Issue 27

we did it agai n

LETTER FROM THE

It seems like 2020 has only just begun but so much has happened already…and not all of it good.

For a start there was “that” documentary on ITV which was nothing more than a hatchet-job on the vape industry and can only have served to scare adult smokers away from switching to vaping instead.

I know that TV programmes need to pull in the viewers but when they tackle a serious issue like this, is it too much to ask that they do so in a fair and balanced manner? When it comes to the health of our nation vaping is not the enemy here…smoking is. It seems that hardly a week goes by without yet another flavour ban being introduced somewhere in the world and misinformation in the mainstream media plays a part in fuelling the desire for politicians and regulators to clamp down on vaping when they should be targeting smoking instead. In America - where flavour bans are proposed and implemented quicker than you can say ‘fake news’ - a lot of the anti-vaping measures are done in the name of protecting America’s youth. Yet in this issue we report that the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention says that fewer than a quarter of middle and high school students who tried e-cigarettes in 2019 were attracted to do so by flavours. Back home we have finally left the European Union and this gives the government a golden opportunity to tailor our vaping regulations to be more fit for purpose for manufacturers, retailers and end users. Check out our Brexit feature in this issue and please do contact your MP to let them know how you would like them to support sensible changes to the way we regulate our industry. We have drafted a sample letter which you can edit as you see fit. Unless we put some pressure on our MPs to act then they might just be too busy with other matters to do so. Finally we would like to send our very best wishes to our advertisers, colleagues and friends in China and beyond who are affected by the SARS-CoV-2 virus and the huge impact this is having on the industry.

Guest Writers

Our panel of guest writers for this issue give you the science behind all-things-vape, their take on the current vaping scene and put some of the latest juices and hardware under the spotlight.

Dr Marina Murphy

Dr Murphy is Senior Director, Scientific Communications and Engagement, at JUUL Labs. Marina combines a strong academic background with broad business, engagement and communications experience. This unique skill set, and a genuine love of all things scientific, has made Marina an outstanding science marketeer with proven successes in science brandbuilding, influential storytelling and engagement.

Victor Mullin

Victor Mullin is the impassioned vaper behind the Vaping with Vic YouTube channel and associated social media. With a wealth of vaping knowledge and an enviable hardware collection, there’s probably nothing going on in this industry that he’s not heard about. Vic writes with enthusiasm and humour every issue in his column, occasionally giving us a glimpse into his life as a wellknown YouTube reviewer.

Benedict Jones

Benedict is Vapouround’s very own reviewer and vaping expert. Anything that Ned doesn’t know about vaping isn’t worth knowing and you’ll be hard pushed to find a more passionate advocate for the industry. He always gives us his honest take on the newest hardware, accessories and juices so that readers are wellinformed about what is on the market right now. Flick through to the ‘reviews’ pages to see which products have his seal of approval and check out his Hobbyist Corner section in the magazine too.

Dr Chris Proctor

Dr Proctor is the Group Head of Potentially Reduced Risk Product Science at British American Tobacco. He is passionate about science and says it is science that gives smokers the opportunity to make better choices and for BAT to produce better products for their customers. In this issue he talks about how science can help build consumer trust in the vape industry.

Short Fills

Curiosity drives teen vaping Research flavour funding call USA bans flavoured pods Ireland plans advertising clampdown England to miss smoke-free deadline Norway to adopt TPD regulation Is this the worst quit smoking advice ever given?

AHA retracts heart damage study

56 60 64 68 72 76 80 84

Vape Science: Dr Marina Murphy US flavour ban update PHE defends criticism

Will America’s next president be good or bad for vapers? Why good science is vital How the UK is leading with vaping regulations Make Brexit count for UK vapers Suggestions for post Brexit vape regulations

Vaping Entrepreneur Diary of a Vaper Cover Story - Blu Victor Mullin Column

How biased is your broadcaster? How accurate is your TV documentary? Impact of Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 World’s Apart - UK and Ireland have differing views about e-cigarettes “Broken - Big Vape” -Well worth a watch

International Women’s Day Interview with a Vape Trickster Five reasons you shouldn’t quit vaping Is Canada turning against vaping? A smoker’s guide to staying away from cigarettes in 2020 Health Survey for England 2018Smoking and Vaping US lung death scare update Plain packaging potential LGBT community embraces vaping Twitter goes from negative to positive Vaper Expo Show Preview - May 2020 Jai Haze “Rutgers” encounter Vapouround Quiz

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EVENTS

White Label Expo - London Juccier and Jucce E-liquids annual conference - Dubai

Hemp World Expo - Atlanta

TPE - Las Vegas

REVIEWS

R

Innokin Podin

Vaporesso Target PM80 Tecc Arc GTI Mariovape Pashto

Apollo Brez

NextGen 360

The Ace of Vapez

Elite Labs

REVIEWS E R

Flavour Power Cloudy O Funky

Voopoo Vinci X

Snowwolf Taze

Freemax Gemm 25w

Wismec R80

Moti Vape Piin

Vaporesso Swag 2

Leprechaun Liquids Flavour Art

Apollo E-cigs

The Mushroom Cloud NZ Lolli Drip TD Distro

Dr Wattson’s Cream Pies

Profile - M.Terk - The King of Coils

Meet the designer - Grimm Green Part 1 DIY e-liquid spotlight Worth the hype?

SHORT FILLS

Two pages filled with short vape-related stories and research making news from around the world.

VAPE TAXES DRIVE UP CIGARETTE SALES

A national US vape tax would drive up traditional cigarette sales, according to new research.

The National Bureau of Economic Research found that for every 10 percent increase in e-cigarette prices, e-cigarette sales dropped 26 percent while traditional cigarette sales rose by 11 percent.

The research team concluded: “E-cigarette taxes raise e-cigarette prices and reduce e-cigarette sales. However, an unintended effect is an increase in cigarette sales.

“A national e-cigarette tax would increase traditional cigarettes purchased by 6.2 extra packs for every one standard e-cigarette pod of 0.7 ml no longer purchased.”

“CREEPY AND INAPPROPRIATE”

US moving and storage rental company U-Haul will no longer hire people who use nicotine as part of its employee “wellness” program.

Job applicants must disclose whether they smoke, vape or chew nicotine and must agree to be tested for nicotine as a condition of employment.

The move will apply in the 21 US states where such policies are legal and screening may be extended to include existing employees where laws allow it.

The Los Angeles Times branded the move “creepy and inappropriate” adding that baring nicotine users from obtaining employment wouldn’t improve anyone’s health.

CALLS FOR IRISH FLAVOUR BAN

The Irish Heart Foundation and the Irish Cancer Society are urging the government to ban e-liquid flavours that appeal to children.

Both bodies sponsored focus group research among third and fourth year students which showed that they believed flavours associated with snacks, treats and sweets would appeal to young people.

Health minister Simon Harris accused the vaping industry of trying to “hook a new generation of Irish people in relation to addiction.”

He said: “I intend to ban the sale of e-cigarettes to anyone under 18 and also to introduce a number of advertising restrictions.”

NO TIME TO RELX?

Chinese e-cigarette company RELX plans to open 10,000 stores globally over the next three years to add to its existing base of around 1,400.

It has also opened its first flagship store in Shanghai’s Nanjing West Road shopping district which features robots to engrave devices and customise e-liquid for customers together with facial-recognition technology to prevent sales to minors.

RELX co-founder Jiang Long said that in addition to the company’s branded retail outlets, it would attempt to get its products on sale in more convenience stores, electronics shops and corner shops.

US TO GET NEW TOBACCO REGULATOR?

The American Food and Drug Administration could be stripped of its role in regulating tobacco products under new government proposals.

The Trump administration has released spending plans which include setting up the new regulator.

The budget document says: “A new agency with the singular mission on tobacco and its impact on public health would have greater capacity to respond strategically to the growing complexity of new tobacco products.

“This would allow the FDA to focus on its traditional mission of ensuring the safety of the Nation’s food and medical products supply.”

PROGRESS DOWN UNDER

The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners has endorsed vaping as a quitting aid.

While Australia remains one of the most hostile countries for vapers, where it is illegal to obtain nicotine without a prescription, doctors are now encouraged to recommend vaping to adults who can’t quit with traditional nicotine replacement therapy.

Meanwhile University of Auckland researchers say there is no evidence of a youth vaping epidemic in New Zealand.

The team assessed data from an annual ASH survey of 27,083 14 and 15 year-olds and found that less than one percent were daily vapers who had never smoked.

BAT LOOKS AT CBD VAPE RANGE

Vype manufacturer British American Tobacco is considering whether to introduce CBD and cannabisflavoured vape products into its product line.

Allen Griffiths, head of reduced risk substantiation at the company’s Southampton research site, told PA it was looking at the “science and regulations” of potentially using CBD and cannabis flavourings but said it was not “actively pursuing” usage.

He said: “It is right for us to evaluate the science in that space and the regulatory frameworks that exist. It is very much a watching brief of what is happening in that area but we are monitoring it closely.”

CDC DATA contradicts FLAVOUR APPEAL NARRATIVE

Most teens vape out of curiosity, not attraction to flavours

Words: Gordon Stribling

Less than a quarter of US middle and high school students who tried e-cigarettes in 2019 were attracted to do so by flavours, according to data recently revealed by the CDC.

The findings come from the 2019 National Youth Tobacco Survey (NYTS) which has in the past few years provided the FDA with evidence of the socalled youth vaping epidemic.

More than half of the respondents who had ever used e-cigarettes reported doing so because they were ‘curious about them.’

This lends credence to the belief that young people are experimenting with e-cigarettes like they do with drugs and alcohol.

Former Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) director Clive Bates speculated that the government and media may have accidentally made teens more likely to try nicotine products.

He said: “What could possibly generate all this curiosity? Wall-to-wall news coverage? The Bloomberg $160m campaign? FDA vaping publicity in all schools?

“FDA Commissioner going nuts? Surgeon General declaring an ‘epidemic’? Congressional witch hunts?”

The data was released just weeks after the halt of President Trump’s flavour ban.

“I’m guessing the imminent release of this data is the reason for all the bitching and moaning about Trump delaying a flavour ban”

The ban would have required vape companies to remove all flavoured products from the market, including mint and menthol.

However, the President vetoed the sign-off, fearing political fall-out from his 2020 election campaign, as well as the potential job losses.

Sarah Jakes, trustee of the New Nicotine Alliance (NNA) said: “I’m guessing the imminent release of this data is the reason for all the bitching and moaning about Trump delaying a flavour ban. “They wanted it done and dusted before the true picture emerged.”

Meanwhile, Democratic Presidential candidate Michael Bloomberg has vowed to continue to fight for a flavour ban.

He ploughed $160m into his ‘Protect Kids: Fight Flavored E-Cigarettes’ initiative in September, prior to his presidential run. E-cigarettes remain the most commonly used tobacco product among middle and high school students.

However, teens are also using cigars, hookah and conventional cigarettes, among other forms of tobacco.

Interestingly, only 5.4 percent of survey respondents said that they used e-cigarettes because they were easier to obtain than other forms of tobacco.

However, cigarette use fell in 2019, suggesting that youth smokers were switching to vaping.

The data showed that more than 20 percent of respondents were vaping for harm reduction purposes, either because they believed that e-cigarettes are less harmful than other forms of tobacco or they were using them to quit other tobacco products, such as cigarettes.

Nonetheless, CDC Director Robert R. Redfield insisted that the US remains in the midst of a nicotine ‘epidemic’ among youth that is

being perpetuated by e-cigarettes.

He said: “Our Nation’s youth are becoming increasingly exposed to nicotine, a drug that is highly addictive and that can harm brain development.

“Youth use of any tobacco product, including e-cigarettes, is unsafe. “It is incumbent upon public health and healthcare professionals to educate Americans about the risks resulting from this epidemic among our youth.”

Following the release of the report, acting FDA Commissioner Dr Brett Giroir said: “We are fully committed to preventing children from using harmful tobacco products, including e-cigarettes and we will continue to develop policies that will achieve that objective as soon as possible.”

While the federal flavour ban is on hold, state and city bans continue to be rolled out across the country.

In November, Massachusetts became the first state to fully outlaw the sale of all flavoured tobacco products.

The ban on flavoured vapes took effect immediately and menthol cigarettes will be removed from shelves on June 1.

Governor Charlie Baker linked the signing of the law to the spate of vaping-related lung illnesses that have now largely been attributed to black-market THC oil products, not commercial e-cigarettes.

Baker said: “The bill goes a long way toward restricting access to the most addictive kinds of nicotine products.

“Longer term, the bill will keep kids and teenagers from getting their hands on vaping products, especially flavoured products.”

Industry

MAY BE REQUIRED TO FUND FLAVOUR RESEARCH

Expert fears flavour restrictions may deter smokers from switching

Words: Gordon Stribling

UK vape companies may be required to fund research into the health effects of e-liquid flavours as some experts fear that certain flavours could be damaging to the heart or lungs.

The proposal outlined to The Observer newspaper by a tobacco control expert could see countless e-liquids pulled from UK shelves.

Professor John Britton, director of the UK Centre for Tobacco and Alcohol Studies at Nottingham University, who sits on the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency’s panel on e-cigarettes, said: “If you restrict flavours, you may restrict the tolerability of vaping to people trying it for the first time, but you will also lose an awful lot of smokers.”

Professor Britton suggested an alternative pathway, where vape companies could get their flavours licensed.

A licensing system could mirror the US Premarket Tobacco Product Application (PMTA) process.

From May this year, US companies will be required to prove

that their products are safe and beneficial to public health to stay on the market.

There are currently no PMTA-approved e-liquids on the US market.

A licensing system could prove prohibitively expensive for many independent businesses and favour Big Tobacco.

Professor Britton suggested that smaller companies could group together to apply for a common license to prove that a flavour or group of flavours meet the required medical standards.

Professor Britton said: “It would be very hard to argue that all of those [flavours] are necessary but how do you then say ‘this one is OK and this one isn’t’?

“You could say ‘OK, no flavours’ in which case you will make vaping unacceptable to most vapers. Or you could say ‘we’ll allow a limited list of, say, half a dozen flavours.’

“But how do you decide what those should be? There is no way of saying that cinnamon is safer than orange. I don’t see how you draw the line.”

An expert committee on toxicity is due to present a report to the Department of Health in the spring.

A spokesperson for the UK Vaping Industry Association

Forbidden FLAVOURS

US Food and Drug Administration bans flavoured pods in bid to curb youth vaping.

Words: Phoebe Fuller

The FDA kicked off the year by introducing an enforcement policy against flavoured e-cigarette cartridges, effectively banning fruit and mint flavoured pods in the US.

Flavoured cartridge-based e-cigarette products – with the exception of menthol and tobacco flavours – are now prohibited under the new rules which took effect on February 1.

Companies were given 30 days to cease the manufacture and distribution of the targeted products when the new rules were announced in January.

Any company or individual now found to be manufacturing, distributing or selling unauthorised products could face enforcement action by the FDA.

Bottled e-liquids for use in refillable tanks are exempt from these new rules, though companies may still face regulatory action if these products are found to be targeting children.

Companies and e-cigarette vendors would also run the risk of enforcement action from the FDA if they fail to “take adequate measures to prevent youth access.”

Alex Azar, secretary of the US Department of Health and Human Services said that tobacco and menthol flavoured pods may still be sold because they are “less appealing” to children. He said: “By prioritising enforcement against the products that are most widely used by children, our action seeks to strike the right

public health balance by maintaining e-cigarettes as a potential off-ramp for adults using combustible tobacco; while ensuring these products don’t provide an on-ramp to nicotine addiction for our youth.”

Mr Azar also said that young people “overwhelmingly” prefer cartridge-based e-cigarette products, a sentiment that is shared by the FDA’s commissioner, Stephen Hahn.

Mr Hahn said: “As we work to combat the troubling epidemic of youth e-cigarette use, the enforcement policy we’re issuing today confirms our commitment to dramatically limiting children’s access to certain flavoured e-cigarette products we know are so appealing to them - so-called cartridge-based products that are both easy to use and easily concealable.

“Coupled with the recently-signed legislation increasing the minimum purchasing age of tobacco to 21, we believe this policy balances the urgency with which we must address the public health threat of youth use of e-cigarette products, with the potential role that e-cigarettes may play in helping adult smokers to transition completely away from combustible tobacco to a potentially less risky form of nicotine delivery.”

The FDA has also cited two studies demonstrating that cartridge-based e-cigarettes such as JUUL devices were most popular with children and teenagers.

One study, 2019’s ‘Monitoring the Future’ survey, shows that young JUUL users had a clear preference for mint and fruit flavours; with less of an interest in menthol and tobacco.

The FDA said: “Because of the relatively low numbers of youth using both menthol and tobacco flavoured cartridge-based products, these are not among the current enforcement priorities.

“However, should the FDA become aware of an increase of youth vaping using any other flavoured products (cartridge-based or otherwise), the agency will take additional steps to address youth use of those products if necessary.”

The FDA also said that the new enforcement is not a “ban” on these products – though they are effectively banned from sale, unless premarket authorisation is obtained.

The agency said that they are currently reviewing several of these premarket applications from various e-cigarette companies, for flavoured e-cigarettes.

Such products – including flavoured pods – may eventually be authorised by the FDA for sale in the US, providing that companies have submitted premarket applications, and these are approved.

Premarket applications will be approved on the basis that companies can demonstrate their product is “appropriate for the protection of public health.”

Companies must also ensure that their marketing practices do not appeal to children and that their products are not likely to initiate youth-use.

The final deadline for premarket applications is May 11.

“Because of the relatively low numbers of youth using both menthol and tobacco flavoured cartridge-based products, these are not among the current enforcement priorities.”

IRELAND PLANS CLAMPDOWN ON E-CIG ADS

New advertising restrictions will be rolled out this year and flavour bans may also be on the cards.

“Many, many vapers rely on flavours to keep them smoke free. They don’t want to vape something that reminds them of smoking.”

Words: Phoebe Fuller

Irish Health Minister Simon Harris has announced that Ireland will be introducing new advertising restrictions on e-cigarettes this year.

These new rules will follow in the footsteps of the Public Health (Alcohol) Act 2018 he said, and will ban the promotion of e-cigarettes near schools, creches and on public transport.

Alcohol advertising is banned in and around these places already.

Harris also expressed an interest in banning flavours but, according to The Times, he’s ‘unsure how to approach it from a legislature point of view.’

Speaking at an Irish Cancer Society research launch in December, Harris said: “We’ve seen in other countries where they have withdrawn certain flavours in advance of legislation […] So, I would call on industry today to take the same step in Ireland.

He added: “Why are Irish children worth less than children in the United States of America?”

The launch marked the release of research commissioned by the Irish Cancer Society and the Irish Heart Foundation, into e-cigarette packaging and flavours.

It found that teenagers in Ireland do not believe e-cigarette flavours are targeted at adults only, they also believe e-cigarette companies target

young people in advertising campaigns.

Tim Collins, CEO of the Irish Heart Foundation, said at the launch that the only purpose of non-tobacco flavoured e-liquids is to “lure a whole new generation of children into nicotine addiction.”

He said this is a “fact” that has been “endorsed resoundingly” by the teenagers who took part in the research.

Similarly, Averil Power, chief executive of the Irish Cancer Society, said:

“It is crystal clear that long-term smokers represent just a small part of the target market of the big e-cigarette brands.

“The bigger objective — and the bigger profits — lie in causing children and young people who have never smoked to become addicted to nicotine.”

However, Declan Connolly, chief executive of the Irish Vape Vendors Association, rejected the idea of a flavour ban in Ireland.

He said: “We would vehemently disagree with trying to ban flavours.

“Many, many vapers rely on flavours to keep them smoke free. They don’t want to vape something that reminds them of smoking, they want to move away from that completely,” he said.

Mr Connolly was otherwise on board with changes in advertising restrictions and agreed with a marketing ban near schools.

ENGLAND TO MISS 2030 SMOKE-FREE TARGET

‘BY SEVEN YEARS’

Cancer Research UK says the richest parts of the country could be smoke-free by 2025 but the poorest areas will take until the mid-2040s to get there

The Government’s target for a smoke-free England by 2030 will overrun by seven years if current smoking trends continue, according to a new report from Cancer Research UK. The charity warns that unless urgent action is taken now the target will be missed by seven years. It says smoking rates must drop 40 percent faster than at present if there is to be any hope of achieving a smoke-free 2030.

To achieve ‘smoke-free’ status the percentage of the population still using cigarettes would have to fall to under five percent - down from the 14 percent of adults who currently smoke. The cancer charity warns that the original deadline will be missed due to a number of factors including cuts to stop-smoking services and national campaigns, as well as the gap between the least and most deprived people in England.

The country’s smoking rate has only fallen by around six percent since 2011 and there are huge differences between rich and poor areas. The CRUK says while the most well-off areas could be smoke free by 2025 it will take until the mid 2040s for the poorest regions to catch up. Alison Cox, Cancer Research UK’s director of cancer prevention, said: ‘Smoking - and its catastrophic impact on healthremains more common within poorer communities.

‘So more funding is needed to help these disadvantaged groups to quit as they are increasingly being left behind.

‘The Government must act now if they are to see this smoke-free ambition become a reality.”

Report co-author Dr Katrina Brown said: ‘Our modelling suggests that if the 2030 target is achieved, there could be around 3.4 million fewer smokers in England compared with today. ‘But unless Government acts to make smoking rates fall faster, we’re unlikely to reach the target.” The CRUK report concluded that if current smoking trends continued England and Wales would be smoke-free by 2037 but it would take Northern Ireland until the late 2040s and Scotland until after 2050 to catch up.

“More funding is needed to help these disadvantaged groups to quit as they are increasingly being left behind.”

Words: Patrick Griffin

NORWAY SET TO ADOPT EU TPD LEGISLATION

But warning that high registration fees could encourage black market in unlicensed products

Words: Caroline Barry

Norway has submitted draft proposals to accept the EU Tobacco Products Directive and legalise vaping.

In line with TPD legislation, e-cigarette and new tobacco product manufacturers will have to submit products six months ahead of sale and pay a registration fee.

The proposal also suggests that e-cigarettes should be excluded from the current tobacco advertising ban. It would allow online stores to display images and describe products which will also come with leaflets outlining their use in Norwegian. While this is a welcome development, the legislation will still have to be evaluated by the Norwegian Directorate of Health. It will assess if the product will contribute to tobacco harm reduction or encourage tobacco use. The draft proposal will also determine if the products appeal to young people.

However, there have been concerns outlined by the newly-formed Trade Association of E-cigarettes (ESBB) about the cost of registering products ahead of sale. The Trade Association is made up of vape chain stores: PGVG, Nosmoke, Kristiansand Damputstyr and Dampoteket. Michael Johnsen of PGVG has expressed concern that retailers do not have the financial means to register the full array of products they offer and that this will lead to black market growth.

He said: “[It] is the registration fees that will be the death of the selection and diversity we are experiencing today. The selection will have to be smaller than what we see in today’s market. We also fear that the black market will flourish with negative consequences.”

He added: “We as retailers firmly believe that what has been presented has the sole aim of giving large tobacco companies access with their highly simplified products, where the supplier has one product for registration.”

The proposed fees will be 47600 Norwegian Krone (£4,000) with a yearly registration fee of 18850 Krone (£1,532)

The Ministry of Health and Care is proposing additional regulations unique to Norway which will ban the sale of snus products claiming health benefits of added taurine and vitamins. The draft also notes that the sale of oral tobacco has increased dramatically among young people and hopes the legislation will help to reverse this trend.

“[We] congratulate our government for aligning with the EU’s TPD. However, there is still negative publicity around vaping in the media and many details still to become clear so our welcome must be cautious for now,” Trond Meier of the Norwegian Union of Vapers said.

IS THIS THE WORST SMOKING ADVICE EVER GIVEN?

Words: Patrick Griffin

According to the World Health Organization, the tobacco epidemic “is one of the biggest public health threats the world has ever faced” and kills 8 million people around the world annually.

Smoking kills half of its users and yet the American Lung Association is advising smokers NOT to try vaping to help them quit.

In advice published on its website, the ALA said that all smokers who want to quit will be able to do so using methods “that are proven safe and effective by the FDA” and there is currently not a single vaping product on that list.

Instead of vaping, which the ALA claims does not help smokers quit, it suggests they try one-on-one phone counselling or group counselling instead. The only other recommended method is trying one of the seven FDA-approved medications designed to help smokers quit.

The Association said it was “very concerned” about the increasing rates of vaping in the USA and criticised the Food and Drug Administration for failing to “crack down on the false quit smoking claims made by e-cigarette manufacturers.”

It dismissed assertions that e-cigarettes were safer than smoking as “false” and said it was also wrong to suggest that vaping could help smokers quit.

Its Chief Medical Officer Albert A Rizzo said: “One of the biggest problems with e-cigarettes is that many people have switched to e-cigarettes believing it will help them quit tobacco products, which it doesn’t.

“E-cigarettes have not been found to be safe and effective in helping smokers quit.

“Instead of helping smokers quit, e-cigarettes have rapidly created another generation addicted to tobacco products by marketing products that appeal to kids, including flavoured products like gummy bear, unicorn blood and bubble gum – even apple juice.”

The American Lung Association said that for years it had been urging the FDA to crack down on “unproven quit smoking claims made by the e-cigarette industry.”

It also said that switching from smoking to vaping could not be regarded as quitting because many e-cigarette users continued to use vape products containing nicotine.

However the advice is completely at odds with advice given to UK smokers who are told that switching to vaping - although not entirely risk free - is always a better option than continuing to smoke.

“E-cigarettes have not been found to be safe and effective in helping smokers quit.”

American Lung Association urges smokers not to try vaping to help them quit…and suggests they try group counselling instead

AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION RETRACTS VAPING HEART ATTACKS PAPER

Study implied that e-cigarettes caused heart attacks before they were even used

Words: Gordon Stribling

The American Heart Association has retracted a study that suggested that e-cigarettes cause heart attacks. The study was authored by Dharma Bhatta and Stanton Glantz of the Center for Tobacco Control Research and Education at the University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine.

After analysing data from the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH), the authors concluded that ‘e-cigarette use is an independent risk factor for having had a myocardial infarction.’ However, tobacco researcher Brad Rodu and economist Nantaporn Plurphanswat from the University of Louisville wrote a letter to the AHA, noting that the analysis included former smokers who had had heart attacks before they started vaping.

Once these subjects were excluded, the association between e-cigarettes and heart attacks disappeared. They wrote: “The main findings from the Bhatta-Glantz study are false and invalid.

“Their analysis was an indefensible breach of any reasonable standard for research on association or causation.”

Another letter signed by 16 prominent tobacco researchers was sent to the AHA on January 20.

Signatories included professors Ann McNeil of the National Addiction Centre at King’s College London and Peter Hajek, director of the Tobacco Dependence Research Unit at Queen Mary University.

Finally, on February 18, the Journal of the American Heart

Association (JAHA) published a retraction which stated that ‘the editors are concerned that the study conclusion is unreliable.’

AHA spokeswoman Michelle Kirkwood said in an email: “Bhatta et al.’s manuscript underwent a thorough and comprehensive review during the past seven months and the process is now complete.

“As of 2/18/20, JAHA has retracted the paper.” While the retraction was welcomed by vape advocates, Professor Glantz said on Twitter that JAHA had ‘cave[d] to pressure from e-cig interest.’

The AHA launched a campaign against ‘Big Vape’ in November last year in an effort to address the ‘epidemic of youth e-cigarette use.’ It is calling for an outright ban on flavoured nicotine products.

“Their analysis was an indefensible breach of any reasonable standard for research on association or causation”

Vaping w

ENTREPRENEUR

WITH MO HASSAN FROM DR VAPES

Mo Hassan explains how experimenting with home-made vape flavours as a university student led to him establishing the award-winning and international brand that is Dr Vapes. Words: Caroline Barry

Mo Hassan has taken Dr Vapes from an idea fleshed out in a university bedroom in 2012 to an internationallyrecognised company with an amazing line up of e-liquids. He worked in a vape shop while at university, which led to him gaining a vast amount of knowledge about this emerging industry.

Mo said: “I was a smoker at the time so I started using vape devices. Vaping led me to quit smoking and I knew that if it worked for me it would work for others, so I really started to believe in the product.

“The whole thing was new to me so I learned all I could to be up-to-date with everything that was happening within this fast paced industry.

“My passion for vaping grew as I was able to help more and more people come off smoking every day.”

Soon Mo started mixing his own e-liquids in his spare time and experimented with different flavour combinations to find ones he really liked to vape and was amazed when friends soon started asking to buy them from him.

Dr Vapes started as orders for his mixes grew. Mo quickly gained a reputation for unique flavours with quirky names and as more orders came in he hired his younger brother Mortaza to join him in the production side of the business to keep up with demand.

They started with a Ribena flavoured e-liquid before moving on to other fruity mixes in the following months. Mo keeps a record of the old products to remind himself of the flavours that the company made.

He said: “We had grape juice, blue slush flavour and we actually had a flavour called Bastard; which consisted of banana, strawberry and custard. People loved the name and it was delightful to see people coming off cigarettes and using our flavours,” he said, as that was one of the main reasons he started the brand.

Music has always been a passion for Mo and he combined the two when he released a track called “In the Clouds” last year. He has a lot more planned for 2020 with the possibility of an album with vaping as its core theme called ‘Vaping 101.’

He said: “I have always liked music and I used to mix and master sounds in the past. I’m planning to bring out a whole collection of tracks looking at different parts of vaping such as how it can help you and how to vape safely.

“The idea is to tell new vapers everything they need to know about vaping and what sort of vapes you can get.”

At October’s Vaper Expo Professor Green entertained the crowds on the main stage and he was followed by Mo performing “In the Clouds.”

Mo said: “I really enjoyed it but I felt the pressure because I was performing after such a big name. As time went on, the nerves faded and I became more and more excited to just get out there and share my music with the awesome crowd we had. Professor Green has an e-liquid line himself, so we discussed our mutual interests whilst organising our performances. It was an exhilarating experience, I really loved it.”

Last year Dr Vapes expanded their flavour range, notably with with six new additions to their successful Panther line and four flavours to Dat Blue Stuff.

Despite all his business success, Mo still gets huge satisfaction from helping smokers quit.

He said: “For me the main drive for 2020 is to get even more people to quit smoking. We get lots of feedback from consumers telling us how we’ve helped them quit smoking and this is what it is all about.

“My proudest moment was winning an award for best e-liquid brand which was incredible for us. Having this whole thing start from my bedroom to being the best e-liquid brand out of so many amazing international brands was unbelievable and is something I will be proud of for the rest of my life.”

”My passion for vaping grew as I was able to help more and more people come off smoking every day.”

Diary OF A VAPER

With Lukas Burton, 37, from Gloucestershire

I smoked for 15 years and vaping was the only thing that worked to get me off the cigarettes. I’d tried Champix but had horrific side effects because it made the smell of cigarettes make me feel very ill; that was difficult because people close to me smoked, so I couldn’t really avoid it. I then tried patches, lozenges and, finally, vaping which worked for me. Like many people I used vaping to initially cut down on smoking until I got to a position where I didn’t need cigarettes at all. I used to be a publican, but I now work for the NHS as a receptionist in a doctor’s surgery and I’m helping to steer people away from smoking by recommending vaping. We’re allowed to recommend vaping to patients which is a great thing, anything to steer them away from cigarettes.

The responses I have received when I have recommended vaping have been mixed so far and I have noticed a shift in attitudes from people, since the news in the US started coming out. There is a bit more scepticism now and I’m concerned that it might cause people to move back to cigarettes. Vaping may not be 100 percent safe but it is 95 percent less harmful than smoking, so I’m on board with that statistic from Public

Health England and NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) guidance also recommends vaping as well. For me, I smoked for 15 years and I was smoking anything from 20 to 30 cigarettes a day. When I switched to vaping I was initially doing 50/50; I was weaning myself off the cigarettes and then moving on to a higher strength of nicotine juice, then again working my way back down off of that higher nicotine juice and on to a zero. At the moment I’m on between 3 and 6mg, depending on which flavour I choose. But it’s now been over two years since I started vaping and I’ve been a full-time vaper for ten months, so that’s almost a year that I’ve been completely off the cigarettes and I am still going strong!

“I work for the NHS as a receptionist in a doctor’s surgery and I’m helping to steer people away from smoking by recommending vaping.”

YOUR SALES Refresh

Duncan Cunningham, UK Corporate Affairs Director at blu

As convenience retailers prepare themselves for the arrival of the upcoming ban on menthol cigarettes in May, vape stores have an opportunity to benefit from the latest raft of legislation to hit the tobacco category.

From May 20, cigarettes and Roll Your Own (RYO) tobacco containing menthol will be banned from sale in the UK, leaving many existing adult smokers without their product of choice. While some adult smokers may simply switch to other traditional tobacco alternatives, many menthol consumers may also use this as an opportunity to explore new ways to stick with their flavour preference and move into vaping.

The menthol tobacco segment has a sizeable share of the market and with a third of adult smokers yet to even try vaping and almost 40 percent dualists still dabbling in tobacco, vape stores can play a crucial role in helping these consumers switch to vaping.

May is almost upon us and experience tells us that consumer awareness of tobacco legislation tends to be relatively low until it hits the shelves and they can’t buy the product they want, so talking to consumers ahead of the ban is important. By engaging with customers early, vape stores can help dualists and new entrants to the category understand what is coming down the line and offer advice on what alternatives are available to them.

It goes without saying that in order to prepare for this potential influx of ex-menthol smokers, vape stores should ensure they

have a strong range of menthol flavours on offer, especially those including nicsalts like myblu Intense that will further help them switch. Regardless of the ban, the top-selling blu e-liquid flavour is menthol, so these variants are already very popular within the vaping category and worth getting right.

As the vaping category has matured, there is now a huge variety of different menthol variants on offer, with many offering unique combinations and flavour profiles. While catering for ex-menthol smokers is key to tapping into this opportunity, research shows that fruit-based flavours are also increasingly preferred so in order to fully cater for this demand, we would recommend stocking a variety of different menthol-based flavours such as our classically cool blu Menthol variant and Blue Ice, which has hints of blueberry. Vape stores should also consider stocking other fruity blends like blu’s Eucalyptus Lemon, which combines sour lemon with the cool mint tones of eucalyptus, plus Strawberry Mint which provides the perfect fruity-menthol fusion.

While offering a good range of menthol flavour blends is key, offering the right advice is just as important. By taking it back to basics, vape stores can educate customers on the benefits of vaping and guide them through the different products on offer, without overwhelming them with a wealth of information, and help them join the vaping revolution.

For further information on how to prepare for the menthol ban in your store, speak to your blu sales rep.

2020THE YEAR THE VAPING INDUSTRY HITS A GIANT

Iceberg

Vapouround columnist Victor Mullin explains why he thinks this year will be the toughest ever for the vaping industry.

2020 is the year that changes everything.

We have all seen the news that came out of the United States in January about the clampdown on “closed system” pods and the banning of flavours (apart from tobacco and menthol) for those closed systems. The open system tanks, and e-liquid lines have thankfully (at least for now) not been touched.

However an impending deadline looms over the heads of our friends over in the US in the form of the Pre-Market Tobacco Application or PMTA for short.

The PMTA is essentially a directive which states that all “tobacco products” must be approved for general use via the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The cost of submitting even one single e-liquid, let alone a whole line, is in the tens and sometimes hundreds of thousands of dollars. The PMTA (at least at the time of writing) hits in May and could see the total collapse of the US industry if it goes ahead. As bad as this looks for the industry, it is

important to realise that it is not only in the US that things are getting dicey. This year the EU will be taking another look at the Tobacco Products Directive for what will eventually become the “TPD III” since we are already under the TPD II.

There are some hardline elements within the EU commission who want tougher and more stringent controls on both wings of the industry, the hardware and the liquids.

In one of my vlogs (I run a YouTube e-cigarette review channel for the folks that don’t know) I likened 2018 to everyone getting on the ship, 2019 as us all realising we are heading for an iceberg, and 2020 being the year we hit that iceberg.

This year is going to be one of the toughest years yet for vape shops, wholesalers and distributors, not just in the US, but also in the EU and the UK as well.

Even though the UK will be leaving the EU, the more stringent controls on e-cigarettes in the EU (if they happen) will have an impact on businesses here in the UK.

Now, more than ever, all elements of the UK and EU industry have to keep a close eye on what’s going on with the e-cig advocacy groups in their particular countries. The New Nicotine Alliance covers the entire EU and the UK and is a great source for murmurings coming from within the European Union.

Even within the UK, the Scottish government will, sometime this year, have public hearings on whether Scotland should restrict all advertising (ALL advertising) to do with vaping and e-cigarettes. A total clampdown on e-cigarette advertising could have far-reaching consequences, not just for Scotland, but for the UK as a whole. You can bet I will be at those hearings.

UK and EU businesses cannot afford to become complacent in 2020. If any lessons must be learned from what happened in the United States, its that complacency gives an open door to governments or “focus groups” to clamp down on something they don’t like.

THE SCIENCE BEHIND E-CIGARETTES

Assessing the viability and long-term impact of novel nicotine products

DR MARINA MURPHY, SENIOR DIRECTOR, SCIENTIFIC COMMUNICATIONS AND ENGAGEMENT. JUUL LABS

Humans have used nicotine for thousands of years. Traces of nicotine have been found in pipes and in charred tobacco seeds from archaeological digs, and even in fossilised human faecal matter. Nicotine has also been extracted from 8,000-year-old fossilised dental plaque, which means that scientists will soon be able to tell us much more about how tobacco was used throughout prehistory and by whom.

Nicotine use via smoking may well have been an ancient pastime, but the science of nicotine and how it might be delivered through a vapour is relatively new. As recently as 2001, the Institute of Medicine (IOM), at the behest of the US Food and Drug Administration, published a report: ‘Clearing the Smoke: Assessing the Science Base for Tobacco Harm Reduction’. In this report, the IOM described scientific methods to assess the risk-reduction potential of products, like e-cigarettes, compared to combustible cigarettes.

CLEARING THE SMOKE

Nicotine is addictive and anyone who doesn’t use it shouldn’t start. Anyone

who smokes should try to quit, but, for those who can’t or won’t quit, alternative nicotine products could provide a reduced-risk alternative.

When considering how scientists might determine whether products like e-cigarettes could be less harmful than smoking, the IOM pondered four basic questions:

1. Is exposure to harmful substances decreased compared to cigarettes?

2. Is decreased exposure to these substances associated with decreased harm to health?

3. Since actual health effects might not appear for many years, are there surrogate indicators of health effects that could be measured in a time frame sufficient for product evaluation? and

4. What are the public health implications of this product being available?

These four questions, along with the scientific framework laid out in ‘Clearing the Smoke’ form the basis for the metrics by which we, at JUUL

Labs, study our own products. Our scientific framework can be described in three parts:

1. Studies on the product in the lab

2. Studies on adults in a clinic

3. Studies on the population/population modelling

To date, we have enrolled over 70,000 adult participants from around the world in studies. The aim of these studies is to understand the product, understand how consumers use it, and if and how our product helps adult smokers transition away from combustible cigarettes.

STUDIES IN THE LAB

Vaping products and cigarettes couldn’t be more different. A traditional cigarette is basically dried leaves rolled up in paper. Contrast this with the high-tech products in the world of vaping. Understanding this gadgetry and how the aerosol produced differs from cigarette smoke is therefore fundamental to any research programme.

Cigarette smoke, produced by lighting the tobacco rod, contains more than 7,000 constituents, of which about 150 are toxicants. Some are carcinogens (they cause cancer). And the FDA has established a list of what they consider to be the compounds linked to some of the most serious health effects of smoking – these compounds are referred to as Harmful and Potentially Harmful Constituents (HPHCs), and include, for example, formaldehyde, acrolein, and benzene – which are released into smoke.

An important difference between vapour and smoke, is therefore the chemistry, the difference between the levels of HPHCs in vapour and those in smoke.

STUDIES IN THE CLINIC

Studies in the lab are very useful, but cells are not people. We need to study people to determine what HPHCs humans are actually exposed to when they vape rather than smoke. To do this, we measure the levels of certain biomarkers of exposure in body fluids like blood or urine. Their presence tells

us that that person has been exposed to a toxicant or other harmful chemical. The biomarker can be the toxicant itself or its metabolites (that is what the body breaks it down into). By measuring changes in levels of biomarkers over days or weeks, it is possible to establish whether there are any changes when someone switches from smoking to vaping.

Establishing that vapers are exposed to reduced levels of HPHCs compared to smokers is very important. But an important next step is to determine whether any reductions can be maintained over the long-term and whether that reduction impacts health outcomes.

STUDIES IN THE REAL WORLD

Reductions in toxicant exposure in an individual is one thing, but what happens in the population? What impact might the availability of vaping products have on smokers and the population generally?

An example of a study that can help answer this question would look at how e-cigarettes might impact smoking

behaviour. We conducted a study that examined cigarette abstinence rates in 15,456 adult smokers who had purchased a JUUL Starter Kit. At three, six and twelve months, we looked at how many of these smokers reported complete cigarette abstinence for at least the previous month - not even a puff of a cigarette.

The results to date showed that after three months, at least 28.3 percent of participants who began the study were abstinent and at six months, that figure rose to at least 31.6 percent.

It takes time to observe the real-world impact of any product, but research like the studies quoted in this article will help us to understand that.

There are many questions about the health impact of vapor products and JUUL products in particular. More data will help us better understand vaping products, including their impact on the individual user, their ability to move adult smokers away from combustible cigarettes and their net-population impact on public health.

US FLAVOUR BAN LATEST

The American clampdown on vaping continues unabated with more bans underway or in the pipeline

Words : Phoebe Fuller

On top of a nationwide flavoured pod ban, many states, cities and counties in the US are continuing to come down hard on vaping.

Not entirely satisfied with the FDA’s ruling, New Jersey has become the first state in the US to completely – and permanently – ban all flavoured e-cigarette products.

Governor Phil Murphy signed what is undoubtedly one of the strongest pieces of anti-vape legislation yet, into law in January.

It prohibits the sale and distribution of all electronic cigarettes that have a ‘distinguishable flavour, taste or aroma’, aside from tobacco; and imposes a minimum fine of $250 for a first offence.

Before Governor Murphy signed the bill into law, vapers and advocates had taken to Twitter and flooded him with tweets urging him to veto it. Many people pointed to the devastating impact that this ban would have on local business owners.

President of the American Vaping Association, Gregory Conley, tweeted Governor Murphy after the bill was signed to say: “Congrats on making it harder for smokers to quit, opening up new black markets, and shutting down small businesses.”

However, in an official statement, Governor Murphy said he

was “particularly proud” that New Jersey is now the “first state with a legislatively-passed ban on flavoured vaping products.”

He refused to sign two substitute bills that had been proposed, both of which suggested amending current legislation to make it harder for products to appeal to children.

But Murphy instead opted for the full ban, he said: “I cannot support a piecemeal approach to a problem that requires a comprehensive solution.”

The new law will go into effect on April 20. Also in January, the San Diego County Board of Supervisors approved a vaping ban for all unincorporated areas of San Diego County.

This means that a vaping ban now applies to all parts of San Diego County that are not separately governed by a local administration, such as Carlsbad, Coronado and Del Mar.

The ban prohibits the sale of flavoured tobacco products, puts a year-long restriction on the sale of e-cigarettes, and prohibits smoking in outdoor dining areas – all points also apply to vaping.

Menthol and mint flavours are included in the ban, meaning that only tobacco flavoured e-cigarette products may be legally sold and purchased.

In a press release, the San Diego County Board said that these rules are in “response to a spate of vaping-related lung injuries in the nation and the county.”

The ban goes into effect on 28 February, with enforcement from July 1.

Meanwhile, in New York – where legislators have long been pushing for various vaping bans – a judge has blocked the state from enforcing a ban on flavours.

The ban was blocked by Supreme Court Justice Catherine Cholakis, following a challenge by the Vapor Technology Association who argued that such a ban would force businesses to close.

Judge Cholakis ruled that New York State’s Public Health and Health Planning Council didn’t have the authority to prohibit the sale of any flavoured vaping products.

And, finally, President Trump has expressed his regret over wading in on the vaping issue.

The President reportedly told his health secretary, Alex Azar, that he should “never have done that f***ing vaping thing,” during a phone call in an Oval Office meeting.

Those familiar with the call said that the President did not regret the policy outcome, only his personal involvement and reluctance to allow the FDA to handle it alone.

“Congrats on making it harder for smokers to quit, opening up new black markets, and shutting down small businesses. ”

IS VAPING’S MOST QUOTED STATISTIC “OUTDATED, MISLEADING AND INVALID?”

There is perhaps no statistic more frequently cited by vape advocates than ‘e-cigarettes are 95 percent less harmful than smoking.’ From public health campaigns to heated social media debates, the figure has become sewn into our collective consciousness.

However, the oft-cited claim is nothing more than an outdated ‘factoid,’ if the opinion of six public health experts is to be believed.

They wrote an editorial published in the American Journal of Public Health which argued that vaping has changed so much since a team of independent experts came to their conclusion in 2013 that the ‘95 percent less harmful than smoking’ estimate is both misleading and invalid.

The article said: “Public health practitioners, scientists and physicians should expose the fragile status of the factoid emphatically by highlighting its unreliable provenance and its lack of validity today, noting the many changes in e-cigarette devices and liquids, the accumulation of evidence of potential harm, the increased prevalence of use, and the growing evidence that e-cigarette use is associated with subsequent cigarette smoking.”

Professor Thomas Eissenberg, co-director of the Center for the Study of Tobacco Products at Virginia Commonwealth University, said: “It doesn’t make any sense for us to claim that we know that vaping is 95 percent safer than combustible cigarettes.

“No,’ says Public Health England which rejects criticism of their “95 percent less harmful” finding

Words: Gordon Stribling

“The fact is: we don’t know whether e-cigarette use is as lethal as combustible cigarette use, less lethal than combustible cigarette use, or more lethal than combustible cigarette use.”

Eissenberg and his colleagues said they were inspired to write the editorial after hearing numerous reports about the risks of e-cigarettes at a conference.

He said: “It occurred to me that with all these pieces of evidence, we needed perhaps to revisit this ’95 percent safer’ claim to see whether it still had any validity today.”

The authors argued that as more evidence of potential harm has accumulated, the original figure should not be relied upon and should instead be revised on the new evidence.

Eissenberg also said that the estimate could convince those who’ve never smoked to take up vaping, thinking, ‘that’s safe enough for me.’

However, Public Health England updated its 2015 review of e-cigarettes in 2017, 2018 and 2019 based on new evidence and maintains that e-cigarettes are likely to be at least 95 percent less harmful than combustible tobacco.

PHE and the Royal College of Physicians were among those to defend their stance on vaping.

Professor John Newton, director of health improvement at Public Health England said: “This research tells us nothing new. “Medical bodies across the world agree that e-cigarettes are not without risk but are far less harmful than smoking which

kills 220 people every day in England.

“The 95 per cent estimate was developed by independent academics that we agreed was a reasonable estimate at the time and a helpful way of communicating the different scale of risk between smoking and vaping, that people can easily understand.

“PHE is constantly reviewing the evidence around e-cigarettes and we shall publish our next review in the next couple of months.”

The Royal College of Physicians said: “The RCP has previously stated that while vaping may not be completely “safe”, the hazard to health arising from long-term use of e-cigarettes available today in the UK is unlikely to exceed five percent of the harm from smoking tobacco.”

Professor Riccardo Polosa, director of the Coehar, Center of Excellence for the Acceleration of Harm Reduction of the University of Catania, Sicily said: “Innovation in vaping product design is likely to reduce residual risks to as low as possible by adopting new technologies and applying ad hoc safety and quality standards. This is already happening.”

“We don’t know whether e-cigarette use is as lethal, less lethal or more lethal than combustible cigarette use.”

WE LOOK AT WHAT THE WHITE HOUSE HOPEFULS THINK ABOUT VAPING FLAVOURS, BANS AND JUUL.

Words: Caroline Barry

There can be no doubt that Donald Trump’s first term in office has been more than a little turbulent but will he get a second? He has flip-flopped on vaping legislation, causing much uncertainty within a sector which has suffered greatly in the wake of last year’s lung illness mass panic. But the race for the White House is already underway in the US with nominees hoping to be chosen as the official Democrat and Republican candidates. Here we look at the candidates who have expressed views about vaping.

Democrats

Mike Bloomberg, 78, former New York Mayor Bloomberg said he would ban the sale of all flavoured e-cigarettes and raise taxes on traditional cigarettes if he was elected president. He also wants to reduce the amount of nicotine in cigarettes, e-cigarettes and other tobacco products to "nonaddictive levels” and has regularly advocated tobacco control policies. In September, Bloomberg Philanthropies announced a $160 million initiative to "end the youth e-cigarette epidemic."

Amy Klobuchar, 59, Minnesota

The Minnesota Senator released a statement about e-cigarettes in November criticising the Trump administration for its flavour ban reversal: “The President’s decision not to move forward on action to ban flavoured e-cigarettes is yet another example of how his Administration prioritizes corporate interests over people. We must take real action to curb underage vaping, protect and educate consumers, and ensure the safety of the American people.” She also wrote to the CDC asking it speed up its investigation into vaping devices and the US deaths.

Elizabeth Warren, 70, Oklahoma Warren is one of the harshest critics of the vaping industry and is actively involved in campaigning for transparency of testing, results and marketing of e-cigarettes, especially JUUL. She is one of the only candidates to have a detailed press release outlining her efforts to control the vape industry. “I believe in science,” Warren said. “I believe that the decisions we should be making about our health should not be decisions that are influenced by an industry.”

Bernie Sanders, 78, Vermont

When asked about the US teen vaping epidemic, Sanders responded: “I think we shut down the industry if they’re causing addiction and if the evidence is that people are getting sick as a result or inhaling a lot of bad stuff.”

However just hours later a political aide “clarified” Sanders’ comments and said the veteran politician was actually in favour of more study and regulation within the industry to ensure that vaping was safe.

So it is tough regulation rather than shutting down the vape industry from Sanders.

shootings so far in 2019 and nothing has changed. Our government should treat an AR-15 like it’s at least as dangerous as a Juul.” He has also stated that “21-year-olds are fully formed adults and make their own decisions” in relation to vaping bans.

Pete Buttigieg, 38

Buttigieg addressed the issue of e-cigarettes at a press conference in Iowa stating that he believes proving the safety of vaping should be down to the companies themselves. “The way this was marketed and sold to the country was that it could be used for harm reduction to get people off of smoking combustible cigarettes into something that might be less dangerous, and that doesn't make them safe in their own right,” Buttigieg said. “And I believe the burden has to be on these companies to demonstrate that they are not causing harm rather than on regulators to demonstrate that they are.”

Joe Biden, 77, Pennsylvania

Biden is not in favour of e-cigarettes and proposes tighter restrictions than the Trump administration. He has said he would halt the sale of all products until more research becomes available. “There needs to be serious scientific data as to whether or not it has the kind of long-term damage on the lungs and causes death before we allow it to be sold,” Biden said. He admits to not having met with any vaping businesses but proposes a total ban until research can be produced to say it is completely safe.

Tom Steyer, 62, New York

Steyer has criticised the Trump administration for reacting to vaping deaths faster than they reacted to gun deaths in the US in 2019. “Six people have died from vaping-related lung disease and the Trump Administration is already taking action. We’ve had 19 mass

Republicans

Donald Trump, 73

The president opted to ban only flavoured cartridges after he was warned about the effects of losing the ‘vape vote’. Trump is reported to have complained to advisors about getting involved in the vape debate at all although attributes his change of heart to the protection of small businesses. “We have to protect our families,” Trump said. “At the same time, it’s a big industry. We want to protect the industry.”

Bill Weld, 74

Weld ran for governor of New York in 2006 on the Libertarian ticket before running for Vice President nominee in 2016 alongside Gary Johnson. The Libertarian party is-pro vaping, believing that it would hurt small businesses too much to ban and that vaping can prevent smoking harm.

“We have to protect our families, At the same time, it’s a big industry. We want to protect the industry.”

Known worldwide for it’s unique one of a kind flavor. The Berg is consistantly the topseller in almost every vape store. Also available in Menthol version. A

RESTORING TRUTH

Why good science is vital to the UK vaping industry

Words: Patrick Griffin

In the first of a two-part feature, we talk to Dr Chris Proctor, Group Head of Potentially Reduced Risk Product Science at British American Tobacco, about the role of science and research in the UK vape industry.

The vaping industry has always had its detractors but for the past six months or so it seems that it has been under attack like never before.

The recent ‘vape-related’ lung injury crisis in the United States - which turned out to have been caused by vitamin E acetate added to illegal THC vape devices - is a case in point.

While the illness was limited to the USA and Canada, the shockwaves it caused to vaping in general was felt throughout the world and caused many people to question whether they should either switch to vaping in the first place or simply carry on smoking.

Now, more than ever, it is of vital importance that the entire industry works hard to demonstrate to the public that e-cigarettes really are a better option than smoking.

Dr Chris Proctor, group head of Potentially Reduced Risk Product Science at British American Tobacco, says what

has happened in America highlights the importance of good scientific research within the vape industry.

He said: “What happened in the US last year has really highlighted the importance of good product stewardship, trusted retailers and buying from reputable sources.

“From the beginning of our journey in 2013, we have done so much science including chemistry, biology and many clinical studies. We also keep our own active monitoring of any consumer complaints that might be related to health.

“We have 50 toxicologists looking at what we’re putting into our products so that we know precisely what is in our liquid.

“The key message for vapers in the UK is to buy products from reputable retailers who work with reputable manufacturers and use the products as they were intended - don’t start messing with them.”

Now that vaping is gaining more traction, this has led to a barrage of negative stories in the mainstream media and online which is causing people to question the safety of vaping.

As the media warm to the theme of vaping scare stories, this is something the industry will need to address.

Dr Proctor added: “The most trusted source of information in the UK is Public Health England and I think PHE will continue to be a voice of reason for vapers.

“The message is very simple; if you switch from smoking to vaping don’t go back to smoking because vaping is 95 percent less risky than smoking.

“We will continue to invest in the quality of our products and there is huge transparency in our science. Our R&D is open to visitors and hundreds of people come through just to see the science we’re doing and what our labs look like.

“We also publish everything we do including those areas where there may be issues, such as diacetyl and about chemicals that can form diacetyl. We published a lot on our stewardship approaches to this as well as the basic chemistry, biology and our clinical studies and we will continue to do so.”

He described the UK as a country which was the most accepting of vaping and tobacco harm reduction but said that even here many really good independent studies “did not get much of a voice.”

By way of example, Dr Proctor quoted a University of Dundee two-year study looking at heart disease risk amongst smokers and vapers. He said that after just one month, heart disease

risk by markers in the body had reduced substantially among those who had switched from smoking to vaping.

He added: “This is a remarkable study which is consistent with our data. We have done clinical studies which show that within a day, carbon monoxide is removed from the body at the same rate as quitting if you switch to a vaping product.”

He also praised the annual Stoptober quit-smoking campaign but said it may be more effective if backed up by advice from doctors and pharmacists so that the message was more consistent about vaping being a better choice for smokers.

In the next issue Dr Proctor will discuss why the vape industry must keep innovating and why flavours are important to adult vapers.

“What happened in the US last year has really highlighted the importance of good product stewardship, trusted retailers and buying from reputable sources.”

Lead THE WAY

Words: Phoebe Fuller

It’s easy to grumble and groan when – as a vaper – you hear the word ‘regulations.’ Such a word can conjure thoughts of restriction and prohibition.

But here in the UK, it’s our regulations that have put us on the map as one of the most vaping-tolerant nations in the world.

“I think we’re really leading the way with a very moderate and responsible regulatory framework; it’s working really well because we have a high proportion of smokers switching to vaping,” says UKVIA spokesperson, Andrej Kuttruf.

He continues: “We also have one of the fastest decline rates of smoking across the whole of Europe and we still have one of the lowest teen vaping rates so it’s working really well.”

Andrej isn’t wrong: almost 80 percent of 11 to 18-year olds in the UK have never tried e-cigarettes, according to a June 2019 publication by Action on Smoking and Health.

This is in contrast to figures in the US which suggest that out of 8,837 middle school students (aged 11 to 13) and 10,097 high school students (aged 14 to 18), 10.5 percent and 27.5 percent respectively were current vapers last year; according to FDA research.

Sadly, youth uptake of e-cigarettes in the US continues to damage the industry and has even led to widespread prohibition or harsh regulation. This has set off a ripple-effect in other countries too; many of which model their policies on the US.

Andrej says: “There seems to be a very narrow view of teen vaping and this has led to knee-jerk reactions, instead of looking at the data more closely and paying attention to what’s working in the UK.”

Unlike in the States and other vape-sceptic countries, the UK has

never threatened flavour bans or total prohibition and, quite the opposite, has fully-backed and endorsed vaping as a less-harmful alternative to conventional cigarettes.

This means that there are no more restrictions on a business selling an e-cigarette than any other age-controlled product, so vapers needn’t resort to black-market products.

Products bought on the black-market are undoubtedly putting people’s health at risk, as we’ve seen with the rise in vape cartridges containing THC and vitamin E acetate in other countries. Knowing that the products for sale in UK stores are legal, regulated and safety tested gives the UK market a level of consumer-confidence that few other global markets have on such a large scale.

“In terms of the cases of illness due to THC cartridges, consumers here in the UK can be confident that products they’ve bought from reputable retailers have all been tested before they come to the market,” Andrej says.

“I think a lot of credit has to go to Public Health England (PHE), because they were one of the first to conduct very thorough research and realise that vaping is 95 percent less harmful, that is the basis of lots of UK policies.”

The backing of health bodies in the UK is what really cemented us as a nation of considered, health-focused policies – instead of being draconian and constraining.

Andrej believes that government support and the endorsement of the Royal College of Physicians, PHE and NHS stop-smoking services makes the UK one of the most positive markets, not just in Europe; but globally.

“The UK is really the shining light,” he says.

How the UK is the global leader in harm-reduction and vaping advocacy.

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MAKE BrexitWORK

Vapouround reviewer Benedict Jones explains the changes he would like to see in our new post-Brexit world

Our politicians now have the chance to change the UK’s vaping regulations so that there are more sensible rules to follow than those provided in the TPD.

Here are some changes which I believe would benefit consumers and businesses alike, without compromising on the high standards maintained by the MHRA.

1. Raise the limit on tank capacity

Since the TPD came into force, tanks, cartridges and pods sold in the EU have been limited to a capacity of 2ml. The reasoning behind this limitation was seemingly to prevent excessive contact with nicotine in the event of e-liquid spillages but it was always met with bemusement by users.

Many vapers use low nicotine e-liquids and for these people, 2ml is a very limiting capacity, which leads to more re-filling and ironically a much greater chance of spillage.

Raising the limit to a more sensible figure like 10ml would give users access to many of the convenient products that are enjoyed in nonTPD markets and would also make the day-today use of e-cigarettes much more convenient for transitioning smokers, by virtue of having to fiddle with tank components less often.

In pre-fillled devices such as pods, this would also lead to a reduction in waste, since a 4ml pod

would last twice as long as the current maximum 2ml before being disposed of.

2. Raise the

limit on

e-liquid bottle capacity

The other most noticeable impact of TPD regulations has been the 10ml bottle limit on any e-liquid that contains nicotine.

This rule in particular was immediately circumvented with short-fill products, nicotine free e-liquids that are designed to be topped up with a nicotine shot. The result of this has been needless plastic waste, additional costs to consumers and an annoying barrier to entry for transitioning smokers who have to deal with the mess and inconvenience of nicotine shots if they want to access the full range of products on the market.

The 10ml ruling was put in place to reduce the risk of nicotine poisoning or skin contact but again it has resulted in the opposite, with millions of vapers opening bottles of nicotine to pour into short-fills on a daily basis. The current regulation is not only ineffectual but counter-productive and wasteful.

We understand that there is some legitimate concern about having extremely large bottles of nicotine containing e-liquid on the market, so a limit of some kind should be put in place but 10ml is far too low.

Something like a limit of 60ml maximum for concentrations of 12mg/ml or below and 10ml

and therefore public health.

NO EMPTY BREXIT FOR UK VAPERS

Words : Patrick Griffin

If a week is a long time in politics then the threeand-a-half years it took to make Brexit happen seemed to drag on for an eternity.

Now that we have it, we have to make Brexit work for both the country as a whole and for the UK’s vaping community.

We are already sick to death of tiny empty 10ml bottles which are bad for the environment and bad for vapers so we must now ensure that leaving the EU does not become an empty Brexit for UK vapers.

We currently follow the TPD regulations but we no longer have to do so.

And while nobody is arguing that we should go back to the pre-regulation days of vaping, our politicians now have the opportunity to make the regulations much more vape-friendly.

The vaping community now has a chance to get more sensible regulation for the UK market and the best way to make that happen is to let our

MPs know what changes we would like to see. If enough voters ask politicians to act then they will take notice, but without pressure they are likely to either do nothing or introduce changes that don’t really help at all.

What would YOU like to see change in the UK vaping regulations? The 10ml bottles and 2ml tank sizes have constantly been criticised since the TPD first came into force and now we have the chance to do something about it. Or maybe there are other changes that are important to you?

The best thing to do is to write to your local MP and encourage all your friends who vape to do so too. Let your local media outlets know what you are doing and encourage them to give you publicity.

Here is a sample email that you could send. Feel free to edit it as you wish and don’t forget to fill in the blanks. You can find your MP’s email address here: https://members.parliament.uk/ members/Commons

Tell your local MP that the time for sensible vaping regulation is now

Your Vaping

Dear [xxxx],

Constituents

Want EU Red Tape Ended - Not An Empty Brexit

I am a vaper who lives in your constituency at [xxxxx]. Vaping is really important to me [because of xxxx].

With 3.6 million vapers in the UK there are probably around 6,000 of us in your constituency. Myself and my vaping friends often complain about the petty EU rules which make vaping unnecessarily difficult - and so less attractive for smokers.

The ones which personally upset me are:

The limit on the size of refill bottles - this makes vaping more expensive for me and creates wasteful packaging

The limit on the size of e-cigarette tanks - this means I am having to constantly refill my device

Stupid restrictions on public vaping - why shouldn’t I be allowed to vape on an open railway platform?

I am not asking for no rules - I simply want Parliament to give the UK regulator the power to make rules that are proportionate.

What worries me is that the Government will just come up with some meaningless words and do nothing.

Please would you write to the Minister and ask whether, for vapers like me, the Government is going to make a difference? Or will it just be a fake, empty Brexit?

I would also like to meet you at your constituency surgery so that I can explain the issues in more detail.

Yours sincerely, [your name]

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TRIAL BY TELEVISION

UK vaping community reacts angrily to ITV’s ‘How Safe is Your Vape?’ programme

Words by Caroline Barry

It is fair to say that ITV’s recent prime-time documentary “How Safe is Your Vape?” did not go down well with the UK’s vaping community.

The IBVTA branded it “the most unbalanced and misleading report on vaping seen to date on British television,” while the UKVIA said it would serve to “keep people smoking cigarettes.”

ITV advertised the show as an exploration of the boom in the UK vaping industry but critics - and there are many - have dismissed it as a yet another ‘hatchet job’ on the e-cigarette industry.

In fact after the show was broadcast it was slammed on social media by outraged vapers who variously described it as “irresponsible,” “scare mongering” and “pointlessly feeble.”

Many vapers could not understand why so much airtime was given to anti-vaping campaigner Prof Stanton Glantz while nobody from the vape industry was invited to take part.

The UKVIA said: “The inclusion of Prof Glantz, a renowned critic of vaping, makes the lack of an invitation to industry spokespeople all the more jarring.

“Despite Prof Glantz’s claims, the UK’s example remains a beacon for public health professionals interested in progressive harm reduction policies. UCL School of Pharmacy notes that “British policies on encouraging vaping as a substitute for smoking can be regarded as world leading and are likely to reduce both cancer and heart disease rates.”

The IBVTA said it had tried to contact the programme producers with a comment before the show was aired but to no avail.

It said: “To the knowledge of the IBVTA, no UK manufacturer or importer of vape products was approached with any right to reply or provide balance to arguments against the safety of vaping.

“The knowledgeable opinions of UK commentators were largely consigned to side notes, and the piece relied heavily on opinions from tobacco control activist Stanton Glantz, an ardent and discredited anti-vaping campaigner for many years.”

“How Safe is Your Vape?” also focused on the recent American vape-related deaths and lung illnesses but failed to point out that it was illegal THC products containing vitamin E acetate which were largely to blame.

On Twitter ‘@WillJameson1842’ said: “Seriously?! What crazy scare mongering you’re indulging in with “How Safe is Your Vape?” No mention of THC, hardly any mention of PHE or Royal College of Physicians.”

@Vaping_Biker dismissed the program as: “Biased and lacking in valid balanced journalism. Clearly you had an agenda and didn’t let science or facts get in the way.”

The IBVTA said: “It was clear that the producers set out to demonise both the UK’s most successful quit aid in the history of smoking, and the consumer led insurgency that has made the UK a world leader in reducing smoking rates.

“There is absolutely no doubt that irresponsible reporting of this nature will result in vapers going back to smoking, and that means

this television programme will be the direct cause of unnecessary premature death.”

Meanwhile back on social media there were calls for the vaping community to write to regulator Ofcom to complain. Many wanted ITV to urgently revisit the topic to allow experts from the UK vape industry and medical professionals to give their views. @ MarcoVanB_UK Tweeted: “You urgently need a follow up this programme and include UK-based trade bodies and actual UK medical professionals to talk about issues raised in your last attempt at creating panic amongst the public. #DoTheRightThing.” Whatever happens now the damage has already been done. The UKVIA said the programme’s net impact would be “to keep people smoking cigarettes, which results in more than 200 deaths every day in the UK.” It added: “When dealing with issues of public health and harm reduction, the bar for accuracy must be set particularly high. It is the opinion of the UKVIA that ITV’s programming fell well short in this regard.”

“Irresponsible reporting of this nature will result in vapers going back to smoking and that means this television programme will be the direct cause of unnecessary premature death.”

HOW ACCURATE IS YOUR TV VAPE DOCUMENTARY?

On Thursday February 6, ITV’s Tonight aired a 24-minute current affairs special on vaping.

To the bemusement of anyone with a basic understanding of the industry, it was a train wreck, featuring anomalous case studies, a disingenuous narrative and prolific anti-vaping fear monger extraordinaire Stanton Glantz.

Approximately 100,000 people die every year in the UK from smoking-related illnesses. Cigarettes are the single most deadly consumer product to ever exist. You’d be forgiven for thinking that presenter Jonathan Maitland is unaware of this, since he failed to mention the true harm-reduction potential of vaping during his film, only once briefly stating that e-cigarettes “may” help smokers quit.

Instead he chose to focus on the extraordinarily rare cases of allergic reactions to vaping and the tragic deaths which have been overwhelmingly linked with THC products containing vitamin E acetate, a compound that is not found in the nicotine e-liquids regulated by the MHRA.

Maitland also suggested that flavoured vaping products were being used to target children but I (and many other adults like me) would still be

smoking cigarettes if it wasn’t for flavours like raspberry sorbet and vanilla custard. The film also failed to mention Public Health England’s 2019 review, which found that only 0.2 percent of underage never smokers regularly vape.

While it did allow three ex-smokers to explain that flavours help them quit, the presenter didn’t feel the need to hide his incredulity at the idea. Nor did the programme highlight encouraging data, such as a 2019 Kings College London study, which found that e-cigarettes were almost twice as effective for quitting smoking, when compared to traditional nicotine replacement therapy.

This Tonight special failed to show even a basic understanding of how vaping works. At one point, “How Safe Is Your Vape?” maligned the fact that vapers generally use their devices more often than they would have smoked. While this is undoubtedly true, it is just one example of how nicotine delivery differs between vaping and smoking. Cigarettes deliver a short, sharp burst of nicotine while e-cigarettes provide a lower dose, which is dispersed more slowly and

“Not very” according to Vapouround

reviewer Ned Jones, who is appalled by ITV’s prime time current affairs Tonight show.

topped up more regularly.

‘How Safe is Your Vape?” also featured Stanton Glantz, who criticised the NHS and PHE for their continued support of vaping. For those unaware, Prof. Glantz has gained notoriety in recent years for attaching his name to any study which paints vaping in a negative light. Prof. Glantz even went as far as to say vapers “would be better off just smoking” at the end of 2018. This should give you an idea of his credibility as a tobacco harm reduction expert.

Portraying Stanton Glantz as an unbiased expert was staggering in the extreme and would surely not serve to allow Tonight’s audience to make an informed decision on whether to smoke or vape.

The IBVTA was - quite rightly - quick to point out that “no UK manufacturer or importer of vape products was approached with any right to reply or provide balance to arguments against the safety of vaping.”

The narrative constructed in this prime-time TV programme was clear; the dangers of vaping are unknown; our regulations are insufficient, and the vaping industry wants to hook a new generation of nicotine addicts. We’ve heard these arguments before. They simply do not hold true when scrutinised. There is a real danger that ex-smokers who currently vape will

regress to smoking after watching this scare-mongering and deeply-flawed documentary.

“How Safe Is Your Vape?” served only to scare viewers rather than help them develop a better understanding of such an important subject and this was a wasted opportunity.

CoV-2) have been reported as far and wide as the US and Australia. By early February, it had claimed more lives than the 2002-3 SARS outbreak. The World Health Organization has declared a global health emergency and named the disease ‘COVID-19’.

There have been more than 80,000 confirmed cases and in excess of 2,700 deaths at the time of writing and there’s no prospect of a vaccine anytime soon.

With small and large-scale quarantines and a number of airlines suspending flights to China, the outbreak is already impacting the global vape trade. Shenzhen accounts for around 90 percent of the world’s vaping hardware and employs around half a million people.

By mid-February, the US was feeling the effects. Scott Alwine of US wholesaler VaporBeast sent an email urging his customers to stock up on supplies.

He wrote: “We are expecting a major national shortage of coils and hardware starting toward the end of February and running through March and possibly a good portion of April. We encourage you to stock up now to ensure you will have products for your customers.”

The US is by far the biggest market for Chinese manufacturers but the fallout from flavour bans and the EVALI outbreak were already putting that at risk months before COVID-19 hit.

Chinese companies are nervously waiting to see how May’s PMTA

deadline affects manufacturing in the months and years ahead.

And the youth vaping narrative saw China impose a de facto ban on domestic sales to protect children from tobacco, closing down online sales overnight - just days before China’s biggest annual shopping holiday.

The outbreak came at an already problematic time for broader US-China trade relations. The two global powers had spent months hammering out a trade deal that may now be under threat if China is unable to meet its purchasing commitments, including an additional $40bn in US farm goods over the next two years.

National Security Advisor Robert O’Brien said: “We’ll have to wait and see how it plays out and whether alternate suppliers can be found. “There’s no doubt that the virus could have an impact on the US economy and also on the world economy.”

The expo circuit is a huge and vital element of the global vape economy, with companies of all sizes attending events around the world to build new business contacts and meet directly with vapers on the ground.

But many of the big Chinese companies were

conspicuous in their absence from February’s London Vaper Expo. Others, such as Vaporesso and Voopoo, sent their distributors as stand-ins.

While SMOK did not attend the event, the UKVIA revealed on LinkedIn that the company’s medicalgrade factory had been recruited by the government to manufacture the highly in-demand medical masks.

And on the Monday after Vaper Expo, exhibitors received the news that the biggest vape event on the global calendar had been put on hold.

An IECIE Shenzhen organiser said in an email: “Due to the Novel Coronavirus proliferation concerns, we are deeply sorry to announce that Shenzhen e-Cig Expo 2020 held in Shenzhen Convention & Exhibition Center between 24 to 26 of April has been postponed in line with the efforts by the Chinese Government to control and limit the spread of this infectious disease.”

While China is at the epicentre of the crisis, it is unlikely to be the only country to rein in its expo plans. Fewer big-name exhibitors means fewer visitors and less business at a time when the industry is already under threat from flavour bans and the PMTA deadline.

“We are expecting a major national shortage of coils and hardware starting toward the end of February and running through March”

Worlds APART

Words: Phoebe Fuller

In terms of vaping, Ireland and the UK are worlds apart – at least, that’s the way it would seem if the positions of prominent health charities are anything to go by.

Vaping is about as popular among the population of Ireland (four percent currently vape) as it is among the population of the UK (just over six percent currently vape), but approval and endorsement among the medical communities in each country couldn’t be more different.

In November, the Irish Heart Foundation called for a total ban on e-cigarette advertising. Head of Advocacy Chris Macey said the Foundation was “petrified” that reductions in youth smoking rates would be lost due to the “efforts of e-cigarette companies, many of which are dominated by Big Tobacco.”

Vape Business Ireland spokesperson Joe Dunne (pictured) sees things differently and says the Irish medical community’s reluctance to endorse e-cigarettes could lead to a health crisis in the future.

He says: “On current trends, the UK is set to be smokefree by 2030, so by then we

could still be here saying: ‘Do you know what? We should have backed vaping’, and we’ll still have six or seven thousand people dying of smoking-related illness every year.”

But it’s not just the Irish Heart Foundation that has taken such a firm stance against vaping. Prominent smoking reduction and cancer research charities have also come out against it.

The Irish Cancer Society does not endorse e-cigarettes as an effective quit aid, nor is the organisation convinced by the harmreduction potential of vaping.

Though it accepts that e-cigarettes are less harmful than combustible cigarettes, the Society said it remains concerned about the long-term effects of vaping.

The Society said: “We cannot categorically say that e-cigarette use increases cancer risk but e-cigarette use may cause precursor events to cancer, such as lung inflammation and DNA damage in the lungs. These products can also alter vital signs such as heart rate and blood pressure.”

When it comes to offi cial attitudes to vaping, the UK and Ireland couldn’t be further apart

For Joe, the preoccupation with long-term effects is not a good enough reason for organisations not to publicly back e-cigarettes. He said: “It’s like a broken record at this stage. They keep saying: ‘We don’t know the long-term effects of vaping’ and to that I say: ‘Yeah okay, we don’t know the long-term effects of vaping but we do when you compare it to smoking – and it is 95 percent less harmful.’

“We don’t need to know the long-term effects of vaping at a five percent risk, because we’re not asking non-smokers to vape; it’s for smokers and if you’re a smoker and you switch to vaping we know, according to scientists, that it’s 95 percent less harmful.”

Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) is another organisation which is unwilling to endorse e-cigarettes while ASH UK, Cancer Research UK and the British Heart Foundation have all supported vaping as an effective quit-aid and a harm-reduction tool for smokers.

Joe added: “The UK and Ireland are miles apart on the vaping issue. The two countries are like cousins in the sense that we are so close in a lot of things, but with this we are in different worlds.”

Ciaran Osborne, ASH UK’s director of policy and communication, said: “If you’re a smoker who can’t quit, we recommend switching to e-cigarettes.

“When you smoke, you inhale toxic tar and carbon monoxide not present in e-cigarettes so, while vaping is not risk-free, it is widely acknowledged to be substantially less harmful than smoking.”

Meanwhile Ash Ireland takes a different view. A spokesperson said: “ASH Ireland, Council of the Irish Heart Foundation, disagrees with the position of ASH UK. Along with many countries, under the precautionary principle, we have taken an approach to e-cigarettes that differs from that taken by the NHS.

“The 95 percent less harmful figure is derived from indirect evidence. Nevertheless, based on this modelled estimate and other preliminary evidence, ASH Ireland agrees that vaping, while not harm free, is likely to be safer than smoking.”

George Butterworth, Cancer Research UK’s senior policy manager, said e-cigarettes were preferable to smoking.

He said: “E-cigarettes are a relatively new product. We strongly discourage non-smokers from using them as they aren’t risk-free and we don’t yet know their long-term impact.

“However research so far shows that vaping is less harmful than smoking tobacco and can help people to stop smoking.

“For the best chance of quitting, get support from a Stop Smoking Service, who can help you find the right tools for you.”

“The UK and Ireland are miles apart on the vaping issue. The two countries take similar approaches to a lot of things, but with vaping we are in different worlds.”

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WELL WORTH A WATCH: NETFLIX BROKEN: BIG VAPE

Vapouround’s Benedict Jones takes a look at a Netflix documentary on vaping which highlights both good and bad points about the worldwide vape industry.

Netflix recently released a new documentary series titled Broken, with the aim of shedding light on industries which have captured headlines in recent years, often for the wrong reasons.

The decision to include a 60-minute film on vaping isn’t much of a surprise in this context and with vape hysteria boiling over at the end of last year, many voices in the vaping community were concerned about yet another ‘hit piece’ that would unfairly misrepresent the facts.

The film starts with the account of high school student Bella Carroll, 17, who discusses the challenge of quitting vaping, with the main barrier being how prevalent use is amongst her peers. We then move on to the school principal, who says that vaping is a common problem in his school and involves students from a wide range of backgrounds.

I was concerned that I was about to watch 60 minutes of narrative

slating vaping but the film maker then points out that while vaping has become “cool” for underage users, smoking rates in youth have declined substantially. Moreover, the film then makes it clear that the youth attitude towards cigarette smoking has shifted, so that it is now seen as socially unacceptable and certainly not the rebellious thing it once was. Here, the film pivots to a brief history of the tobacco industry and we see something that is so sorely lacking in much of the mainstream coverage of vaping; the fact that our industry is disrupting one of the most insidious products to ever be sold. We then move to Hong Kong for a profile of Hon Lik, inventor of the modern e-cigarette. This deeply personal story behind the inception of vaping is a prime example of what advocates in our community have been saying since anti-vaping sentiments first took off, that our industry is driven by user innovation and a desire to quit smoking.

Café Racer founder Kurt Sonderegger is up next alongside several other business leaders at Vape Expo Las Vegas. Here, “Broken” highlights the huge number of ex-smokers in the vaping industry and they talk about the importance and demand for flavours for adult smokers. I had hoped this segment would be

longer as this would have been an ideal opportunity - sadly missed I am afraid - to more deeply explore the true nature of vape culture and the support network it provides for those who wish to quit smoking.

The next 20 minutes was much less positive and covered topics including Phillip Morris International’s ostensible goal of creating a smoke-free world and JUUL’s meteoric rise, including the questions which arose about their marketing tactics.

“Broken” is quite matter-of-fact about these subjects and doesn’t come across as alarmist when compared with the kinds of reports we commonly see in the news and I feel that the coverage here was both fair and informative.

It moves to the UK next and highlights the positive approach to vaping taken over here. Martin Dockrell, tobacco control programme lead for Public Health England speaks passionately and with authority to make the case for the harm reduction possibilities of vape products.

He said: “If the choice is between e-cigarettes and fresh air, then choose fresh air. If the choice is between e-cigarettes and smoking, then choose e-cigarettes.”

“Broken” points out that e-cigarettes have contributed to the 25 percent decline in British smoking rates over the last five years and it is quite clear that the filmmakers

accept that vaping has a legitimate and powerful role to play in reducing the single biggest cause of preventable death the world over.

It shows how flavoured e-cigarettes are helping the UK’s smoking cessation efforts with a case study of young mother Chloe O’Shea, who is pregnant with a second child. I praise Netflix for taking the time to explore the positive human impact of the vaping industry, something the mainstream media are generally content to ignore.

Louise Ross, former manager of Leicester Stop Smoking Service sums it up best when she says: “At the end of this day, are you likely to go home and open a bottle of wine, or pour yourself a beer, or have a strong coffee? People are realising yes, they’ve got their own vices and I think there’s something deeply moralistic about this distaste for nicotine.”

In summary, “Broken: Big Vape” is about as balanced a documentary as we can feasibly expect from a mainstream platform like Netflix and it does a good job of highlighting the amazing potential of open vapour products while covering concerns about youth use and corporate co-opting of an independent driven industry. This is well worth a watch for anyone who wants to learn more about the history and evolution of vaping.

VAPE LIKE Her

Is this a man’s world?

Words: Phoebe Fuller

In the vaping industry, not at all.

To celebrate International Women’s Day on March 8, Vapouround wanted to shine a light on a some of the ladies making waves in our industry.

Though vaping is often pegged as an activity that appeals mostly to men, Action on Smoking and Health say there is a

Even on social media, women are stepping up to show that they can vape like the boys – with plenty of Instagram

Vape influencer and model Priscilla Crystal, 23, from Riverside, California, says being an Instagram influencer has allowed her a unique opportunity to further her career and help people at the

She says: “It feels very powerful when people tell you that you’ve helped save their lives and encouraged them to switch from

“You hear all these great stories when people come to you and tell you that they stopped smoking because of you and it’s really great

Priscilla has over 123,000 Instagram followers and uses her platform to present her life in a way that gives her followers something to aspire to; aided by well-composed photographs of her and the latest tech in the industry.

She is sponsored by companies including Smok, Innokin and VooPoo and uses her platform to inspire and help others.

She says: “I’m very grateful for what I have carved out for myself and I don’t know what else I would be doing if that hadn’t come into

The Tricker/Advocate

Bobbie Andrade, a 23-year old vape tricker and advocate from Los Angeles, California, also uses Instagram to raise awareness and spread the pro-vape message.

With some 20,000 followers on her Instagram account, Bobbie is able to draw people in with impressive trick videos and fun photography, while pushing for social awareness and lobbying for the vaping industry.

She says: “Advocacy is more important than fun social media content, but without the tricks and the really nice pictures, it would be a lot harder to advocate.”

Like Priscilla, Bobbie credits social media with giving her this outlet to spread a message and make a name for herself that’s synonymous with harm-reduction and vape lifestyle.

“We’re not a bunch of dumb kids just vaping for the fun of it. We really do care about people’s wellbeing. But I do feel like I wouldn’t really have as much of a platform if I didn’t spend like a million hours practicing vape tricks and shooting videos and photoshoots,” she says.

The Businesswoman

Hayley Marshall, operations manager at Premier E-Cigs, says the industry tends to be very male-dominated but said she has never allowed that to stop her getting her voice heard.

She says: “As a woman working in the vaping industry, I’ve had people walk straight past me at times because they automatically expected to deal with a man.

“I’m a determined individual and so I’ve never allowed this to deter me; I’ve worked hard to make sure that I’m heard.”

Premier E-Cigs was launched in 2013 as a family-run business to help smokers quit cigarettes and make their lives better.

Hayley added: “I think the industry in five years will look much different to what it does now.

“For me it’s been an interesting journey so far. I’ve had a great time and have met some amazing people and made lifelong friends.

“The industry has become so much more inclusive over the years though, so I’m looking forward to watching that trend continue and seeing yet more women get involved.”

"It feels very powerful at times, when people tell you that you've helped to save their lives."

INTERVIEW WITH A Vape Trickster

Vapouround Magazine: How did you get into vape tricking?

Byron: The first time I got into vape tricking was when I saw VNGEL’s video on Facebook around 2014. She was one of the original members of the VGOD team and when I saw her video, I was amazed at how she could manipulate vapour into many Os. When I saw that, I started practicing 24/7.

VM: What was it about tricking that made you want to give it a go?

Byron: Vape tricking was just an art for me. The fact that vapour can be blown into an O and you can split it, make into a “tornado” - it just blew my mind!

VM: What has been the hardest part about learning this skill?

Byron: The hardest part about vaping is learning a new trick. Many new tricks come out each year and sometimes it’s hard to keep up with it. One of the hardest tricks for me to learn was the fidget split, which is a triple split where you have to pull vertically.

VM: How has vape tricking influenced your life outside of vaping?

Byron: Vaping has really changed my life. I started smoking when I was 11 and living in Indonesia - I was smoking a pack and a half a day. When I came back to the US at 18, my cousin recommended that I switch to vaping. Vaping has also introduced me to so many new friends whom I consider family now.

VM: You have 239k followers on Instagram, how does it feel to have this level of influence and impact on social media?

Byron: I feel like having the number of followers I have now doesn’t really change anything for me, I’ll still be the same person that I was six years ago when I started. The only difference now is that I’m reaching more and more people each day and educating them about vaping.

With Byron Datau, 23, from Los Angeles, California

VM: How has your social media presence helped you to further your tricking skills?

Byron: I’m truly grateful for social media because not only can I do what I love and show people my creativity, but it is my full-time job now.

VM: What do you do when you’re not tricking?

Byron: I also do photography, videography and barbering when I have extra time. I just love editing videos!

VM: What advice would you give to other people who are wanting to get into vape tricking?

Byron: My advice is just to be creative with your videos and be yourself. Also, make sure you post daily pictures and videos on social media; you’ll grow your name in this industry if you do. The most important thing though is to be humble and remember where you came from!

Reasons TO KEEP VAPING

It’s saddening to hear about vapers packing it in and going back to the cigarettes. For anyone tempted to do so, here are five reasons to keep vaping.

Words: Phoebe Fuller

aping has been shown to be a much better alternative to smoking for many people all over the world who have used e-cigarettes to successfully quit. Sometimes vapers are tempted to go back to smoking and in countries where regulators are clamping down on vaping, they often have very little choice. Flavour bans have been shown to lead to an uptake in smoking and the same is obviously true in parts of the world where draconian rules and regulations put many vape stores out of business. It also happens that smokers can be given the wrong vaping products to begin with - something which is less likely to happen in well-run vape stores where staff are familiar with their products - while some smokers just decide that they like cigarettes better. If you know someone who thinks vaping is not for them then it may simply be that they are using the wrong hardware, the wrong liquid or both. The best thing you could do is to point them in the direction of their nearest vape store where staff will be able to address their concerns and recommend more suitable products and flavours instead. Whatever the reason, it’s never worth giving up vaping if doing so will push a person back to cigarette. So, if it’s a choice between vaping or smoking, here are five reasons to stick with vaping.

same. If you are a vaper then always be open to discussing your vaping experience with smokers and answer any concerns or fears they may have. And if you are a smoker then feel free to talk to vapers about switching - you will find that they will be only too happy to help.

1. Its better for you

As Public Health England says, vaping is at least 95 percent less harmful than smoking cigarettes and they’re standing by that statistic in light of the negative headlines. The sad thing is that message is still not getting through to millions of smokers who - quite wrongly - believe that vaping is either as harmful or more harmful than smoking. The negative media coverage which came out of the USA last year did nothing to help the situation and it is of vital importance that we help smokers to understand that vaping is by far the better option in terms of their health. For anyone who’s already smoking – vaping is always a much healthier alternative.

3. You’ll be supporting the industry

The vaping industry has taken a bit of a battering in recent months, with negative press coming out of the USA and various countries implementing flavour or vaping bans. It needs our support now more than ever and vapers can do their bit by continuing to support the industry that got them off the cigarettes, by not going back.

2. You’ll inspire other smokers

Never underestimate the affect that you can have on complete strangers, just by being a visible vaping presence in their day. When a smoker walks past someone and notices they’re vaping or talks to a vaper in a pub smoking area, this may encourage them to do the

4. It’s (still) cheaper

There seems to be less emphasis on the cost-effectiveness of vaping these days than when it first hit the scene, but it’s still the more economic choice if it’s money that motivates you. Cigarette prices continue to rise year-on-year and a packet of 20 will now set you back around 12 quid. But you can still get three bottles of e-liquid for a tenner from most stores; it’s a no-brainer.

5. It’s better for the environment

Cigarette butts are the most littered item on the entire planet and, with the myriad nasty chemicals that leak from them into the earth and the sea, anything that reduces that impact is worth maintaining. For all the non-recyclable cigarette butts avoided through vaping, there’s the added bonus of being able to recycle bottles and batteries when they’re finished with – a win/win.

HAS CANADA TURNED AGAINST VAPING?

Words: Gordon Stribling

Attitudes among the public and politicians are rapidly changing

Canada’s Tobacco and Vaping Products Act was heralded as a victory for common sense when it was enacted in May 2018.

The regulations encourage adult smokers to switch to vaping as a less harmful alternative while making provisions to reduce youth access.

Yet while the country’s approach was a win for harm reduction, it seems that all that ground may have been lost following many months of panic about youth use and lung illnesses.

In December, industry regulator Health Canada announced proposals to restrict advertising in places frequented by young people, including social media platforms.

Minister Patty Hajdu also proposed new packaging restrictions and limitations on nicotine content.

The minister said: “We are working on further steps to protect youth and our message remains clear: vaping comes with serious risks.”

A recent study from the non-profit Angus Reid Institute reflected a concerning shift in attitudes about vaping among the Canadian public.

Respondents were asked to respond to the statement: ‘Switching from smoking to vaping is a good move for your health.’ In 2019, over 50 percent disagreed with is a worryingly high number. Meanwhile, 89 percent of respondents with and 84 percent without children aged under 19 are worried about youth vaping rates. Their concerns are understandable, given the viral power of the ‘youth vaping epidemic’ narrative. But as we’ve seen with the National Youth Tobacco Survey in the US, the headlines rarely tell the whole story.

One widely reported study by the University of Waterloo found that the number of 16-19-year-old never-smokers to ever vape rose by 74 percent, from 13.5 percent in 2017 to 19.8 percent in 2018. However, only 0.6 percent reported vaping on more than 15 over the past 30 days.

While a tightening of federal regulations is on the horizon, the provinces have already begun to bring in regulations to curb youth vaping and combat the much-disputed gateway to combustible tobacco.

A ban on vape advertising in public places in Ontario has been in

effect since January 1. British Columbia introduced a 13 percent tax increase on vape products the same day.

Now, Nova Scotia is to follow America’s lead by cracking down heavily on flavoured e-liquids. On April 1, the province will become the first in the country to introduce an outright ban on flavours.

Health minister Randy Delorey said: “This decision is in response to our concerns about the growth in particular of youth vaping. “This is not just about reducing vaping access and use, but it’s also a means to stem potential transfers into traditional tobacco usage as well.”

The Canadian Vaping Association (CVA) represents more than 300 vape businesses in Canada. While the organisation is supportive of new regulations being rolled out elsewhere, it believes that Nova Scotia’s flavour ban is ‘rash and presumptuous’ and could have ‘potentially deadly consequences’ for thousands of smokers and vapers who have already switched from tobacco.

Executive director Darryl Tempest said: “Flavoured products available in adult-only, specialty vape shops offer smokers looking to transition away from cigarettes, or quit altogether, a less harmful option with nicotine thresholds of 20 mg/ml or less.

“This we know without a shadow of a doubt and these are the risks that governments must weigh and consider before they fast track regulations on the fly.”

Rather than blaming flavours for the growth in youth vaping, Tempest points to the ‘egregious proliferation of tobaccofinanced and owned vaping products’ with high levels of nicotine that spread across thousands of convenience stores and gas stations throughout 2018.

He said: “Prior to this development, youth uptake was relatively flat for almost a decade, despite the availability of thousands of flavours in independently owned age-restricted vape shops.”

No country has been immune to the ongoing tide of vape hysteria coming from the States, least of all its closest neighbour. And it seems that adult smokers and vapers are set to lose out again as regulators crack down on the most effective alternative to deadly tobacco.

“This is not just about reducing vaping access and use, but it’s also a means to stem potential transfers into traditional tobacco usage as well”

A SMOKER’S GUIDE TO VAPING IN 2020

The first quarter of each year has always been a popular time for resolutions, self-improvement and leaving bad habits in the past. It is no secret that vaping offers a great alternative to conventional cigarettes, but with the massive variety of hardware and e-liquid products now available, making those first steps can feel a little overwhelming. With that in mind, here are our top tips for successfully going smoke-free this year.

1. FIND THE NICOTINE STRENGTH THAT WORKS FOR YOU

The post-Brexit UK continues to follow the TPD, a set of EU regulations that place limits on which products are available to purchase, although that could change in the future. For now at least, this sets a maximum nicotine strength of 20mg/ml.

Many new vapers make the mistake of trying to quit smoking with low or even zero nicotine e-liquid and, all too often, this results in a return to cigarettes, for the simple reason that their nicotine cravings are not being properly satisfied.

While we do not advocate going straight to the highest strength available for all users, the best course of action at first is to try a variety of nicotine strengths, so you can dial in what is needed to keep cravings at bay. Once you find a nicotine strength that consistently cuts down or eliminates your cigarette smoking, you can start

to think about slowly lowering nicotine strength, but this should not be something you attempt until that is achieved. It’s important to remember that carcinogens, like tar, are the main thing we should be trying to eliminate and nicotine itself is not the primary concern.

2. SAMPLE A VARIETY OF DEVICES

Hardware can be a stumbling block for some new users, since there’s a huge variety available, ranging from tiny pod kits, all the way to complex box mods, with in-depth customisation and functionality. There’s also two distinct styles of vaping, so it’s no wonder that some new users feel a little confused. Best practice in this case is to choose a simple device at first, no matter which style of vaping appeals to you.

You’ll need to figure out what kind of draw you prefer. The tightness or openness of draw falls into two categories; “mouth-to-lung” and “direct-tolung”.

Mouth-to-lung is a tight draw, which aims to closely emulate the draw of a cigarette. Mouthto-lung devices usually operate at lower power levels and are often paired with higher strength e-liquids, to replicate the experience of a cigarette. This combination of factors makes them a good choice for many smokers making the switch. A good starting point for mouth to lung devices is

Words: Benedict Jones

anywhere from 12-20mg/ml, depending on how heavily you smoke. You can also choose to vape nicotine salts, which are less harsh on the throat and deliver nicotine more quickly, but some users prefer the slow and steady nicotine delivery of traditional “freebase” nicotine.

Direct-to-lung is a more open draw, with larger amounts of airflow and generally more power output, which results in more vapour. Direct-to-lung devices are generally (but not always) paired with lower strength e-liquid. Some new users prefer to start with this style of device, since it is a totally different experience to smoking. A good starting point for direct to lung devices is 6mg/ml for regular smokers, or 3mg/ml for light, or “social” smokers.

3. USE YOUR LOCAL VAPE SHOP FOR SUPPORT

Any vape shop worth its salt is more than just a point of sale. An establishment with knowledgeable staff and proper product selection can guide you through all the beginner-level information on vaping, provide technical support and help you find suitable products.

In many cases, vape shop staff have helped hundreds, or even thousands, of people successfully transition from smoking, so their insight is incredibly valuable.

A quick online search should allow you to find a good number of shops in your area and for new vapers, we recommend visiting a few in order to find people that you feel will guide you best. A good vape shop can be the difference between going smoke-free and falling back into bad habits, so it’s well worth finding somewhere that clicks with you.

4. TWO IS ONE, ONE IS NONE

Life has a way of throwing a spanner in the works. Here’s a common situation; you’ve successfully cut down or entirely stopped smoking over the course of a few weeks and all is well, until you manage to break or lose your vaping device at an inconvenient time and suddenly the temptation arises to go and buy a pack of cigarettes.

That’s why we always recommend having a backup device and spare bottle of e-liquid handy. This is especially important when you’re new to vaping, since your desire to smoke will be high.

Having a solid back-up may well be the difference between returning to cigarettes and continuing to stay smoke free, so it’s well worth the little bit of initial investment to have a contingency.

If you follow these simple steps, you should have the best possible chance of quitting smoking forever in 2020. Trust us, it’s worth it.

DOWN WITH Smoking

By: Phoebe Fuller

The Health Survey for England (HSE) 2018 found that smoking is continuing to decline among adults and children, while the use of e-cigarettes remains low among non-smokers.

The annual survey, authored by the NHS Digital team, monitors trends in the health and care of people in England by gathering data on issues such as obesity, smoking and alcohol consumption. For 2018’s survey, 8,178 adults aged 16 and over, and 2,072 children aged under 16 were interviewed. A total of 5,928 of these people then received follow-up visits from a nurse, where bodily measurements and blood and saliva samples were taken for analysis.

Final data on smoking painted a largely positive picture, showing a 10 percent decline in smoking among adults between 1993 and 2018; dropping from 27 percent to 17 percent. Likewise, the proportion of children aged from eight to 15 who’d ever smoked decreased from 19 percent in 1997 to just four percent in 2018.

These figures show that England is on its way to hitting government smoking-cessation targets, as set out in 2017’s

Nine out of ten lung cancers could be avoided by eliminating tobacco use, according to new research from the World Health Organization

Tobacco Control Plan: Towards a Smokefree Generation. The five-year plan wants to see smoking rates among adults drop to 12 percent or less and smoking rates among 15-year olds drop to three percent or less, by the end of 2022.

‘Towards a Smokefree Generation’ also set out a government commitment to “backing evidence-based innovation” and e-cigarettes have been included in this commitment. But, according to the HSE, e-cigarette use remains low among adults who have never smoked, with only six percent of adults being current vapers in 2018.

Of all adults who currently smoked cigarettes in 2018, 18 percent were also e-cigarette users but 95 percent of adults who had

never regularly smoked had also never used an e-cigarette. Based on combined data from 2017 and 2018, the HSE report estimates that seven percent of eight to 15-year olds had ever used an e-cigarette.

This percentage was said to increase with age; from less than one percent among eight to 10-year olds, to two percent of 11 to 12-year olds, and 15 percent of 13 to 15-year olds. Boys were slightly more likely to use e-cigarettes among all age groups.

However, according to a June 2019 fact sheet by Action on Smoking and Health (ASH), most young people “vape mainly just to give it a try (52.4 percent) not because they think it looks cool.”

EVALI CASES ON THE DECLINE

Words: Gordon Stribling

It was one of the biggest health scares of 2019.

Headlines around the world warned of the deadly toll of vaping on the lives of thousands of young people. There were terrifying photos of 20-somethings hooked up to machines in hospitals around the US and politicians pledged to do whatever they could to put a stop to the epidemic. Dubbed ‘e-cigarette or vaping product use-associated lung injury’ or ‘EVALI’ by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the outbreak seemed to confirm what the detractors already knew – vaping was dangerous. But, as many of us suspected from the outset, EVALI was not a ‘vaping’ problem, but rather a black-market THC cartridge one.

The signs were there. The incidents happened within a short period of time, localised entirely within the US and no other nation had seen a vape illness outbreak anywhere near this magnitude. However, the damage was already done.

The outbreak added further fuel to America’s youth vaping panic, triggering politicians not just

in the US but around the world to crack down on e-cigarettes, seemingly oblivious to the hypocrisy of continuing to profit from tobacco taxation.

After months of cautious warnings, the CDC has backtracked on its original advice which said: “The best way for people to ensure that they are not at risk while the investigation continues is to consider refraining from the use of all e-cigarette, or vaping, products.”

Instead it warned people to avoid THCcontaining vape products, particularly obtained from ‘informal sources’ like friends, family or the black market.

As of February 4, 2,758 EVALI cases in all 50 states had been reported to the CDC. Of the 50 percent who provided data on their THC use, 78 percent obtained their products exclusively from such sources.

While the CDC has not yet ruled out other vape products, its latest advice update confirms that vitamin E acetate in THC cartridges is ‘strongly linked’ to the outbreak.

Meanwhile, a recent analysis of samples found

CDC no longer advises smokers to avoid nicotine vape products as THC link is all but confi rmed

vitamin E acetate in the lungs of 48 of 51 EVALI patients.

EVALI cases are now thankfully on the decline. The CDC attributes this to increased public awareness of the risks of using THC vape products, the removal of vitamin E acetate from some THC products and the actions of law enforcement agencies.

However, the CDC’s broad strokes warning about the dangers of all forms of vaping may have not only turned nicotine vapers back to tobacco but distracted cannabis users from the harms of blackmarket THC cartridges.

The CDC acknowledges this risk in its latest update, albeit with a caveat. It states: “Adults using nicotine-containing e-cigarettes or vaping products as an alternative to cigarettes should not go back to smoking; they should weigh all available information and consider using FDA-approved cessation medication.

“They should contact their healthcare professional if they need help quitting tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, as well as if they have concerns about EVALI.”

Even staunch vape industry critic and former FDA commissioner Scott Gottlieb has called on the CDC to re-evaluate the language it uses.

Gottlieb perpetuated the youth vaping ‘epidemic’ narrative that would eventually lead to federal and state-wide flavour bans on the back of arguably misinterpreted National Youth Tobacco Survey (NYTS) data.

He said: “The CDC should reconsider the name it ascribed to these illnesses (EVALI) now that it seems to be definitively linked to THC vapes and dabs.

“The public health risk is that kids using these illegal and dangerous THC products may not know that the CDC warnings relate to the THC products they’re using; since the CDC is not using a precise nomenclature to more clearly describe the THC vapes and dabs.”

EVALI now seems to be under control, with the very real threat of coronavirus now taking precedence. But if the past two years are any indicator, more vape panic could be just around the corner.

“The CDC should reconsider the name ‘EVALI’ now that it seems to be definitively linked to THC vapes”

THE SALE OF VAPING PRODUCTS IS NOW LEGAL IN THE UAE

The World Vape Show will be the first international vape expo in the UAE, opening up a new market in a region where the e-cigarette industry is experiencing rapid growth. Build brand recognition and meet thousands of buyers in Dubai.

MEET NEW CUSTOMERS

Day 1 and 2 are dedicated to B2B buyers and day 3 will welcome thousands of consumers. Use that opportunity to meet retailers, find distributors and test products with end-users.

YOUR GATEWAY TO THE MIDDLE EAST

Dubai’s liberal trade regime makes it the commercial capital for the MENA region and a popular destination for re-export. The World Bank has ranked it 1st in the region for ease of doing business.

PLAIN POTENTIAL?

Could we see the vape industry implement plain packaging?

Words: Phoebe Fuller

The UK was the second country in the world – and the first in Europe – to adopt plain packaging laws for cigarettes in 2016, following Australia which implemented them in 2012.

Since then, the e-cigarette industry has grown in popularity and many smokers have either partially or entirely switched – with most current vapers citing concerns for their health as the main reason for making the change.

But despite e-cigarettes being a tried-and-true alternative to smoking for many people, there are those that wish to see them regulated in the same stringent manner as combustibles. The US has become infamous for it’s harsh take on e-cigarettes – from widespread flavour bans, to the Food and Drug Administration’s confusing pre-market application process – the USA is making it hard to be a vaper; and even harder to be a vape business owner.

But it’s physicians and medical researchers in nearby Canada that have been calling for what might be the harshest take on vaping yet: plain packaging.

In May last year, Canadian doctors queried why plain packaging - which was in the process of being rolled out for combustible cigarettes – wasn’t also being applied to e-cigarettes.

According to a News1130 article, Dr Meena Dawar, a medical health officer at Vancouver Coastal Health, said: “It would be very helpful to have the same sorts of regulations apply to vaping products, from e-cigarettes all the way to pods and e-juice containers.”

Similarly, in an article entitled ‘vaping is an urgent threat to public health,’ medical researchers from the University of Calgary argued that “governments should mandate plain packaging for vaping devices.”

However, the Independent British Vape Trade Association (IBVTA) says it would be nonsensical for any government to implement plain packaging for e-cigarettes:

“The justification given for applying plain packaging to combustible cigarettes was that it would make smoking less appealing to smokers.

“Using that same argument to justify plain packaging for a reduced risk product designed to help smokers quit just doesn’t stand up to scrutiny.”

The UK is unique in its approach to vaping, as no other nation has backed it quite so publicly.

Public Health England continues to defend its ’95 percent less harmful’ statistic, amid health scares in North America that have linked vaping to lung injuries.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed that illicit THC cartridges have been the actual

cause of these health issues; but school administrators, doctors, and government officials continue to call for tighter regulations around nicotine e-cigarettes in the US and Canada. And the argument for plain packaging for e-cigarettes is rooted in the teen ‘epidemic’ of vaping – a situation that hasn’t been seen in the UK.

In fact, according to Action on Smoking and Health, almost 85 percent of 11-18-year olds in the UK who were polled between 2013 and 2019 had never tried e-cigarettes.

Given the strength of support for vaping in the UK, the IBVTA believes that it’s very unlikely our government will ever insist on plain packaging for the industry.

It says: “The question would be, why anyone with an interest in public health would seek to further stifle the biggest boon to smoking cessation and public health we’ve seen in a generation.”

But with such merciless prohibition continuing to pick up speed in North America, the way that e-cigarettes and their associated components are packaged may well be the next victim.

Martin Cullip, chair of the New Nicotine Alliance, says: “It seems they’ve plain-packaged combustible cigarettes and thought “well, we’ve got this hammer – what can we hit with it next?” It’s going to drive public perception of vaping even further the wrong way.

“E-cigarettes are competing against combustibles and their advertising is to try to tempt people towards them rather than smoking, so plain packaging would be a bit of an own goal.”

“The question would be, why anyone with an interest in public health would seek to further stifl e the biggest boon to smoking cessation and public health we’ve seen in a generation.”

LGBT+ COMMUNITY EMBRACES

Words: Caroline Barry cardiovascular health revealed 38 percent of LGBT+ participants use e-cigarettes, cigarettes, marijuana or all three compared to just 19 percent of heterosexual people.

Walking out onto the street during Pride, you see a colourful display of sights, sounds and smells - some of which are not for the faint hearted. However, behind the glamour of the glitter, sequins and streamers there is also a complicated attachment to less fabulous behaviour such as smoking.

Figures from Public Health England show areas where smoking is still ‘stubbornly high’ such as the LGBT+ community. This is despite figures from the Office of National Statistics reporting that the national number of smokers has halved in the last 35 years.

According to the report, the proportion of current smokers was significantly higher in people who identified as gay or lesbian at 23.1 percent with 23.3 percent of bisexual people. This is in comparison to heterosexual smokers at just under 15.9 percent.

In the US, a study conducted by a team at Baylor College of Medicine with an emphasis on e-cigarettes and smoking in relation to

Jeff Ingold, head of media engagement at LGBT+ charity, Stonewall said: ‘While we can’t be certain as to why LGBT people are more likely to smoke than the general population, we do know that LGBT people are at greater risk of experiencing poorer mental health.

“Poor health, high levels of anxiety and/or depression can mean LGBT people seek out various coping mechanisms. To tackle this, it is crucial that national health bodies monitor LGBT people’s smoking use to help develop targeted initiatives to support the community’s health and wellbeing.”

With many people switching to e-cigarettes to help them quit, is it possible that the higher numbers of UK LGBT+ smokers may find themselves starting to vape instead?

Natalie, 35, has recently switched to an e-cigarette

Study finds smoking is still ‘stubbornly high’ among gay community

after rolling her own cigarettes didn’t work.

“I started secretly using an e-cig instead of going outside for a smoke with the other smokers and built it up from there,” she says. She admits to chain smoking up to 60 a day at one time but on average about 20 cigarettes a day. She has now reduced her intake of cigarettes to the occasional one when she is going out.

Switching to e-cigarettes could also help with the risks of serious health complications for the portion of the community living with HIV/AIDS as infected patients smoke a rate two to three times higher than the general population. Smoking continues to be the main cause of heart attacks in people living with the disease and can double the risk of death.

A study conducted by the University of Dundee looked at 114 smokers who had switched to e-cigarettes with or without nicotine. The tobacco smokers, particularly females, demonstrated a ‘significant improvement’ in vascular health within one month of the switch.

Another reason for the increase in LGBT+ smokers

could be that gay communities have traditionally been built around bars. While the bars feel accepting, young people can still feel pressure to ‘fit in.’ Bars also come with smoking areas where there is increased pressure to fit in by smoking. Natalie added: “It was much easier to get to know people if you were smoking, it was a good introduction to ask for a lighter or a cigarette. I was always offered cigarettes and chain smoking was common.”

Pride advertising is also a big industry, with brands keen to stress their alliance with the community. This has resulted in a split between larger Prides and alternative organisations who hold alternative brand-free events.

Although cigarette advertising is banned in certain spaces, there are many ways in which indirect advertising can target the community.

Pride advertising, social media mentions, influencers, adverts featuring same sex couples and promotional giveaways have all been used to promote the sale of cigarettes in recent years.

In the US, the Food and Drug Administration launched the first anti-tobacco campaign that targets the LGBT+ community which aims to reduce the number of smokers by using relatable language and gay celebrities such as contestants from Ru Paul’s Drag Race.

And with the UK government aiming for a smoke free Britain by 2035, it is clear that there is more research to be done in how to encourage more LGBT+ smokers to quit or switch to e-cigarettes.

WHAT A TURNAROUND

The anti-vaping Twitter tide seems to be turning

Words: Phoebe Fuller

Back in October it seemed that whenever anyone took to social media to talk about vaping, it was only to say how terrible it was.

This was at the height of the lung illness crisis which gripped America and which has - quite wrongly - been blamed on the wider vape industry.

The lung injuries, which saw thousands admitted to hospital and around 60 deaths, was actually caused by vitamin E acetate which was used by drug dealers to dilute their illegal THC vape products.

However the crisis was almost exclusively reported as a vape epidemic causing widespread panic across the globe about the safety of e-cigarettes.

This fear was expressed on social media as people told how worried they were that vaping would kill them. So, four months on, we decided to have another look at how Twitter users were talking about vaping.

Of course there is still plenty of anti-vape sentiment out there - and you’ll find lots of it on social media – but this time around it wasn’t an uphill struggle to find positive comments. We’re really lucky that, as a global industry, we have so many advocates willing to speak up on the benefits of vaping; it certainly seems to help in quelling the tidal wave of misinformation that inevitably spreads across the social media stratosphere.

But, beyond the advocates and the influencers, it’s especially heartening to see Twitter users sharing posts about the benefits of vaping.

After all, it was at the height of the bad press coverage that we showed you these everyday people setting their timelines alight with scathing digs about vaping and vapers. Ours is an industry which has always risen to challenges and we are not afraid to take to social media to counteract the tidal wave of negativity that we have seen in recent months. As politicians seek to implement flavour bans in America and elsewhere, we are an industry under siege but we will not give up without a fight. Here we highlight some of the more positive tweets about vaping and are pleased that we are no longer drowned out by the fear mongering and negativity of recent times.

Looking Ahead -

A PREVIEW TO MAY’S EXPO

There’s always something to look forward to in the Vaper Expo calendar!

May’s Vaper Expo UK will mark the fifth anniversary of this iconic event and the perfect opportunity to spend the weekend celebrating our industry.

It was back in 2015 that the first ever Vaper Expo took place at Birmingham’s NEC and it rapidly grew to become one of the most influential vape shows in the world.

It started with just one show a year, progressed to two and now it now takes place three times a year across two fantastic locations - twice in Birmingham and also at The Olympia in London. So, whether this is your first time experiencing a Vaper Expo event, or you’re a regular attendee, then your thoughts will soon turn to May’s show.

Be sure to save May 1-3 in your diaries because that is when the Vaper Expo team will be back at the NEC for another showstopper, full to the brim with all things vape. The Vaper Expo will be welcoming back its enigmatic hosts – Johnnie Lovell and Ashley Hansen – bringing their muchloved and very enthusiastic stage presence back to the NEC. If you’ve recently got your hands on a new set-up or are considering your next purchase, be sure to head to the Modders and Builders Area to pick the brightest brains in

the industry and watch their deft hands in action as they wrap some seriously complex coils.

And for more information about our industry than you know what to do with, you can head to the Seminar Area for talks on industry regulation and battery safety – essential knowledge for every vaper.

You might even get the chance to do some vape-celebspotting at The Vaper Expo, as it is a favoured hangout for many of YouTube’s big names.

But it wouldn’t be The Vaper Expo without the chance to get your mitts on the newest tech and the tastiest juice, so you’ll have the chance to browse from hundreds of stalls and the biggest brands in the business.

What’s more, they’ll be bringing with them their exclusive expo deals, so you’ll have the perfect opportunity to grab a bargain or two…or three.

As always, smokers will have the chance to trade in their cigarettes or tobacco for a free starter kit at the Vapouround Bus – so be sure to bring along your friends or family that still smoke for the perfect introduction to vaping. We hope to see you there.

“I’M JUST DOING THIS FOR CREDITS”

What a Rutgers University researcher allegedly told vape YouTuber Jai Haze

Words: Patrick Griffin

Vaping YouTuber Jai Haze has ridiculed the apparent research techniques of Rutgers University following an extraordinary encounter caught on security cameras at his vape shop.

Jai, who has 184,000 YouTube subscribers, decided to make the video and audio footage public after a young woman, who claimed she was conducting vape research for Rutgers University, walked into his VapeL1FE store in New Jersey.

In the video she is clearly heard saying “I’m from Rutgers” and then explains that the device she is using to test for heavy metals in e-liquid vapour is leaking.

She tells him: “It leaks out of the airflow but as nobody vapes, nobody can figure out why it is leaking.”

When an incredulous Jai asks her: “How is it being blown into a tube if nobody vapes?” she replies: “We press the button [while holding] a [test]tube over it and it doesn’t even emit a whole lot of smoke. (sic)

Jai explains how FDA regulations means he is not actually allowed to touch or examine her device and adds: “You have to understand my position here as someone who promotes vaping, to help a university out there that despises us.

“Rutgers is very anti vaping. You guys hate vaping. This is so strange for me because you guys hate vaping.”

Jai then explains that the research technique she explained to him was flawed because no air was being drawn through the device to produce vapour. He said that would skew the results of any heavy metals they were looking and said it would also explain why the device was leaking.

He said: “The way you are doing it will just burn the metal coil and there is no air going into it to cool it down so you are going to get inconsistent results.

“I have no idea how you would get the results you would want just by firing it. There has to be airflow involved.”

Jai then told her that if nobody at the lab wanted to inhale the vapour, they could blow vapour out of the air vents and test that sample instead to which she replied: “It’s worth a shot.”

He then asked her why Rutgers was so anti vaping and she replied: “I don’t know, I just need it for credits. This is not what I want to do. I

want to work with dead people.”

After the encounter Jai asked: “How do you get people working in a lab trying to get scientific information and you don’t even know how to use the products?

“I don’t know if I could have asked for better content than this - it is literally vaping gold.

“I never thought I would see the day when they would come to me and ask ‘How do I work this’?

“How do you have people working in a lab trying to get scientific information and you don’t even know how to use the products. Oh my God. Come on!”

Jai said the woman was wearing a Rutgers jacket but said he did not ask to see her University ID.

The video had amassed more than 71,000 views and 4,100 likes by the time Vapouround went to press and several people commented about the quality of the research described in the video.

Angry Wrarrl wrote: “This is one of our top universities in the NY/NJ area. And this is utterly f***ing pathetic, scary and sad.

“Imagine testing a car without having any air intake, no exhaust and no radiator & the car sitting still. Just revving the engine without any airflow or cooling. And then claiming that the car doesn’t pass emissions and overheats.”

Colton The Vaping Giant posted: “These scientists don’t even know how to use the products that they are testing so they are inherently skewing the results towards the negative without even trying to?! WTF!”

Celtic Wolf commented: “You can’t get valid testing in any area if you don’t know how the equipment functions. Also how can’t they see that not having a knowledgeable vaper involved with the study makes the study null, flawed, skewed and basically not a study.”

Vapouround Magazine contacted Rutgers University for comment but at the time of going to press they told us that they were “unable to identify the person in the video link.”

The USA’s Largest CBD Event

QUIZ

Test your knowledge of this issue!

1. What is the name of the huge vape expo in China?

a - IECIE b - EICIE c - EIEIO d - IEEIC

2. The FDA has announced a ban on which vape product in the US? a - Rebuildable atomisers b - Coffee flavoured e-liquid c - Dual tank mods d - Flavoured pods

3. Mo Hassan from Dr Vapes has released a rap song called what?

a - In The Beginning b - In The End c - In The Clouds d - In The Doctor’s Surgery

4. What controversial policy has American storage rental company U-Haul recently enforced?

a - No vaping during business hours b - Only flavoured vapes allowed during business hours c - No vapers or smokers to be employed by the company d - All employees must take up vaping

5. What’s the name of the vaping documentary we recommended in this issue?

a - Broken – Big Vape b - Breaking Bad Vape c - Big Broken Vape d - Break It – Your Vape

6. Which state in the US has recently implemented a permanent ban on flavoured vaping products? a - New York b - California c - New Jersey d - Illinois

7. Which Nordic country is set to legalise vaping? a - Denmark b - Finland c - Norway d - Iceland

8. What did President Donald Trump recently say he shouldn’t have done?

a - “That f***ing vaping thing” b - “That vape flavour thing” c - “The flippin’ vaping stuff” d - “That damned vaping policy”

numbers up?

a - Elderly women b - Bald men c - LGBT+ people d - The Irish

10. On March 8, the world celebrates what? a - International Vaping Day b - International Smoking Day c - International Women’s Day d - International Cheese Day

11. What did Vapouround reviewer Benedict Jones suggest would be an ideal amendment to the TPD now that we have left the EU?

a - Scrap the 10ml bottle size limit b - Make packaging more colourful c - Ban all nicotine d - Make vape packaging edible

12. Where did Vapouround notice an influx of positive vaping communication last month? a - In school newsletters b - On Twitter c - In the tabloid press

13. Doctors in India have expressed fears that a vaping ban would lead to more what?

a - Cancer deaths b - Young smokers c - Asthma diagnoses d - Cigarette imports

14. Which Californian county has recently implemented a vaping ban? a - Humboldt County b - Placer County c - San Diego County d - Solano County

15. In what year was plain packaging for cigarettes introduced in the UK? a - 2013 b - 2014 c - 2015

Answers: 1. a, 2. d, 3. c, 4. c, 5. a, 6. c, 7. c, 8. a, 9. c, 10. c, 11. a, 12. b, 13. a, 14. c, 15. d

VAPOUROUND ON TOUR

White Label Expo - London Juccier and Jucce E-liquids annual conference, Dubai Hemp World Expo – Atlanta TPE, Las Vegas

WHITE LABEL EXPO, LONDON NOVEMBER 27-28, 2019

I didn’t quite know what to expect from this exhibition which was held at the ExCeL in London just before Christmas.

I have been to many dedicated, niche, vape expos before, but never one involving the white label industry, which proved to be an absolutely wonderful environment.

It turns out that the world of white labelling is as diverse as it can get. It’s a community of other industries, and the phrase

‘it takes a village’ really rings true. Off I went to this trade show to see how prevalent the vape industry would be among all of these other exhibitor stalls. I was met by a plethora of businesses who were involved in everything from phone cases to caps and from baby wipes to artisan gin.

It was great to see the vape industry being represented by some of the UK’s most well-known and well-established brands. I was particularly impressed with the Riot Squad Labs booth which had a fantastic user experience that you could

take the full white label journey there and then. You could create your flavour profile, design the brand artwork and have the juice mixed and presented to you ready to go right there at the booth. I can’t think of a better way of showcasing a white label experience for someone who may have little or no previous knowledge of the vape industry.

This was a real eye opener for me into the world of white labelling. Anyone who’s interest is piqued by the thought of starting a brand with a ready-to-go product or someone who is ready to take their business to that next level in new product development should really consider attending next year’s event.

What is white labelling?

Let’s say I have a product and you want to buy it so that you can put your own spin on the branding, packaging and marketing, with the ultimate goal of selling it as your own product for a profit. I could sell it to you for you to do just that, and this would be white labelling.

This is a little heard of but age-old process which stems from other industries like breakfast cereal and the own-brand supermarket culture.

As an ambitious entrepreneur, you might think you have a million-pound idea on your hands. But the DIY approach sounds like a lot of work. (It’s not for everyone). What if you could find someone who has already done the research and development, who has perfected their blend of ingredients, and has made life so easy, that you only have to put your stamp on it? That’s the premise.

AMC is a company born from passion. We care about our community and industry, because of this, Acapella created the haka mod, inspired by his love of mechanical mods and infused with his heritage as part maori. AMC is always about the community.

THINGS AMC HAVE ACHIEVED SINCE 2019

In three short months, AMC has achieved many things, the most exciting being an AWARD nomination from the Ecigclick awards alongside other well known brands in the industry, Reviewed and revered by The Vaping Bogan and Vapouround Magazine's own in house review team.

JUCCIER AND JUCCE E-LIQUIDS ANNUAL CONFERENCE WEEKEND, DUBAI.

NOVEMBER 30-DECEMBER 1, 2019.

Words : Patrick Griffin

What a weekend!

I would like to begin with a massive thank you to Juccier and Jucce E-liquids for making this all possible.

At the end of last year Vapouround had the honour along with a few key industry players to attend their annual conference in Dubai which included an invitation to watch the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix aboard a yacht, racetrack side.

To say I was excited when I received the invitation is somewhat of an understatement. I had only ever attended one Grand Prix before and I was well-up for attending another.

We arrived in Dubai in the early hours of Saturday morning and as we got to the hotel we had our first glimpse of the luxury we would enjoy over the weekend.

The conference was mainly an introduction to the company, their strategies for the upcoming year and how they intend on growing their brand and interacting in the global market. They then explained how the weekend would pan out and we were given our passes and a very nice novelty personalised board game as a welcome gift.

This was to be one of the very best weekends I have experienced in a very long time. We set off on a two hour coach ride to the Yas Marina Circuit where the Grand Prix was taking place.

My initial thought was WOW! I have never seen so much wealth and opulence in one place. It was literally yacht after yacht lined up with some of the biggest, most glamorous names in every industry.

Companies would park their yachts opposite the race track so they had an ideal vantage point to watch the racing by day while

at night the whole area transformed into a huge party zone with exclusive parties taking place on all of the yachts. There was also a host of cool bars and restaurants scattered around the Marina if you wanted to venture further afield.

Our hosts Juccier partnered up with Xclusive Yachts and the weekend was to take place on one of their yachts. On arrival we were greeted by guys handing out champagne. Downstairs featured food stations and buffets and there were also people handing out canapés so food was in abundance.

The top deck was a floating nightclub featuring a massive free bar with every type of drink you could think of. There was a DJ booth, big screens, a stage, lighting rig and a dancefloor. The drinks were flowing and there was a select crowd onboard all networking, drinking, eating and watching F1 cars fly past at 200 mph for the practice and qualifying sessions ahead of Sunday’s big race.

In the evening the whole area became a party capital for the rich and famous. People started streaming onto the yachts, the marina was lit up with lasers and lights and the effect was spectacular.

I went for a walk to soak up the atmosphere and when I returned to our yacht the party was in full swing. The DJ played music spanning the decades before Razorlight took to the stage for a live set. A little later Akon was on stage performing what seemed like every song he had ever done. He was amazing. We were basically getting a private show. By 2am we returned to the hotel after this amazing experience and it was time for some sleep before doing it all over again the following day.

On the coach to Yas Marina for the second day, people were either talking about their experiences of the day before or taking the opportunity to catch up on some much-needed sleep.

On arrival the DJ was playing his tracks and the music quickly livened everyone up. The main event started at 5pm, but before this there was an amazing air display put on by Etihad Airways.

The Grand Prix was amazing and to top it all off Lewis Hamilton won and took the 2019 championship. After the race a huge laser and firework display lit up the entire marina and soon it was back into full-on party mode once again. The yacht quickly filled up, we had two security personnel protecting our roped-off private bar and we felt just like A-list celebrities with our own exclusive waiter, unlimited supplies of the best Champagne, a gallon bottle of Grey Goose on our table and access to any other drinks that took our fancy.

The dancefloor, complete with four podium dancers, was full with the headline acts Artful Dodger and the duo DJ Luck & MC Neat. It was great to hear Artful Dodger performing such hits as “Woman Trouble,” “Movin’ Too Fast,” and of course “Rewind.” I can only describe this event as one of the greatest weekends I have experienced. From beginning to end, every detail was thought through and executed to perfection. I would again like to express my thanks to Juccier and Jucce E-liquids for the invite and I would recommend to anyone who is fortunate enough to be invited to their next annual conference, grab it with both hands. You will not regret it.

HEMP WORLD EXPO

ATLANTA. 18-19 JANUARY 2020

Words : Abida Razaque

The producers of the famous National Vape Expo (NVE) have presented their first-ever Hemp World Expo in Atlanta and what a way to start the year.

Originally planned as a vape show, but due to regulatory clampdowns on flavoured e-cigarettes in America, the NVE saw an opportunity to enter a new trade - cannabis – a booming industry rapidly growing and widespread across the USA.

The beauty of hemp is that it can be used in a wide variety of products, so it’s not uncommon to see vape companies enter the cannabis market - in fact it’s very common and that was evident at the show which acted as a gateway for the two industries to merge. Companies like Coastal Clouds exhibited both their vape and CBD range.

Located at the Atlanta Expo Center North, the 161,000 square feet exhibition space was filled with exhibitor stands. As I made my way to the registration desk to collect my pass, I was

warmly greeted by the organiser’s mother Ann and wife Angela – both of whom instantly made me feel welcome. As I turned around, within minutes I noticed crowds of trade visitors and consumers keenly waiting in a line to enter the hall.

Since Georgia lawmakers legalised hemp farming last year, unsurprisingly the hall was dominated by hemp farmers – the potent fragrance of the plant reflected this as it was prevalent across all four corners of the hall.

Although the number of vape companies exhibiting nicotine products at the show was small, I spoke to My Vape Bar who were pleased to have attended the show saying it had been a successful event which gave them the opportunity to market and connect with a new wave of consumers and concluded that they would continue to attend these kinds of shows for as long as they could.

The general atmosphere in the hall was very chilled and relaxed

across the two-day show. The volume of music was on point and not too loud - this is something I appreciate as it gives businesses the chance to communicate and network without any distractions.

The convention offered many useful services for exhibitors, trade visitors and consumers such as parking which was easily accessible across the 160-acre complex, free WIFI which brought instant happiness to my life and nearby you had many award-winning restaurants. Considering this was their first-ever tradeshow targeting a new industry, it was structured very well and ran smoothly.

I’d like to thank the organiser Michael and the whole team for their hospitality throughout the show and making it an enjoyable experience. I noticed a handful of exhibitors reaching out to the organiser and wanting to re-book their stand for the second upcoming Hemp World Expo at the Mohegan Sun Convention Center in Connecticut on 21-22 March - that’s always a sign of a successful show. Undoubtedly, you will find us there too.

TPE LAS VEGAS

29 - 31 JANUARY. LAS VEGAS CONVENTION CENTER.

Words : Paul Caplin

Late January and after a five week break we are back in the entertainment capital of the world…and it felt like coming home.

Expo season in Vegas begins! This was week one of three in the next 28 days that we would be be travelling to Vegas for exhibitions. We arrived to Sin City for the first week of expo season and arrived for the first day of TPE.

TPE is short for the Tobacco Plus Expo. This is a joint expo, which has big players from the tobacco industry alongside some of the big names in vape and then a plethora of CBD companies that have joined the party. This huge show was made up of over 400 exhibitors and most of them were from the CBD and vape industry. Every year this fantastic expo seems to grow and get more popular. It was great seeing old friends from the UK like Dinner Lady and IVG continuing to smash the USA market. Big USA brands were out in force too with the likes of Twist, Prohibition and Ignite all putting on a show and doing what they do best.

The most impressive thing for me and possibly the most interesting thing was how this show seemed to be evolving in two ways. The first was CBD with company after company exhibiting their CBD lines and showing off how hugely popular CBD has now become globally.

Secondly, the rise of the pod system was very evident here with many companies exhibiting their pod systems. I’m not sure if all these companies are trying to cash in on the success or downfall of Juul, but every other vaping company seemed to have their own version now and the disappointing thing was, they all seemed to be made by the same company and just rebranded.

The expo was very well attended on all three days. The hours were very “Las Vegas” friendly with Day One from 12-5pm followed by two days from 10.30am-5pm, giving everyone a chance to also enjoy what Vegas has to offer. The check-in process was very smooth and well organised. The check-in experience has become a real standard as to how I judge an expo. If needless lines are created just to get in because of a poor check-in system, it can put a downer on the whole day.

All in all, this show seems to evolve year after year, getting bigger and more popular. The expo is very well organised and well executed. The balance of exhibitors was good, with new and old coming together to offer something for everyone, and apart from the smell of tobacco in certain areas, there are very few negatives about this expo. I will look forward to going again next year and will continue to watch the TPE go from strength to strength. Thanks again to all the organisers for another wonderful few days in Vegas.

EU e-cig tax

The European Commission is taking longer than expe cte d to evaluate the possible introduction of a new harmonise d tax scheme for ecigarettes and heate d tobacco products but results are now due this year.

An official at the EU’s Directorate General for Taxa tion and Customs Union (DG TAXUD) confirmed to ECigIntelligence that the presentation of its impact assessment report, which will determine whether the current tax directive will be revised and whether to establish a new excise duty for e ciga rettes and heated tobacco products, “will be 2020”

The document, originally due to be presented by the end of 2019, is the next step after the second consultation that ran in 2018 and gathered public opinion as well as the views of government depart ments and industry.

After a first consultation in 2016 on the taxation of tobacco products, the European Commission de tected “information gaps” that had to be filled “in order to determine the correct harmonised ap proach for taxation” of e cigarettes and heat not burn (HnB) products, and postponed the revision.

A study published recently in Science Magazine suggested taxation as a way to keep youth away from e cigarettes while still making them an attrac tive product for those looking to quit smoking.

“Taxation has proved an effective means of pric ing products out of the hands of youth. Setting vap

About ECigIntelligence

ing nicotine taxes lower than those on combustible products can help keep products out of the hands of teens but still provide an incentive for adult smok ers to switch,” reads the study, led by the College of Public Health at Ohio State University

The World Bank Group (WBG) Global Tobacco Con trol Program published a working document in April 2019 suggesting imposing a tax on e cigarette products to limit youth access and vaping con sumption

It said: “Taxation should be applied to all e cigarette products because this strategy would likely have the greatest effect on the youth e cigarette use It also has the potential for generating the most rev enue. A specific tax could be applied to e liquids and an ad valorem tax to devices. The mixed taxa tion could help in maintaining the equality of tax across products and therefore increasing its politi cal palatability ”

According to a recent ECigIntelligence regulatory report, EU countries have either opted to include heated tobacco products in an existing tax struc ture or they have developed a new ad hoc specific tax structure

Defining a specific system of excise duties for prod ucts such as e cigarettes and heated tobacco seems to be a hard job for officials in Brussels Although the Commission already has a report on the table analysing different tax scenarios, the final decision is complex and controversial at the same time.

And with the det ails of the post Brexit EU UK rela tionship still almost entirely unclear, it’s anyone’s guess what impact European tax levels might have on British high street prices for vaping supplies.

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.

An

may be coming...but no detail yet

V A P O U R O U N D R E V I E W S E-liquid Hardware

By Benedict Jones

If you’ve been paying attention to Voopoo recently, it’s clear that they’re throwing everything behind the Vinci line of devices. The Vinci X is the latest iteration of their pod mod offerings and is a departure from the first two models in that it’s powered by an external 18650 cell.

Construction, fit and finish of the Vinci X are fantastic. As with the original Vinci, the zinc alloy frame feels robust, the strong magnetised connection holds pods in place securely, buttons are tactile and the finishing is flawless throughout. We were supplied with a “Space Grey” model for review and I have to say, it’s my favourite Voopoo finish to date, with fine diagonal lines running down the side panels and a dark mirror finish chassis. It’s a fingerprint magnet no doubt, but it doesn’t cross the line into being overly shiny. The Vinci X is slightly larger than its predecessors, to accommodate a removable cell, but honestly, it’s not that noticeable. In terms of user experience, very little has changed between the original Vinci and the newest version. The most obvious difference is a new maximum power output of 70W. Bear in mind, the automatic wattage limits will stop you from exceeding the recommended power settings for stock coils, so for now the only way to achieve full output is by downloading the latest firmware and selecting RBA mode. Voopoo has opted to leave the pod design unchanged and this is my first gripe with the Vinci X, since two fixed airflow settings are simply not enough to cover the broad range of coils that this device is compatible with.

The Vinci X retains all the firmware features of the original, including a comprehensive puff counter system that is still unmatched, as far as I’m aware. I feel this useful tool flew under the radar somewhat and I still believe that it’s a great way for vapers to track their usage and nicotine intake over time. Power delivery is instant and smooth, which shouldn’t come as a surprise, since it’s the feature that Voopoo practically built their brand on with the original Gene chip.

Specifications:

- Dimensions: 117mm*25mm*29mm

- Materials: Zinc alloy, polycarbonate

- Weight: 175g

- Power output: 5W-70W

- Battery capacity: External 18650 cell

- Charging: Micro-USB 1A

- E-liquid capacity: 5.5ml/2ml (TPD edition)

The mod is supplied with two coils. The first is the same 0.3Ohm mesh that came with the original device and this remains to be one of the best low power mesh stock coils I’ve tried. The second, a 0.6Ohm mesh coil, is new to me. It has a narrower bore compared with the 0.3Ohm option, with a lower 20W-28W recommendation. I found this coil to shine at 25W-28W on the more restricted airflow setting, with good flavour and vapour production for such a low power output.

Longevity was good too, running through 45ml of moderately sweet e-liquid before any decline was noticed. I feel this coil is a good choice for newer subohm vapers, striking a good balance between power output and performance.

Battery life on the Vinci X will depend entirely on your choice of 18650, coil and power output. There are quite a few variables here but as a general rule, you can expect approximately double the battery life of the original Vinci, when using a high quality 3000mAh cell such as the Samsung 30Q or LG HG2.

In summary, the Vinci X is a worthy addition to Voopoo’s pod mod lineup. Great build quality, external cells and a growing range of coil options make this a versatile device, though I do wish they had updated the airflow control to allow for proper adjustment.

PROS

Build quality

Solid stock coils

Large capacity (non-TPD edition)

CONS

No RBA included

Only two fixed airflow options

By Benedict Jones

Sigelei subsidiary Snowwolf originally made their name with bulky, high wattage box mods but have transferred their efforts primarily to the AIO market in recent times. The Taze is their latest device, so does it stand out from the crowd? Construction, fit and finish are excellent. It’s no exaggeration to say that the Taze is one of the best built AIO devices on the market today. The Zinc alloy chassis feels robust, tolerances are on point and the PCTG tank is highly shock resistant. This is one of the smaller AIOs we’ve seen this year but it has a nice weight, feeling premium in the hand. A strong magnet keeps the tank firmly in place with no play whatsoever. Snowwolf have kept things simple when it comes to user experience. A firing button on the back of the chassis powers the device on/off with five clicks, or locks the wattage controls with three clicks. Power is adjusted up and down via two small buttons located beneath the screen. With a small AIO like this, I don’t expect any more features, so I’m glad that the Taze has been designed with simplicity in mind. A “smart power” feature detects the installed coil and recommends a starting wattage, along with setting a power ceiling. This is a useful feature that stops newer users from accidentally exceeding the capabilities of a coil and burning it out. Wattage limits like this are becoming more common in 2020 and I think that’s a great thing for the sake of accessibility. Holding both wattage control buttons down allows you to toggle to RBA mode, which allows full user control of the wattage, which will be necessary for the forthcoming rebuildable section.

The Taze is supplied with two coils as standard. The first is a 0.6Ohm mesh coil, rated for 15W-25W. With a fairly small inner bore, I found it to provide a pleasant, if reserved, direct lung vape at 25W, with the airflow set to ¼ open. I did not find flavour to be particularly impressive, but it wasn’t bad either. Coil longevity was fair, lasting for approximately 30mls of moderately sweet e-liquid before declining substantially. The second coil is a 0.3Ohm mesh build, rated for 25W-35W.

Specifications:

- 91mm*41mm*25mm (height includes drip tip)

- Materials: Zinc alloy, PCTG

- Battery capacity: 1600mAh internal cell

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

- Charging: 4A USB-C quick charging

- Power output: 5W-40W

I found this to provide a much more saturated vape at the maximum recommended wattage, with airflow set to approximately 1/3 open. Coil longevity was slightly improved too, lasting for 40mls of moderately sweet e-liquid before a replacement was needed.

Snowwolf also offer a 1.2Ohm MTL coil and I find it very odd that one was not included with the kit. A small, sleek AIO system such as this one thrives with low power vaping and since this kit is aimed at newer vapers, it would have made a lot of sense to give the consumer an idea of both styles of vaping, rather than two marginally different direct lung coils.

Battery life, along with Snowolf’s 4A charging has been the primary feature for much of the marketing effort of the Taze and it’s no wonder why. Even with a respectable 1600mAh internal cell, 35W does take a toll, draining the battery in approximately 3-4 hours depending on the user. This is entirely counteracted with the super quick USB-C charging.

The Taze goes from flat to full in under 30 minutes, which is incredibly impressive. This makes down time a non-issue, regardless of what power level you choose to vape at.

In summary, the Taze has a lot going for it. The design, build quality and vape experience are all good and the charging technology is a game changer for internal battery devices. The decision not to include a MTL coil, however, is baffling and should be addressed for all future batches.

SNOWWOLF TAZE

PROS

By Benedict Jones

Freemax is a company best known for high power subohm tanks but in recent times it has made more of an attempt to appeal to new vapers. The GEMM 25W is its starter kit offering, so how does it fare?

Construction, fit and finish of the GEMM 25W are good. The mod and disposable tanks feature an all-polycarbonate design, coming in at just 67g, but it manages to avoid feeling cheap. This is likely due to the tight tolerances, no visible seams and a responsive, tactile button. The light weight actually contributes to the device’s shock resistance, and when intentionally dropped from shoulder height repeatedly, the PCTG pods show no sign of cracking. This is good to see, since the GEMM 25W was clearly designed as an “on the go” vape.

A single button powers the device on/off with five clicks, acts as the fire button and also toggles between soft, medium and hard power settings with three clicks. The output power of these settings changes with the resistance of the attached atomiser. As a point of reference, the 0.5Ohm pod results in 15W, 20W and 25W output, while the 1Ohm pod provides 12W, 14W and 15W output. This would suggest that the GEMM 25W uses a simple variable voltage chip. In practice, this means even the least technically inclined vapers can enjoy some level of adjustability, without the need for menus or full variable wattage.

The GEMM 25W is supplied with two disposable tanks/ pods as standard. The first is a 1Ohm MTL pod, allowing for output between 12W-15W. Strangely, the airflow inlet on this pod is rather large but it can be easily dialled down to a true MTL draw without issue. I found this pod to shine at the maximum 15W, with airflow almost completely closed. With these settings, it provides a warm and saturated MTL vape with great flavour for a stock coil. Longevity was great too, easily running through 30mls of moderately sweet e-liquid before a substantial decline in vape quality was noted.

Specifications:

- Dimensions: 121mm*25mm*24mm

- Materials: Polycarbonate, PCTG, SS904L

- Battery capacity: 1300mAh internal cell

- E-liquid capacity: 2ml

- Power output: 25W maximum, depending on resistance of pod

This pod handily competes with the majority of stock coil MTL tanks currently on the market.

The second pod houses a 0.5Ohm mesh coil, designed for direct lung vaping. Again, the airflow inlets seem excessive for the 25W maximum output but closing them down does not result in whistling or turbulence. I found this pod to produce best results at the maximum 25W, with the airflow dialled down to approximately 1/3 of the way open. Longevity was slightly improved compared with the MTL coil, lasting for approximately 40mls of moderately sweet e-liquid before needing to be replaced. The flavour production of this coil was not quite as impressive, though this is understandable, since 25W really isn’t much power for a direct lung mesh experience. Nonetheless, it’s a decent introduction to subohm vaping for new users.

Overall, I feel Freemax has done a good job with the GEMM 25W. It’s very simple, lightweight and provides a very pleasant MTL vape, even if the DTL experience feels a little lukewarm. This is a solid and affordable kit that should appeal to new vapers on a budget.

PROS

CONS

The direct lung coil feels a little underpowered

By Benedict Jones

Wismec is among the most prolific manufacturers in vaping and has been catering to users of all levels for a while now. The R80 is its latest release, landing somewhere between an AIO and traditional mod. Is this a whole new device category or a mod with an identity crisis?

Construction, fit and finish of the R80 are outstanding. Wismec has really stepped up its game in the last year or so and this device is a shining example. The all-metal chassis feels very sturdy and has a well-balanced weight, while still being pocket-friendly. The pod snaps into place and is held securely by six magnets, so there’s no movement at all. The brushed finish and Ocean Star panels on our model are flawless, so this device feels every bit a premium product. The user experience here is very simple, with a couple of missteps. The fire button powers the device on/off with five clicks and alternates the display colour with three. Holding both wattage control buttons will lock or unlock wattage adjustment and that’s it as far as the chip is concerned.

Power delivery is snappy, with no ramp up or delay to speak of. Wismec supplies a magnetised 510 plate with the device, which allows you to use any standard atomiser atop the R80. This is a great inclusion, making the device both versatile and future proof. Competitors take note.

The first issue with the device is the filling system. A rubber seal on the bottom of the pod reveals a fairly standard opening, which for whatever reason caused spillage and overfill more often than not. Only needle-tipped bottles prevented this from happening, which is annoying, especially for new users. The second issue is coil removal, which can be a bit tricky, since there’s not much room on the bottom of the pod to get a good purchase on the coil base. Once you get the knack, it’s fine, but I feel this could have been executed better.

The R80 is supplied with two coils as standard. The first is a 0.8Ohm round wire build, with a 15W recommendation.

Specifications:

- Dimensions: 116mm*32mm*31.5mm

- Battery capacity: external 18650 cell

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

- Power output: 1W-80W

- Charging: USB-C

- Display 0.96 Inch TFT

This is clearly intended to be an MTL coil, with its small inner bore but the airflow provided is far too much when left open. Adjusted almost all the way down, though, this coil provides a really nice vape, with saturated flavour and about average longevity, lasting 25mls of moderately sweet e-liquid before needing to be replaced. The built in wide bore drip tip does feel like a limiting factor for MTL though, so I would like to see this addressed in future batches.

The second coil, a 0.3Ohm mesh build, comes with a 35W recommendation. I found it to perform best with the airflow half closed, where it provides a smooth, dense and flavourful restricted vape. This competes with other low-mid wattage mesh tanks handily in terms of vape quality and longevity, lasting me 40mls of moderately sweet e-liquid before a substantial decline was noted.

Since the device uses an external 18650, battery life will depend on your choice of cell, coil and power output. Using a well known 3000mAh cell, I was able to get two full days of vaping time when using the 0.8Ohm coil and just shy of a full day when using the 0.3Ohm coil at 35W. From these results, I’d say the battery management is good and the ability to swap in a fresh cell means down time is non-existent.

In summary, the Wismec R80 is a well rounded AIO/mod, with good coils, great build quality and ease of use. The only complaints I have are the filling mechanism and airflow control, which aren’t really deal breakers in my book and the magnetised 510 plate means you can use any existing atomisers in your arsenal.

PROS

Great build quality Good vape quality 510 plate included

CONS

Filling mechanism

Airflow base on MTL coil needs tweaking

By Benedict Jones

Whatever your opinion on the subject, there’s no denying that disposable devices have a strong appeal, particularly to stubborn smokers and vapers who are either travelling or attending events where losing or damaging a fully-fledged device is more likely. Moti has already seen success with its Mojo disposable and the Piin is its second foray into this growing segment of the vaping market.

Construction, fit and finish of the Piin are good for a disposable device. The form factor will naturally draw comparisons to the cigalikes of yesteryear and while very light, the aluminium chassis of the Piin feels a little more solid compared to the all-plastic Mojo. Everything here is sealed properly, so I can’t see this device coming apart and potentially causing spills, even if dropped.

User experience, as with any disposable, is foolproof. Simply remove the seals on the unit and draw to activate. There are no buttons, no refilling and no charging.

In terms of vape quality, the Piin stands out as one of the best disposable experiences available. The device provides a moderately tight MTL draw, with warm vapour. The 50mg/ml unit I tested provides a good throat hit and instant nicotine satisfaction, which should hardly come as a surprise considering the high dosage. The 20mg/ml TPD version will also provide a satisfying hit. However, this is achieved with 4-6 puffs rather than the 1-2 puffs required on the 50mg/ml variety.

I found flavour production to be good on the Blueberry Parfait unit that I tried. It’s a mild and pleasant candy-style blueberry, with a moderate helping of coolant. I did not detect any of the dairy notes I would expect from a Parfait, though, so perhaps this could be improved. The Piin is also available in Classic Tobacco, Grape ice, Banana Frost, Jasmine Tea, Menthol Tobacco, Mung Bean, Pineapple Ice, Tropical Mango and Yoghurt Drink flavours.

- Dimensions: 104.5mm*12mm

- Battery capacity: One time use 320mAh cell

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

- E-liquid capacity: 1.6ml

- Resistance: 1.6Ohms

- Nicotine strength: 20mg/ml (TPD edition)/ 50mg/ml

Most of these are offered in other Moti products already and my previous experience of all of these has been good.

I found the combination of high nicotine dosage and 320mAh cell to last almost two full day’s vaping before the battery was depleted, which is impressive for a disposable device. For TPD markets, we can expect this run time to be cut in half, since the 20mg/ml dose will necessitate more regular usage for most vapers.

My only gripe with the Piin is a single piece of marketing found on Motivape’s website, which likens the device to a crayon. While the device is indeed of a similar size and shape of a crayon, this comparison plays right into the hands of critics who say the vape industry targets children. Moti should rethink the crayon comparison without delay.

In summary, the Piin is a very solid disposable device and is a good option for stubborn smokers and vapers who need something that’s compact and fuss-free on the odd occasion that a normal device would not be suitable.

By Benedict Jones

Six months ago, Vaporesso released the Gen mod, along with the Axon chipset. Much to my delight, it was one of the best mods of 2019 and my zealous praise of the device has resulted in a fair amount of light-hearted mockery by colleagues. The Swag 2 is Vaporesso’s latest Axon based device, so it’s got big shoes to fill.

Construction, fit and finish of the Swag 2 are great. It has the same rubberised finish that debuted with the Gen, along with a super-lightweight chassis and sturdy side-by-side form factor. In short, if you like the Gen, you’ll like this too. Side-by-side designs allow for an external cell and tiny form factor, which really is the best of both worlds and among those on the mainstream market, the Swag 2 feels like the winner in terms of quality.

I’m happy to report that the full feature Axon chip has been fit into the small footprint of this device. This means variable wattage, variable voltage, temperature control, power curves, pulse mode, smart TC, bypass, super player and eco modes are all present, along with some UI customisation. In other words, this is the most feature-rich miniature mod on the market. This might sound bewildering to new users but fortunately the menu layout is very simple and accessed with the mode button, so those with less experience can just stick to variable wattage and ignore the rest.

Performance is second to none. If you like tinkering, or even just want a reliable, accurate experience, whether that’s wattage or temperature control, this chip does it all. No other chip in this price category comes close.

The Swag 2 is bundled with the NRG PE tank. This is the latest in the long-running NRG series and not much has changed here. It’s still cross-compatible with all Baby Beaststyle coils and still built solidly. The kit includes two coils, the first of which is a 0.15Ohm dual mesh build, rated for 60W-70W. This coil performs nicely, with great flavour, vapour production and longevity.

Specifications:

- Dimensions: 108mm*50mm*25mm (height includes tank + drip tip)

- Power output: 5W-80W

- Battery capacity: External 18650 cell

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

- Charging: 2A Micro-USB

- Display: 0.91 Inch OLED

- Nicotine strength: 20mg/ml (TPD edition)/ 50mg/ml

It does feel a little unsuitable for a single cell mod, though, and for this reason I find it odd that Vaporesso included it with the Swag 2. At the maximum recommended wattage, you can easily drain a fully-charged 18650 in two hours or less.

The second coil is a stainless steel CCELL, rated for 25W-35W. This coil has a more restricted draw and at the maximum wattage produces a mellow but flavourful direct lung vape. The coil material also allows you to experiment with the various temperature control features, which is a nice touch.

Though I really can’t fault the performance of the NRG PE, it does feel out of place with the mod. I’d much rather have seen a dedicated MTL tank provided with the device, as this would have made for the ideal fully-featured starter kit and been a better pairing for the single 18650 specification. Vaporesso has been producing some of the best Baby Beast style coils for years now and I’d love to see what it could do with the Nautilus fitting for MTL, which could benefit from some competition.

In summary, the Swag 2 is one of the very best single 18650 mods to ever be released. From build quality, to performance, I really can’t fault it. The NRG PE tank, while good, does feel a little mismatched for the device but it’s not a bad tank by any means. I hope to see a SWAG 2 kit with MTL tank in the near future, as this would be perfect for retailers and consumers alike.

VAPORESSO SWAG

PROS

Build quality

Incredible chipset

Small form factor

CONS

MTL tank would be more appropriate

INNOKIN PODIN

By Benedict Jones

Never judge a book by its cover. That’s the main thing I’m taking away from my experience with the Innokin Podin. When this device arrived, I saw yet another miniature pod and thought to myself, how can this thing stand out? As it happens, the Podin stands out in a number of ways.

Construction, fit and finish of the Podin are excellent. The metal frame and resin panels give the device a nice amount of weight and feel very solid in the hand. The 2ml cartridge snaps into place with a simple latch system, with no play whatsoever. This is a small AIO but it feels built to last. From an aesthetic point of view, the device has a clean, minimal look, which should appeal to a broad range of users. The Podin is clearly aimed at new vapers and, as such, user experience has been kept very simple. The device powers on/ off with three clicks of the single button and when powered off, holding the button toggles between two settings, 8W and 9W. A removable seal on the side of the 2ml cartridge reveals an adequate fill port, which has given me no leaking or overflow problems during testing. Swivelling the base of the cartridge allows the user to remove and replace coils with ease. The mechanism is nice and simple here, so new users should have no trouble getting to grips with it. A set of LEDs under the button provides three levels of battery feedback, which is plenty. In terms of performance, I found the 1.3Ohm coils to be a pleasant surprise. With only two wattage options that have a 1W increment, there’s not a huge level of adjustability but 9W is certainly a touch warmer. The airflow adjustment toggle ranges from moderate MTL to a very tight MTL and I’m glad that Innokin has tuned it this way, since it suits the low power output on offer. At 9W, with the airflow halfway closed, I found the Podin to provide as good a vape as any pod system currently on the market. Unlike many other pods and mini AIOs, it allows for a true MTL experience, which only serves to increase the flavour output and throat hit.

Specifications:

- Dimensions: 61mm*46mm*16mm

- Weight: 86.5g

- Battery capacity: 800mAh internal cell

- E-liquid capacity: 2ml

- Power output: 8W-9W variable wattage

Coil longevity is the only question mark here. The first two coils were able to run through 20mls of moderately sweet e-liquid with ease, which is well within acceptable limits, however my third and fourth coils had only consumed 10ml before producing a slightly burnt flavour. Perhaps this is something that could be improved.

The combination of an 800mAh internal cell and just 9W of power output results in great battery life. I was consistently able to get through a full day and then some of vaping before depleting the cell, which is more than I would usually expect. The battery charges from flat to full in approximately an hour, which is fine considering the run time.

In summary, the Podin is a compelling mini AIO, despite its diminutive size. The only thing that could do with some improvement is coil longevity and with Innokin’s track record for reliable stock coils, this shouldn’t be too much to ask. I should note, also, that the Podin coils are extremely affordable due to their small size, so even with diminished longevity, the running costs are low. If you’re looking for a true MTL stock coil AIO, that’s about the size of a pod system, this is the one to go for in my view.

PROS

CONS

By Benedict Jones

It’s starting to look like 2020 is the year of the AIO and not one to miss a trend, Vaporesso is throwing its proverbial hat into the ring with the Target PM80. With so much competition in this space, though, is it worth considering?

Construction, fit and finish of the PM80 are excellent. The metal frame is sturdy but light, with a textured vinyl grip. Four strong magnets hold the polycarbonate pod in place, preventing any unwanted movement but still allowing for easy removal when needed. A rubber seal covers the large fill port on the bottom of the pod, which has caused me no overflows or annoyances during filling. This is the smallest variable wattage AIO I’ve personally seen to date and when combined with the nice build quality and finishing, it makes for a rather sleek, unobtrusive device that’s in keeping with Vaporesso’s techy design language. The PM80 features a stripped-back version of Vaporesso’s Axon chipset, which strikes a good balance between features and ease of use. Holding both power adjustment buttons opens the menu, where you can toggle variable wattage, variable voltage, smart VW and puff counter settings, along with changing the display colour. In my view, the fully-featured Axon would have been overkill for this device, so it makes sense to have dialled things down a little.

The device is supplied with two coils as standard, both of which are part of their new GTX mesh lineup. The first is a 0.3Ohm build, rated for 32W-45W. I found this coil to start hitting its stride at 40W and above, where it produces clean flavour, with a relatively open direct lung draw. Coil longevity was impressive and I was able to run 40mls of moderately sweet e-liquid through it before any decline was noticed. It could easily go longer if you don’t mind a slight decrease in flavour output.

The second coil is a 0.2Ohm mesh build, rated for 45W-60W. The larger inner diameter and surface area of this coil accommodates the extra power nicely, and at 50W and above, it produces a warm vape with excellent flavour.

- Dimensions: 102mm*33.4mm*24.8mm

- Battery capacity: 2000mAh internal cell

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

- Power output: 5W-80W

- Display: 0.96 Inch TFT

- Charging: 2A Micro-USB

Of course, this higher power draw does impact e-liquid and battery consumption but this is to be expected. I had similar success in terms of longevity with this coil and it’s good to see that Vaporesso is managing to provide a consistent experience here.

While both coils are undeniably good performers, the lack of true adjustable airflow and relatively high power requirements is confusing. I understand that space for an airflow system is limited by the small footprint of the device but the provided airflow plugs are not ideal, since they offer limited adjustment. With one plug installed, the airflow is restricted substantially and remains silky smooth but a sliding piece on each side of the mod would have made for a more fine-tuned experience.

The power requirements are a little strange too. Realistically, even the 0.3Ohm coil doesn’t really start to shine until the 40W mark, which is significant for a device with a 2000mAh internal cell. This can be easily remedied with some more coil options in the future. A 25W subohm coil and 15W MTL coil would be welcome additions to the GTX line and this would give the PM80 a much broader appeal.

Battery life will depend on your choice of coil and power output but in my testing, the 0.3Ohm build at 40W would result in approximately three hours of vaping time, while the 0.2Ohm build results in just one to two hours on a full charge in the higher end of its recommended power outputs. This is no surprise considering the cell capacity but does highlight the need for some less power-hungry coils. The 2A charging allows the PM80 to go from flat to full in approximately an hour, which mitigates some of the down time but not all of it.

In summary, the Target PM80 is a solid little AIO, with sleek design and great vape quality but it could do with further coil selection and refinement to the airflow adjustment. For subohm vapers who need an on-the-go device for short intervals, it’s a great option.

By Benedict Jones

Thus far, 2020 has been a veritable sea of pod mods and AIOs, so it’s actually a welcome break to see UK Vapour Brands subsidiary TECC release the Arc GTI kit, a more traditional internal cell mod and tank combo. But can you teach an old dog new tricks? Construction, fit and finish of the Arc GTI are great. This is an affordable kit but that doesn’t mean they’ve cut corners on the fundamental design. The rounded form factor and aluminium chassis are both utilitarian and visually pleasing, feeling very solid in the hand. Seams are kept to a minimum, buttons are tactile and there’s no rattle to speak of, so I’m confident in the longevity here. UKVB has opted for a streamlined user experience here. Five clicks of the fire button power the device on/off and three clicks allows you to toggle between variable wattage, bypass, temperature control presets and memory banks. The majority of new users will be best served by sticking to VW, though the option to select pre-defined TC materials is very accessible and works well out of the box. Advanced users can access the rest of the mod’s features by holding the fire and up button, which allows for some UI customisation, preheat settings and TCR adjustment when in one of the memory bank modes. The chip offers a nice balance of simplicity for new users and customisation for veterans, which is ideal for a mod in this price bracket. Performance is very solid, with quick power delivery and accurate temperature control, so no complaints there. The builtin 3000mAh cell is well managed. When using an MTL atomiser at 15W, I was able to achieve two full day’s vaping time on a charge, or most of a day’s vaping time when using a subohm atomiser set to 50W. The 2A USB-C port charges the device from flat to full in just over an hour, which keeps down time to a minimum.

In short, the Arc GTI performs admirably and is built well, so I see it as a great option for virtually any low-mid wattage vaper in need of a reliable, affordable device.

Specifications:

- Dimensions: 120mm*35mm*28mm (height includes tank and drip tip)

- Materials: Aluminium, stainless steel

- Power output: 1W-80W

- Battery capacity: 3000mAh internal cell

- E-liquid capacity: 1.8ml

- Charging: 2A USB-C

The GTI kit is bundled with the GTI Air tank. Clearly UKVB have kept new vapers in mind because this is a dedicated MTL stock coil tank, with great quality-of-life features.

It is built solidly, just like the mod, with simple stainless steel and glass construction that complement the Arc GTI nicely. A push and slide top fill prevent accidental spillages while retaining easy operation and I had no problems with overflow issues when filling. The airflow control on the bottom is well thought out, offering individual inlets for a range of MTL restrictions, along with a large cyclops inlet for those who prefer a more open draw. The coil installation mechanism is also a winner. It’s a push to install coil head, which is nothing new but a spring-loaded piece inside the chamber seals the tank shut whenever the coil is removed. This allows you to uninstall a coil with a full tank, without a single drop of leakage. This is a fantastic feature and really should be an industry standard.

The provided 1.2Ohm round wire coils provide a warm, saturated vape, which I found to be most flavourful between 12W-14W. Unlike many modern low wattage coils, these provide a true MTL experience, which is a breath of fresh air. Coil longevity could perhaps be improved, though, since I was only able to run approximately 20mls of moderately sweet e-liquid through each coil before it needed replacement.

In summary, the Arc GTI kit is as solid as they come in the starter market, with great build quality, a responsive chip and nice MTL stock coil tank. The advanced features of the mod mean that this device is not limited to new users and can also be a great option for veterans who need a smaller internal cell mod with plenty of battery life.

- Dimensions: 91.5mm*40mm*18mm

- Battery capacity: 700mAh

- E-liquid capacity: 2ml

- Power output: 8W, 10W, 12W settings

By Benedict Jones

Whenever a new hardware trend emerges in vaping, so too do new manufacturers. Mari-O is one such company and the Pashto is the first device that we’ve had our hands on from them.

Construction, fit and finish of the Pashto are good, though not best in class. The device is made from a combination of polycarbonate and zinc alloy, which gives it a nice weight, despite a rather small footprint. The cartridge is press-fit into place and then secured with a 510 drip tip, so there’s no play. The only other moving part is a sliding door, which feels solid. There’s just one seam running around the side panel and while visible, it’s not off-putting. Overall this is a sleek little device.

Mari-O has kept the user experience simple for this entrylevel mini AIO. The device powers on/off with five clicks and can be toggled between three wattage settings, from 8W to 12W. Four LEDs on the frame provide three levels of battery feedback, which is plenty for a 700mAh cell. The filling design is very well executed. Simply slide the panel down, remove the seal and away you go. The fill port is larger than most devices of this size and this results in a mess-free filling experience every time. In fact, this may be one of the most convenient AIOs to fill.

So far, so good but what about vape quality? The Pashto is supplied with two coils as standard. The first is a 1.4Ohm round wire coil. Due to the lack of airflow control, the draw here is dictated by the inner coil bore, which is a very loose MTL. I found this coil to perform best at the maximum 12W, where it produces fair vape quality but not best in class. Vapour is relatively cool from this coil regardless of setting, which is likely due to the amount of airflow going through it.

The round wire coil was able to run through 20mls of moderately sweet e-liquid before needing replacement, which is acceptable but not outstanding.

The second coil is a 1.2Ohm mesh build. Strangely, I found this coil to have a slightly more restricted draw, though it would still be classed as a loose MTL by most vapers. At the full 12W, this coil provided a warmer vape, with more saturated flavour than the first coil. I also found longevity to be improved here, lasting 30mls of moderately sweet e-liquid before needing replacement. With no apparent downside, the 1.2Ohm mesh coil is the clear winner here. I recommend that Mari-O significantly restrict the airflow going through the round wire build, as this would provide a true MTL option.

As always, battery life will depend on your power setting and frequency of use but I found the Pashto to last just shy of a full day’s use at 12W on a charge. The cell charges from flat to full in just under an hour, so downtime is quite minimal. Considering the size of the device, I feel this run time is more than acceptable.

Overall, the Pashto is a solid mini AIO, with fair vape quality, nice construction and a sleek design. It could perhaps do with some more coil options but other than this, it offers a solid entry level experience for new vapers who need something

By Benedict Jones

Pre-filled pod system releases have slowed down in the last few months but Apollo, one of the world’s largest e-liquid manufacturers, has thrown its hat into the ring recently with the Brez. Is this beginner friendly device worth checking out?

Construction, fit and finish are fair but not outstanding. It’s clear that portability is the main goal of this design, with a slim chassis and polycarbonate construction. Coming in at just 8mm thick and weighing only 17g, this is one of the stealthiest systems we’ve seen. If discretion is a priority, this device is one of the front runners, just don’t expect it to be quite as durable as a zinc alloy device. The Brez is extremely simple to use, as should be expected from any pre-filled system. Simply slot the pod into place, puff and you’re away. A single LED indicates when the device is in use or charging and with no adjustments or settings, the device is fool proof. I found during my testing that not even one of the pods showed any signs of leaking or spitback, which is commendable, since this is an issue that often plagues pre-filled pods. New users should experience a messfree, convenient device and the Brez delivers in this regard.

In terms of vape quality, the pods provide a loose MTL draw, with quiet airflow and relatively cool vapour. Airflow and vapour temperature are subjective topics but I would have preferred a tighter draw, which would have resulted in warmer vapour to more closely emulate a cigarette.

When it comes to throat hit and nicotine delivery, the Brez is somewhat limited by the TPD 20mg/ml limit. The TPD Brez is a little light when it comes to throat hit but nicotine delivery is fine. Significant throat hit isn’t for everyone, of course, though for those users who do enjoy a kick, I recommend that Apollo produce 20mg/ml freebase nicotine pods in the future.

Specifications:

- Dimensions: 104mm*16mm*8mm

- Weight: 17g

- Battery capacity: 320mAh internal cell

- E-liquid capacity: 1ml pre-filled pod

- Nicotine strength: 20mg/ml salt nicotine

With only a 320mAh internal cell, I was expecting to be reaching for a charger frequently, but I was pleasantly surprised by the battery management of the Brez. I found a full charge to last just shy of a full day’s light-moderate use, which is a typical scenario for this kind of device. I found each 1ml 20mg/ml pod to last approximately one day’s vaping time before being depleted, so the battery and pods are quite in sync. My main gripe with the Brez is its proprietary magnetic charger. The provided adapter takes power from a micro-USB, which to me only begs the question, why not go with microUSB in the first place? Adapters like this one are so easily misplaced and when that happens, new vapers may find themselves without a working device, which is far from ideal. I would like to see this changed for future batches.

The pre-filled pods are currently available in five flavours:

Berry Blends: A light, moderately sweet berry medley

Breeze: A soothing, sweet menthol

Tobacco: Moderately dark tobacco, with notes of nuts and wood

Melon: A candy-style melon with light sweet and tart notes

RY4: My personal favourite, a balanced mix of vanilla, caramel and light tobacco

In summary, the Brez is a competent pre-filled pod device, with pleasant flavour options. My only real issues are a proprietary charger and relatively small 1ml pods, though in all likelihood neither of these things are dealbreakers for new users.

APOLLO BREZ

Edge – Lemon Pie

VG/PG Ratio: 80/20

Additional sweetener: Moderate Throat hit: Mild

Lemon pie e-liquids have always been popular in the UK. Edge’s take on the profile is slightly unusual, in that it has a bold, authentic lemon top note that is noticeably stronger than we would usually expect. In my view, it’s a little sharper than what I would call lemon curd, but it’s not unpleasant by any means. This is balanced by a light cream base and moderate pastry notes. A solid lemon bakery profile.

Edge – Pink Glazed Doughnut

VG/PG Ratio: 80/20

Additional sweetener: Moderate Throat hit: Mild

Doughnut is as popular as it is hard to replicate in e-liquid form but Edge have done a good job with their offering. The main note here is, of course, doughnut and it’s a good representation of the heavilyglazed American-style treat, rather than the traditional British kind. Vanilla glaze and a syrupy strawberry play a supporting role, pairing nicely with the deeper pastry notes. This is certainly on the sweeter end of the dessert spectrum, though that is what should be expected from such a profile.

Edge – Strawberry Cheesecake

VG/PG Ratio: 80/20

Additional sweetener: Moderate Throat hit: Mild

Another classic dessert profile from Edge. Strawberry absolutely dominates this profile. It’s sticky, bright and super sweet, to the extent that it may be too much for some vapers. There are hints of dairy and pastry base too but they are being bullied by the strawberry. While some may well enjoy this mix, I feel it could do with a little more balancing in order to truly represent a strawberry cheesecake.

Edge – Banoffee Pie

VG/PG Ratio: 80/20

Additional sweetener: Moderate Throat hit: Mild

Banoffee Pie is a profile we don’t often see in the e-liquid market, which is odd because its such a popular dessert in the UK. Banana is the most prominent note here. Unlike many other banana e-liquids, the banana here doesn’t come across as candied or artificial, rather baked. When paired with the moderate toffee notes, it’s a near perfect replication of banoffee pie, which I found to be very enjoyable. Light pastry notes round off the mix, making for a luxurious dessert vape that I can wholeheartedly recommend to any fans of banana flavours.

De-Con Heizen

VG/PG Ratio: 80/20

Additional sweetener: Moderate Throat hit: Mild

De-Con Heizen is an interesting idea from Edge. They claim to have blended the raspberry and grape elements of Heisenberg, without menthol and the many other flavours involved. Candy raspberry is the top note here. It’s bright, sticky and moderately sweet but not overbearing in any way. This is paired with an equally sweet candy grape, which adds depth to the raspberry, without dulling it. The result is a simple but very refreshing fruit blend that’s an easy all-day vape for myself and likely many others.

Strawberry & Watermelon

VG/PG Ratio: 80/20

Additional sweetener: Moderate Throat hit: Mild

Strawberry & Watermelon is perhaps one of the most ubiquitous fruit blends on the market and is generally a good starting point for new vapers. Strawberry is the more dominant of the two flavours here. It’s candied, tasting very similar to strawberry sherbet, with a tangy finish. The watermelon element of the mix is quite subdued but does provide a small amount of freshness and juicy mouthfeel to what might otherwise be an overbearingly candied flavour. A basic but competent mix.

Black & Blue Ice

VG/PG Ratio: 50/50

Additional sweetener: Moderate Throat hit: Mild, with cooling (10mg/ml)

Black & Blue Ice is a blue slush profile blended with blackcurrant. It is sweet and mildly tart, giving the impression of a candy blackcurrant rather than a natural fruit. This is complemented by a milder candy raspberry, which adds some brightness to the mix while bolstering the tart notes. The profile is finished with a mild coolant, which does not interfere with the balance of flavours. A simple but very pleasant fruit/ice mix.

Grape Ice

VG/PG Ratio: 50/50

Additional sweetener: Moderate Throat hit: Mild, with cooling (10mg/ml)

Grape is a simple flavour as a standalone but there’s more variety in concentrates than some realise. Where many manufacturers opt for American-style concord grape, or Malaysian white grape, The Ace of Vapez has taken a different path. Grape Ice tastes spot on to grape juice, which is quite uncommon in the world of e-liquid. A moderate dose of coolant keeps things fresh and the result is a mellow grape profile that’s an easy ADV.

Mango Ice

VG/PG Ratio: 50/50

Additional sweetener: Moderate Throat hit: Mild, with cooling (10mg/ml)

Mango Ice is perhaps the single most popular fruit and ice profile in the UK, so how does TAOV’s offering fare? This is a very bright, sweet mango, that straddles the line between soda and natural notes. It’s a little more reserved than what we might expect from a Malaysian-style mango but isn’t dull by any means. The profile is finished with a moderate dose of coolant, keeping things fresh. Mango Ice is a good option for fruit fans who prefer their mango toned down a little.

Butterbacco

VG/PG Ratio: 50/50

Additional sweetener: Moderate Throat hit: Mild (10mg/ml)

Dessert tobaccos are a staple of MTL vaping and The Ace of Vapez has done a great job with this take on the profile. An indulgent butterscotch is the star of the show here. It’s rich, with a sticky mouthfeel and realistic dark sweetness. This is complemented by a bright vanilla cream, which adds body and further sweetness. The mix is finished with a very mild tobacco accent, that adds another dimension to the profile. One of the best dessert tobaccos I’ve had the pleasure of trying.

Black & Red

VG/PG Ratio: 50/50

Additional sweetener: Moderate Throat hit: Mild (10mg/ml)

TAOV describes Black & Red as the same blackcurrant found in Black & Blue, with a different raspberry note. Personally, I found blackcurrant to still be the dominant flavour here, with all of the same notes as found in the aforementioned profile. The raspberry note differs slightly though, tasting a little more natural and having less overall sweetness. If you enjoy Black & Blue but would rather a slightly more natural profile, this is a solid option.

Ice Cap

VG/PG Ratio: 50/50

Additional sweetener: Moderate Throat hit: Mild, with cooling (10mg/ml)

The simplest offering from the Got Salts line that I’ve sampled. The only flavour here is a mildly herbal but intense mint, that reminds me of wintergreen.

This is coupled with a generous helping of coolant, resulting in a strong, refreshing vape that should be ideal for those who want to clear the sinuses or cleanse the palate.

ELITE LAB - LONG FILL

Mango Drill Ice

VG/PG Ratio: 50/50

Additional sweetener: Minimal Throat hit: Moderate, with cooling (6mg/ml strength)

Mango Drill Ice is a simple fruit and coolant mix from the Long Fill range. The top note here is mango. It’s moderately sweet, with mild earthiness and is an accurate representation of a ripe, natural mango. This is quite different from the many candy and soda-style mango profiles on the market. The top note is complemented by a light candy-style lime, which adds a touch of sharpness without dominating the profile. The mix is finished with a light coolant, which keeps things fresh but does not interfere with the flavours. A solid mango vape.

Black Currant Red

VG/PG Ratio: 50/50

Additional sweetener: Minimal Throat hit: Moderate (6mg/ml strength)

A simple blackcurrant and strawberry mix. Blackcurrant is the more prominent of the two flavours. It’s sweet, with substantial sticky body and a slightly sour aftertaste that lingers after vaping. To me, it’s more akin to blackcurrant candy than the real fruit but this is no bad thing. The strawberry element of the mix is more mild but does provide further sweetness and some brighter notes which contrast with the blackcurrant. A basic, but nicely balanced, profile.

French Lemonade

VG/PG Ratio: 50/50

Additional sweetener: Minimal Throat hit: Moderate (6mg/ml strength)

Lemon flavours have always proven to be popular with new vapers and Long Fill’s offering is no exception. The lemon on offer here is a nice balance of authenticity and candy notes. There’s a good helping of sharpness, blended with some candy sweetness and mouthfeel. This is complemented by a much lighter candy lime, which adds further sweetness, without dulling the bright notes or tart finish of the lemon. A pleasant citrus mix.

Menthol Frost

VG/PG Ratio: 50/50

Additional sweetener: Minimal Throat hit: Moderate, with cooling (6mg/ml strength)

The simplest profile in the Long Fill range. Menthol Frost, as the name implies, is a straight menthol blend. This is among the most intense that I’ve tried, with heavy cooling and a very mild mint flavour.

Unlike some other strong menthols, I did not pick up any unpleasant artificial off notes with this one, making it a good option for vapers who need a simple, refreshing vape.

Bubble Gum Red

VG/PG Ratio: 50/50

Additional sweetener: Minimal Throat hit: Moderate (6mg/ml strength)

Bubble gum is always a bit of a mystery profile, so how does Long Fill’s interpretation fare? Immediately it’s clear that this mix is mimicking one of the leading brands of fruity bubble gum and it does so very accurately. This is essentially a candy fruit medley, without any particular fruit sticking out from the rest. It has some mild artificial notes, which is to be expected from something that aims to replicate bubble gum. This profile may not be everyone’s cup of tea but it’s certainly true to its description.

FLAVOUR POWER

Flavour Power – Fraise Basilic (Strawberry Basil)

VG/PG Ratio: 50/50

Additional sweetener: Minimal Throat hit: Mild

Sometimes the best things in life are simple and Fraise Basilic from Flavour Power is a prime example. This is a strippedback blend of strawberry and basil, which may sound unusual but is actually a classic combination in the restaurant world. The top note here is a rich, natural strawberry, with a pleasant sweetness and notable tart finish. This is complemented by a mild basil note, which adds a slight herbal layer, along with a vegetal note that only makes the strawberry more authentic. A refreshing and well-crafted strawberry flavour.

Rebel – Nutamax

VG/PG Ratio: 50/50

Additional sweetener: Minimal Throat hit: Mild

Nutamax is described as a blend of hazelnut and chocolate, a profile which should be familiar to dessert lovers the world over. The top note here is a mild, creamy hazelnut. It brings a good amount of dark sweetness to the mix but isn’t overbearing, as nut flavours often can be. This is supported by a moderate cream note, which complements the hazelnut well, adding volume. I find the chocolate element of this mix to be slightly absent. Perhaps it is lost in the hazelnut but it’s difficult to say. As hazelnut cream profiles go, though, this is solid.

Rebel – Lemon Addict

VG/PG Ratio: 50/50

Additional sweetener: Minimal Throat hit: Mild, with cooling

Lemon Addict offers a distinctly authentic fruit note. The lemon here is bright and tart, with a mild bitter finish. This is paired with some candy notes, though, similar to what we would expect from sherbet. This added sweetness stops the lemon from becoming too extreme. The profile is finished with a very mild coolant, which keeps things fresh. A competent, if basic, lemon blend.

Flavour Power – Citron Vert (Lime)

VG/PG Ratio: 50/50

Additional sweetener: Minimal

Throat hit: Mild

Single flavour profiles rely heavily on ingredient selection but Flavour Power once again show the experience of their head mixologist and founder. Citron Vert is unlike most of the lime profiles we see on the market, since it’s a bright, tart and thoroughly authentic, rather than a sweeter candy portrayal. This really is quite close to the flavour of a freshly squeezed lime but is not overpowering. Due to the tart finish and bitterness, this may not be for everyone but for those who enjoy a more natural lime, it’s a great option.

Rebel – Lady Pom

VG/PG Ratio: 50/50

Additional sweetener: Minimal Throat hit: Mild

Another simple blend from Flavour Power. Apple in e-liquid is almost always represented as a candy, or in some cases an authentic green apple. Lady Pom is different, it somehow manages to capture the flavour of a fresh red apple perfectly. It’s quite distinct from other authentic apple profiles in this sense. It’s bright, sweet and has a very substantial juicy mouthfeel. There’s not much more to say about this one; if you’ve been looking for an authentic red apple, here it is.

Sweet Land – L’amandine de Tante Léontine

VG/PG Ratio: 50/50

Additional sweetener: Minimal Throat hit: Mild

The most complex offering from Flavour Power that I have sampled for review. L’amandine is described as a pear, almond and chocolate tart. The most prominent flavour for me is a fresh, authentic pear. It has a bright sweetness, along with a clear juicy mouthfeel. This is contrasted by a moderate almond flavour, which adds some dark sweetness to the mix. A subtle cocoa note is next, which works wonderfully with both the pear and almond. It’s certainly not sweet, rather bitter but is very pleasant nonetheless. A mild bakery note finishes the profile and the result is one of the most authentic dessert e-liquids I’ve ever tried. One for fans of dessert who like less sweet blends.

Cloudy O Funky

Bad Bulls – Original/Ice

VG/PG Ratio: 70/30

Additional sweetener: High Throat hit: Mild, with cooling/ Mild, with extreme cooling

Energy drink profile e-liquids have always been quite popular but are historically difficult to get right. Cloudy O Funky’s Bad Bulls line is inspired by one brand of drinks in particular and they’ve absolutely nailed the flavour. This is an intensely sweet blend, with a distinctive syrup-like mouthfeel and mild tartness. There’s clearly a lot of candy fruits in the mix but none of them stick out enough to be distinguishable. This description may sound ambiguous and that’s because it is. Rest assured, though, if you try this next to the drink it’s emulating, you’ll agree that it’s not far off at all, which is a real achievement in my eyes. The original version has a mild level of coolant, while the Ice version adds an extreme cooling finish.

Mangoman – Sour

VG/PG Ratio: 50/50

Additional sweetener: High Throat hit: Mild

Malaysian e-liquid makers are often praised for producing the most authentic mango flavours and this is no exception. The mango in this case is heavy, sweet and bright. The aroma of this e-liquid is spot on to the smell of a properly ripened mango and while this blend is quite sweet, it’s not overpoweringly so, as some other mangos can be. A noticeable sour additive finishes the blend, creating a candy connotation. This contrast between authentic fruit and candy actually works nicely, resulting in an interesting option for mango lovers.

Yacool Ice

VG/PG Ratio: 70/30

Additional sweetener: Moderate Throat hit: Mild, with cooling

It’s not often we see yoghurt-inspired e-liquids and yoghurt drink profiles are even more uncommon. Yacool Ice does a great job of mimicking the yogurt drink flavour. It has robust dairy yoghurt notes, with plenty of mouthfeel, along with a mild vanilla, to give the profile a touch of sweetness. I also taste a slight fruit accent in the profile, which is coming across as mixed berry to my palate, though there is no mention of this in COF’s marketing. The mix is finished with a moderate coolant, which seemed like an odd choice to me, but after vaping through a few mls, I can honestly say that it works rather well. An interesting, well-balanced yoghurt vape.

Mangoman – Banana

VG/PG Ratio: 50/50

Additional sweetener: High Throat hit: Mild

Banana Mangoman is described as ripe banana, blended with mango pulp and I feel that’s an accurate summary of the experience offered here. Banana is the more dominant flavour for me and unlike so many others on the market, it tastes authentic, with a slightly creamy mouthfeel, moderate sweetness and a darker accent that comes with a fully-ripened banana.

This is contrasted with a bright, authentic mango, which adds some tartness and deep tropical notes, without overpowering the banana. A simple but compelling blend.

Root Beer Float – Ice

VG/PG Ratio: 70/30

Additional sweetener: High Throat hit: Mild, with cooling

Root beer e-liquids are few and far between, with a small, but loyal, following. By their nature, they will always be divisive, but I feel COF have done a good job with their offering. A moderate authentic root beer sits at the top of the mix. It has a pleasant sweetness, with hints of anise and herbs but nothing too overbearing. This is complemented by a vanilla cream base, that adds further sweetness and volume, without watering down the distinctive root beer flavour. The mix is finished with an intense coolant, making for a complex but refreshing beverage vape.

Leprechaun Liquids

50/50 – Lemon Hooley

VG/PG Ratio: 50/50

Additional sweetener: Minimal Throat hit: Moderate

Leprechaun Liquids describe Lemon Hooley as a blend of lemon and lime. As the manufacturers description implies, this is a very simple blend but it has been executed quite well. A bright, natural lemon is the prominent flavour here, with mild sweetness and a good amount of tang on the finish. This is contrasted with a more reserved sweet lime, which rounds of the edges and gives the profile a somewhat candied connotation.

50/50- Chancer’s Fizz

VG/PG Ratio: 50/50

Additional sweetener: Minimal Throat hit: Mild, with cooling

Blackcurrant lemonade is a very popular profile in the vaping world and Chancer’s Fizz is the Leprechaun Liquids take on it. Blackcurrant is the dominant flavour here and I must praise the ingredient selection because this is a saturated deep candy blackcurrant that’s very pleasant. This is contrasted with a mild lemonade, that adds some brightness and stops the blackcurrant from outstaying its welcome. A moderate dose of coolant finishes the mix, resulting in a light and refreshing fruity vape.

50/50 – The Whole Shebang

VG/PG Ratio: 50/50

Additional sweetener: Minimal Throat hit: Moderate

Leprechaun Liquids describe The Whole Shebang as a tutti frutti blend. The main flavours I’m able to pick out here are candied raspberry and strawberry. They provide a good level of sweetness, along with some sticky mouthfeel. There’s clearly quite a lot else going on in the mix but the flavours are quite mild and therefore impossible to define with any accuracy. This is a pleasant enough profile but perhaps it could do with some tweaks for further definition.

50/50 - Strawberry Shenanigans

VG/PG Ratio: 50/50

Additional sweetener: Minimal Throat hit: Moderate

Strawberry Shenanigans is a super-simple strawberry and kiwi blend. The main note here is a heavy-candied strawberry, with bright sweetness and sticky body that lingers on the palate after vaping. This is complemented by a much milder kiwi, which comes across as more of an authentic fruit. This is a pleasant, mellow fruit profile that should suit newer vapers well.

Nic Salts – Mixed Berry

VG/PG ratio: 50/50

Additional sweetener: Moderate Throat hit: Moderate (20mg/ml)

Mixed berry is a tried and tested profile that always seems to work in low power applications. Candy blackcurrant is the most prominent note for me, with mild earthiness and substantial body. This is complemented by some brighter notes of candy strawberry and raspberry, which provide a nice contrast to the main, darker note. This profile isn’t anything new but it is very tasty.

Nic Salts – Sherbet Lemon

VG/PG ratio: 50/50

Additional sweetener: Moderate Throat hit: Moderate (20mg/ml)

The simplest of the Leprechaun Liquids offerings that I sampled for review. There’s not a lot going on here, but it does a good job of authentically portraying the flavour profile of a sherbet lemon sweet. This is a super bright lemon, with a good helping of tartness and that distinct sherbet finish. I found this to be a bit much in terms of sweetness for an all-day vape, though I’m sure it will be ideal for others.

Flavour Art

Labyrinth

Percentage used and VG/PG ratio of mix: 5% at 70/30

Labyrinth is one of Flavour Art’s “one shot” concentrates, meaning that it’s intended to be mixed on its own. As such, I used a little more in the mix than usual and found it to be very pleasant. Mild confectionary vanilla, along with cake were the main notes for me. There are traces of caramel too, along with some citrus accents. It has a very nice profile on its own but benefits greatly from the extra volume provided by flavourings such as FA Custard Premium. This concentrate provides a really simple fruit cake base that even newer mixers can build from.

That’s Nice Anise

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

Anise will always be a divisive flavour, though this one is a little different to the standard fare. That’s Nice Anise is a combination of dark chocolate, mint and aniseed. Though I do find aniseed to be the most prominent part of this blend, the dark chocolate notes are very authentic and the little kick of mint complements the profile nicely. I feel this is a “one shot” best suited for standalone mixing but I would be very interested to see a dark chocolate and mint flavouring from Flavourart, using the same ingredient minus the aniseed.

Pear Drops

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

Flavour Art is already widely praised for its original pear flavouring, which is considered to be the most authentic on the market. Pear drops is quite different, with less of the juicy mouth-feel, substantially increased candy notes and a brighter finish. This is a simple flavouring, but one that hits the mark perfectly and it will be my go-to for any profiles that need a dash of candy pear in the future.

Mango Special Brew

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

Flavour Art has been on a bit of a mango-spree recently, with the release of Indian Special and Fruity Juicy. Mango Special brew is most similar to Indian Special, but with less bright top notes and sweetness. In their place, this flavouring brings more depth and authenticity, along with a distinct “ripe” finish. Although pleasant on its own, I feel this flavouring works best to complement Indian Special and, in this context, it creates what is quite possibly the most authentic mango you can vape today.

Bongo Juice

Percentage used and VG/PG ratio of mix: 4% at 70/30

Bongo Juice is one of Flavour Art’s more mysterious offerings, with lots going on. Essentially, this is a tropical resort in a bottle. I get notes of pineapple, grapefruit, passionfruit and lime here, though none of them particularly dominate. It’s a very pleasant and balanced mix of bright flavours, which can’t have been easy to achieve. This is a great option for adding a tropical connotation to any mix and even serves as a competent one shot, if you are so inclined.

Florida Key Lime

Percentage used and VG/PG ratio of mix: 1.5% at 70/30

In the world of vaping, lime is almost always a heavily-candied flavour but Florida Key Lime offers a different route. While it has some candy sweetness, the dominant notes here are authentic, bright and juicy. For me, this flavouring is the closest I’ve tried to a freshly-squeezed lime. It’s not limited to fruit mixes though, since the addition of cream pastry elements result in a true-to-life dessert profile. Perhaps the best lime concentrate I’ve tried to date.

Apollo E-cigs Smoozie MAUI WAUI

VG/PG Ratio: 70/30

Additional sweetener: Moderate Throat hit: Mild

Maui Waui is described as a blend of pineapple, mango and strawberry. A bold pineapple is the most prominent flavour in this mix. It’s bright, with substantial tartness on the finish and incorporates elements of both candy and authentic pineapple. This is supported by a moderate candy strawberry, which complements the bright notes and ensures that the tart finish is not too overpowering. I found the mango element of this mix to be quite subdued, though there are hints of a more earthy tropical note. An excellent tropical blend.

AWESOME APPLE SOUR

VG/PG Ratio: 70/30

Additional sweetener: Moderate Throat hit: Mild

When I saw that the Smoozie team describe this flavour as apple, apple and more apple, I was expecting a rather one-dimensional profile. In reality, it’s one of the most moreish apple flavours I’ve had the pleasure of vaping. The top note is a bold sour candy apple, though this gives way to notes of more authentic red and green apple. The juiciness of the natural apples paired with the in-your-face candy notes make for a comprehensive profile that I found myself redripping often throughout the day.

BLUE RIZZLE

VG/PG Ratio: 70/30

Additional sweetener: Moderate Throat hit: Mild

Blue Rizzle is described as a blend of raspberry, watermelon and apple, which is an unconventional combination. A sweet but authentic raspberry is the top note. It’s bright and has a pleasant amount of tartness on the finish but doesn’t quite venture into sour candy territory. This is complemented by a moderate candy apple flavour, which also provides some tartness but doesn’t steal the show. A milder watermelon accent finishes the blend, adding a juicy connotation to the profile. A simple but well executed fruit medley.

WONDERMELON

VG/PG Ratio: 70/30

Additional sweetener: Moderate Throat hit: Mild

A blend of watermelon, cantaloupe and strawberry. Cantaloupe stands out the most here to me and it’s one of the most authentic I’ve tried in e-liquid form. It’s difficult to describe but the Smoozie team have perfectly captured that almost vegetal flavour and refreshing finish. A milder watermelon complements this main note, with a tart finish and the mix is rounded out by a sweet candy like strawberry, which ties everything together nicely. This is a must try for anyone who enjoys cantaloupe.

STRAWBERRIES GONE WILD

Strawberries Gone Wild is described as a blend of strawberry, raspberry and apple. Candy strawberry is the dominant flavour in this case, with a soft sweetness and substantial sticky mouthfeel. This is contrasted by a tart raspberry, which cuts through the sweetness of the top note. The blend is finished with a mild apple note, which gives a boost to the tart finish of the raspberry, along with further sweetness. A simple but pleasant fruit profile.

THE MUSHROOM CLOUD NZ

TMC – HALF BAKED

VG/PG Ratio: 70/30

Additional sweetener: Minimal Throat hit: Mild

TMC describe Half Baked as a blend of cookie dough and white chocolate. They state that it’s one of their best sellers and quite frankly I’m not surprised. If you enjoy mellow dessert vapes, this is a treat. The top note for me is a mild desiccated coconut flavour. While not in the product description, it’s authentic and pleasant, without any suntan lotion off-notes. This is complemented by a subtle white chocolate flavour, which comes across similarly to a bright vanilla cream. The profile is finished with a distinctive cookie dough, which adds body and a little sweetness, without overpowering the mix. An easy all day vape.

TMC – CHURBRO

VG/PG Ratio: 70/30

Additional sweetener: Minimal Throat hit: Mild

Churbro is described as a cinnamon churro blend by TMC. The top note here is a very mild cinnamon. I have to say, I feel this could be turned up a notch or two, even for those who prefer a more laid back cinnamon flavour. This note is complemented by a moderate dough base, which does provide a good representation of a fried batter but is slightly lacking in sweetness, even for my preferences, which usually favour unsweetened e-liquids. If you enjoy a very mild bakery profile, this may be a good option.

TMC – BLUEBERRY SUNSET

VG/PG Ratio: 70/30

Additional sweetener: Minimal Throat hit: Mild

Blueberry Sunset follows the theme of several other TMC blends, in that it is mild and moreish. The top note here is a sweet medley of authentic blueberry and strawberry. It’s subtle but has just enough brightness to stand out and stay on the palate until the finish. This is complemented by a moderate yoghurt base. It doesn’t have the sour note you would expect from Greek yoghurt, nor is it as sweet as a yoghurt drink, so it’s somewhere in between the two. The result is another mellow blend that I can easily vape all day.

TMC BLACK LABEL – ATHENA

VG/PG Ratio: 70/30

Additional sweetener: Minimal Throat hit: Mild

Dragon fruit is often used to make other fruits pop and works particularly well in medleys or dessert profiles. Athena is a great example of why its such a popular ingredient. To my palate, the dragon fruit is more dominant here, with a pleasant tropical sweetness and slightly tart finish. The strawberry is a little softer but still provides some sticky body and a sweet finish. The fruit notes are supported by a light dairy base, which to me comes across as an authentic unsweetened cream. The result is a simple but very well balanced fruit and cream profile.

TMC BLACK LABEL – GAIA

VG/PG Ratio: 70/30

Additional sweetener: Minimal Throat hit: Mild, with cooling

TMC describe Gaia as a blend of cool pear and pineapple. A bright candy-style pineapple is the most prominent flavour for me. It’s sweet but not artificial and has a noticeable tart finish. This is complemented by a mild authentic pear, which adds a juicy mouthfeel and further sweetness but does not become overbearing. A mild coolant finished the mix, without impacting the balance of flavours. A simple but pleasant fruit ice profile.

The original blue slushie. Known worldwide for it’s unique one of a kind flavor, The Berg is consistently the top seller in almost every vape store.

THE BERG USA MENTHOL

The Menthol version of The Berg.

Also

available in

A

Cotton

TNT (The Next Tobacco)

Blond Virginia Cured Tobacco leaf with a hint of maple sweetness. The most authentic tobacco liquid available today. Also available in Menthol.

VMD (Vape My Day)

Butterscotch, Caramel, touch of Hazelnut. Smooth, velvety melt-in-your mouth good. VMD fans have nicknamed it “Waffles”

ACE

A delectable strawberry cheesecake bite finished off with the perfect golden graham cracker crust.

ST33P ONE

Blue Razzleberry “Rock Candy” eliquid.

SML (Strawberry Mango Limeade)

SML is bursting with a clean, refreshing mix of ripe,delicious strawberries and beautiful, juicy mango witha satisfying bite of lime on the exahle.

Hippie Puffs

A berry crunch cereal that will have your taste buds trippin’.

LOLLI DRIP TD DISTRO

BLUE RAZZ

VG/PG Ratio: Longfill, ratio chosen by user

Additional sweetener: Moderate Throat hit: Mild

Blue raspberry flavours are both numerous and diverse, with every company offering its own take. Lolli Drip has opted for a super bright candy raspberry in this case, with substantial sticky body and slight tartness. This is complemented by a citrus note, which to my palate is most reminiscent of a commercial lemonade. The two flavours bounce off one another to create a simple, but enjoyable, profile. Those who prefer cooling can choose the iced version, which adds a moderate dose of coolant to the finish.

GRAPEFRUIT

VG/PG Ratio: Longfill, ratio chosen by user

Additional sweetener: Moderate Throat hit: Mild

It’s not often that we see straight grapefruit blends in the e-liquid world. This is perhaps due to the strong and sometimes bitter flavour of the fruit and Lolli Drip has counteracted this by adding some heavy candy connotations. The top note is a bright, authentic grapefruit, with a pleasant citric tang. The bitter finish is nullified, however by a layer of hard candy sweetness. Those looking for a pure grapefruit experience need not apply but if the idea of grapefruit candy appeals to you, this is a good option. Those who prefer cooling can also choose the iced variety, which adds a moderate helping of coolant.

ICED WATERMELON

VG/PG Ratio: Longfill, ratio chosen by user

Additional sweetener: Moderate Throat hit: Mild, with cooling

Watermelon can be a difficult flavour to work with, since authentic flavourings tend to be mild, whilst candies have the opposite problem in that they can quickly overpower the palate. Lolli Drip’s version is certainly of the candied variety, though it’s more reserved than some of its competitors, which tend to carry noticeable off notes. The watermelon is complemented by a mild citrus note in a similar fashion to Blue Razz, which leads me to believe that this one also uses a lemonade base to highlight the top note. The blend is finished with a moderate coolant, which does not impart any flavour.

ICED SOUR APPLES

VG/PG Ratio: Longfill, ratio chosen by user

Additional sweetener: Moderate Throat hit: Mild, with cooling

Iced Sour Apples is a stripped-back profile, so ingredient selection is key and I’m glad to report that Lolli Drip has done its homework. This is an intense green apple candy flavour, spot on to what you would expect from one particularly popular American hard candy. Despite having such a strong flavour, artificial off-notes are kept to a minimum and not present after vaping. There is a slight hint of a more authentic apple flesh in the mix but it’s only a mild accent. The profile is finished with a moderate coolant, which does not impart any menthol flavour. A simple but solid apple candy.

GRAPE

VG/PG Ratio: Longfill, ratio chosen by user

Additional sweetener: Moderate Throat hit: Mild

Another simple flavour from the Lolli Drip line. The dominant note here is an intensely sweet candy concord grape. It perfectly emulates the grape hard candy flavour, which is incredibly popular in the USA. The darker sweetness of the concord grape is complemented by a brighter fruit with a tart finish, which seems to be green grape, though it’s difficult to tell, since it’s fairly low in the mix. I enjoy this profile, though some may find it a little one dimensional. Those who prefer a cool vape can choose the iced version, which adds a moderate helping of coolant.

CARAMEL APPLE

VG/PG Ratio: Longfill, ratio chosen by user

Additional sweetener: Moderate Throat hit: Mild

Normally when I think of caramel apple flavours, I assume the profile uses an authentic apple but my expectations were subverted in this case. Instead, the top note is a bright candy apple, similar to the main note of Iced Sour Apples, albeit turned down a notch or two. This is paired with a candy style caramel and to my surprise it works rather well. The contrast between the bright apple and darker sweetness of the caramel is very pleasant, even if it is not what I would usually associate with caramel apples. An interesting one to try for dessert fans.

DR WATTSON’S CREAM PIES – PEAR

DR WATTSON’S CREAM PIES – PECAN

HOBBYIST CORNER

HOBBYIST CORNER - PROFILE: M.TERK

The King of Coils

Mike Terkildsen AKA M.Terk has amassed a substantial following in enthusiast vape circles. He is known for his pristine exotic coils, unique e-liquid offerings and even hardware designs so we decided to find out more about how he got to where he is today.

Words: Benedict Jones

Q: When did you start vaping, and how did you hear about it?

I started vaping in 2014. I used to drive the guys to the job site when I was doing construction and one of them had a copper tube mod (the Overdose). He would vape in the truck and I used to love how it smelled in comparison to Camel cigarettes. So he told me I should go to the vape shop and get setup. By January 2015, I was no longer smoking cigarettes and had fully switched to vaping.

Q: How did you first learn about exotic coil builds and what inspired you to make your own?

My friend saw that I started vaping and he showed me Instagram. From there, I started an account and I found pages like @blueeyedgoon83 @ twistedmesses, @squidood & @ohmboyoc. @ blueeyedgoon83 is what inspired me start coil building (as a hobby).

Q: At what point did you realise that selling your coils could become a viable business?

I started working at a local vape shop (Vvvapes) when I left my family business in spring 2015. I needed a major life change after quitting heroin. They weren’t hiring at the time, but I promised I would build coils and make money for the shop. So I just hustled really

hard, not knowing where it would take me.

In a very short amount of time, I was mass producing coils (eventually just aliens) and became one of the first coil distributors.

Q: The coil building scene has grown a lot over the years. Whose work do you admire most?

That’s a hard one…If we are talking about people that do it for a creative hobby, only one name comes to mind: @builds_by_talien from Germany.

Q: With the reputation you have built, customers have high expectations. How do you deal with the pressure of delivering a top quality product every time?

The pressure can be intense, but I just really take my time when I develop new products. I test them thoroughly until I am confident that everyone will like them as much as I do. Quality is what’s most important to me, with all my products.

Q: As an individual, you are an integral part of the MTERK brand, is this something that you enjoy?

I love what I do every day. In the past five years I have been traveling all over the world, meeting new people and seeing new places. None of that would have been possible without MTERK.

Q: What are the biggest changes you’ve noticed in vape culture since you became a part of it?

In the beginning it seemed to be more for fun. Now it seems to be a lot more business orientated, and very consumed by the nationwide bans we are facing.

Q: What’s your process for developing new e-liquid flavours?

I usually fly out to the lab and spend a few days with the mixologist trying different variations of the same flavour profile. Once we find a good one, I spend more time tweaking it until it

vapes clean, smells good and tastes good. I will then vape it for a few months to see how it ages, and take it from there.

Q: You clearly have an obsession with butterscotch. Can you shed some light on that?

When I was 11 years old, I lived with my great grandma (Mommom Maff). She always had butterscotch hard candies in a dish. I never liked candy as a kid but I would have them when I sat with her. I guess it translated in a favourite vape flavor as an adult.

Q: Along with coils and e-liquids, you’ve also dabbled in hardware design, most recently with the MTERK V2 RDA. How did this come about?

Originally the Terk v2 was started with James from Rigmod. We were just making improvements from the Terk v1. After his passing, Kent @twistedmesses helped me finish the project. I love using it and I’m so happy to see how well it’s sold.

Q: Unlike many other hardware designers, you’ve taken the independent route. Does this come with additional challenges?

Yes because I had to fund the project myself. So I had to save up for the first few years to have enough money. The V1 was a collaboration with Rigmod because I didn’t have the funding at the time.

Q: It’s been a challenging time for U.S. vapers. You and other prominent members of the community have lead the charge for advocacy. How can average consumers get involved?

Check out @mterk.net_ on Instagram or MTERK_net on twitter. We also have an advocacy page on our website www.MTERK.net that’s always up to date. Find pages that post a lot of advocacy & calls to action (such as CASAA) and actually do the calls, emails, etc. We need everyone to do it together because it has much more of an impact when you can show these politicians that we have the numbers.

Q: Finally, do you have any new hardware designs or projects in the pipeline, if so, can you drop us any hints?

I have been working on more flavours and maybe something special for the UK in 2020. Make sure you are following @M.terk & @vaperizzo on Instagram.

bGrimm Green

Q: Your first review was the Janty Dura Cartomiser, posted in March 2009. Did you have any goals or expectations for your channel at the time?

A: Honestly no, at that time there were maybe two other people on YouTube talking about vaping. Back when I started in 2009 it was so new, that no one really knew what they were doing. People had questions, I wanted to get them answers. It really was all about helping people switch and it still is.

Q: Many successful channels remove older videos, something you’ve not done. Is it important to you for subscribers to see how you started out?

A: It’s important to me to have those older “bad” videos on my channel. It lets people see my journey, my struggles, my successes and how I’ve personally evolved. It’s almost become a time capsule of the industry. You can see how it started with only a few hundred people and the growth to where it is today.

Q: What’s the strangest workaround you’ve done to make a device provide a better vape?

A: It has to be the cut-up aquarium filters. The first struggle we faced as vapers (besides battery life) was getting the juice to the coil. They were little disposable atomizers that relied on a “cart”

stuffed with poly-fill and saturated with juice. At one point, the whole community rallied around this blue aquarium filter foam as a wick. After that it was cut-up Lipton tea bags as a wick. Sometimes people would use the spring from a ball point pen to keep the foam pressed against the atomizer. It was a strange time of experimentation just to get a good vape.

Q: When did vaping become a full-time job for you?

A: The idea of doing it full time was terrifying. For roughly the first five years of GrimmGreen I was doing double duty of being a roaster for Starbucks (Graveyard 10 hour shifts ) then coming home and shooting videos and being GrimmGreen. In December 2014 I finally quit my job and give this YouTube thing a real try. It was the best decision I’ve ever made.

Q: You were among the first reviewers to design and release vaping hardware. What were the key challenges of your first project?

A: I was actually the first reviewer to do a liquid line. In 2012 I launched (the now defunct and closed ) Namberjuice with my ex. I lost subscribers in droves. Everyone was shouting that I had “sold out”. People were not okay with reviewers making money back then. The backlash was so severe that it put me off trying to earn money from vaping. I continued working at my job because of this. I felt like, “Okay. I guess reviewers just have to work for free.” I didn’t release another product until 2016 because of that paranoia of backlash again.

Q: Has the experience of designing your own products changed the way you approach reviews?

A: Every review I’ve ever done, I’ve always thought of ways to improve the product. I’m not surprised that so many reviewers have released products, because I feel like we have all said to ourselves “I could do this so much better.”

I always approach every product the same way. Skeptical optimism. I give the product every chance to impress me. I don’t buy into hype, the product needs to stand on its own. If it’s good, it’s good. If it’s bad, it’s bad.

Q: Advocacy is more important than ever. What’s the best way for the average Joe to get involved?

A: Twitter is honestly where everything happens these days. The news cycles have become so quick that unless you saw it happen on Twitter, you won’t hear about it. I promise this isn’t a pitch for Twitter, but it really is the best platform for advocating. Every health org is on Twitter, Every politician is on Twitter, there are doctors and journalists and scientists all on Twitter, all tweeting about vaping and THR. Jump on Twitter, start learning, start reading, start tweeting and make your voice and your stance known.

Twitter and the DC Vape rally was how we managed to change the course of the narrative a little bit in the US. We got our President’s attention enough for him to backpedal his stance on vaping. We absolutely can make a difference; we have numbers and science on our side. I genuinely think they assumed we would have given up by now, I don’t think they understand how passionate vapers are.

Q: Your latest hardware design, the Grimm kit, was aimed more towards new users than previous projects. What was your reasoning for this choice?

A: I wanted a reliable smoker-focused kit because smokers are the reason that any of this exists. If we’re not recruiting smokers, then what’s the point?

It was designed to be a simple, reliable, consistent, approachable vape. Often smokers and new vapers are very intimidated to get into vaping. I wanted to show them it’s not that scary, you can kinda just jump right in and do it.

“In December 2014 I finally quit my job and give this YouTube thing a real try. It was the best decision I’ve ever made.”

HOBBYIST CORNER DIY E-LIQUID Spotlight

The world of DIY e-liquid is ever evolving, with new flavourings and people sharing recipes both simple and complex. There’s an endless list of great recipes available online and in this instalment of DIY E-liquid Spotlight, we share some that we’ve been enjoying recently.

1-2-3 Cranberry Sprite

Creator: /u/ID1O-T (Reddit)

Difficulty: Beginner

Recipe: Capella Lemon Lime – 3% Vape Train Australia – 2% Flavorah Cranberry – 1%

Based on a soft drink that’s hugely popular in America, 1-2-3 Cranberry Sprite is a fine example of how a recipe can be both simple and delicious. Capella’s Lemon Lime has been considered one of the best lemonade bases for a while now and combined with the effervescent nature of VTA Fizzy Sherbet, it creates a convincing commercial lemonade. The 1% of FLV Cranberry adds an extra layer to the profile, with a slight bitterness and extra tartness on the finish. If you enjoy coolant, a small amount of WS-23 can easily be added to this recipe, without throwing the balance off. A fantastic beverage mix.

Butter Almond Custard

Creator: KRUCIAL (alltheflavors.com)

Difficulty: Beginner Recipe: Capella Vanilla Custard – 4% Flavor West Butterscotch Ripple – 3.5%

Flavour Art Almond – 1%

Custard is one of the most popular profiles in vaping and KRUCIAL’s Butter Almond Custard is a great example of why. The combination of Butterscotch Ripple and Vanilla Custard makes for a full-bodied, decadent dessert base that manages to be sweet, without becoming too much to vape all day. The almond note is quite light but adds an extra dimension to the recipe. This mix certainly benefits from a long steep but is also delicious right away. A great dessert profile for new mixers.

Leche De Coco

Creator: Hashslingingslashur (alltheflavors.com)

Difficulty: Intermediate

Recipe:

The Flavor Apprentice Bavarian Cream – 2%

The Flavor Apprentice Cheesecake Graham Crust – 1%

Flavour Art Coco – 0.75%

Flavour Art Cream (Fresh) – 0.5%

Flavour Art Meringue – 0.5%

Flavorah Sweet Coconut – 1.75%

Hashslingingslashur is a popular mixer both on Reddit and alltheflavors.com. His love for mixing culminated in starting a commercial e-liquid line and he’s never been afraid to share recipes that might otherwise never have been public. Leche De Coco is a light, mellow and super-authentic coconut milk profile. It’s not overly sweet or in your face, which makes it the ideal all day vape for many mixers. The accuracy of this recipe can’t be overstated and for those who prefer something a little more decadent, additional Bavarian Cream or Cheesecake may help.

007 Cola

Creator: /u/alfredpudding (Reddit)

Difficulty: Advanced Recipe:

Vape Train Australia Fizzy Sherbet – 3.5%

Flavor West Blood Orange – 0.4%

Flavour Art Vanilla Bourbon – 0.4%

Flavorah Rich Cinnamon – 0.07%

Capella Super Sweet – 0.25%

WS-23 – 0.5%

Newer mixers may look at this recipe and think the total flavour percentage here is rather low. In reality it’s a great demonstration that often less is more when it comes to mixing e-liquid. Alfredpudding created this recipe with the goal of producing an accurate cola, without using the cola flavourings, which often impart a candied taste. Instead he’s used a combination of fruits and spices which are found in traditional cola recipes and the result is magical. This is a complex and accurate cola, quite unlike what is available commercially. Don’t be fooled by that 0.07% of Rich Cinnamon either, it’s strong stuff and if pushed any higher it will end up dominating the mix. A fantastic DIY recipe.

Words: Benedict Jones

WORTH

the hype?

Mechlyfe Ratel XS

Words: Benedict Jones

Specifications:

Dimensions: 87mm*52mm*25mm

Materials: Aluminium, stainless steel, polycarbonate

Power output: 5W-80W

Battery capacity: External 18650 cell

E-liquid capacity: 5.5ml

Mechlyfe are newcomers to the hardware market, debuting last year with the Arcless mech mod and Ratel AIO. The original Ratel was well received by reviewers but with a large and unusual form factor, it didn’t live up to its full potential. Their newest device, the Ratel XS, just launched and has already become one of the most hyped mods of 2020. Is it deserving of that hype, though?

Construction, fit and finish are exceptional but there is one clear flaw in the removable side panel. Despite a very strong magnet, there was a notable amount of play evident and Mechlyfe say the issue has now been resolved.

That apart, the aluminium chassis is sturdy, with a quality matte finish. The buttons are tactile and overall the device feels very solid. Mechlyfe’s proprietary “Mechchip” is simplistic but should offer all of the functionality needed for most vapers. Wattage, voltage, bypass and temperature control (SS, Ni, Ti) are all available. I found power delivery to be spot on, with a quick ramp up, though higher outputs will not be achieved when your 18650 depletes to approximately 25 percent. I tested temperature control with a simple SS316L build and was satisfied with the results, though it was on the conservative side in terms of cutting power.

The massive 5.5ml capacity cartridge clips in and out of the device with relative ease and features a screw-in top fill, which I found to be highly convenient during my testing. This is a great quality-of-life feature for day-to-day usage.

Unlike most AIOs coming to market in 2020, the Ratel XS has no stock coil option out of the box. This is a device aimed at enthusiasts and at

the time of writing, is rebuildable only. As standard, the XS is supplied with a single coil RBA. The deck features bottom and side airflow. The side airflow can be adjusted internally via a screw, which allows you to really dial in the experience.

Though Mechlyfe market the XS as an MTL and DTL device, I should note that even with the side airflow completely shut off and airflow ring closed down, it’s a loose MTL. This could be remedied by a bottom airflow insert or dedicated MTL deck and I implore Mechlyfe to consider this for the near future, as it would be easily accomplished.

As a result of this, I’ve been using the XS solely for direct lung vaping and have been mightily impressed. With side airflow opened about halfway and the airflow ring fully open, the XS competes with the very best devices on the market in terms of flavour output and has a relatively quiet, smooth draw. I’ve personally enjoyed it most with dual core fused Clapton builds, between 35W-40W but there’s certainly some wiggle room there for smaller or larger builds, depending on how much you open or close the side airflow screw.

I can’t overstate how impressed I am with the vape experience this device provides. The combination of great flavour, a smooth restricted draw, huge capacity, topfill and a sleek form factor is really quite a triumph. If Mechlyfe release a true MTL RBA for this in the future, it will be the complete package.

In summary, I’m highly impressed with the Ratel XS. I wholeheartedly believe that this is currently the best AIO for enthusiasts who enjoy restricted direct lung vaping. Hype certified.