Vape News Magazine June 2018 by Matt Schramel

JUNE 2018

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

content@vapemz.com 800-958-6427 x2

@VAPENEWSGO

Editor in Chief Corey Noles Managing Editor Chris Mellides Art Director Van Avazando Graphic Designer Anil Verma Director of Marketing Dennis Robinson

Letter from the Editor Dear readers, The last couple months haven’t been the best for vapers. The FDA continues its attack on the industry — this time with its sights set on flavors. Tobacco 21 seems to be getting more and more organized and is picking up in cities across the country. Thankfully, we don’t have to face these fights alone. With a plethora of people fighting on our behalf, we are in good hands. This month’s cover story focuses on one of the most prolific names in vape advocacy: Greg Conley. Conley, founder of the American Vaping Association, isn’t just at the forefront of these fights — he IS the forefront. He trots the globe year round, going where the debates are happening. Whether it’s a city council meeting in Minnesota or a conference in South Africa, he’s either there or has been working behind the scenes magic to ensure the industry is represented. Frankly, this is a story we should have done two years ago. It’s not just about what battles we can expect, but also tells Conley’s story. Everyone sees him on Twitter and Facebook, but who is the man behind the keyboard?

Social Media Manager Eric Vonheim Director of Photography Ezra Zuniga Webmaster Axel Gillespie Contributors Corey Noles, Norm Bour Tony Ottomanelli, Fash Fadeio Chris Mellides, John Castle Susan Oser, Todd Richard Angela Garrity, Rod Cochran ADMINISTRATIVE Chief Executive Officer Matt Schramel Co-Owner/Vice President Jon Laverde Executive Assistant Erin Aly ADVERTISING Jon Laverde, jon@vapemz.com 800-958-6427 x4

Senior writer Norm Bour and photographer Ezra Zuniga did a fantastic job of capturing him. I hope you enjoy the story as much as I did.

Jacob Barger, jacob@vapemz.com 949-910-2138

It’s important to remember, though, that even with great leaders it takes multitudes to incite change. If we, the vapers aren’t ready to stand up and fight, it’s all for naught.

Nick Garrity, nick@vapemz.com

So, I hope you read this story and that it energizes something inside you. I hope you find that fight that this industry needs and are ready to put yourself out there. Run for city council — or state representative. That’s where we need allies. That’s where we need you. Thanks for reading. Corey Noles Editor in Chief VAPE News Magazine

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BUSINESS J U N E

2 0 1 8

Will 2018 be the year of the buyout?

COLUMNS

22 28 26 32

FEATURES

34 40 46

50 56

102

76 80

Aspen Valley Vapes: Streaming to reach the masses iQOS: Is Heat-Not-Burn the next revolution? Michele Lynn: Not the shiny penny DJ Q-Ball bridges music and vaping Vape Visionary: Peter Broody of Dragon’s Den Vapor Exposing Gregory Conley

REVIEWS

68 72

Vaping for your health: Biases in science Vaping from the outside: Women in vaping and the #MeToo movement Ask Grimm Green The Vape News Blotter

The Myle KandyPens Rubi brings sexy back to the pod game Armageddon: Redemption RDA HD&E Endeavor Mod

EVENTS

CHAMPS in Las Vegas: a Whole New World 90 VCC focuses on advocacy, business 95 Vape Jam UK 2018 102 On Tour with Pablo and the Rodman: NVE Foxwoods

BUYER’S GUIDE

100 Hardware Prospects 109 Just In Juices

BUSINESS

@VAPENEWSGO

But it’s not always the big fish that absorbs the small one! In some cases, it can be the opposite.

Consolidation!

North Carolina-based Avail Vapor got a “minority investment” from Altria and some speculate they will use the 100 plus retail chain to roll out new Altria products to the public. Time will tell on that, too. Last year the big acquisition news was the purchase of wholesale giant, VaporBeast, by publicly held Turning Point Brands. As one of the major players in tobacco distribution (think Beech-Nut and Stoker’s chew) and alternative products (Zig Zag rolling papers), Turning Point paid $27 million to gain a foothold into the vaping industry. A lesser known, but significant player is Cloudy Collabs, formerly known as Cloud Chasers, Inc. (CCI) which was acquired by the Harris Brothers from Mobile, AL. Gary Harris and brother Cordell launched their initial business very small in 2013 and like many, started selling products to friends and family through word of mouth and swap meets. In 2014, they opened their first retail location, Cloud 9 Vapes, and they are one of the few 24/7/365 shops in the country. They started this concept with just one location, but plan to roll it out to their others. “We get a lot of hospital and shift workers near our main shop,” Gary Harris said, “and we have to be particular about which shops we keep open all night.”

VAPENEWS.com

The world of business can be just as dangerous! Small fish (businesses) can get devoured, ie, beaten, by larger ones, but sometimes they don’t kill each other. They just buy the weaker one.

Just a few years ago they ignored the vape industry and chose not to play. Today, they do play and in a big way, and Altria recently invested into a large vape retailer.

BUSINESS

In the fight for survival of the fittest, we may be familiar with the food chain diagram. The one that shows small organisms at the bottom being eaten by larger ones above. They are fodder for yet bigger animals until we get to the apex and arrogantly think that Man is at the top of the heap.

Many predict the death of 90 percent plus of all vape industries in the years to come, with just a few large ones controlling the market. Time will tell. Some of the “Big Fish” are easy to identify since we collectively call them Big Tobacco. Altria. Phillip Morris. British Tobacco.

BY NORM BOUR NORM@VAPEMENTORS.COM

18 BUSINESS @VAPENEWSGO

They recently bought Cloudy Collabs, a major manufacturer of hardware and liquids, who they knew well, since they were one of their first customers years earlier. They have rebranded that company back to their former Cloud Chasers, Inc name. That company was neglected due to a distracted owner, so the Harris Brothers saw the opportunity and jumped on it.

“We were one of their first wholesale accounts from the beginning,” Gary Harris said, “and we’ve been using them ever since.” In 2016, the former owner of CCI effectively “quit” his own company to pursue other areas. The brothers hated to see CCI close and since they wanted to get into manufacturing and distribution this seemed like the right opportunity.

“We approached the owner and after discussions with his partners and attorneys we put it together. It wasn’t planned, but it worked,” Harris said, “but we’re not done yet! We’re always looking for new partnerships and collaboration.” When asked what advice they’d offer potential and pending partnerships he said, “Trust your gut and don’t be afraid to take chances.” Spoken like a true vapreneur.

A Bigger Brother Steps In J Juice is an e-liquid company founded in 2013. Initially based out of Salt Lake City, UT, Bronson Duerden and partner Joe Deighan caught the attention of Global Tobacco LLC. Duerden and Deighan met in college and became friends and later business partners. They were both habitual smokers and found vaping to be the solution to their problem. Smoking made them “outcasts,” which is a problem in conservative Utah.

When asked when they “had it made,” they said it was when they had national distribution, their own bottling plant and a recognized brand. That was at the end of 2014.

BUSINESS

After they got a good footing in retail shops, they found another profit center in contract manufacturing and eventually made over 80 different brands. One of the companies that approached them was Global Tobacco, a large company in the tobacco industry, and one that has been around for decades.

@VAPENEWSGO

When we started we outsourced everything, and instead of paying ourselves we invested everything into the business. That included having Joe and myself and five other people moving into one large house to save money!” Duerden said. “That became our office, warehouse and everything else we needed it to be. We did that for 18 months, so that shows our level of commitment!” he continued.

“They were impressed with our ability to over deliver and under promise along with our ability to stay up with their growing volume,” Duerden said. “They kept coming back to us and we eventually made eight or nine brands for them. They became our largest customer and that turned into conversations about officially partnering with them.” The Global Tobacco brands may not be familiar to vapers, but they may know their more “vape friendly” product, X2O. That new venture required a move to Dallas and so far the new marriage seems to be working out great. A new company was formed with each side holding ownership, and the J Juice name was acquired by Global, and has since been named U Juice. “Global was very strategic in this new venture,” Duerden said. “Rather than watch their tobacco sales erode due to the growth of vaping they decided to jump in and compete head to head. They created their own manufacturing facility and were actively looking for companies to acquire. We were the right fit.” This is the same approach that several of the Big Tobacco companies have done, either by developing their own e-cigarettes or buying the technology. Darwinism, better known as survival of the fittest, teaches us that the ones that survive are the ones that can adapt and learn how to fit into the New World Order. As the industry evolves into version 3.0 or whatever version you see, there will be more industries closing or being absorbed, than are being created. Where do you fit in? Please share your thoughts. Norm Bour is the founder of VapeMentors and creator of the VAPE U online programs. They offer services & resources for anyone in the vape space, including vape shops, online stores and e-liquid brands. He’s also the host of Vapreneur Radio, heard on VAPE radio.com. As a founding partner in the Vape Industry Business Exchange (VIBE), Norm is committed to supporting the vape space into this Brave New World. Contact him at norm@VapeMentors.com

22 COLUMNS @VAPENEWSGO

ICHARD

BY TODD R @GMAIL.COM T62RICHARD

23 COLUMNS

But.

It seems that ever so often however, we hear word of findings so profound and absolute that we have to ask, how did they come to this conclusion? When you dive in to the practices and methods of testing, you quite often realize much of this isn’t practical at all. Mix in a slathering of wealthy backers looking for information that supports their agendas and you’ve got yourself a concoction for inaccuracy. Unfortunately, this blight upon science hasn’t skipped over vaping. In a recent study by the New York University School of Medicine, they’ve found that “(E-cigarettes) ECS, through damaging DNA and inhibiting DNA repair, might contribute to human lung and bladder cancer as well as to heart disease.” This is information that generally requires multiple generations of study to ensure accuracy. To make these types of proclamations is both bold and inaccurate.

When dealing with headlines like these, I always recommend that you do your research. More often than not, referencing the methodology of a study is enough to let you know it’s true scientific value. The study from NYU is a perfect chance for us to have a look at why we need to be so critical of the sciences and their findings, especially when it comes to vaping.

I can’t stress this enough, any findings that use animals as subjects will not translate perfectly to humans. Mice were used in this study, but for good reason. Mice may be one of the best ways to study how something can affect other mammalian life without taking the jump directly to human subjects. However, to indicate any assumptions about humans due to a study involving mice is making a boundless leap, and more than likely begun with ends already in mind.

VAPENEWS.com

here is a plethora of studies and data available with regard to vaping and the human body, many of which are both practical and accurate.

24 COLUMNS @VAPENEWSGO

Another big factor, method, plays a large part in the consideration of information legitimacy. The researchers exposed mice to 3 hour intervals of 10mg nicotine through an automatic vaporizer using a NJOY cartridge, 5 days a week (because screw accuracy, we’re scientists and we don’t work weekends) for twelve weeks, to synthesize the usage of vaping products. Since, you know, we all vape in one secluded area for a consecutive 3 hours of streaming vapor with all the ventilation closed...and this was the most accurate idea these researchers came up with on how to run this study? I never understand why these researchers don’t just call someone who vapes? It’s not like we’re hiding under rocks, or infected with some virus. Besides, we want to know, too!

This generation has a reverent affinity towards the sciences, probably because of all the fantastic things it has brought us. Our generation has a trust (and dependency) in the sciences like no generation preceding ours. The recent trend of researchers looking for information and finding a way to make it coincide with some other bias isn’t science — it’s business. If a tobacco company or a political party wants to sway public opinion, what better tool to use than that which is most trusted? So long as there is a lack of money coming in to the sciences, there will always be someone in a lab somewhere trying to set up perimeters to support their new sponsors. The industrialization of science is becoming worse, and America is the absolute worst about it. So, next time you read the dramatic headlines about how bad vaping is, have a sense of criticism, check the sources and methods, and use your head. Things aren’t always as they appear to be.

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Ask 26 COLUMNS @VAPENEWSGO

By Nick Green

I always see pictures of you with other YouTubers and such. I was just wondering if some of you all are actual friends or just bump into each other at shows? Do you help each other out from time to time?

It seems like this industry is always under attack by someone — legislators, local governments and public health. I’ve also noticed we seem to have benefited from lawsuits involving big tobacco. Is it time we stop thinking of them as an enemy? - Jerry Graves, Mobile, AL

- Clark Hutson, Tacoma, WA It’s always cool getting to meet and talk to other YouTubers. Lots of times it is just a “bump into” but I was genuinely star struck when I met VapingWithTwisted420. I’m closer with some people more than others, obviously people like RubyRoo and OhmBoy are near and dear friends to me. But i’m cool with most every YouTuber I meet, we ALWAYS talk shop and it’s always really helpful and interesting to see how other YouTubers do things. I always learn a lot from other YouTubers.

A long time ago in a VLOG I said something to the effect of “We’re probably going to get help from big tobacco weather we want it or not”. Big Tobacco has been shady for so many years, it’s difficult to think of them as anything else. Ultimately it’s tobacco that is the enemy, not necessarily those selling the tobacco. Recently a big tobacco company stated that they envision a day when they stop selling cigarettes. Vaping is making bigger changes than people realize if by simply existing and being effective, it could inspire big tobacco to stop selling cigarettes. I would personally rather purchase from vaper owned companies, rather than give money back to the people that sold me death for so many years, but at the end of the day making vaping more accessible will only help more people make the switch, and that’s what matters.

Women Vaping from the Outside:

28 COLUMNS @VAPENEWSGO

in Vaping and the

#MeToo Movement

while back, I wrote an essay for Vape Magazine entitled “The She-Vaper” (April 2015) for this column. In it, I discussed what it was like being a female in the vaping industry. That article inspired a few women to write back, including the owner of Velvet Vapors whom I also had a published interview with.

BY SUSAN OSER ASUE78@AOL.COM

In the advent of the #MeToo Movement affecting powerful men and other communities, I felt that perhaps it was time to bring back the She-Vaper idea and create some conversation. I discovered that not many people really know what this #MeToo movement is about. To put it in a nutshell, the #MeToo movement is about having a platform to speak up on sexual harassment in the workplace or in an industry.

It started with one woman who when talking about her story, others were saying, “Yeah, me too?” Then, within the last few months, it exploded into exposes with powerful men who were abusing their power and not getting caught or reported until recently. While it might seem like a Hollywood thing, this is something that happens in every industry and career field you can think of, and for some women has

COLUMNS VAPENEWS.com

happened for many years. Because of this, most women are ashamed to discuss this or become that whistleblower for fear of retribution and losing their jobs.

30 COLUMNS

Which led me to wonder, what would happen in the vaping industry if someone came out with their #MeToo story? Would it be dealt with in a timely manner or swept under the rug? Would there be support or more drama than is currently with in the industry because of philosophical differences?

@VAPENEWSGO

Judging by some of the people I know in the industry, I have a feeling if one of their own was sexually harassed or something inappropriate was going on that affected that company’s reputation, they would be out quick. On a different sphere of the

conversation, if there were anti-vapers or women who saw or heard about sexual harassment going on in vaping, would they be more involved? Would it give more fuel to the fire that vaping is a sexist industry? Already, we can see the objectification of women with their dancing and modelling for certain companies at trade shows these days. Some women are put out front to sell the goods because they have a pretty face and sex sells. Are they treated with the same respect as a woman who is a juice maker, owns a company or has a strong voice in vaping? I know with some of the women I know in vaping, a few of whom I’ve come to know via my interviews and respect very highly, they wouldn’t let men take advantage of them in the first place. In fact, I see a few of them

getting their fists, their knives or a good slap in the face if that happened. I even see a few women throwing it back at the guys and commanding that respect they must work so hard at in any industry that is so competitive in the first place.

There are a few out there that I’ve contacted who I’m disappointed that I’ve not heard from when making initial contacts. That’s ok, but I also think your voice is just as important as anyone else’s and adding your voice to the conversation, whether you agree or know about the #MeToo movement or not truly helps in the direction of my writing. So, if I have contacted you and I have not heard from you, but you’ve gotten my message, would this little article entice you for an interview or chat? I know there are a few of you out there that I’ve interviewed and chatted with for previous issues and would love to revisit your life since we first chatted. I’d like to hear your thoughts, especially the ladies and as it concerns #MeToo. However, men, I’d like to hear your voices too. You know where to find me. angelwritercreations@gmail.com

From STAFF REPORTS

vapenews.com

32 COLUMNS

The Vape K

@VAPENEWSGO

SL.com reports that a joint study into the drinking, smoking, and vaping habits of Utah teens has estchester recently been released. The study County found that 59.8% might soon join of students who New York City reported drinking and 10 other in the previous 30 counties in the days also reported vaping in that state in hiking time period. By up the age comparison, only to purchase tobacco products, 23.1% of students who reported including drinking within that e-cigarettes. time period also reported having RN reports that, following the mass of coordinated smoked. raids of Tennessee

YU reports that a study by that university has revealed that in states with tighter tobacco policy and anti-tobacco legislation, fewer smokers switch to vaping as a less harmful alternative to smoking.

businesses and seizures of products containing CBD, all related charges have been dropped, the related cases expunged, and all seized property related to those raids has been ordered returned.

he Reykjavik Grapevine reports that Dr. Guรฐmundur Karl Snรฆbjรถrnsson has noted the decline in smoking

among Icelanders, and attributes the improvement, in part, to the rise of vaping.

fter months of deliberation, the Winthrop Massachusetts Board of Health moved forward with the implementation of a new tobacco policy which would restrict sales of all tobacco products to anyone under the age of 21.

bill sponsored by Alaska Senator Gary Stevens strictly prohibiting the sale of all vapor products to anyone under 18 years of age is gaining traction in the Alaska State Senate. The bill, dubbed Senate Bill 15, gained approval within the Senate Finance Committee sometime last week

News Blotter

he National Law Review reports that U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Company, LLC, a subsidiary of Altria, has filed suit against the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the U.S. Department of Human Health and Services, as well as their principals, FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, and HHS Secretary Alex Azar. This suit comes following the FDA’s Not Substantially Equivalent finding regarding UST’s Copenhagen Bold Wintergreen Flavor Packs, a product

T C

VAPENEWS.com

BS Baltimore reports that Maryland has proposed House Bill 0953 and Senate Bill 0456, which would increase the legal purchasing age of tobacco and vaping products to 21 years old. The Tobacco 21 bills were introduced at the urging of student activists and advocacy groups.

COLUMNS

A C

s published by the State Of New Jersey, Assembly Bill #1586 would levy a 75% tax on all vapor products, hardware or e-liquid alike.

renewed optimism since the position of new Food & new poll shows Drug Administration that a majority (FDA) Commissioner Scott of people living in the UK now believe Gottlieb came to light with regard that e-cigarettes to tobacco and are better for other-than-tobacco public health than traditional tobacco nicotine products. Commissioner cigarettes. Gottlieb has he BBC reports that a advanced a twopilot program to allow inmates to vape resulted in pronged approach calmer inmates and safer institutional conditions to nicotine which, in the jail in the parish of Jurby on in combination the Isle of Man. The pilot program was instituted following unintended with the wave consequences arising from a ban on smoking in the facility. Prison of Tobacco 21 Governor Bob McColm described the pilot program as a, “major success legislation across story.” the U.S., promises to severely SP Daily diminish, if not News reports eliminate, addiction that convenience to combustible store retailers tobacco. have experienced containing loose leaf tobacco in a mesh pouch (a delivery mechanism similar to Swedish snus, which is likewise used in small mesh “portions”.)

and is expected to advance to the full Senate for a vote this coming week, according to Juneau Empire.

FEATURES

@VAPENEWSGO

Aspen Valley Vapes

35 FEATURES VAPENEWS.com

n the vape industry, so far 2018 has certainly been an interesting year. There are threats and attacks tossed upon the vaping industry each week and it is only intensifying as time goes on. However, during such times,

BY TONY OTTOMANELLI II TOTTS608@GMAIL.COM

many businesses have decided that these are the moments you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t slow down, but pick up the pace.

business ventures. The business which encompass true innovation will be the ones to survive.

Digital Media Revolution

One of the web-based vape industry retailers that is expanding their reach and gaining more business by applying creativity to innovative methods, is Aspen Valley Vapes. Production of a digital video streaming platform with several interactive outlets allows Aspen

Innovation has long been the contemporary force allowing the vape industry to stay alive amidst all the vape-hate. Legislative actions backed by the anti-vape establishment have sadly destroyed countless small

36 FEATURES

With the contribution of Andy Flynn’s online presence, especially on YouTube as @AVAndy where he has garnered nearly 60,000 subscribers, Aspen Valley Vapes has gone all in on it’s multimedia model. Aspen Valley Vapes is preparing for the future by creating a sustainable and modern business model based on digital video production. It seems AVAndy’s YouTube posts have paved the way for more expansive business opportunities. They’ve taken several routes including giveaways, tutorials and product reviews that are simply intended to inform and educate vapers.

@VAPENEWSGO

AVV Media: Expanding Digital Video Platform

Valley Vapes to ultimately execute innovation, embracing a transitional period from vape business into multimedia outlet.

AVAndy

Co-owner Andy Flynn has been so active with his YouTube Channel that his dedicated approach has advanced his personal brand. With the contribution of Andy Flynn’s online presence, especially on YouTube as @AVAndy where he has garnered nearly 60,000 subscribers, Aspen Valley Vapes has gone all in on it’s multimedia model. Aspen Valley Vapes is preparing for the future by creating a sustainable and modern business model based on digital video production. It seems AVAndy’s YouTube posts have paved the way for more expansive business opportunities. They’ve taken several

routes including giveaways, tutorials and product reviews that are simply intended to inform and educate vapers. These opportunities for expansion include, allowing his business Aspen Valley Vapes, to become more influential to consumers. “I barely do any preparation for my YouTube Channel,” Flynn said. “I just make certain that I remain consistent for my viewers. But when doing AVV LIVE!, I follow no structured outline or anything. I just wing it.”

While @AVAndy’s strong social media presence has garnered thousands of loyal followers, the digital footprint of Aspen Valley Vapes doesn’t stop there. The successful development of personal branding by Flynn has motivated his entire business ownership to create an interactive digital video series that is steadily gaining more attention each week. The owners of Aspen Valley Vapes, consisting of Andy Flynn along with Gary & Cory Luckner, all participate in their newly launched digital video program AVV LIVE! In the show’s description, it is well-marketed with a straightforward depiction as “a Show all about Vaping for Vapers!” This is one show where all three owners participate and contribute in what could be labeled as a vaperelated discourse. AVV LIVE! airs

Our Digital Social Reality According to Oregon Web Solutions, “There’s an increasing demand for social media to be more immersive, providing a sort of vicarious experience for users. In the simplest terms, it’s no longer enough for you to post about an event – you need to take users into the experience by liveposting.”

In this digital era, characterized by automation, content marketing, SEO, augmented reality, search rankings, PPC ads, Streaming Video, Podcasts and so much more, a company’s web presence is now a necessity — not the vanity it was 20 years ago.

FEATURES

From this, as a web-based business, it becomes quite obvious that Aspen Valley Vapes keeps up-to-date with the trends and analytics that fuel digital and social media.

@VAPENEWSGO

every Friday at 4pm MST. The show is broadcasted on Instagram Live! as well as Facebook Live! and then, later becomes available for viewing on their YouTube Channel @AVVMEDIA. During the show they discuss all the main issues that are circulating throughout the community, especially concerns on proposed legislation focused on informing the vape community of important issues. They also regularly tackle questions from their viewers. There is a third show added to their arsenal of immersive entertainment, deliberately titled as “Aspen Valley Vapes,The Office” where the entire staff participates in this comedy web series. These brief video segments are literally based on and named after the once popular TV Series, in which the viewer is brought inside the day-today activities unfolding around the AVV Offices. Of course, much of what they act out is purely embellished exaggerations, though still extremely comical. It is especially unique for all viewers who are given a firsthand view of what

the visual layout looks like inside the Aspen Valley Vapes Office setting. Another interesting touch, is that the AVV owners encourage their customer-base to post their own personalized juice reviews in relation to their products. Since the beginning of 2018, there have already been about a dozen video “Juice Reviews” posted as of the end of March.

With a healthy portion of vapebased businesses stepping their game up in the digital space, it becomes apparent that a key comment from popular entrepreneur Gary Vaynerchuk holds a lot fo truth for the industry.

“Innovate or die.“

iQOS: Is HeatNotBurn

40 FEATURES

BY JOHN CASTLE JOHNCASTLE@VAPEMZ.COM

@VAPENEWSGO

Many will have heard of Philip Morris International’s iQOS (ostensibly an abbreviation for “I Quit Ordinary Smoking”). And while iQOS isn’t the only “heat-not-burn” product in the market or in development, it’s one of the leading such products in many ways.

erhaps most importantly to producers, retailers, and consumers of established vapor products, the deep pockets Philip Morris International can bring to bear in their promotion of iQOS make it a pathfinder for the product category.

What It Is, How It Works The iQOS is more similar to a “dry herb” vaporizer than to an e-cigarette or mod. It is comprised of several distinct components, including a heating device, a portable charging case (PCC), a microUSB charging cable, an adapter with which to charge the PCC and “HeatSticks”, which resemble short cigarettes. The iQOS heats real, propylene-glycol treated, and extremely compacted tobacco to 350 degrees rather than to the 800 degrees at which ordinary tobacco cigarettes combust.

Consequently, the device operates via pyrolysis rather than combustion, avoiding the release of the combustion byproducts that come with cigarette smoke.

The Hurdles In iQOS’ Way The biggest regulatory hurdle Philip Morris International faces in bringing the iQOS to the U.S. market comes from the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA). While a committee which advises the FDA has urged that FDA deny PMI’s “modified-risk” claim for the product, it should be remembered that how PMI is permitted to advertise the product on the U.S. market, and whether or not PMI is permitted to sell the product on the U.S. market, are entirely different considerations.

The committee’s “modified-risk” denial, in fact, was to be expected. PMI has only just released (as of March 22, 2018) the results of in-depth studies which reinforce its modified-risk claims for iQOS; presumably, the committee advising FDA on the topic did not yet have the results of those studies in hand when it reached its decision.

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Next, it’s necessary to point out that Philip Morris International has invested an estimated $3 billion in developing iQOS, according to a report from Following Alpha.

iQOS: Is HeatNotBurn

This further cements the likelihood that iQOS will be coming to the U.S. market, and the rest — advertising, pricing, taxation are mere details.

But Does It Work? Because I don’t have access to an iQOS system myself, I asked Stefan Didak, founder and president of NotBlowingSmoke.org, for his thoughts on the iQOS. His response:

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“I have tried the iQOS device a few times in the past year and conclude that it’s most definitely not a product I’d be using and I highly doubt the majority of current vapers would flock to it or even like it. Especially considering the plethora of much more pleasing flavors that are

available in the diverse open vapor industry. For smokers who seek a similar ritual like smoking as well as that typical tobacco flavor you get from smoking combustible cigarettes, it may indeed be the kind of product that appeals. And I hope it does given how the product will dramatically reduce the risk of death and disease caused by smoking.”

Mr. Didak brings up one other cogent point: “Being able to have conversations about iQOS and switching away from smoking to safer alternatives will also open more doors to carry on that conversation in the context of vapor products. While PMI will use a lot of marketing dollars to promote its product, it automatically does so with a very strong message about alternatives. A message we can easily ‘piggy back’ off.”

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This brings us to another point: Will the iQOS prove to be a damaging form of competition for vaping? Ultimately, only time will tell what PMI and other tobacco companies will attempt to do via lobbying — but what PMI is trying to do via lobbying right now could, surprisingly, be a godsend for the vapor industry.

Philip Morris International has the kind of money and lobbying power no vapor product manufacturer in the world has right now, and what they’re attempting to do with all

that money and power is to open the doors of the FDA to reduced-risk nicotine delivery systems. Although they’re doing it to benefit themselves by way

of introducing iQOS into the U.S. market, they will — even if unintentionally — be setting precedent which can then be of immense benefit to vapor products manufacturers. Once the FDA streamlines the approval process under pressure from PMI, that streamlined process can only be of similar benefit to the vapor industry which, on its own, couldn’t even have brought that same pressure to bear collectively. Call it the converse of “collateral damage” — “collateral prosperity.”

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Michele Lynn NOT

THE

SHINY

PENNY

@VAPENEWSGO

BY ANGELA GARRITY GARRITY815@GMAIL.COM

ull Dime Mods was born out of a mother’s love and grief over the tragic loss of her son, David.

Michele Lynn is a professional bassist, first and foremost. She has been playing bass for 30 years and professionally for 27 years. She jokingly says that she is “old as dirt.”

takes her to her happy place. Out of a longtime desire to fully understand how things work together, she taught herself the craft of modding boxes out of antique tins.

Dull Dime Mods are not for sale. Lynn designs these as a hobby and bequeaths them to vapers in the community that she feels are making a positive impact. Dull Dime Mods are earned not bought.

Lynn won Artist of the Year, Song of the Year and Collaboration of the Year at the 2017 WSTW 93.7 FM Homey Awards. The Dull Dime name came as a namesake joke that Lynn dubbed herself with. In standing next to her friend Jess, whom she lovingly refers to as the “Shiny Penny”, Lynn jokingly called herself the “Dull Dime.” Lynn knows that real things in life get dirty. Lynn is as real as they come. Tinkering and playing her bass keep both her hands and mind busy and

This photo shows the per sonalization of the first Dul l Dime squonk made especially for Tony B. Photo by Tony Brittan .

Lynn finds her happy place playing her Fender Jazz bass

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The cover art of the Vilomahed album, which features an image of Lynn’s son, David.

pass away before their child, but never for their child to pass before they do. Lynn hosts the Winter Doldrums, a 12 hour benefit concert event that annually happens each February to benefit the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP). 100% of the profits raised are donated to the five star rated charity that is near and dear to her heart.

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Tony Brittan, YouTube Reviewer of The Vapor Trail Channel, is the owner of two Dull Dime Mods. Tony saw Grimm’s Curad Dull Dime Mod and a couple other of Michele’s Altoids tins around in the hands of other vapers. He had always thought they were so cool! When she contacted him, he admits he went kind of fanboy. Lynn said that she appreciates what Tony does for vaping and the community. He was very humbled by that. Michele offered to make Tony one and showed him a few different tins she had and asked him to choose one. He has access to so many mods as a reviewer, but got excited about this one because it’s special and made just for him. Lynn does such a great job and does it out of the goodness of her heart. Tony is honored to have one of her mods, and to have gained a friend out of the whole thing. She is a special person and Tony is glad to have met her. He even has the very first Dull Dime squonk box. Lynn respects her fellow musicians pushing the dialog with the attendees during shows. She really appreciates how they talk openly about themselves and their battles with depression.

Lynn spoke very candidly about vaping as a harm reduction tool. She was never a cigarette smoker, but finds solace in vaping to minimize symptoms of anxiety and to continue a path of positive mental health. The “Vilomahed” album catalogs the devastation, grief, pain and hope Lynn experienced over David’s untimely passing. Vilomah is a Sanskrit word that means “against a natural order.” A parent expects to

The 2018 benefit concert raised over $2000 for AFSP. Each February, Lynn puts on a 12-hour musical benefit concert, called the Winter Doldrums Benefit Concert, to raise awareness and funds for suicide prevention. For information on the next upcoming event, please follow the Dull Dime Mods Facebook page. Mark Rogers is a radio personality and a longtime friend of the talented bassist and Dull Dime creator. Rogers knows Lynn is well-known as a skilled bass player, but in the past several years, acknowledges that she has grown as a songwriter, festival organizer, collaborator and a philanthropist. Lynn is an integral part of the Philadelphia/ Wilmington music scene. Creating the “Vilomahed” album, she is responsible for one of the best releases of the last few years—a cohesive, yet diverse collection bringing together some of the best talent in the area. If you’d like to join others and make a donation to the AFSP, please consider donating to the David Eric Memorial Fund in honor of Michele Lynn’s son. All proceeds of the “Vilomahed” album go to benefit this fund, as well. Michele Lynn is a solid example of bravery and unconditional love. Not only does she carry these traits as a mother and musician, but as a vaper, too. Simply being around her is an indescribable experience that some are gracious to be blessed with.

DOOLEE THIS TANK USES

BOTH & TFV8

CLEITO 120 COILS

TwoCoilsOneTank.com

DJ Q-Ball Bridg es

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BY ANGELA GARRITY ANGELA@VAPEMZ.COM

Saturday nights on Vape Radio are dedicated to host DJ Q-Ball. His two hour show, “The Bridge” is more than just a tune in. It’s an auditory journey that packs over 20 years of experience that all generations gathered in a room can enjoy. “The Bridge” is named well, as it bridges generations and musical genres alike. For those that are unfamiliar with DJ Q-Ball, he is the master mixer that gives the Bloodhound Gang their funky sounds with his fusion of classics that most recognize. He is the hype man and backing vocalist, who excels with his way around keyboards, synthesizers, turntables, programming and samples.

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Photos by Aaron Raysor (Raysor Photography)

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Ryan Pablo Foster is a longtime friend of DJ Q-Ball who was born into this world as Harry Dean. Foster offered him a spot on Vape Radio during the planning stages of the station and allowed him to play whatever he wanted as a host. Dean is very grateful for the complete creative freedom that Vape Radio allows and enjoys being part of the group. In the Facebook group, Vape Radio Backstage, Dean will pop up from time-to-time liking photos, comments and sometimes even chatting on Facebook with members of that group. He’s been known to drop some music knowledge on everyone. Dean is one of the members of the Bloodhound Gang who will interact with fans via social media. He’s pretty active on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. Dean is a Philadelphia, Pennsylvania-area native. Growing up in the golden era of hip hop, he frequented record stores every Tuesday relishing to get his hands on

the newest vinyl drop. He sought his purchases, hoping for gems that were limited runs that he had exclusivity to.

He expresses concern for those who do not know what it is like to experience going into a record store to buy music that you can physically touch. He says, “The younger generations cannot fathom the joy of what it is like to put on two

full length records in their entirety, the excitement of reading liner notes, or putting on a favorite record, knowing exactly where it’s going to skip. These are all experiences that are lost in the digital age of music we live in today.” His experiences and introductions to other genres of music came from fellow members of the Bloodhound Gang and his family. He was grown

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thrill out of spinning songs that no one has Dean knows how to read heard in twenty years. a crowd and proudly Dean started smoking refers to his DJ spots around 2004 and as half entertainment kept that habit until and half education. He approximately three began an open format years ago. His defining in 2008 and no one ever moment in deciding to truly knows what Dean move to vaping came is going to drop next. after he witnessed his He enjoys surprising mother die from throat everyone and gets a cancer. up in hip hop and while he relishes in that genre, he has a passion for all types of music.

Dean was a menthol smoker and still gravitates to minty and menthol flavors, now that he is a vaper. Dean says, “The younger DJ’s don’t smoke. I felt like a leper going outside in 10-degree weather to smoke.” In between Bloodhound Gang tours, DJ Q-Ball is active with Vape Radio, spinning in the Pottstown, PA-area and running the Octave Event Group. Talent aside, Dean still has the same great, twisted sense of humor that made him an easy fit and longtime member of the Bloodhound Gang. He jokes about drinking too much and compares it to “those things your twenty something year old brain tells you can still do, but your forty something year old body tells you that you shouldn’t.” Catch “The Bridge” Saturday nights from 9-11pm CST on Vape Radio and prepare to be amazed.

VAPE VISIONARY

Peterody o r B

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nd a r u e n e r p e Vape Entr End Hardware igh H of r o ey v r u

BY CHRIS MELLIDES CHRIS@VAPEMZ.COM

etermined to drop a cigarette smoking habit that started when he was just 14 years old, Peter Broody, 38, decided to finally give vaping a try after two decades spent chain-smoking Camel Filters.

The Florida resident admits that when he initially heard of vaping and began experimenting with various vapor products, his selection was very limited. “When I started, the only thing that was available was the eGo-t from Joyetech, the eGo-c’s weren’t even out yet,” he said.

Like many others before him, Broody was a slave to smoking and was particularly disgusted by the unpleasant taste and foul odor commonly associated with combustible tobacco use, and yet, he found it difficult to shake his deep seeded addiction to nicotine.

Broody used to bike quite a lot during this time and after just one week of being cigarettefree he noticed a vast improvement in his ability to engage in a much-loved physical activity. This, he said, was a turning point for him and the moment when he realized that there really was something to this vaping thing.

“I couldn’t stop [smoking] because I didn’t want to give up the nicotine. With vaping it was about the flavor options, it was the lack of the odor and it was just so much of a cleaner way to get my nicotine, but it took a little while before I fully made the switch,” Broody said.

“I noticed when I fully put down the cigarettes and started vaping not even a week later,I was breathing better,” Broody said. “The flavor, the taste, the whole experience, is so

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much better than smoking, and I got the nicotine without any of the shit that went along with it.”

VAPE VISIONARY

Convinced that vaping was significantly better for his health, Broody introduced the reduced harm alternative to his uncle, who at the time had been struggling with lung cancer.

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Broody says that he saw how vaping was able to improve people’s health and that he knew that he wanted to help people. A trip to VCC Tampa exposed him to a wide array of products from both American and foreign manufacturers and he began thinking about how he could bring some of these oversea high-end products to an American audience that might not

“I got my uncle who had lung cancer to switch to vaping and the doctor was amazed at the improvement of his lungs,” Broody said. “He still has lung cancer, but he was given a year to live and that was like six or seven years ago, and he’s doing better now than he was back then.”

otherwise have instant access to them. In the summer of 2013, Dragon’s Den Vapor was born. The online retailer was founded on “600 dollars and a prayer” and eventually grew to be a reputable company and an authorized reseller of many Filipino-made mods that have been highly sought after by American consumers. Broody says that he decided to take his business off the beaten path and not

follow other online companies who deal in similar products in an ubiquitous fashion. Instead, his focus lies on higher end devices, many of which have a Pinoy flair that is often lacking among other US-based online vendors. The Dragon’s Den owner believes that the majority of the products he carries are unique and much different from what is already out there saturating the market. “They’re functional works of art and

I love art of all types,” Broody said. “Once I tried my first mech mod, I never went back to regulated devices. I just fell in love with the quality and the craftsmanship.”

At Dragon’s Den Vapor you can find products from large Filipino companies like Masterpiece Custom Vapes (MCV), MCM Mods and 2JNT. You can also find American-made products including Purge Mods, though Filipino devices take center stage. Currently, Dragons’ Den Vapor is a one-man operation. Broody does everything from taking product photos, to handling customer e-mails and even shipping each order just as soon as they are filled. “The biggest struggle that I have is keeping up with the maintenance on the website, because I do that all myself and with all of the new products coming in it’s really hard to keep on top of that,” Broody said.

Adding, “I do all of the photographing, I do all of the picking, I do all of the packing, I do all of the answering on the e-mails, the customer service, the repairs, everything. It’s all challenging in its own way.” Outside of operating Dragon’s Den Vapor, Broody is setting his sights on releasing an e-liquid line called Dragon’s Den Elixirs. It’s a project that he began working on before he launched his website, and he couldn’t be more excited about It. “It’s ultra-premium, high-end with very complex flavors,” he said. “I’ve been working on these since before I even opened the shop.” Dragon’s Den Elixirs will launch with four unique flavors with names like, “Kingdom of the Gods”, “Dragon Slayer”, “King’s Reserve” and “Mother of Dragons”. The latter flavor is Broody’s favorite of the bunch and he swears that it’s the best coffee vape he’s ever experienced. He’s also planning to collaborate with a hardware manufacturer in the Philippines to release a new mod, which Broody designed. Though while all of

the information is not yet available, Broody mentioned an interest in using stabilized wood with pure silver internals going forward. As a business owner, Broody is concerned about the future of the vapor product industry, particularly when governmental powers shape policy and could potentially snuff out vaping in the States. He feels the biggest detriment to vaping is government corruption and lobbying efforts from groups whose interest is to see vaping fail. And yet, he remains optimistic and plans to continue offering the best products to his clientele with the same level of care and customer service that he’s become widely known for. Asked what advice he’d offer a smoker who’s on the fence about vaping, Broody said, “All of the scientific facts are out there, it is better for you. Try it, it can’t hurt.” For more information and to keep up to date on new and unique hardware as it arrives be sure to visit www. dragonsdenvapor.com

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“I look for something that I would use. If it’s something that I would use then I try to look for stuff that’s unique, stuff that stands out,” Broody said. “I want quality, I want performance and I want the best materials that they could use. It’s got to be the best of the best. If it’s not top quality, I want nothing to do with it.”

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Broody says that he tends to bring in fresh product two to three times a month, and that can be a real challenge because there is often so much new hardware released overseas.

“I mean just the performance alone, everything was top of the line and I wanted to offer that to my customers,” he continued.

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63 FEATURES VAPENEWS.com

BY NORM BOUR NORM@VAPEMENTORS.COM

s there anyone in the vape space that has done more to combat the misinformation being spread by antivaping activists than Gregory Conley, founder of the American Vaping Association?

He can be controversial, polarizing, brash, and outspoken, but usually says what needs to be said. Even if they would rather ignore it. He’s like the friend that tells you that you have bad breath; you don’t want to hear it, but you need to know. Conley and I crossed paths during my earliest days investigating the vape industry. On July 4,

2013, I walked into a mysterious shop in Newport Beach, California, and asked, “What the hell is a vape shop?” I was given a quick education and started my own journey. The first online information I came across was from Consumer Advocates for Smoke-Free Alternatives Association, better known as CASAA. Conley was one of my first contacts at CASAA, where he was serving on the organization’s board and acting as its director of legislative affairs. He was only 26 and volunteering in between law and business school classes. That was then, this is now…

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Fast forward five years and Conley left CASAA, served as a research fellow at libertarian thinktank Heartland Institute and founded the American Vaping Association. By his count, he has spoken at hundreds of events and legislative hearings, been interviewed by the media more than 1,000 times and runs up more than 120,000 air miles each year from one end of the globe to another. Between planes, trains and automobiles, Conley estimates he spends 25 to 30 percent of his time on the road.

And he does this with a staff of one, though he’s seeking more help currently. The AVA moniker is intentionally short for easy recall. And there has been talk (and criticism) over the years about too many advocacy groups. “Why can’t they merge and work together?” is a question asked by many. “Actually, we all work together cooperatively, but we all work lean and with minimal overhead or revenue. Truth is, we each have our own agenda and might not be able to agree on all matters,” was his response. What about the future? In the months leading up to and following the FDA’s decision to finalize new rules for vaping

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“There is no shortage of threats at the state and national level, so we are constantly working on projects with other national advocacy groups,” he continues. “We choose where to get involved based on how useful we can be. If there is a situation in a state and a group needs assistance with testimony, fundraising, or media efforts, we do our best to help.”

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“Our mission is to advocate for sensible regulation of vapor products,” he says. “We are not a consumer or an industry group. We advocate for the products themselves.”

There was a television commercial decades ago for an investment company and the tagline was “When EF Hutton talks, people listen.” That goes for Conley, too, and most every news organization that wants a detailed and professional interview on vaping calls him. Since AVA is a nonprofit that does not represent the vapor industry, he can speak his mind without a fear of repercussions. “You really need to be prepared for everything. At this point, I’ve heard every silly question a journalist or opponent could possibly ask about vaping, including whether e-cigarettes could be used to spread deadly

nerve agents through the air,” says Conley. “By the way, the answer is no,” he says with a laugh. The AVA is one of several vaping advocacy groups. We know most of them -- CASAA, the Smoke-Free Alternatives Trade Association, Vapor Technology Association, SFATA, and Not Blowing Smoke, to name a few. “What makes AVA different?,” I ask.

products in the summer of 2016, industry observers saw the business go through a tailspin as companies faced the reality that the FDA’s deeming rule could shutter their businesses. Since then, the election of President Trump and his appointment of Dr. Scott Gottlieb to act as FDA Commissioner have led to significant delays in the rollout of the worst element of the FDA’s regulatory plan. These delays have allowed the overall industry to recover, and with that, the fear that many had of the FDA has begun to diminish.

“What about the next two years,” I ask, “and especially leading into 2022 and the extended PMTA deadline?”

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Conley worries that some in the industry are becoming too complacent, pointing to FDA proposals to regulate or ban flavors, toxicology deadlines in 2019 that have not been delayed, and the insurmountable challenges presented by the FDA’s ‘pre-market’ review process. “Without major reforms, the vast majority of companies in this industry could be out of business in 2022, or possibly well before that date,” says Conley. “The expense of the PMTA process and the lack of clarity is a real problem,” Conley continues. “I remain hopeful that the FDA will support non-combustibles and differentiate between us and traditional tobacco products, but nothing ever happens in Washington as fast as you’d like it to.” Conley, now 31 years old, has no misgivings about the work he has done over the last eight years to support tobacco harm reduction. “I got into this area because of a belief in harm reduction—not just because vaping

helped me quit smoking,” Conley states. “I’m proud to support vaping, but also smoke-free products like snus and alternative vaping products like iQOS. All these products have a role to play in reducing adult smoking rates.” He’s testified in over 25 different states and visited every one so far. Though he’s licensed as an attorney he considers himself an educator and supporter of small business. Julie Woessner, National Policy Director at CASAA, describes Conley as a “truth speaker.”

His “in your face” approach will probably not diminish with age. “I’ve been called every variation

He believes we can live in a smoke free world and gets frustrated with an industry that is less than professional. We can only hope that both tobacco and vape get better at that and learn from people like him. Norm Bour is the founder of VapeMentors and creator of the VAPE U online programs. He’s also the host of Vapreneur of the Week radio which can be heard at www.VapeRadio.com, the largest vaping radio show in the world.

CREATIVE DIRECTOR Jon Laverde @Jon_Laverde PHOTOGRAPHY Ezra Zuniga & Bryan Gateb @135fotografiks @bgateb @thebroketographers www.thebroketographers.com

LIGHTING TECH Bryan Gateb @bgateb

WARDROBE STYLIST Styled by Hailey Apostolu @haileyapostolu

LIGHTING ASSISTANT Michael Harrison @mikeon_thenikon

GROOMING Jacque Piotrowski @letsplaypretty

SPECIAL THANKS TO Czardas Wang @wiseadvanced

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Of course, working on a controversial issue like vaping, not everyone is always appreciative of the message Conley tries to deliver.

Despite the long hours and seemingly never-ending onslaught of bad legislation and horrific media stories, Conley shows no signs of tiring.

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Political correctness was never Conley’s priority and even as a much younger man in the earlier days of CASAA, Woessner says he was “a sweetie,” and a man with a good heart. She was sad when he left CASAA, but they still speak regularly, support each other, and remain friends.

When it comes to tobacco control activists who rigidly oppose vaping, Conley is especially critical. He confesses that he loves “poking and prodding at tobacco controllers who intentionally mislead the public,” which he describes as one of his favorites parts of the job.

“Greg is someone who says what he thinks without pulling punches or pandering,” says Woessner. “More importantly, he knows his facts and how to craft a message to fit a particular audience.”

of the phrase ‘tobacco industry shill’ by anti-harm-reduction activists,” said Conley. “Contempt being directed at you is a reality of life when you’re advocating for adult consumer products. On the plus side, it’s a sign you’re doing your job effectively.”

Myle BY JOHN CASTLE JOHNCASTLE@VAPEMZ.COM

68 REVIEWS

The Myle from Myle Vapor is a closed (non-refillable) pod system. In many ways it’s extremely similar to the Juul from Pax Labs, though the differences are quite noticeable.

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More of an evolution than a revolution when it comes to form and function, use of the Myle will be instantly familiar to anyone who has used a pod-based system in the past. Simpler than open pod systems like the Joye ATOPACK Penguin or Dolphin, there’s nothing to fill, nothing to replace; just charge and vape.

In The Box In keeping with its ultra-simple functionality, the Myle kit is packaged with the device itself and a USB charger which has its charging contacts contained in a sort of “bowl” or “shelf ”; the Myle is placed end-down into the charger and rests in a standing position — this charging system is again extremely reminiscent of the one which comes with the Juul. And as is the case with the Juul’s charging system, this is one of my least favorite attributes of the Myle system.

Specs & Features The Myle device itself is a 420mAh battery with a three LED battery charge indicator. Three lit LED’s indicate a charge at 75% or above, two lit LEDs indicate a charge of 40% or above, and a single lit LED indicates a charge of about 10%, which is when you should charge the battery.

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The Myleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s pods have a 0.9ml e-liquid capacity and a nicotine strength of approximately 59mg/ml, and come in packs of four.

the wide but thin battery just feels really, really good in the hand. Ergonomically and aesthetically, the Myle is a very, very solid evolution of the closed pod system device. But on the down side — and there is a down side, unfortunately — there’s that proprietary magnetic USB charger. Honestly, this kind of charger simply needs to be done away with. If you own a laptop, it’s great; not everybody owns a laptop. Not everybody wants their vape standing up while it charges, particularly on a desk with busy hands reaching for telephones or what have you. I’ve knocked the Myle out of its charger more than a dozen times, and I’m paying active attention to not doing so.

Pros 70

• Hits like a truck. A tiny, delicious truck • Excellent feel in the hand • Responsive sensor — after inhaling, the vapor comes almost instantly

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Cons Real World Performance

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Now, while the form factor and functionality of the Myle, compounded by its proprietary USB charger, are extremely reminiscent of the Juul, it’s in performance that it really distinguishes itself. Probably largely owing to that 59mg/ml salt nicotine e-liquid, this thing hits hard. A short hit every fifteen minutes or so is about all I can handle when using the Myle. The flavor from the Myle’s pods is also just gorgeous — particularly from the Cubano (tobacco) pods. It’s vivid and strong flavor that leaves me curious as to just what kind of coils are inside these things. Vapor production is also impressive, particularly for a device of this type. I get a good six hours of battery life from the 420mAh battery on the Myle, but I suspect that that’s less to do with the potency of the battery itself and more to do with the aforementioned potency of that salt-based nicotine e-liquid. I used to run a 420-ish mAh Halo G6 battery down in an hour, but I was vaping 24mg e-liquid from that. With 59mg e-liquid, I just can’t hit it that hard or that often. Finally, the Myle is extremely pocket-friendly, while

• Proprietary magnetic USB charger is easy to lose; proprietary nature means if you do lose it, you’re out of luck until you get a replacement

Price & Availability The Myle is available in gunmetal or midnight black colors for $29.99 plus shipping from mylevapor.com. Pods for the Myle are available in packs of four for $17.99 plus shipping, and come in Cubano (tobacco), Mighty Mint, Summer Strawberry, and Tropical Mango. The USB charger is also available separately (in the event you lose yours, which isn’t inconceivable) for $11.99 As a good looking, hard hitting, and pocket friendly first vape for the newly minted ex-smoker, I can’t think of anything right now that tops the Myle from Myle Vapor. It’s got everything it takes to make switching from smoking to vaping convenient and a genuine pleasure, and it’s something I’ll be recommending to smokers personally.

i b u R e h T k to c a b y x e s s g n i r b e m a g d the po

BY COREY NOLES COREY@VAPEMZ.COM

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he Rubi from KandyPens, Inc., is one of the newest pod systems on the market — and is hands down the sexiest available.

Designed in Santa Barbara, Calif., the Rubi is the newest slimline pod device, but comes with a real designer feel. It comes across as an accessory as much as a vape.

In the box

The Rubi arrives in a package as sleek as the device. If Apple were to drop a vaporizer — this is the kind of package I would expect. The device comes packaged with the usual suspects: a rechargeable lithium ion battery, a 1ml capacity pod with ceramic coil, a micro-USB charging cable and an instruction booklet.

Specs & Features

The Rubi comes in at just under four inches long by 0.3” thick. While little information is available regarding the mAh rating for the battery, it charges rapidly in about half an hour. The Rubi is also air pull activated, so there is no button necessary.

The device features an LED indicator light in the shape of the KandyPens “K.” It shift between three colors: white when in use, green for charged and red for when the device needs to be charged. Pods for the Rubi use their own OCELL ceramic coil design layered with organic Japanese cotton. The leakproof pods seem to provide little to no spitback compared with similar devices.

The Rubi is also air pull activated, so there is no button necessary. The device features an LED indicator light in the shape of the KandyPens “K.”

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The Rubi is charged via a micro USB port, as has become the industry standard.

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It comes available in a variety of colors including, black, red, rose gold, gunmetal, teal and navy blue.

Real World Experience

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I spent about two weeks with the Rubi in my regular rotation, and it’s going to stay there after the review. As much as I hate to keep harding on the appearance, this really is a sexy little device. I have each of the colors and find myself bouncing between which one I carry depending on my mood (but my wife hijacked the rose gold.) The Rubi feels good in the hand. It’s smooth round edges are preferable to the rigid edges of most and it’s satin finish gives this little mod a more elegant feel. So far, I’m averaging more than 5 refills per pod — which is what I consider average to good by comparison to the dozen or so other devices I’ve tried. Pod refill is pretty simple, with a rubber plug that in the side of the pod itself. It has a big enough hole to accommodate even a glass bottle dropper. I also haven’t seen any leaking around the plug. Due to its location, when placed in the device it seems be held into place by the case of the battery. My solo complaint with the Rubi is that it doesn’t seem to hit as hard as some devices. I went up from 35mg to 45mg, however, and it seems to hit just fine. More than anything, that’s just a matter of preference — not an actual problem.

Pros

Cons

• Super Sleek • Good battery life, fast charge • Minimal spitback • Basically leak free • Lifetime warranty from an American company

• Hits lighter than some • Price tag by comparison

Price & Availability

The Rubi will set you back about $49.99. While that’s higher than most pod-style devices, the style and quality more than make up for the cost. Let the lifetime warranty with an American company help put your mind at ease about the price. Replacement pods can be purchased in three packs for $19.99 directly from KandyPens and via many other retail outlets. Despite the couple small drawbacks, I would without a doubt pick up another Rubi with zero concerns. I love the feel, the look, the vape — basically I just love this little rig. Whether you’re a transitioning smoker or someone looking for a sharp, easy to pocket device, the Rubi is for you. This one won’t be leaving my rotation any time soon.

Armageddon Manufacturing

Redemption RDA 76 REVIEWS @VAPENEWSGO

BY CHRIS MELLIDES CHRIS@VAPEMZ.COM

t’s safe to say that most of us are familiar with Armageddon Manufacturing by now, particularly after the launch of the company’s Apocalypse RDA, which was touted as the Goon RDA killer at the time of its release.

Well, that may have been the case a few years ago, but since then there has been a glut of new and improved RDAs released by a large number of manufacturers throughout the industry and far be it for Armageddon to rest on its laurels. The Redemption RDA is one of the latest product offerings from the Florida-based hardware company and it is vastly better than the Apocalypse. My expectations of this device were surpassed the moment I chucked a build onto the deck and started vaping. This RDA is 24mm in diameter, so it will look great on most tubes and boxes. The classic teardrop airflow system popularized by the Apocalypse has returned and offers users a wide range of airflow options, while also allowing for either single or dual coil configurations. If you adjust this sucker wide open, you’re

looking at an airflow hole that measures 5mm in diameter. This setting will give you an insane amount of air, but it is there should you want to cool down a series build, or if you just like ripping bigger clouds. The airflow control is made out of a high-grade heat-resistant plastic that’s finned and fits into the barrel of the atomizer with an opening at the top of it to accommodate a drip tip. The AFC being made out of plastic might turn some people off, but it makes for a lighter device and will disperse a good amount of heat, keeping your mouthpiece, atomizer and mod a lot cooler for longer. Adjusting the AFC is a breeze and the O-ring tolerances are damn near perfect. The inner part of the AFC is conical in shape, which will increase the level of flavor you’ll get while vaping. It is worth mentioning that you should be conscious of your coil placement, because if the inside of the AFC touches your build it will likely melt. You should be perfectly fine so long as you’re mindful. What I find most striking about this RDA is just how good the airflow is. The draw on this thing is not the least bit turbulent. Instead, it’s

77 REVIEWS VAPENEWS.com

The Redemption comes with two black delrin drip tips, which was nice to see. There is a traditional wide bore tip, and a larger “doughnut cap” which has become my favorite of the two.

Photos by Chris Mellides

incredibly even and smooth with each drag. I’m so impressed by it that I have no problem stating that this is by far one of, if not the best airflow I’ve ever experienced with any RDA.

78 REVIEWS

The Redemption borrows design elements from the Apocalypse and the Rapture, the latter of which is an Armageddon atomizer that uses an inverted clamp system. In other words, unscrewing the post screws lowers the clamp system and fastening the screws causes the clamps to rise, which will trap your leads.

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There’s plenty of space between clamps to accommodate larger builds and a nice deep juice well allows for the placement of a decent amount of wicking material. I’ve also noticed that the atomizer is on the shorter side, which makes for a more flavorful and warm vape, but as I said before, the plastic AFC keeps the temperature down and I can’t stress how amazing this feature is for heat dissipation. The Redemption has a protruding 510

pin and is hybrid safe, which at this point is commonplace with a lot of the latest atomizers being released, but the feature definitely deserves a quick mention. One of the features that I like most is that the atomizer’s barrel has grooves cut into it that fit into notches found on the outside of the deck. What this means is that when the barrel is locked in place your airflow holes will always be pointed at your coils and taking the atty off of your mod is incredibly easy. Since the barrel is locked, it will never spin on you. This is a feature seen in some other atomizers. The oldest probably being the Velocity and the latest would be the Drop from Digiflavor. Regardless, this is a welcome feature. Overall, I have to say that the Redemption is a slam dunk. It’s not insanely innovative, but the features it possesses shouldn’t be understated. The great airflow, the heat dissipating AFC, the ability to use either single coil or dual coils, the great inverted clamp system, the deep juice well, the killer flavor and the locking mechanism are all choice attributes. The only downside is that depending on how you build the atty and how high you place your coils you may experience some spit back, but once you get a hang of it, it’s smooth sailing. The Redemption RDA is available in a number of finishes including: stainless steel, black, brass, copper and black/ blue splatter. It can be purchased for $64.99 directly from the manufacturer at armageddonmfg.com

HD&E

Endeavor (Apollo V2) Mechanical Mod BY CHRIS MELLIDES CHRIS@VAPEMZ.COM

80 REVIEWS

After acclaimed hardware company Ameravape dissolved and ties between designer Erik Hutchinson and his later company Avid Lyfe were severed, Hutchinson went on to create HD&E, a company built around some seriously unique product designs hatched from the mind of its founder.

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ne product that took shape is the Endeavor mechanical tube mod, which borrows design elements from two of the more tried and true tubes released by both Ameravape and Avid Lyfe.

atomizer is attached, screwing down the top cap establishes a great connection and takes up for battery rattle without compromising the beautiful aesthetics of the tube, which is constructed from 464 naval brass.

The Endeavor has been called the Apollo V2, and for good reason. It is in part an updated version of the original Apollo, with the Endeavor taking the hybrid top hat that grew popular with the release of the original mod and improving on it significantly.

Like the Apollo before it, the Endeavor also makes use of accents at the bottom of the mod in addition to the top that allow for heat dissipation and adequate venting should you experience the unlikely event of a battery failure.

The top hat, which tapers to 25mm, is advertised as being â&#x20AC;&#x153;half threadâ&#x20AC;? and what that likely means is that there is minimal external threading at the base of the elongated top hat. The threads of the top hat match the internal threads of the main tube. Once a battery is installed and the two pieces are screwed together, everything snugs up accordingly and a solid connection is made.

The second mod that the Endeavor takes design cues from is the Avid Lyfe Shock and Awe. That now defunct mod was an absolute beast. Constructed from either brass or a highgrade aluminum, the Shock and Awe looked like a 50 Cal bullet and packed in a lot of power. Like the Shock and Awe, the Endeavor measures 30mm in diameter at its widest point.

The threads on the top hat are immaculate, with great machining overall. Once an

Unlike the Shock and Awe, the Endeavor is capable of running either an 18650 battery or a 20700 in single battery configuration.

81 Photos by Chris Mellides

VAPENEWS.com

The Endeavor boasts incredible build quality, and as previously mentioned, the machining on all of the parts that make up this device is very precise and expertly done. There are no burrs or sharp edges whatsoever, and the mod is comfortable to hold.

REVIEWS

The Endeavor utilizes a large switch, which does have a locking feature. Inside the switch housing a star-shaped contact pin made from 110 copper offers good conductivity and its design is said to prevent arcing, though that is simply not the case in my experience. Following repeated use, arc marks do appear on the copper contact pin, but give it a quick polish and its luster is quickly restored.

This device is being advertised for use in Cloud Sports Competitions and is designed with professional vapers in mind. This doesn’t mean very much to me. Judging by its gut punching performance I can tell that the Endeavor would do well if used in a competition setting, and while I don’t compete, I know that what I’m dealing with is a great American made mod that is reliable and will perform exceptionally well.

At the time of writing this review the first run of the Endeavor mech mod was limited to 250 units, with another batch expected to follow. I purchased this product for review purposes for $299.99 directly from: innovapes.net

VAPENEWS.com

While on the top of drawbacks, the switch can sometimes be finicky. Turning it counter-clockwise will loosen the button from its locked position and lengthen the throw of the switch. For whatever reason, the button needs to be backed out quite a bit in order to properly fire the device. Often, I’ll find myself giving the switch a few extra turns to guard against a misfire every now and again. It’s not a deal breaker for me by any means, but worth mentioning nonetheless.

There’s not much more to say about the Endeavor. It’s a honking mod that’s sturdy, durable and is capable of delivering some serious performance. Of course, this largely depends on your build and the battery you’re using. Since you’ll likely be using a 20700 battery to take advantage of the mod’s optimal performance, you can get away with pushing the battery a little more than you would an 18650 since the bigger cell usually has a higher amp limit.

REVIEWS

What some might find to be a drawback is the weight of this device. There’s really no getting past it. At 30mm in diameter and being constructed from solid brass, the Endeavor is extra beefy. I really don’t mind the weight, but others might.

S P M A H C

in Las Vegas

a Whole New World BY NORM BOUR NORM@VAPEMENTORS.COM

84 EVENTS @VAPENEWSGO

t first glance you might not think that CHAMPS, the oldest running “alternative” trade show, has anything to do with e-cigarettes or vaping. But CHAMPS is where the first new alternative smoking gizmos from China, AKA e-cigarettes, were originally unveiled. David Hirschfeld has been the floor manager of CHAMPS for many years and recollected the first ones he saw about 2007. “They were garbage!” he laughed, “and many thought they would never catch on.” And they were garbage for several years until innovation, now mostly stifled, created better, more modern products — and cheaper vaping devices. E-liquids have taken that same path.

There were virtually no e-liquid companies before 2007, but today we have thousands. Many of them are new, and some have already come and gone.

The original name meant Contemporary Handcrafted American-Made Products Show, but now they just go by the CHAMPS name.

Las Vegas, usually held in February at the Convention Center, is the largest of the group, and Denver, Atlantic City, and the new location, Orlando, round out the current year. Over three days about 8,000-10,000 attendees showed up in Vegas, including an estimated 2,500-3,000 buyers from around the world. If you have never attended a big booth show with some of the most eclectic products available, then CHAMPS is worth a visit! With 840 booths, including every possible

VAPENEWS.com

Jeff Hirschfeld and partner Peter Gage wanted to create a venue for sellers and buyers of paraphernalia and head shop accessories to market their products. Over the years it grew from bare bones shows in smaller hotels to the major events they are today, with four locations nationwide.

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The CHAMPS Circus

CHAMPS is proving to be a time machine, reflecting what has been and especially, indicating what may be forthcoming. Theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been doing this since 1999, so they must be doing something right.

configuration of glassware and smoking devices, CHAMPS covers the gamut.

One of the more noteworthy changes this year was the increased CBD presence, from half a dozen in 2017 to more than 20 by our count. But this event is more than just fun and games.

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“We did about $70,000 worth of sales in day one,” said one of the vendors of vaporizers and elixirs, “and we’ll do close to that today.” That was shared at the end of day two, and they still had another day to close even more. And they were not the only ones.

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Cosmic Fog was there, and we spoke with founder Rob Crossley about why he attended CHAMPS. This was their first major show in Vegas, though they attended a smaller regional show before. Why was he here? ”We’re here for the connections in vape as well as others that may want to carry vape products. We’re already focused on major distribution through c-stores and major markets, so this is a great cross section of the industry.” Another large presence was from GHOST vapes out of the UK, and they unveiled one of their newer vaporizer products. This was their first major CHAMPS show and they were pleased with the exposure as well as the sales that came out of it. Prohibited is a subsidiary of VMR Products, LLC, from Florida, a name that may ring a bell. They have been leaders in the

e-cigarette industry since 2009 and the owners of the V2 line which was highly successful in its day.

The Time Machine If we look at the lineage of smoking products in every form, there are patterns and habits emerging. Cigarettes begat electronic versions which resulted in the creation of vaping devices and e-liquids. But the other perspective is the connection between cannabis, CBD and vaping.

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“Since 2009 we grew into an $80M dollar company with 35 engineers. We had to stay relevant and accumulated 40 patents in various products. Now VMR is leveraging that technology into other growing areas. We know they work, they’ve been proven, so it’s just a matter of repurposing what works.”

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Linford Rohrabacher, Vice President of Directto-Retail Sales, shared a few words about the expansion into the new marketplace.

The interesting spin is that VMR is now in the alternative/ cannabis space under the Prohibited banner.

Many that had substance abuse issues, whether it was alcohol, pills or pot, have used vaping as a way to get clean. A large percentage are dual users, not in the sense of using analog cigarettes as well as digital, but in reference to being avid cannabis users in addition to vaping. With over half the country allowing medical marijuana and a growing number allowing recreational usage, the trends are moving in a linear direction.

88 EVENTS

CBD is now found in a growing number of vape shops, but still in the minority. As a non-psychotropic form of cannabis, and with a THC content below .03 percent, CBD has proven to be a new profit center for vape shops. The hemp it is made from has a proven history that goes back centuries to our Founding Fathers vast agricultural roots.

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Since it is so poorly known and misunderstood, VapeMentors will be offering a course to teach vape shops how to incorporate CBD into their inventory mix. Some trends are difficult to recognize and harder to predict. The publicsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; acceptance of cannabis is growing, while they still disdain vaping. By paying attention to these trends you can stay on top of the wave. Norm Bour is the founder of VapeMentors and creator of the VAPE U online programs. They offer services & resources for anyone in the vape space, including vape shops, online stores and e-liquid brands. He is also a founding member of the Vape Industry Business Exchange (VIBE).

ORIGIN

WWW.BORDO2.US MANUFACTURED IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA BY CRFT LABS

EVENTS

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BY COREY NOLES COREY@VAPEMZ.COM

he first business-tobusiness only event hosted by Kevin Skipper and the Vaping Convention Circuit is now in the books.

Sapphyre, Bantam Juice Co., Boulder, Myle, PJ Bros and many more.

The show, as with all VCC shows, begins with a focused advocacy Business-to business shows program. A variety of never have the glitz and prominent industry glamour of traditional conventions open to individuals presented, consumers, but this is where including VTA President business gets done. Tony Aboud, Fig Ramsey of Gonzo Vapors/Vape While foot traffic was a bit slower than expected, most Tithing, Brad Fojtic of the businesses who came of NJOY and several out said they did quite well, others. even better than at some larger shows.

VCCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s next show will take place at Tampa in July and will be open to the public as well.

Exhibitors included Midwest Goods, Vapor Beast/Vapor Shark, Flagship Vapor Co., The Juice Punk, Kilo, Daddyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Vapor, Ruthless, The Neighborhood, Sinbad, Zee Wholesale, Nasty Juice Co.,

Speeches focused largely on federal regulation and what to possibly expect moving forward.

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For Smokers By Vapers

presented by:

& sponsored by:

An Expo Like No Other

entertainment by:

chattanooga convention center

june 16 & 17 2018 www.vaperscarnivale.com

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A FEW WORDS ON 95 EVENTS

BY CHRIS MELLIDES CHRIS@VAPEMZ.COM

make Vape Jam the country’s leading and most diverse vaping event.

Hosted at Excel London, this latest installment of the Vape Jam UK event series surely won’t be the last as the show’s organizers are determined to

There’s really something here for everyone. Whether it’s diverse and doubly tasty e-liquid from premium companies, to pod systems and even

One of the pillars of this show is its focus on TPD compliant products, advocacy and legislation. All of which are pressing issues deserving of attention, particularly if you’re a UK vaper or a shop owner with some skin in the game.

coveted high end goods, it’s all here in one convenient location with ample space to lounge and hang your hat on. Back again are standout features like the Modders Block, VIP Area and The Gallery, along with a brand new exhibit showcasing the history of vaping in the UK. Vape Jam UK strikes a good balance between business and flat out fun. It’s an event that will be remembered and one that should not be missed— Chris Mellides

VAPENEWS.com

ape Jam UK celebrates its fourth year and with an all star lineup packed with vendors and attending industry personalities, including GrimmGreen, Twisted Messes, Tony B of the Vapor Trail Channel and many others, this year’s event is shaping up to be a huge success.

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Compiled By Chris Mellides

Armageddon Mfg

Limitless Mod Co.

Warhead RDA

Squonk V3 Box Mod

LMC Classic 220W Box Mod V2

Designed by Joy Soriano, the proclaimed “modfather” of Masterpiece Custom Vapes (MCV), the WARHEAD RDA is 30mm in diameter and features a three-post design with four 3mm slotted post holes and a rectangular center post that prevents any unwanted spinning from occurring. Those four 3mm post holes allow for the installation of some seriously beefy coils if you’re feeling bold and the deck overall is an absolute builder’s dream. A massive dual adjustable airflow option gives users the ability to dial in their perfect vape, whether you prefer a super airy draw or one that’s more restricted, the WARHEAD has got you covered. Grab one and cloud it up! $139.99

The newest iteration of Armageddon MFG squonk boxes is here! The Squonk V3 box mod is fully mechanical, comes with all silverplated contacts, and is available in a wide range of colors. A super soft 6ml squonk bottle is included with an optional 30ml Quick Fill bottle sold separately to make filling much easier while on the go. The Squonk V3 also sports peak buttons, a delrin contact spacer to reduce heat and a standard 510 connector. Unlike previous models, the V3 can now accommodate larger 20650 batteries, as well as standard 18650s. If you’re looking for a quality single battery squonker that’s made in the US and won’t break the band, look no further. $99.99

With two resin panels and the option for customization, the LMC 220 Watt Box Mod V2 is intended to be used with two high amperage 18650 batteries and a powerful proprietary chipset allows users to dial the device’s wattage from 5 to 220 watts with a full temperature control output with nickel, titanium and stainless steel support. A mirrored 0.91-inch OLED display screen shows a number of functions including your output wattage, output temperature, atomizer resistance and a battery life indicator among other things. This box mod is designed for use with atomizers measuring 24mm or smaller. $79.95

MCV Philippines 100 BUYER’S GUIDE @VAPENEWSGO

www.dragonsdenvapor.com

www.armageddonmfg.com

www.limitlessmodco.com

MYUWELL

Valyrian Subohm Tank

Chronicle Mod

The new 1K Mod comes in a premium matte black finish and is one of the most versatile closed system devices on the market. It features a 350mAh rechargeable battery for longer lasting life, and the pods is uses are rated at 1.8-ohms and come pre-filled with specially formulated flavoring from Kilo E-Liquid. The 1K Mod delivers the perfect balance of ultra-portability and optimal performance. This device does come with a 90-day limited warranty. $20.00

The Chronicle Mod from RNV Designs is a versatile mechanical tube mod that’s great for budget buyers. The device is 24mm in diameter and will look great with atomizers of the same measurement or smaller. The Chronicle accepts 20700, 21700 and 18650 batteries with the inclusion of a delrin insulator and the option to use any of these three battery types is a huge plus. The Chronicle’s button is magnetic and was designed for easy disassembly and cleaning. The device makes use of a hybrid 510 connection, so be sure to use atomizers with protruding 510 pins. The Chronicle is beautifully engraved and is available in either black brass or polished brass. $60.00

www.kiloeliquids.com

www.innovapes.net

VAPENEWS.com

1K Vaporizer Device

BUYER’S GUIDE

www.myuwell.com

RNV Designs 101

The Valyrian subohm tank is an exceptional product and one that follows in the success of the brand’s Crown series of tanks. The Valyrian measures 62.3mm in height and uses a 25mm pyrex glass section for added durability. The stock tank has a 5ml capacity and an 8ml glass option is sold separately and will add 3ml of e-liquid. A heat insulated flip-to-fill top cap keeps you mouth piece cool and makes filling the tank effortless. These coils offer great performance at higher wattages and are longlasting. The Valyrian comes in five different color combinations, which should appeal to most users. $44.90

Kilo E-Liquid

On Tour with

s d o o w x o NVE F 102 EVENTS @VAPENEWSGO

Torn from the pages of the musty, leather, vod ka cranberry soaked journ al of Rod Cochran. F

riday, March 16 6:39 p.m . We

land in Providence RI to Foxwoods. This is Vape R meet up with Scotty before heading to convention and Scotty’s fiadio’s first live broadcast of an entire vape rst vape show. He’s now our Jason Newstead. 11:39pm It’s not even midnight an get a tattoo she didn’t w d I’ve lost a mod, watched my friend Lucy weekend is off to a goodant and been bitten by a girl — twice. The star t.

Saturday, March 17 9:22 a.m. The V

enue is beautiful. There’s a huge line of consumer all the way to the casino s that leads . N V E Fo xw oo d s is always a great show, but this one feels different...i t’s el ect ri c an d buzzing with excitemen would keep writing, bu t I th in k Pa bl o and Scotty have figure t. I avoiding set up by writi d out I’m ng this. 103 EVENTS VAPENEWS.com

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104

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2:39 pm.

About to star t the Advoc an amazing lineup withacy panel with the legendar y Phil Brusardo. It’s Dimitris Agrafiotis and Greg Conley, David Goerlitz, Greg Troutman, respect for being an OG The Vaper’s Voice. I’ll let Phil take the lead. Out and also because I can’ t name... pronounce Dimitris’ lastof

Sunday March 18 2:34 a .m. The Vap

e Radio VIP Aft Clinton Sparks came in toer Party sponsored by SaltBae50 was amazing! D Vape, Fun...We got that! close the show at the Shrine Nightclub! Music, J

11:44 a.m.

It’s the last day of the sh ever yone we’ve talked toow. So far it’s been an extremely good show for note: I’ve got teeth marks. Looking forward to another amazing day. (Sid count up to three now) on my nipple and it really really hurts. Bite e

8:55 p.m.

Sitting alone and catchin say the best in more than g my breath. What an epic show.. Some would two years...I wouldn’ t di sagree. 105 EVENTS VAPENEWS.com

#VAPEMAGAZINE

Monday March 19 10:48 a.m.

Grabbing a bite with Ton for him, but after talkin y B. before flying home. I already had major res totally lost all respect ang and finding out he’s an old radio guy, too. I’v pect e d an now considering bu yi ng a V oo Po o. .. Ha! Just kidding! I LOVE to do a show on Vape Radthis guy even more now! Maybe I can convince him io! Wonder what his buyo u t is (a t V ap or T rail.) 12:35 p.m. Wheels up! NVE Foxwoo vapers and vendors alikds was more than a success, it was legendar y for It takes a lot to bring a lie. Vape Radio’s first live convention was historic a fantastic job. To broadcve event to air all weekend. Pablo and Scotty di . definition was somethin ast a live Advocacy panel cr ystal clear in high d g I’m ver y happy about! NVE Foxwoods was the p seen a million faces...an er fect balance of advocacy, business and fun! I’ ve d I rocked them all!

106 EVENTS @VAPENEWSGO

ris Mellides

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