Vapouround Magazine Issue 46

THE IRISH JIG IS UP

Retailers caught selling e-cigarettes to minors could be charged thousands by the government in a new licensing scheme

ASTRO-NOMICAL

After a report highlighted the waste issues of disposables in the US, Vapouround decided to show just how far we could get using cigarettes

SEE PAGE 45 SEE OUR 4 PAGE INSERT

EDITIONS | DESIGNED FOR YOU

Hello and welcome to the latest publication from Vapouround.

This is a special issue for myself and the rest of the Vapouround team, as we are celebrating our eighth year in action.

We will continue to bring you all the most up to date news, as well as quality content and coverage from our various media partnerships.

However, it’s not just media content we are proud to showcase…there has been some excellent features in the publication, highlighting the many issues facing the industry today.

With the UKVIA having discussions over whether the terminology of ‘disposable’ is damaging the industries efforts at reducing the level of waste

EDITORIAL

Editor Oliver Smith

Deputy Editor Emily Malia

Journalist Grace Lynk

Journalist Hannah Rhodes

DESIGN

Head of Design Hayley Parker

impacting the environment.

As well as Philip Morris International expressing its hopes of becoming an ESG traded company, despite it being directly involved in the impact of millions of smoker’s lives.

Regardless of these issues, all we can do is ignore the noise and continue to fly the flag of harm reduction, for the millions of vapers that rely on e-cigarettes to steer clear of conventional cigarettes.

Thank you very much for your continued support.

The team and I hope you enjoy the latest issue of Vapouround.

Design Team Co-ordinator Lucy Booth

Graphic Designer Michelle Piovesan

Graphic Designer Charlotte Linthwaite

Design Support Anna Difusco

Videographer James Van Aalst

MARKETING

Marketing Executives

Alicia Snow-Simpson

Carrie Strouther

Marketing Director Katie Loomes

Web Developer Kain Alden

Marketing Admin Lauren Pilliner

SALES

Sales Executive Kirk Martin +44 7917 582 001

Sales Executive Sid De Silva +44 7305 644 972

Sales Executive Asher Tomlinson +44 7956 074743

Sales Executive Keith Reilly +44 7910 887277

ACCOUNTS

Head of Finance Rochelle Warsop

EVENTS

Events Director Abida Razaque

Bus Manager Farooq ‘H’ Hussain

MANAGING DIRECTOR Pom Kaila

CEO Paul Caplin

Products in this magazine may not be used, bought

or reviewed by any individual under 18 years old. Vapouround does not support the use of e-cigarettes and devices for individuals under the age of 18 years old; by reading this magazine, you are indicating that you are over 18 years old. Vapouround does not endorse the inappropriate application or misuse of nicotine, smoking or product abuse of any form. We do not claim that e-cigarettes and nicotine devices will help cure smokers’ nicotine addiction and as such, we cannot take responsibility for any effect products advertised in our magazine may have on users’ nicotine consumption. There is no guarantee that products in this magazine including e-cigarettes and nicotine devices will stop you smoking. The opinions in this magazine are solely those of the writers. Vapouround takes no responsibility and rejects all liability for third party reviews or opinion pieces by external agencies. All trademarks, registered or otherwise of products in this magazine are the property of respective owners. To use trademarks, please contact the company directly, who will advise you further.

SHORTFILLS

A Strain ON UKRAINE

Ukraine have instigated a reform on their vaping policies in July of this year, enforcing a ban on the use of e-cigarettes and the promotion of heated-tobacco products via advertisements in public spaces. The advertising rule will extend to a variety of platforms, both digital and physical, with the ban eradicating any promotion on social media, public transportation, and all civic proceedings. Citizens of Ukraine will be fined in the case of violation, with subsequent fines for repeat offenders at a higher cost, a reality that resembles prohibition in yet another part of the world.

WHO ARE YOU Helping?

The World Health Organisation continues its ‘smoke-free’ future mission with an ill-judged campaign around tobacco farming. On World No Tobacco Day, the WHO launched their “grow food, not tobacco” message, addressing hunger through photographs of starving children. However, according to the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation, tobacco growth accounts for less than 1/1000th of land used for crops. Advocate Clive Bates said: “The child in the photo has been exploited to personify a baseless argument in a misguided PR campaign. There are plenty of good reasons to quit smoking, but starving children is not among them. This is profoundly unethical.”

A NEW LIMIT IN New Zealand

Manatū Hauora, the New Zealand Minister of Health, has raised the alarm with a new proposal to change the legal limit of nicotine in vaping devices to 28mg/ml. Nicotine content in vapes is currently regulated at 20mg/ml in the EU, UK and Canada, a stark disparity from the maximum limit proposed by Manatū in a lowkey, two-week submission process. The Asthma & Respiratory Foundation said in response: “People need to understand what product strength they are using, and manufacturers need to understand how to meet the regulations…We are concerned that the Ministry’s proposal will not lead to greater clarity.”

MERCI LA Vape

An online petition in France – with 28,000 signatures – is quickly becoming popular amongst vapers urging them to stand up to potential bans looming over the country. Its goal is simple: no to taxes, yes to flavours, stop denigration and misinformation. A questionnaire is proposed to signees, with the answers sent to anti-vaping authorities. Fellow vape retailers are also rallying outside of the online world by handing out information kits to consumers with the hopes of spreading their cause far and wide. In comparison to other European countries, France’s smoking rate is one of the highest at a whopping 31.9 percent.

LONDON Tobacco ALLIANCE

The London Tobacco Alliance – a partnership created to accelerate efforts to eliminate smoking in London – has published a first-of-its-kind positions statement in response to vaping. The announcement calls for Local Authorities and health professionals to promote and offer nicotine vapes as an effective quitting tool for adult smokers, alongside accurate information on the benefits. With the latest evidence, the LTA believes that with support and licensed ‘stop smoking’ aids, e-cigarettes play a significant role in reducing tobacco harm.

NHS Medical Director for London, Chris Streather said: “This position statement seeks to address misconceptions amongst professionals working with London’s smokers.”

Vapouround Journalists select their top picks of short vape-related stories and research making news around the world.

LESS SMOKE, MORE Votes

A potential ban on all tobacco and vape products for anyone born after 2007 in Malaysia has sparked controversy amongst officials and advocates. Government backbenchers said: “18-year-olds can decide the fate, future and the government of this country, but you don’t feel they are responsible enough to decide if they want to smoke.” Additionally, six health and vape groups issued a joint statement in disagreement of the potential removal of the THR products. However, the Malaysian Medical Association has called on the PM to re-list nicotine under the Poisons Act.

Breaking THE BANK

A recent CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) analysis has revealed that the monthly sales of e-cigarettes increased by almost fifty percent between the years of 2020 and 2022. Although concerns have been raised regarding how many children were purchasing fruity flavours throughout the pandemic, vaping advocate Lance Churchill has cleared the air. He said: “Between 20202022, youth vaping fell 50 percent and e-cig sales increased by 46.6 percent, which means millions more ADULTS quit smoking by vaping. We should be celebrating this news, not misrepresenting it.”

Poison IN EVERY PUFF

Canada will soon become the first country to print health warnings directly onto every individual cigarette – in English and French – in a bid to drop nationwide tobacco-use to less than five percent by 2035. ‘Tobacco smoke harms children.’, ‘Cigarettes cause leukemia.’ and ‘Poison in every puff.’ are just some of the messages to be used. Canadian health officials said: “The new tobacco products appearance, packaging and labelling regulations will be part of the Government of Canada’s continued efforts to help adults who smoke to quit.” The campaign will kickstart in July 2024 for king-size cigarettes and April 2025 for regular-sized.

ISLE OHM MAN

The Vaping Products Bill 2023 has had both its first and second readings in the House of Keys (Isle of Man). The bill would prohibit the sale and supply of vaping devices to those that are underage, place controls on how these products are displayed as well as provide stricter regulatory standards. If passed, those persuading, encouraging or assisting under 18s to either obtain or sell e-cigarettes could be fined and charged. In addition, power would be given to police to seize and dispose of vapes being used by under 18s in public places.

SWE-DONE AND Dusted

Consumers and Members of the European Parliament are urging the EU to step-up and follow Sweden’s successful smoking-cessation strategy. Many countries worldwide are in the process of implementing restrictions and bans on tobacco and nicotine in a bid to become smoke-free. Despite efforts made by the European institutions, the overall smoking rate in the EU stands at 25 percent compared to Sweden’s last-reported 5.6 percent. The availability and affordability of THR products has played a crucial role in the country’s rapid decline in smoking rates.

CAN I COPY YOUR Homework?

Health Secretary Steve Barclay has confessed to a meeting with an unnamed leading figure of the Australian Government in order to learn more about the vaping restrictions proceeding Down Under. The

Checkmate

The Korea Biomedical Review have reported hat South Korea’s Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) have urged organisers of the 2023 Korea Vape Show to cancel the event. The Ministry are concerned that the advertised vaping competitions will violate indoor smoking restrictions, so will complete an inspection of the venue to check for a suitable enclosed vaping room. The event organisers are not putting plans on hold, having already submitted strategies to resolve any issues raised by critics, ensuring that the convention isn’t cancelled weeks before meaning to go ahead.

Secretary of State said: “I think the current view of the department is that the risks (of vaping) are a fraction of the risks of smoking cigarettes. “But clearly it is an area where the data is evolving.” The British Government intend to examine the bans and restrictions in Australia, keen to learn ‘lessons’ on how to better strengthen measures that will protect children from e-cigarettes in the UK.

MISSION Impossible

Turkmenistan’s leader has launched a countrywide anti-smoking campaign, ordering the Central Asian country to rid itself completely of tobacco within two years. President Serdar Berdymukhamedov latest order involves a clampdown on illegal importations of tobacco products and their sales, including shisha pipes and electronic cigarettes. “Our state will launch a vast anti-tobacco movement of unprecedented size to help expand the tobacco-less countries of the world,” Strict measures — including bans on advertising and smoking in public places — are already in place, with state shops acting as the only legal sellers of cigarettes and vapes.

CLEAR YOUR Mind

Researchers at the University of Oxford have discovered that quitting smoking can vastly help mental health for people with and without mental health conditions.

Smoking abstinence

– particularly between weeks nine and 24 – was associated with significant improvements in anxiety

and depression. For this study, only data from USbased participants was used and included 4,260 current adult smokers –with over half diagnosed with a psychiatric disorder. In the UK, the number of people smoking who had a mental health condition has remained at 40 percent since 1993.

IS THIS THE END?

Local councils across the UK have called for disposables to be banned due to environmental and health issues. The Local Government Association (LGA) is campaigning for the sale and manufacturing for single use vapes by 2024, stating that the devices are a hazard for waste collection. In response to this proposed move, John Dunne, Director General of the UKVIA, said: “Most smokers have used, and continue to use, single use vapes to help them quit combustible cigarettes. “The ease of use of these products have played a key role in helping bring the UK smoking rate to an all-time low.

PMI TO SUPPLY

Philip Morris International, owner of six global cigarette brands, is attempting to grow the intercontinental sales of its VEEV vaping products, and are exploiting pharmaceutical companies in Australia to do so. The tobacco company have already made a deal with some pharmacies to supply their vaping products at a discounted price, despite their previous opposition to the Australian Government’s prescription model. Money is clearly the pivotal reason behind this business move, with the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia already issuing a warning to pharmacists to be sceptical of commercial offers from big tobacco companies.

TOO SWEET TO HANDLE

Germany has approved a draft amendment to their Tobacco Products Act bill, which formally bans the addition of vanilla, chocolate, and other heated tobacco flavours. According to the German Bundestag, the adopted expansion will further limit access to flavoured tobacco products as they have an “introductory effect” that could coerce non-smokers. The new law will come into play from October 23 of this year and is applicable to cigarettes and heating cigarettes. Although the new ban does not extend to vapes, officials have called for stronger restrictions on e-cigarettes with talks of potential future advertising bans.

SPICK AND SPAN

A new programme set to be rolled out across the country and backed by approval from the UK National Screening Committee could see up to 9000 cases of lung cancer prevented. GP records for current or former smokers between the ages of 55 and 74 will be assessed to determine the high-risk patients who can go for free lung cancer screenings. Following a successful earlier screening where 70% of screenings took place in mobile units, The Department of Health and Social Care aim to reach 100% of the eligible population by 2030.

CRAVING SUCCESS

Clinical trials of a brain-zapping procedure are being used to tackle smoking addiction amongst Israeli candidates. Held at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev in Israel, participants are subjected to repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) –a non-invasive magnetic field that stimulates regions of the brain involved in addiction.

Neuroscientist Abraham Zangen led the study of 262 smokers looking to kick their deadly habit. The group was then split, with half receiving a placebo treatment that produced similar sounds and feelings. After 12 weeks, only 28 percent of the full-treatment group had quit smoking alongside 12 percent of the placebo.

THE NETHER -BANS

Initially, the Netherlands was set to ban exotic vape flavours with companies to stop production and sales by October 2023. However, this plan has since been thrown out the window… The latest news on the matter comes as quite the shock with new plans from the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment detailing an extension on the cut-off. Manufacturers are now to be given an extra three months due to needing more time to prepare for the impending crackdown. The updated ban date will therefore now take effect on 1 January 2024.

LET’S NOT GO TO Waste

The vaping industry is on the hunt for ways to address its environmental responsibilities following an increased focus on the disposal of single use vapes.

Words: Hannah Rhodes

Drawing attention away from the immense benefit vaping has as a cessation tool, countless organisations, along with members of the public, have growing concerns surrounding the impact of e-cigarette waste.

‘Disposable’ vapes have rapidly increased in popularity over the last four years, with over 14 million bought every month in Great Britain according to environmental non-profit, Material Focus.

However, many users of this convenient device find themselves throwing them away in the closest bin, without knowing that the correct disposal process is a little more complex than that.

With the mission to combat the surge in discarded vapes, the UK Vaping Industry Association (UKVIA) are in discussions with several waste companies to create a recycling solution that is fit for the evolving vaping sector.

John Dunne, Director General of the UKVIA, has said: “The industry recognises its responsibilities to the environment but the recycling of vapes is not straightforward.

“It needs collaboration between adult vapers, retailers, manufacturers, the regulators and companies in the waste management sector.”

Organisations are already beginning to band together with remarkable solutions to reduce the industry’s waste footprint, starting with the key to the issue, right at the source: the vapes themselves.

Recent developments include ANDS’ benchmark-creation of recyclable singleuse vapes that consist of 99 percent, plus recyclable and recoverable materials

meaning less than one percent of the product end up in landfill.

The vape in question boasts a high-scoring test result carried out by specialist vape waste firm Waste Experts to verify its recyclability credentials.

‘SLIX’ disposables use high-grade cardboard to replace the plastic outer casing and pairs this with a biodegradable silicone mouthpiece and end piece.

The light, simple construction makes it 25 percent lighter, resulting in 70 percent less waste by weight compared to other vapes on the market.

Design choices means it takes 57 percent less time to deconstruct than the leading UK brands - the time saved is vital to supporting cost efficiencies in the waste management of single-use vapes.

Dr Marina Murphy, Senior Director of Scientific and Medical Affairs at ANDS, said: “This in turn helps to keep product prices competitive, creating a win-win for the environment and adult consumers.”

With talks of implementing these factors into all their products and increasing SLIX’s recyclability from 99 to 100 percent by the end of the year, ANDS hopes to achieve a zero-waste future.

In addition to improving efforts from the inside, the company is in the process of partnering with Waste Experts to create a recycling programme that will simplify the process of collection and recycling.

Nevertheless, the hill in discovering and adopting new methods of reducing the industry’s waste of disposable vapes is a steep one.

Those pioneering in the fight are positively reminding companies and the public why these devices are so important as a harm reduction tool.

President of ANDS, Fadi Maayta, said: “If these single-use vapes are restricted or banned over environmental fears as is being talked about in some circles...

“Smokers could lose what many believe to be a very convenient, accessible and compelling alternative to conventional cigarettes.”

The industry recognises its responsibilities to the environment but the recycling of vapes is not straightforward.

Director of VPZ, Doug Mutter, has said that he would support a disposable vape ban, a statement not made lightly considering the 150 stores nationwide currently owned by the prominent retailer.

Although in favour of the ban for the most part, Mutter will only support such a drastic change in Scotland on the condition that underground and illegal sales don’t thrive.

The manufacturer said: “For me, there should be a ban if there were proper punishments and policing put in place to ensure a black market doesn’t bubble up.”

A similar prohibition strategy in Australia has accumulated in disaster, with a range of unsafe devices being sold under the nose of law enforcement and the government.

Still, despite an urgent plea to avoid this fate in the UK by the Scottish public relying on vapes, Mutter insists the vaping industry take accountability for the environmental impact of singleuse products.

The VPZ director is not the only one causing a stir, with climate activist Laura Young and her relentless campaigning encouraging the Scottish Government to reevaluate current vaping policies with an environmental review.

Her unyielding desire for an outright ban to be implemented stems from collecting ‘dozens of disposables’ off the streets of Dundee every day when walking her dog.

Youngs’ lobbying for change saw Zero Waste Scotland (ZWS) commissioned to conduct a review exploring environmental management options at the start of this year, of which the results have recently been reported.

The review suggested setting design specifications, such as being able to remove and replace batteries in all e-cigarettes, ensuring that many single-use vape manufactures would fail to meet new criteria.

ZWS have also come forth with statistics, claiming that in 2022 almost eleven percent of the adult population used e-cigarettes regularly, with more

than a quarter of them using single-use vapes.

The figures unveiled in the review also claim that in the first four months of 2023, up to 26 million units of e-cigarettes were consumed in Scotland alone.

Most interestingly though, it was revealed that the lithiumion batteries used in a range of popular e-cigarette brands could be recharged 500 times if the products could withstand it.

Considering these findings, Circular Economy Minister, Lorna Slater said: “We will consider the evidence and expert advice and come forward with policy options, which could include a potential ban on single-use vapes.

“In the meantime, we would urge everyone who uses these products to make sure they are disposed of properly.”

It is currently undecided as to whether the potential ban will be explored in Scotland alone, or as a UK-wide policy, with the report stating that cross-border movement would need to be considered.

The results of a report commissioned by ZWS could potentially see Scotland one step closer to a ban on disposable vapes…a movement supported by vape retailers and climate activists.

Words: Grace Lynk

The World Health Organization have sparked confusion once again with a new misinformative video.

Words: Grace Lynk

Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director General of the World Health Organization (WHO), has featured in a video where he talks about the dangers of vaping.

The public health official said: “When the tobacco industry introduced electronic cigarettes and vaping, one narrative they really tried to sell is that this is a part of harm reduction.

“It’s not true. It actually is a trap. Kids are being recruited at an early age – 10, 11, 12, to try vaping and e-cigarettes, because they think that it’s cool.”

Although it comes as no surprise that the WHO are staying true to their anti-vaping stance, advocates for the cessation tool feel as though the organisation are still spreading misinformation.

Dr Tedros went on to say: “Whether it’s an electronic cigarette or vaping, it has to be regulated. Please protect your citizens, especially children.”

Many Twitter users believe that the organisation has included the ‘children vaping’ narrative to gain sympathy for their global assault on e-cigarettes, a manipulation tactic not taken lightly on social media.

Clive Bates was among the hoard of those infuriated by the video, saying: “There you go: promoting smoking and protecting the cigarette trade.

“Misusing emotive arguments about kids from a war-on drugs playbook to support a billionairefunded moral panic to secure prohibitionist policy.”

Other users share in this frustration, including Peter Engelmann, an educationist and writer who often uses Twitter as a platform for

anti-smoking promotion.

Engelmann said: “Resign from office! Because everyone who approves of Tedros’ speech and shares it is thereby in favour of tobacco cigarette consumption...

“And is indirectly responsible for the death of millions of tobacco cigarette smokers.”

Anger has been intensified by the WHO failing to acknowledge that vaping is the largest and most effective harm reduction tool on the market, opting for the opposing standpoint without evidence.

Charles A. Gardner said: “The CDC National Health Interview Survey shows 6.8 million US adult vapers have quit smoking completely. How is over 2 million future deaths-averted NOT harm reduction?”

The National Health Survey also displays statistics noting that youth smoking is currently under one percent, and youth vaping is fifty percent lower than in 2019.

The CDC have made it very clear on numerous occasions that there is a profound disconnect between public reception and the reality of vaping, using science to back their research.

A lesson learned is to take The World Health Organization’s agenda with a pinch of salt, and to turn to scientific evidence as opposed to taking their words of warning at face value.

MISUSING EMOTIVE ARGUMENTS ABOUT KIDS FROM A WAR-ON DRUGS PLAYBOOK TO SUPPORT A BILLIONAIRE-FUNDED MORAL PANIC TO SECURE PROHIBITIONIST POLICY

THE JIG IS UP

After the Irish government announced a revised licensing payment for vaping companies, Vapouround delves into the changing vaping restrictions in Ireland, from license fees to regulation laws.

Words: Grace Lynk

Vaping companies in Ireland are at risk of paying thousands of euros each year for their ‘selling licenses’, a development encouraged by new Government regulations currently being considered.

Health Minister Stephen Donnelly has the intent of setting a new annual licence fee of 500 euros per vaping shop owned, setting many multishop retailers up for excessive financial burden.

Licenses will be issued to owners who operate their shops for a minimum of 12 months, a mandate which will see pop-up stalls at festivals and special events eradicated.

Vape Business Ireland (VBI), although in favour of the new bill, are concerned about the future difficulties retailers will face when trying to obtain a license.

The vaping trade body have come forward to openly voice their qualms, stating that procuring authorisation ‘should be feasible and not unduly cumbersome for business owners to comply with.’

VBI also believe that prohibiting retailers from applying for a license at temporary or mobile premises fails to recognise that adult ex-smokers are relying on easy access to the harmreduction devices.

They said: “At age-gated events, and in cases where retailers are otherwise in possession of the appropriate license, VBI regrets that adult ex-smokers will now be unable to access a product...

“Which has enabled more than 200,000 people across Ireland to move away from smoking.”

As it currently stands in Ireland, vape retailers only need to apply for a onceoff registration of €50, meaning shop owners can sell products from any location for any length of time.

This license system, however, doesn’t account for regulation laws, a bypassed

error that will stay in place until the new legislation is enacted in Autumn.

These are not the first changes being employed in Ireland, with the cabinet having recently approved a bill which will see the sale of vaping products to those under 18 banned.

Advertising vaping products near schools and on public transport will also be prohibited, another endeavour proposed by the Government to discourage minors from taking up the habit.

The Minister of State at the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications, Ossian Smyth, has also extended an invitation to the public to open a discussion on disposable waste.

The consultation opened for submissions at the start of June and is further proof that Ireland is currently in the process of a complete makeover when it comes to vaping.

From license fees to regulation laws and age requirements, it’s clear that the future of vaping in Ireland is changing, though hopefully not impeding thousands of smokers from their quitting journeys.

VBI regrets that adult ex-smokers will now be unable to access a product which has enabled more than 200,000 people across Ireland to move away from smoking.

Vapes

WHERE I CAN SEE THEM! PUT YOUR

A troubling video has surfaced online after a man was arrested in Maryland for vaping on the banned boardwalk.

Words: Emily Malia

It seems those protecting the ‘land of the free’have once again violated a civilian as a violent arrest video has surfaced online, after the unpermitted use of a vape.

This disturbing clip reveals the force undertaken by armed officers when arresting a black man, caught vaping on Ocean City’s famous boardwalk.

On July 5th, 34-year-old golf coach Denzel Elam Ruff was approached by police and told to stop vaping. According to their reports, their orders were refused.

The law was passed in 2015 prohibiting both vaping and smoking on the beach and surrounding areas in Maryland, meaning the police have authority to hold people accountable for puffing.

However, the confrontational clip shows three officers handcuffing the vaper using brute force and violently throwing

and pinning him to the ground.

One officer upped the ante and punched Denzel Ruff whilst he lay helplessly on the ground, outnumbered as bystanders watched in horror.

The Ocean City Police Department released a statement that said: “Our officers are permitted to use force, per their training, to overcome exhibited resistance…all uses of force go through a detailed review process.”

It’s not the first time the city’s officers have blown a vaping disturbance out of proportion since the ban was actioned.

This incident took place two years after several black teenagers also fell victim at the hands of police officers when found vaping on the boardwalk.

One of the young men was violently tackled to the ground and repeatedly kneed in the ribs and abdomen by the police - but the abuse didn’t stop there.

The most disturbing part of the ordeal was when one man was shot with a taser - while attempting to comply by removing his backpack - and fell straight to the ground.

Similar to the most recent event, videos were shared online, causing outrage by the police’s methods of arresting young vapers.

The vaping community has been shaken to its core countless times as its witnessed strip searches, beatings and bathrooms no longer privatised –all in the name of the ‘crack down onn vaping’.

THE LEGACY NEVER DIES

When doors first opened in 2014, Prohibition hit the ground running despite being thrown head-first into fluctuating regulations and fierce competition.

Words: Hannah Rhodes

adapt and embrace the cards that had been dealt.

Taking inspiration from the 1920’s prohibition era where speakeasies and bootlegging reigned supreme, the company’s personality carved a niche within the market and facilitated a space full of nostalgia.

Prohibition said: “Our fusion of vintage aesthetics and the allure of a clandestine world seems to have struck a chord with vapers far and wide.

“It’s created a unique identity that resonates with both our clients and customers.”

Following on from the establishment of their first store in the UK, the minds behind Prohibition crafted a unique line of e-liquids that embodied the company’s period charm.

However, earlier this year the range was given a new lease of life through re-formulating the flavours to cater to the modern palate whilst retaining the essence of the originals.

Between meticulously conducting extensive market research, engaging in-house mixologists and countless taste tests…balance and harmony were struck.

With flavour names ranging from Bathtub Gin, Ice Remington, and Moonshine Punch – the rich heritage of the company didn’t just stop with the visuals.

“The goal was to create an experience, where

Supplying and producing over ten million bottles of e-liquid over the years, Prohibition has continued to forge strong partnerships with companies, suppliers and consumers alike.

“With our client base and inventory growing, it became clear that we needed to expand our facilities…standing still just wasn’t an option.”

After striving to make their stores so eye-catching and immersive, Prohibition did not stray far from their unique path and went on to channel this into their marketing and graphic design strategies.

These advancements in the company’s visuals proved to be a massive propeller into the limelight as more and more interest circulated the company from all angles.

“Injecting creative storytelling and captivating visuals into our campaigns has captured the imagination of vapers, up and down the country.

“Our designs have become iconic, and our principles extend past marketing materials - we seamlessly integrate them into product packaging, ensuring every bottle that leaves the building embodies the essence of its branding.

“Through this cohesive approach, we’ve fostered recognition, loyalty, and a reputation for excellence in both design and product quality.”

With acknowledgement and praise, comes reward and Prohibition are a testament to the age old saying that ‘hard work pays off’.

“Winning multiple awards over the years has sculpted and catapulted the company’s future and has served as a catalyst for innovation and progress across various aspects of the business.”

Not only has this boosted Prohibition’s reputation, but it has also opened the floodgates to new partnerships, expanded networks, enhanced marketing reach, and has also solidified their position within the industry.

So, the big question on everyone’s mind: what’s next? With a future full of promise, things are only looking up for the family-founded company.

“In true Prohibition fashion, our vision, as always, is to continue pushing the boundaries with new and extraordinary creations.”

“The trials we faced taught us resilience, the value of flexibility, and the power of partnerships - and we have emerged stronger than ever before.”

WE THRIVE IN CUSTOMER SERVICE AND TAKE THE WHOLE RETAIL EXPERIENCE TO ANOTHER LEVEL WITH OUR 2 MOST USED MOTTOS…

WE HAVE A PASSION FOR WHAT WE DO, OUR FRIENDLY, KNOWLEDGEABLE STAFF ARE ALWAYS HERE TO HELP. WE ARE GRADUALLY BECOMING A WELL RECOGNISED BRAND IN THE NORTH EAST AREA, IT’S HARD TO BELIEVE WE STARTED OUT AS A SMALL MARKET STALL!

Words: John Dunne, Director General, UKVIA

COLUMN

It will come as no surprise to Vapouround readers that I do a lot of media interviews to communicate the good that the vape industry does, both in terms of harm reduction and on wider benefits to the economy, but this is often an uphill battle.

Some media outlets allow equal amounts of time for pro- and anti-vaping points of view during interviews but others concentrate, almost exclusively, on either pushing the anti-vaping agenda or allowing disproportionate airtime for guests who do so.

As calls grow to ban single use vapes on environmental grounds…a new study shows that they are actually ‘highly recyclable’.

This attitude is not exclusive to the mainstream media and the UKVIA’s recent interaction with the Scottish Government’s ongoing review into disposable vapes is a good case in point.

This is a subject I will return to later. There is no doubt that single use products pose unique challenges to the environment and I have taken part in many debates on this issue. The environmental harms are always given huge airtime but the great strides taken by many in the industry to lessen the environmental impact hardly gets a mention.

I was recently at a reception at the Houses of Parliament where an independent study carried out by Waste Experts examined the recycling performance of two devices.

One, an existing and widely available single use plastic and aluminium vape, as well as a new cardboard-based product. Waste Experts concluded that both products examined were ‘highly recyclable’ with between 97.6% and 99.29% of their components being either recyclable or recoverable.

Stewart Price, Scheme Manager at Waste Experts, said that by highlighting that, on the whole, single use vapes were highly recyclable. The study indicated that the real environmental challenge in the vaping sector is the lack of availability and knowledge of collection systems and recycling.

More and more recycling companies are gearing up to handle vapes and we now urgently need a public awareness campaign and incentive programme to encourage and reward consumers for disposing of their used devices responsibly.

And this brings me back to the environmental review from the Scottish government which was jointly prepared by Zero Waste Scotland and Dr Dominic Hogg of Equanimator Ltd.

The review shortlists nine policy options for further consideration, including prohibitive measures which could have serious unintended consequences on public health and a proposed ban on single-use vapes which could see vapers deprived of their chosen alternative to cigarettes, thus driving up smoking rates. In fact, I have written to Lorna Slater MSP, Scotland’s Minister for Green Skills, Circular Economy and Biodiversity, to express the UKVIA’s serious concerns about the process of the review and what appears

to be a singular lack of impartiality. For example, the public and the wider vape sector were not invited to contribute to the review, and while the UKVIA and the IBVTA were permitted to provide submissions, their individual members were not.

The report also failed to reference any comments from the UKVIA, the UK’s largest vaping association with an extensive membership in Scotland.

My worry is that the Scottish consultation is fundamentally flawed and I would urge Scottish politicians to seriously consider the dangers of prohibitive policy put forward in the review, especially considering Scotland has the highest smoking prevalence of any UK country.

And finally…I was very happy to read that HM Revenue & Customs has announced stronger powers to combat illicit tobacco sales backed up by fines of up to £10,000 for any businesses and individuals who sell illicit tobacco products.

For more than two years now, the UKVIA has been calling on the Government to issue exactly the same level of fines for businesses and individuals who sell illicit vape products or who sell any vape products to under 18s.

If the government can do this for cigarettes, they can do this for illicit and underage vape sales, and there is no logical reason to delay taking action for a moment longer.

He’s no Leo Burnett, the western stud with piercing eyes, dusty boots and a cigarette hanging loosely out of his mouth, but he is after all…the real ‘Marlboro Man’.

Jacek Olczak, the man behind some of the biggest tobacco brands in the world as Chief Executive of Phillip Morris International (PMI) is now determined to make smoking a thing of the past.

Since 2016, the company has decided to transform itself from the home of Marlboro and Chesterfield into a scientific hub that can help smokers quit – investing billions into a ‘smoke-free future’.

Olczak said: ‘Looking at what the UK is doing in the car industry, saying that ‘as of a certain year you are not allowed to produce petrol cars’, we could have this with tobacco too.

“When governments and the organisations that lobby them prevent men and women who continue to smoke from accessing less harmful alternatives...

“And when they perpetuate misinformation about these products, it has a direct correlation to the persistence of smoking.”

It’s almost as though PMI hasn’t being doing exactly that for decades and yet, the CEO now believes that cigarettes – the thing that drives their profits – ‘belong in museums’.

Since its transformation, PMI now has several e-cigarette brands in its product portfolio, and earlier on this year entered the disposable vape market with the launch of Veeba.

The CEO said: “It’s time for antitobacco organisations to stop fighting against us and start fighting for adults who smoke.”

This feels like a kick in the teeth for the vaping community, to hear that a firm responsible for millions of tobacco-related deaths now wants to dip a toe in the harm reduction waters.

With money on their mind and a desire to hold a secure position within the vaping industry, PMI are flirting with environmental, social and governance (ESG) suitors…how convenient.

ESG includes various sectors, from gun manufacturers, oil drillers and you guessed it…cigarette makers, and so with their new mission to obtain a smoke-free future, PMI could gain an influx of profit.

Jacek Olczak drew an analogy with the switch to using energy saving lightbulbs instead.

His main argument was that governments could reduce smoking and the costs to health services if they supported tobacco companies like themselves in researching alternatives and setting a deadline for the ban on cigarettes.

A spokesperson for the company said: “Our intention is not only to make our company smoke-free, we want to make cigarettes obsolete. This requires system-level change.”

The vaping community shares the same interest as PMI, to bid farewell to smoking forever through vaping, and yet the firm’s interests have left a sour taste in their mouths.

Outraged with this news, one advocate wrote: “Based on the global death toll and its market share, Philip Morris kills at least one million people every year.

“The idea of PMI becoming ESG stock is an obscene joke.”

But it seems nobody except PMI is laughing... as S&P Global made headlines when it gave Tesla, the world’s largest manufacturer of electric cars, a lower stock score than them.

Adding to the conversation was CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, Elon Musk. He said: “ESG is used as a moral cloak to hide bad behaviour.

“Any cause that makes its virtue unquestionable will immediately be adopted by the unvirtuous.”

JUMPING THEGun

Aussie Cancer

Words: Emily Malia

They are once again continuing to find ways to surprise us down under, with their creative attempts in combatting cancer by encouraging people to keep on partaking in one of the leading causes of the condition.

In a country where – from 20212022 – one in ten adults were daily smokers, it’s disheartening to stand by and watch them repeatedly bash a 95 percent less harmful alternative.

A new campaign targeting teenagers has launched itself onto our screens from ‘Cancer Council’, claiming that vaping ‘shouldn’t be

Charity launches new campaign to keep kids clear from vaping, but their resources seem to be… not so resourceful.

marketed as a safe alternative’…

It shouldn’t be? Or they don’t want it to be? This statement has outraged the wider vaping community, as for millions, vaping is what saved their lives or reduced their health issues.

One vaper tweeted: “Are you seriously saying that vaping shouldn’t be marketed as a safer alternative to smoking?

“You’d rather smokers keep failing on lesser effective THR options than try to move to a proven safer option?

Behind the ‘Do you know what you’re vaping?’ campaign is Natasha Fyles, Chief Minister of Australia’s Northern Territory, keen to educate children by telling them that ‘vaping isn’t safe’.

Another advocate wrote: “If vaping isn’t safe, by all means, show me the bodies. 82 million currently vape. The corpses must be piling up somewhere.”

There is an endless list of the numerous activities that aren’t risk-free: driving without a seatbelt, riding a bike without a helmet - and even with these precautions, you’re still at risk.

Australia’s policymakers refuse to acknowledge these possibilities in their narrative and paint vaping as the big bad villain, here to cause harm, instead of reducing it.

The North Territory Minister said: “We know that vaping has many harmful impacts on all our civilians.

“Schools across the Northern Territory will now have access to education resources. We want to make sure that we tackle this issue before it takes hold in young adults particularly.”

The campaign’s flyers state that ‘vaping may seem popular, but in fact, research shows that 4 in 5 young people do not vape.’

Their argument is that it’s not quite reached the younger generation and yet their aims are to prevent this from happening… by scaremongering them away from e-cigarettes.

Nobody wants to see children vaping, but the vaping community most definitely doesn’t want to see people being misinformed about the contents and potential harms of the cessation tool.

The video campaign links to the council’s website where it states ‘there is concern that vaping can lead to lung disease, heart disease and cancers’.

This is a huge – carefully worded – statement to make, due to there being no proof any of those illnesses are caused by vaping.

Another advocate wrote online: “Plenty of overseas studies dispute this. You prefer people stay on the ciggies which is good for tax revenue but worse for users.”

Australia’s leading cancer charity wants the same thing as the vaping industry – ‘to reduce smoking rates’…if only they would finally recognise e-cigarettes as the saviour and not their enemy.

F VAPING ISN’T SAFE, BY ALL MEANS, SHOW ME THE BODIES. 82 MILLION CURRENTLY VAPE. THE CORPSES MUST BE PILING UP SOMEWHERE.

Although, it seems

Join the UKVIA

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– Doug Mutter, UKVIA Board Member and Manufacturing and Compliance Director at VPZ

This will be one event you won’t want to miss.

This year’s UKVIA Forum will take place at the QEII Centre, London, on Friday November 10th 2023

BRIAN HEILIG

Here we highlight some of the stars of Instagram who are using the social media platform to create original art with a vaping theme.

Interview by: Hannah Rhodes

Name: Brian Heilig

Location: Napa, California

Instagram page: @mind_dream

How long have you been vaping for and how did you start?

I made the switch to vaping back in October of 2015, so I’ll be coming up on 8 years soon.

I used to smoke a pack a day for 12 years and it was something that needed to change as I was growing concerned with my health.

However, I wasn’t ready to part ways with nicotine and I knew vaping would be a better, healthier alternative.

I had previously tried to make the switch, but at the time I wasn’t able to fully commit. I’m so grateful I finally did… Vaping has changed my life for the better.

How did your coil building journey begin and what is your current process?

When I first started vaping, I was using MTL and SubOhm coil heads.

At the time, money was tight so I began doing research and found I could make my own coils from spools of wire.

Compared to buying pre-made coils, making my own would be a massive cost saver and so it was a no brainer to give it a go.

During this period, I also found a mystery RDA sale online and so was able to pick up my first RDA.

I had no intention of doing coil art when I first started. Coil Wars were happening all over Youtube and I was in shock at what people were doing with wire.

After learning more of the craft through videos online, I decided I would give it a shot and made my first Clapton.

I was instantly hooked and became very determined to learn more about the craft as well as the community and industry.

Have you faced any challenges during your time creating coil art?

Of course! I’ve had a countless amount of fails, with a lot of wire going straight into the bin.

These challenges weren’t for nothing as even though it can be frustrating at times, it was also a driving force to keep me going and not give up.

Building coil art for me is all about overcoming obstacles and the ‘Build Gods’ are not always on my side.

I have an overactive brain, so the critical thinking aspect of building is really satisfying – it gets the gears turning and allows me to dive deep into problem solving.

Is there anything in particular that motivates or inspires your work?

Coil building is very community driven and I love seeing and learning from all the builders that came before me. We all build off and grow from one another.

It’s such a great community to be a part of and so many people have helped me during my journey, and I’ve tried to do my part too.

It’s essentially one generation giving to the next… I guess what I am trying to say is the build community as a whole motivates and inspires me. Do you only build coils for yourself as a hobby or for others too?

Currently, I mainly build coils for myself as a hobby. I consider the craft to be a form of meditation where I can step away from the stresses of life.

Over the years I have built coils for others from time to time, but I didn’t want to make a habit of it.

I think money complicates things and I didn’t want my art to become about the financial gain. For me personally, it’s best

to keep hobbies and work separate.

Are you currently working on anything new at the moment?

I don’t have much on at the moment, at least not physically. However, I do have multiple build ideas that I plan to work on soon.

Over the years it has become harder and harder to find extra time to sit down and build, but that doesn’t take away from it at all.

If anything, it makes it more special when I do get those moments to work on coil art.

Signals S-ENDING SMOKE

A recent Truth Initiative report delves into the use of tobacco in popular entertainment and how this is impacting our youth.

Words: Emily Malia

This soon became the main platform stars would use to gain attention and it wasn’t long before music videos became a full-blown advert for tobacco brands through product placement.

These iconic videos have romanticised the act of smoking for decades, reflecting onto its viewers the idea that tobacco use is ‘cool’ and desensitising them from the lifethreatening harms.

Some of the most iconic and talked about music videos of all time feature cigarettes as the starring role and as the demand for the content grew, so did this imagery.

From Lady Gaga’s sunglasses made entirely out of cigarettes in the charttopping ‘Telephone’ music video to Robin Thicke’s oversized lighter, lighting a cigarette for ‘Blurred Lines’, tobacco depictions were everywhere.

A billion people watched Rihanna smoke in the 2011 ‘We Found Love’ music video and millions watched countless videos in the R&B/Hip-Hop genre feature tobacco.

It seems the narrative has shifted within recent years to that of a harm

reduction standpoint, with artists beginning to feature e-cigarette in their videos as a 95 percent less harmful alternative.

This is a great step forward for the vaping industry, demonstrating to music fans across the world that they support vaping as a tool to quit and replacing these familiar smoke scenes with vapour clouds.

Most famously using the cessation tool was the chart-topping DJ Khaled for his hit songs ‘I’m the One’ and ‘No Brainer’, racking up hundreds of millions of views.

The movie set inspired video features models vaping, reclaiming the sultry cigarette smoke blowing through the air and instead producing vapour, as the artists sing in the foreground.

It’s refreshing to see rap artists also using vapes in music videos, with Travis Scott’s Escape Plan (2021) featuring a device, as the genre of music is notorious for featuring tobacco.

More recently, ex-Disney star turned pop princess, Sabrina Carpenter was vaping throughout the ‘Nonsense’ music video that was released earlier on this year.

There’s still a large number of artists that are yet to challenge the status quo in supporting harm reduction, with 31 hits of 2021 having 290 tobacco depictions in their music videos.

Specifically, the chart-topping song ‘Smokin out the Window’ by Anderson .Paak, Bruno Mars and Silk Sonic, coming out on top with 109 incidents featured in one video alone.

The overall amount of music videos containing tobacco were down by 23 percent in 2021 and we look forward to watching those numbers continue to plummet as more artists support the quitting device.

Music videos have shaped popular culture since MTV came crashing onto the scene in the 1980’s with ‘Video Killed the Radio Star’, revolutionising the way we market bands/artists latest releases.

This issue we spoke to Youtuber, Twitch streamer and overall vaping influencer GrimmGreen about the importance of wellresearched voices advocating for variety within the community.

Words: Emily Malia

ocial media star and famous face of the vaping industry, Nicholas ‘Grimm’ Green, has been fighting for the right to vape since he made the switch back in 2009.

Having been in the industry for 14 years, he has seen firsthand the power that vaping can have on people’s lives who were otherwise destined to suffer from smoking related issues.

With a Youtube Channel surpassing 403,000 subscribers, it’s evident that the creator and advocate is passionate about the harm reduction mission and keen to help others quit through vaping.

He said: “My role for advocacy is very much ‘rallying the troops’.

“I take what I see across the internet, social media, twitter and do my best to relay these things to the general vape audience.”

With this comes a lot of responsibility and GrimmGreen often finds himself frustrated with the online backlash and ignorance that surrounds the community.

He spends vast amounts of his free time actively reading and interpreting science journals and articles to keep fellow vapers aware of what’s going on in the current climate.

GrimmGreen said: “To watch vaping and harm reduction create the lowest levels of smoking the USA has ever seen.

“Then to watch organisations like the American Lung and American Heart Association stand against this new technology is what makes me passionate.

“Everyone who smokes should get the chance to quit the way I did.”

With this theory in mind, it was important for the online creator to get his younger brother to embark on his own quitting journey after smoking together ‘like crazy people’ for years on end.

The advocate said: “He kept smoking, I kept vaping…and every week I would try to get him to switch with a new product or new liquid.

“Eventually, he found a kit he liked and ‘dual used’.

It took him over a year to finally quit but he did and has been smoke free for over a decade now.

“This technology can work for almost everyone ‘if’ they are given a variety in the marketplace and are allowed to switch at their own pace.”

There are countless people’s stories GrimmGreen could share and it’s the privilege of hearing them that pushes him to fight for the right of variety…after all, it’s the spice of life!

He said: “Everyone has a different journey and a different goal and it’s critical in my opinion to meet people where they are at.”

His own quitting story however, he admits is ‘fairly boring’, with no initial intention of quitting for good, but he always wondered, maybe there is a product like a fake cigarette?

You could argue he quite literally manifested e-cigarettes into his life when he decided to Google ‘fake cigarettes’ on a whim.

Low and behold, he found a Youtuber talking about vapes.

Green said: “Leaford showed me the way and helped me pick my first vape out. It was a crazy expensive stick battery cartomizer kit, but it was enough.

“I had no idea what I needed in terms of liquid and chargers, and this information was nowhere to be found online at the time.”

This of course only gave him more ammunition to now provide users with vital information surrounding different devices.

But this was back in 2009 and just a year later, the state of California – where he lived – almost completely banned all vaping products.

He said: “It got vetoed by our then Governor, but that one moment radicalised me. I knew I was going to have to defend these products and their use for possibly the rest of my life.”

And here we are, 14 years on and with a couple hundred thousand followers, Nicholas ‘Grimm’ Green continues to fight the good fight for the benefit of the entire vaping community.

The Sustainable Engineering Initiative (SEI) at Manchester University has a simple message: to tackle issues of sustainability in their local community through practical means and engineering solutions.

Words: Hannah Rhodes

Vapouround were fortunate enough to talk with Tami Coker, the president of the Sustainable Engineering Initiative society, about their exciting new launch to help combat disposable waste.

What initially inspired you to create this product?

“It’s summer 2022, the new committee is discussing how we can make the society work this year.

“Recognizing the mistakes of our predecessors, we formulated ideas on what we can do to really make an impact on campus and live up to our name – the Sustainable Engineering Initiative.

“Amongst my prepared notes for the meeting, one unassuming line written down was ‘sustainability of disposable vapes’.

“I wasn’t sure where this could go or what we could do about them, but inspiration struck like a flash.

“Sam, our former secretary and current president, came up with the idea you see today – placing bins on campus to help students dispose of their vapes.”

How did this process progress from idea to the finished piece?

“We told the society members that we’d have the bins out by the end of the first semester…but unfortunately it took us until April.

“There were many setbacks and bottlenecks, and bureaucracy really slowed down the process.

“Some of the tasks we had to complete involved designing and printing the bins, spray painting the finished product, 3D printing the lids, and designing the stickers.

“Aside from the hands-on process, the media team prepared posts for social media to advertise the society and the work we had done.

“The admin team also played a huge part in our success with their continued support of the society through planning bin locations and requesting permission for various micro-tasks along the way.”

Do you have any thoughts on the current disposable vape recycling situation?

“We did find it strange that literally everyone agrees that this is an issue, but there were no solutions to this problem.

“This is validated by the fact that many students store their empty vapes as opposed to throwing them into general waste.

“While we are aware that waste disposable companies are catching onto the fact that this is an issue, we thought ‘Why not do something about this ourselves?’.”

If you were to do it again, is there anything you would have done differently?

“In hindsight, we would definitely have gotten into contact with the head of the Department of Chemical Engineering earlier.

“Our meeting with Dr Lev Sarkisov gave us so much insight into how to run the society alongside supporting us with the department’s resources and financial backing.”

Since introducing the bins to the community, have you noticed people using them and has there been any feedback?

“In the two months since the launch, we collected several hundred vapes, which you can see on our Instagram page (@uomsei).

“We have had nothing but positive feedback from the start, and we would like to thank every single person who have supported us throughout our journey.

Do you hope to inspire other universities and communities with this initiative?

“Absolutely, the more projects like this the better. And personally, I wouldn’t mind seeing SEI Nottingham or SEI Warwick pop up some time in the future.”

Are there any plans of future expansion?

“One hundred percent, the society is thriving with an abundance of creativity and passion, and this is just the start.

“We look to launch more projects, create more captivating media, and have a bigger impact on campus and our community.

“I’m incredibly proud and grateful for the committee that I had this year, and I cannot wait to see what the next committee has in store for the society.

“Keep an eye on us, and as mentioned before, we are open to all students, not just engineers.”

Happy Anniversary

THE NEW THE NEWVaping FC Vaping FC

In a bid to transform public perception of e-cigarettes, Totally Wicked shoot and score a prominent partnership with adored English football team, Blackburn Rovers.

Words: Grace Lynk

Since then, a gradual influx in partnerships between sport teams and vaping brands have been filtering into mainstream media, encouraging a shift in the way sports fans view e-cigarettes.

Without further ado, let’s get into the most exciting collaborations from the past and present, starting with the renewed partnership between Blackburn Rovers and premier vaping retailer, Totally Wicked.

The partnership is entering its sixth season and marks the third season of Totally Wicked as the

With both brands having a strong moral compass and striving for a brighter future, any speculation that vape brands have merely replaced big tobacco in sport advertising is dismissed.

The misunderstanding is discredited even further when faced with the fact that cigarette brands made deals with the irrefutable intent to profit from addiction with no regard for the consequences.

An unscrupulous way of making money that failed to account for the amount of influence sport teams have on their fans, while also dragging vape companies through the dirt without good reason.

At the very heart of the Blackburn Rovers and Totally Wicked partnership is a resolution to encourage healthier alternatives and open a dialogue on responsible and informed decisions about harm reduction tools.

t seems like a lifetime ago that sport sponsorships were an enduring and efficient method of indirect advertising for big tobacco, despite only being fully and internationally banned in 2005.

ARE YOU LOOKING TO ESTABLISH YOUR BUSINESS IN THE MIDDLE EAST REGION? MESH

Words: Oliver Smith

Words: Oliver Smith

Words: Oliver Smith

fter eight years it really is hard to believe how far we have come.

No one would’ve predicted how much of a success Vapouround Magazine was going to be when it was first showcased back in 2015.

The industry needed a voice at a time in need…Vapouround answered, and after eight years of high-quality coverage, we are proud to be a prominent figure for vaping.

n this feature we will be taking a look at past issues, giving you a Vapouround ‘through the years’ so you can see for yourself just how far we have come as a publication.

I think I speak for the rest of the team when I say we can only hope that the next eight years are as successful as the last.

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Constant changes and the never-ending flow of short-lived trends certainly makes the world of flavours a tricky one to navigate…even for the most seasoned of pros.

FlavourArt said: “The market has changed a lot over the years, consumers are captivated by sudden fashions, new tastes, new flavours, even at the expense of health.”

However, FlavourArt has stayed true to their mission through consciously choosing to cater for all, by providing a catalogue of the basic repertoire of the best aromatic flavours.

Their portfolio possesses more than 400 e-liquid flavours ranging from tobaccos and fruits to the fresher and more mentholated – with even a variety of savoury options for the more daring of palates.

“Creating a flavour is complex, but the result is a small work of art that makes us proud of our craft and confident in offering our customers something special.”

Expanding their services even further, the company recently welcomed ‘FlavourArt Lab’ – an Italian-tailored project allowing customised proposals capable of satisfying the most demanding requests.

The FlavourArt Lab is at the disposal of clients interested in a 360 realisation of custom-made products – from design and evaluation, right up to the final production stage.

“We can offer customers a wide choice of ingredients and make each flavour creation truly unique and personalised.”

To produce such a vast volume of inventory, FlavourArt have had to adapt and increase their facilities – now boasting an impressive 9,000 square meters of production space.

Spread across two locations, they currently have plants in in Oleggio, Italy - the spiritual home and where the Company is headquartered - and Beamsville, Canada, not far from Niagara Falls.

Between providing large amounts of flavours and customising products for clients, FlavourArt has had to think outside the box to ensure their creative flow stays on track.

“Continued investments in research and development,

innovative machinery and ongoing training, enables us to tackle articulated projects within short time frames.”

Thanks to their robot mixologists: Roxane A, and later Roxane GT, the company has had the potential to increase production capacity 100 times over.

Alongside their technological advancements, FlavourArt have invested time and effort into ensuring customers have peace of mind when it comes to their health and safety.

“Back in 2015, the company became the first to put their products through rigorous field testing developed in collaboration with Trusticert and the Bicocca University of Milan.”

“The most important criteria has always been the protection of consumer health.”

“As part of the FlavourArt grade formulation process, we wanted to be certain of the safety of our flavourings, not just in words.”

“Each of our formulas is meticulously studied and controlled to guarantee compliance with a higher standard than the one required by current regulations.”

Another current pressing concern of the public circulating the industry is sustainability. However, the company has continued to grow and flourish despite the ongoing awareness and demand for change.

“Our processes and developments are designed not only to manufacture at our best but with a serious commitment to respect our environment.”

The company firmly believes in the rational use of energy through monitoring atmospheric emissions, filter wastewater, and purchase recycled consumables wherever possible.”

“We are pleased with our achievements, but each one is another step forward leading to another challenge, another improvement; that is our daily journey.”

“Our mission is to continue to be the flavour brand par excellence for all operators in the world of vaping, achieving this through the provision of safe, certified products, accompanied by appropriate education and information.”

“This industry is ever-changing and in order to stay ahead of the curve we need to move with the times, catch emerging trends in the market and offer a unique added value.”

Massimiliano Mancini, Founder and CEO, in the new FlavourArt Lab

HEY, VAPE BUSINESS OWNER

ASTRO NOMICAL

After a report found the damning figure of disposable waste in the US, alarm bells rang for many vaping advocates…with cigarette waste being completely overlooked.

Words: Oliver Smith

The vaping industry is aware that they have a problem with singleuse devices and are becoming increasingly concerned about correct disposal.

Many brands are now trying to combat the issue with waste collection schemes for the devices or creating packaging that is fully recyclable.

But even with the industry trying to change for the better, we are still hit with yet another bashing.

A new report commissioned by the United States’ Public Interest Research Group (PIRG) detailed the alarming rate at which disposable e-cigarettes were being discarded.

It estimates that each month in the US alone, vaping customers purchase and consume 11.9 million disposable e-cigarettes.

Based on that figure in the new report by the US PIRG Education Fund, the waste from disposable vapes sold annually would stretch longer than 7,000 miles if lined up, more than twice the width of the country - a worrying statistic indeed.

However, what the US PIRG forgot to mention was that the

waste from discarded cigarette filters is undeniably more of a cause for concern.

Around 267 billion cigarettes are smoked in the US each year, a monumental difference to the millions of discarded e-cigarettes.

The standard cigarette size is around 70 millimetres, with the discarded filter taking up 20 millimetres of its total length.

So, with the amount of cigarettes consumed in the US alone each year, it would measure just over 3.3 million miles of discarded cigarette filters.

To put that level of waste into perspective, that’s enough distance to travel to the moon and back seven times!

With that damning figure, one can’t help but think of the glaring hypocrisy of policymakers and waste advocates completely overlooking the detrimental impact cigarettes are having.

Of course, the vaping industry is currently facing many sustainability problems, however, in recent months brands and

regulators have been exploring many techniques to help curb this problem.

John Dunne, Director General of the UK Vaping Industry Association, said: “The industry realises that much more must be done to safeguard against their impact on the environment.

“The fact is that disposables have been around for a while but have become hugely popular in the last couple of years, particularly with those on low incomes who are amongst the most prevalent smokers.”

“THE INDUSTRY REALISES THAT MUCH MORE MUST BE DONE TO SAFEGUARD AGAINST THEIR IMPACT ON THE ENVIRONMENT.”

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After an anti-vaping cloud sculpture was unveiled to the Australian public, Vapouround explores everything from smear campaigns to crackdowns in the dystopian land of Aus.

Words: Grace Lynk

In a not so shocking turn of events, Quit Victoria and VicHealth have partnered with Museums Victoria to unveil a new sculpture designed to visually represent chemicals ‘supposedly’ found in vaping devices.

The sculpture, recently revealed at Scienceworks, is yet another ploy to feed Australia’s brutal agenda against vaping, essentially scaremongering their citizens into fearing a cessation tool that helps millions.

Taking the form of a ‘vape cloud’ and demonstrating labels of so-called toxic chemicals, it is increasingly apparent that the government’s drive to eliminate e-cigarettes from the face of their country is resolute.

Victorian Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas said:

“We’re proud to be launching this installation to raise awareness and drive crucial change around the troubling use of e-cigarettes gripping young Victorians.”

The exhibit is just another tactic to besmirch vaping following the reforms proposed by the Australian government which will see disposables banned and a major crackdown on imported non-prescription products.

Of course, the responses from the public have been overwhelmingly negative on Twitter, with Australian natives flocking to the platform to express their distaste for the prohibition strategies.

One user said: “This is clearly the opposite of what more than 8000 studies from the last 15 years show. Next week, you present the proud installation of a flat earth?”

Another user took an angrier approach to the installation, voicing the frustration of thousands of Australians who are vastly losing patience with their government creating needless mass anxiety.

The user said: “You have lost all credibility with your lies and exaggerations and now the archaic ‘chapman trick’ you are using to kill smokers by putting them off switching to a vastly safer alternative.”

If the vape cloud sculpture wasn’t enough to get vapers in Australia angry, the casting calls for people with disabilities to come forward and tell vaping horror stories might do the trick.

An undisclosed company have started an online casting call where members of the public can speak their mind on the vaping conundrum, but only if their stories are negative.

Lucky Break Creative on Facebook, who are advertising the casting call for the company, claim to specialise in connecting people from the community with opportunities in the spotlight.

In this case, the alleged opportunity feels more like the exploitation of minority groups with a money incentive of 3000 dangling over the heads of members of the public.

In response, ASACA (The Australian Smokefree Alternatives Consumer Association) said: “Journalism doesn’t cast. Science doesn’t cast. Fiction does. Do you really think the offer of cash doesn’t encourage people to lie?”

Having to resort to casting calls and bribes to curate a negative opinion on e-cigarettes undermines those who are willing to speak about the positive effects vaping has had on their lives for free.

The Australian government is doubling down on their agenda against vaping due to the unregulated and illegal markets flourishing nationwide as a direct result of their implemented ban.

The intent to fuel a black market will ensure that consumers will be less aware of the quality and purity of the products they purchase, exacerbating the dangers of vaping in Australia.

In an attempt to curb these black-market sales, Health Compliance Officers have recently seized 17,000 vapes with an estimated worth of one million headed towards Perth from New South Wales.

With authorities intercepting the delivery before it could reach its destination, it has now been recognised as the largest vaping-related seizure in the history of Western Australia.

This crackdown, along with others, means that Australian citizens should expect an outpouring in prohibition-related crime, with taxpayers funding new embargos by expanding law enforcement and controlling illicit e-cigarette trade.

The World Vapers’ Alliance said: “Vaping in Australia has been a harrowing and unpredictable rollercoaster

ride…bullied and terrorised by successive Health Ministers, many vapers feel like collateral damage in an ideological war.”

Thankfully, it’s not all bad news, with many companies and individuals fighting back against the changes being made against the will of thousands of Australians relying on vapes to quit smoking.

In particular, the Vaping Association of Australia is calling on Parliament to follow the plans of New Zealand and the United Kingdom in their efforts to sensibly regulate vaping.

Colin Mendelsohn, serial vaping promoter and self-appointed ‘politician pesterer’ said: “This will provide a safer alternative for adult smokers, replace the black market run by criminal gangs and reduce access for young people.”

“The prescription model has failed and can’t be resuscitated.”

VAPOUROUND ON TOUR ISSUE

WORLD VAPE SHOW, DUBAI JUNE 21-23

Words: Oliver Smith

There was a lot of eager excitement amongst the Vapouround team as the wheels touched down in the sweltering Dubai heat.

In the past few years, the World Vape Show has already seen a roaring success with its expo in the Middle East region, so we were expecting a mesmerising experience.

On arrival to the venue for the first day, we were greeted with the helpful organisers, who happily guided us to where we would be stationed for the rest of the show.

The team and I met up with some familiar faces from our long-standing relationships as well as various other companies to gain new connections with start-ups and untouched foreign brands.

During the show, I went to sit in on a few of the conferences that were taking place, with ‘Global Vaping Perspectives’ and ‘Product Development and Innovation’ being a couple of my favourites.

Although, we were not only in Dubai for the sole purpose of the World Vape Show…Vapouround were putting on a night to remember with its second instalment of the MENA Awards.

With 27 prestigious prizes up for grabs, it was great to see how far the industry has come in recent years, along with taking the time to hail the many winners that currently dominate the market.

I look forward to experiencing the World Vape Show in Dubai again soon, but for now, we look to February 2024 for their very own ‘Meet the Buyer’ event in the Philippines.

MEVS, EGYPT JULY 6-8

Words: Keith Reilly

Spread over three days, the Middle East Vape show was a much-anticipated event in the industry’s calendar.

The event acted as the perfect space for businesses to showcase the best vaping goods and the latest innovations from across the world.

Hosting everyone from industry professionals, enthusiasts and consumers all under one roof, it was certainly an occasion to remember.

Vapouround were media partners of the event and so we took hold of presenting the official show guides to both exhibitors and visitors.

Arriving on the first day, we were pleasantly welcomed with hundreds of vibrant booths as far as the eye could see.

Mr Fog’s stand seemed to gravitate a huge amount

of intrigue with their attention to detail, light shows and home-brought speaker that aided in creating an electric vibe.

Other businesses that caught our attention were El Badry and UWELL, both of whom had equally impressive booths.

Split into B2B and B2C days, the event provided an amazing opportunity to meet brands and consumers alike.

Over 150 exhibitors and 15,000 visitors graced the halls across the three-day event, bringing passion and knowledge of the industry.

The main stage was constantly buzzing with interest and on the last day, the event organisers announced several exhibitors’ awards including best stand, best fruit, etc.

All in all, Egypt hosted a fantastic event, with countless opportunities to connect and engage with likeminded, enthusiastic people.

Clive Bates Director, CounterFactual

Jeannie Cameron Chief Executive Officer, JCIC Dr Ian Fearon Director, whatIF? Consulting Ltd and Chief Scientific Officer, McKinney Regulatory Science Advisors, LLC

Mary Glindon MP Vice Chair, APPG for Vaping; Labour Whip

Sarah Cooney Science Engagement Specialist

Mohammad Agrabawi Senior Director, Corporate Affairs & Communications, ANDS

Doug Mutter Compliance Director, VPZ

Ao Weinuo Secretary-General of the China Electronic Chamber of Commerce

IECIE VAPE SHOW, JAKARTA AUGUST 3-5

Words: Kirk Martin

Our next stop in the expo calendar was the ICEIE Vape Show, and after 24 hours of travelling, we arrived at the bustling heart of Jakarta.

This trip, which was very exciting on a personal level, was the furthest I had ever travelled before.

Jakarta was on another level in terms of the friendliness of the people, the size of the event and the variety of people it had attracted.

The calibre of exhibitors to brands was high, and this show was buzzing with lots of business being done in every corner at the event.

The South Asian market is a big one, so I’m sure it would have been a very promising and productive weekend for many brands that

were in attendance.

IECIE Vape Show created the perfect opportunity to pick up distribution and retail contacts, catching up with old friends as well as long-time business associates.

The expo itself was fantastic: the people of Indonesia, in general, are very polite, helpful and all-round great hosts.

Our time, although short, was nothing but pleasurable and I can safely say the food in Jakarta has become one of my favourite cuisines.

With the market continuously growing and evolving, I really look forward to attending another IC|EIE event and I’m especially excited to visit Jakarta again soon.

ON THE ROAD AGAIN

Ready for another tour of the country, the Vapouround Bus hit the road yet again on its mission to help more smokers make the life-changing switch to vaping.

Curated: Hannah Rhodes

Words: Lauren Pilliner, Alicia Snow-Simpson, James Van Aalst, Carrie Strouther, Katie Loomes

Loughborough town centre June 22

Newark Market June 30

Starting the day off bright and early, we arrived in Loughborough to an already bustling market filled with a variety of stalls.

It didn’t take long for the Vapouround Bus to gain attention from locals as conversations and stories began to flow.

One man’s quitting journey particularly stuck out as he told us that he had smoked since the age of 12 and was more than ready to try a new cessation tool.

After chatting about the way in which he could get the most out of his newly acquired vaping device, he said that he felt self-assured in kicking his lifelong habit.

As the markets around us began to pack up, we said goodbye to Loughborough feeling accomplished after a day of offering guidance.

The drizzling rain didn’t dampen anyone’s spirits when Project Vapouround rolled into the Newark Royal Market on the last Friday of June.

Locals and passing visitors alike came over to find out what Project Vapouround was all about.

One of the very first individuals that we spoke to that day was a 30-year-old lady that had recognised the bus from a previous visit to Newark.

She told us that as a result of our first visit in January, she had officially made the switch to vaping and hadn’t picked up a cigarette since!

It’s stories like this that make us proud of the job that we do and the service that Project Vapouround provides.

stokeon-trent

Vapouround Bus.

It wasn’t long after arriving that people began to recognise us, as Project Vapouround are no strangers to Stoke.

We were pleasantly welcomed by both new and old faces, with many relaying their quitting journeys since the last time we had spoken.

Towards the end of the day, one lady we had interacted with on a previous visit, explained she had since successfully made a full transition to vapes.

She told us that she was surprised that despite after 30 years of smoking, she had found it easy to kick the habit.

be nice to see more companies reaching out to the public to inform them of more safe alternatives to smoking.

Worcestershire was a fun and endearing weekend to say the least and we certainly left with a skip in our step from all the amazing interactions we had encountered.

Chesterfield food and drink

Elvaston dog lovers music

In typical British summer time tradition, our visit to Queen’s Park in July included down pours.

However, come rain or shine, Project Vapouround is always prepared to spread the smoking cessation message.

One woman who came aboard the vape education hub was interested in finding out what vaping is and how it works despite never having been a smoker.

Chatting to her was beneficial in spreading awareness about the benefits as well as squashing any misinformation she had previously seen on social media.

Despite the persistent showers, we didn’t let it rain on our parade, and we can’t wait to head back to Queen’s Park next summer.

provide those attending the three-day dogfriendly festival with a smoke-free alternative. We met numerous individuals on their journey from smoking to vaping and we know that drinking can be a sometimes be a temptation when it comes to smoking triggers.

It was very rewarding to help tackle those tempting moments for people, providing advice and the tools to aid in their allimportant quit-smoking journey.

It’s always a privilege to share the life-changing public health benefits of vaping with people, as we continue our mission to help thousands more smokers make the switch.

VAPOUROUND REVIEWS

Q One Pod Kit

The Q ONE Pod Kit is powered by a built-in 1000mAh battery, which is more than sufficient for a day of moderate vaping. The battery life indicator is a useful feature, ensuring you’re never caught off guard with a dead battery.

The Q ONE Pod Kit comes with a 2ml refillable pod that can be easily filled via the side-fill port. The transparency of the pod allows you to monitor your e-liquid levels, so you never run out

The pod is compatible with both regular nicotine and nicotine salt e-liquids, providing flexibility in your vaping

These pods are disposable, so once the coil inside burns out, you simply replace

These are available in multiple resistances, 0.6Ohm, 0.8Ohm & 1.2Ohm, giving you the choice to change it up if you feel like a slightly different puff.

The flavour and vapour production from the Q ONE are commendable. It does an excellent job of preserving the nuances of your chosen e-liquid, resulting in a satisfying and palatable vape.

The coil longevity is also noteworthy, saving you money on replacement coils

The airflow is well-calibrated, providing a tight MTL (mouth-to-lung) draw that closely mimics the sensation of smoking

Whether you’re a beginner looking to transition away from smoking, or an experienced vaper seeking a portable

and reliable device, the Q ONE delivers a pleasurable experience.

To summarise, the Q ONE Pod Kit is a compelling choice for both beginners and experienced vapers. Its sleek design, reliable performance, and ease of use make it a standout in the crowded pod system market.

Whether you’re looking for a reliable daily driver or a portable backup device, the Q ONE Pod Kit delivers in style.

Watermelon

Watermelon flavoured e-liquids have always held a special place in the vaping community, offering a refreshing and fruity escape from the mundane.

With each inhale, I was greeted by a burst of sweet and succulent watermelon flavour that felt like a slice of summer in my mouth.

The sweetness was wellbalanced and not overpowering, making it an all-day vape that never got tiresome. It’s a flavour that transports you to a picnic on a sunny day, and it’s incredibly satisfying.

The vapor production was impressive, with thick, luscious clouds that added to the overall vaping experience.

In summary, the authentic watermelon flavour, pleasant aroma, and smooth throat hit make it an excellent choice for both beginners and experienced vapers alike.

Grape Ice

The grape flavour is refreshingly authentic and vibrant. Each inhale delivers a sweet and tangy grape taste, reminiscent of plump, ripe grapes… but what sets this e-liquid apart is the icy twist.

The cooling menthol undertone provides a frosty kick, turning this grape sensation into an invigorating, palate-tingling experience. It’s like sipping on a chilled grape slushie on a hot summer day.

The throat hit is smooth, with a pleasant cooling sensation from the menthol. The vapour production is impressive, creating thick clouds that quickly fill the room with a luscious grape aroma.

The authentic grape taste paired with the refreshing menthol kick makes it a satisfying and invigorating vape, perfect for hot days or when you need a burst of chilly grape delight.

Tropical Juice

The first puff of Tropical Juice from Vape HQ was like a symphony of exotic fruits blended to perfection.

Each inhale transported me to a beachfront paradise with notes of ripe pineapple, sweet mango, and zesty citrus dancing on my taste buds.

Caliburn GZ2

Words: Peach Atkinson

SPECIFICATIONS

Battery Capacity : 850mAh Integrated

Charging : USB C | Coil Types : Mesh

Coil Resistance : 0.8ohm/1.2ohm

Pod Capacity : 2ml | Weight : 47g

Dimensions: 28.9mm*22.9mm*72.5mm

Max Output : 17W

Draw Activated | Adjustable Airflow

As a massive fan of the original Caliburn, the G2, and the KOKO - well, in fact, all of the ones I’ve tried over the years – I jumped at the chance to review this awesome bit of kit.

Taking on a different shape to any I’ve tried before, the GZ2 is super comfortable to hold and this is immediately noticeable when you first pick up this rather small device.

With a minuscule weight of 47g, this kit is super lightweight and doesn’t feel too bulky or cumbersome.

Being a little more boxy in shape when compared to many of the previous iterations, I felt like this was

definitely a welcomed change and something that gave this kit a bit of a refreshing feel.

With the familiar, sleek and simple exterior, the GZ2 is completely devoid of buttons or screens, and working with a draw activated inhale, this kit relies solely on practicality and simplicity.

The GZ2 does, however, feature a small viewing window to the side of the device, allowing users to easily see the volume of e-liquid in the pod itself, and therefore giving vapers the heads up on when to refill.

Available in a bunch of attractive colours, the GZ2 boasts style and individuality as well as performance.

With a surprisingly hefty 850mAh integrated battery, the Caliburn GZ2 is charged remarkably quickly via USB C (with the cable included with the kit).

Meaning not only will the battery last nearly a whole

The Iconic and well-loved Caliburn series from vaping giants, UWELL, has an interesting update for any pod lover.

day of moderate vaping, but when it does run out, it only takes approximately 30-40mins or so to charge. Battery life is indicated quite stylishly via intensely bright lights lining the side of the device, red meaning less than 30%, blue meaning 30-60% and green being 60% - 100%.

Offering MTL and RDTL vaping, the GZ2 works absolute wonders alongside thin consistency e-liquids and high nicotine strengths – another bonus for new vapers looking to quit smoking.

The pods that are compatible with this device also feature a small wheel - allowing vapers to adjust the airflow to their chosen preference.

The coils utilised in this kit are the Caliburn G mesh coils, and are available in 0.8ohms and 1.2ohms - and you can choose either to suit your liking.

I found both offered intense throat hits and a smooth and satisfying flavour, something I have come to expect with the Caliburn Series.

In my experience, the coils last me about a week or so before needing to be swapped out for fresh ones. With both coils bringing a short, sharp inhale, you can expect discreet and modest vapour production - no chances of huge, billowy clouds when exhaling.

Filling the 2ml TPD compliant pods is as simple as can be - requiring users to simply pop the cap off, revealing a one way valve that fits nearly every e-liquid bottle tip.

Being a top fill system, I noticed next to no leakage and minimal condensation build up.

For such a small device, the Caliburn GZ2 is remarkably sturdy and robust, sustaining just the smallest amount of cosmetic damage when I clumsily dropped it.

With an RRP of about £20-£25, this kit is a no brainer - especially due to the build quality and user oriented performance.

Looking at this device on the whole, it is easy to appreciate that this kit will make a great choice for new vapers, as well as vapers who use high strength nicotine. It is built with simplicity in mind and performs reliably throughout.

PROS

- Easy to use

- I liked the new shape

- It had a part for vapers to attach a lanyard to, meaning you won’t lose your vape!

- Coils lasted ages

CONS

- I would’ve liked just a tiny bit more flavour when inhaling (although it was still satisfying and intense)

Airspops Bottle

Words: Peach Atkinson

This is certainly one of the more unique devices I’ve come across over the years, the ‘bottle.’ is clearly a force to be reckoned with.

The cutting-edge aesthetics of this awesome piece of kit is where the ‘bottle.’ truly shines.

It boasts a stubby, compact and cylindrical shape that is a far cry away from the typical pen or bar shaped pod system.

In terms of its ergonomic design, the ‘bottle.’ is super comfortable to grasp in the palm of your hand and the miniature, tube-like shape makes for a secure and satisfying grip.

With its rather small stature and straightforward nature, the ‘bottle.’ is an ideal kit for any budding vaper, with a particular emphasis on convenience and quality.

There is a clear absence of a screen, or any adjustment buttons – the ‘bottle.’ relies solely on a single fire button that doubles up as an ON/OFF switch, simply press it five times to toggle between the two.

In addition to its truly unique and groundbreaking shape and size, the ‘bottle.’ also showcases a versatile and rewarding vaping experience.

With a TPD compliant pod capacity of 2ml, the pod itself is conveniently filled via a hard-wearing rubber seal.

The mostly translucent pod makes it effortless when it comes to seeing just how full the pod is – thus reducing the chances of accidental overfilling.

Coils are easily swapped over from the base and simply pop out with no need to screw or unscrew them.

The coils lasted roughly a week of moderate usage, something that is quite standard when compared to other

similar setups.

SPECIFICATIONS

Battery Capacity: 1200mAh

Resistance Capability: 0.6-1.0ohm

Tank Capacity: 2ml

(TPD compliant)

Working Voltage: 3.7 V

Dimensions: 71.7mm*30mm

Compatible with both 0.6ohm and 1.0ohm coils you can use a diverse range of e-liquids, depending on your choice of coil.

I found that the 1.0ohm version worked best with 50/50 VG/ PG and the 0.6ohm catered well with up to 60/40 VG/PG.

Regardless of resistance, both offered superior flavour and the hit was surprisingly effective for such a little, somewhat unassuming kit.

It conveyed a well-rounded and warm inhale, with an instantly satisfying nicotine hit and due to its small size, the ‘bottle.’ produces a modest amount of vapour when exhaling, making it an excellent choice for discreet vaping.

To further customise your experience, the ‘bottle.’ also allows users to adjust to their preferred inhale, via the 360-degree airflow control – cycling between a super tight MTL through to a true RDL inhale.

Battery-wise, the ‘bottle.’ holds a hefty 1200mAh capacity, allowing for a consistent, long-lasting use…in my experience, I found the ‘bottle.’ comfortably lasted a whole day before running out – and I’m quite a heavy vaper!

To power it back up again, it took roughly 35 minutes to fully charge.

With its rather small stature and straightforward nature, the ‘bottle.’ is an ideal kit for any budding vaper, with a particular emphasis on convenience and quality.

The carefully crafted chassis is both robust and hardwearing with an incredible ability to hold up well when accidentally dropped.

Equipped with a truly impressive and groundbreaking exterior, the ‘bottle.’ delivers a balance between ergonomic comfort, aesthetic looks, strong build quality and straightforward operation.

On evaluating the ‘bottle.’, I felt that its wealth of features will be perfect for new vapers, looking for something stylish, convenient and quite simply, unique.

PROS

I loved the unique design and shape of the bottle. Battery life was nothing short of incredible. It was great having a fully customisable airflow control.

Blue Raspberry Iced

SPECIFICATIONS

VG/PG : 50/50 | Nicotine Strength: 20mg Nicotine Salts

Words: Peach Atkinson

A cornerstone in the vape industry, the blue raspberry flavours have reached audiences worldwide and are distinctly loved by many. As someone who has tried well over a thousand different e-liquids over the years, the blue raspberry taste is certainly near the top of my list. Retaining that iconic, bold and deeply enjoyable candy-like taste, there was a wickedly nostalgic feel to this flavour. The most brazen notes of blue raspberry were wrapped in a wave of intense iciness, creating a sweet taste with a chance to cool down and deliver a refreshing experience.

Vanilla Custard Tobacco

When it comes to RY4-esque flavours, I absolutely adore them - whether it’s regular subohm vaping or MTL - you can expect deep satisfaction in every puff. Ridiculously smooth and well-rounded, I enjoyed the intricate complexities to this flavour as the vanilla custard was realistic, warm and moderately sweet. The tobacco notes were far more subdued but brought a warm earthiness to the sweet vanilla that was combined in a truly well executed fashion. Despite many preconceptions indicated by this flavour’s sweet name, I didn’t experience an unpleasant amount of sweetness - making it super easy to enjoy all day long.

Iced Honeydew Watermelon

In sheer contrast to the previous e-liquid, this flavour boasts a bright, bold and refreshing set of tastes. Honeydew melon kicks off the exotic mixture of flavours, giving off a sweet yet mellow base whilst still retaining that almost smooth feel of the real-life fruit. I found that the watermelon flavouring used in this e-liquid

carried a subtle candylike vibe to it and produced a satisfying sourness. The way that the two flavours work together is enough to impress however, Moreish Puff has decided to up the game when it comes to refreshment by adding a hefty dose of cooling agent. I really enjoyed the intense, revitalising experience of vaping this e-liquid.

Cookies n Cream

This is a little more obscure than the usual flavours I review. I must admit I had one or two reservations on how well this e-liquid would manage to recreate the rather complex set of flavours. My initial hesitation was soon abated and it’s safe to say I was thoroughly dazzled by the flawlessly created dessert flavour. The mixture of crumbly, chewy cookie base is swept up with a velvety creaminess I can only describe as a perfect take on one of the most well-known combinations in the world of desserts. Having a warm and sweet profile, this e-liquid will definitely appeal to those who appreciate complex and fulfilling flavours.

Grape and Strawberry

Leaving the best for last, this e-liquid hit the nail on the head in terms of simplicity and effectiveness. Reminding me strongly of the famous, fruity drink ‘Vimto’, the rather straightforward collection of sweet flavours works really well together. Bold, punchy and powerful, the notes of grape resemble that of bubble gum and the sharp candy taste gives a clear edge on which the slightly softer strawberry element can interact with. With a complete lack of a cooling agent, I felt that the various fruit elements could flourish on their own, but I would still enjoy this e-liquid with a touch more iciness.

Flow Bar The Crystal Range

Words: Alex Shenker

Today I’m trying 10 different flavours of disposable vapes from Flow Bar, as part of their ‘The Crystal’ range. These look super vibrant and there are some unique flavours so I can’t wait to get stuck in!

Blueberry Raspberry

Blueberry Raspberry is a delightful fusion of two beloved berries that packs a punch of fruity goodness.

This flavour blend combines the juicy sweetness of blueberries with the zesty tartness of raspberries, creating a harmonious taste experience that’s sure to please.

The balance between the blueberry mellow sweetness and the raspberry tangy bite is expertly achieved, making it an excellent choice for those who crave a well-rounded fruit-based disposable.

It’s a hugely popular flavour amongst vapers and it’s easy to see why! This is a great start from Flow Bar as they’ve absolutely nailed this classic!

Mr Brue

Next up we have Mr Brue, a take on the classic Scottish favourite fizzy drink!

What sets Irn-Bru apart is the intriguing blend of flavours, which combines citrusy notes with a subtle hint of exotic spices and a touch of sweetness.

This flavour profile is a fantastic choice for those seeking something beyond the usual fruit or dessert options.

Whether you’re a fan of the original or just looking for a unique and satisfying flavour, Mr Brue delivers a taste of Scotland in every vape.

With its distinctive character and refreshing quality, this disposable is a must-try for flavour enthusiasts who crave something a bit out of the ordinary.

Blue Razz Cherry

This next combination ingeniously marries the bold and slightly tangy essence of ripe cherries with the electric punch of blue raspberry.

On the inhale, you’re greeted with succulent and rich notes of cherries, followed by an exhilarating burst of blue raspberry on the exhale.

The two flavours complement each other beautifully, creating a sweet and refreshing balance that keeps your taste buds entertained.

Whether you’re a fan of fruity vapes or looking to try something new and exciting, Blue Razz Cherry is certainly a top contender.

This vivid and unique taste makes it a must-have for anyone seeking a bold and satisfying vaping experience.

Watermelon Ice

One of the standout features of this flavour is its authenticity. The watermelon taste is incredibly true to the fruit, providing a mouth-watering sweetness that’s both natural and satisfying.

The addition of menthol adds a crisp, icy note that enhances the overall experience, making it particularly enjoyable on hot days or whenever you’re in need of a refreshing hit.

Whether you’re a fan of fruit flavours, menthol vapes, or a combination of both, Watermelon Ice would be a fantastic option as an everyday disposable.

Ice Pop

Ice Pop is a delightful offering from Flow Bar that takes you on a nostalgic journey back to the carefree days of enjoying frozen treats on a hot summer afternoon.

Upon inhaling, you’re immediately greeted by a burst of vivid, fruity flavours that evoke the vibrant hues of your favourite ice pops.

What sets this flavour apart is the pronounced cooling effect, akin to the sensation of enjoying a frozen treat.

Ice Pop delivers a vibrant, icy taste, making it a top choice for those seeking something refreshing and nostalgic.

Strawberry Raspberry Cherry Ice

This disposable vape offers a symphony of fruity delights that’s both sweet and tangy, complemented by a chilling menthol breeze.

These three berry flavours intermingle seamlessly, creating a complex and harmonious taste profile that dances on your taste buds.

Strawberry Raspberry Cherry Ice is a delectable concoction that brings together the best of red berries with a revitalizing menthol kick.

If you’re looking for a complex and invigorating vaping experience that’s both sweet and frosty, this flavour is a top pick.

Fizzy Cherry

Next up we have Fizzy Cherry. I love cherry based vapes, so I was really looking forward to this one!

On the inhale, the cherry flavour is both authentic and satisfying, reminiscent of biting into a plump, juicy cherry.

What sets this flavour apart is the fizz that accompanies each puff. It’s like sipping on a cherry soda or enjoying a fizzy cherry candy, with tiny bubbles tantalising your palate.

The balance between the cherry’s sweetness and the fizzy sensation is expertly executed, creating a unique and refreshing single use vape.

Pink Lemonade

Pink Lemonade captures the citrus essence of freshly squeezed lemons, paired with a sweet and tangy hit of ripe red berries - it’s like taking a sip of homemade lemonade on a hot day.

As you exhale, the addition of red berries adds a layer of sweetness that balances out the tartness, creating a refreshing and well-rounded taste.

This vape captures the flavour profile of a classic pink lemonade drink, offering a truly refreshing and thirstquenching experience.

It’s a fantastic option for those looking for a break

from the ordinary fruit or dessert flavours.

Rainbow Sweets

Rainbow Sweets is a whimsical and delightful disposable that brings the joy of childhood candy stores to your tastebuds.

These fruity notes are beautifully balanced, offering a mix of citrusy zing, alongside a berry and tropical kick. It’s like enjoying a bag of your favourite childhood sweets all at once.

The sweetness is well-balanced, ensuring it’s not too sickly, and it’s versatile enough to be used all day long without any issues, which I did!

If you’re in the mood for a sweet and fruity vape that brings back fond memories, this flavour is an excellent choice.

Cherry Peach Lemonade

Cherry Peach Lemonade is a delightful combination that binds the best of three fruity worlds into one refreshing and extremely well-balanced disposable.

With each inhale, you’re welcomed by notes of lemonade, but as the vapour unfolds, the succulent sweetness of ripe peaches emerge, giving it a juicy and mouth-watering dimension.

What truly sets this e-liquid apart is the inclusion of cherries, which provide a delightful tartness that perfectly complements the peaches and the zing of lemonade.

Cherry Peach Lemonade is a true standout - a great choice for vapers who desire a complex and vibrant fruit fusion.

VAPORESSO INNO SPOT: FUN WITH INNOVATION

From brand ideology to attitudes, VAPORESSO exudes an unwavering confidence and active mindset, always striving to create something unique and exceptional regardless of the circumstances. In terms of industry ecology, VAPORESSO boldly breaks through the limitations of single-point development and instead integrates the entire ecological chain, showcasing the power of collaborative cooperation. With the goal of becoming the industry's innovation leader, VAPORESSO seeks to empower industry innovation and creativity like no other.

In 2023, VAPORESSO boldly established a design innovation platform, combining innovation as the starting point with the annual brand innovation theme of INNOVATE AT ONCE. From the design perspective, cross-border creative elites, KOLs, industry professional designers, and consumers were confidently invited to participate in innovation co-construction, achieving joint innovation and sharing results. This joint innovation empowers VAPORESSO to continue leading the industry with confidence.

VAPORESSO's vision of unlimited innovation is multidimensional, encompassing product, design, humanities, and ecology. Our exploration of diverse styles while maintaining a unique VAPORESSO style results in unprecedented product features for our consumers We reject conventional methods and aim to integrate, break through, and empower, extending innovation f rom the present into the future. Our philosophy provides consumers with an unparalleled vaping experience and creates infinite beauty for the world.

VAPORESSO would like to invite you to participate in the second round of the SPARKLING CREATIVE DESIGN COMPETITION, where you can showcase your unique personal style and creative imagination. We look forward to see your entry!

Chasing dreams requires an unshakable commitment and relentless pursuit. Each stride forward brings us closer to achieving our dreams.

Move beyond ordinary. From 2015, VAPORESSO is having persistently pursued its dream throughout these 8 years, making every step forward from previous achievements, while also taking on new challenges. Guided by this dream, VAPORESSO has innovated and developed, spreading the message of love.

To share this dream and joy with friends, VAPORESSO has invited friends from all over the world to share their story of “dream chasing”. With VAPORESSO, they believe that they will make greater strides together on the dream-chasing adventure.

Dreams can feel far away at times, but at other times, they seem within reach. This august, VAPORESSO is celebrating its 8th anniversary, VAPORESSO sincerely invites our consumers join the WISHFUL SKIES DRAW event via VAPORESSO official website.

“Catch a plane, seize a dream.” The paper airplane symbolizes the pursuit of dreams, VAPORESSO will continue to support consumers on the journey towards their dreams, shining with innovative brilliance and forging limitless possibilities. Also, the “Dream plane” may bring you Mac book Air, Air pods, VAPORESSO accessories and discount coupons.

VAPORESSO has unwavering commitment of seeking constant innovation and excellence. On this special occasion, VAPORESSO hopes to listen to consumers’ dreams and convey the expectations for them through innovation in the future. This way, we can share the gains and joys of pursuing dreams with our users. Reaching the summit of innovation is not an easy feat, VAPORESSO encourages everyone to dream boldly and face challenges fearlessly. Let's dare to dream big, march onward, and eventually turn them into reality!

RADIANT INNO DREAM