cigarettes have been able to do that yet so it’s not quite clear what the FDA’s going to require. We’re still waiting for their final guidance on the PMTA process.”

Mr Chowdury believes that smaller US companies will have more difficulty making it through either the PMTA or New Drug Application (NDA) process.

“I think the pharmaceutical companies are in the best position because they do have experience, they can build off of their own nicotine products and take advantage of the situation in the US right now which is a lot of people using nicotine who weren’t before.”

The attorney believes that the so-called teen vaping epidemic in the US has created a new sub-arena for approved products to help young people quit the nicotine products they are currently using, such as tobacco products like e-cigarettes. The development of new drugs is of significant financial interest to the FDA.

The Prescription Drug User Fee Act allows the FDA to collect funds from pharmaceutical companies developing new products. Between 1992 when the act was past and 2016, the pharmaceutical industry contributed $7.67 billion (that’s roughly £6 billion) to the FDA, according to healthcare consultancy firm, Avalere.

But regardless of the FDA’s motives, the seizure warning could have a lasting impact on adult smokers wanting to switch to a less harmful alternative.

Chowdhury agrees.

“Given the youth situation, [the FDA wants to] put as much information out there as possible to dissuade young people from using these products.

“A consequence of that is adult smokers who could benefit from these products may not do so because they’re seeing these things that are basically scaring them away from e-cigarettes.”

“While any and all potential risks should be investigated, this release by the FDA is incredibly irresponsible. There is absolutely nothing to suggest that these seizures were caused by vaping” – American Vaping Association

Too little, too late?

Ireland will be 27 years late in reaching its tobacco-free target as the government is accused of doing a ‘disservice’ to smokers by not endorsing e-cigarettes for smoking cessation.

By Róisín Delaney

The Republic of Ireland’s largest vaping trade association has called on the government to listen to the needs of smokers and promote vaping, if it is to try to meet its smoke-free target. Vape Business Ireland has called on the Health Service Executive (HSE) to endorse vaping as a smoking cessation tool as Public Health England has across the Irish Sea. Despite the mounting evidence which shows vaping to be 95 percent less harmful than smoking, and research on the mental health benefits of quitting smoking, plus the recent findings published in the New England Journal confirming vaping to be twice as effective as traditional quit methods, policy makers in Ireland refuse to throw their support behind e-cigarettes.

Around the world, countless public health agencies and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) are promoting vaping as a crutch for smokers who want to quit for good. Among them, Smokefree New Zealand, The American Cancer Society, Public Health England, Cancer Research UK and ASH UK.

VBI says ‘the unwillingness’ of Irish anti-smoking policy makers to provide ‘clear and neutral information’ about all alternatives to smoking, not least vaping, “is doing a disservice to smokers in Ireland.”

Race to tobacco-free

The Irish Government established a plan for a Tobacco Free Ireland by 2025 back in 2013, setting itself a target of lowering the smoking rate to five percent by this deadline. VBI says this statistic is ‘worryingly’ stuck at 17 percent with five years to go. Last year, the HSE confirmed fears that assuming the current trend continues, and all other factors remain constant, Ireland can only expect to be tobacco-free by 2052, not 2025 as desired. That would be 27 years behind schedule.

In comparison, Ireland’s closest neighbour can expect to be tobacco-free by 2030 and it just so happens that vaping has been endorsed as a smoking cessation aid in the UK more so than anywhere else in the world, driving the British tobaccofree initiative.

Director of Vape Business Ireland, Keith Flynn, told Vapouround:

“The UK Government’s progressive approach to vaping clearly emphasises the lack of action by Ireland’s own government. As such, the role vaping can play in supporting the State’s Tobacco

Free Ireland 2025 objectives cannot be ignored by Irish policy makers anymore. The Irish Government and the HSE need to review their stance on vaping and start providing Irish smokers with comprehensive information on all the alternatives to smoking – including vaping.”

Craig Meehan works at Hale vape shop in Dublin city centre. Speaking to RTÉ’s Drivetime radio programme, Craig said more and more Irish smokers are turning to vaping, compared to a few years ago.

“It’s after taking off really well in the last five or six years. This year, it’s getting really big. A couple of years ago there was no research on e-cigarettes, mixed feelings on them, but there’s more positive feedback now more recently. That’s influencing people, there’s proof there that they’re better for you. Generally, people come in saying cigarettes are too expensive …

“I stopped smoking three years ago. I found it fantastic. I was smoking 40-a-day, then I ended up cutting down over the first six months and two-and-a-half years later I’m down to nicotine free. I don’t even vape nicotine, generally I don’t use it as often as I would have at the start.”

Dr Patrick Doorly, chairperson of ASH Ireland, told Drivetime, the issue for Irish policy makers is the lack of long-term evidence.

“There is some evidence that they [e-cigarettes] can help people quit. But they are not without risk. HIQA, the health regulator, conducted a major survey in 2017 which identified some concerns. The most important one was the longterm consequences of vaping are not known very clearly. E-cigarettes may help people to quit, but they shouldn’t be the go-to option.”

A department of health-commissioned survey last year found that of those who successfully quit smoking in the previous 12 months in Ireland, two-in-five people used an e-cigarette.

“The role vaping can play in supporting Tobacco Free Ireland 2025 cannot be ignored by Irish policy makers anymore.”

Tailored approach to quitting does work

By Lucy MacKinnon

Smoking is the “single most modifiable risk for those with severe mental ill-health” according to UK research.

Efforts to combat this are crucial considering that patients with poor mental health are two-to-three times more likely to smoke than the general population, experts have found in what was the largest trial of behavioural intervention for smokers using mental health services. The trial was commissioned by the NHS in 2008.

Lead researchers, Professor Simon Gilbody, Dr Emily Peckham and research fellow Suzanne Crosland all worked on the Smoking Cessation Intervention for Severe Mental Ill Health (SCIMITAR) trial and took part in a recent webinar to discuss the findings.

The study, published in The Lancet Psychiatry, showed that combining NHS smoking cessation services with a bespoke strategy delivered by mental health nurses, along with behavioural support and drugs, is effective.

Results show that their intervention group, who received treatment specifically designed for patients with severe mental illnesses, were three times as likely to stop smoking successfully using this strategy and nicotine replacement treatments (NRT), including e-cigarettes.

Working with the Mental Health and Smoking Partnership, the researchers aimed to find a solution to the increasing gap between smokers of sound mental health and those suffering from mental illness.

With over one third of cigarettes smoked in the UK being consumed by users of mental health services, Professor Gilbody stressed the importance of recognising and helping this

demographic as they are, “doubly stigmatised, for smoking and for using mental health services.” Although there were no significant improvement changes in depression and anxiety symptoms for these patients, there were no declines recorded either – which stands against the idea that smoking cessation deteriorates mental health.

These results were determined from patient

answered ‘quality of life’ questionnaires, but the webinar also referenced other studies which demonstrated an improvement in these symptoms.

As this trial was initially designed over ten years ago, e-cigarettes were not an explicit component however NRT was actively encouraged, and throughout the course of the trial in both groups more than one third of participants used an e-cigarette.

The trial, “resulted in a reduced overall cost and a greater level of effectiveness” estimated at around 57 percent, even considering the training of mental health practitioners in the delivery of this strategy along with the cost of NRT medication.

Professor Simon Gilbody added, “Smoking intervention is one of the best investments for the NHS” in the long term.

One third of smokers in the UK access mental health services. NHS-commissioned trial shows that bespoke stop smoking support can double quit rates.

“Smoking intervention is one of the best investments for the NHS”

– Professor Simon Gilbody

Vape shops in Mansfield taxed as ‘head shops’

A Mansfield vape shop owner has been left reeling after the council told him that his small shop would not be eligible for reduced business rates, because it’s a ‘head shop.’

BY PHOEBE FULLER

Peter Savage owns and runs Premier E-Cigs, with several shops in Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire, but he’s now concerned about possible expansion in his home town of Mansfield, due to discriminatory business rates which he says are the result of “ignorance” from the local council.

His nine shops in the Mansfield area were refused a business rate relief by Mansfield District Council, who consider e-cigarette shops ‘head shops.’ These have been defined by the UK government as shops that sell psychoactive substances and/or drug paraphernalia – neither of which are typically sold in dedicated e-cigarette shops. Peter told Vapouround: “The e-cigarette business in the UK has been going at least 11 years and we’re still battling in this country to get proper recognition; it really is something that should have been sorted out.

“Although the government is on side, there’s still a lot of local councils and people in authority that don’t agree with e-cigarettes, they just don’t have any knowledge about the industry at all and it boils down to ignorance.”

Under a government scheme that allows councils to award small businesses with reduced business rates, any business that occupies a property with a value not exceeding £50,999 is eligible for a discretionary ‘rate relief,’ an initiative that was put in place to support local economy.

But, far from supporting local business, Mansfield District Council’s decision to refuse a rate relief has left Peter concerned about the huge financial disadvantage his shops will face.

He says: “We’re less competitive now because we’re paying more than an off-licence or a newsagent, or even a small supermarket –they’re getting the rate relief.

“They can sell cigarettes, alcohol and e-cigarettes and they get this new tariff, which then puts us at a disadvantage.”

Determined to fight their decision, Peter has sent emails to former Mayor Kate Allsop, Public Health England and his local MP, Ben Bradley, who has been working with Peter to get this decision overturned.

“I do believe we’ll win this one,” Peter says, “but it’s probably not just Mansfield, there’s likely more in the country. Somewhere along the line we’ve got to try and get the whole country to start allowing and encouraging vape shops.”

Vapouround reached out to Mansfield District Council for their comment on this issue and their strategic director, Mike Robinson said: “The discount business rates relief is discretionary, and it is for the authority to determine the criteria for the types of businesses which will be supported.

“The council made a formal decision not to include vape and e-cigarette outlets. This policy was developed in accordance with government guidance issued in November 2018, which sets out the type of uses not considered to be appropriate for the purpose of this relief.”

“

There’s still a lot of local councils and people in authority that don’t agree with e-cigarettes, they just don’t have any knowledge about the industry at all and it boils down to ignorance.

Calls for amendments to the TPD

Influential groups in Europe, the UK and Switzerland are calling for the Tobacco Products Directive (TPD) to be scrapped and replaced with regulation that sets vaping apart from smoking.

By Phoebe Fuller

The EU’s Tobacco Products Directive has come under fire from two separate groups within Europe, the Independent Vape Alliance (IEVA) and exhibition organisers Vapitaly, calling for an amendment to vaping regulations. Such industry changes have also been backed by Swiss health experts, and a prominent UK vaping association.

All four groups believe that current regulations do not adequately represent the industry, which is distinct from smoking but regulated in a similar way; including harsh advertising restrictions and redundant nicotine warnings on products that don’t contain the chemical.

Representatives from the IEVA and Vapitaly have registered a citizens’ initiative with the European Commission (EC) – ‘Let’s demand smarter vaping regulation!’ – which calls for Article 20 of the TPD to be scrapped and replaced by a new Vaping Products

Directive (VPD).

The citizens’ initiative, which was submitted by Dustin Dahlmann of the IEVA and Mosè Giacomello of Vapitaly, requests that the EC replaces Article 20 with, “bespoke legislation which clearly sets vaping products apart from tobacco and pharmaceutical products.”

One of the initiative’s main objectives is to ensure that any new legislation is based on, “mandatory compliance with robust product quality, safety and manufacturing standards, together with responsible marketing practices that ensure youth protection.”

For it to be considered by the Commission, the initiative must collect more than one million signatures from at least a quarter of EU member states by February 2020.

These proposed regulatory changes are echoed by the UK Vaping Industry Association (UKVIA) which has drawn up its own mani festo detailing changes they’d like the UK government to implement.

· An increase in e-liquid bottle sizes from 10ml to between 30-50ml

· An increase in tank sizes, to at least 5ml

· A removal of nicotine concentration limits

· A removal of nicotine warnings on products that don’t contain nicotine, such as starter packs and replacement coils

The UKVIA also wants to see current advertising restrictions lifted, allowing for e-cigarettes to be advertised as other consumer products.

John Dunne, a UKVIA board member, told Vapouround: “The TPD has helped set high standards across the industry and reinforce consumer confidence in what is still an emerging sector. However, it’s imperative that any regulation is proportionate, properly sets vaping products apart from tobacco and supports the public health potential of vaping.

“The TPD fails to do that and is in urgent need of reform. We believe there should be a new piece of legislation that specifically covers vaping rather than being included in legislation designed for a totally different product.”

Swiss health experts from the Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+) are backing similar legislation amendments for e-cigarette sales in Switzerland which, despite not being a member of the EU, is a member of the European single-market and has modelled regulations on the TPD.

The SSPH+ have prioritised an increase in tank sizes, which they believe will be instrumental in cutting tobacco use. They believe that a 10ml tank is “more reasonable,” as current 2ml sizes are not big enough to see many vapers through the day, leading to increased tobacco purchase.

Increasing the size of e-liquid bottles is also on their list of suggested amendments, with a proposition of increasing these to 100ml to combat high levels of plastic waste.

MARK EGAN FIREHOUSE VAPE

BY PHOEBE FULLER

They say there’s no smoke without fire, but for Mark Egan, owner of Firehouse Vape, there’s neither. Leaving behind a successful career as a firefighter to focus on running his own vape business, Mark is now fighting the smoke instead – one flavourful juice at a time.

When Mark’s wife, Amanda, started vaping seven years ago, she was finally able to kick a heavy smoking habit for which nothing else had worked. This unexpected success was a part of what encouraged the couple to set up their family business, signalling a major career move for Mark. He’d been working as an operational firefighter for Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service for several years when New Zealand Fire Service offered him a job. With a fire engineering degree and a great deal of practical experience under his belt, Mark was highly sought after and would eventually return to the UK for another job offer, as a fire safety consultant.

But it was upon his return to the UK that he noticed just how much steam the vaping industry had picked up in his absence and so, armed with the positivity of Amanda’s vaping victory, a small idea blossomed into an awardwinning company.

Mark tells Vapouround: “When I came back to the UK, vaping was starting to take hold and rapidly expand, so we spoke to a family member who’s in the industry and that’s where we took it from.

“I had an idea of the Firehouse Vape brand, because the helmet badge which is on our logo sits on my office wall at home; it was presented to me in America by Salt Lake City Fire Department when I went over there, to bring back a new firefighting technique to the UK.”

Mark’s professional background is the foundation ofthe business, which draws so much inspiration from his years spent with the fire service and influences every new creation.

“I linked everything back to the people, the characters and the names that I knew from firefighting. All our ranges are linked to the watch system – white watch, blue watch, green watch; they’re all watches on the fire station – we tried to create a bit of a story behind each flavour.”

Starting an e-liquid business in 2017 was never going to be an easy task though, with so many huge names already very well established in this massively competitive industry. But Mark and Amanda knew that if there’s one thing that sells, it’s quality.

Mark says: “Because of my background I like to do things properly, so everything in our short-fill range is fully emissions tested, we were the first short-fill only manufacturer to become members of the Independent

British Vape Trade Association (IBVTA). We’ve since moved into a TPD compliant range of products and expanded, but the level of quality has always been the main driving force.

“It’s been a tough ride for a new brand. Since we set up the market’s very competitive and it’s heavily saturated so we’ve tried to keep our brand very premium and also, because the branding’s unique and the story behind it is unique, that’s allowed us to get our foot in the door properly.”

This focus on quality certainly hasn’t gone unnoticed –Firehouse Vape scooped up the award for Best Fruit at this year’s Vapouround Awards, a huge accomplishment for such a young brand. And, in such a short amount of time, the company has already begun distributing throughout France. Mark hopes that the wider European and international markets will be next.

Wherever this success may lead them, Mark and Amanda are not likely to forget who – or what –inspired them to take this leap in the first place. They continue to pay thanks to the fire service for being the source of inspiration that got Firehouse Vape off the ground.

“We donate a proportion of our profits each year to The Firefighters Charity as a way of giving back. I loved working in the fire service and being a fireman and it’s good to give back from the business because, in reality, I wouldn’t have the business without having the fire fighting background.”

“I LOVED WORKING IN THE FIRE SERVICE AND BEING A FIREMAN AND IT’S GOOD TO GIVE BACK FROM THE BUSINESS BECAUSE, IN REALITY, I WOULDN’T HAVE THE BUSINESS WITHOUT HAVING THE FIRE FIGHTING BACKGROUND.”

Trina met Ruby Woo at

VapeJam

DIARY OF A VAPER

Travelling alone is always hard, and that’s why Trina McCurdy took her husband Nathan along on her vaping journey.

I started smoking at around the age of 15. I never meant to smoke but it was the thing to do when you were bored. As I grew older, a pack of 10 became my everyday habit which gradually increased to 20-a-day.

When my eldest child came home one day and said that she smelt of smoke, I knew I had to do something if not for me, then for my children. I had always wanted to quit and so I tried nicotine patches which gave me a rash on my arm and made me feel woozy, so I knew that would not be the way for me. Adverts started becoming more prominent for e-cigarettes, they were the ones that looked like cigarettes and I thought it would be fun to give it a try. I used a discount code and purchased a starter kit and my husband Nathan showed some interest, so I ordered another for him.

Since then vaping has totally changed our lives. It did not take long with the use of the starter kits and better recommended kits from forums to stop buying cigarettes and they even started to taste dirty. Both myself and Nathan have now been vapers for eight years.

Time has really flown by and our kits have changed numerous times getting bigger and better. My husband has moved to a restricted direct-to-lung style and loves his Kayfun 5’s and the Ares paired with Evics or Vaporesso.

I prefer the traditional mouth-to-lung draw and use Kayfun Primes, Kayfun Lite Plus, Beserkers and Ares, paired with Asmodus mods and OBS Cubes. I like more custard-type vapes whilst Nathan loves his fruity flavours.

DIY liquids will always be our preference as we can control the flavour and blend of the mix. We don’t go to as many expos now because we are happy with our kit, but we like to see what is new and try out new juices and are regular attendees at Vape Jam in London. This year we met Ruby Woo (pictured) there which was amazing.

The forums were incredibly helpful, it’s an online community where you make friends as well as help others who are starting their vaping journey. I was surprised that it was me who learned how to build and wick as Nathan loves electronics, but vaping has become a big part of our life and anything I learn, we try together.

Featuring Trina McCurdy

ASK

Damian Bové, Adact Medical’s Chief Regulatory Officer, discusses changes across Europe to poison centres notification processes, short-fill regulation and preparing your products for sale

in the UAE.

New European legislation has come into force recently, after a delay due to IT issues. But it is here now and it will affect e-liquids, TPD and short-fills.

It’s a requirement to centrally register all products with a hazard classification with the Central European Poisons Centre. We have until December to be compliant and whilst at the moment it does not affect UK businesses, the UK has yet to bring the required legislation into force. It is in place across Europe and Germany in particular are requiring it. If in the UK Brexit does not happen, this will affect all UK businesses as well.

The measures require you to register your products with the central European portal where you will be issued with a Unique Formulation Identification code (one for each product). This code is then put on your packaging typically via the barcode. The idea being that if there is a poison incidence, a poison centre can enter the code into their system and immediately see a breakdown of the product’s formulation. This is going to be disruptive in many ways.

Firstly, there is the administration and the logistics of getting things registered. Like the TPD, it requires you to have access to your full formulation and CAS numbers, which can be challenging. This regulation does not apply to foods, so it may come as a surprise when you ask your flavour house about it. The full formulation is

required however ranged data can be given. It’s not enough to just put the information from the MSDS sheet into it.

The key issue that has to be tackled: It’s not clear how confidential the data will remain in the system, so I expect quite a lot of activity in this area over the next few months and into next year. There is discussion of extending the deadline for compliance and this may be needed. If you have notified your products to a national poisons centre you’re exempt from compliance until 2022.

Short-fill regulation comes to Europe

There is a misconception that short-fill vaping products are not regulated when they are in fact covered by the GPSR 2005, which to cut a long story short means TPD without the notification applies to short-fill products.

Holland, Austria and Greece, have gone all official with shortfill regulation. These are now regulated as TPD products, which means you have to do a full TPD notification of the products and file them through the EU portal. You can put the larger bottles through, you’re not limited to 50ml but they want them notifying and where appropriate notification fees will be payable.

This trend looks set to spread to other European states. At the moment there is no sign that the UK will ask the same. However, we should watch this space.

GPSR 2005 compliance checklist:

Have you emissions tested with nicotine (in use safety testing)?

Have you checked your formulations for toxicology / safety?

Have you checked your products for banned substances (anything banned for TPD is banned for short-fill)?

Have you produced SDS (MSDS) sheets for your products?

Remember SDS sheets are not just driven by nicotine, flavours have a large impact.

United Arab Emirates

The other big news that is moving the industry is the opening up of the United Arab Emirates for the vaping industry, and the news is a little good and little bad.

Basically, the UAE wants TPD-level standards and notification but with some key differences that do add to the complexity of and expense of the process.

Firstly, you have to show your products are stable for the duration of their shelf life. That requires a stability study in an accredited laboratory, not a big job but slow and this has some costs associated with it. Then you need to do your emissions tests in an accredited laboratory. For the TPD, you just need validated tests, not accredited tests, so it’s a slightly higher bar.

Finally, you need to manufacture the product to ISO standards, which for a lot of companies is something they are already doing. For others, it would be a big step up.

Once you have all this data ready you need to submit it for approval. You can’t sell until you’ve been approved. The filing costs are £1,500 (approximate estimate) and you can file 20 SKUs at a time. So, the market is there and I am sure a lot of companies will be heading over there. We have had several enquiries to date.

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.

THE BERG USA

CROWNING GLORY

Q. How important is branding when running one of the most recognised brands in the UK industry?

A. When creating a brand, every element needs to signify your brand identity. As well as that, everything needs to unify and tell your story no matter what element people see. After all one customer may only ever see your product names and descriptions on a website and no other form of your marketing.

Q. What was the inspiration behind Riot Squad’s brand image?

A. We tried to unify everything and convey our brand story no matter where you looked – from riotous flavour names, urban merchandise to thought provoking and boundary pushing social media, even a branded Riot Van for shop visits. We knew we wanted to create great flavours but with names that were memorable and were explanatory of the brand and everything else we were doing. We hoped names like Menthol Molotov and Grapple and Slapcurrant would be instantly recognisable.

By Lucy MacKinnon

We caught up with head punk Matt Crann to talk new products, creating an instantly recognisable image and winning Juice of the Year 2019 at the fourth annual Vapouround Awards.

Q. What have been your highlights so far this year?

A. Moving into our new HQ facility has definitely been one of the main highlights. Completely renovating our new R&D, Production and Distribution facility has enabled us to facilitate all order's for all 1,400 UK stockists as well as distribute to over 70 countries worldwide. Adding production lines has meant that our production and distribution is the most efficient it's ever been, this has enabled us to make white label products for another nine juice companies. We also have a brand new lab suite with a larger research and analysis team that's already created our next two brands, as well as being able to facilitate detailed development for our white label customers. On top of everything that is going on operationally across the company, winning Brand of the Year at the Ecig Click awards, and Juice of the Year at the Vapouround awards, are big highlights.

Q. How do you feel about Raspberry Punk Grenade picking up three separate awards in the past couple of months?

A. Elated! We are proud of all four flavours in the Punk Grenade range with the sales mix across the range being evenly split, which is always a great sign of a strong range. Raspberry Grenade with the sharpness of the raspberry followed by the sweet lemonade fizz seems popular in the awards worldwide. Winning in Canada, Bulgaria then finally at home at the Vapouround Awards we are just over the moon, we can't wait to enter the Punk Grenade range into more awards worldwide. And who knows, you may see some new punks around soon.

Q. You also won Best Trade Show Stand in 2018, how do you feel about these accomplishments?

A. There is no feeling like being recognised for something you put all your effort into. When we visit an expo we want people to visit our stand and really understand who we are as a brand and how much we truly care about our product and the industry. Likewise, when people try our juice, we want people to taste our flavours and experience how much time and effort has gone into developing the flavour. The awards are a pleasant nod to the fact that we are achieving what we have set out too.

Q. What can customers expect from Riot Squad for the rest of the year?

Do you have anything special planned?

A. We are very excited about our new brand Riot S:ALT. We've taken a little time over these because we've redeveloped our current flavours meticulously and created new ones to make this our biggest launch yet. We've got new patented bullet bottles, new point of sale as well as most importantly some new flavours to add to the range. This range has been precisely engineered to be the ultimate alternative to a cigarette because our salts have been developed with innovative nicotine engineering to make it different to any other nicotine salt already on the market.

Q. When and where will we next see you on the expo circuit?

A. We are all over the world with another 19 expos to go this year! There is nothing quite like the overwhelming buzz and energy of a UK expo though, so we have made sure nothing clashes with The Vaper Expo in Birmingham in October – we've been making big plans already.

Q. And finally, did you enjoy the Vapouround Awards in May?

A. Well you can't beat a VIP table with free drinks can you? We love it – It was great to brush shoulders with all the other UK brands and influencers we admire! Although we aspire always to be the best, we always appreciate other people’s achievements in making this industry better and stronger every day, plus it pushes us to work even harder and have fun while we are doing it of course, or we wouldn't be Riot Squad.

There is no feeling like being recognised for something you put all your effort into

ASK THE SCIENTIST

Nicotine is the addictive compound found naturally in the tobacco plant which once hooked, people keep coming back again for their nicotine fix.

Nicotine is an alkaloid compound that is naturally occurring in many plants such as cauliflower, potatoes, and tomatoes, although in minute quantities. You would have to eat an unfeasible large quantity to get any physiological effect.

In one study performed by E F Domino et al in 1997, it was found that someone would need to eat up to 263g of cauliflower to ingest around 1ug of nicotine –that’s 0.001mg of nicotine, while the average stated quantity of nicotine in a cigarette is 12mg.

The nicotine almost everyone is aware of is that which is sourced from the tobacco plant, which is indigenous to the Americas and has been used for various purposes for over 2,000 years.

The most commonly cultivated version of the plant is N.Tabacum. While there is also the more potent variety N.Rustica, at a content level of around one-tothree percent and as high as nine percent respectively.

Generally the nicotine that is used with e-cigarettes is extracted from N.Tabacum using various solvent extraction processes, while there are some methodologies developing for synthetic nicotine production it is significantly more expensive to produce.

Richard Cunningham, PhD answers your frequently asked questions.

Nicotine –What is it? Where does it come from and what effects does it have on the lives of vapers?

What does nicotine do to us when vaped?

When someone takes nicotine into their body it will produce both stimulating and sedative effects. Nicotine changes the levels of chemicals such as dopamine and noradrenaline in the brain, altering mood and concentration, which many people find enjoyable and some experience a pleasurable nicotine rush.

Studies suggest that increased levels of beta endorphin can help reduce anxiety, and feelings of alertness.

However, nicotine may also increase the heart rate, blood pressure and heart stroke pressure.

Nicotine can also cause a range of side effects such as, indigestion, circulatory effects, disturbed sleep, peptic ulcers, diarrhoea and heartburn among others. At this moment in time, nicotine is not classified as a cancer-causing compound but may cause possible DNA damage that ‘could’ increase the risk of cancer. The main issue is the method of nicotine delivery.

In combustible cigarettes, where you have the burning of tobacco to inhale nicotine, smokers are also going to inhale upwards of 7,000 chemicals, of which at least 69 are known to cause cancer.

Moving to less harmful alternatives such as vaping allows users a much safer method of getting that nicotine fix, which is where the now famous 95 percent less harmful Public Health England statistic comes in, as vaping has been shown to reduce exposure to harmful, cancer causing compounds significantly.

In brief

Nicotine is a highly addictive substance.

Studies show it has some positive effects but also comes with side effects.

Currently, it is not classified as a cancer-causing compound.

The method of nicotine delivery is where the major health issues arise. Despite some misconceptions and stigma still surrounding e-cigarettes, vaping is significantly better for harm reduction than carrying on smoking.

Dr Richard Cunningham has a PhD in medicinal chemistry from Queen’s University Belfast, where he also worked as a post doctoral researcher. Dr Cunningham has also worked as a research instructor at the University of South Alabama’s Mitchell Cancer Institute. Among his areas of expertise are organic synthesis, nucleosides, nucleotides, cellular biology, vitamins, aminoglycosides, drug delivery, phosphorous chemistry and chemical analysis.

THE THIN GREY LINE

COLUMNIST VICTOR MULLIN,

COMPANIES

Since the rise of anti-e-cigarette lobbying in the US, and to a smaller extent in the UK and the EU, the one line that has been rolled out time and time again is “appealing to children.” It has become the go-to phrase for tighter and tighter regulation of the industry when it comes to the one thing we all use – e-liquids. The targeting of the e-liquid industry has been utterly relentless, especially over the past two years. Is it warranted?

In most cases, it isn’t. It is true that a handful (and it is literally a handful) of companies do go down the road of labelling and packaging that can be looked at as appealing to kids. The argument of having cartoon styled labels on a bottle of pink lemonade liquid is something which a lot of people have questioned, including myself.

However, the truth of the matter is something far, far different from the reality that the anti-e-cigarette establishment wants to see. There are thousands of brand name liquids across the planet, most of the well-known ones being based in the EU/UK and the US. Except for just that handful, the vast bulk of those companies are responsible when it comes to how they package those liquids. It always comes back to

that handful of companies who don’t, and there is the problem.

It would be a perfect world to have e-liquid companies have to go through some sort of peer review of the labelling and marketing of their company’s liquids. The fact is though, that doesn’t happen on a industry level, but it does happen in the one place that these companies don’t have full control – social media.

It’s on Instagram, Twitter and to a lesser extent, Facebook that the anti-e-cigarette establishment get these images from. Parading in front of their local group meetings, political meetings or committees with stacks and stacks of liquids that have labelling and marketing that would make any long-time vaper facepalm like those classic Jean Luc Picard memes. However, that style of social media marketing can work in the industry’s favour.

Social media itself, when it comes to these juice companies, also has hundreds of comments on posts with an e-liquid label that is questionable with the community pointing out that the labels are just wrong. If brick and mortar and online shops decide not to stock these liquids because of the labelling, what would happen?

That juice company would have to either change their label or close down. Social media is the self-policing arm of the vaping industry, especially Instagram.

VAPOUROUND

‘VAPING WITH VIC,’ WRITES ‘A HANDFUL’ OF E-LIQUID

MUST BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR ‘APPEALING TO KIDS’ AND HOW SOCIAL MEDIA IS THE ‘SELF-POLICING ARM’ OF THE INDUSTRY.

The US industry is currently standing on the edge of a precipice. The same can be said for several other countries when it comes to vaping, and if the industry is to be saved from falling into that precipice, we can’t willingly give the anti-e-cigarette establishment the ammunition it needs to take the industry down.

The thin grey line is getting thinner and thinner as each year passes. We all need to make sure over the coming year that it doesn’t vanish completely, and we are all pushed over the edge just because a small handful of liquid companies are marketing themselves and their liquids wrong.

“If shops decide not to stock these liquids, what would happen? That juice company would have to either change their label or close down.” “

“

NO BUTTS ABOUT IT

How much better is vaping for the environment than smoking? More than half a million people in the UK took part in the month long Great British Spring Clean to clean up Britain – the most littered item? Cigarette butts.

By Lucy MacKinnon

The Great British Spring Clean 2019 (GBSC) saw 563,163 litter heroes across Britain take to the streets and waterways on operation clean up this spring. Volunteers took part in 17,097 GBSC separate events, amounting to more than one million hours spent litter picking.

Jason Alexander was heavily involved in the Keep Britain Tidy campaign. The founder of Rubbish Walks UK made it his mission last year to pick up one million cigarette butts from British streets, promoting National Blitz The Butt Day on August 24 to help him reach this goal.

“We are currently at 153,874 and that is a lot, we’ve still got a way to go. But if I can encourage one thousand people

across the country to pick up one thousand cigarette butts, which is easy to do because they are everywhere that’s one million cigarette butts.”

Cigarette butts are one of the biggest plastic pollutants on the planet. More than half of daily smokers (52 percent) believe putting cigarette ends down drains is acceptable, while 11 percent do not consider them to be litter, according to new statistics.

Jason says this is a year-round problem.

“I do think the key thing is to try and appreciate this isn’t just a problem once a year that by doing a couple of beach cleans or litter picks and GBSC that we’ve done our bit and then we can go back to old habits. These campaigns are something

that hopefully are a catalyst to promoting long term behavioral change.”

National Blitz The Butt Day is gaining interest rapidly with people from around the world showing their support, “from different countries all around the world saying that they’d like to take part as well.”

Jason adds, “It’s only going to be a drop in the ocean in the grand scheme of things, but it will be very good for raising awareness.” Organising a ‘pick on a path’ staff congregate on outside Ipswitch Hospital, Jason collected over six thousand cigarette butts in under two hours. From this pathway alone he has cleared around 40,000 cigarette ends.

“You’ll see posters and signs up around hospital sites and they’ll try and encourage people to stop smoking and to have patches or to go over to vaping” he says, but Jason feels one of the main issues with the blanket ban on smoking on hospital grounds is that the NHS are actually alienating their target audience as smokers need to remain out of sight, and therefore out of reach of these adverts.

If a 20-a-day smoker was to switch to e-cigarettes they would vaporize around 3 to 4mls of juice daily in a typical dual coil device. On the average month this would equate to around two 60ml bottles a month.

Unlike cigarette butts, vape components can be disposed of as household recycling, providing they are rinsed thoroughly. Bottles can also be re-used when making DIY liquids. Batteries are often forbidden from general waste due to toxicity and therefore need to be disposed of appropriately at a battery bank which are later recycled, while disposable pens can be broken down and their parts can be recycled accordingly.

By switching to vaping, the damage to the environment as well as public health could dramatically decrease, while the NHS purse and economy in general may benefit.

“These campaigns are something that hopefully are a catalyst to promoting long term behavioral change.”

Doctors’ orders

By Lucy MacKinnon

Did you know, after successfully going 28 days without smoking a cigarette you are five-times more likely to give it up for good?

VApril was once again fronted by Britain’s favourite TV doctor, Dr Christian Jessen, to encourage the UK’s seven million smokers to make the switch. Organised by the UK Vaping Industry Association (UKVIA), the month-long initiative focused on creating links between public health authorities, local councils and vape shops and smokers.

Members of the public got involved using the hashtag #SpeakUpVaping, posting short confession-style videos explaining why they made the switch, how it has impacted on their lives, and what advice they would give to others who want to do the same.

Ian Paisley MP, publicly announced his admiration for the industry in the House of Commons after vaping helped 1.5 million British vapers quit smoking for good, saying that VApril is, “Solving problems that previous government campaigns actually failed to solve, and we should actually be applauding that.”

Mark Pawsey MP, who heads up the all-party parliamentary group on e-cigarettes and vaping, showed his support by releasing a video saying, “I am very pleased to speak up for vaping in the

Houses of Parliament because I know how helpful vaping can be for those who want to switch.”

Commenting on the number of smokers who haven’t yet tried vaping, Dr Jessen said: “This is why I am supporting VApril, the national vaping awareness month which aims to change this by encouraging more smokers to consider making that switch to a far less harmful alternative.”

The stats

- 20,000 smokers are quitting every year, yet 40 percent of smokers have not tried vaping as a stop smoking tool.

- An average vaper spends half as much as a smoker every month, but it also helps the NHS who spend £2.6 billion annually on smokingrelated illness costs.

- After successfully going 28 days without smoking a cigarette, you are five-times more likely to give it up for good.

VApril – The world’s largest vaping awareness and educational campaign was once again celebrated across the UK this April

Dr Christian of 'Embarrassing Bodies' has once again backed vaping in smoking cessation.

In his late forties, Kevin Glancy began experiencing symptoms of what he assumed was hereditary asthma. What he didn’t realise was that his lungs were slowly dying, until vaping gave him a second chance.

Diagnosed with emphysema in 2008, Kevin was faced with a prognosis of eight-to-ten years before his heavily damaged lungs would fail to sustain him any longer. A heavy smoker for over 50 years, it was no surprise when a lung function test showed that his total lung capacity was 41 percent.

“The way they explained it, was that the lung is like a sponge and most of mine was useless, drenched in thick black tar,” Kevin writes in an article on his news site, The Issue; “There was no coming back. Over half of my lung was dead and more of it would soon die.”

But such a dismal forecast wasn’t enough to push Kevin into giving up the very habit that had wreaked this havoc on his health. He’d been given eight-toten years left to live but, instead, it took him that eight years to finally quit smoking. The addiction was just one part of Kevin’s inability to quit; what he found harder to overcome was the integral role that cigarettes had played in his creative abilities. A musician, Kevin spent much of the ‘70s touring the UK with various bands, cementing his lifelong adoration for writing and producing his own music.

And, in recent years, he has turned his attentions to the written word with various books and online articles penned, including his beloved ‘Hogan the Dog’ series. Central to all these endeavours is –and had always been – smoking.

Kevin tells Vapouround: “The creative process is often supplemented by drugs and, when you don’t want to do drugs – as I didn’t – you’ll find something else that becomes part of that whole process. Smoking became extremely important to me, because it gave me my objectivity zone.”

He explains that leaving his studio to have a cigarette was always a critical part of his creative process; “A time to leave the scene and get some perspective, five minutes set aside for objectivity.” But with emphysema already wracking his lungs, continuing to smoke put Kevin at a high risk of infection – a simple chest infection, easily treatable for most, could be fatal for him. Empathetic to the “vice like grip” that cigarettes had on his patient, Kevin’s doctor suggested an e-cigarette. “I said to him at the time, ‘I’m amazed that you, a lung specialist, are talking about an e-cigarette,’

and I was quite pleased to hear a medical person talking common sense, it surprised me.” It took Kevin another year to heed his doctor’s advice. When he returned from a New Zealand cruise with a terrible cough and breathing difficulties, Kevin knew he was in deep trouble and spent six days in hospital with pneumonia. It almost killed him.

“I got out of hospital after overcoming the first bout of pneumonia and the first thing I did was have a cigarette, because I could. I was back in hospital about two weeks later, pneumonia again and that’s when it hit me and I thought, ‘You’re an idiot, this is stupid, you’ve got to stop.’”

Armed with his vape and the luck of the Irish – an Irishman, Kevin had moved to Australia when he was ten – he finally gave up cigarettes on March 17, 2016, St Patrick’s Day.

“There is no doubt whatsoever that, had it not been for an e-cigarette, I would not have been able to quit. It’s that physicality of being able to hold and puff something, that’s the big difference.”

Six months ago, two and a half years after Kevin made the switch, he had a second lung function test. With trepidation, he was waiting to hear that his lungs had dwindled further below 41 percent, which would have been the expected outcome.

But his doctor was perplexed, Kevin’s lung capacity was up to 82 percent. He was given a new prognosis: ten years before he’d need oxygen assistance.

Kevin says: “I remember walking down the long hospital corridors, looking for the exit and, in that instant, taking in that news, I felt young again.”

The second book in Kevin’s ‘Hogan the Dog’ series is available for download via pawsandclawsadoptions.com.au

A portion of sales go directly to the adoption organisation. This was the first creative endeavour Kevin undertook without the assistance of cigarettes, instead he vaped the whole way through the writing of this instalment.

“There is no doubt whatsoever that, had it not been for an e-cigarette, I would not have been able to quit. It’s that physicality of being able to hold and puff something, that’s the big difference.”

Vaping may improve lives of COPD smokers

After three years of research and patient follow-ups, study proves COPD smokers can significantly improve their quality of life by doing just one thing: switch to vaping.

By Lucy MacKinnon

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) sufferers who smoke could turn their health around by making the switch to e-cigarettes. That’s according to a recent study conducted by renowned expert in tobacco harm reduction, Professor Riccardo Polosa.

This comparative study monitored a sample of COPD patients who smoked alongside patients who chose to switch to e-cigarettes, which produced impressive results.

Over the course of three years, participants completed a series of tests and the results were collected in order to display the gradual effects of vaping on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

As the only evidence-based strategy proven to improve COPD prognosis is stopping conventional tobacco use, it is thought that, “the use of combustion-free nicotine delivery systems instead of smoking could be a pragmatic compromise with the possibility of significant health gains.”

In 2009, it was discovered in the US that COPD is caused by smoking tobacco around 90 percent of the time.

There is also existing evidence that indicates most tobacco related diseases are caused by the combustion chemicals that are in tobacco, as opposed to the nicotine content.

This latest research took this further, to illustrate that COPD patients can still receive their desired nicotine intake by using e-cigarettes whilst significantly reducing or halting the damage and symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Participants were committed to altering their lifestyle. Almost 60 percent of those in the e-cigarette group completely abstained from daily smoking, and those who became dual users managed to reduce their daily cigarette intake by 85 percent on average by the third year.

With an average of 21.9 cigarettes smoked daily by the COPD e-cigarette group at baseline, after one year the entire group had cut this down to an average of two cigarettes per day.

“E-CIGARETTE USE MAY BE EXPLOITED AS A LESS HARMFUL STRATEGY TO POTENTIALLY HALT OR REVERSE COPD RELATED OUTCOMES.”

One form of data collected included answers from CAT questionnaires filled out by participants. The results of these show that those using e-cigarettes saw a 26 percent reduction in their symptoms after three years, and the impact of the disease on their daily lives had diminished noticeably. The paper states that e-cigarette use, “may be exploited as a less harmful strategy to potentially halt or reverse COPD related outcomes and, in general, to reduce the risk of smoking related diseases”. Meanwhile the smoking control group reported no significant changes in their CAT scores. Over the three-year observation period, a number of patients using vapes down staged on the GOLD COPD guidelines, which measures the severity and stages of the disease. Some who were classed as levels three and four – severe and very severe – moved to categories two and three, moderate and severe. In the smoking control group, there was no movement between the GOLD COPD levels, which measure airflow limitation.

The report outlines that despite showing no change in the smoking control group, “the finding that COPD exacerbations were halved in patients who stopped or considerably reduced their smoking habit following switching to ECs [e-cigarettes] was an important finding.”

A Danish population study conducted in 2002 boasts similar results, showing that quitting smoking was associated with a significant decline in hospital admissions as well as a reduction in COPD morbidity at roughly 40 percent.

Professor John Newton, the director of health improvement at Public Health England, says along with Cancer Research UK, The Royal College of Physicians, The British Medical Association and The National Academy of Sciences: “There is no situation where it would be better for your health to continue smoking rather than switching completely to vaping.” This latest study throws weight behind the argument for the NHS to act quickly in training healthcare officials to offer advice and recommend using vape devices as a viable alternative to smoking.

Charities urge use of e-cigarettes for quitting

Areport

by the influential British charities Cancer Research UK and Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) says stop smoking services should look for more ways to integrate e-cigarettes into their work especially for disadvantaged groups, who are more likely to smoke.

And it urges the government to give local authori ties more help to provide such services, “rather than cutting the public health grant further”.

The study, “A changing landscape: stop smoking services and tobacco control in England”, surveyed 107 local authorities to learn about the support they give smokers who want to quit.

It found that while all stop smoking service providers supported people who were using e ciga rettes, attitudes towards them varied

Some authorities we nt so far as providing free starter kits, while some worked with local vape shops to provide equipment and advice Other au thorities did not recommend e cigs at all, prefer ring nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), though none of those surveyed actively discouraged their use

The report says more could be done to promote vap ing: “One area where there is scope for innovation is the integration of e cigarettes as a quitting tool within service models.

“E cigarettes are far less harmful than tobacco

About ECigIntelligence

products and are now the most popular aid used by smokers who try to quit Yet the harm of e ciga rettes is still overestimated by most smokers.”

More work is still needed to discover the best way of using e cigarettes in stop smoking services, the re port says, and more could be done to educate disad vantaged people about the benefits of vaping

Those findings were supported by Louise Ross, who pioneered the use of e cigarettes when she ran Leicester’s stop smoking service

“I’d be in favour of services buying inexpensive, easy to use vaporisers and giving them out, and combining that with the usual care, like behav ioural support and nicotine replacement therapy,” she told ECigIntelligence “When you do that, then it’s really effective ”

Ross pointed to authorities such as Leicestershire, Hampshire, and Tendring in Essex as being among those which offered e cigs to people attempting to quit tobacco.

But the survey found that local government budget cuts had hit stop smoking services, with spending falling by 30%, or £41 3m, between the 2014/15 fi nancial year and 2017/18, with annual spending per smoker falli ng from £17.87 to £14.86.

The report says this has caused a “postcode lottery” effect: “If you are a smoker, where you live now makes a big difference to the support you can re ceive, if any, to help you quit ” The survey found 56% of local authorities with responsibility for pub lic health offered a universal service, with support and access to NRT, while a further 9% only offered it if the person was part of a target group

ECigIntelligence is the leading provider of detailed global market and regulatory analysis, legal tracking, and quantitative data for the e cigarette, heated tobacco and combustible alternatives sector worldwide Customised research and consultancy are also available

We offer tools to navigate the complex market and regulatory landscape through inde pendent, analytical and actionable data insights, in depth country reports, regulatory trackers and legal analysis. We also publish CBD Intel.com for the European CBD sector.

Top 10 Travel Tips

Planning a trip abroad this summer? Here are some things you need to know about taking your vape on a plane.

1. Vapers, on a whole, can take their devices on airplanes with them, but rules vary depending on the length of your flight and the vape regulations in your destination. Check with the airline you are flying with first, but some airports, such as Gatwick in London, state that e-cigarettes are prohibited from hold luggage.

2. Just like smoking, vaping is prohibited on commercial flights, with one exception –Ryanair sell their own smokeless cigarettes for passengers to use whilst cruising the skies.

3. When it comes to taking your own e-cigarette on a flight it is best to dismantle the device and store it safely in a case for protection. The last thing you want after a long flight is to find that turbulence has caused your vape any damage

4. Lithium batteries have been explicitly forbidden from hold luggage globally due to fire safety regulations so make sure if you are taking these with you, they are packed accordingly and kept in your carry-on bag.

5. Lots of airplanes now have USB ports on board – but you are not allowed to use these to charge up your vape. These are designed for charging laptops, tablets or mobile phones only.

6. Irrelevant of device type, disconnect the battery. Not only is it safer and will help you get through security more easily, this will also save the battery life and will prevent your vape from turning on by mistake.

7. Taking your own e-liquid for travelling abroad is always recommended because it can be difficult to find somewhere selling the right juice for you, not only in terms of nicotine strength and flavour, but you may not find the same quality or standard as what you’d expect in your home country.

8. Just like any other liquid when taking a flight, for carry-on bags, e-liquids will have to be placed in a clear plastic bag that conforms to the correct dimensions and the bottles must contain no more than 100ml.

9. Anything that bears the toxic warning label is forbidden from entering the aircraft, so ensure that all of your juices conform to this guideline to avoid confiscation.

10. There have been reports of the pressure changes causing clearomizers, atomizers or cartomizers to leak whilst in the air, so emptying the tank pre-flight is always a good idea. But if there is e-liquid in your vape when you take a flight it needs to be placed inside the liquids bag.

The 5th Annual

Vapouround

Awards Birmingham, May 2020 Official Sponsor,

VAPERS

Your packing to-do list is written, you’ve printed your boarding pass and you’ve taken screenshots of your Trip Advisor favourites. But have you thought about vaping on your vacation? Here’s what you need to know.

By Lucy MacKinnon

LEARN LOCAL LAWS

Nobody wants their hard-earned holiday to turn into an episode of Banged Up Abroad, so make sure you read up on the laws surrounding vaping in your chosen destination. Firstly, ensure that the use of e-cigarettes is not illegal wherever you’re headed. Secondly, find out where you will be allowed to vape when there. The majority of the time, in countries where it is legal, you will be allowed to use devices in designated smoking areas or out and about in public.

There are some exceptions though, San Francisco have strict vaping restrictions in place forbidding their usage in places such as ATM queues, golf courses, doorways and piers. On the other hand, in Germany the rules surrounding vaping are more liberal, vaping inside businesses is up to the owner and there are many bars and restaurants that will allow you to vape indoors.

A QUICK SEARCH

Vapetrotter is a tool every venturing vaper should know about. The website offers information on over 27,000 vape shops spanning more than 123 countries, with addresses, opening times and reviews from other visitors it helps users make an informed choice about their options abroad.

The map display helps you find the closest or best rated vape shops in the area that you are staying along with offering a handy route planning tool to help you save that precious travelling time. Vapetrotter also advertises vape events and expos that you might want to check out. With the mission of making the global vape community local for everyone, we are not surprised they get millions of visits a month.

REGULATION REVISION

Treating yourself on holiday is all part of the fun, but make sure it is actually a treat. A lot of different countries have different regulations when it comes to electrical devices and substances that can be used in e-liquids so do your research and ensure that you are not only buying from a safe vender, but that you are buying a safe product.

Standards and safety tests vary all over the globe, meaning that they may not conform to the quality quotations you are used to – and in some cases they could even be illegal to bring back home with you. Find out how your destinations standards compare with your own, allowing you to make informed decisions.

LOVE YOUR LIQUIDS

Taking your own juices with you seems to be the recommended suggestion, but just because you’re on holiday don’t get lazy. Ensure the lids are always left sealed on e-liquids to avoid oxidisation, which interacts with the nicotine content and can weaken the strength. The heat and UV rays from that much-loved sunshine can also cause some serious problems for juices, altering both taste and texture. Try and keep e-liquids in a room temperature environment away from direct sunlight.

SUPPLY SAFETY

This last point counts for both taking your existing device along or buying a new one whilst abroad. Charging devices is often a necessary evil, but when away from home it is important to check that the power ratings match.

In Europe power outlets provide 230V of electricity at 50Hz, whilst in North America the standard is 120V at 60Hz which is a big difference. Do your research. For fire safety reasons it is important you check your vapes voltage requirements.

BE CAREFUL IF TRAVELLING TO:

BRUNEI

Since 2010, e-cigarettes have been illegal here and are often confiscated at the airport. Vaping in public can land you with a $300 fine.

EGYPT

There is a lot of confusion around the laws here because there are so many grey areas. E-cigarettes were banned back in 2015.

MALAYSIA

Even though there is no nationwide rule, certain states have prohibited their sale. For example, in Selangor vaping in a public park could result in two years imprisonment.

NORWAY

E-cigarette products that contain nicotine are banned, but residents with a medical note can import them.

PANAMA

There is toleration of personal use but selling and importing vaping products is illegal.

SINGAPORE

Since 2010 it has been illegal to buy, sell or import these products, fines of up to $5,000 can be served.

THAILAND

The rules on vaping here are very strict. Vapes, re-fills and juices are illegal and if convicted carry a 10year prison sentence.

Where CAN you vape in the US?

Try the smoking area, as more and more local governments are imposing restrictions on vaping in the open air.

By Gordon Stribling

With the Gottlieb era now behind us, America’s vapers may be breathing a sigh of relief. But regardless of who steps into the role of FDA commissioner, federal vaping regulations are unlikely to be relaxed. Meanwhile, cities and counties continue to roll out punitive policies to punish visitors and residents for using the one thing that may have helped them ditch tobacco for good. Now some state and city governments are cracking down on vaping in the open air.

Not in LA County

This is the most populous district in the US and falls under California’s state-wide vaping restrictions. While California prohibits vaping in workplaces, restaurants and bars, LA County goes a step further.

By broadening the definition of ‘smoking’ to include the use of vaping products, residents and visitors are now prohibited from vaping outdoors in public parks, bars, some county-owned golf courses, on beaches

and in nearby car parks and bus stops.

Supervisor Hilda Solis said in a written statement: “By closing loopholes of smoke-free zones … LA County residents are better able to enjoy cleaner, healthier air. No one should have to worry about the harmful effects of second-hand smoke while walking to school or work or enjoying a meal in a restaurant.” Similar state and city regulations have been imposed or proposed as far and wide as New Jersey, Idaho, Virginia, Georgia and Florida, in city parks, forests, along sidewalks, greenbelt and sports fields.

Not on campus

Meanwhile, expanded smoke and tobacco-free policies are being rolled out on university campuses throughout the country.

According to the most recent statistics from the American Nonsmokers’ Rights Association, 1,965 college campus sites prohibit e-cigarette use. Among them, Arizona State University (ASU).

Leaving aside the FDA’s misleading confluence of tobacco and nicotine, is ‘second-hand vapour’ actually harmful?

Not according to Public Health England’s most recent e-cigarette evidence review.

Researchers found the risk of passive exposure to nicotine and other compounds in vapour was very low “or at trace or non-detectable levels when compared with second-hand smoke.”

Another study found that only six percent of nicotine, eight percent of propylene glycol and 16 percent of glycerine inhaled by vapers was exhaled, and that there was “no difference in nicotine levels compared to homes of non-tobacco users.”

It’s not just UK studies that dismiss the risks of ‘passive vaping.’

A 2017 US Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

evaluation of the air in a vape shop found that the detected levels of flavourings and formaldehyde were well below the lowest occupational limit and nicotine was ‘virtually undetectable,’ despite poor ventilation and 13 vapers blowing clouds throughout the shift.

The lack of evidence of the harms of exposure to outdoor e-cigarette vapour suggests that restrictions on outdoor vaping are based on a fundamental misunderstanding of the relative harms of smoke and vapour. It is also far easier to adapt existing smoke-free policies than to draw up specific vaping regulations based on the available evidence.

Around one-in-20 US adults use e-cigarettes, according to the Annuls of Internal Medicine. But lawmakers and many never-smokers are increasingly hostile to vaping, forcing vapers out into the open-air. But now even these once-safe spaces are underthreat, which may leave smokers with one fewer reason to quit actual tobacco for good.

“By closing loopholes of smoke-free zones... LA County residents are better able to enjoy cleaner, healthier air.”

The vaping industry has so far dealt with its fair share of doubt and mistrust, from alarm over ‘popcorn lung’ to suspicion surrounding chemicals in artificial flavours. But nothing is more damning to an industry than fake news, the spread of which on nicotine is picking up speed Stateside.

By Phoebe Fuller

In the US, high schools, politicians, medical officials and parents are waging a war on e-cigarettes. This isn’t news. There has been an influx of fearmongering over what’s been described as an ‘epidemic’ of nicotine addiction, with the tightening of regulation and prohibition playing out across the nation.

For American vapers, the most popular device is unequivocally the JUUL. With a high nicotine concentration and an ease-ofuse that appeals to smokers who want an easy switch without any hassle, it’s the sort of device that might have been hailed for helping so many smokers quit.

Instead, JUUL’s introduction to the US market has been met with vocal opposition and pitchfork-wielding campaigns that call vaping devices, “the modern cigarette.” The perceived enemy? Nicotine. And it’s perceived target? Kids.

Schools up and down the country have started targeting e-cigarettes in their anti-tobacco campaigns, which would be fine if they discerned between the two; but they don’t. Marion L. Steele high school in Amherst, Ohio has gone as far as to make bold claims that vaping kills people like cigarettes do, a claim not supported by any available evidence.

“I died from vape,” reads a customised t-shirt worn by a student. ‘Tobacco zombie’ on the school’s “Kick Butts Day” which has been widely publicised on their Twitter account; another similar shirt reads, “I died of stage 4 lung cancer from JUULING,” and another depicts pictures of blackened lungs, a typical result of smoking tobacco, with the accompanying quote “JUUL lung.”

In every news story, information pack, or campaign that speaks against vaping, the fact that e-cigarettes contain nicotine “just like a cigarette,” is quoted. There’s often a mention of exactly how many cigarettes a certain nicotine level equates to, implying that nicotine is what makes a cigarette life-threateningly dangerous –not the myriad other chemicals present in tobacco.

According to Medical News Today, the International Agency for Research on Cancer does not classify nicotine as carcinogenic or cancer causing. And yet, every anti-vaping news story or campaign mentions nicotine in e-cigarettes as the reason they’re to be avoided at all costs.

In Massachusetts, a governmental campaign entitled ‘The New Look of Nicotine’ has been rolled out to schools and parents, declaring “vapes and cigarettes: different products, same dangers,” further fuelling the notion that e-cigarettes are the same, in terms of danger, to a cigarette.

No reputable person in this industry is going to advocate that nicotine is good for you. But for those using e-cigarettes instead of combustibles, it’s about recognising the difference between something that, at its worst, isn’t objectively “good” for you, and something that will actively try and kill you. Therein lies the difference between e-cigarettes containing nicotine and traditional tobacco products.

Encouraging young people to avoid e-cigarettes is an endeavour that the vaping industry absolutely supports. But if it’s to be done properly, it’s important that misinformation is not used as a deterrent; lest we risk giving young people – many of whom already smoke cigarettes - the impression that they might as well keep smoking, because the alternative is ‘just as bad.’

@mlswellness Image source:

FOR SALES ENQUIRIES VISIT

Awards, Vampire Vape, won Best Dessert.

The official sponsors of the 2020 Vapouround

The official sponsor of this year’s awards, Vape Dinner Lady, accepted the award for Best Trade Show Stand.

This year’s Vapouround Awards were filled with passion, emotion and pride. There were tears, tricks and serenades as almost 600 guests wined and dined on the biggest night of the year for the global vape industry. Editor Róisín Delaney looks back on a most memorable night.

Horizon Vape Distro won big taking home three awards.

Firehouse Vapes won Best Fruit.

Berlin

JPL Flavour Technologies, sponsors of the Juice of the Year category.

Our

Each year, it takes months of planning to organise the annual awards night. From the evening itself to the entry stage, to the sponsors, food, judging, public votes and entertainment. This is where creativity knows no bounds.

For the fourth annual Vapouround Awards, the events team, led by Abida Razaque, upped their game as soon as the 2018 event drew to a close. Potential new venues were scouted, a new host was announced and preparations got underway.

But it’s not all glitz and glamour. There’s a formidable amount of backroom work that goes into pulling an event like this off. It’s the bits you don’t see that make this event as passion-filled and electric as many of you at the awards will have experienced.

Reviewer of the Year 2019 Victor Mullin of ‘Vaping with Vic,’ Mark Roberts, ‘The Vaping Postman,’ with Chris Bell of EVC and Dean The Devil Vaper.

‘Vaping with Vic,’ Mark Roberts, ‘The Vaping Postman,’ with Chris Bell of EVC and Dean The Devil Vaper.

Gordon served up selfies as well as canapés before the main event.

Entertainer Nigel Mead on hosting duties.

Long-time host Ashley Hansen brought her Twist TV crew tricks up his sleeve on the night.

Team Geek Vape took home the RBA of the Year award, a new award launched this year.

Team Injuiced.

Juccier by Jucce E-liquids accepted their first Vapouround Award for Best Tobacco.

AWARDS

THE BEST YET

Tears of joy, pride and gratitude were flavours of the night as this year’s winners were overcome with emotion on being named the best of the industry. Let’s not forget just how different the vape industry is now compared to four years ago when the Vaper Expo and Vapouround Awards each debuted. It’s no surprise then just how overwhelmed with emotion many of the big winners were as every category has grown more competitive.

THE ‘X’ FACTOR

Entertainment is central to everything we do at Vapouround. We like a dare, trick or a twist or two around the office, so when we had the opportunity to have the co-creator of ITV’s ‘Tricked’ come on board as a host, it was a nobrainer. Nigel Mead’s sophistication and professionalism were matched and balanced with experienced Ashley Hansen’s knowledge and passion for the industry, while Johnnie Lovell bounced around the room on social media duties.

Magician Nick Einhorn is a regular fixture at the Vapouround Awards, always pulling it out of the bag (or should that be hat?) This year, we added handsome trio ‘Roaming Around’ to serenade guests at the welcome reception. We also added Lumina to the line-up with a fierce laser violinist who has supported Sting, Derren Brown and Juuls Holland to open the show. And then there were the ‘Masters of Illusion,’ Keelan Leyser and Matt Daniel-Baker, a truly unique double act for the digital age.

Entertainer Nigel Mead on hosting duties.

Scott & Kayley Parkinson from Wigan represented the night’s charity partner, Blessing in Disguise.

Riot Squad accepted the Juice of the Year award.

Famovape accepted the Best Mod award for the Magma Box

USONICIG took the award for Outstanding Contribution

to the Vape Industry for the second year running.

Canadian company Premium Liquid Labs won Best CBD.

Vapouround owner Paul Caplin with awards host Ashley Hansen of Daddy’s Vapor.

WINNING BIG

Every award winner leaves with a pep in their step. This is confirmation that your hard work is paying off. It means that your peers or the public think you have excelled in what you do.

The big winners on the night beamed with pride, loud and proud, and it was wonderful to see so many Vapouround Awards scattered across the Vaper Expo on Saturday and Sunday.

Among the night’s success stories, and emotional acceptance speeches were Peter Savage of Premier E-Cigs. Peter’s tearful daughter Sarah presented him with the Vaper of the Year award, one of the night’s biggest accolades which is appointed to one significant person whose contribution to the industry surpasses any expectation.

Horizon Vape Distro took three awards home. First place for Tank of the Year and Innovation of the Year with the Vzone Preco Tank. Horizon came in third in the Best Mod category with the Vzone Preco One Kit Plus.

Reviewer of the Year went to Victor Mullin, ‘Vaping with Vic,’ while Vampire Vape claimed the top award for Best Dessert with Sweet Lemon Pie, a heavily contested category every year.

The award for Industry Leader went to Nasty Juice, who also took this title the previous year.

Thank you to our 2019 sponsors- Official sponsor of the Vapouround Awards 2019 Vape Dinner Lady

Premier E-Cigs’ Sarah Wright presented Peter

Savage with the Vaper of the Year award. Red Liquids took the gong for Best Up and Coming Brand

The Vaper Expo Team won Vape Show of the Year award.

Garrett from Asmodus accepted the award for Best Unregulated Mod.

Kilo E-liquids won the award for Best Pod System,

a new award on this year’s line-up

Vape Shop of the Year went to The Puffin Hut.

Nasty Juice won Industry Leader for the second consecutive year and Best Branding and Marketing for the third time.

YOUR 2019 VAPOUROUND AWARD WINNERS

With 24 awards across four categories, it’s hard to sum up the feeling of winning an award on the night. We caught up with the winners in the weeks that followed and asked what it means to bag a Vapouround Award.

“It was an absolutely fantastic evening; it was just such a brilliant atmosphere and so many people attended. I had no clue whatsoever that we’d even be in the running for Vape Shop of the Year, it was the last award of the evening and when it came up with the third place, then second place with Premier E-Cigs I thought, “If they’ve got second then we don’t stand a chance because they’ve got a lot more shops than we have,” and then my logo came up and I was absolutely speechless. I’m just over the moon, thrilled; I can’t describe how much it means to us.”

– Helen Seward, The Puffin Hut, Vape Shop of the Year

“I’m absolutely humbled and, in the moment, I was speechless. It’s an absolute honour to win the Best Branding and Marketing award for 2019, we’ve won this award three years in a row now which is absolutely amazing considering this award has only been out for four years. It’s just an absolute honour and privilege, people have actually recognised the work that we’ve put in and it means so much.”

– Yas Karwa, Nasty Juice, Best Branding and Marketing, Industry Leader

“It’s fantastic to have recognition for all of the hard work that the team have put in over the last nine months, to come from not even being part of the vaping industry to being recognised as somebody that’s making a significant contribution is a real big thing. We’ve already had distributors and retailers coming to us and telling us that they want to stock our liquids, so just having the industry recognise us has already had an impact, so thank you Vapouround for recognising us!”

– Stuart Anderson, Red Liquids, Best Up and Coming Brand

“I’ve got a video of me screaming when the award was announced. I know it’s a really tough category and it’s a big one for those that are trying to give up smoking, obviously the largest part of the market is for people who are trying to give up smoking and vaping does a lot for that group, so that’s why I totally didn’t expect to win that category for us and it was a massive shock. We launched that brand and that product in October 2018 and we just didn’t think that, in a market like this where there are some very wellknown brands, we would win because the competition is really tough. It just means a lot to us, it really does.”

– Quyen Pham, Juccier by Jucce E-Liquids, Best Tobacco

“It’s amazing, we feel that all the hard work we’ve put in has been recognised. It’s a great surprise to have won, we knew that we should have been in the running because we have something different, but to win it was an absolute surprise. With this being a new award, it’s just magnified the feeling of the win as well, it’s amazing and I’m glad to have seen this award category approached too.”

– Zubair Patel, Kilo E-liquids, Best Pod System

“There is no feeling like being recognised for something you put all your effort into…the awards are a pleasant nod to the fact that we are achieving what we have set out to. It was great to brush shoulders with all the other UK brands and influences we admire! I think our table was one of the loudest as we cheered every winner and runner up. Although we aspire to be the best, we always appreciate other people’s achievements in making this industry better and stronger every day.”

– Matt Crann, Riot Squad, Juice of the Year

“We are really happy about winning the award for a dessert flavour and we are delighted to have been recognised for this, especially as Sweet Lemon Pie was only released to the public in April. This industry is made up of so many amazing brands and manufacturers and Vampire Vape are proud to be part of it. The Vapouround Awards are a huge part of the industry and as always, the night didn’t disappoint; the food, magicians, light shows, music and overall experience was amazing. Ashley from Strawberry Queen was amazing as usual, and Paul and his team really pulled out all the stops to make this an evening to remember. We’re really looking forward to next year as the official sponsors for 2020.”

– Nathan Walton, Vampire Vape, Best Dessert

“Winning this award is the absolute pinnacle of eighteen months’ hard work. I have to share this award with and dedicate it to the fantastic community that have supported Coily over that time. From the fantastic international reviewers and vendors, to the team that helped test Coily in the early stages, to each and every one of the wonderful customers who have purchased Coily, it is all down to them that it has achieved the success that it has to date. I also have to give special credit to the fantastic Mark Burns from NatureVape, without whose faith and trust in both myself and Coily would not have seen Coily get out to retail channels. This is definitely a moment in my life I will

“We’re absolutely amazed and so surprised. It’s a fantastic achievement for us. It’s been a tough twelve months trying to get the brand out there, so to finally get recognition on that scale for the quality of the juice that we’re producing is amazing and we’re so proud of it. Beating all the massive, established brands with our own juice is just absolutely fantastic.”

– Mark Egan, Firehouse Vape, Best Fruit

“The feeling is amazing, and it gives us that bit more brand confidence to push for newer versions coming out and giving vapers a good quality vape. It just gives us that confidence that we’re doing something right with our product and I think that winning this award will also give confidence to the consumers about the quality of the product.”

– Jabir Ahmed, Horizon Vape Distro, Tank of the Year, Innovation of the Year and third place Best Mod

“We feel so honoured and surprised to win the award the second time for Outstanding Contribution to the Vape Industry, which proves we really deserve it. We appreciate the big encouragement from the Vapouround team and we’re grateful to our dear clients who have always been confident in this new technology, urging us to move forward and keep innovation as our priority.”

– Claire Mok, Usonicig, Outstanding Contribution to the Vape Industry

“Wow! From everyone at Vape Dinner Lady – thank you so much! We have a fantastic team who work tirelessly to make people smile. Our stands are one of the best places where we get to do that. A lot of love and care goes into these stands and to be recognised for doing it to a high standard makes us feel so great. Thank you to Vapouround Awards for this brilliant award and as always, a massive thank you to all the Dinner Lady fans out there who continue to support us.”

– Brian Watts, Vape Dinner Lady, Best Trade Show Stand

“It feels great, everyone said they were expecting me to win it, but I’d seen some of the names and I was expecting one of the big US reviewers to get it, so it honestly was a surprise for me. I was expecting to get maybe second or third, but I wasn’t expecting to get first! What was going through my head when my name was announced was, “Oh God, I’ve got to get on stage now!” A bit of a panic, but it was great and such a surprise. I did notice that on the Saturday at the expo a lot of the vendors instantly recognised me, I’m already relatively well known in the UK because of the subscriber base and the numbers, but I noticed that a lot more vendors and manufacturers were willing to take the time to talk – because of this award.”

– Victor Mullin, ‘Vaping with Vic,’ Reviewer of the Year

“It was a tough competition, but we made it. Vapouround is a known and acknowledged name in the vaping industry and getting an award from Vapouround is an astounding experience. IVG Menthol has been one of our bestselling ranges and ‘Rainbow Blast’ has been a fan favourite since its production. The flavour is inspired by favourite sweets that gives an amazing sour taste of mixed fruit candy, it surely has the “real wow factor” and we are honoured to have received this award. We have been candidly celebrating our honour and rejoicing the moment. We have a lot of exciting plans to get the best to the vaping industry. We cannot wait for next year’s Vapouround Awards, it is so much fun and such a great platform.”

– Deepika Patel, Head of Marketing, IVG Premium E-Liquids, Best Menthol

“We’re very impressed that the quality of our mod was taken into consideration, because it does have quite a high price point which keeps it as a more enthusiast-grade mod, so we’re really happy to have won this award.”

“We were absolutely blown away to win Best Salt Nic at the Vapouround Awards. It wasn’t something we expected but we are so happy and Salt Nic is a huge trend at the moment, it’s great to be a leader in the Salt Nic Vape industry.”

“I feel privileged and honoured to have won this award. I hope I can continue to help the industry grow and help more people quit smoking.”

– Peter Savage, Premier E-Cigs, Vaper of the Year

– Garrett Troutman, Asmodus, Best Unregulated Mod

– Myles Matthews, Dr Frost E-liquid, Best Salt Nicotine

AWARDS

‘WINNING THREE VAPOUROUND AWARDS LEFT ME LOST FOR WORDS’

Horizon Vape Distro boss Jabir Ahmed has spoken of his joy and excitement at picking up three separate Vapouround Awards at this year’s event.

Jabir, known to many as Jabs, was left speechless when the disposable plastic device was named the winner of Innovation of the Year and Tank of the Year. Then to round it all off, the Vzone Preco One Kit came third in the Best Mod category.

Afterwards, Jabs said he went to the fourth annual awards ceremony just to enjoy the evening and connect with others from the global vape industry, and added he had no idea that the Preco Tank was shortlisted for the Innovation of the Year category. When it was announced as the winner, he could not believe it.

The sales and marketing director said afterwards: “It is very rarely that I get stuck for words and when I found out we were the winner I just froze.

“Being recognised by the Vapouround Awards is the moment everyone waits for

and when I went to the stage to collect the award I thought that was the night wrapped up and I could not get any happier.

“Our entire table just went crazy when the second award was announced and when we ended the evening with three awards, I don’t think I have ever experienced excitement quite like it.”

The following day all three awards were proudly displayed by Jabs and his team at their stand and for the remaining two days of the Vaper Expo people were lining up to shake his hand and congratulate the team on their success.

Jabs said the awards were recognition of the high quality of the product and of the partnership between Horizon Vape Distro and Vzone, which has helped make this tank so successful. In fact, within hours of winning the awards Jabs was picking up fresh orders for the Preco Tank.

He said: “You can spend millions on brand recognition but getting these three awards on one night means we have the right products, the right team and the right partners, promoters and distributors.

“The Vapouround Awards are the most sought after and most prestigious awards in the vape industry. They are recognised globally so when you display awards like this on your stand, demand automatically increases.

“Virtually as soon as the award results were known on the evening the calls started coming in and we were taking orders for the Preco tanks.

“This has given me the motivation to keep going even stronger than before and is confirmation that we are on the right track.

“The working partnership between Horizon Vape Distro and Vzone is more like a family relationship than a business relationship and everyone involved has sacrificed a lot to make sure these products are the best they can be.

“We have missed out on family days, time with the children and when you are working around the clock on something you passionately believe in, it is great to get recognition like this that the brand is a quality brand.”

HIGHLIGHTS IN PICTURES

5 questions with…

Christopher Streeter

In just two years, ODB Wraps have built a stellar reputation and an impressive

that the keys to success are a good idea and a whole lot of talent. With a brand-new

big-name designer now on board, the team are ready to take things to the

By Phoebe Fuller

Q. Talk us through the opening of your new shop?

A. It was exciting, we spent a lot of time and a lot of money opening this up. We’ve made it into a bit of a lounging area where everyone can hang out. We’ve got TVs in there, we’ve got football in there, we’re currently trying to get an alcohol licence too.

Q. So how did you do business beforehand?

A. I’ve been in the industry about nine years now; before ODB Wraps I was doing websites for e-liquid brands, branding and labelling. I was a graphic designer for many years. I’ve been with ODB Wraps for the last two years, it’s my company, but nobody knew who we were so I decided ODB needed a home. People don’t realise that we’re a really small company, it’s just me and my girlfriend.

Q. You say you focus on community, not money. How does that work as a business?

A. We’re not corporate, we don’t try to be corporate. When we meet people, we go out for a drink and have a laugh; I want to know who these people are. If someone tries to be corporate with me, that’s it, I don’t want to work with them. I want to be able to have people that are friends, I want that community and friendship feel. And I don’t want to work with every Tom, Dick and Harry in this industry either, because if I have a feeling that you’re coming in just for the money then I won’t work with you. I prefer to work with the smaller people.

Q. How do you stay on top of the competition with this way of working?

A. We’re lucky because we don’t really have any competition. At the moment we’re working with one designer who is the lead designer for Fender Guitars, Iron Maiden, Pantera, and Metallica –so we’re getting big people in. We’re also doing competitions where we get artists from the industry, from the tattoo industry, from the

“If someone tries to be corporate with me, that’s it, I don’t want to work with them. I want to be able to have people that are friends, I want that community and friendship feel.”

vape industry – from anywhere – as soon as we love it, we want it involved.

Q. What are your plans for the future?

A. I want to open a few more stores and I want to bring out a mod, an RDA, and my own CBD. I’ve got an e-liquid coming out called Kai Juice which is very different. We’re also doing manufacturing in apparel and clothing. I want ODB to supersede what it’s been like so far but, at the moment, I’m working 28 hours a day, eight days a week. I work hard for what I’ve got and me and my girlfriend, Tyler, we’re always there to make sure it goes to the next step.

portfolio of designs; proving

shop in Brighton and a

next level.

ALL BASES COVERED

Chris Bell of Empire Vape Co discusses his growing business interests spanning the vape industry.

By Gordon Stribling

Vloggers have an increasing presence in the vaping industry. But while countless vapers set out on the path to stardom, the reality of day-to-day life is often far more gruelling than it appears onscreen. In order to survive and thrive, entrepreneurs have to diversify. For one popular YouTuber, May’s Vaper Expo bore the fruit of three years of hard work. Chris Bell’s Empire Vape Co shop in Liverpool came third in the Vape Shop of the Year category at the Vapouround Awards and his EVC juice line flew off the shelves over the expo weekend.

“A lot of people have seen the success and think ‘he’s a millionaire’ but that’s not the case!” Chris told us in the aftermath of the expo.

“I’m comfortable but everything gets reinvested back in, whether it’s merchandise, the shop, new stock, hardware or promotion.”

Chris is toying with the idea of opening another ‘proper’ vape shop, perhaps in Leicester, to compete with the glut of high street bargain shops with vape counters in them. But in the meantime, he’s looking forward to expanding into hardware.

“I’m working on an RTA, an actual piece of hardware in development. I had an interesting conversation at the expo with a company that’s very interested. The designs are going backwards and forwards at the minute.”

Meanwhile, Chris continues to play a pivotal role as community director of growing video platform, VapeTube. While working on the mobile app they’ve met with an all-too-familiar foe: Apple.

“Android wasn’t a problem, that was straight on, it wasn’t an issue, but of course iPhone makes up half the people who are using mobiles, so it’s got to be on there first.”

They’re now conducting tests to ensure that the livestreaming runs as smoothly as possible. The real test will be the UK Vape Show that Chris hosts alongside Vaping with Vic, The Vaping Postman and The Devil Vaper from their respective UK bases. And then it’s back to Vaper Expo in October.

“The hotel’s booked already so I’ll be there. The show is no longer just a thing I might go to. I have to be there.”

“I’m comfortable but everything gets reinvested back in, whether it’s merchandise, the shop, new stock, hardware or promotion.”

BY PATRICK GRIFFIN

One word leapt out at me from the Vaper Expo floor plan – Shenzhen.

This Chinese megacity on the Pearl River Delta is home to upwards of 600 e-cigarette producers which, between them, account for 95 percent of global e-cigarette production.

And at May’s Vaper Expo there were more companies attending from China, and Shenzhen in particular, than ever before.

They came to meet trade customers and to see, first hand, what consumers thought about their products and what they would like to see next.

Steve Chia is marketing director for Shenzhenbased vape wholesale giant ElegoMall which had a large stand right at the entrance to the show.

He said: “Vaper Expo is very important for us because we can meet so many distributors, retailers and consumers. It makes perfect sense for us to come here because so many potential clients are right here under one roof and we can meet a lot of people over the three days.”

Relx Technology was one of a number of Chinese manufacturers at the show whose products feature the clever Feelm heating system which has been specially designed for pod systems. This heating technology uses a metal film and ceramic conductor instead of wick and cotton to produce a smooth vape with great flavour.

Relx are keen to capitalise on the huge popularity for pod systems in the UK and the Vaper Expo plays a key part in their strategy to do so.

Trade marketing manager Loro Fu said: “We have a great product and we want to increase our sales in the UK and Europe which is why we come to events like this.

“It is important to visit different countries to really understand how the markets differ. For example in China, Mung Bean Ice is our most popular flavour but it is not so popular in the UK where Lemon Tea and Mango is the best selling flavour in our pods.”

Vzone, which specialises in the design and manufacture of innovative, high performance products including the Preco Tank, Graffiti mod and Scado pod, had a great expo.

CEO Ellis Li said modern vapers, especially the younger adult users, favoured lightweight devices rather than the heavy metal ones and Vzone is working hard to capitalise on this market.

The CEO said: “The UK is our second biggest market after the US and we receive lots of valuable feedback at an event like Vaper Expo.

“We also find that while the UK often follows the US market, the rest of Europe will follow the lead of the UK. For example CBD was first huge in the US, it is now very popular in the UK but it has yet to move into the rest of Europe although this will happen.

“Vaper Expo is also a great opportunity for Vzone to increase its brand recognition and it allows us to tell people what we are doing. Also, for me, I can come here and see what other people are doing and what the new trends are.”

Frank Si, EU sales director for Jouz, said the Vaper Expo is an ideal platform to allow consumers to to see their premium products. In fact their expo stand looked very much like an Apple store with their high quality hardware displayed on rows of wooden tables.

Frank added: “It is very important to us that consumers get to know our brand and get to see and touch our premium products and we are very pleased with the feedback we are receiving at Vaper Expo.”

As vape consumers become ever more demanding and the competition between manufacturers remains intense, it looks that Chinese companies will continue to use events like Vaper Expo to connect with both the retail and consumer audiences.

“THE UK IS OUR SECOND BIGGEST MARKET AFTER THE US AND WE RECEIVE LOTS OF VALUABLE FEEDBACK AT AN EVENT LIKE VAPER EXPO.”

Vzone CEO Ellis Li

The past year has been pretty good to us at Vapouround. We’ve launched a CBD magazine, teamed up with VapeTube and cemented our partnership with Vaper Expo UK. Of course, we couldn’t have achieved any of that without you, our loyal readers. Now, with Vapouround Insider, we want to help you get in on the action.

Vapouround Insider is a brand-new subscription service for the vaping community. By signing up to Vapouround Insider, you get access to a long and ever-evolving list of offers from your favourite vape shops online and all over the UK. Our current list of offers includes Ace of Vapes, Boss Shot, Prohibition and Dr Vapes.

But it doesn’t stop there.

By signing up to Vapouround Insider, you will be entered into giveaways and bi-monthly prize pools, receive a welcome box of freebies worth over £100 and get six print issues of Vapouround Magazine delivered to your door.

You will also receive a day pass for each Vaper Expo UK event. Just let us know which day you’d like to come and we’ll send you an e-ticket within a month of signing up.

All this for just £25 a year*

To sign up to Vapouround Insider, go to vapouround.co.uk. See you on the Inside.

What is Vapouround Insider?

The Vapouround Insider subscription service gives you access to a long list of offers and discounts from a wide range of shops, both in-store and online.

You will also receive a welcome box of freebies worth over £100 when you sign up, plus six print issues of Vapouround Magazine delivered to your door, entry into giveaways and bimonthly prize pools and free tickets to Vaper Expo UK.

How much does it cost?

£25 per year.

What do I get discounts on?

You will receive a minimum discount of 10% on selected products. The list of shops offering discounts is constantly growing. Current offers include: Ace of Vapez, Boss Shot, Dr. Vapes and Prohibition.

How do I sign up?

You can sign up for your account at vapouround.co.uk/insider

How do I renew or cancel my membership?

Your membership automatically renews annually and you can cancel at any time in the year.

What days are the Vaper Expo UK tickets for?

You’ll receive a day pass for each Vaper Expo UK event. You can choose either Saturday or Sunday.

When will I receive my expo tickets?

You will receive an e-ticket within a month of signing up.

POCKET POWER

ASPIRE AVP // VARIABLE WATTAGE POD SYSTEM

If you want to hit the streets in style, armed with a truly pocket-sized pod system that packs a venomous power punch, the Aspire AVP should be at the pinnacle of your must-have vape shopping list.

With the increased demand for ultra-portable and hassle-free pod systems, teamed with nicotine salts E liquid blends, Aspire are slamming the bragging flag in the sand with this sleek and stylish variable wattage beast. Equipped with a single button wattage adjustment, aggressive supercar design styling and a quick-release magnetic refillable pod system, the AVP is mean and lean, from every angle.

Tuning this palm sized marvel between 8, 10 and 12 watts allows you to access fast adjustments on-the-move, all through a single multi-touch button control, meaning customising your vaping experience is super simple. Any great pod system should always be easy to refill, as this is most favourable when busy lifestyles mean limited time. The Aspire AVP pod system releases through a fast and simple magnetic touch mechanism, so you can flip and fill in seconds. The built-in inhale firing system provides hassle-free operation, meaning you can enjoy vaping on-the-go easily.

Striking a solid balance between rich flavour and subtle vapour production is handled easily, as the AVP is loaded with a premium Kanthal 1.2ohm coil. This animal is no elephant, with slimline ergonomics that stylishly wrap around a lightweight 700mAh battery cell, the AVP is guaranteed to travel well in any shirt pocket or clutch bag, so you are ready to enjoy your favourite juice whilst on-the-move.

If you demand stealthy performance and genre-defining aggressive looks, teamed with hassle-free operation and power flexibility, the AVP is your simple weapon of choice.

INTRODUCING VAPOUROUND’S FIRST EVER MOD

A VAPOUROUND AND ULTRONER COLLABORATION

After almost four 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 vape 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 Vapouround and Ultroner, is out now with limited availability.

KEY FEATURES

Full stabilised wood body Efficient SEVO80 chipset Ergonomic design for one handed operation Hassle free slide and lock bottle system

Get yours from Vapouround.co.uk/aether

IN ASHLEY’S WORLD

You’d be wise to never underestimate her. She has blonde ambition and is a force to be reckoned with. Ashley Hansen’s career as director of marketing for Brewed and Bottled LA, and Daddy’s Vapor, has taken her across the globe and back again.

By Phoebe Fuller

Getting twenty minutes of Ashley’s time to sit down and chat with her is not easily accomplished: she is a woman in demand. Between catching clients, customers and industry friends; to business meetings, presentations and manning the stand alongside her team, the Vaper Expo is Ashley’s playground and she’s been playing hard all weekend by the time we talk.

Despite the non-stop hustle of a packed schedule, Ashley is entirely present when we do finally meet. There’s no complacency or diverted attention spans, no responses coming from behind the screen of a phone, she’s here to talk and – above all – she’s here to listen. “I am always listening,” she tells me when I ask about her experiences of being a woman in the vaping industry. “I am always listening and I’m always paying attention; I like to think strategically.”

It’s this strategic way of thinking that has been the lynchpin of her success in what is, undoubtedly, a maledominated industry but one that she adores, nonetheless. She says: “Initially people didn’t really know who I was or what I did. If you just look over and see a younger looking female you think brand ambassador or promo girl, so I don’t think they knew to take me very seriously, which was their mistake.”

“Initially people didn’t really know who I was or what I did, if you just look over and see a younger looking female you think brand ambassador or promo girl, so I don’t think they knew to take me very seriously, WHICH WAS THEIR MISTAKE.”

“The few tips that I did get were mostly from male driven companies and I took everything into consideration, but I’d dig deeper and listen. Women have an ability to really micro-process the more strategic end of what people are saying, and I used that.”

Coming into this industry and building herself – her brand – from the ground up wasn’t easy, though she’s made friends and connections along the way that have been invaluable to her success. But the real driving force has always been her passion and the myriad ways she’s witnessed vaping help people, which was what encouraged her to get involved in the first place. Ironically, her journey into the world of vape started with big tobacco, when she moved from Metro Detroit to California. She was offered a job as a brand ambassador for a marketing company and tobacco was her first client.

“I did that activation for one month and, as I was going to all these shops – whether it be smoke shops, convenience stores, gas stations – everywhere I went I saw e-liquid.

“Seeing it everywhere was really amazing, I was intrigued but, at the same time, I was staring at the face of big tobacco every single day and the people that used tobacco products, it broke my heart.”

When she was offered an extension, she declined and dove feetfirst into vaping by attending her first expo. Those early days were all trial and error.

She says: “I love talking to people and I love presenting the products. I don’t think there’s anything better than being able to

put something in someone’s hands, seeing the reaction on their face when they try it and educating them about the product.

“In the beginning, that was pretty much me; my first Vaper Expo I had this beautiful booth, I’d built it really tall and borrowed boxes from my friends, it was a lot of work setting up all by myself and it was a little lonely, so it forced me to go out and make more friends in the community because I was solo.”

Four years later, she’s built up her marketing team of ten, the people she credits as being her support system. If it weren’t for this team, she explains, she’d not be able to continually look ahead to the next opportunity or event: “I can run around and not worry, because I know they’ve got it covered.”

So much has changed for Ashley since she entered this arena, but she says that her biggest achievement is having the ability to create jobs and opportunities for people – building her team has been her proudest moment. Getting to this point in her career has not come without it’s sacrifices though. When you put your career first, it leaves little room for other things.

“I stay very busy and I’m very dedicated. In the beginning, when people asked me to go out, I’d be like ‘I’m working…’ When you say that enough people stop asking and I was grateful, because I just know what I want right now, I want it all and I’m going to get it. “And, after four years, of course I can tell you a million things about how to run this booth and how to be specific, but I have so much left to learn: so, I’m still listening.”

Lovell’s Life Lessons

Running a vape shop in 2019

By Lucy MacKinnon

Vape shop veteran and Vaper Expo host Johnnie Lovell thinks those entering the vaping industry this year are a little too late, but their actions say “they’ve got some spunk there, they’ve got a bit of guts if they’re going to open a shop and survive” considering the current vaping climate.

There is evidence to suggest that the growth in the number of British vapers is slowing, and that the industry’s initial boom period has passed. Statistics from Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) show that compared to the 800,000 new users in 2014, there were only 100,000 new vapers in 2017, suggesting a plateau.

Even with the evidence to prove that the number of people taking up vaping is slowing, the rise in vape shops opening can be seen all over the country. Johnnie told us that although the market has become saturated, “there has been a fantastic revitalisation of the high street,” putting this smoking cessation tool on a public platform. Expertise, understanding, knowledge and service are the key components Johnnie credits running a successful vaping business. He says for the industry to not only survive, but thrive, standards need to be kept to, “the

to be opened and that it is essential to have, “a real understanding of this market, because we are playing with people’s health” therefore, “service, knowledge and expertise in the market has got to flourish.”

A matter of competition

Johnnie believes that although competition can be a fierce challenge, “it’s a great thing because it keeps you on your toes.” He advises business owners to be aware of their main competitors. “If they make a move to the right, make a move to the left, if they start following you: change your direction, be aware of your surroundings.”

Expanding into other markets could help give some a new angle, Johnnie mentions that the CBD industry is a great opportunity for vape companies to get involved in, and

Vapouround caught up with BHVape’s Johnnie Lovell about the challenges, demands and pitfalls faced by those behind the counter of the UK’

the demand for this is high. Although competitive prices are offered online, having good customer service, offering useful advice and returns policies ensure a steady flow of repeat, loyal customers.

From Johnnie’s experience, shop cleanliness can be one of the biggest pitfalls. “I’ve been into some shops and I’ve been disgusted, when you walk in the door handle is dirty, the open sign is still closed, people not caring – a calendar sat there that’s two months out of date… [customers] won’t tell you that your shop is filthy, they just won’t come back – you’ve either got it, or you ain’t!”

“When somebody walks over my threshold, my door, into my establishment I look after them like they’re the only person in the shop,” telling others that even if the trade’s traffic is slow that day “don’t worry about the ones that haven’t turned up, take care of the ones that have – and the rest: keep it clean and tidy, and be happy”.

Plateau or no plateau, Johnnie encourages anyone who wants to open a vape shop, to make a go of it. “Just do it! Open the doors and have a great day.” Press and puff and take it away!

Don’t worry about the ones that haven’t turned up, take care of the ones that have

“

VAPOUROUND MAGAZINE

O n T r

VAPEVENT NEW YORK

MARCH

28-29.

BROOKLYN EXPO CENTER, NYC

BY PATRICK GRIFFIN

seemed to take us on a mystery tour of Brooklyn and then blamed her GPS for the ride taking more than twice as long as it should have done.

There were around 85 exhibitors at the show from all over the world and, between them, they covered all bases including traditional e-liquids, hardware, nic salts, pods, CBD products, wholesalers, distributors and packaging.

CBD products are very much on trend at the moment and this sector of the market was well-represented at the Brooklyn show.

In all there were about 25 different countries represented, which also managed to pack a very extensive conference program into the two days.

At a lot of vape events, many vendors are reluctant to leave their stands, but the conferences are of such high quality at this event that many

Brooklyn Expo Center is now firmly established as the home of VapEvent New York and this is one show which never fails to deliver.

When I attended the first show in 2017, the security staff at the venue seemed to be a little apprehensive about the whole idea of vaping in the building and visitors were constantly being reminded of where they could and could not vape.

Things were a little more relaxed by the 2018 show and now the Brooklyn venue seems to be a totally natural fit for this two-day celebration of all things vape.

Last year there was snow on the ground and a bitter chill in the air, but this show gave us two days of mainly sunny spring days and not a flake of snow to be seen.

This event is always very well-organised from start to finish. The website is clear and informative (a lot of other vape shows seem to find this hard to achieve) the staff at the entrance are always friendly and efficient and the atmosphere is always chilled and relaxed.

Basically, it is the perfect environment for a business-only event and both exhibitors and visitors alike always have good things to say about this show. The only drama this time around was our taxi driver who

exhibitors made sure they had brought along enough staff to keep the stands manned while conferences were attended. New York flavour bans and FDA regulations were both covered and ECigIntelligence presented the findings of its latest annual US vape consumer survey to the show.

Meanwhile, CBD-Intel held an hour-long conference on the second day of the event about the growing consumer demand for CBD products in Europe, with a special focus on the UK, France and Germany.

Everyone I spoke to had positive things to say about this show and it was clear that a lot of business was done over the two days.

VapEvent New York may not be the biggest show out there but it has carved out a niche for itself in the business vape show sector and it is always one of my favourite vape shows on the calendar.

I am sure this can only go from strength-to-strength and I hope to be back in Brooklyn for the fourth instalment. I just hope to find a more knowledgeable local taxi driver next time.

VAPEXPRO BULGARIA

APRIL 6-7

BY TIM PRITCHETT

from Europe that haven’t had a chance to see our publications in hard copy before absolutely loved the concept and couldn’t get enough of the content.

The consumers seemed to love the wide selection of stands and the new juices that they hadn’t been able to try before. For a lot of people, this was their first vape expo and it reminded me of the first show that I attended.

The atmosphere in the arena was great, with a lot of happy consumers and in return a lot of happy businesses. As far as first shows go, this was a real success and I can’t wait for the next one back in Bulgaria.

It was finally time for the first ever vape expo in Sofia, Bulgaria. There are few European countries which have yet to host a vape event, so we were excited to see Bulgaria’s offering.

With it being the first expo there, I was unsure of what to expect but I was pleasantly surprised.

The organisers were great and they really went out their way to help people set up and make sure everyone had what they needed ready for the first day of the show.

The two-day event started on Saturday and was a great first day. Lots of shows start on a Friday so a Saturday start was nice this time around.

I saw a lot of familiar faces but also had the opportunity to meet some new and exciting up and coming brands I hadn’t heard of before.

Seeing people’s reactions to the magazines we took for the trip was a great experience for me. A few new companies

IECIE SHENZHEN ECIG EXPO

APRIL

14-16.

SHENZHEN CONVENTION AND EXHIBITION CENTER

BY PATRICK GRIFFIN

navigating around the vast complex. When I entered on the first day, within a couple of seconds I was approached by a very friendly representative from Elego Mall who introduced me to their stand.

In the next 20 minutes, another five smiling Elego representatives stopped me with the same request and I eventually lost count of the number of times I was stopped by various exhibitors who wanted me to see their merchandise. Sometimes people just stopped me and asked me to pose with them for a selfie and seemed delighted when I agreed to do so.

Just like at the Vaper Expo in Birmingham, this is a show where companies want to stand out and impress. Many of the stands were big, bright and visually stunning. One company had a professional violinist sitting on top of a huge round platform, many employed models to pose for pictures with their products and there were a number of people dressed in cute animal costumes.

I was hugely impressed with the amount of work that Feelm

This is the world’s biggest vape expo and every time I attend this event I am always amazed and impressed. It takes place over four huge halls with a floor space in excess of 40,000 square metres and attracts around 50,000 visitors over the three action-packed days.

This marked the fifth anniversary of the IECIE event which takes place in the city which has become the global capital of the vape industry.

So many of the biggest players in the e-cigarette market are based in Shenzhen so it makes total sense for this now iconic vaping event to take place here.

The organisers proudly boast that IECIE Shenzhen is the most influential e-cigarette expo in the world and it is easy to see why they are so proud of this event.

In fact, there is so much demand to exhibit here that next year’s expo is already almost sold out and the floor space will increase by 50 percent to 60,000 square metres.

Because this show is squarely aimed at the business sector it does not need the loud music and endless giveaways which are ubiquitous at shows which are open to the public.

It attracts wholesalers, distributors, manufacturers, brand owners, importers, exporters and buyers from more than 45 countries and it is always busy from start to finish.

The vast halls are reminiscent of a modern airport terminal and the expo itself is clean, bright and well-laid out with lots of manned information points where visitors could ask for help in

Technology had put in to make their stand really appealing and visually attractive. They had a carnival atmosphere with dancers and a performance artist who used just sand and a lightbox to make the most amazing sand art which was projected onto a huge screen behind her.

I kept returning to the Feelm stand just to marvel at the stunning creations she produced. They also provided some very tasty mini deserts and coffee which always goes down well and was a nice touch.

This show covered virtually every aspect of the vaping industry and an event like this showcases the huge amount of innovation and the amazing diversity of products which are now available.

Once again there was just so much going on that, even after three full days, I was unable to see everything this expo had to offer. The organisation is second-to-none and Vapouround Magazine is delighted to be a media partner for such a prestigious event.

I want to thank everyone who made me feel so welcome over the three days and I am excited to see what the next five years will bring for the global vape industry and the changes which will take place.

Whatever happens, I am confident that IECIE will continue to grow and flourish and give a platform for companies from all over the world to showcase their products to the international vaping community.

Next Generation Nicotine Delivery Conference USA

April 30 - May 1, Miami.

The second instalment of the US Next Generation Nicotine Delivery Conference, saw a specialised contentled global series presented to the significant ENDS industry, with e-liquid and e-cigarette manufacturers from small-mid size and big tobacco companies to debate the most pressing issues the industry is facing.

VAPER EXPO UK THE BIG WEEKEND

3-5 MAY, BIRMINGHAM UK

BY PATRICK GRIFFIN

The May Bank Holiday weekend saw the return of Europe’s most recognised vape event…The Vaper Expo UK.

This three-day extravaganza is one of the ‘must attend’ events on the annual vaping calendar and over the years it has developed its own look and feel with stands designed to best showcase products and allow maximum visitor interaction.

The double red carpet running down the centre of the long hall is now a Vaper Expo staple. This allows there to be an ultra-premium, high-footfall zone leading from the entrance at one end to the main stage at the other.

With two shows a year, some companies will choose to attend one or the other but I noticed that many who were not at this event still chose to send representatives to walk and talk on Friday for business-tobusiness day.

This show really comes alive on the two consumer days and the huge pyramids of Vampire Vape-sponsored Vapouround goody bags in the holding area proved a big hit for visitors, media and bloggers to film and take pictures.

The 10-second countdown and indoor pyrotechnics marked the opening of the show where hundreds of vape fans accessed the blue mood-lit entrance tunnel leading to the expo itself.

at this particular show.

The wonderfully-named Boring Vape Co had an impressive stand and the only thing boring about them is their name. They are a new company and I have a feeling they will become very big indeed as their e-liquids are very impressive. One to watch out for.

Vape Airways looked great – they really captured the look of an airline check-in zone – and Red Liquids were a powerful presence in the centre of the hall.

I noticed many exhibitors mingling with influencers, YouTubers and Instagrammers at the media meet and greet area on the Sunday and this was a nice addition to the show.

All-in-all this was yet another great Vaper Expo and we are already looking forward to October’s event.

to explore.

Chinese wholesaler ElegoMall, Zebra Juice and Premier E-Cigs were the three most eye-catching stands close to the entrance. A few paces further in saw the Vapouround Bus, ADV Distro and Vapouround Insider stand which played host to the 2019 Vapouround Cup, sponsored by Red Liquids.

For three days companies tested their computer game football kills on a giant TV wall. Well done to everyone who took part and especially to Horizon Vape Distro and Red Liquids for such an intense final. Both teams were level with a goal each at the full-time whistle but Horizon clinched it with a 2-1 victory after extra time.

This area was also the home to the Vapouround ‘Open the Box’ game where prizes including high-end mods, pods, tanks and other goodies were won throughout the weekend.

Convenience stores keen to capitalise on vaping

By Gordon Stribling

The UK Vaping Industry Association (UKVIA) annual forum brought guests and industry experts together to discuss the many challenges and opportunities facing the vaping sector. Among the talks on entrepreneurship, regulations and CBD, the increasing role of supermarkets and convenience stores was a common theme. ‘C-stores’ were for a long time the entry point for smokers to tentatively experiment with cigalikes. But while specialist shops owned by passionate former smokers now make up the lion’s share of the high street vaping sector, convenience stores are beginning to step up. People are visiting C-stores less frequently, panellist John Lee of the Scottish Grocers Association explained. There is a need for the humble corner shop to diversify in the face of an ever-changing high street and customer demographics. For the past few years, vaping has been explored as a potentially lucrative source of income. But floorspace is at a premium. Retailers are keen to get products onto the shop floor either as a separate franchise or large display, but not necessarily at the expense of, for example, increasingly popular food-to-go.

The panellists also discussed whether retailers could feasibly help

vapers beyond the initial transition from smoking by introducing them first to a pod-style starter kit and then helping them progress on to a sub-ohm device. This would take extensive staff training and could slow down the transaction process.

But for every tentative comment was a positive one.

Josh Clifton of HIM Shopper noted that older people tend to spend more time in C-stores than younger people, which presents retailers with the opportunity to reach a relatively untapped market.

This sentiment was echoed by health psychologist Sairah SalimSartoni of JUUL during a panel discussion on how the industry can support the UK’s struggling stop smoking services.

But as John Lee of the Scottish Grocers Federation noted, store owners already have a relationship with tobacco industry reps which could prove a challenge for small independents hoping to enter the space.

Meanwhile, the Vapreneurs panel chaired by Ellie Rasmussen of the Global Tobacco and Nicotine Forum (GTNF) discussed how retailers could use the impending menthol cigarette ban as an opportunity to introduce their customers to vaping.

In a rousing keynote speech, celebrity doctor and vaping advocate Dr Christian Jessen urged the industry to continue to fight against misinformation and bad science for the benefit of public health.

Famed for fronting Channel 4’s taboo-busting ‘Embarrassing Bodies,’ Dr Christian drew parallels between the denial of vaping’s harmreduction potential and the anti-vax (against vaccination) movement, lamenting the public’s trust of celebrities over genuine experts.

Dr Christian said:

“It is a constant source of frustration for me that so many people seem to prefer the opinion of a YouTube influencer or, worse still, Gwyneth, over that of a doctor or an expert scientist.

“[Vaping] has fallen victim to this at pretty much all levels. It’s joined the ranks of vaccines, GM foods and pharmaceuticals of being subjected to conspiracy theories and misinformation.”

The doctor said that a ‘seed of doubt’ is all it takes for misinformation to take hold and seep into the public’s consciousness.

Dr Christian said that the industry can only change hearts and minds by understanding people’s scepticism and continuing to back up opinions with hard evidence.

TV doc draws parallels between vaping misinformation and the anti-vax movement.

He said:

“Vaping is a gift to public health and it’s one that we must continue to embrace and encourage.”

Dr Christian also took suggestions from the audience about how the vaping message could reach smokers resistant to change.

One person suggested incorporating positive messages through prime-time or daytime TV. However, Dr Christian knew first-hand how explicit messages can make people uncomfortable, citing his own experience of appearing on Loose Women.

“Colleen Nolan wanted to get healthy and lose weight and she was smoking like a chimney.

“I pulled [a vape] out of my pocket and said, ‘use this.’I caused a total s**tstorm.

“I think getting people subtly to just use things like that without being overly obvious is a better way. That obvious advertorial switches everybody off.”

VAPITALY, VERONA

MAY 18-20. VERONAFIERE, VERONA.

BY TOM SLACK

It is not every day you see a senior national politician at a vape event but Vapitaly attracted Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Matteo Salvini to its Verona show.

The pro-vaping advocate is a firm believer in encouraging smokers to quit and he played a key role in the recent renaissance of the Italian vaping scene.

This once thriving industry took a nosedive when four years of punitive taxes saw many hundreds of vape businesses close. The customer base dried up because the Italian treasury added around €4 to the cost of a 10ml e-liquid bottle in taxes and vapers were unwilling to pay these prices.

These days things are a little different and late last year it was announced that tax rates would be cut to more sensible levels and, in fact, they came down by up to 90 percent.

As a result, we are now looking at a totally revitalised Italian vape scene and events like Vapitaly prove just how vibrant the industry has become.

The Interior Minister was one of the leading proponents in reforming vape taxes and he received a hero’s welcome at the Verona event.

Mr Salvini told reporters: “I took charge of the battle for vaping and I’m glad I got a tax system that saved thousands of jobs, hundreds of companies and thousands of shops.

“I don’t smoke anything and I don’t vape anything but smoking is bad and, therefore, my battle is a matter of health.

For me it was a point of honour to be here and to reaffirm concrete closeness to this sector.”

The politician is also supporting the European ‘Vaping is not tobacco’ campaign which seeks to further cut taxes and bureaucracy in the industry.

He added: “This is a young, clean and healthy sector which is now thriving again in Italy with new stores opening all the time. I am proud to have re-launched what was a sector which had crippled not for bad faith, but out of ignorance.”

He said he looked forward to returning to the expo next year and fully expected to see more companies as the Italian vape industry continued to grow and prosper.

Vapitaly president Mosè Giacomello said: “Having already fought in favour of the e-cigarette in Italy, I am sure the minister will be ready to commit himself at European level to

defend health, the sector and the economy.”

Just from visiting this show I can see that the industry here is alive and thriving. Busy doesn’t even begin to describe this event as eager vape enthusiasts flooded the halls of the Veronafiere over three days.

I don’t even think that the majority of exhibitors at the show had anticipated just how busy it would be as many of them had sold out of stock by day two, some even got through all of their stock before the end of day one.

This show also revealed that the Italian taste in e-liquids seems to have stayed firmly in the tobacco camp with most of the juice companies sporting a whole host of different and interesting tobacco flavour combinations.

This was the fifth edition of Vapitaly and the exhibitors I spoke to had very positive things to say about this show and like the Italian deputy prime minister I also think it will come back even bigger and better next year.

For me there was only one disappointment and that was an airline strike on the day I was due to fly home which left me severely delayed and with a 16-hour trip back to the UK.

“I don’t smoke anything and I don’t vape anything but smoking is bad and, therefore, my battle is a matter of health”

– Deputy Prime Minister of Italy

PREVIEW: VAPE SHOP EVENTS, MADRID AUGUST 20-22

BY LUCY MACKINNON

The Vape Shop Events team prepare to host their third trade show with a difference in Madrid this August, offering a more intimate, exclusive show that centres around productive professionalism.

Instead of hosting the traditional booth-style shows, Vape Shop Events co-owner Mike is promoting his latest B2B event in Madrid which invites a select number of buyers and manufacturers to his all-expenses paid, one-on-one, private pre-set meetings. August’s event will follow the well-accomplished VSE format that focusses on building lasting business relationships. Flying buyers and manufacturers out from all over the world to Westin Palace, he hopes his structured trade show will be well-received by the international vaping industry.

“It’s all B2B at a high-end, hybrid trade show in the format of 20-minute speed dating meetings right in the manufacturers hotel suite, and that’s hands down what makes us different.”

“Booth shows are great – they serve their purpose especially for the branding aspects, but for our line this type tends to be the best format on the market for a business to business setting” he told us, and he has the statistics to prove it. “In a day and a half’s time there have between two and three million dollars in business

written” at VSE’s latest domestic US event. This intimate event will be the seventeenth Vape Shop Event the SSE group have put on, previous guests include Beard Vape Co, Diamond Vapor and Marina Vape, and Mike has something very special planned for the upcoming Spanish event.

Offering a reward program for buyers that are placing orders, Mike and his team will issue out raffle tickets after every sale, the size of the order depends on the type of ticket they will receive. On the final evening two separate raffle drawings are done, one for the grand prize: all all-inclusive vacation getaway, and the second for a range of electronic goodies including an Xbox One and Beats by Dre.

“This will be the first show here where we do the raffle, so I’m excited for that. We do it at all the domestic shows but this is the first time we are doing it at the international show – the buyers are going to love it!”

“We are trying to raise the bar in every industry that we go into because we don’t like to waste people’s time and money, we like to

maximize time for productivity and we find that this format, this style of event is well-accomplished.”

The VSE shows are always kept smallscale, and Mike says that’s all by design.

“We only allow 31 exhibitors at any given event and around 20 buyers so it’s very, very exclusive and the manufacturers that come in, they stay with us because they find it to be productive for them.”

To be invited to this unique type of trade show buyers are required to fill out a business profile that may be accepted, be scouted out by independent contractors or be one of the lucky few who end up on the buyer sponsorship program.

In terms of manufacturers, some are big name brands – and others are new up and comers that may not be on the international radar yet. “Everybody knows some of these brands, so they’re not a secret –they are not hidden, so we do like to bring in some hot new brands that buyers may not be familiar with yet so it can get interesting.

“I don’t just give you a booth and say good luck. We do everything in our power to ensure the success of our attendees. I tell our exhibitors that if you utilise the tools that we provide you with, you will be successful with us at every single show – which is a bold statement, but it’s absolutely true.”

Vape Shop Events Madrid takes place August 20-22.

DERBYSHIRE

We headed to Derbyshire Vape (formerly V Vapour) in South Normanton where we met owner Michaela The shop first opened its doors in 2015 and soon became the go-to resource for a growing community of vapers and speculative smokers considering making the switch.

One of the most rewarding aspects of travelling on the bus is listening to the stories from people whose lives have been changed by vaping. Derbyshire Vape was no exception. Among the stories, the team chatted with 58-year-old, Anne Cooper. Anne jumped on the vape train six-and-a-half years ago, which, in the relatively short history of vaping, makes her an earlier convert to the technology.

Anne had smoked for more than 30 years, practically half her life. She finally found an alternative that would see her ditch cigarettes for good. She now counts herself as one of the shop’s many regulars, popping by every week to stock up on supplies.

THE VAPOUROUND BUS TEAM ARE GEARING UP FOR A LONG HOT CLOUDY SUMMER OF BUS VISITS WITH OUR SMOKING CESSATION SERVICE ON WHEELS.

SHEFFIELD

We met Sam Squires, 37, at Knights Vape in Sheffield and he told us he quit smoking successfully by choosing to vape four years ago. Before Sam turned to e-cigarettes, he was a smoker for 20 years.

Also in Sheffield, we met Gary who has been vaping for two-and-a-half years now. Gary told us he visits his local vape shop almost every day and really enjoyed sampling Crunchie’s Ginger Snapz on the taste stations aboard the bus.

In Leicester we met Connor Mills, 29, at Tiger Vapes. Connor smoked cigarettes for 12 years until five years ago when he made the switch. He said without any doubt, vaping has “made me feel better,” and he visits his nearest vape shop every day.

We welcomed Louise Conroy, 25, on board for the first time. Louise was a smoker for 15 years until she made the switch two years ago. Now, she visits her local vape shop every other day. Her favourite liquid on the bus? Pink Punch Lemonade.

Video sharing for the Vaping Community! Reviews, Tutorials, Vlogs and much more!

Device Specifications:

Dimensions: 19*122mm

Battery capacity: 1500mAh internal cell

E-liquid capacity: 2ml

Maximum power output: 25W - Good battery life - Nautilus compatible - Simple operation

All-in-one starter kits have somewhat given way to smaller pod systems as of late, but Vaptio seem to be unphased by this trend and continue to release more classically styled devices. The Tyro is their latest AIO, clearly aimed at beginners.

With a simple 19mm tube form factor, this kit may not have the futuristic stylings of some of its competitors, but for many this less flashy look is a selling point. Construction, fit and finish is about what you would expect from an affordable device like this. The Tyro has a nice weight to it and feels sturdy in the hand, with no rattles to speak of.

Operating the Tyro couldn’t be simpler. There’s just one button, which acts as a firing mechanism as well as the on/off switch. Five clicks will power the device on or off and there are no settings to fiddle with, so this should be ideal for those that want a plug and play experience.

There is some adjustability when it comes to airflow, though. An integrated airflow ring can be turned by swiveling the tank section, allowing the user to choose from loose mouth-to-lung (MTL) all the way up to a restricted lung hit. This is a nice range of adjustment and the majority of new users should be able to find something that suits them here. Filling the tank section is also made easy with a large fill port that is also exposed by turning the tank section.

The coils are what makes the Tyro an interesting proposition. Bundled with the kit are a 1.6Ohm ceramic MTL coil and a 0.7Ohm DTL coil. Right off the bat this allows a new vaper to discover which style is going to suit them best going forward and both coils perform quite nicely, which is surprising considering the power output available here. Eagle-eyed vapers may have noticed that these coils look similar in size to those used in the Aspire Nautilus, and they are in fact cross compatible. This is another great design choice form Vaptio, since Nautilus coils are carried by virtually every bricks and mortar store, meaning Tyro users should always be able to purchase a new coil in a pinch.

The 1500mAh internal cell makes this device very practical for new vapers who are willing to carry something slightly larger than a pod system. Using the 1.6Ohm MTL coils, I was easily able to get more than a day’s use on a single charge of the battery, which is a huge selling point for the beginners that this device is aimed at. The 0.7Ohm coil predictably results in shorter battery life, but I was still able to get more than half a day’s use out of one charge, which is impressive considering the performance of these coils and the size of the Tyro.

Device Specifications:

Dimensions: 121mm*24.5mm

E-liquid capacity: 4ml/2ml (TPD edition)

Battery capacity: 3000mAh internal cell

Power output: 30W/40W/50W variable settings Small

Stick-style AIO devices have always been a great choice for new sub-ohm vapers. Almost all the major hardware manufacturers offer such devices. How does Vaptio’s measure up?

Construction, fit and finish are good. The body material appears to be an aluminium frame, which is both sturdy and lightweight. Our review sample is finished in a nice glossy blue to candy pink fade. Other colour options are available.

This is a very simple stick device. Just one button powers the device, cycles through power output settings and fires the device. The one-button design makes the Solo 2 very beginner friendly.

The base of the tank is part of the battery section, so you can’t use other atomisers. However, this isn’t really an issue since the device is clearly aimed at newer vapers who are less likely to experiment with hardware options. The coil acts as the chimney section of the tank and the top assembly comes together very simply.

The 0.25Ohm mesh coils are quite a bit smaller than standard fittings like the Baby Beast and tiny in comparison to the Falcon or Mesh Pro fittings. Despite their smaller size, the inner bore is relatively large, allowing for generous airflow This is my only real gripe with the Solo 2. There’s no airflow adjustability. New subohm vapers will likely want to find what level of direct lung draw suits them. When coupled with the variable power options, the choice to omit airflow control becomes even more confusing.

At the full 50W setting, the balance between airflow and warmth is about right. Vapour and flavour production at this setting is good but not mind-blowing, though it certainly provides a good introduction to sub-ohm vaping.

Once you turn the power down, though, the excessive airflow results in a lukewarm vape and muted flavour production. Unfortunately, the lack of airflow ring makes the lower power settings redundant. However, this could easily be fixed with external rubber airflow control rings in future batches of the Solo 2. Battery life is commendable. The 3000mAh internal cell should be plenty for most people and is impressive considering the compact size of the device. I found it to last almost a full day’s use at the full 50W setting.

The Vaptio Solo 2 is a stick-style device that shows promise but would benefit greatly from airflow control. If this one issue were to be fixed, this would be one of the better entry level sub-ohm devices.

Device Specifications:

Working voltage: 3.5V ~ 4.2V

Maximum output current: 40A bypass output

Static Current: 50ua

Working temperature: -30~85C

Resistance range: 0.07~2.5ohm

Firing speed: Less than 0.01s

Material: SS, bulletproof PC, copper

Size: 110*26mm

Weight: 146g

Efficiency: 96%

- High quality materials

- Build quality

The Achrome Fush isn’t your straight-forward mech. It is a semimech mod, which means that it contains a chip-like a regulated box mod. The brilliant Ace chip is responsible for various protection settings and the hardto-miss, shake-to-change light that illuminates most of its body.

At first, the Fush looks like any other mech mod. But once the single 18650 battery is inserted, the device lights up like a fairground, with five colours to cycle through with a shaking motion. You may think this sounds like a waste of battery, but all it takes is three fast presses on the fire button to shut the light off.

The Fush has a solid construct made from strong stainless steel and bulletproof PC on the exterior and a copper internal structure for maximum conductivity. The large mech button on the base is inset slightly and spring-loaded with a soft press. The build of this device is excellent. The only potential issue is an aesthetic one as the Fush has printed graphics on the PC tube.

This little beauty, although a mech mod, has a high level of functionality. The brilliant Ace chip makes this all possible while ensuring user safety with a variety of protection functions such as short circuit protection and over-heating protection. The chip makes the Fush suitable for all experienced vapers with compatibility for RDAs and sub-ohm tanks.

The mech button is so responsive that it gives a near-instant fire-up for a smooth, glitch-free vaping experience. With all of the simple on/off and multi-press button features, you may be wondering if this is a mech mod at all. It is, but it’s more like a very intelligent box mod that has been stripped of its variable features and condensed into a mech mod design.

Overall, the Acrohm Fush has both shocked and impressed me. It is durable, fun and provides a strong vaping experience. Not only is it a mech mod, it is all of the above with added safety features. This mod gets an all-round thumbs-up from me.

Device Specifications:

Construction: Polycarbonate + aluminium

Dimensions: 74*40*21mm

Weight: 74g

Battery capacity: 1000mAh internal cell

E-liquid capacity: 3.5/4.5/2ml (TPD edition)

Power output: Intelligent variable voltage output

Prolific hardware manufacturers Joyetech have always focused on beginner friendly devices. The EXCEED Grip is their latest entry into the starter kit arena. Polycarbonate panels surround an aluminium frame and I must say that it feels solidly put together. At 74g, the device is weighty enough to feel sturdy. The test unit has survived several drops and knocks without issue.

The Grip’s form factor looks like an AIO system circa 2015 that’s been shrunk down to suit modern consumer tastes without having to compromise on performance. The dimensions fall firmly into the “box pod” class so the Grip will fit into any pocket virtually unnoticed. Despite offering a range of coil resistances and cartridge types, there are no user adjustments. A simple five clicks turns the device on and off and the chipset automatically adjusts power output suited to the installed coil. A removable rubber seal on the back of each cartridge reveals a large filling hole. The removable coil cartridges are very easy to operate, with a simple turn-to-lock installation.

The disposable pod cartridge is fitted with a 0.8ohm mesh coil. I found this to provide a moderately warm vape with a loose MTL draw. Vapour production is impressive and flavour output is good. My only gripe is that the draw is too loose for a true MTL experience and this excess airflow is cooling down the vape a little. A smaller inner diameter for future batches would fix this issue. I ran approximately 10ml of moderately sweet e-liquid before the pod needed to be replac ed.

The replaceable coil cartridge utilizes a 0.4ohm mesh coil. The chipset seems to put out the same amount of power as with the 0.8ohm pod. The result is a near identical experience to the disposable cartridge, albeit with slightly improved flavour. This produces a moderately warm vape, with good flavour and a loose MTL draw.

Battery life is very impressive. Using 15-20mg/ml nicotine strength e-liquids, I was consistently able to get a full day’s vaping out of the device on just one charge. It takes about an hour and a half to charge the Grip from flat to full. This makes the Grip a reliable stealth device for vaping on the go.

In summary, the Joyetech EXCEED Grip is a promising platform for stealth vaping. It’s well built, easy to use and has a great internal cell. If Joyetech can tweak the coils to produce a tighter, warmer vape, The Grip will be a stellar all-round AIO.

Device Specifications:

Construction: Stainless steel, resin and polycarbonate

Dimensions: 86.1*37*15.7mm

Weight: 98.2g

Battery capacity: 950mAh

E-liquid capacity: 2ml

Power output: 2.5, 2.7, 2.9 adjustable

Temperature control: 420, 440, 460F adjustable

The last 12 months have seen a surge of smaller devices. Lost Vape had a massive hit with the Orion. That release and its well-designed form factor kickstarted the “box pod” trend. The Frenzy is Geekvape’s take on this emerging style of device.

Construction, fit and finish are excellent. The Frenzy has a stainless-steel frame, with resin panels and a polycarbonate e-liquid cartridge. Although small, this device has a reassuring heft at 98.2g. The tank/cartridge slides into place smoothly and secured by magnets.

The Frenzy is very easy to use. It’s five clicks to turn the device on and off, two to check battery life and three to cycle through three power or temperature settings. The cartridge is filled from two ports on the bottom, allowing air to escape the pod during refills to minimise overflowing or leaking.

The Frenzy performs fantastically for its size. The 1.2Ohm SS316L round wire coil automatically puts it into temperature control mode, where you can choose from 420F, 440F or 460F before power is throttled. When temperature control is this simple and consistent, it makes total sense to use it. This prevents burnt coils and allows you to dial-in the heat according to your chosen flavour profile.

I preferred the SS coil set to 460F with the airflow turned to 1/3 open for a warm, flavourful and restricted MTL vape. Coil longevity is among best in class, easily lasting 6-8 refills of moderately sweet e-liquid.

The 0.7ohm mesh coil puts the Frenzy into variable voltage mode. I found the vape from this coil to be a little cool for my liking, but it still produces acceptable flavour with good longevity Using nic salts between 15-20mg/ml at the maximum power/temperature settings, I was easily able to get a full day’s use on one charge from the 950mAh cell. The Frenzy will charge from flat to full in just over an hour and allows for vaping during charging.

The Geekvape Frenzy is a compelling choice in a crowded market. The use of replaceable coils instead of pods is a consumer-friendly touch that doesn’t go unnoticed and the vape quality of the SS316L is fantastic. The Frenzy has become my pod device of choice and it will take some doing to be replaced.

Device Specifications:

Construction:

In a hardware market full of advanced regulated devices with ever-increasing functionality, the humble mechanical mod still lives on and new designs are met with fanfare across social media.

The idea behind hybrid mechanical mods is simple. A battery sits inside the tube, with direct contact to the 510 connection of an atomiser on top. A mechanical switch completes the circuit when pressed, providing the full voltage of the cell with no electronic assistance.

Mechanical mods have been around since the dawn of hobbyist vaping but their performance has come a long way. A 2019 mech needs to perform flawlessly. Does the Unknown Mod hit the mark?

Construction, fit and finish are fantastic. The black cerakoted copper model has a flawless finish. This is a large and heavy device but those 3mm thick copper walls are not just there to feel premium. They’re also a functional design choice when it comes to performance.

The Unknown features one of the simplest mechanical switches I’ve ever seen. Simply push the plunger, give the contact a few turns and you’re ready to perform maintenance. This is a fantastic quality of life feature.

The 99 percent silver coated contacts are incredibly resistant to tarnish. The smooth switch action allows for some user customisation. Provided with the mod are 2lb and 4lb silver-plated springs. The 2lb spring has a hair-trigger throw that I absolutely love. The 4lb spring is very sturdy and probably more suited for taking The Unknown out and about.

The Unknown is compatible with 21700, 20700 and 18650 cells. This is a must for any mech mod in 2019 and I’ve had no issues with this device adjusting for battery size whatsoever. When a mod is as beefy as this one, I recommend only using 21700 cells as that will give you the best possible performance and battery life.

The Unknown performs brilliantly. The smooth switch action combined with the silver contacts and robust copper body make for one of the hardest-hitting mods on the planet. Whether you enjoy super sub-ohm vaping with crazy dual-coil builds, or more mellow single coil atomisers, the Unknown doesn’t miss a beat. If you’re a mech fan looking for minimal voltage drop and premium construction, this device is the one to go for.

In summary, The Unknown is a fantastic mechanical device for advanced vapers that enjoy larger mech tubes. From build quality to ease-of-use to performance, this mod has it all. The fact that it’s designed and made right here in the UK is just the icing on the cake.

Photo: Instagram Greedy Gowland

Device Specifications:

Dimensions: 80*46.5*16.7mm

Construction: Zinc alloy

E-liquid capacity: 2ml

Battery capacity: 650mAh internal cell

Charging: Micro USB, 1A quick charge

Power output: 9, 10.5, 12.5W variable output

Vaporesso were the first company to make a Zippo-style device when they released the original Aurora in early 2017. Do the improvements in the latest iteration justify the additional cost? Construction, fit and finish are outstanding for the price. Many pods and miniature AIOs are poorly constructed, but no corners have been cut here. A zinc alloy shell gives a reassuring weight and the flip-top system clicks in and out of place without any issues.

The Aurora Play is a touch larger than the original and about average size for a miniature AIO. The flip-top design is protective and genuinely functional while the aesthetic is understated which is fantastic for vapers who value discretion. The OMNI Board Mini provides a variety of user protections as well as limited wattage settings. Five clicks turns the device on or off and three clicks allow you select your optimum output. With such a tiny, highresistance coil, this is enough to notice a substantial difference in vapour output and warmth. The Aurora Play is draw-activated, and the OMNI Board is very responsive while minimising ramp-up time.

The 1.3Ohm replaceable pods are also impressive. The fixed setting is a nice, middle-of-the-road restricted MTL. At 12.5W, you can expect a warm, flavourful vape, while the 9W setting provides a more mellow experience suited to high nicotine e-liquids. Pod longevity is among the best in class. I was easily able to run each pod through 6-8 refills of moderately-sweet e-liquid before needing a replacement, which translates to about a week of solid vaping per pod.

With 20mg nicotine salts, I found the Aurora Play to last just shy of a full day’s use on one charge. The 1A quick charging ensures that downtime is minimal. You can expect to go from a flat battery to a full charge in a very reasonable 45 minutes.

In summary, the Vaporesso Aurora Play is a slick, refined pod system that will suit any MTL vaper looking for something discrete, well-built and affordable. In the medium-sized pod class, this stands out as a front runner. It looks like Vaporesso have another hit on their hands.

Device Specifications:

Dimensions: 91*38*16mm (Height including drip tip)

Construction: Zinc alloy + polycarbonate

Weight: 90g

Battery capacity: 1000mAh internal cell

E-liquid capacity: 2.8ml/2ml(TPD edition)

Power output: 6-30W

Charging: Micro-USB, 0.7A

Larger than a traditional pod system but smaller than an AIO, box mods present a middle ground for the inconspicuous vaper. Now SMOK have thrown their hat into the ring with the Trinity Alpha.

The sturdy zinc alloy frame gives the device a nice weight. Tolerances are good, too. The cartridge system fits into place with a firm click and solid lock system.

This device is very easy to use. The 2ml cartridge is held in place with a simple lock system and sliding latch on the device itself. A sliding top-fill mechanism is found on the top of the cartridge and its single port provides ample room for filling. A dedicated button allows you to toggle between soft, normal and hard modes. The soft setting may come in handy for regions that allow levels of nicotine concentration higher than 20mg/ml.

The use of replaceable coils is a huge selling point for vapers concerned about the environmental and financial costs of disposable pods. The use of an existing fitting from the Nord device is another big bonus as these coils are widely available and known to be among the best when it comes to small fittings.

The 0.6ohm mesh coil has a restricted direct lung draw and allows for the maximum 30W power output when set to hard. I’ve found this coil to provide a relatively warm and flavourful vape, but it did drain the 1000mAh internal cell very quickly.

The 0.8Ohm mesh MTL coil provides a moderately warm vape with good flavour and a loose MTL draw, though airflow adjustment would improve the experience this coil could offer. Using this coil at the normal or hard setting resulted in around a day’s use on a single charge. Coil longevity was also notable, lasting 10 refills before needing replacement.

I also tried the original 1.4Ohm ceramic coil which provided a cool vape with muted flavour even when set to hard, with a very loose MTL draw. If you’re looking for a traditional MTL vape and long battery life from the Alpha, this is your best bet.

Overall, this is likely the most user-friendly box pod, with its locking mechanism, top-fill and dedicated power adjustment button. However, the lack of airflow control is disappointing. If you liked the way the Nord performs, you’ll love the cross-compatible Trinity Alpha.

Device Specifications:

Pod Capacity: 2ml

Battery: 1200mAh

Ultrasonic frequency: 3.0MHz

Charge Time: <1hr

Dimensions: 94*34*20mm

– Good open pod lifespan.

– Big device for small battery cell capacity.

The ideal solution to an easy transition from smoking to vaping is mouth-to-lung 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 and at the 2019 awards, this device claimed the title for USONICIG once more. 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 it 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 travelling.

Device Specifications:

Dimensions: 87*16mm

E-liquid capacity: 1.7ml

Battery capacity: 550mAh

Coil resistance: 1.8Ohms

Charging: Micro-USB

Hotcig Kubi

While Hotcig may not be a big a household name, they have built a reputation for quality products and not rushing to release an endless stream of devices each year. Mods like the R150S and RSQ are still loved by enthusiasts despite flying somewhat under the radar.

The Kubi is Hotcig’s first pod system, with exclusive distribution from deepvaping.co.uk. With the fierce competition in this sector, is it worth checking out? This is a back-to-basics product. There’s no power adjustment, airflow control or even a button in sight. This is one of the smallest pod systems we’ve seen and is clearly aimed at brand-new vapers or those looking for an ultra-stealthy device.

Construction, fit and finish are good. You have the sturdy build quality you’d expect from a Hotcig device. The Kubi is available in a range of anodized aluminium colours along with some rubberised texture finishes. You may not be blown away with how this is built, but it is a tiny, affordable pod system and within that context it’s nicely put-together. The replaceable pods are press-fit into the top of the battery section guided by two tabs with tight tolerances. A removable rubber seal on the pod reveals a generously sized fill port that’s caused me no issues with smaller bottles.

I wasn’t expecting much from the tiny 1.8Ohm coils, but Hotcig clearly did their homework. The pods provide a warm and flavourful vape, with a tight MTL draw that emulates a traditional cigarette far better than most pod systems do. The coils even produce a satisfying crackle during vaping that many MTL vapers will enjoy. The small cylindrical form factor and draw-activated firing system means that this really does evoke the experience of smoking a cigarette, which is often overlooked by manufacturers when developing a starter kit.

Battery life is another welcome surprise. I found the 550mAh internal cell to last the best part of a day when filled with 20mg/ml nicotine salts. Most pod systems of this size have a 350mAh cell which requires more frequent charging and that extra battery life goes a long way in day-to-day use. I found the Kubi to charge from flat to full in approximately 40 minutes, which is well within acceptable limits and the device does allow for vaping while charging.

The Kubi is an extremely simple device that performs surprisingly well and most of all emulates the full experience of a traditional cigarette. Due to its ease-of-use and vape quality, I would wholeheartedly recommend the Kubi to any smoker who is thinking of making the switch.

Pod Capacity: 2ml

Built-in battery capacity: 700mAh

Dimensions: 82*38*14mm

Weight: 71g Automatic draw

Single button operation

Coil resistance: 1.2Ohm

Variable output modes –

a gem-like shape. The angular design and flat faces make the device both easy to stand and to charge. The pod has a built in 700mAh battery which is quite small for the size of the device. The AVP is constructed with quality materials, giving a strong and leakproof finish. This stylish device is available in five awesome colours, with a lanyard to incorporate it into your outfit. The refillable pods have a modest 2ml capacity and magnetically lock into place. The replaceable pod fits snugly into the top of the device with a firm hold but remain easy to separate when refilling is needed. The drip tip is comfortable on the lips with a good airflow hole. These refillable pods have one of the best refill systems around. It has a spring-loaded valve that fits most filling nozzles, providing a leakfree experience.

The AVP pod has an auto-draw system so requires no power button. However, there is a button on the main face of the device which is used to switch it on/off and to select the power output. There are three power options: 8W, 10W and 12W. These settings marginally affect the vapour production and mostly affect the hit and battery life. Each power setting has a unique LED colour to show the user which level they are using.

I paired the Aspire AVP pod with Wick Liquor – Boulevard salt nicotine. The vape experience has good resistance and provides a great hit that satisfies nicotine cravings with a few pulls. The flavour received is best at the 12W setting and the profiles are distinct. Overall, the AVP is perfect as both a starter solution and a pocket-sized advanced kit.

With impressive vapour production and a great throat hit, every pull counts with this device. Not only is it easy to fill, it also has a modern and fashionable design, giving the AVP an appealing profile. The only aspect that needs improving is the battery size. Nothing else has been missed with the design and usability of the AVP. A great, thoroughly well-thought-out device.

Good build

Snowwolf was of the very first companies to manufacture high power box mods. Exilis is their first pod system and perhaps unsurprisingly, they’ve taken a slightly different approach

Construction, fit and finish are great. The zinc alloy frame gives the device a sturdy feel and nice weight that sets it apart from lesser pod systems. The 2ml pods are snug and press-fit into the top of the battery section. The glossy black coating of our review sample looks and feels premium despite the

User experience is impressive. This is a very simple system. One button acts as a firing mechanism and powers the device on or off. A rubber seal on the bottom reveals a moderately large filling hole that works nicely with small nozzles. Replaceable coils are becoming more common in pod systems but Snowwolf’s answer to this trend is the most convenient we’ve tried.

The cotton and coil are fully exposed when removed from the packaging, which allows the user to easily pre-saturate the coil from end-to-end. The coil-head is then press-fit into the bottom of the pod and stays firmly in place.

As for vape quality, the Exilis provides a slightly different experience to most pod systems. Snowwolf’s board responds with an immediate burst of power with each press of the fire button. Coupled with the restricted direct lung draw, this results in a more cloudy vape than most pods offer.

With a maximum output of 15W at full charge, you might expect a lacklustre direct lung vape, but the way in which air travels through the pod means this is not the case, with a smooth draw and moderate warmth. The 980mAh internal cell should keep most people vaping for a full day, especially when using high strength nicotine salts.

This device is best suited to bright fruit flavours as more complex desserts are slightly muted, as is commonplace with pods. I found coil life to easily last seven refills.

I would like to see a dedicated MTL coil produced for the device. While the provided coils perform nicely, the extra warmth and tighter draw in a more restricted coil head would be even better in my view. I suspect this will shortly be seen to by Snowwolf and I look forward to their release, since it would place the Exilis up with the very best pod systems available.

Device Specifications:

Battery capacity: 350mAh

E-liquid capacity: 2ml

Good vape quality

Good flavour selection

Hassle free experience

350mAh internal cell won’t suit users who cannot charge during the day.

HEXA V2.0

Pre-filled pod systems such as JUUL have made vaping accessible to even the most technologically averse. The convenience of a maintenance-free experience is undeniable. Could the HEXA V2.0 compete with vaping’s most ubiquitous device?

The HEXA V2.0 is extremely light and slender. It doesn’t feel quite as sturdy as some of its peers, but this is a compromise to achieve such an inconspicuous weight and form factor. As a device that is clearly aimed at smokers, the choice to favour a lightweight design makes sense.

In terms of functionality and user experience, the HEXA V2.0 could not be simpler. This draw-activated device has no adjustable power or airflow settings and the pre-filled pods slide into place with a satisfying magnetic click. I was sceptical about the 350mAh cell but here the HEXA V2.0 exceeds expectations. As a primary device with 20mg/ml pods, I got just over half a day’s vaping and the device charged from flat to full in just over half an hour.

The vape quality of the pods is quite surprising, too. HEXA have opted for a freebase and salt nicotine “Hybrid Nicotine” blend so the 20mg/ml pods provide a satisfying throat hit and speedy nicotine delivery at the same time.

The ceramic coils produce a relatively warm vape with a moderately tight MTL draw. The balance of airflow, vapour production and warmth closely emulate a traditional cigarette. The full 2ml capacity is a nice consumer-friendly touch. Each pod lasted me just more than a day as a primary device.

The hardware is certainly up to scratch, but flavour selection is just as important with pre-filled pods. We sampled the following:

Raspberry Frost: A moderately sweet candy, with an icy finish and soothing throat hit.

Menthol: Mildly sweet with a strong cooling finish.

Blueberry: A mellow candy blueberry, with hints of earthy sweetness and some sticky body.

Tobacco: Light and smoky with moderate sweetness and some mild nutty notes.

Mango: A pungent and sweet beverage-style mango with great throat hit.

All the flavours were well-executed and make for a well-rounded line-up. There are many more flavours still to come.

The HEXA V2.0 is a great all-round closed pod system, with good vape quality and a nice selection of flavours. It’s a great option for new vapers but also for veterans who need a hassle-free backup device. The Hybrid Nicotine formula works well and will likely be a big hit with those making the transition from traditional cigarettes.

Device Specifications:

• Dimensions: 87*48.5*25mm

• Material: Zinc Alloy

• Display: 0.96 inch TFT colour screen

• Power range: 5 - 200W

• Temperature range: 100˚C-300˚C/200˚F - 570˚F

• Input voltage: 6.4V-8.4V

• Output voltage: 1.0V-7.5V

• Max output current: 40A

• Battery capacity: Dual 18650

• Power mode POWER/SS/Ni//Ti

• Atomizer resistance range: 0.08Ω-3.0Ω

• Supported wire materials: Nichrome /ss/ni200/Ti

• USB charge: DC 5V/2A

The Famovape Magma box mod is a beautiful and simplistic device. It has a classy look and feel and a structure that’s a throwback to the first ever box mod designs.

The Magma fuses a simple construct with beautiful resin side panels that provide an elegant overall appearance. The resin panels have a soft touch finish and, when paired with the sleek shape, make the Magma especially ergonomic. The small size is due to the smart V-Tech chipset that allows the internal structures to be scaled down while boosting the performance of the mod.

The device has three function buttons including a large fire button with a nice press. It takes two 18650 batteries, allowing a massive 200w maximum wattage. The interface is basic and user-friendly. It has a clean look and the relevant information is always displayed. The more important information such as the power mode and wattage are displayed in a larger size. The interface uses a simple multi-press function to enter the power mode settings.

As the industry moves towards the middle ground on coil ohm resistances, I varied my usage around the 40-100W ranges. However, with the excitement of this powerful device and various atomisers at my disposal, I ramped up the wattage to 200W and can confirm that the device fires smoothly to its maximum limit.

The fire-up is glitch-free with a short delay of roughly 0.4 seconds. The smooth vape experience is constant and provides reassurance no matter the tank. The simplicity of both the usability and vape experience make the device incredibly universal and appropriate for any user no matter the experience.

Overall, the Famovape Magma is a solid vape, built with a traditional structure and enhanced with modern design and technology. The main beauty of this device is the simplicity that runs throughout all its aspects. The variety of outer colours and resin designs, mixed with its universal usability, makes the Magma a great choice for any vaper.

Cosmoberry Ice

VG/PG ratio: 70/30

Additional sweetener: Minimal Throat hit: Mild, with cooling

The Ace of Vapez describe Cosmoberry Ice as a blend of raspberry, lemon and vodka. Cocktail profiles are difficult to capture in e-liquid, so has it been done justice here? The top note is a bright, authentic raspberry. It’s sharp, sweet and has a nice floral aftertaste that really sets this apart from a candy raspberry. It’s also providing some sticky syrup connotations, without becoming overly sweet. This is supported by an equally authentic lemon accent, which enhances the raspberry top note with some citric sweetness and bright zest. The boozy vodka note is mild, but it still brings a bitter twist to the profile that’s quite unlike anything I’ve vaped before. The blend is finished with a moderate blast of flavourless coolant, which keeps things fresh. This is a fantastic cocktail e-liquid that will be enjoyed by many.

Martini Passion

VG/PG Ratio: 70/30

Additional sweetener: Minimal Throat hit: Mild

The Ace of Vapez describe Martini Passion as a raspberry and passionfruit infused martini. The top note here is a vivid passionfruit. It’s quite authentic, bringing some sharpness and tropical sweetness to the blend, but it’s a touch sweeter than the real thing, which gives it a passionfruit syrup connotation. This is supported by a moderately strong raspberry note, which enhances the sharpness of the passionfruit, whilst providing further sticky body to the mix. The profile is finished with a light boozy accent. To me, this is mostly a mild alcoholic grape, which is about what you would expect from the vermouth used in martinis. Another fantastic fruit cocktail from the 7th Floor line.

Moscow Mule

VG/PG Ratio: 70/30

Additional sweetener: Minimal Throat hit: Mild

Singa Slinga

VG/PG ratio: 70/30

Additional sweetener: Minimal Throat hit: Mild

Singa Slinga is undoubtedly based on the ever-popular Singapore Sling. This is traditionally a very complex flavour profile, so how does it translate to e-liquid? There’s a lot going on here, but a mild cherry comes out on top for me. It’s softer than the usual fare and doesn’t have any medicinal notes to speak of. This is supported by a onetwo punch of pineapple and orange, which bring some brighter notes to the blend, along with a touch of sharpness, which is a nice contrast to that cherry top note. This is accented by a mild authentic lime note, which bolsters the sharpness of the pineapple and orange, without dominating the blend, as it can often do. The profile is finished with a subtle grenadine (pomegranate) which is only noticeable from time to time but does do some work to enhance the sharp sweetness of this blend. Singa Slinga is a complex yet uncluttered profile that fruit fans will love.

Coolcumber Gin

VG/PG Ratio: 70/30

Additional sweetener: Minimal Throat hit: Mild, with cooling

Coolcumber Gin is described as a blend of traditional gin, fresh mint and cucumber. This is very unusual in the world of e-liquid, so does it work? The top note here is an authentic fresh mint. It has a very mild botanical flavour, along with plenty of freshness but also brings some sweetness to the mix. This is accented with a moderately strong cucumber note. The cucumber is just as authentic as the minty top note, bringing a mellow vegetal flavour and plenty of juicy mouth-feel to the blend. The profile is finished with a moderate gin accent, which provides a mild sharpness to the mix, along with some boozy connotations. I was quite sceptical of this flavour upon hearing about it, but in practice it’s a refreshing and light vape that’s very moreish.

Strawb Daiquiri

VG/PG Ratio: 70/30

Additional sweetener: Minimal Throat hit: Mild

Perhaps the most straightforward of the 7th Floor line-up, Strawb Daiquiri is a simple strawberry, lime and rum blend. A syrupy strawberry is the top note here. Ace of Vapez fans will be pleased to hear that this seems to be the same strawberry used in Just Jam, albeit turned down a few notches in this case. It has a bright sweetness with plenty of depth and sticky texture, perfect for a strawberry daiquiri. This is contrasted by a moderately potent sweet lime, that cuts through the top note with bright citrus and provides a nice helping of tartness. The rum element of this mix is rather subtle, but there is certainly some dark sweetness here that’s unmistakably boozy. A simple but wellbalanced cocktail, great for summer.

Mai Tai 1944

VG/PG Ratio: 70/30

Additional sweetener: Minimal Throat hit: Mild

The Mai Tai is a popular cocktail that has gone through various changes throughout the years. The Ace of Vapez are basing this e-liquid on the original recipe, though, which calls for lime, orange liqueur and plenty of dark spirits. The top note here is a moderately strong orange liqueur. It has some bright citric tang, but also a deeper, darker sweetness and sticky body. This is accented with a more natural lime that cuts through the top note and assists with further sharpness. The profile is finished with a robust dark rum base. This provides a boost to the overall sweetness of the profile, with an almost caramelised note. It also gives the mix a slight boozy sharpness that clearly identifies the blend as a cocktail. This profile may be an acquired taste, but it’s been executed very well.

The Moscow mule is another classic cocktail, calling for vodka, ginger beer and lime. The top note here is a moderately potent ginger beer that is absolutely true to life. This is a flavour that is not often attempted in the e-liquid world but in this case, The Ace of Vapez have nailed it. This note brings some mild spice to the blend, along with moderate sticky sweetness. This is accented with a mild natural lime, which provides much welcome tartness to the mix, along with a boost to its sweetness. The vodka element of this Moscow Mule is quite subdued, which is likely a good thing when it comes to all day vaping. It is still present though and has an unmistakable sharp aftertaste that cuts through the sweetness of the profile. Although ice is present in the description of this one, I personally am not detecting any coolant. Another authentic, full-flavoured cocktail from the 7th Floor line.

Teardrip Juice Co – Blitz

VG/PG ratio: 70/30

Additional sweetener: Moderate Throat hit: Mild

Teardrip describe Blitz as a blend of French toast and strawberries, finished with powdered sugar. French toast profiles are always tough to get right, since mild bread notes are easily bullied by a heavier bakery cinnamon. Fortunately, the Teardrip team have nailed this part of the mix, and while the cinnamon is present, it doesn’t mute the subtle baked bread base. This gives way to a rich strawberry topping, which has some jam qualities but avoids sticky syrup connotations. I’m sure there’s also a cream in the mix, too, adding volume and ensuring that this profile does not become too dry. This is an incredibly moreish dessert blend and one of the best French toast vapes I’ve tried.

Teardrip Juice Co – Revenge of The Geeks

VG/PG ratio: 70/30

Additional sweetener: Moderate Throat hit: Mild

Revenge of The Geeks is described as a sweet and sour candy blend. Mixes such as this are often slightly enigmatic, but in this case there is some clear definition to the profile. The top note is an intense candy green apple, which provides a pleasant sticky sweetness, along with plenty of tartness to the mix. There are many sour green apples out there, but this is certainly among the best, as it totally avoids the astringent off notes that sometimes come with the flavour in this case. The apple top note is supported by what seems to be a citrus medley and I am certainly picking up hints of lemon and lime here, with the lime standing out above the others just slightly. I am sure that there’s more going on here, too, but these flavours are accents and rather difficult to pinpoint. A solid candy vape with a genuine sour tang.

Teardrip Juice Co – Pearamel

VG/PG ratio: 70/30

Additional sweetener: Moderate Throat hit: Mild

With all the diversity that the e-liquid market has to offer, it’s become unusual to see something that hasn’t been tried before. On paper, Pearamel sounds quite strange, a mix of sugar poached pears and caramel. In practice, it’s brilliant. The top note here is a dark, sweet and authentic caramel, which provides plenty of sweetness without becoming overbearing. This gives way to a natural, juicy pear that provides a crisp texture and mouthfeel, without dominating the mix. These notes are supported by what seems to be a rich creamy base, that ties these contrasting flavours together beautifully. I never knew I needed Pearamel in my life, but after my first few drips I couldn’t stop vaping it. A must try for dessert fans.

Teardrip Juice Co – Guavarino

VG/PG ratio: 70/30

Additional sweetener: Moderate Throat hit: Mild

Another bold mix from the Teardrip team. Guavarino is described as a blend of nectarine, guava and cotton candy. The top note in this case is a vivid, authentic nectarine, which provides moderate sweetness to the mix, along with some sharpness and deeper earthy notes. It’s not often that you find a distinct nectarine flavour in the e-liquid world, but Guavarino delivers this in spades. The top note is supported by a much more subtle guava, which gives a boost to the overall sweetness, along with some mild tropical notes. The cotton candy element of this blend feels like more of an accent to me. There is an extra sweetness to the blend present, but other than this it’s difficult to say what tangible impact the cotton candy is having on the flavour. If you’re looking for an authentic nectarine, Guavarino is a great option.

Salty Dawg – Blue

VG/PG ratio: 60/40

Additional sweetener: Moderate Throat hit: Moderate (Nicotine Salt)

Salty Dawg Blue is described as a tropical watermelon punch. In nicotine salt blends, especially higher strengths, it’s generally best to stick with simple profiles due to the nature of the devices used to vape them, so how does this one fare? The top note in this case is a watermelon that straddles the line between candied and authenticity. It’s a touch sweeter than you would expect from a natural watermelon and brings some sticky texture to the blend, whilst retaining some of the juiciness of a more natural portrayal. This is supported by a medley of tropical fruits, though I must admit they are too subtle to individually define. The result is a simple but satisfying nicotine salt vape that should be ideal for newcomers who are looking to try fruit-based flavours.

Salty Dawg – Orange

VG/PG ratio: 60/40

Additional sweetener: Moderate Throat hit: Moderate (Nicotine

Salt)

Salty Dawg Orange is described as orange and mango, blended with a lemonade base. This is usually the kind of simple profile that shines in low power pod applications, so has it been executed correctly? The top note here is a bright, sweet mango. This is certainly more of a soda style mango rather than a more pungent, earthy representation but it works nicely, giving the mix plenty of sticky sweetness. This is contrasted by a milder candy orange that provides a touch of sharpness, along with some citric sweetness. The lemonade base is moderately present but is certainly more of a supporting note than anything else. It does some work to cut through the sweeter mango and pairs nicely with the sharper orange in the mix. This is a well-rounded, summery beverage profile that works nicely in low power devices.

Marshmallow Man

VG/PG ratio: 70/30

Additional sweetener: Moderate Throat hit: Mild

Marshmallow rarely plays a central role in dessert blends, so does it work?

The sugary sweet, fluffy top note is unmistakably marshmallow. This is supported by a rich custard base quite unlike other custards, with egg note and a much stronger vanilla. Marshmallow Man is true to its description and one for the sweet-toothed vaper.

Boyd’s Bounty

VG/PG ratio: 70/30

Additional sweetener: Moderate Throat hit: Mild

The moderately rich oatmeal cookie top note and unique raisin accents bring plenty of dark sweetness and texture to this mix. This is accented with a light tobacco that complements the bakery elements with additional dark sweetness. The mix is finished with a mild cream base that adds even more volume. This is a fantastically unique dessert tobacco e-liquid.

Dragon Drops

VG/PG ratio: 70/30

Additional sweetener: Moderate Throat hit: Mild

Dragon fruit and lychee ice cream is a rather odd combination, so does it work? The mellow candy dragon fruit top note brings a pleasant tropical tartness and a mild sticky body. This is contrasted with a subtle and lightly floral lychee. These notes are supported by a rich vanilla ice cream base. This is a unique and thoroughly enjoyable tropical dessert.

Choco Donuts

VG/PG ratio: 70/30

Additional sweetener: Moderate Throat hit: Mild

This simple yet ambitious blend opens with a moderately strong chocolate cream top note that’s very close to a chocolate icing. The chocolate is supported by a rich, buttery donut base. The profile is finished with a light vanilla cream that prevents the blend from becoming too dry and helps layer the chocolate and bakery notes. This is a competent, if rather heavy, dessert vape.

AQUA – Rainbow Drops

VG/PG ratio: 70/30

Additional sweetener: Moderate Throat hit: Mild

This profile packs in a lot of fruits without muddying the flavours. The candy lemon and orange lend a nice citric tartness. A concord grape provides a deep sweetness as the candy strawberry bridges the deeper grape and brighter citrus. A moderately strong candy green apple adds sticky body. This is a bright and vibrant candy flavour.

AQUA – Flow

VG/PG ratio: 70/30

Additional sweetener: Moderate Throat hit: Mild

Vivid candied and authentic pineapple notes dominate here, bringing a pleasant tropical sweetness and some lovely sharper notes. This is accented by a moderately strong candy guava, which bolsters the sweetness while adding a dense candy stickiness. A somewhat subdued mango wraps up this very enjoyable and summery tropical medley.

Cool Berry Burst

VG/PG ratio: 70/30

Additional sweetener: Moderate Throat hit: Mild, with cooling

The dominant strawberry has some of the deeper notes of a natural portrayal but also some candy sweetness and stickiness. This is contrasted by a moderate candy raspberry with a sharper tang. The blueberry is subdued but enhances the deeper aspects of the candy strawberry. This is a simple but well-balanced profile ideal for new vapers.

Strawberry Laces

VG/PG ratio: 70/30

Additional sweetener: Moderate Throat hit: Mild

This is a simple profile executed perfectly. The strawberry is less bright than in other candies, with a mellow sweetness and sticky body that absolutely simulates a strawberry lace candy. This profile lingers on the palate for a while after vaping. If you’ve been searching for an accurate strawberry lace vape, this is the one.

Purple Blast

VG/PG ratio: 70/30

Additional sweetener: Moderate Throat hit: Mild, with cooling

The black grape is dark and authentic while retaining plenty of candy sweetness. This is contrasted with a moderate candy lime which adds brightness while bolstering the sweetness. The fruit medley the bubble gum imparts seems to make the profile change from one vape to the next. The mild coolant brings together an interesting and moreish fruity vape.

Double Lemon Fizz

VG/PG ratio: 70/30

Additional sweetener: Moderate Throat hit: Mild

This is a fantastic recreation of the everpopular lemon sherbet sweet. There is a potent candy lemon top note, which provides plenty of sticky sweetness and some moderately-sharp notes. This is contrasted by a slightly more acidic sherbet, which boosts the already tart candy lemon. If you enjoy sweeter candy lemon vapes, this is well worth checking out.

Black Lychee

VG/PG ratio: 70/30

Additional sweetener: Moderate Throat hit: Mild, with cooling

The potent candy blackcurrant brings a rich, dark sweetness and hint of earthiness to the mix. This is contrasted by a lighter, authentic lychee. The acidity cuts through the dense blackcurrant, the mild florals complementing the richer notes. The blend is finished with a moderately strong coolant, resulting in a refreshing, full-flavoured and exotic fruit vape.

Strawberry Mango Crush

VG/PG ratio: 70/30

Additional sweetener: Moderate Throat hit: Mild, with cooling

This summery blend has a bright, sweet and full-bodied mango top note with plenty of tropical sweetness. This is supported by a soft candy strawberry which boosts the sweetness without detracting from the delicate mango. The mix is ends with a light mint that adds a pleasant, natural freshness. A refreshing vape ideal for warmer weather.

Hippie Trail

VG/PG ratio: 50/50

Additional sweetener: High Throat hit: Moderate, with cooling (20mg/ml nicotine salt)

Nasty Juice describe Hippie Trail as a blend of lemon and lime. The potent candy lemon top note is very bright and brings a sub stantial sticky body to the mix. There are hints of some authentic sharpness too, but these notes play second fiddle to the hard candy connotations. This is accented by a milder candy lime, which brings a deeper sweetness to the mix and boosts the citric tang of the lemon top note. The profile is finished with an intense coolant that has become part and parcel of the Nasty Juice experience. A refreshing and sweet citrus vape.

Trap Queen

VG/PG ratio: 50/50

Additional sweetener: High Throat hit: Moderate, with cooling (20mg/ml nicotine salt)

A classic Nasty Juice flavour reformulated as a nicotine salt offering. Trap Queen is very distinctive. This is a potent, bright strawberry candy that provides plenty of sweetness along with substantial candy mouthfeel and a pleasant tartness. It’s certainly less subtle than other strawberry mixes out there, but this is a hallmark of Nasty Juice and it results in a full-flavoured experience. The profile is finished with a signature blast of cool ant, which stops that strawberry top note from overstaying its welcome. A simple but enjoyable fruit/ice blend.

Cucumber Cooler

VG/PG ratio: 70/30

Additional sweetener: Moderate

Throat hit: Mild

Once in a while, an e-liquid comes along that totally exceeds expectations. This is one such e-liquid. The moderately strong watermelon top note brings a pleasant sweetness along with some sticky body and mild earthy notes. This is accented by a very mild lime which brings some citric tang to the profile. The star of the show is an authentic vivid cucumber that brings a unique juiciness that I’ve not experienced before. It’s the perfect complement to the watermelon top note and makes for a mellow, fruity all-day vape. A must try for fruit fans.

Grapefruit Gust

VG/PG ratio: 70/30

Additional sweetener: Moderate Throat hit: Mild

The authentic grapefruit top note tastes spot-on to the real thing, bringing a full-bodied citric sharpness that is sure to cleanse the palate. This is supported by a sweeter guava that tames some of the top note’s sharpness, while providing a dense, fleshy texture. The subtle strawberry bolsters the overall sweetness of the mix without interfering with the authenticity of that stunning grape fruit. This is among the very best grapefruit blends I’ve tried. Any citrus fan would be remiss not to give it a go.

Mungo Berry

VG/PG ratio: 70/30

Additional sweetener: Moderate Throat hit: Mild

Brand new from Bournemouth-based Juice E Fruit comes a line inspired by none other than Mungo Jerry. Mungo Berry is a mixed berry profile with a rich, full-bodied blue raspberry top note. It brings a bold sweetness to the blend, along with plenty of sticky body and some moderate tartness. This is supported by a deeper berry medley which bolsters the sweetness of the top note while also providing some mild earthy and floral layers. A simple but well-balanced mixed berry profile that should prove to be a crowd pleaser.

Mungo Cool Menthol

VG/PG ratio: 70/30

Additional sweetener: Moderate

Throat hit: Mild, with cooling

A back-to-basics mint/menthol blend that’s landed just in time for summer. The top note here is a candy mint. It brings a moderate level of sweetness to the profile akin to chewing gum but doesn’t carry any of the artificial off notes that sometimes accompany gum flavours. This is paired with an intense icy finish that absolutely cleanses the palate. There isn’t much else to say about this blend. I’ts unpretentious but well-executed and is ideal as a refreshing summer vape.

360

Triple Red

VG/PG ratio: 70/30

Additional sweetener: High Throat hit: Mild

Triple Red is a brand-new release in the Daddy’s Vapor line-up. Described as a blend of strawberry, pomegranate, raspberry and watermelon, there’s a lot going on here. The top note is a fairly soft candy strawberry, which brings a pleasant sticky sweetness to the mix without dominating other elements. This is supported by a bright candy pomegranate, which provides additional brightness to the mix, but not so much that it becomes overly sharp. A robust candy watermelon runs throughout the profile, cutting through the sticky top notes and ensuring that Triple Red has a lip-smacking juicy texture. The raspberry is a subtle accent which comes through from time to time but is far from a prominent feature of the profile. This is a bright and sweet fruity mix that berry fans will go wild for.

Buzz Cola

VG/PG ratio: 70/30

Additional sweetener: Minimal Throat hit: Mild, with tingle compound

Vornagain broke into the vaping scene with their Headcandy sweet billed as a solution to vapers’ tongue. Their signature tingle compound is now being used in e-liquids. Buzz Cola’s top note is moderately sweet and authentic. Many cola e-liquids have a heavy candy tang, but this one has a touch more depth, providing some of the notes you would expect from an organic cola soft drink. This is supported by some sweeter cola bottle candy notes with a sticky mouthfeel. The profile is finished with Vornagain’s strange tingle compound. A few seconds after vaping, you’ll feel your mouth tingle and have a lingering sour aftertaste. A unique cola vape.

Citrus Charge

VG/PG ratio: 70/30

Additional sweetener: Minimal Throat hit: Mild, with tingle compound and cooling

9 Volt describe Citrus charge as a blend of orange and lime with their signature tingle compound. The Candy lime top note brings a familiar sticky sweetness to the mix with hints of a more natural zesty sharpness. This is supported by a moderately strong candy orange, which helps brighten up the profile and provides some juicy mouthfeel to counter the sticky lime. The tingle compound works wonderfully with this profile, adding a sour tang and fizzy sensation that makes Citrus Charge feel like a true beverage e-liquid. The profile is finished with a mild coolant, making for a refreshing, tangy beverage vape. This was my personal favourite of the bunch and I feel that beverage profiles with coolant are the best application for that tingle compound.

Lightning Tart

VG/PG ratio: 70/30

Additional sweetener: Minimal Throat hit: Mild, with tingle compound

Lemon tart e-liquid is one of the most popular profiles in the UK, so does 9 Volt’s offering stand out from the crowd? The sweet lemon curd top note is a touch softer than in other lemon tart recipes. It brings a bright sweetness to the mix without overpowering the other layers. This is supported by a rich dairy base which has a moderately strong butter note, providing a decadent mouthfeel and some sweeter vanilla cream notes which work nicely with the lemon curd. A bakery accent joins the creams for a slightly darker sweetness that sells this as a lemon tart. The tingle compound accentuates the lemon top note with its lingering sourness.

MTS Vape Wizard

Percentage used and VG/PG ratio of mix: 0.5 percent at 70/30

FlavourArt claim that this additive will enhance mouthfeel and lower perception of acidity. In my experience, it works exactly as described. Used sparingly in a lemon bakery recipe, I found that MTS tamed the shaper notes of the lemon and gave a nice boost to the cream layer. This niche additive is suited to advanced mixers with recipes in need of slight balancing of acidity and additional body.

Polar Blast

Percentage used and VG/PG ratio of mix: 0.75 percent at 70/30

Polar Blast is among the most potent coolers on the market and but does not interfere with flavour profiles at all. Used at 0.75 percent in a mix, it will impart a moderate cooling sensation. More daring mixers can boost it all the way up to around 2 percent in a blend for an intensely cold finish. This is a very versatile additive that cuts through sweet profiles and is ideal for summery blends.

Sour Wizard

Percentage used and VG/PG ratio of mix: 0.75 percent at 70/30

At 0.75 percent, Sour Wizard will add a distinctive candy tartness to fruit. It does not seem to mute flavours over time quite as much or have such a negative impact on coil longevity as other sour additives. Sour Wizard is less intense than some of its peers, but it more than makes up for this by having less of an impact on your mixes and hardware. A simple but useful ingredient.

Percentage used and VG/PG ratio of mix: 2.5 percent at 70/30

Flavour Art have a long-standing reputation for producing some of the most authentic fruit flavourings and Kiwi is a shining example of why. This flavouring imparts a realistic earthy kiwi sweetness to any mix, along with some moderate tart notes. This flavouring even shines in a solo mix anywhere between 2.5-4 percent, so it’s great for beginners too. In my view, this the first and last kiwi flavouring you’ll ever need.

Mangosteen

Percentage used and VG/PG ratio of mix: 3 percent at 70/30

Mangosteen is a tropical fruit native to Southeast Asia. While I can’t speak to the authenticity of this flavouring, it’s certainly an interesting option for tropical mixes. The bright, tropical citric note is reminiscent of pink grapefruit, albeit much milder and without the kind of throat hit you would associate with strong citrus. There’s also some berrylike sweetness and some darker earthy texture. This tropical flavouring is unlike anything I’ve tried before.

Hop Scotch

VG/PG ratio: 80/20

Additional sweetener: High Throat hit: Mild

This profile is a dessert head’s dream. The top note is a potent toffee and butterscotch blend which brings a dark sweetness and sticky texture. This is supported by a heavy vanilla cream base, which adds volume and contrasts those top notes while the custard adds background flavour. The result is a heavy but moreish dessert blend.

Midnight Snack

VG/PG ratio: 80/20

Additional sweetener: High Throat hit: Mild

This is described as a blend of sugar cookies and sweet milk. The top note is a bold cookie, with notes of graham cracker, butter cookie and caramel. The cookie notes bring an intense bakery sweetness. This is supported by a rich vanilla cream base for a simple but luxurious dessert profile.

American Dream

VG/PG ratio: 80/20

Additional sweetener: High Throat hit: Mild

American Dream is modelled on the fruity pebbles profile. The candied lemon citrus medley top note has hints of candy orange. This is supported by a heavy dairy base with elements of vanilla cream and marshmallow and a mild grainy accent. This cereal dessert e-liquid is unapologetically sweet and full-flavoured.

Strawberry Waffle

VG/PG ratio: 80/20

Additional sweetener: High Throat hit: Mild

The moderately strong strawberry top note straddles the line between authenticity and candy. There is some very mild earthy sweetness too. This is supported by a light vanilla cream, which tames those brighter strawberry notes. The blend is finished with a light waffle base with hints of maple syrup. Another dessert that’s ideal for vapers with a sweet tooth.

Pee Wee Kiwi

VG/PG ratio: 80/20

Additional sweetener: Moderate Throat hit: Mild

This is described as a blend of kiwi, apple, orange and watermelon. The tart candy green apple brings a pleasant sticky mouthfeel and some mild sharpness. This is accented with a moderate candy kiwi. These flavours are contrasted by a mellow watermelon and a subtle orange creating a bright, fullflavoured fruit medley.

V.T.R

VG/PG ratio: 80/20

Additional sweetener: Moderate Throat hit: Mild

The top note in this colourful profile is a potent citrus medley. The lime provides a moderate level of sweetness while the orange is more authentic. This is supported by an assortment of softer candy fruits. Meanwhile, a sweet berry medley boosts the sweetness of the lime as the background fruit notes round off this bright fruit profile.

Strawberry Sour Belt On Ice

VG/PG ratio: 70/30

Additional sweetener: Moderate Throat hit: Mild, with cooling

The intense candy strawberry top note has a bright, tangy sweetness and sticky mouthfeel which lingers long after vaping. This is complemented by a moderate candy base which works alongside the candy strawberry, providing legitimate sourness. The tang but does not detract from the strawberry at all. The blend is finished with a moderate blast of coolant for a fresh, simple but full-flavoured candy vape.

Tangy Tutti Fruity On Ice

VG/PG ratio: 70/30

Additional sweetener: Moderate Throat hit: Mild, with cooling

The potent candy rhubarb top note provides a sharp sweetness, sticky mouthfeel and heavy tang. This is supported by a sweet fruit cocktail. These notes are strong but difficult to define, but there are certainly traces of berry and citrus. The profile is finished with a moderate coolant that keeps things light. This intriguing fruity mix will be enjoyed by adventurous vapers.

Cool Lemon Sherbet

VG/PG ratio: 70/30

Additional sweetener: Moderate Throat hit: Mild, with cooling

There are countless lemon candy vapes on the market, so does this relative newcomer stand out? The candy lemon is potent and vivid. It has a lipsmacking tang and bright sweetness that is very nicely balanced. The top note is supported by a fizzy citrus candy which adds even more vibrancy. The mix is finished with flavourless coolant, resulting in a very enjoyable summery lemon vape.

Bubblegum Drumstick On Ice

VG/PG ratio: 70/30

Additional sweetener: Moderate Throat hit: Mild, with cooling

The potent candy bubble gum top note brings a sticky sweetness without overstaying its welcome. This is supported by a raspberry cream candy which brightens up the bubble gum and contrasts with the subtle creamy body. The profile is finished with a moderate helping of coolant. This is an intriguing and moreish candy vape and my personal favourite of the Strapped line.

Sour Apple Refresher On Ice

VG/PG ratio: 70/30

Additional sweetener: Moderate Throat hit: Mild, with cooling

A sour apple sherbet blend with a heavy green apple candy top note. This flavour provides an intense sour punch and vivid sweetness along with some serious sticky body. This is accented with a milder citrus sherbet that enhances the sour tang and the brighter sweetness of the top note. The profile is finished with a moderate dose of coolant, resulting in an intense candy vape ideal for lovers of all things sour.

Super Rainbow Candy On Ice

VG/PG ratio: 70/30

Additional sweetener: Moderate Throat hit: Mild, with cooling

The bright candy orange provides plenty of sweetness but isn’t as sharp as you would expect from a more natural portrayal. This is supported by a candy lime which adds a deeper sweetness and some tartness. These dominant citruses are complemented by the softer sweetness of mixed candy berries which counter the sharper lime. The icy coolant cuts through the sweet layers, resulting in a nicely balanced candy vape.

Mango Raspberry

VG/PG ratio: 70/30

Additional sweetener: Moderate Throat hit: Mild

A simple fruit blend from the new Frükt Cyder range. The top note here is a pungent and sweet mango. It’s what you would expect from a more natural beverage mango, bringing a heavy, sticky mouthfeel along with a distinctive earthy sweetness that lingers for a while after vaping. This is contrasted with a mild authentic raspberry that cuts through some of the heavier mango notes with a sharper sweetness and slightly sour tang. Mango Raspberry is simple but well-balanced and a good contender for all-day vaping.

Passionfruit

VG/PG ratio: 70/30

Additional sweetener: Moderate Throat hit: Mild

It’s not often that we see passionfruit as a single flavour profile. In this case, it’s done very well. This is a bold and bright passionfruit that brings plenty of tropical sweetness along with some moderate tartness that ensures that the blend does not become cloying or overly candy-like. There is a slight stickiness to the mouthfeel, but not to the point that you would necessarily identify this as a beverage profile. Overall, this is a simple but enjoyable fruity vape.

Mixed Berries

VG/PG ratio: 70/30

Additional sweetener: Moderate

Throat hit: Mild

The top note for me is a vivid, authentic blueberry. It brings moderate sweetness to the blend along with a true-to-life bitterness and some deeper earthy notes. This is contrasted by a brighter raspberry, which boosts the sweetness of the profile along with a good helping of tartness. A mild candy strawberry sits in the background with a softer sweetness that rounds-off the tart and bitter edges of the other berry top notes without muting their authenticity. This is a brilliant berry medley that many will enjoy.

Strawberry Lime

VG/PG ratio: 70/30

Additional sweetener: Moderate Throat hit: Mild

Strawberry and lime has become a staple in vaping over the years. Here, the top note is an authentic, sticky strawberry. Fans of strawberry cider will be very familiar with this sweet, almost jammy strawberry flavour that coats the palate. It’s quite rich but doesn’t overstay its welcome. This is contrasted by a moderate lime accent which cuts through the top note with its citric sweetness and brings some welcome tartness to the blend. This is among the best strawberry and lime I’ve tried. Another simple but well-crafted mix from Frükt Cyder.

The Panther Series – Pink Smoothie

VG/PG ratio: 78/22

Additional sweetener: Moderate Throat hit: Mild

Having come third place in the Juice of the Year category at this year’s Vapouround Awards, I knew to expect something special with Pink Smoothie. The top note is a rich blackcurrant. It provides some sharper sweetness, but also has a full-bodied depth that you might expect from a blackcurrant jam. It’s tangy, sticky and very authentic. This is supported by a mellow vanilla cream base. This layer gives the profile a robust mouthfeel while contrasting with the darker sweetness of the top note. Pink Smoothie is a simple but very nicely balanced profile that will please dessert and fruit fans alike.

The Panther Series – Gold

VG/PG ratio: 78/22

Additional sweetener: Moderate Throat hit: Mild

Dr Vapes describe Gold as a lychee and mixed fruits blend. I must admit, the lychee top note is very mild here. Usually you would expect a bold aromatic sweetness from this exotic fruit, but in the case of Gold, we have something much more subtle. Supporting the lychee is a subtle fruit cocktail that seems to incorporate citrus and berries. This too is rather mild, so it’s hard to say for sure what’s going on in the background. The result is a moderately sweet, mildly sticky fruit cocktail profile that doesn’t overpower the palate.

Purple Ice

VG/PG ratio: 78/22

Additional sweetener: Moderate Throat hit: Mild, with cooling

Purple Ice is described as a blend of green, red and dark grapes with coolant. The top note is a bright green grape. It’s quite unusual in that it provides a pleasant sharpness along with a tangy aftertaste that lingers. This is supported by a blend of darker grapes which add a deeper sweetness along with that unmistakable sticky mouthfeel. This is a grape blend with more definition than usual, as different aspects of the grape layers present themselves throughout the day. The profile is finished with a moderate coolant, which does not interfere with the flavour, keeping things nice and light.

Dat Stuff – Dat Punch Stuff

VG/PG ratio: 78/22

Additional sweetener: Moderate Throat hit: Mild, with cooling

Dat Punch Stuff is described as a cherry, watermelon and strawberry slush. The authentic cherry top note has a natural deep sweetness along with very mild bitter notes. This is supported by a light candy strawberry, which boosts the cherry’s sweetness and pushes it to the top of the profile while providing the candied connotations of a slush. The berries are contrasted with an authentic mild watermelon flavour, bringing a pleasant juicy mouthfeel to the blend. The profile is finished with a moderate coolant which really sells that slush designation. A great fruit/ice blend for the summer.

Super Flavor – The Island

VG/PG ratio: 70/30

Additional sweetener: Minimal Throat hit: Mild, with cooling

The authentic lychee top note carries a slight acidic sweetness and subtle floral notes. This is contrasted with a mild peach that brings some soft sweetness to the blend. The kiwi boosts the tartness and adds some mild candy sweetness. The profile is finished with a mild coolant for an expertly balanced, summery fruit blend.

Seven Wonders – Beach Party

VG/PG ratio: 70/30

Additional sweetener: Minimal Throat hit: Mild, with cooling

This bold, fruity mix has an authentic mellow melon top note, bringing juicy sweetness and mild earthiness. Cantaloupe melon is contrasted by a pomegranate with mild sharpness and slightly sticky body. A moderate granita ties this blend together while lemon zest brightens the top end. The mild coolant lightens another brilliantly executed fruit flavour.

Valkiria – Black Beard

VG/PG ratio: 50/50

Additional sweetener: Minimal Throat hit: Moderate

Robust and smoky Latakia dominates this heavy, intense tobacco blend with a milder Pueblo accent. These are supported by a moderately strong honey, which provides some much-needed dark sweetness. The coffee is somewhat subtle perhaps due to the Latakia sitting at the top of the mix. This is a rich, authentic tobacco for connoisseurs.

Valkiria – Shinobi

VG/PG ratio: 70/30

Additional sweetener: Minimal Throat hit: Moderate

It’s rare to see papaya attempted in e-liquid. Here it brings a solid mouthfeel without overstaying its welcome. This is contrasted with a tart and bright fruit, which must be the prickly pear. The bold and unique flavour lends some juiciness and cutting through the papaya. The profile is finished with a light, authentic lime that wraps up this unique, moreish vape.

Super Flavor – WHYNOT

VG/PG ratio: 70/30

Additional sweetener: Moderate Throat hit: Moderate

The sticky dark rum top note has boozy qualities but is mainly reminiscent of a sweetened butter rum. This is supported by a decadent vanilla cream base which adds serious volume and further sweetness to the blend. The mix is finished with a robust pastry note that adds even more buttery richness texture. Another standout and moreish flavour.

Super Flavor – Licorice Pudding

VG/PG ratio: 70/30

Additional sweetener: Moderate Throat hit: Moderate

The top note is a sweet and mild confectionary licorice that’s much less potent that you might expect. This is supported by an intense dairy base with plenty of sweetness and a creamy mouthfeel. The white chocolate accent brings further sweetness to the mix and enhances the dairy notes of that panna cotta base. This is a well-balanced and luxurious dessert vape.

The Berg USA Menthol

VG/PG ratio: 70/30

Additional sweetener: Minimal Throat hit: Mild

This instalment from Innevape is arguably one of the most wide reaching and well-loved flavours out there right now. Essentially, The Berg USA Menthol is a straight up, no messing about, berry menthol. The berry notes are akin to a blue raspberry or blueberry mix. You can really appreciate the rich, fruity tones when you inhale this e-liquid, and it makes your mouth water. As you begin to exhale, the menthol becomes more noticeable. The menthol is actually very pleasant, it didn't taste artificial nor peppery, and complemented the berry flavours flawlessly. Menthol based e-liquids are perfect for cleansing the palate, and this one does not disappoint, you can expect consistent, full flavour that doesn't die down over time.

TNT Menthol

VG/PG ratio: 70/30

Additional sweetener: Minimal Throat hit: Moderate

A very straightforward flavour, this e-liquid offers a full, almost nutty tobacco blended with a rather mild, yet still noticeable icy menthol edge. Upon inhaling, you can notice both flavours at the same time, as they are so well mixed together, thus, on the exhale, you can still taste both the tobacco and menthol.

The aftertaste is quite smooth and gentle, and by no means comes across as being artificial. As this e-liquid has next to no added sweetener, it is a perfect candidate for an all-day vape, as it is difficult to get sick or bored of this flavour. Overall, a very easy to vape e-liquid. This will be popular with both tobacco and menthol fans, especially for new vapers looking for a flavour that closely matches the menthol cigarettes that they used to smoke.

The Berg USA

VG/PG ratio: 70/30

Additional sweetener: Minimal Throat hit: Smooth

The Berg USA is a smooth, fruity and rather refreshing blue raspberry slush flavoured e-liquid. It is not overly sweet, which is actually a plus in my opinion, because at no point did I find this e-liquid sickly or overwhelming. There is no cooling agent nor any menthol added in this flavour, something I also rather enjoyed, as it gave the candy-like raspberry elements time to really shine. The actual colour of this e-liquid is a bright enticing blue, a fairly elusive trait as far as the colours of e-liquids go. The thing I most enjoyed about this flavour was the subtle berry notes that gave this delicious e-liquid a unique tang.

Innevape TNT

TNT

VG/PG ratio: 70/30

Additional sweetener: Minimal Throat hit: Mild

A rich and oddly sharp tobacco flavour, this e-liquid is both decadent and simple. The tobacco notes in this e-liquid are very full on and give off a potent, but pleasant tobacco leaf taste when inhaling. Tobacco is such a diverse flavour profile, and within it, there are many variations. In terms of comparing this e-liquid to other tobacco flavours I have tried, I would say that it is a realistic taste and comes across as rather heavy.

When exhaling, the heavier tobacco elements are then balanced with a sweet and wholesome maple syrup edge. The syrup adds a new dimension to this flavour, giving it a distinctive taste that fans of tobacco flavours will love.

Drippy Liquids

Hippie Puffs

VG/PG ratio: 70/30

Additional sweetener: Moderate Throat hit: Mild

An absolutely wonderful, smooth and creamy cereal flavoured e-liquid. Hippie Puffs is definitely a winner for me. When inhaling, you can pick up on a sweet, crunchy berry cereal flavour that bounces on your taste buds. The berry cereal is both sweet and is also a little bit tart, giving a peculiar edge over other berry cereal e-liquids I have tried in the past.

When you begin to exhale, the unmatched creaminess of fresh milk comes in to play and works incredibly well with the cereal notes. I found that the milk really made this flavour pop and was the proverbial cherry on the top. I would hands down recommend this e-liquid to vapers who enjoy creamy or dessert flavours, although I'm sure many vapers would enjoy this e-liquid, even if it's not their usual preference.

SML

VG/PG ratio: 70/30

Additional sweetener: Minimal Throat hit: Moderate

A phenomenally refreshing, summertime e-liquid, this one is truly stunning. It offers a sweet, slightly tangy flavour that reminds me somewhat of a fruit roll up. SML has a quirky fizzy aspect to it that emphasises the lemonade edge, as well as a sharp mango flavour that bounces off the lemon. As you begin to exhale, you can really appreciate the unmistakable sweetness of a ripe, juicy strawberry. the strawberry works great, and softens the mango and lemonade flavours, without taking away from the flavour as a whole. The aftertaste is incredible, a subtle, fizzy, candylike mixture brings life to this amazing e-liquid. The thing I enjoyed most about this e-liquid would be its mild, but not flavourless, fruity buzz. As I mentioned previously, an ideal summertime vape.

ST33P

ACE

VG/PG ratio: 70/30

Additional sweetener: Moderate

Throat hit: Moderate

A delectably moist and decadent strawberry cheesecake, ACE is definitely one for the dessert fans. You can expect a smooth and fluffy strawberry layer right on the inhale. As you are just about to begin exhaling, you will notice a slightly tart strawberry jus that perks the smoother strawberry notes up a little. There are also notes of fluffy whipped cream, that adds a subtle smoothness to all of the other flavours. As you exhale, a crumbly graham cracker biscuit base comes in to play. It gives a warming and wholesome platform for the more extravagant strawberry tones to complement. The thing I found most appealing about this e-liquid would have to be its complexity. They took a risk at concocting such an intricate set of flavours, and it certainly paid off.

Pink Lemonade

When the weather warms up, there’s nothing better than a cool glass of lemonade and the refreshment of this summer favourite is perfectly encapsulated in this juice. Strong lemon notes are offset with a subtle, floral sweetness of cloudy lemonade. Just like the real thing. I’m not sure that e-liquid could ever be described as ‘fizzy’ but this one sure gets close with my kind of throat hit. Beverage vape fans will love this one.

Cola Ice

Cola is a nostalgic, favorite flavour in e-liquid, if it is done correctly – and IVG have got it right! Reminding me of the old-time classic cola cube, this juice encapsulates the sweet perfectly, even down to the slight fizzy aspect. It’s not sickly sweet and has the throat hit desired in salt-based nicotine with an impressive amount of vapour. The cooling ice aspect is more cooling than menthol, and is most evident when exhaling. This juice could be vaped all year round.

Apple Berry Crumble

Do you like to vape dessert flavours? This one is for you. For those of us who love to eat apple crumble, now you can have your cake and vape it! A delicious, buttery taste which really gets the pastry right. There is a tartness of the apples which is contrasted nicely against the sweetness of summer berries. This e-liquid is a real winner – a rich treat to satisfy your sweet tooth with a great throat hit.

Neon Lime

I didn’t think that neon could have a particular taste but now my mind has been changed, this juice definitely tastes ‘neon.’ The lime scent is so powerful you can almost smell it before the bottle is opened, but when vaped it is not overpowering. It is zesty, tangy and refreshing and not as sour as I was expecting. The throat hit seems to work well in combination with the punchy taste and would be very well suited for a summer citrus vape.

Cola V2

Percentage used and VG/PG ratio of mix: 4.5 percent at 70/30

Most cola flavours come off as a gummy cola bottle rather than a beverage, so Cola V2 is a step in the right direction. This flavouring brings a sticky sweetness to any mix, along with a mild tartness reminiscent of a gummy candy without any artificial off note. The fizzy connotation evokes a carbonated experience. If you are looking to mix a cola profile, this is likely your best bet.

Cool Anise Bliss

Percentage used and VG/PG ratio of mix: 4 percent at 70/30

This single flavouring seems to be intended for standalone mixes. The predominant note is a moderately sweet anise. It’s not the most potent but is certainly the star of the show. This is supported by a mild candy pineapple, which gives the flavouring a touch of sharpness and bright tropical sweetness. The profile is finished with mild berry notes that bolster the overall sweetness and provide mild earthy depth.

Mixed Berry

Percentage used and VG/PG ratio of mix: 5 percent at 70/30

This is a deep, full-flavoured mix of berries that strikes a good balance between authenticity and sweetness. The predominant note for me is a rich blackcurrant which brings sticky body and a pleasant floral top note. The raspberry component brings a mild tartness and a subtle ripe strawberry note boosts the sweetness and tames the florality of the blackcurrant. One of the best berry medley single concentrates on the market.

Sweet Blend

Percentage used and VG/PG ratio of mix: 4 percent at 70/30

This is quite similar to some of the other offerings in the Euro Series but is unfortunately a bit of a miss for me. With all those bright volatiles packed into one flavouring, the result is a bit muddled and undefined, save for a strong aniseed and menthol note. I’d be inclined to opt for another flavouring in the Euro Series with similar components.

Berry Blend

Percentage used and VG/PG ratio of mix: 5 percent at 70/30

Another new offering from the Euro Series line, with a mildly medicinal mixed berry medley as the predominant note. It’s less defined than in Mixed Berry but is still quite pleasant. This is accented with a much more subtle aniseed. The profile is finished with a good helping of menthol cooling, resulting in a competent mixed berry, anise and menthol one-shot with a broad appeal.

Hold Up – Chuck Nourrice

VG/PG ratio: 50/50

Additional sweetener: Moderate

Throat hit: Moderate

Lemon bakeries can be difficult to balance, so how does this one fare? The bright, zesty lemon top note brings plenty of sweetness and tastes like an authentic lemon curd with a mild sharpness and sticky texture. This is supported by an unmistakable vanilla sponge cake base with a fluffy texture and moist mouthfeel. There is a slight throat hit which is likely due to the lemon top note and VG/PG ratio, but it’s certainly not a dealbreaker. This is a standout bakery e-liquid.

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.

Hold Up – George Clowney

VG/PG ratio: 50/50

Additional sweetener: Moderate

Throat hit: Moderate

The potent candy lemon top note brings a bright, sticky sweetness with mild zest and tartness. While dominant, this lemon does not have any undesirable medicinal off notes. The top note is supported by a thick candy berry medley. This appears to be a forest fruit mix. This offsets some of the top note’s sharpness and gives the blend a deeper earthy sweetness that lingers on the palate after vaping. This simple but well-executed fruit mix is ideal for new vapers.

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.

Game Over

VG/PG ratio: 50/50

Additional sweetener: Moderate

Throat hit: Mild

This is a relatively simple profile on paper but is it wellexecuted? The intense sweet peach top note carries some candy connotations, with a mild tartness, sticky mouthfeel and shades of a deeper natural earthiness. This is supported by an indulgent sweet tea base. It brings a very mild fragrance with some subtle, dark sweetness and plenty of bright, syrup-like texture. Of the many e-liquids I have tried over the years, Game Over most closely emulates a sweet tea. I can see this being a crowd-pleaser for fans of fruity blends.

VIR

VG/PG ratio: 70/30

Additional sweetener: Moderate Throat hit: Mild

VIR is a delicate blend of sweet tobacco leaf and rich, crumbly biscuit. Upon opening the bottle, a strong aroma of tobacco emanated from it. It did smell quite potent; however, I was very eager to try it. As I just mentioned, there was an obvious tone of smooth and sweet tobacco on the inhale. To me, it tasted fairly similar to a light rolling tobacco, both decadent and woody. There were no smoky elements to this e-liquid, which will make it particularly appealing to those who enjoy a soft tobacco rather than a harsh, slightly more realistic burning cigarette flavour. The smoothness of the tobacco is met with a more subtle biscuit base upon exhalation. I felt that the biscuit not only complemented the tobacco but also drew all of the separate flavours together. It had a very mild throat hit and was quite sweet, so it was very easy to vape.

SAF

VG/PG ratio: 70/30

Additional sweetener: Moderate Throat hit: Mild

SAF is a uniquely refreshing watermelon ice flavour. I say ‘uniquely’ because I had yet to come across a cool watermelon flavour that doesn't present itself as being either too artificial or too icy, until now. SAF has a juicy, bubblegum feel to it, and you can really notice it when you inhale. The watermelon is extremely well-executed and has a very full-bodied flavour that will satisfy even the fussiest of vapers. The cooling agent sets in just as you begin to exhale, but this adds to the overall flavour and doesn't overpower or mask the watermelon whatsoever. I could really appreciate the extremely refreshing nature of this e-liquid, and its ability to not become sickly nor boring, and for this reason, SAF will my ideal summertime vape.

LAX

VG/PG ratio: 70/30

Additional sweetener: Moderate Throat hit: Mild

If you like slightly sour e-liquids, you should definitely check out this installation from Vape Airways. LAX is a ripe and tangy Valencia orange and tastes as if it has just been picked fresh off of a tree. It offers a refined and realistic flavour, rather than a typical orange soda or orange candy flavoured e-liquid. It is realistic in many aspects, including the evolving flavour you experience when vaping this e-liquid. Initially, as you are inhaling, you will notice a sour yet oddly flavourless zing, but as soon as you breathe out, a more discernible, sweet and juicy orange flesh will meet your taste buds. Probably my favourite thing about this e-liquid would have to be its pure simplicity. There are no unnecessary complications in terms of flavours.

JPN

VG/PG ratio: 70/30

Additional sweetener: Moderate Throat hit: Mild

JPN is a wondrously succulent grape chewy candy flavoured e-liquid, that offers vapers a revitalising and moreish experience. Just after opening the bottle, a fragrant and luscious smell made its way to my nostrils. If smelling this liquid was good, vaping it was nothing short of amazing. The first inhale offered an intensely mouth-watering candied grape, with an ever so slight cooling aspect hidden in there to accentuate the flavours. When you exhale, the two main flavour groups combine and thus results in a straightforward, uncomplicated yet wellexecuted grape chew, that carries through to a pleasant aftertaste. As a 70VG e-liquid, you can expect decent cloud production, especially on sub-ohm set-ups.

LDN

VG/PG ratio: 70/30

Additional sweetener: Moderate Throat hit: Mild

Probably the sweetest liquid in this line, LDN is a rich and decadent strawberry tart. It has a very prominent strawberry sauce flavour to it, with only a touch of pastry biscuit. The notes of strawberry are very evident when inhaling the vapour, as well as exhaling. However, the other flavours come across as a bit more muted. There is a steady undertone of a soft cream that balances out any sourness projected by the strawberry, and this is followed by a crumbly tart base that adds a semi-savoury edge to the sophisticated and sweet overtones. My favourite things about vaping this e-liquid would be the smooth and well-rounded clouds on exhaling and the fulltasting strawberry flavour elements.

Raspberry

VG/PG Ratio: 70/30

Additional Sweetener: Medium Throat Hit: Mild, with cooling

Dr Frost has created an unusual twist on what is a well-known classic collection of flavours. Raspberry candy canes are something not commonly seen on the supermarket shelves, after trying this juice they may be more welcome than prior. This liquid offers the expected candy cane treatment, with spearmint and a welcome cooling effect companying it. In place of the strawberry candy we get a nice simple raspberry syrup, similar to an ice-cream topping syrup. Combined with the medium additional sweetner and well balanced ice effect overall we get a delicious and addictive e-liquid.

Bubblegum

VG/PG Ratio: 70/30

Additional Sweetener: Medium Throat Hit: Mild, with cooling

The name of this e-liquid is certainly enough to entice with the promise of a bubblegum flavour. Bubblegum flavours have previously been successful within the e-liquid market, and this too is one to keep an eye on. As expected we get the spearmint flavours with the added cooling effect, however this time we get an authentic bubblegum added to the mix. The bubblegum closely resembles the classic sweet, bringing on a little nostalgia. This liquid has a little added sweetener, possibly turning off some non-sweet-toothed vapers however this is still a pleasant and enjoyable liquid.

Original

VG/PG Ratio: 70/30

Additional Sweetener: Medium Throat Hit: Mild, with cooling

It’s pretty hard not to know what to expect with this liquid. We’ve all had the classic hard sweet at Christmas, but does it translate into an e-liquid well? For the all-year-round festive season lovers this may be good news. The strawberry candy being the main flavour matches closely to the real thing along with the spearmint addition. Along with a slight cooling effect and additional sweetener this e-liquid is largely similar. Regardless of similarities this liquid is very nice and would certainly be appropriate to preferring sweet flavours.

Apple and Cranberry Ice

VG/PG Ratio: 70/30

Additional Sweetener: Minimal Throat Hit: Mild

with cooling

Dr Frost is set to continue the saga of great tasting and well respective liquids within the market with Apple and Cranberry Ice. The name of this liquid is a welcome change with a name denoting flavour profile. Cranberry is the dominating flavour throughout along with a slight decreased in strength apple. With Dr Frost’s previous range and name taken into consideration it’s clear what the final addition is; an ice effect. With the added ice effect, this well-combined liquid is plentiful refreshing.

VAPE SYNDROME

MAD BOYS

Lychee Honeydew

PG/VG ratio: 50/50

Additional sweetener: Minimal Throat hit: Mild

As a huge fan of honeydew flavoured e-liquids, I was intrigued to try this flavour. It is a full-on blend of incredibly realistic and fragrant lychee fruit, paired with a softer, sweeter yet still delicious honeydew melon. Right on the first inhale, there was an instant blast of a wonderful array of ripe, fruity flavours that really made my mouth water. The powerful lychee elements give the slightly more subdued honeydew notes an invigorating edge that livened it up a little. The honeydew reciprocates this and softens the lychee in a calming and well-executed way.

Overall, this e-liquid produced an incredible level of flavour. It didn't come across as being too sweet and still managed to offer an unmatched blast of fruitiness.

Mango Lychee

PG/VG ratio: 50/50

Additional sweetener: Minimal Throat hit: Mild

Any fruity fans out there will no doubt enjoy this flavour from Mad Boys. A delicate yet flavourful blend of ripe and juicy mango, paired with aromatic and sweet lychee. Mango is a very popular flavour out there at the moment, and it is easy to see why. This flavour offers an amazingly wholesome flavour that will not disappoint. The balance between the mango and lychee is spot on. You can really notice each flavour separately, and this gives this e-liquid a really great and rather unique edge, as many flavour constituents tend to blend in together making it more difficult to discern the flavours as a whole.

I would certainly recommend this e-liquid to fans of strong, fruity and fragrant flavours.

Pineapple and Blackcurrant

PG/VG ratio: 50/50

Additional sweetener: Minimal Throat hit: Mild

A slightly more unique flavour in this line, Pineapple and Blackcurrant is still just as powerful and fruity as the previous two. The pineapple is most noticeable when inhaling and presents a juicy and rather sour, yet still pleasant, flavour. As you begin to exhale you will find that there is an undertone of sweet, ripe blackcurrant. The blackcurrant is particularly enjoyable, mainly due to the softening effect that it has on the more potent pineapple. Both flavours work well together and you can really notice this when vaping this e-liquid. There is an extremely minute touch of iciness that gives this e-liquid a fantastic refreshing edge, perfect for a summertime vape.

Mad Grape

PG/VG ratio: 50/50

Additional sweetener: Minimal Throat hit: Mild

A delectably sweet mixture of ripe red grapes and slightly sour raspberries, this e-liquid is another one for fruit lovers. There is a touch of cooling agent that you can notice when taking a big inhale, and it leaves a cold sensation on the back of your throat. The fruity flavours are obvious throughout the vaping process; however they are most apparent as you are exhaling, therefore helping the full-on blend of grape and berries to be even more pronounced. Both the berries and the grape elements are very similar, making it a little difficult to pick out the individual flavours within this e-liquid. I particularly liked the simplicity of this flavour, as well as the cooling effect on the inhale.

Honey Dew

PG/VG ratio: 50/50

Additional sweetener: Minimal Throat hit: Mild

Crazy Pineapple

PG/VG ratio: 50/50

Additional sweetener: Minimal Throat hit: Mild

A milder, yet sweet pineapple flavour is noticeable straight away, just as you open the bottle. There is a fragrant and soft aroma of pineapple and the fact that this flavour seemed to be a little more laid back in terms of how strong the flavour was overall made it intriguing to try, as I have tried countless, extremely powerful and sour pineapple flavours. As I inhaled, I could gather a softer note of ripe pineapple. The flavour as a whole was a bit more pronounced than what I was expecting, yet I still enjoyed it. This e-liquid is rather basic in terms of flavour, as there are only a few discernible elements within. Although this e-liquid was uncomplicated, it was still very effective and flavourful.

LUNATICS GAL THE LUNATICS

Sweet & Sour Mango

PG/VG ratio: 50/50

Additional sweetener: Minimal Throat hit: Mild

Pretty obvious due to the name of this e-liquid, but this flavour was bang on with its sweet and sour elements. As I was vaping it, the inhale was where I could really pick up on the sour effect that made me wince and made my mouth water. As you start to exhale, the sweet, zesty and very realistic mango flavour takes centre stage. Again, this e-liquid contains a tiny amount of cooling agent, only enough to give this flavour a little kick, and not too much either. The thing I most appreciated about this e-liquid would have to be the sour sensation it had on my tongue, and how it literally made my mouth water.

I’ve said this before. I am a massive fan of honeydew melon flavoured e-liquids. This flavour, however, is probably even more enjoyable than any other honeydew e-liquid I've tried. There are no unnecessary complications in terms of flavour constituents, this e-liquid is a straight up and incredibly lifelike honeydew melon. This e-liquid is sweet and very palatable and gives you just enough sweetness to enjoy it, without having too much that could make it sickly over time. The thing I most appreciated about this e-liquid was just how lifelike it was. Many e-liquid flavours can't quite manage to nail this taste, however, this one is a major exception, as it tastes just like you are biting into a wedge of melon.

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.

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

Powerful all day vape

For more information please visit blu.com or email sales.uk@blu.com

blu® e-cigarettes © 2019 Fontem. 18+ only. This product contains nicotine which is a highly addictive substance. Not a smoking cessation product.

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 convenient innovative Quality

for

Thanks to an airtight seal.

Accessible and easy to use with a one-hand opening technology. Just fold, snap and squeeze.

“I am delighted that we have won these awards and received recognition for the great e orts of the Red Liquids team. We have so much planned for the coming year and beyond, these awards have cemented us firmly in the industry as a serious brand and we’re excited for what is to come.”

Stuart Anderson CEO, Red Liquids

“I’m thoroughly proud of our team for their hard work and dedication. A huge thank you also to our loyal customers for their ongoing support.”

Mark Shaw Marketing Manager