VapeLyfe Magazine Issue 07 by VapeLyfe Magazine

CONTENTS 6

THINKING OUTSIDE THE BOX HOW DO YOU KEEP INNOVATING IN THE NICOTINE INDUSTRY?

11 VAPE CANNABIS UNDERSTANDING CBD AND ITS PART IN THE NATIONAL CONVERSATION. 15 GFN THE GLOBAL FORUM ON NICOTINE IS EXPANDING ITS MEDIA REACH WITH ITS FIRST EVER FILM FESTIVAL. 18 Q&A A BILLION LIVES WE TALK TO AARON BIEBERT 22 VAPEDEX TESTIMONAL WHAT THE INDUSTRY HAS TO SAY 24 Q&A SIR KEVIN BARRON “THE POSITIVE EFFECTS OF VAPING” BY INCUMBENT MP SIR KEVIN BARRON 30 PUBLIC HEALTH ENGLAND PUSH FOR PRESCRIPTION E-CIGS PHE DECLARES IT WANTS E-CIGARETTES PRESCRIBED ON THE NHS 35 VAPESTORE SPOTLIGHT THE VAPING POGONOPHILE HAS OPENED HIS VERY OWN STORE AND WE TAKE A LOOK INSIDE! 51 NEW NICOTINE ALLIANCE THE CHAIR OF THE NNA, SARAH JAKES AND THE VAPERS VOICE 56 MY VAPING JOURNEY INSTAGRAM’S @LEXXOHM EX-SMOKER AND AVID VAPEBLOGGER TALKS TO US ABOUT HIS VAPING JOURNEY 62 NEXT GENERATION NICOTINE CONFERENCE FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THIS SERIES OF GLOBAL NICOTINE EVENTS 64 LIQUID REVIEWS THIS MONTH WE REVIEW LIQUIDS BY JASE VAPES, ELEMENT, DINNER LADY AND RIOT SQUAD. 87 NEWS WHAT’S NEW IN THE WORLD OF VAPING

COVER PICTURE BY OPEN_AIRFLOW

FROM THE EDITOR ISSUE 7 | March 2018

Hey VapeFam It’s been a cracking few months, what have you been up to? Fresh from the success of our China launch, we’re pleased to announce that VapeLyfe Magazine’s next outing will be at the IECIE Shenzen Vape Expo. This issue is another one packed with must-read content. We take an in-depth look at Public Health England’s stance on making e-cigarettes available on the NHS, and explore why vaping facts should be publicised more. We chat to Aaron Biebert, director of A Billion Lives about his passion for spreading the positive news about vaping, and cover his latest work with the Global Nicotine Forum. If you’re looking to update your e-liquid stock, look no further, because we’ve reviewed tasty juices including PopVapes by Jase Vapes, Dinner Lady and Element CBD.

An issue of VapeLyfe Magazine wouldn’t be complete without input from our regular contributors, whose time and effort we will continue to hold in the highest regard. We have stunning photography (and reviews) courtesy of the super-talented Open_Airflow, the witty Vaping Pogonophile in this month’s Vape Store Spotlight, and Lexx waxing lyrical in his Vaper’s Journey feature. We’re already planning content for the next issue (there really is no rest), including a series of events that we can’t wait to tell you about. We’ve got plenty of exciting news to follow, so do keep your eyes peeled. See you soon. Team VapeLyfe

Speaking of CBD, we have dedicated a feature on cannabis, discussing the history of this controversial component, and why it is increasing in popularity both here in the UK and the US. We would like to extend a warm welcome to Sarah Jakes, key founding member and Chair of the New Nicotine Alliance; expect wise words of wisdom and incisive commentariat from Sarah in the upcoming issues. Sarah – welcome to the VapeLyfe fold.

vapelyfemag.co.uk @vapelyfemag @vapelyfemagazine @vapelyfemag1

THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX AT NEXT GENERATION NICOTINE DELIVERY How do you keep innovating in the nicotine industry, and how do you comply with US federal regulations on the nicotine products? Despite being one of the most regulated industries in the market, alternative nicotine products are also expected to innovate and adapt to the consumers desires. Three key areas that are expected to keep evolving within the next generation nicotine industry are flavour, visual design and technology. Firstly, flavour is one of the most important features that the consumer takes into consideration before buying a new nicotine product. With the vaping industry being hit with false accusations of making e-liquids appealing to children, 6

and that vaping is a gateway to smoking, manufacturers have had to get creative and think outside the box with new flavour creation. We expect to see a rise in adult-centric flavours, such as original tobacco or organic tobacco. Secondly, visual design continues to play a significant part of product development. An eye-catching mod and ergonomics come into play with visual aesthetics, including how the mod looks and feels in your hand. A unique design not only visually attracts a consumer into buying the product, it also helps differentiate that particular brand in an already overcrowded market. Mods boasting advanced technology will always have a place in the market, but we expect to see a return to the more simplistic designs including no-frills mods with limited LED.

Thirdly, technology within electronic nicotine delivery system (ENDS) has been a major player in the innovation side. At the moment, the consumer can easily find an endless list of new features including no hasslefill, ready to use pre-filled pods and powerful battery lasting days. Blue-tooth technology has been embraced by the vaping industry, and complex systems allowing consumers to vape on the go whilst wearing their favourite hoodie has also launched. We expect to see companies investing heavily in this sector, to take technology to the next level that will ultimately produce memorable and multifaceted vaping experiences. All this is great, but how do you comply with US federal regulations on nicotine products? The US market of alternative nicotine products has recently seen a bump in the road concerning its future. With all the federal regulations in place, the new landscape for manufacturers has made a turn that is now restricting the growth 7

of the industry. Innovation can be hampered with the introduction of federal laws like the PMTA (Pre-Market Tobacco Product Application) which requires products that were introduced in the market after the 15th of February 2007 to comply with a series of strict guidelines regarding not only its fabrication (amount of nicotine), but also its packaging and labelling. However, since 2011 the alternative nicotine sector in the US has been constantly growing, with sales expected to surpass the traditional tobacco industry by 2023. Additional to this, the FDA has announced that combustible cigarettes are to be regulated with a non-addictive amount of nicotine, which will undoubtedly lead to a reduction on the tobacco sales and a big opportunity for the next generation nicotine products market. Even though the tobacco industry in the US is becoming increasingly regulated, US manufacturers will contemplate going international. The possibility to start exporting next generation nicotine products

in another country will bring the opportunity for the industry to innovate and explore different consumer trends within the international market. Consumer trends have become somewhat irrelevant for traditional nicotine products (cigarettes and tobacco) over the past decade as regulatory bodies have been restricting them heavily. Price, ingredients, packaging and flavours are regulated, and to a point restricted. However, the popularity of the next generation nicotine products (e-cigarettes and e-liquids) not only allows but forces nicotine brand owners to look at consumer trends that are reshaping the industry. Three emerging trends crucial for the next generation nicotine brand owners to consider include customisation. As consumers become increasingly demanding, and this is not expected to change – the modern buyer wants to feel special and purchase products and services that are personalised and tailored to them. Bespoke products have a great pull and this is no different to the vaping 8

industry. In the past couple of years, we have noticed FMCG giants such as Coca-Cola or Nutella personalising their packaging, Spotify promoting customised “discover weekly” playlist or Amazon providing different shopping experiences to every individual. Nicotine brands are not an exception to this trend, and e-liquids provide the whole industry with enormous opportunities for personalised customer experience by letting them choose, mix and discover. Wellbeing is a hot topic the world over, and the need to make healthier living choices. Government policies towards cigarettes and tobacco are not the only explanation for diminished sales in traditional nicotine products. Consumers themselves are becoming more conscious and educated about wellbeing and have an increasing appetite for what they perceive to be heathy. Examples of this, include an increase in sales by 7% in the “free-from” category; approximately 30% of people claim they reduced their meat consumption in 2017, and we have never seen

so many alcohol-free beers, ciders and wines on shelves. Not surprisingly, consumers are willing to switch traditional nicotine products to innovative and healthier ones. Thirdly, the customer journey and buying experience has never been as important as it is now. One of the ways to enhance it for modern consumers is through digital platforms. A decade ago we would have never dreamed corporate industries such as banking or insurance will have apps to make customersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; lives more convenient, nor would we have thought Amazon would allow customer to purchase goods with a press of just one button. As for nicotine, there are huge opportunities in flavour

mixing apps that allow consumer to connect with a brand and be innovative. These are just three key trends that we envisage gaining traction over the upcoming years. If you are a nicotine brand owner and wish to find out more about new trends, join the Next Generation Nicotine Delivery USA in April. You can stay on top of competition by learning from industry experts and networking with nicotine solution providers. For more information, go to their website at www.arena-international. com/nextgennicotineusa now.

UNDERSTANDING CBD AND ITS PART IN THE NATIONAL CONVERSATION What’s the first thing that springs to mind when someone mentions cannabis to you? Hazy afternoons engulfed in a marijuana miasma? A lost weekend in Amsterdam, with its coffee and ‘special cake’ culture?

To fully understand its evolving metamorphosis of image, from illegal substance (it still is a Class B drug) to medicinal ingredient with life-enhancing qualities, it is important to drill down to the heart of cannabis.

Over the past few years, cannabis has undergone something akin to what celebrities undergo on a daily basis, and that is the act of reputation management. Whereas billionaire celebrities pay hundreds of thousands for good PR and spin, the humble cannabis has risen through the echelons of culture to become the ingredient du jour. Conversation about cannabis is now more mainstream than ever. Cannabis was in the news just recently, after grime artist Stormzy took aim at the Daily Mail during the BRIT Awards. This was on the back of a public spat between the two, when the tabloid controversially accused the musician of fueling the use of skunk by giving cannabis airtime in his songs.

What exactly is cannabis and how can you vape it?

Cannabis goes under various different names; weed, pot, marijuana, dope, grass, ganja, skunk, hash and chiba are just a

few to mention. Cannabis can be used in a variety of different ways, from smoking it, as an ingredient consumed in food, and it being vapourised. Vaping is the recommended method of consuming CBD as vaping facilitates absorption into the body. The science of cannabis is simple; chemical compounds in the cannabis plant called cannabinoids – or CBD – influence brain receptors. There are over 100 cannabinoids, and you may not have heard of the majority of them, but you will probably be familiar with tetrahydrocannabinol. This particular compound, commonly known as THC, is the part of the plant that gives you a euphoric high. It is the CBD that has no mind-altering properties and which doesn’t impart the ‘high’, which is being used more widely in the UK. Is cannabis legal in the UK? This is important, so listen up. Cannabis isn’t legal in the UK, due its categorisation of Class B drug. Possession of cannabis can land you a maximum five-year prison sentence and unlimited fine, whilst evidence of cannabis production and supply comes with a whopping 14-year sentence and again, unlimited fine. It continues 12

to be an illegal practice to utilse cannabis for any purpose, but there is a caveat – a change in law in favour of cannabis recognises CBD as a medicine. Ever since CBD was classified as medicine by The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) in January 2017, all products which contain CBD are now legally considered to be medicines. This is significant on many levels. It is a stark move away from its original categorisation of cosmetic or nutritional supplement, which only highlights further the point of CBD moving into the serious territory of medicine. It is safe to say, that CBD is the legal alternative to medicinal marijuana. CBD’s reclassification came after numerous scientific studies questioned the role and efficiency of CBD, because when isolated from THC, CBD was said to have the opposite effects to anxietyand ‘high’-inducing THC. The law was forced to accept and acknowledge CBD’s positive traits in the UK because CBD had been recognised to have proven medical value in the treatment and relief of myriad debilitating conditions. In both the UK and across the pond, CBD has proven to be an effective

treatment. Thsis is why CBD isn’t a novel ingredient or transient fad, and will continue to stand the test of time. It was first discovered in 1940 and has slowly risen in prominence over the past few decades. CBD’s rise in popularity seems to have precipitated over the past decade, due to its positive effects on the body’s own endogenous cannabinoid system (ECS) and by default, an individual’s physical and mental state. The endocannabinoid system regulates our body’s homeostasis, impacting mood, appetite, sleep, hormone regulation, including pain and immune response. Studies showed CBD to be a non-psychoactive yet highly effective analgesic and antiinflammatory medicine, helping alleviate symptoms associated with depression, anxiety, epilepsy and neurodegenerative disorders. People with these ailments are taking CBD in an extract, oil, solution or form suited to them. 13

CBD is of course being used for recreational purposes too. Professionals are vaping CBD to relax and enhance their downtime, whilst stealth vapers indulge in CBD for a more discreet cannabis experience. Scientific studies extolling the virtues of CBD aside, another key reason that prompted the change in law was to curb the illegal purchase of CBD products. The blame doesn’t rest with consumers here, who were forced into treating their painful conditions via CBD bought from unregulated sources. Now, with CBD’s protected status as a medicine, regulation will mean a healthier product on the market. Manufacturers have embraced the challenge and now put their CBD products through rigorous testing proving that it meets high standards required for it to be legally available in the UK. Over in the US, the cannabis culture is a booming market. The Harborside Medical Center is a pioneering

dispensary that provides marijuana to smoke, as medicine and food. Some of the medicines at Harborside do contain clearly-labelled THC, as it acts as a relaxant, however it is up to the individual to choose. Andrew DeAngelo, director of operations at Harborside said: “With cannabis, it is important to understand that some parts of the plant get you high, some parts don’t get you high. Our largest growing demographic is seniors, people over the age of 55. Cannabis is great for pain and a wonderful antiinflammatory better than Ibuprofen.” Recreational cannabis became legal in California in 2016 and since then, entrepreneurial individuals have been setting up quirky businesses to take advantage of the change in law. This has led to the rise of cannabis outside the realms of medicine. Taking into consideration that cannabis is used to relax the mind and reduce inhibitions, cannabis is being used as a catalyst for removing obstacles such as writer’s- or mental-block, boosting creativity. Puff, Pass & Paint is a popular event held in San Francisco where people convene at a painting workshop and partake in cannabis. Set up by artist and founder Heidi Keyes who started 14

it off on the back of a friend’s suggestion, Puff, Pass & Paint classes are now available in six states where recreational marijuana is legal. A 120-minute class costs $49 that includes painting supplies, and the event is marketed as ‘BYOC’, or ‘bring your own cannabis’. Those who are new to cannabis and don’t know their dab from their longskin need not worry, as each event has a sponsor that will hand out products to try. Safety is key, and participants sign an agreement that they will not consume more than an ounce of marijuana or sell to anyone either on- or off-site. The pull of these cannabis workshops is easy to see, for both a consumer and manufacturer. An attendee can potentially create works of art under a unique set of circumstances, whilst a manufacturer can distribute their products to an already engaged audience. Cannabis is multi-faceted, with myriad benefits including healing and helping unleash creativity. With an increase in the popularity of this innovative ingredient in the UK and across the world, expect to see more CBD products in your local vape store.

Global Nicotine Forum launches Film Festival

The Global Forum on Nicotine (GFN) is expanding its media reach by orchestrating its first ever film festival. The GFN Film Festival will be included in the GFN lineup of exciting events, guaranteed to keep keen vapers and tobacco harm reductionists riveted. This debut film festival will be organised in association with Attention Era Media, the makers of ‘A Billion Lives’. Aaron Biebert, the director of award-winning documentary A Billion Lives, will be one of the leads in curating the festival. Aaron said: “Reversing propaganda and fear tactics will take more than a single movie. It will take a community of educators, leaders, and influencers who are educated and excited. A film festival focused on tobacco harm reduction will make a huge impact by inspiring filmmakers to take up the cause and help get the truth in front of the public. I am delighted to be leading this effort and believe that together we can make a difference.”

The festival will feature films up to 15 minutes long, and the makers of the films chosen for inclusion will be invited to attend. The schedule will include short Q&A sessions with the lucky film-makers following the screenings, which will take place within the conference venue and will be open to everyone attending the conference. The festival will take place on Friday 15 and Saturday 16 June 2018, with each of the entries being eligible for the ‘Best Picture’ award, to be decided by a jury. This judging panel will have Aaron as the chair and will present the winner with the award in the closing session of GFN. The winning entry will also be shown during the closing session, and a full programme for the festival will be available to everyone attending GFN.

If you would like to enter a film for inclusion in the festival, please take note that entries must be submitted to filmfest@gfn.net.co with either a secure Vimeo or YouTube link. For each official selection, the organisers of GFN will provide two complimentary registrations for the filmmakers, which will enable them also to take part in other parts of the conference, including the social and networking events.

The closing date for entries is Monday 16th April 2018 and the makers of films chosen for screening will be informed by Friday 11th May 2018 If you have any questions about the festival, or require more technical information please contact filmfest@gfn.net.co

www.GFN.net.co GFNNicotine @GFNNicotine

AARON BIEBERT DIRECTOR OF ‘A BILLION LIVES’ Q&A EXCLUSIVE It is rare that a self-taught film director’s debut can simultaneously ignite a firestorm of controversy and receive critical acclaim with his first feature — but Milwaukee native Aaron Biebert has done just that with his documentary film ‘A Billion Lives’. Winner of two top honours including the Supreme Jury Prize and Best Director at the Melbourne Documentary Film Festival 2016, Biebert’s film exposes how pharmaceutical companies, antismoking advocacy groups and tobacco companies are to blame for the disinformation, overregulation, and banning of vapour technologies that is helping millions of smokers quit worldwide. VapeLyfe Magazine caught up with Aaron to chat about the 18

vaping industry, the process behind ‘A Billion Lives’ and what he’d do if he was president of the USA. Q: How did the award-winning documentary feature film ‘A Billion Lives’ come to be? A: After one of my colleagues died from lung cancer, I started to learn more about smoking addiction, the difficulty of quitting, and what therapies work. I never understood how someone who was dying of lung cancer could keep smoking. I initially thought that vaping looked like some hipster way to keep smoking indoors. Years later, some friends educated me more on the topic. They sounded like conspiracy theorists with talk about how big business and government interests were interfering with this cheap, drug-free alternative that is helping many people quit smoking. When I found out that a billion people were projected to die from smoking this century, I knew this topic deserved a look. If there was indeed something going on, it would be the story of a lifetime. Telling the public what we found, is what ‘A Billion Lives’ is all about.

Q: It is interesting that you neither vape or smoke, yet you have produced an incisive, intelligent documentary on the very industry that you wish to save. How many hours of research do you think you’ve undertaken in the creation of ‘A Billion Lives’? Was it difficult learning everything from scratch? A: We spent about three months researching everything before committing to the topic. We didn’t want to be on the wrong side of history. Thankfully the information at its core is quite simple: smoke causes cancer, vaping doesn’t cause cancer. Q: What did you want to be when you were a child? A: I wanted to be an architect. I loved the idea of creating functional works of art that would last. Q: Did you ever think you’d be a pro-vaping champion? A: Never. However, I’ve always wanted to make a difference. Q: What is the best thing about what you do?

A: I get to meet a LOT of people, and see a lot of the world. It’s really been a great experience. Q: And the worst thing about what you do? A: The worst thing is when some of the people I try to help attack me because we’re not fast enough getting the film into their area, or because we don’t put the movie out for free, which we can’t afford. It disregards what we’re trying to do, and it hurts my morale. Luckily, 99% of people are very excited and generous, and that gives me the inspiration needed to keep pushing. Q: You attended the European premiere in Poland and Milwaukee. What has the reception been like towards the film? Has that surprised you? A: The reception has been better than I expected. Our worst

review was a 4 out of 5. We’ve won awards on four continents. Governments have been changing. Media have been supportive. Basically, it’s been a dream scenario. I am very surprised. Q: How did you feel when you saw the film along with audience members? A: It was fun to hear people laughing where I expected them too, and when I didn’t expect. There is one place in the movie that is quite gross. I still chuckle when I hear everyone’s reaction. Q: We’ve seen fans of ‘A Billion Lives’ tattoo themselves with the film’s logo, such is their belief in the cause and raising awareness

of vaping. Did you ever think your film would impact on lives the way it is doing now? A: I never thought people would permanently tattoo #ABillionLives on their bodies before seeing the movie! It’s crazy! It was really inspiring though and motivated me to make the film even better. Q: What do you hope to achieve from ‘A Billion Lives’? A: I hope we can wake up the public, put pressure on governments, and help people understand how difficult a situation it is for smokers. Many can’t just snap their fingers and quit. Hopefully it leads to more respect.

Q: What are your plans for the next five years? A: I need to spend more time with my family and give our team a break. We’re going to make more movies. We’ll see how this one goes. Q: If you were president of the USA, what are the top three things you’d do? A: I would replace the leadership at the FDA and CDC. I would give a speech explaining what tobacco harm reduction is and encourage smokers to consider using vapor technology. I would start a new political party focused on reforming government and limiting the influence of big money on politics.

Q: Social justice is clearly one of your beliefs. Are there any other passions you’d like to turn your attention to, for the greater good?

A: I’m concerned about our food system, medical system, and government. I’ll probably focus on them for a while. I might do a sports documentary somewhere along the way. It was great chatting to Aaron. To explore Aaron’s work, please go to website www. abillionlives.com now. www.abillionlives.com @abillionlivesfilm @abillionlives @dutch_vaper

vapedex.com vapedex_official vapedex @vapedex

CLIENT TESTIMONIAL The VAPEDEX tasting bar has been awesome for us! We used it at the UK Vapour Expo and it helped to sell more liquids as it allowed people to be able to try all of our flavours without ever having to talk to us. They just came over to our stand and pressed the button. Element E-Liquid have 50 or so flavours and a lot of the time people come up to us a little bit intimidated because they see so many flavours to choose from. It’s hard for us to be grabbing loads of mods and putting them in people’s mouths! For that reason the VAPEDEX machine

has been amazing. When we are really busy at expos if somebody comes up to us and we are all serving they can’t speak to someone straight away and that could mean we could lose the sale, with VAPEDEX they can just go in and do their own research on the flavours until someone becomes free, at a trade show especially that is amazing! Vaping is not only taste it’s also smell based and something I’ve noticed and one of the first things that people do is press a button to get the aroma and then they go in for a hit. With a regular mod/ hygiene cap, you don’t see people

smelling the vapour and I think that smell and taste go together to help showcase our liquids. Apart from the benefits at a trade show, for a vape store I think it’s amazing because of the amount of liquids that a shop is going to hold. They can premiere new liquids, use it for the newest flavours or have their whole range available at the push of a button. Compared with all of the tasting bars and vape stations out there, for me, VAPEDEX has to be the best one. The main reason again is the sanitary part. One problem with the others is that all they are really is a mod on a wire. I could just put a mod on the wire that people can steal and that would be the same thing. People don’t want to put their mouth on something even with the hygiene cap, and so with VAPEDEX is much more sanitary.

The VAPEDEX may look similar to what’s already on the market but we’ve used many systems so we know that it’s not. It’s an all in one system, it doesn’t have a lot of that hard stuff like the compressors and you don’t have to build your own coils. Now with this really upgraded unit - it doesn’t need a compressor - the flavour is better and anybody can set it up. It’s so much easier to use. David Botton CEO Element E-Liquid

SIR KEVIN BARRON MP SPEAKS ABOUT POSITIVE EFFECTS OF VAPING

apeLyfe Magazine is thrilled to catch up with Sir Kevin Barron, Member of Parliament for Rother Valley, Rotherham. We watched his impassioned, pro-vaping exchange in Parliament and couldn’t wait to find out more about his positive stance on e-cigarettes. Even though he doesn’t vape, his colleagues do, and it’s great to see him championing e-cigarettes and vaping as the safer alternative to smoking.

We salute your efforts to better the country’s collective wellbeing. Have you always held a keen interest in public health? In 1993, I had a Private Member’s Bill to ban the advertising and promotion of tobacco products, and in 1996 I was appointed Shadow Minister for Public Health. I have also chaired various All Party Parliamentary Groups on health issues including chairing the Smoking & Health group. In 2005 I was appointed as chair of the Commons Health Select Committee; the committee secured a free vote in the Commons on banning smoking in public places. You were the originator of a 25

Private Members Bill (1993) to ban the advertising and promotion of tobacco products. What opposition did you face from Big Tobacco 14 years ago? Has anything changed in the method or ideology of the way Big Tobacco view NRT (nicotine replacement therapy), and in particular vaping? I faced a huge amount of opposition but when you know that something is wrong, you have to ensure that people take action to stop it. You would have to ask them on their current views but I believe many of them are now starting to accept some small responsibility, and that is a welcome step. Vaping is 95% safer than smoking (Public Health England) and the Royal College of Physicians (RCP) conclude e-cigarettes are likely to be beneficial to UK public health. Both PHE and RCP promote vaping as the safer substitute to smoking. How do you feel when established public health bodies echo your pro-vaping stance? I think the PHE report was a huge turning point as it confirmed what many had previously thought and been told but never had any proof. It also meant that more public

bodies were able to adopt vaping in their strategies going forward. Vaping saves lives. What do you think needs to be done to address the perception that vaping and smoking is still widely seen as equally dangerous? What else can institutions do to raise awareness of vaping being the safer alternative to smoking? Research needs to continue to substantiate the PHE findings of a couple of years ago, however in the meantime institutions including Parliament where I work needs to stop the two being treated accordingly such as forcing vapers to use smoking shelters. This is ridiculous for a number of reasons, in particular making people who are trying to quit stand next to people who are still smoking. There are currently 2.9 million vapers in the UK. What message are we giving them, and potential vapers (switching from smoking), when 26

the UK government implements the draconian TPD? The TPD will be replaced as we leave the EU and I believe that the impact the TPD has had in both good and bad ways should be analysed to help form our regulations going forward. Gloria De Piero said vaping is about social justice, and that poorer people are more likely to smoke. How can a pro-vaping message be successfully cascaded to hard-to-reach pockets of society, where smoking is seen as more accessible than vaping? I believe that this is something that vaping companies need to look at, as many of the current products are quite expensive, but I am visiting a project soon that make the products available through a voucher scheme run by the local smoking cessation service. We have to look at further projects like this to extend their use and cut the amount of people dying

each year from cancer. As Gloria said, it is the poorest in our society that shoulder this burden the most. There is inherent distrust of new technology in the vaping industry; what message would you like to give to someone who is contemplating quitting smoking via vaping? We now have a huge amount of evidence showing that vaping is much safer than smoking and we must use that to convince people about the positives of switching. I would urge all smokers to try vaping. Many people have told me it is so much better, both financially and for your health. A recent Independent article states that the current government’s aim is to create the first smoke-free generation. Have you seen these proposals, and how workable are they? What would a Labour government do differently? I welcomed the new Tobacco Control Plan for England, “Towards a Smoke-free Generation”. I strongly support the Government’s aim. The Plan also has specific targets to cut smoking rates among under 15 year olds, among adults, 27

and pregnant women. The clear targets and comprehensive commitments set out in the new Tobacco Plan are welcome. I will be working with colleagues across Parliament to make sure that these commitments are turned into effective action. In a post-TPD, post-Brexit world, it is difficult to know where vaping businesses will be. As a thought leader in the field, can you shed any light on this topic, and where do you think the vaping industry will be in 10 years’ time? I hope it will be working well to reduce the number of smokers. The industry has so much potential which is demonstrated by the huge growth over a relatively short period of time. I hope this potential continues to help the growth of the industry for what is an exciting product. Sir Kevin Barron MP kevinbarronmp.com @kevinbarronmp

PUBLIC HEALTH ENGLAND PUSH FOR PRESCRIPTION E-CIGS Public Health England (PHE), an executive agency of the UK’s Department of Health and Social Care has declared that it wants e-cigarettes to be prescribed on the NHS. PHE, charged with protecting and improving the nation’s health and addressing inequalities, made the pro-vaping statement after seeing the high success rate of smokers quitting traditional cigarettes via vaping. Building on the now oft-quoted “vaping is 95% safer than smoking” statistic made famous by PHE in their landmark 2015 report, PHE conducted another independent review. This recent study analysed 30

latest evidence which suggested at least 20,000 people a year were giving up smoking via vaping. Key points of this updated study include giving hospitals control to promote vaping, by enabling them to sell e-cigarettes, have dedicated areas where patients can vape, and even allow vaping for patients on long hospital stays. VapeLyfe Magazine spoke to Rt. Hon Sir Kevin Barron MP, who echoed this sentiment and said: “E-cigarettes have revolutionised smoking cessation over the past five years. I believe we should make it as easy as possible for people who want to quit, to be able to, including providing e-cigarettes by

prescription. I believe e-cigarettes should be provided for a set period to help people stop smoking then move on to shop-bought products. “Although there will obviously be cost implications of providing products by prescription, I believe this will be far less than the huge costs that are associated with lifelong smokers.”

The impact of e-cigarettes on the collective wellbeing of the nation is one that is being taken seriously by a number of established bodies. The Royal College of Physicians, NHS Scotland and Cochrane have all promoted e-cigarettes since 2016 as a means to quit smoking. There are currently no e-cigarette products licensed in the UK as a stop-smoking tool. This has led the PHE to side with manufacturers and publicly state that there should be an easier route for manufacturers to obtain a medical licence. PHE health improvement director John Newton said: “Anything that the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) can do to make it easier for manufacturers would be helpful.”

Smoking remains the leading preventable cause of illness and premature death, and one of the largest causes of health inequalities. PHE hopes to help these smokers make the vaping switch through not only providing e-cigarettes via the NHS, but by also encouraging employers to provide vaping areas separate to smoking sections. These actions that will embolden some of the 9 million people who smoke in the UK to quit is encouraging, especially in the face of mounting confusion about the safety of e-cigarettes. In comparison to fires caused by smoking traditional tobacco cigarettes, vape-related fires occurred in low numbers and were vastly outweighed by fires caused by smokers’ materials. In the UK, prevalence of e-cigarette use in adults has plateaued at approximately 6% of the adult population. The most common reason for e-cigarette use continues to be in order to stop smoking, and smokers who use e-cigarettes on average have higher motivation to stop smoking than other smokers. Why then has vaping, a safer alternative to smoking, stopped being the quit-smoking method of choice?

Independent tobacco experts undertook the evidence review published by the PHE, who found that the confusion abounded about the safety of e-cigarettes and the risks attached to them. Rarely a day goes by without some horror story hitting the news, about exploding e-cigarettes or junk science produced by dubious quangos. The root cause of exploding e-cigarettes and e-cigarette fires was, the report found, likely to be a malfunctioning lithium-ion battery. John Newton was also keen to set the record straight, as he cited overwhelming evidence of e-cigarettes being safer than smoking. He said:

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Almost half of smokers have never tried an e-cigarette possibly because they have views about how risky they are which are not founded on the evidence. Also, vaping has negligible risk to bystanders. We want to get the message out that smokers really should consider vaping because itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a lot better for them and the wider public, than continuing to smoke.â&#x20AC;?

Perceived relative harm of e-cigarettes compared with cigarettes has unfortunately continued to increase; only less than half of adults in the UK think e-cigarettes are less harmful than smoking. Nicotine replacement therapy is subject to similar misperceptions and only just over half of adults in the UK think that nicotine replacement therapy is any less harmful than smoking. Another shocking statistic is that 4 in 10 smokers and ex-smokers

incorrectly thought nicotine in cigarettes was the cause of most of the smoking-related cancer, and that misperceptions around nicotine and cancer were greater in more disadvantaged groups. Poor public knowledge about vaping, in part perpetuated by the media, will undoubtedly have a knock-on effect on acknowledging the benefits of e-cigarettes. Concerns about the misconceptions about vaping was backed by professor of tobacco addiction at King’s College London and lead author of the report, Ann McNeil, who said: “It was of great concern that smokers still had such a poor understanding about what caused the harm from smoking. When people smoke tobacco cigarettes, they inhale a lethal mix of 7,000 smoke constituents, 70 of which are known to cause cancer. The constituents in tobacco smoke that cause the harm are either absent or at much lower levels in e-cigarettes, so we are confident that they are substantially less harmful than cigarette smoking.” One assessment of the published data on emissions from cigarettes and e-cigarettes calculated the lifetime cancer risks. It concluded 33

that the cancer potencies of e-cigarettes were largely under 0.5% of the risk of smoking. Ann McNeil added: “People smoke for the nicotine, but contrary to what the vast majority believe, nicotine causes little if any of the harm. The toxic smoke is the culprit and is the overwhelming cause of all the tobacco-related disease and death.”

Vaping faces continuous negative press, including the spurious charge that e-cigarette use in youths facilitates a gateway into smoking. The review found little evidence of this, and suggested that despite some experimentation with e-cigarettes among neversmokers, e-cigarettes attracted very few young people who have never smoked, into regular use. There is no doubt much work needs to be done in educating the public, to ultimately encourage smokers to make the vaping switch. VapeLye Magazine is encouraged by PHE’s recent update and looks forward to robust action on the back of this.

VAPESTORE SPOTLIGHT

MR VP VAPESTORE RUGBY With an estimated 1,700 vape stores in the UK alone, competition can be stiff to stand out from a fast-growing crowd. An enterprising vaper has already carved out a niche for himself, laying the groundwork and switching sides from vape reviewer to vape store owner. Mr VP Vape Shop opened in November last year and since then, the shop has welcomed vapers new and seasoned alike. VapeLyfe Magazine caught up with Peter Milner aka Vaping Pogonophile to chat about his brand-new store and excitingplans for 2018.

Peter, yours is a unique route into the vaping industry, from reviewer to vape store owner. When did you first get the idea of opening a vape store? Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m not the first to take this route within the industry. I have two reviewer friends that have moved from reviewing into successfully working in the industry, James aka Everyday Vaper and Chris aka Empire Vape Co. When I started writing, which I have just celebrated 2 years since I started, I had a pipe dream of one day owning my own shop. This pipe dream became reality when I was made redundant in the middle

of last year and that gave me the opportunity to make that dream come true. What is it like being on the other side (switch from consumer to proprietor)? Which side do you prefer? Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s funny I hadnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t thought of it like that until you asked the question. I kind of see myself as a middle man, here to help and support the consumer. Bringing, from my knowledge, what I think are great products and sharing them with the community. I suppose the answer is that I prefer to be proprietor, because I know that if I was visiting as a customer, then there would be something for me to buy and enjoy.

Is Mr VP Vape Shop everything you wanted it to be? Yes and no, Yes, because when I set out on this journey the shop looked much better than the original plans. No because there is more to come, the plans are in place and the shop will evolveâ&#x20AC;Ś it will get there though. What advice would you give to someone wanting to open up their own vape store? Research, research, research. Find a good location, if you have not done retail before look for those hidden costs and make sure you are selling good products. How do you decide what to stock in your store? Do you get pitched to often, or sent unsolicited e-liquid bottles? 38

This is a good question and probably the most difficult decisions I had/have to make. Mainly because until I opened my doors I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know what my market was. But, this is when my reviewing has come in very handy. I have reviewed/tried a lot juice from a lot of different companies and so I was able to pick out companies that produce some fantastic ranges. Also with hardware I have chosen things that I know inside out, maybe not the newest items but items that work very well.

stock other companies juice and I have only had one guy who brewed his own. He wanted to send me his e-liquid to stock, but I very quickly said no to that.

When someone comes in, I know the products I am talking about, and can be confident in what I am selling. The other thing I do, is watch reviews from trusted colleagues to help me make decisions. Once I opened and saw the market I was selling to, I have been able to tweak and change to suit my customers.

What has the reaction been like, from those who you used to review, and other talking heads in the industry?

It is the nature of the business that I am contacted a lot to 39

Will you still be reviewing hardware and juices? To focus on the shop, I cleared out my queue and stopped reviewing. I love to review products and at some point soon, will return to reviewing and blogging.

The reaction has been fantastic and very welcoming. The offers of support from people within the industry has been amazing. In a way I feel a little humbled that I have had such an impact on these other people in the industry.

As for those I have reviewed, it’s pretty much the same, but I am now being asked to stock their products. What do you think it is, that makes Mr VP Vape Shop stand out from the crowd? Surely this is a question for my customers? However, I do feel that I offer a different experience to any other vape shop in Rugby. I think I offer a great range of products and I have always believed in ‘try before you buy’. Not only can you try out juices, but you can also try out some of the devices that are on offer too. Also, there is room to come and chill with others and talk about what we all love. Give us the lowdown on Mr VP Vape Shop. Have you got any events lined up, or any news that you’d like to share with VapeLyfe Magazine readers? 41

Ha ha, at present there isn’t anything to mention, but you will be the first to know when there is. What I can say is that there is more to come from Mr VP, lots of ideas. So for now you are going to have to wait and see. Is there a typical Mr VP Vape Shop customer? No there isn’t, I have a wide variety of custom from starters to vape enthusiasts. I try to cater for them all and I think I am doing quite well so far. What is your favourite vape event? I have to say that the Vaper Expo in Birmingham back in May last year was phenomenal. However I do have to make a mention of The London Vape Show in August last year. It was a very special weekend for me as I had been invited to be a judge at the event. It was presented by Vape FINDR who hold a very special place in my heart and I have a lot of respect for the team.

How important is a sense of community in the vape industry? Quite simply very important. Not only in the vaping industry but as whole, community is important and should be supported. How has Mr VP Vape Shop changed you? Are there any specific ways how the shop has impacted upon your personal / professional outlook?

I think the shop has helped to enhance my situation within the industry. As a writer I have sometimes felt limited as I always want to keep people engaged so I try and keep it to the point and short. With the shop environment I have been able to engage with people directly, answer specific questions and share my knowledge. There is a huge sense of achievement doing that.

I think the thing that has most surprised me, is how much information is still needed to be passed on about the industry. How do you think the vaping industry has changed since you started vaping? How much time have you got? The changes from when I started over six years ago to now, are phenomenal. The vast choices in hardware and juice available today leaves people with a wealth of choice, a choice that wasn’t so readily available a few years ago. The growth of social media has had a huge part to play in the growth of the industry. The last thing I’m going to say is, people complain about tanks leaking now. They don’t know how good they have it. What are you vaping at the moment? 43

I’m using my Voopoo Drag 157W with the new DROP RDA from DigiFlavor with a couple of Caterpillar Claptons coming out at 0.2ohms. I’m actually going through some samples sent to me by The Yorkshire Vaper. Right now Warrant from their At Home Doe range, is a fruity number and rather tasty. In the evening once home, I have my HCigar VT167 with a Peerless RDA from Geek Vape with a couple of Alien coils coming out at 0.2ohms. I am vaping T’s Custard Zeppole from Vivd Vapes, awesome stuff, I can’t put it down. Are there any upcoming juices which you’re excited about? Jammin Vape Co did really well at the Vaper Expo and I have brought them into the shop, the Blueberry Tart is delightful and my personal favourite.

Sluice Juice from Newport are not new, but I feel I should give them a mention, as their main range is great and the new stuff they are doing is equally great. If you haven’t tried them then you are missing out. What’s good money?

value

for

Sluice Juice for sure. Leo di Caprio walks into your store, looking for the next big thing to add to his collection. What do you recommend? The thing that seems to be ‘on trend’ at the moment are Squonkers, so I would probably have a conversation about them. Otherwise I would have to talk about RDAs as I love a good RDA. At the moment I’m rocking the DROP by DigiFlavor and also the Dead Rabbit by Hell Vape (both being great RDAs). I would have to ask him if he had a DRAG by Voopoo, 45

though it is not a new device, it is a cracking one. What do you say to a smoker who wants to quit smoking but is scared of vaping? I start off with questions, asking them what they already know and then politely give them the correct information if needed. I have found that people are more scared of explosive equipment (because of the media) than they are of vaping. Once I have explained how explosions have come about and that like with any electrical equipment, if you use it correctly and maintain it in a proper manner then you won’t have problems. I go into great detail about how to do this. I will not let someone leave the shop until they are completely happy with what they are doing. How do you combat ignorant attitudes (i.e. from those who bash vaping due to confusion / lack of knowledge about vaping)? If someone wants to have a

conversation about it then I will give them the facts that I know. I won’t go out of my way to try to combat ignorance as I believe that someone who doesn’t want to listen will not be easily swayed. How can we improve the vaping industry? Do you think the TPD is a hindrance, or a necessary if not stringent measure? I think the main thing is the vaping industry must remember its roots and why this all started; it is growing at a rate of knots and could easily lose track. As for the TPD or TRPR in the UK, I think that in general it is a good thing. There are a couple of annoyances, which are the 2ml tank and the 10ml bottles of juice with nicotine in. But we have to remember that this regulation started out over three years ago and at that time subohming did not even exist and the growth of 46

the industry has gone a hell of a lot quicker than the law to be passed. Hopefully with the continuing lobbying, sense will prevail and the realisation will dawn that these are not the dangers we face. The regulation should be focusing on the people making juice who don’t use clean rooms and then sell it openly on social media. At the end of the day we are putting this stuff into our lungs we should all be sure of where it is from and be sure that it doesn’t have contaminants that will do us harm. Photo credit: Nicola Alfieri, Instagram @nicolalfieri

Have you been to Mr VP Vape Shop? To find out more about this very cool shop, or stock up on your supplies, go to www.vapingpogonophile.com now.

NEW NICOTINE ALLIANCE: PRO-VAPING CHAMPION LEADS THE WAY TO GIVE VAPERS A VOICE By Sarah Jakes, Chair of New Nicotine Alliance Sarah Jakes was a key founding member of New Nicotine Alliance and has recently been appointed Chair. A smoker of some 35 years Sarah switched to vaping in April 2013 and has since dedicated most of her free time to defending smokers' rights to choose to use reduced risk nicotine products, and to fighting excessive and ill founded regulation. Sarah passionately put the vapers' case in a rousing and very well received Keynote speech at last November's E-Cigarette Summit, watch it here. In this article Sarah gives a must read account of how consumers mobilised themselves and created a powerful voice. 51

When a group of us first met in London in 2014 to discuss the formation of an advocacy group I don’t think any of us could have imagined the journey it would take us on, or the amount of work and sheer determination that would be required. The result of that meeting was the formation of the New Nicotine Alliance (or NNA as it is commonly known), but it took a further year to persuade the charity commission to register an organisation with the word ‘nicotine’ in the title. As smokers and vapers know, ‘nicotine’ has been turned into a dirty word.

Those of a certain age will remember the ‘Nick O Teen’ character who was used in antismoking campaigns in the 1980s. For decades, the public, and even quite a few medical practitioners have believed that nicotine is a, if not the, harmful component of smoking. If tobacco harm reduction was ever going to work, the reputation of nicotine would need to be rehabilitated.

at the lead, were trying to impose what amounted to a de facto ban of all vaping products other than those which had achieved medicinal authorisation. Even in our disorganised state, or maybe because of it, vapers had succeeded in overturning the intended regulation only to be left with something which, whilst not quite as draconian, was still not fit for purpose – the TPD.

There is no doubt that nicotine, when mixed with other chemicals in tobacco smoke, is addictive. In itself though, it is also relatively harmless with a risk profile similar to caffeine, and a great many people enjoy using it. Imagine how happy ‘public health’ would be then, if people could obtain the nicotine they want without inhaling the tar, carbon monoxide and other chemicals in smoke that cause them harm?

It was clear to us that in order to be able to engage effectively with the institutions tasked with transposing the TPD into UK law, we would have to get organised. But our aim was not just to achieve a sensible transposition of what was, after all, bad law in the first place, but also to persuade our government, and the organisations which influence it, that the arbitrary restrictions contained within the TPD benefitted no one and harmed many.

Well they weren’t, were they.

Ignorance was everywhere. It soon became apparent that the very people setting policy and regulation surrounding vaping didn’t have the first clue about the devices or the people using them. This was not limited simply to the practicalities of how the devices worked – there was no understanding of why they were used, or what effect the

At least most of them weren’t. At the time that NNA was formed, the founding trustees had already been deeply involved in the all-out-war between vapers and the EU over the Tobacco Products Directive (TPD). The governments of all EU countries, with the UK government 52

restrictions and other requirements of the TPD would have on vapers and those who might switch to vaping in the future. At the time few of them even cared. NNA positioned itself as ‘educators’, offering practical expertise on the use of devices when required, but also in explaining why certain policies would have negative unintended consequences. One of the most difficult concepts to get across has been that, whilst many people do use vaping as a means to stop smoking, that is very far from the be all and end all of vaping. For a great many people switching to vaping is not just the end of their smoking journey but it’s the start of a new journey – one of pleasure, enjoyment and community. You can imagine the look of horror on the regulators’ faces. Over the three years that NNA has been operational, we have engaged with regulators and scientific researchers, and attended countless conferences, seminars and workshops. We have spoken at All Party Parliamentary Groups, responded to consultations and sat on committees formulating standards and guidelines. We have helped formulate public information campaigns, and assisted in the 54

design of courses on vaping for stop smoking services. We have just been to the European Court in an effort to overturn the ban in the EU on another safer nicotine product, snus, and currently we are campaigning against the proliferation of bans on vaping in public spaces [insert links to pages if possible]. But most importantly we have made sure that vapers’ voices are heard wherever vaping is discussed. This has been a war of attrition and we have not always been successful. There is still a huge amount of work to be done and there is still resistance to the idea that people can enjoy the use of nicotine safely, and that this is a ‘good thing’. But as long as we have the support of the consumer community we will carry on doing what we do. Find out more at nnalliance.org and please do sign up as a supporter of NNA. We will have stands at Vape Jam and Vaper Expo so please come and find us if you are going to these events.

Logic ad

MY VAPING JOURNEY: LEX BORRINGTON

“How would you feel if you were given a subscription box of e-liquids”. If I was gifted one, I’d be pretty pleased. It’s a good way to try obscure and new liquids. I would consider getting it as a gift for a friend for sure.

very issue we feature the journey of a vaper, providing an insightful look into how they are flourishing without smoking. VapeLyfe Magazine chatted to Lex Borrington, 29, a wholesale account developer from Exeter about why he took up vaping. To find out more about Lex, please follow him on Instagram @lexxohm, or if you use Vaffle, the purely vape orientated app, be sure to find Lex on there using tag @lex. Lex, we understand you’re an exsmoker. How many did you smoke per day and for how long? I used to smoke anywhere between 10-20 a day, depending on the day. And I had smoked for about 12 years, picking up the habit as a teenager.

What was the key factor to prompt you to start vaping? It started as just a thought… I had recently begun managing a clothes shop and found myself being constantly paranoid about the smell of smoke – this is when I first thought about vaping. Then as I found I had less time to have cigarette breaks, the thoughts about switching to vaping came more often. Eventually I decided to give it a try, as I had been enjoying smoking less and less. Did you do any research on vaping? I did a small amount of research into the health benefits, and if there was evidence to back it up. But honestly, I was already interested in getting into vaping, so I did

more research into the different types of devices and juices on the market. What did you start off with? Hardware and e-liquid names (plus nicotine content) please? I started vaping with a cheap device called an iClear 16, which I picked up in a petrol station for about £10 or £12. It came with some foul tasting 18mg tobacco flavour, and I regretted it instantly. It almost put me off vaping entirely. However, I persevered and the same day I went to a proper vape shop and bought a Kangertech Evod pen with spearmint 12mg liquid for about £20. How did you find the transition from tobacco to e-cigarettes?

Once I had the right set-up for me, I didn’t find it hard at all. And once I started to notice the health benefits of not smoking I didn’t want to go back to traditional cigarettes.

How often do you vape now? Most of the day, I work in the industry so when I visit shops, I’m vaping, and I drive quite a lot, which gives me plenty time to vape as well! I do not tend to ‘subohm’ in the evening though, and use mouth to lung devices. What are you vaping now? Hardware and e-liquid names (plus nicotine content) please? I tend to have multiple different setups on me every day! But almost every day I have an Aspire Breeze on me, filled with Element E-Liquids Ns/ 20 Key Lime Cookie. (20mg NicSalt). And I’m also using the Wimec Machine mech mod with Csmnt RDA by District5, and I’m dripping a Fluff by Obies Brew (0mg). Where do you go to buy your vaping supplies? If you buy online, what is your go-to website? Or if instore, which is your local vape shop? I tend to do both! Sometimes different places have different deals. There are too many decent websites to name. My local vape shop is Flavour Vapour Exeter, I tend to go there quite often. What do you think about the rising popularity of vape lounges and bars? Are there any that you’d recommend?

I think vape lounges are a great idea, especially with so few pubs letting you vape inside. It captures a market that I think is definitely there. The Hodges Vape Lounge in Ilfracombe is local to me, I’m a big fan of the guys at Hodges. I think the first vape lounge in the country was The Vapoury in WestonSuper-Mare. E-liquid subscription boxes (where you’re sent a selection of e-liquids each month) are seen by some as a cool vaping gift. How would you feel if you were given a subscription box of e-liquids as a present? Would you consider gifting an e-liquid subscription box to any friends who vape? If I was gifted one, I’d be pretty pleased. It’s a good way to try obscure and new liquids. I would consider getting it as a gift for a friend for sure. However, it would be nice to see

the companies that provide the service offer a range of different priced packages, as they all seem to be quite expensive. What is your favourite e-liquid flavour? That’s really hard, it changes week to week! Ask me again next week, haha!

vaping journey? It’s been a rollercoaster for sure. Having started as a way to quit smoking, I never thought it would have provided the opportunities I’ve had in the last 12 months. It’s been mad, with plenty of highs and lows, but a lot of fun too. I am so grateful to everyone I’ve met along the way, and so glad I stopped smoking for so many reasons!”

What do friends and family think of What is the vaping scene like where you live? you vaping? To begin with, family weren’t sure, but they came around eventually. Friends took the proverbial “****” to start with, and after time started asking me about vaping and different products. How would you describe your

Growing, slowly but surely. In Devon it seems everything is at least three months’ behind trends in the rest of the UK. But we’re getting there. Where do you think the vaping

industry will be in 5 years’ time? I think the age of combustion is dead. In 5 years, vaping will be one of the biggest markets in the world and a driving force for innovation. What advice would you give to someone who wants to give up smoking? I would definitely suggest they try vaping. But also say that they shouldn’t expect to quit craving cigarettes overnight. Vaping helps change the habits formed by smoking, but that’s only part of it. Having the will to quit is the main thing. Has vaping changed your life? Whether you’re a new or seasoned vaper, we’d love to hear about your vaping journey. You could have just bought your first starter kit, or you may have been vaping for the past five years – we want to know. Please email info@vapelyfemag.co.uk now with #MyVapingJourney in the subject heading, with a chance to be featured in the magazine.

NEXT GENERATION NICOTINE DELIVERY USA CONFERENCE 24-25 APRIL 2018 The Next Generation Nicotine Delivery (NGND) is part of a successful global series of nicotine events, which will be bringing its US leg to Atlanta in April 2018. This strategic conference is a significant occurrence for professional vapers and those who work with nicotine. The next generation nicotine industry has endless possibilities to keep growing and developing, and as it is the less harmful option against traditional tobacco products, vaping can also help smokers to cut back and eventually quit smoking. 62

Delegates will be able to discuss consumer trends, product innovation, regulatory observance and debate the most pressing issues of the industry. During an insightful two days, the conference will provide manufacturers with the possibility of exploring international business opportunities, gateways to compliance and an understanding of the global landscape on how to enter the lucrative international market. The NGND will bring together strategic leaders, who will give expert insight into new nicotine products including e-cigarettes, e-liquids and the broader pharmaceutical field. Together with solution providers, these thought leaders will advise manufacturers on a host of topics. These include helping delegates to understand and adhere to US FDAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s PMTA regulations, explore international sales opportunities, adhere to local regulation within these regions, and introduce consumer trends from local and international markets to increase sales both at home and abroad. Delving into key issues in the

e-cigarette and alternative nicotine delivery community, the conference agenda is designed for vape companies and manufacturers, next generation nicotine delivery product companies, policy makers, regulatory bodies and public health service providers to the industry. Specifically, this event is targeted at those who have commercial or regulatory responsibility. It will not be a scientific or medical research focused event, but a platform to share best practice and meet solution providers enabling US manufacturers to start a broader conversation about innovation and hitting sales targets in the nicotine arena. Building on a collaborative approach, this event will also provide an unrivalled platform for networking with key decision-makers offering a unique opportunity to learn from respected industry professionals. This unique platform will be an exciting forum bringing together 63

strategy, development and sales and marketing leaders to deliver a 360Â° view on next generation nicotine delivery. The programme features key presentations from Foundation for a Smoke-Free World, VMR Products (V2), Totally Wicked, Nicopure Labs, Nexvap, Keller & Heckman, Dreamsmoke, 22nd Century Group, ECigIntelligence and E-Alternative Solutions. To find out more about the Next Generation Nicotine Delivery Atlanta conference, please go to their website at www.arena-international. com/nextgennicotine now. arena-international.com/ nextgennicotine Next Generation Nicotine Delivery 2018 USA

BLAKE LOWIS REVIEWS

The first thing that’s going to grab your attention about these juices is the branding. Each flavour has its own designated character – but these juices ain’t no child’s drawing. These are stylish fruity flavours that have been given so much attention to detail, they always deliver a high quality vape. With its bold but light-hearted flavour profiles and adult cartoon branding, PopVapes stays simple with its flavour names, so there’s no need to be guessing what Minotaur Tears taste like. The entire range has little or no colouration to the juice and is packaged in 60ml shortfills. To try these flavours out, I used a Nudge RDA on the HotCig 233 between 60w and 90w. I think that these flavours can be enjoyed anywhere from 40w upwards. They’re sweet enough to satisfy most palates but won’t kill your wicks. So let’s get stuck in.

Meloncholy (aka Melvin) Flavour profile: mellow fruity mix with hints of mango. I thought I’d tackle this one first as a lot of melon flavours I’ve tried recently either come through as a Jolly Rancher or Midori but there’s none of that here. This juice grabs you on the first inhale with a natural sweet melon with a thick cream. As you get through the next few vapes a sharp undertone of mango and fruit juice comes through to balance out this full-on flavour. As I went through the bottle, my mouth felt refreshed with sweet and sour fruit and a pleasant aftertaste of melon. I can say this easily falls in the ADV category. 65

Strawberry Froyo (aka Cindi) Flavour profile: strawberry yoghurt with an ice kick. This is one of two strawberry flavours in the range and offers a cool finish. From the first inhale to getting through the bottle, this combo delivers a cool and creamy yoghurt amped up with a whipped cream and gentle, almost milkshake-like strawberry. All the flavours muddle around in your mouth to give a two tone vape of yoghurt and strawberry, ending on a nice jelly and whipped cream aftertaste.

Strawberry Shake

(aka Anderson) Flavour profile: smooth and creamy milkshake with fresh strawberries. The second of the strawberry servings by PopVapes is a classic that never gets old. Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s something about strawberries and cream that just makes it so hard to put down and this one delivers. No matter how far you get down the bottle youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re always welcomed by fresh strawberries, turning into almost strawberry taffy, followed by a clean yet decadently creamy finish. I seemed to get hints of a light peach and citrus edge in the background of this classy vape. Strawberries and cream vapes are always a good choice of ADV. 67

Guava Gum (aka Dexter) Flavour profile: tart citrus inhale with a bubble-gum finish. If you’re looking for a subtle vape then I’m afraid this one isn’t for you. Guava always delivers with a punch and this one is no exception. Guava Gum is a tangy almost fizzy mix of tonguetingly tropical juice with a nice and gentle finish of bubble-gum. Consistently delivering a full bodied vape from the first to the last drop, this was definitely my “treat juice” of the range.

Peach Passion (aka Miss Peach) Flavour profile – a fruity mix of peach, passionfruit and mango.

Out of all the juices, this is the most straightforward of fruit mixes. With no cream, ice or fizz, peach passion is a simple but really well-balanced flavour. It comes through with bold passionfruit and a sharp mango swimming in a light fragrant peach and berry juice. It’s the most delicate of the flavours but done with great balance and care. Got to be an ADV with such a pleasant combination of flavours – what’s not to like?

Pink Fizz (aka Isabelle) Flavour profile: fizzy citrus hit with sweet fruity aftertaste. Another classic flavour that practically every fruit vape lover keeps going back to is pink lemonade. Pink Fizz has gone a step further with a cocktail of fruits brought into the mix. This flavour changes fast from a sharp citrus into a quick blast of grapefruit, then getting a great mix of berry style flavours finishing on a Champagne style fizz. I think itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s going to be one of those juices where every vaper tastes something different in the mix and will keep on picking it up to try and figure whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s in it. With such a punchy sharp flavour, this was a very welcome treat to refresh the palate and awaken the taste-buds.

Purple Haze (aka Mr Hayes) Flavour profile: exciting fruity flavours with a cool icy kick. So this is the last in the range for me to delve into. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a pretty easy one to sum up, with the mixed fruit notes of peach and passionfruit but with a punch of guava, strawberry froyo and reinforced with a stronger ice. Purple Haze is a simple but very effective iced fruit flavour. Anyone who enjoys these chilled fruit style vapes are not going to be disappointed with what PopVapes Purple Haze has to offer. 71

PopVapes is a real solid collection of fruit combos, with great aesthetics and craftsmanship. I think any fruit flavour enthusiast is going to find something they canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t put down within this range. Everywhere you look, this brand shows high quality and care. I look forward to seeing what these guys come up with in the future.

Dinner Lady Aroma Desert Range By Blake Lowis I doubt many people who have been vaping over a year will need to be reminded of who Dinner Lady are. I think the launch of the Lemon Tart flavour was one of the most successful flavour launches I’ve seen in a long time. Seeing the company being interviewed numerous times with a flurry of media coverage epitomised their success. They are a heavy hitter when it comes to sweet desserts, boasting a very easy-to-recognise brand that’s always present at expos around the world. I believe this is the fourth addition to their expanding juice line that 73

includes Summer Holiday and Tobacco alongside the original range. In this review, I’ll be taking a look at Orange Tart, Apple Pie and Blackberry Crumble from Dinner Lady’s Aroma Dessert Range. These three flavours easily bolster the original classic dessert range. I feel that these are slightly sweeter, but let’s have a closer look at the flavours.

Apple Pie

Blackberry Crumble

Orange Tart

Flavour profile – fresh

Flavour profile –

Flavour profile – zesty

apples, caramelised brown sugar, hint of cinnamon.

So, this is another oddity from the team at Dinner Lady. Like the orange tart, the apple comes through sharp and fast but I would describe it as a fresh apple rather than baked. It then moves onto a lovely hint of cinnamon, caramel and almost a touch of pear with berries in the background. All finished off with a nice fresh and sweet green apple aftertaste that lingers at the back of the mouth. So what’s odd about it..? I don’t get any pie crust with the juice. What I do get is the flavour profile as stated which doesn’t mention any crust or pastry, just apples, cinnamon and sugar. It’s a really solid fresh and vibrant apple flavour but I feel the difference between what it’s called and the profile might make prospective buyers feel it’s not a ‘proper’ pie flavour. Whereas it is exactly what the profile states.

blackberries with a crispy, buttery crumble. So, the final flavour of these three involves one of my favourite ‘vape fruits’ the humble blackberry. It’s a great flavour to work with and always seems to sit nicely in a vape. Dinner lady have gone for a crumble that suits the fruit so well. They’ve managed to get a jammy/compote style front to the vape that moves so quickly into the crumble, you will want to try it again. It’s definitely a dual flavour that helps refresh the tastebuds ready for the next go. The buttery edge is just right and the crumble is gentle but comes through just enough. I think this has to be the favourite from the range for me. Still just as sweet as the other two but vapes really smooth and is definitely a full-on dessert flavour.

orange, sweet pastry, hint of biscuit

So, the most important thing to mention about this flavour is that it will change a lot when you’re first getting stuck into it. With me, it started off as mainly the filling of an orange tart with a hint of crust. After a while, it almost turned into a sweet orange sorbet with a thick cream. The sweet and citrus notes of orange dominated the flavour during and after a vape, and every now and then, a glimpse of puff pastry and biscuit emerged. This is definitely not a subtle flavour and it will take over your taste-buds. It will also have anyone near you ask what you’re vaping. For me it’s a lot of filling rather than pie base but none the less, is an interesting orange flavour.

OPEN_AIRFLOW Blueberry Royal Crumble by Risen E-Liquid Who doesn’t know that black van cruising around the UK and carrying one of the most popular products in the European vape industry? Yes you are right: I´m talking about the Riot Squad. There is no major or minor vape event without those “troublemakers”. Are they a little crazy? Check! Do they party like no other Squad? Yes they definitely do. But most importantly: They represent a great product line: Riot Squad E-liquid. Now the mad scientists over at Riot Labs (sssshhh… location top secret) have created a new dessert line. The line carries the name “Risen E-liquid” which contains four promising flavours. Today I´ll give Blueberry Royal Crumble a try. My RDA is freshly wicked and ready to go. Let´s vape some e-juice. The scent I opened the 50ml short fill e-juice bottle of Risen Blueberry Royal 75

Crumble and a sweet blueberry scent found its way to my nose. I felt as if I was standing in a local bakery, which filled me with a warm, fuzzy feeling that only a bakery can instill. I was able to detect a sweet blueberry aroma, dough, and a scent that had a buttery sensation. But I wasn’t really sure if this presumption would be confirmed after actually vaping the e-juice. Enough conjecture on the scent, let´s produce some biiiiig clouds. Let´s vape As some of you may know I´m a real crumble e-juice enthusiast. A connoisseur if you will. I just love crumble vapes. I can´t get through a week without them. Alright I admit it: I´m a crumble vape fanatic. But who isn’t when we´re honestly talking about vape preferences? Now let us see what Risen Blueberry Royal Crumble can… or can´t do. The inhale is dominated by a sweet

and buttery crumble mix which is perfectly balanced. Both flavours give each other enough space to expand and caress your tastebuds in a gentle manner. A slight blueberry flavour was detectable and made me curious for the exhale. In my opinion, blueberry is a difficult flavour to ad to a flavour mix. Most recipes donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t get it right. The exhale blew my mind: An authentic and sweet blueberry jam aroma dominated the beginning of the inhale and mixed up with that brilliant buttery crisp crumble aroma from the inhale at the end of the exhale. The aftertaste was amazingly tasty. That great mix of jam, blueberry and crumble was still there after a couple of minutes. Conclusion Risen Blueberry Royal Crumble has definitely earned a crown. Some of you may not like the long aftertaste, but I do. The brilliant mix of authentic flavours and the prime grade ingredients make this e-liquid a real keeper. IÂ´m really curious to try the rest of the line. Vape safe, vape on. Star Rating: 9.5 / 10 76 76

Global Forum on Nicotine 2018 (#GFN18 – see https://gfn.net. co) will feature the 1st GFN Film Festival, which is organised in association with Attention Era Media, the makers of ‘A Billion Lives’ documentary. Aaron Biebert, the Director of ‘A Billion Lives’, will curate the festival. Aaron says: “Reversing propaganda and fear tactics will take more than a single movie. It will take a community of educators, leaders, and influencers who are educated and excited. A film festival focused on tobacco harm reduction will make a huge impact by inspiring filmmakers to take up the cause and help get the truth in front of the public. I am delighted to be leading this effort and believe that together we can make a difference.” The festival will feature films up to 15 minutes long. The makers of the films chosen for inclusion will be attending the event, and will take part in short Q&A sessions following the screenings. The 83

festival will take place on Friday 15 and Saturday 16 June 2018 within the GFN conference venue (Warsaw Marriott Hotel) and will be open to everyone attending the conference Each of the entries will be eligible for the ‘Best Picture’ award, to be decided by a jury, with Aaron as the chair and presented by him to the winner, in the closing session of GFN. The winning entry will also be shown during the closing session to the audience of approx. 500. See https://gfn.net.co/2018/ film-festival for more details. There is still time to submit your film to the festival!

ELEMENT

E-LIQUID ELEMENT CHEEBA RANGE REVIEW BY BLAKE LOWIS

One of the giants in the e-liquid world, Element have always managed to be on trend with branding whilst constantly innovating and re-imagining their ranges. The juices I will be looking at today are definitely something different. To try and sum these up would be to say a natural based flavour using terpenes which some might get 84

confused with CBD or THC products. This isn’t a medical product or it doesn’t have any other properties besides being one of the first ranges I’ve seen using only natural flavourings. For the people that are asking what the hell is terpenes?! In this case it’s the extracting of a compound from a plant which in this occasion is the aroma and flavour parts.

The three flavours are based on hybrid strains of cannabis, meant to relive the flavour and characteristics of those strains. These are very different to any other brand I’ve seen, mainly through the packaging stating the make-up of the flavours through three types of terpenes. One being flushed through VG, one through PG and the last being added directly has straight terpenes. SO... let’s have a look at how they vape. Ghost Train Haze Profile – Piney, anise, grenadine and sour I’ll start off with the obvious; if you only like traditional flavours i.e. bubble-gums and desserts these are going to be very difficult to understand what flavour you’re getting. Ghost Train Haze has a very woody sharp tone to it. The more you vape in a session, the more elements of a slight berry liquor comes through. There are notes of citrus rind and sweet lemon juice. The anise just hides in the background throughout the vape and ends on almost a Lemsip medicinal aftertaste. As far as I can tell the profile is bang on for what you get and is well balanced.

Russian Sour Diesel Profile – Earthy tones with lemon So, like Ghost Train Haze, there is a citrus element to the flavour but this is where I don’t agree with the profile. There’s definitely an underlying ‘earthy’ note to the vape but well in front of that, I get rose water and cherry blossom. Russian Sour Diesel seems a lot more of an easy-going flavour compared to the robust woody citrus of Ghost Train Haze. If you’re curious about trying this range I would recommend starting with this one. It has a more balanced and gentle approach compared to Ghost Train Haze and a lot lighter aftertaste. With minimal sweetness, I can see this working for someone who is after something new but not too dissimilar to a traditional lemonade style vape. Original Gangster Kush Profile– woody, musky, citrus This is another where the profile has left something out. I would say this is definitely the driest of the three and has a bitter woody flavour throughout and after vaping. Still continues with a sweet lemon juice, but to me tastes likes there’s a raspberry ketone to it. I feel there’s a berry edge that helps keep the

woody element more subtle in the mix compared to Ghost Train Haze. It comes across with an almost effervescent character. Probably the strongest flavour of the three but still manages to balance the contrasting flavours well.

SUMMARY These are three very interesting flavours and maybe a glimpse into the future of naturally extracted e-liquids. For me personally I would love to see Element try and substitute the PG flushed terpenes for something like CG, a corn syrup derivative which means you could create a range of e-liquids that have little or no petrochemical inside them.

This would be a great thing for vapers that do suffer from mild or severe PG intolerance. Fingers crossed we see more flavours created this way, that promote naturally extracted methods. These flavours arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t going to be for everyone as they have such a unique set of flavour profiles but for innovation alone deserve merit.

BREXIT OPENS OPPORTUNITY TO IMPACT TPD Does Brexit really pose a chance for change regarding the TPD? Can 2.8 million vapers change the TPD post-Brexit? The TPD and Brexit, topics much discussed by vapers throughout the country. There are many opinions on what might happen post-Brexit, but with some recent developments, things may be looking more positive. In 2010 and 2013, vapers united to put a stop to UK and European regulators shutting vaping down. Although 2.8 million UK vapers may not have made their Brexit decision based solely on the TPD, it was certainly a factor. With the impending Brexit date of March 2019 there are multiple EU centric regulations up for review including the TPD. So, what is the likelihood of the TPD being revised or even looked at? Well it is hard to speculate but recent events would appear to be encouraging. When the EU voted on whether to implement the TPD in member states, the majority of Conservative MEPs voted against it, in contrast to Labour MEP’s who were largely in favour of the regulations. It is looking increasingly likely that the Conservatives will still be in power come March 2019 according to a recent poll conducted by Opinium/The Observer.

They found 42% of voters backed the Tories, the party’s highest rating since the election last June, with Labour on 39%. Interestingly, the poll found that the NHS is currently the most pressing issue for voters. 68% consider it to be one of the most important issues facing the country. We know that smoking and smoking related illnesses are one of the biggest problems for the already stretched NHS, and with the recent publication of Public Health England’s updated 2015 Cigarette report, where the findings remain positive, this highlights the need to readdress the regulations surrounding e-cigarettes and vaping products. Public Health England have even gone so far as to recommend e-cigarettes be made available on prescription via the NHS. One thing we do know from the revised Public Health England report is that since the implementation of the TPD, the numbers of people switching from smoking to vaping has plateaued. A statistic which is concerning to say the least, but a fact that could spur these well respected and trusted organisations to push for the TPD to be looked at come March 2019. Brexit has created for the UK an important opportunity for change. The world is looking to the UK to create sensible regulation for the vaping industry, and Brexit is our opportunity to do this.

VAPING DRIVERS FACE POTENTIAL PROSECUTION In the last few days police have issued a warning that vaping at the wheel could cost drivers their license. The new warnings come as police say there is the potential for vapers to become ‘momentarily blinded’ by huge clouds when driving. Sergeant Carl Knapp, with the Sussex Road Policing Unit, said: “The smoke caused by vapes are a distraction and the consequences of them can be dire. All it takes is a moment to become distracted and potentially cause a crash and even worse, a fatality.” Sgt Knapp, who has been with the force for 22 years, added: “There are no laws prohibiting vaping, however, you need to be in full and proper control of your vehicle at all times.” Although there are no laws prohibiting drivers from vaping 88

at the wheel, it is up to police discretion to determine what they deem to be a dangerous distraction, the consequences of which could be disqualification, a maximum of nine points on your license and a fine of up to £2500. The enforcements could be issued for ‘driving without due care and attention’ regulations which restrict the use of mobile phones whilst driving. A spokesperson for the Department of Transport said: “We believe that drivers should always follow the rules set out by the highway code and must always exercise proper control of their vehicle and avoid any distractions, including vaping.” It has been suggested that vape clouds could have the same effect as sun glare on drivers causing them to lose

concentration or clear sight of the road. A spokeswoman for Brake said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Vaping whist driving increases your risk of crashing, causing visual disruption and physical and mental distraction. Attempting any type of activity that takes your eyes off the road increases your chances of causing a crash and killing or seriously injuring someone.â&#x20AC;? Vapers have been advised to open their window and blow vapour

directly out but ensuring they are fully in control of their vehicle before doing so. We think all our fellow vapers will be fully aware of this commonsense advice, which applies to anything that can cause a distraction whilst driving. Being alert and fully in control of your vehicle at all times is imperative and sensible vaping at the wheel should ordinarily pose no threat to driving.

VAPERS IN SINGAPORE ARE NOW CRIMINALS As of 1st February 2018 the first phase of new laws have been passed to change the country’s Tobacco (Control of Advertisement and Sale) Act. The amendments were passed by Singapore parliament last year. Use or possession of “emerging or imitation tobacco products” is subject to fines of up to 2,000 Singapore dollars. Importers or sellers of vapes, shisha, or smokeless tobacco are subject to fines as high as 10,000 Singapore dollars, and six months in jail. Repeat offenders can receive double those penalties. Singapore has already banned the sale of e-cigarettes and it is now going after the buyers too. Members of the public are encouraged to discard any 90

prohibited tobacco, vaping or e-cigarette products they may have. Cigarettes however remain legal, although the legal age for buying cigarettes is increasing from 18 to 21 over the course of the next three years as part of the revised Tobacco Act. Singapore is just one of many Asian countries imposing heavy restrictions, taxation and in some cases outright bans on vaping and vaping products. At the start of February, Malaysian health authorities raided hundreds of vape shops seizing all vaping products containing nicotine. Along with Singapore, countries like India and Taiwan seem to be responding to westernled tobacco control agencies such as The World Health Organisation. There is the fear of loss of lucrative taxation from cigarettes in countries such

as Thailand and Indonesia where there is little concern or acknowledgement of the harmreducing potential of vaping. In Indonesia, taxation on tobacco related products will be increased by around 10% in 2018. Sadly, economic interests seem to be more of a priority than public health in these countries. The trade minister for Indonesia said in a statement regarding the increased taxation, that he is aware that these new regulations will make it close to impossible for importers to obtain their vaping products. However he added that this did not concern him since these imports do not provide any benefits to the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s tobacco farming industry. Around $16 billion is generated in Indonesia from taxation on tobacco products, and sales of cigarettes remain unregulated with glossy adverts and posters displayed in shops and restaurants. Research shows that two thirds of Indonesian men over the age of 14 are smokers, some even admitting to smoking from the age of 7. 91

According to The Straits Times, a publication in Singapore, some vapers over the age of 18 have said that they will go back to smoking cigarettes once they are no longer able to get hold of vaping gear. Contrary to the views of vapers in Singapore, the Parliamentary Secretary for Health Amrin Amin said the measures are to â&#x20AC;&#x153;denormaliseâ&#x20AC;? the use of tobacco products over time and deny youth access to cigarettes. The Health Ministry considers them gateway products that gets users hooked on nicotine, which then leads to cigarette use. As we know from various studies and reports from the UK and USA, the use of vaping products actually reduces the numbers of smokers in countries year on year, and no links have been found between vaping and young people taking up smoking. It would seem that once again smokers are the ones who pay the price.

DUTCH CANCER PATIENT VOWS TO FIGHT ON AGAINST BIG TOBACCO Lung cancer patient Anne Marie van Veen and lawyer Bénédicte Ficq have filed a lawsuit against four large tobacco firms, accusing them of deliberately conspiring to get people addicted to their products. This unique and interesting case is not so much about winning or compensation, but more about making a point, standing up to Big Tobacco and trying to force these companies to be accountable for their historic actions. Ficq filed what she called a world’s-first criminal complaint in 2016, seeking a prosecution on behalf of Van Veen, another ex-smoker and a youth smoking prevention organisation. Hospitals, doctors and The Dutch Addiction Treatment sector later joined the fight. Ficq called for the prosecution of Philip Morris, 92

British American Tobacco, Japan Tobacco International and Imperial Tobacco Benelux. Last week the lawsuit was dealt a blow by a Dutch prosecutor who rejected the case on the grounds that it was unlikely to result in any convictions. The case called for an investigation into the four major tobacco companies on charges of attempted murder and manslaughter. The plaintiff believes Big Tobacco are criminally liable because it knowingly sells products that can cause deadly diseases. They alleged that the tobacco companies were liable because of “the large-scale, decadeslong and ongoing production and sale of addictive tobacco products in the Netherlands.” It also alleged that the tobacco

companies deliberately misled laboratory tests to gauge levels of tar, nicotine and carbon monoxide. The Dutch Addiction Treatment sector had been debating supporting the case for over a year, and last week finally gave its support with addiction specialist Van de Graaf quoted as saying, “The criminal cigarette and all the dealers need to be tackled.” A statement of support from the biggest Dutch cancer hospital was said to have been the final push for the Addiction Treatment Sector. “We need to get on with it,” Van de Graaf said, adding: “This product is so dangerous. It is unbelievable that it is sold in supermarkets.” Anne Marie van Veer and Ficq argue that tobacco firms can’t hide behind the freedom of choice of people to smoke, because the firms are deliberately influencing smokers’ behaviour. “To limit that freedom, addictive chemicals such as nicotine and other additives are put into cigarettes, and the companies 93

overcome our natural aversion to poisons by adding substances like menthol.” Since the Dutch prosecutor has ruled against the case Anne Marie has promised to fight on and will now petition an appeals court to instruct prosecutors to investigate. ‘We won’t give up the fight’ she said ‘I might not live long enough to see the outcome of the appeal but I will keep fighting for my children and I hope that many will do that with me’ ASH, British group Action on Smoking and Health, is also looking at a criminal case against tobacco companies in the UK. Van Veen said that the case had already won a key victory: “That is that an unprecedented discussion has started in society.”

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REVIEWS

We have a review price list; if youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d like your products reviewed, please email us now at info@vapelyfemag.co.uk using hashtag #ReviewRequest in the subject heading. Each product is allocated to a member of our review team, who will dedicate time getting to know your product (2 days for an e-liquid, 7 days for a mod or atty). For this reason, we cannot do last-minute reviews, as we donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t think you can get a clear picture after just a few puffs. Please note we only give honest reviews. 96