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issue 02
Editors’ Letter Hi all, Welcome to the second issue of VapeLyfe Magazine, we hope you’re having a fantastic February. We’d like to say a massive THANK YOU to our readers, for compliments and messages of support on the back of our first issue. It’s always thrilling when you hear from readers about how much they’ve enjoyed the magazine. It shows hard work pays off, and we look forward to burning more midnight oil putting the magazine together, and of course reading more of your letters and messages. VapeLyfe Magazine is packed with exciting articles including an excellent commentary by Paul Barnes (New Nicotine Alliance) on where we stand in a post-TPD world. We speak to chefs who are cooking up A storm in the kitchen (vapour infused doughnuts anyone?), as well as writing about quit-smoking tools. We’re chuffed to bits to feature Open_Airflow, who is also showcased on the front cover. Read Open_Airflow’s reviews right here and his very cool piece on custom mods too. We really want to give away some fantastic prizes, so be sure to check out our competition online. If you dig handchecks as much as we do, then get clicking and do a handcheck VapeLyfe style. Remember, this magazine is for you. We write for you, and we want to know what you’d like to read about. From cool manufacturers to super organised suppliers that go the extra mile, we want to know who you think deserves a special shout-out and virtual VapeLyfe high five. What are you vaping at the moment? We’d love to know (you say nosey, we say curious) what’s floating your boat. Why? Because if there are juices or mods you can recommend, you can bet your last Malteaser that one of the team will be sprinting to the shops to buy. Please get in touch and email us using hashtag #LetUsKnow in the subject heading. If you do contact advertisers featured in this magazine, we’d really appreciate if you could mention where you heard about them. It lets us know that we’re doing our job properly. Our next issue is our Easter edition which will be a cracking read, eggs-ploding with more eggs-cellent features – you’d be hopping mad not to read it. (Fine, we’ll stop now with the Easter jokes.) The magazine is due out just in time to read during that nice long weekend, so do keep your eyes peeled when it hits your inbox. To those of you who have stumbled across our magazine just now – welcome! And what took you so long to get to the VapeLyfe party? Don’t worry for being fashionably late, now that you’re here, we’re hoping you’ll stay. Here’s the link to our first issue, in case you missed it the first time round. We really enjoy working on VapeLyfe Magazine, because it gives us the chance to chat to you guys who make the vaping industry so special. See you all soon.
Team VapeLyfe
2 - editors letter
Cover art: Open_Flow
ContentS
Disclaimer VapeLyfe Magazine is a trade publication intended for those who work in the e-cigarette industry. You must be a professional in the vaping business and be over 18 years old to view this magazine. Every care is taken for this magazine to reach its target audience of vape industry professionals. We also make every effort to publish material that is accurate and error-free. We accept zero responsibility for claims made by manufacturers, suppliers, distributors or advertisers. Copyright 2016. All rights reserved. No parts of this magazine can be reproduced without written consent of VapeLyfe Magazine.
contents - 3
Kick smoking to the kerb Did you make any new year’s resolutions? If you’re feeling guilty and squirming uncomfortably in your seat, don’t worry and read on. According to a recent Bupa report, nearly half of the British population broke their new year’s resolutions within one month. It’s easily done. You make promises to be a healthier, happier person. You fixate on ways you can improve your life, all the while imagining biceps that would put an amped up Popeye to shame, and where you can go a day without a dreaded cigarette.
With this version 2.0 of yourself emblazoned in your mind’s eye, you embark on a fitness-betterment regime. This includes binning cigarettes in a bout of
E-cigarettes If you’re new to the vaping industry, here’s a 10 second crash course on what e-cigarettes entail. We suggest you do solid research before vaping. Speak to your doctor to see what he/she recommends is the best method for you. Pop into your local vape store for a chat. Our experience of vape store owners is that they’re a friendly bunch who love sharing best practice and knowledge. E-cigarettes consist of three key components; battery, tank, and atomiser. Tanks are filled with e-liquid (or juice), which then gets heated to produce flavourful vapour.
That’s all fine and dandy, but how does vaping compare to smoking? A cigarette containing tobacco
self-confidence that shoots through the roof as high as the Burj Khalifa (which also happens to be the tallest building in the world at 2722 feet).
But then, one dark, dark, night, you succumb to the tobacco… and what happens to be one secretive drag, turns into you chain-smoking three fags in one go.
It’s alright. We’re humans. We’re programmed to make errors, otherwise we’d all be boring, desensitised robots, and where’s the fun in that? You may mope under a cloud of misery after lapsing back
is a chemical cocktail. Per the International Agency
into smoking, but that doesn’t mean you’ve given up.
for Research on Cancer, when a tobacco cigarette is
There is hope.
burnt, it releases over 5000 chemicals, 70 of which may cause cancer.
The thing is, it’s never too late to get back on the wagon. Whilst we can’t chase you to the gym, or
Just to clarify – in vaping, there is zero fire, zero
physically slap cigarettes out of your hand, we can
smoke and zero combustion, as nicotine is delivered
provide words of comfort that are informative too
via vapour. Clever, right? Instead, you inhale nicotine
(double win).
without carbon monoxide, tar, and all those poisonous toxins found in cigarettes.
There are several ways you can quit smoking. Here are a few, which you may wish to give a try.
E-liquid is available with varying amounts of nicotine, meaning smokers can start off with a high nicotine
4 - Kick Smoking
strength, and gradually wean themselves onto a lower strength. From Public Health England (who conclude vaping is 95% safer than smoking) to the Royal College of Physicians (who say e-cigarettes are likely to be beneficial to UK public health), there is a very convincing case to be made that vaping is
Bupropion (Zyban) Originally used to treat depression, thus prescriptiononly drug curbs addictive behaviour. It is recommended that treatment lasts a few months, to prepare you for weaning yourself off these daily tablets.
one of the most effective, safest methods of quitting smoking.
Varenicline / Champix Available on prescription-only, in tablet form for a
Each of these methods may have side effects, which is why we recommend (again) that your doctor be the first port of call in your journey to quit smoking.
treatment period of 3 months, you take either 1 or 2 tablets daily. Champix reduces your craving for a cigarette by blocking the rewarding effects of smoking.
Stuffing a handkerchief in your mouth whenever you get a craving. Not the most practical way, but it will stop you in
your tracks and you’ll refrain from reaching out for a dreaded cigarette, because your mouth will already be full.
Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT)
All jokes aside, it does get better, and the key is to take it one step, one day at a time.
Nicotine is the key reason that makes smoking addictive. NRT does what it says on the tin, in that it
If you’ve quit smoking, we’d love to know how you
provides a nicotine substitute in the form of tablets,
did it.
lozenges, chewing gum, skin patches, nasal and mouth sprays. For a quick nicotine hit on NRT try the
Please email us with #HOWIQUITSMOKING in the
gum or spray, which may be used to curb cravings
subject heading and your story may be featured
quicker than if using patches. A 3-month programme
in an upcoming issue. Do not underestimate the
is recommended by the NHS on NRT, after which a
power of your words, which may be inspirational to
review will follow.
someone struggling to give up smoking.
Kick Smoking - 5
Show off your mod in VapeLyfe Magazine handcheck style. TWEET your pics to @VapeLyfemag1 with #vapelyfemaghandcheck and we’ll place the best ones in a future issue.
ERT
<INS
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HE MOD
VapeLyfe Magazine Handcheck
VapeLyfe Mag Handcheck - 7
W
here Do We stand
In a Post-TPD World?
Paul Barnes, Trustee at NNA delivers an
20th May 2016 - has come and gone, 19
incisive, State of the Union style commentary
Member States didn’t have a domestic
on the effectiveness of the revised TPD.
implementation for the Directive. This isn’t particularly unusual as transposition of
December 19th 2012. The beginning of the
EU Directives is often delayed by national
revision to the EU wide Tobacco Products
matters, Spain is the prime example of how
Directive. Agreed by the Council of the
a lack of substantive Government can lead to
European Union in 2013 and later passed
delays.
with few amendments by the European Parliament in April 2014.
Those “good pupil” Member States that have met the deadline have a broad array of
For those who were heavily involved during
measures. Some, like the UK have decided
that period from proposal to final agreement,
on a liberal approach to the Directive in an
changing minds to be less restrictive towards
effort to keep e-cigarettes available, albeit in
the humble electronic cigarette was often
a limiting way. The obvious limits are the 2ml
met with hostility rather than curiosity. The
tanks and 10ml refills which, while irritating
evidence base that we enjoy now just wasn’t
for most vapers, is seen as a “necessary
available to sway even the most curious.
precaution” by those in charge.
Fast forward to implementation. Where do
The not so obvious limits include medicinal
the various EU Member States stand now?
regulation only. The UK opted to keep both
Has the revised Tobacco Products Directive
routes open - licensed medicinal products
achieved any of its aims? Does it, as per the
aren’t subject to the same level of VAT, and
introductory statements, facilitate the smooth
there’s a wider range of available strengths
functioning of the internal market?
(20mg/ml and above).
Sadly, the answer is a resounding “no”. As
It isn’t just the route to market that poses
with a wide array of EU Directives, it is entirely
a problem for retailers. Some of the gold-
up to the individual Member State on how
plating in domestic legislation, such as the
to implement that Directive into domestic
implementation from Hungary for example,
legislation. Some, like the UK, implement the
includes measures that prevent cross-
bare minimum, while others decide that the
border and internet sales - both buying as
bare minimum isn’t sufficient and so adds
a consumer and selling as a retailer. Austria,
additional - often unnecessary - gold plating.
Germany, Poland and Slovenia have all taken a similar stance to distance and online selling.
As the official implementation date -
8 - TPD
The restrictions on distance selling don’t form
allowed and flavour restrictions. What else?
part of the original Directive and indeed, by implementing restrictions on cross-border
Costs. Domestic legislation often likes to see
sales, domestic implementation goes against
a revenue stream, and the implementation
the fundamental operation of the Single
of the TPD is no different. In order to have
Market.
a product placed on the market, retailers in each Member State need to notify the
This does place the vaping market in a very
‘competent authority’ - the MHRA in the UK
awkward position. Age restrictions aside
for instance - and pay for the privilege.
for the moment, some Member States are of the opinion that “internet sales can not
These costs vary wildly across the EU. Before
be adequately overseen”; meaning that
the Belgian implementation was suspended
the competent authority in charge of the
by Royal Decree, the figure of €4,000 formed
implementation won’t know, for sure, if the
the cost of notification per product for a
product being sold meets the definitions
retailer. Though France looks to go one better
enshrined in domestic legislation.
than Belgium. Specifically €3,600 more. In contrast, the UK MHRA charges £220 for
This could also be interpreted as being lazy.
a new product (roughly €250), £110 for a
Officials don’t want the hassle of having to
modification plus a £60 per year “annual
monitor online sales, so it’s simpler for them
service charge”.
to prohibit them. This does of course make it difficult for vapers in those Member States to
The disparity in notification charges will have
obtain the products that they want to use.
to come from somewhere, and the most obvious choice for many retailers is to bump
But the story doesn’t end there. If restrictions
up prices as far as their customers allow. The
on product availability through online and
end result is the same.
distance selling wasn’t enough, there’s also restrictions on flavours. With certain
The State of the Union is a puzzle missing
ingredients being outright blacklisted in
many centre pieces and corners, leaving
addition to the provisions of the Directive -
vapers with fewer choices.
a la Germany - some Member States, most notably Finland, are only allowing tobacco
To find out more about Paul, and his work at
flavour. This is based on the assertion that the
NNA, please go to website http://nnalliance.
measure would reduce appeal among youth,
org/nna-uk/board/14-trustees/99-paul-barnes
but still leave the products available for adults
now.
who choose to use them. So we have limits on the type of products available in smaller tank sizes and refill bottles. There’s limits on the ingredients
TPD - 9
Cotton & Cable stand the test of time Patience is a virtue, especially in the vaping industry that changes as quickly as Usain Bolt sprinting through his 100 metres run. Despite TPD regulations, our great industry continues to flourish, with businesses playing the long game to create products that will stand the test of time. It makes sense to get it right the first time and produce a fantastic e-liquid for market that you’re proud to vape yourself. One such company is Cotton & Cable, who have crafted a capsule collection of five key flavour profiles over the course of two years (that’s 730 days, 104 weeks, or 17520 hours if you’re counting). Head-quartered in Carshalton, Surrey, the six-member team have lovingly created a range to deliver the ultimate vaping experience. VapeLyfe Magazine was thrilled to catch up with Jenny from Cotton & Cable. Did you know that the Cotton & Cable range was inspired by traditional British desserts? Or that their juices are balanced with a whopping 10-17 different flavours? Read on to find out more about the inventive company; much like their vapes, you just can’t get enough of them.
10 - Cotton & Cable
You have a very distinctive name, we love your cool, fashionable branding! What was the reason behind the look and feel of the brand? The brand is based around flavour. The cotton and cable in your tank or dripper is what delivers the flavour. We found it difficult to find a way to get across the complexity and detail of the ingredients in just the name; this is where the random multistripe comes in. Each colour depicts an ingredient. We wanted something traditional but modern, simple but also complicated, responsible by appealing to adults without looking like sweets or drinks.
As everyone knows it’s 95% safer than smoking. But the reason they should consider it, is because you can replace cigarettes with something that is genuinely better. Cigarettes are like analogue and vaping is like digital. Once you have vaped for a while you get all the same benefits as quitting - taste, smell, feeling healthier but you are now in control of your nicotine intake. You can gradually reduce it whilst enjoying your newfound taste buds (combined with all the exciting new mods and tanks) instead of feeling self-conscious, that you smell and your lungs are black. Vaping gives you an escape from that heavy feeling of addiction to cigarettes – why would you smoke when you can vape?
How did Cotton & Cable come to be?
by limited all day vapes – Lee wanted to create
At Cotton & Cable, you use only the best ingredients, including Swiss-made Nicotine, pharma grade VG and PG, and premium USA and EU flavourings. Apart from using first-rate ingredients, what sets Cotton & Cable apart from the thousands of e-liquid companies out there?
complex, authentic flavour with depth. After lots
The complexity of the recipes – all of the recipes,
of initial mixes and incredible reactions from the
is staggeringly complex. We create multi-layered
Cotton & Cable taste guinea pigs – Cotton & Cable
flavour, the more you vape it, the more flavours
was officially founded.
come out. Unlike other juices, when flavour fades,
Having been a heavy smoker for years and struggling to quit, Lee fell in love with vaping, not able to believe that not only was it a substitute for smoking but was actually far more enjoyable. With very few standout flavours in the market, despite there seeming to be hundreds, and frustrated
it literally fades. With our juices, as one flavour
We’re now well into the new year. What advice would you give to someone using NRT or other quit-smoking tools who may have lapsed into smoking? Why should they consider vaping?
fades another appears. Our juices are balanced with between 10-17 different flavours which means your taste buds don’t get bored after a day or a few hours – or in the case of some liquids 10 minutes.
Cotton & Cable- 11
You have five key flavour profiles. Which are your bestsellers? Actually, they all sell equally well which was what we hoped for. We didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want to be a company with one excellent flavour and three or four average ones to make up the numbers. We would have released just one if we felt that only one was good enough.
Cotton & Cable is making great in-roads in the global market and is garnering superb reviews on and offline. It is keen to explore the UK market and make worthwhile connections. How would you best describe Cotton & Cable in three words, so people can get an idea of what youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re about? Complex. Authentic. Flavoursome
12 - Cotton & Cable
You have an exciting range of e-liquids, we love the sound of your baked apple e-liquid. What do flavourists (people who create and taste the e-liquids) on the Cotton & Cable team look for when creating e-liquids? Do they have a preconceived idea in mind, before they start mixing? Authenticity. We wanted to make gourmet, premium British flavours. The idea for the flavours comes from traditional British desserts, each flavour started with the dessert itself. Making it, eating it, or in the case of Hot Cross Bun, toasting it. Then thinking about what makes it taste so good and what the proportions, are to re-create it as a vapour. We wanted to create depth through layers so you can pick out different flavours on the inhale, exhale and the more you vape it. We want people to vape our juices and know exactly what it is.
I’m a vape store wanting to stock your e-liquids. What are the next steps to make this happen? Is there a lead-time, from making an enquiry, to having your tasty e-liquids in my store? We can move really quickly, one of our most
How do you think Cotton & Cable can add to the already eclectic mix? It has been a difficult time for the industry having come from nowhere to being a saturated market, flooded with home mixed juice and fairly average flavours. We wanted to create liquids that better or rival US premium companies, because there are not many UK companies that can. The recipes have been painstakingly crafted over a long period of time to get the perfect balance. We were never about making a quick buck - we are part of the market because we love it. We believe we have created a premium brand or as the Vaping Pogonophile says a “platinum brand” which means we believe we bring something special to the market.
How do you want people to feel when they’re vaping Cotton & Cable e-liquids? Happy – and possibly a little smug!
Where do you want to be in 5 years’ time? Everywhere.
What is your favourite thing about the working in the vaping industry? The fantastic community.
recent stockists turned round in 4 days. We have a large pre-steeped stock and our juices don’t leave until they are fully steeped, so our stock levels are key to growth.
What do you think of the UK vaping scene?
To find out more about Cotton & Cable or make wholesale enquiries, go to website www.cottonandcable.co.uk, email hello@ cottonandcable.co.uk or call 0203 823 8048 now.
Cotton & Cable- 13
Custom mods:
a unique piece of vape design BY OPEN_AIRFLOW The vaping community has changed rapidly over the last few years – from a few vapers seeking an alternative to smoking tobacco, to a community that has risen exponentially in numbers all over the globe. People from many different backgrounds, ages, religions and ethnicities form the worldwide community of vapers. Vaping has become so much more than just not smoking tobacco. It has expanded to a lifestyle that the members of the vaping community embrace with every step they take on an everyday basis.
Reading vape
magazines, shooting pictures or browsing for new mods, tanks and liquids for hours is as natural to a vaper as it is to a banker to read the Wall Street Journal. The fast change of the vaping lifestyle goes hand in hand with a change of trends incorporated in the community. One of the major trends that I observed is to individualise the personal vape experience by designing a custom mod. So let us take a closer look. Designing a custom mod is not as hard as you may think. Mod builders are easy to find on the web and they´ll be happy to build your personal mod just as you want it to be. Some of the websites offer user friendly interfaces where you can choose the different parts of your mod step by step.
Safety first
law and the interdependencies between
Before you start thinking about the
wattage, voltage, current and resistance. A
design, you need to be sure whether you
mechanical mod does not have any safety
want to build a mechanical or a regulated
parts that will warn you if your atomiser has
mod. There are many different kinds of
a short or you´re about to use a bad battery.
mods, and you need to know which one
Regulated mods instead are equipped
you want to use. In short we differentiate
with a chipset that shuts down the device
between regulated and mechanical mods.
if anything is wrong with the mod you are
A mechanical mod is basically a box or a
about to use.
tube containing a battery as the mod´s power source. Before using a mechanical
The chipset (regulated mods)
mod make sure you understand Ohm´s
If you decide to create a regulated mod
14 - Custom Mods
you can choose between different chipsets. These
the unique makeup of the woodgrain ensures that
chipsets are the cerebral centre of your mod. You
your mod will be one of a kind. Every material gives
can choose between basic chipsets that´ll just show
you specific haptics or an individual feel. Again, it is
wattage and resistance on a basic display, up to
absolutely up to you, which material you´d like your
more advanced chipsets which offer different modes
mod to be made of.
such as wattage, temperature, Ni, Ti, SS and even power modes, just as you know it from top shelf
Engravings
standard mods.
In my opinion, engravings are the greatest part in mod design. You can draw a picture of your own or
Size and shapes
choose your favourite Star Wars character and let
This is the part where you can go crazy. Are you
the builder laser engrave or print it onto your mod.
a “Whovian” and want your mod to look like the
You decide the size and the position of the surface
Doctor´s TARDIS? Or you are a big Marvel fan and
designs.
want your mod wrapped in Iron Man´s armour suit? Your mod builder will make your wish come true.
Even the fire button can be chosen from Hexohm
Whether you´d like a box shaped or a tube mod, a
style (this one is my favourite) or just a flat flush style
vast variety of shapes and sizes are possible. I´ve seen
button - it´s your choice. As you can see, there are a
a lot of creative mods like coke cans, cigarette boxes,
lot of options you can choose from, when building a
Poké Balls, Lego mods, and the list goes on and on
mod. Once you have it, you can sit at a table with a
and on…
hundred other vapers and no one has the same mod as you, a unique piece of vape design that reflects
510 connections
your personality. Please don´t get me wrong here:
Furthermore, you can choose a 510 connection
standard mods are great. I have heaps of them at
matching your personal preference. Low profile, thin,
home, but I just love my custom made mods because
smooth, rough – you name it, you can get it.
no standard mod can reveal a piece of yourself as a
Back covers
custom mod can. Writing this made me think way too much about my next project. Time to meet up
Do you need easy and fast access to your battery
with my mod builder... again.
slots? Then I´d recommend sealing the back cover
Vape safe, vape on.
with magnets. Do you want your battery slots 100%
Open_Airflow
secured? Your back cover should be secured with screws then. Do you desire shiny golden screws to
To find out more about Open_Airflow, follow him on
hold your black back cover at its place? No problem,
Instagram: www.instagram.com/open_airflow
it´s totally up to your individual preference and taste.
Materials and finish When designing your individual mod, you can choose your favourite material for the feel that you like the most. Unfinished aluminium, or other powder coated metals in your favourite colours or even fancy woodwork are possible. When using wood,
Custom Mods- 15
VAPE IN HIGH CUISINE WITH INVENTIVE CHEFS A few things we love about the vape industry is invention, perseverance, and downright cool development of products from covetable mods, to stunning e-liquids. Now two genius chefs have taken creativity to a whole new level – by including vapour in food.
It’s not just any food – we’re talking high end dishes that are delicious to look at, and which taste phenomenally mind-blowing. And it’s not just any vape – it’s the vapour of mind altering herbs from around the world that is getting people talking about classic haute cuisine with a surprise, contemporary twist.
It’s a culinary revolution that is reinventing the role of vaping as we know it. First and foremost, we recognise and respect that vaping is a way of life for ex-smokers, who are using e-cigarettes as an effective tool to quit smoking. It is however, refreshing to see the method of vaping being used in the kitchen to augment the dining experience.
With a growing network of collaborators, the High Cuisine project also aims to extend recent developments in healthy diet and provenance of ingredients, as well as provoke discussion of the social meaning of intoxication, the difference between ‘herbs’, ‘drugs’, and ‘medicines’, and issues
The two Amsterdam-based chefs creating vapetastic waves in the industry are Noah Tucker 39, and Tony Joseph 45. After a successful local start, they’re
such as re-evaluating tribal wisdom, and the damage inflicted on peasant communities by the war on drugs.
hoping to make their High Cuisine concept a new culinary wave worldwide with a cookery book and TV
AN UNUSUAL COMMISSION
series. It’s the transatlantic partnership and passion for food This ‘psychoactive gastronomy’ takes the recent cannabis cookery trend up a notch, using exotic (safe, and mostly legal) ingredients like kanna, Syrian rue and ‘magic’ mushrooms to create a semiorchestrated journey over several hours, courses and
that is the winning combination for High Cuisine. Noah from New York, and Tony from London, worked in various Michelin-standard kitchens before ending up in Amsterdam, where they met and began working together in 2008.
states of mind. Having run their own restaurants and consulted
16 - High Cuisine
to various high-end hospitality projects in the
they had already done, prompted the chefs to team
Netherlands, they were commissioned in 2014 to
up with a writing and documentary-making duo
create a private ‘psychedelic dinner’ for a group of
who had been involved with the tastings. The new
friends.
High Cuisine team has ambitious plans to take the concept further.
Following several months of after-hours research into recipes, choosing what herbs to use, then testing
A cookbook of around 100 mind-altering dishes and
dosages and finally a try-out dinner for around 25
cocktails is in the works, aimed at professional chefs
willing guinea pigs, an 8-course tasting menu was
as well as amateur cooks and ‘foodie’ psychonauts.
served in early 2015.
They are also working on a series of travel/cookery shows that will take them to the countries where the
The dishes utilised all parts of the cannabis
exotic – and often sacred – herbs grow, and meet the
plant from seeds and leaves to buds, vapour and
shamans, bush doctors and herbalists who use them.
concentrates (oil and hashish). Other psychoactive
Countries planned for the first series include Brazil,
herbs used included kanna (a euphoriant from South
Mexico, Laos and Indonesia.
Africa), Syrian rue (a mildly-psychoactive seed from the Middle East) and cultivated psychedelic ‘truffles’,
FINDING COMMON GROUND
which are legal in the Netherlands to sell and consume.
The first episode is set in Amsterdam and uses just some of the dozens of mind-altering herbs, leaves, barks, roots and seeds available online, anywhere. The chefs meet local experts in old Dutch medicinal herbs as well as modern cannabis testing techniques and restaurateur colleagues.
Currently, new herbs are being investigated and native ingredients researched from Africa, the Americas and Asia, but also lost or suppressed European traditions of the indigenous druids and Celts, such as mind-altering herbal ales and ‘love potions’.
The overarching philosophy is that we are all indigenous to planet earth, and every society has good reasons to get high. But besides providing a healthy alternative social DEVELOPING THE CONCEPT FURTHER
lubricant to alcohol and an eating experience that aims to delight the brain as well as the taste buds,
The success of the meal and the amount of research
High Cuisine also has more serious ambitions.
High Cuisine - 17
BEHIND THE FOOD FUN, SERIOUS ISSUES
from ‘micro-dosing’ of psychedelics for focus and creativity by Silicon Valley execs, to the
The team is consulting with
boom in ayahuasca tourism and
NGOs like the Transnational
the correlating interest
Institute (TNI) on how
in indigenous tribal
the war on drugs affects
herbalism.
peasant farmers from Peru to Laos; with indigenous
The High Cuisine
rights organisations
project also dovetails
concerned with loss of
with new scientific
tribal herbal knowledge
research that shows
or its over-exploitation
psychedelics have
and appropriation, and
a promising role to
respectable psychedelic
play in treatments for
research organisations.
conditions ranging from depression, OCD and ADHD, to trauma
The aim is to start a
and coming to terms
number of conversations, about: how we get ‘high’, with
with mortality.
what, and to what end? What makes a plant “a drug” as opposed to an ingredient or a spice?
In aiming to build (commercial) relationships
The role of herbs in our mental as well as physical
between Western herb suppliers, indigenous growers
wellbeing – a debate raging for thousands of years,
and harvesters, and conscious consumers, High
most recently expressed in the ‘clean, healthy eating’
Cuisine aims to transcend mere trend and become a
and medicinal marihuana movements.
genuine movement.
The High Cuisine project aims to be an interesting,
Cooking with psychoactive herbs is an imprecise art,
tasty addition to contemporary psychedelic trends,
not a science. Concentrations of active substances vary in plants by batch, dependent on the season, time of day and even phase of the moon in which they were harvested. Their effect also varies from person to person, depending on factors such as age, weight, genetic make-up and whether they are taking any prescription drugs.
While High Cuisine does research the science behind its substances, there is not actually much known about combining such herbs in single menus, and what is “known” invariably turns out to be underground myth, cut and pasted from site to site,
18 - High Cuisine
based on single-user experiences or extrapolations
usually used, and this proved to be stronger than
from pharmacological research.
anticipated. When it was served to some underexperienced diners, a number of them had a difficult
The High Cuisine team has
time. Lessons were learned; the testing
come across no reports in
protocol was tightened and the team
drug or pharmacology
became stricter on who they will serve
literature to suggest
dinners to. They are simply not for
any of their herbal
the naïve drug user.
ingredients have any
Prior to this, High Cuisine had
serious negative
enjoyed near-universal rave
interactions with
reviews, with just 3 out of 100+
each other or with
diners over the course of four meals
prescription drugs.
bailing out early. These were all for
Suggestions online that the harmine in the rue might react badly with the mesembrine
mild psychological discomfort with their altered state of consciousness, not any toxic interaction.
in the kanna (the latter being a natural serotonin re-uptake inhibitor) are not supported, based on
High Cuisine is a revolution in dining, the use of vapour AND getting high, a previously un-walked path in Western society. As such, it is not for everyone. If you want to find out more about Noah and Tony’s innovative work, go to www.highcuisine. com, where you can also see the trailer for the first episode of the High Cuisine series, download a number of free recipes, and register to receive project updates.
serving this combo to 100+ diners to-date.
This is why they test all their dishes on a number of ‘guinea pig’ friends before serving them to diners. There was one event when they substituted some high THC Dutch hashish for the Nepalese
High Cuisine - 19
ÂŽ
magazine
3
30
4
The Vapin g Pogonophil e the vaping pogonophile - 21
The Vaping Pogonophile is a vaping legend. This dapper dude has been creating waves in the vaping industry ever since he started writing about his two passions; vaping and beards. Over the next few months youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll get to hear about The Vaping Pogonophile and what makes him tick. From former smoker to dedicated vaper, read about his inspirational vaping journey right here. Here is the second instalment and we pick up where the arrival of the Nova tank revolutionised vaping for him. Enjoy!
The arrival of the Nova tank revolutionised
As technologies advanced I tried lots of
vaping for me.
different units, but nothing was as good as
With changeable coils and a choice in coil
my trusty Nova, so I stayed with it for about
size: 1.8 ohm, 2.4 ohm and 4.0 ohm, I used the
18 months. In the mean-time there was a
1.8ohm coil. With a plinth it fit nicely on to my
lot of work going on with different styles of
Tornedo batteries which was great as there
batteries, most notably the variable voltage
was little additional cost. The beauty of the
battery.
Nova was that it was built with a plastic see through tank, it was easy to fill and it didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t
For me, things were becoming more
leak! Double bonus!
complicated, but I followed closely, reading up as much as I could. In September 2014 I took the plunge and bought a variable voltage battery - the Totally Wicked Curve 20w battery which came with the CS1 tank and a 1.5ohm coil. Once again this change of unit revolutionised my vaping. I also realised with the excellent vapour production I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t need such a high nicotine strength and I dropped to a 1.8mg strength. With this strength change I found that for some reason my trusty e-liquid tasted just slightly different: the hunt for a different e-liquid began. Steve, a good friend of mine had recently taken up vaping. I think he also started by using Totally Wicked but more recently began using a local company in my home
22- the vaping pogonoPhile
companies do this to get more sales I have since learned) and I used this for a good few months. I suppose I could say that now, I was always looking out for the next ‘big’ thing. I had an itch for something else, it was always in the back of my mind, a voice which said; ‘I want something better!’ I returned to Smokie Joes a few times, picked up e-liquid and looked at equipment. There were usually four guys there that were very much into their vaping and each one of them had these colossal units producing great vapour! I mean awesome, wow! That is what I wanted to do! During the many times I went in, I asked about the equipment they used, how much it cost, types of e-liquid… questions, town, Rugby called Smokie Joes, (vendors of equipment and e-liquids). This was an actual shop in my town! (I don’t get out much.) Steve was enjoying a few of the different e-liquids they had. On my first opportunity I went down to take a look. In the shop they had tanks available, each with a different flavour. The guys there gave me a battery and I could sit and try whatever I wanted. I was looking for a mild tobacco flavour (I was still very unsure about fruit and other flavours), I tried several. The problem is that a couple of tokes can be very misleading, but finally I found Gold and Silver by BIGJuice. It was labelled up as Smokie Joes own brand (quite a few
questions, questions! My love for vaping grew as the knowledge poured in; I was hungry to know more. For the first time I started looking around on the internet. I knew names of companies, equipment and e-liquids, I was on fire! I was chasing clouds and I was going to get them! The time had come. A fairly large financial outlay, but it was going to be worth it. I bought an Innokin MVP 3.0 PRO 60W box MOD; an Aspire Atlantis 2 tank; an Aspire Triton and some apple sour Zeus juice 0.6mg (tobacco flavour was a no go when chasing clouds, this was a worry but I was going to get through it.)
the vaping pogonophile -23
On a side note, interestingly the less nicotine
was a 1.8 ohm coil, it did the job.
an e-liquid contains - the more cloud you can produce. This is in addition to the make of
I had found what I had been looking for, I got
your e-liquid i.e. VG/PG mix.
the hit that I wanted - that I loved.
Everything arrived and you can’t imagine the
I returned the Innokin MVP, as it was too
excitement! I read all the instructions and
bulky to carry around and I found I didn’t
followed them. I tried the Atlantis 2 first with
need quite that much power. I shopped
a 0.5 ohm coil… I toked mouth to lung and
around and found my Dripex DBOX 30W. It
nothing! I toked straight to lung and nothing!
looks good, solid and small enough to fit in
What was I doing wrong?!
my pocket and fits nicely in the hand… perfect!
I checked the wattage and everything was fine, except no vape. I tried the Triton with a 0.4 ohm coil – the same thing! I then went back to the Atlantis 2 with a 0.3 ohm coil: still no joy. I was distraught, I was really disappointed, couldn’t believe it and didn’t know what to do. I checked what other coil came with the Triton. It was a 1.8 ohm coil - I had been using this size since forever! I decided that I would give it a go anyway, dripped some e-liquid on the coil, filled the tank, left it for 10 minutes, (I was pacing up and down the living room wondering what had gone wrong). I picked up the unit, fired it up, sucked on it and BOOM! Clouds! Beautiful clouds! Now I know that you can get better clouds with the lower ohm coils, but my preference
24- the vaping pogonoPhile
The 1.8 ohm coils fit in both the Atlantis 2 and
We hate to tease, but this article is to be
the Triton, though the Triton is my preferred
continued. You’ll just have to read about
tank. As for e-liquid, well I have literally
The Pogonophile’s exciting vaping journey
opened the flood gates on the juice that is
in the third issue of VapeLyfe Magazine.
out there. If you just can’t get enough of this very cool The juice hunt began. Through good old
dude’s musings or fantastic reviews (and
Google I found a company called VapeClub.
we really wouldn’t blame you) check out
co.uk. (I sniggered to myself, it reminded me
his website www.VapingPogonophile.com
of a film Fight Club, yes, childish I know.) They
now. Why not stalk him on social media
offer juices from around the world. Fantastic!
too? He can be found at:
So I started looking around the site for things I may like and to be absolutely sure I would only pick something with a five star customer
Website: www.vapingpogonophile.com
rating. I did another chuckle to myself when I
Twitter: @V_Pogonophile
came across a juice company called BEARD…
Instagram: @VapingPogonophile
superb. I was a beardiful fellow about to order
Facebook: /VapingPogonophile
some beardiful juice. I ordered the No.5, a
Email: hello@VapingPogonophile.com
bottle of Mr Good Vape Peaches & Ice cream and something from Gemini and Twelve Vapor. I WAS SO EXCITED when the juice arrived, I was like an over excited child at Christmas, my hands were shaking a little as I put the juice in my tank. OH MY GOODNESS! The BEARD and Mr Good Vape were to die for. I did however think that for my everyday juice these were a little expensive, but certainly for a treat these were worth keeping in stock.
the vaping pogonophile -25
KINGS OF ACES HONEY DEW
REVIEW
BY OPEN_AIRFLOW Kings of Aces is a company based in Malaysia. The company´s aim is to set new industry standards concerning quality and safety during production processes. The liquid comes in a 30ml child-proof bottle. Every flavour of their product range can be ordered as ‘Straight Line’ or ‘Frost Line’ where they add menthol to the base essence. When I got the liquid, the name “Honey Dew” misled me into the Winnie the Pooh section. I thought it was an actual honey flavour. I was totally wrong with that assumption.
OPEN_AIRFLOW
The scent I opened the bottle and a sweet fragrance of ripe honey melons rose to my nostrils. Just for information, I spent my summer vacation in Italy to visit my Italian grandmother. Down there they have the juiciest, freshest and sweetest honey melons on earth. The scent put me right in my grandmother´s garden having a big slice of that sun spoiled fruit.
26- Review
Let´s vape Even though I´ve got the Straight Series which is supposed to have no menthol in it, the inhale gave me a slight freshness just as I know it from other menthol flavours. The melon flavour hides itself a little behind the fresh menthol, but it is definitely there and detectable. On the exhale, you´ll get the full authentic flavour of a ripe honey melon. The flavour is authentic and there are no traces of a chemical aftertaste at all. Vaping this liquid is just like stuffing your face with a juicy fresh melon on a hot summer day. The guys at Kings of Aces created a great liquid with this one concerning taste. The cloud production is very good noting that the VG/PG rate is 60/40. The liquid gives a slight and smooth throat hit, but no scratching at all, which I like.
Conclusion The guys at Kings of Aces strive to set standards concerning quality in the end product and production processes. With this liquid, they absolutely convinced me that they are able to do so. The great authentic taste of fresh ripe honey melons and the nice distinction of inhale and exhale makes this liquid unique. The fresh kick of the menthol on the inhale makes this liquid perfect for the upcoming summer season. I tried a lot of melon flavors but this one really sticks out of the masses. I award the Kings of Aces Honey Dew with 10 out of 10 points. Great job guys. Vape safe, vape on.
Star Rating: 10 / 10
Review - 27
WHEN MONSTER VAPERZ BREW AN APPLE CRUMBLE Review BY OPEN_AIRFLOW Monster Vaperz´ Apple Crumble is produced in Malaysia and comes in a child-proof bottle. The ingredients used for this liquid are produced in the United States. The juice came in a 30 ml bottle and costs about £9.90, considering today´s exchange rate. I love the label design which caught my eye instantly. Wait a second. An apple crumble brewed in Malaysia? When I read the packaging, I was surprised about the juices´ origin country as I associate other flavours to a hot and tropical country. As my wife is a great baker and I love apple crumble I put this e-juice to the test.
The scent I opened the bottle, took a whiff and pictures of my childhood popped into my head. The scent of the liquid is great. A fine sweet streusel aroma combined with a slight apple tang and just a hint of cinnamon. The liquid´s scent isn´t heavy or intrusive.
OPEN_AIRFLOW
28 - Review
The vape experience To bake an apple crumble, you need brown sugar, apples of course, butter, flour and cinnamon. The crumble is topped with delicious and sweet streusel crumbles. These ingredients are portrayed more accurately in the liquid. The inhale, or let´s say the top note of Monster Vaperz´ Apple Crumble, is predominantly cinnamon and the sweetness of the brown sugar. For my taste, the cinnamon part is a little too dominant. For those among you who love cinnamon: the inhale will be a heavenly awesome flavour experience. I noted a slight apple aroma on the inhale too, but really in the background and in the end of the inhale. On the exhale, the full range of the red apple flavour expands on your tongue, escorted by a delicious and sweet crumble tang. The cloud production is really good. Big puffy clouds fill the room instantly. The clouds’ aroma is fantastic, just like the scent of the liquid. Others who smell the second-hand vape will think of a bakery that just opened their ovens, filled with delicious apple crumbles.
Conclusion In my opinion Monster Vaperz´ Apple Crumble isn´t an everyday vape but it fits perfectly into the winter season.
The taste of the
liquid comes really close to an actual apple crumble and if I had to write a “onewordreview” I´d say that it is appetising. But I´ll knock off one point for the cinnamon predominance and one point for the very little information about the brewery on the net, and award the liquid an 8 out of 10 delicious crumbles. Vape safe, vape on.
Star Rating: 8 / 10
Review - 29
MONSTER VAPERZ S.O.D.B (Sex On The Beach) Review BY OPEN_AIRFLOW Monster Vaperz´ S.O.D.B is produced in Malaysia and comes in a childproof bottle. The ingredients used for this liquid are produced in the United States. The company claims on their website that all their ingredients are FDA approved. The juice came in a 30 ml bottle and costs about £9.90. If you prefer, you could mix your own flavour at Monster Vaperz as the company takes orders for custom blends.
Smells good. When
opening
the
bottle,
a
sweet scent reached my nose which
pointed
unmistakably
to the well-known and popular cocktail “Sex on the Beach”. The orange fragrance is dominant in the smell but the more whiffs I took, the more I was able to detect the pineapple and peach as well.
OPEN_AIRFLOW
30- Review
Do you like sex on the beach? Yes I do. I know this cocktail for sure but one of those was always enough as I get tipsy real fast. I never had a cocktail vape, hence I was curious. The inhale is led by an orange flavour accompanied by a slight peach touch. I was also able to detect an alcoholic undertone which I thought was amazing to taste in an e-juice. The exhale tastes like a fruit mix of pineapple, Grenadine and lemon comparable to the actual cocktail. The orange dominance is entirely gone on the exhale. For those of you who love to have this popular cocktail: Monster Vaperz´ Sex on the Beach is the good e-juice to vape. The liquid gave me a strong throat hit which I didn´t really like. I like and need throat hits while vaping but more of slight barely noticeable ones. Nonetheless the discussion about throat hits will never end. Some like them, some don´t.
Conclusion Monster Vaperz´ Sex on the Beach is a solid e-juice that interprets the popular cocktail on a high level. The distinct flavours on the inhale and exhale will give you a satisfying vape experience. The best part after all is that you can vape as much as you like without getting tipsy, drunk or wasted. You can even vape the whole bottle without getting a hangover. For the good taste, I award the liquid with 8 points, but I´ll withdraw one point for the strong throat hit which I personally don´t need in that intensity. This leads to a final score of 7 out of 10 cocktail shakers. Vape safe, vape on.
Star Rating: 7 / 10
Review - 31
Website: www.rhombus.moda E-mail: danielc.rhombus@gmail.com
Rope Cut: the vape for all weather With thousands of e-liquids out there, how do you choose what to stock up on? It has to be something really special, which makes you want to buy first, fall in love with the e-liquid, and then get ready to buy the entire range. VapeLyfe Magazine spotted a unique, very cool brand on our travels, which will entice you to do just that. Rope Cut is a range of e-liquids founded in 2015. The slick vape operation is made up of founding partner David Levesque and team members spread across sales, lab, warehouse and accounts functions. Based in Montreal, Canada, Rope Cut is one to watch out for.
VapeLyfe Magazine loves the Rope Cut branding. The sailor theme is unique and striking! Whose idea was this and how did Rope Cut come to be? We originally started as a co packer for a chain of stores in Canada. After reviewing all of their sales of tobaccos, I felt that there was a gap that needed to be filled in tobaccos at a premium level. So we got to work, and after months of development we narrowed it down to six flavours. The name Rope Cut is inspired by the classic cut of every sailor’s favourite pipe tobacco. Rope cut tobacco is not cut, but rather spun into thick cords that resemble ship ropes. The rope cut is quite compact and stores very well. Once put into the captain’s pipe, he could flip it any which way, without ever having the tobacco fall out. Storm-proof and perfect for when you are lost at sea, making this the perfect e-liquid for an all weather vape.
We’re now into the new year. What advice would you give to someone using NRT or other quit-smoking tools who may have lapsed into smoking? Why should they consider vaping? There is a certain pleasure that comes from smoking that has been around for hundreds of years. Other NRT will never give you the same satisfaction as smoking. As we know, smoking is extremely unhealthy, and this is why I think vaping is your best bet to quit cigarettes once and for all. It has been proven to be a much safer alternative and I believe that vaping really is the most promising way to help someone quit smoking.
36- ROPE Cut
The media seem to have a love/hate relationship with e-cigarettes, with the majority of media broadcasting negative news about vaping. How do you feel about conflicting information regarding the safety of e-cigarettes being bandied around by the press so flippantly? The truth is that we still donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have 10 or 20 years of compiled data, and weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll never be able to catch up to how much data there is about cigarettes. What we do know, is that vaping is a safer alternative. At the end of the day, people need to look at where studies are coming from (pharmaceutical companies, government funded, etc.); they need to be diligent and make a decision for themselves. We all have a strong idea of what the media can do and how it can warp our perception of anything that is put in front of us. We canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t control the press; the media will always be something we have to deal with. We just hope people can form their own opinions and make their own decisions to choose what is right for their own health.
Tell us more about your flavour profiles. Your Loose Canon of tobacco, nuts and caramel sounds sophisticated and positively dreamy! Which are your bestsellers? Thank you! Every profile brings something different to the table; we built a line that has something for everyone (even the people that claim to hate tobacco e-liquid!). Skipper is our number one seller. Being comprised of two of the most popular flavours in the industry (custard & tobacco) it is a flavour that everybody will enjoy.
ROPE Cut - 37
Another top seller is Dark Thirty: a bolder, more robust flavour comprised of dried fruits with an undertone of rum. We’ve also got a spinoff of a menthol flavour, a cigar flavour and even a green apple tart. Whether you are an avid vaper or brand new to the game, everyone is sure to find something they’ll love.
You have an exciting range of e-liquids. Are there flavourists (people who create and taste the e-liquids) on the Rope Cut team, who pick and choose the flavours? What do they look for? I work with two amazing people and we are constantly working on new flavours. We strive to get our hands on the best flavours and then work until we get the combinations just right. We look for flavour combinations that are different to what you will find anywhere else.
I’m a vape store wanting to stock your e-liquids. What are the next steps to make this happen? Is there a lead-time, from making an enquiry, to having your tasty e-liquids in my store? If you are located in the UK, you should reach out to House of Vapes London at:
Rope Cut is making great in-roads in the global market. It is keen to explore the UK market and make worthwhile connections. How would you best describe Rope Cut in three words, so people can get an idea of what you’re about?
distrib@hovlondon.co.uk. They are our official
ALL WEATHER VAPE! Vape enthusiasts in
with a wholesale account or direct you to your
general have a tendency to move from one
nearest distributor. We carry inventory at all
flavour to the next. In this market, if you are
times to make this quick and easy, no matter
into strawberries and cream, you can get
where you are in the world.
distributor in the UK. Lead time and turnover are quick; they have an awesome team that are ready to answer your enquiries and get you some Rope Cut e-liquid asap. If you are outside the UK, you can reach us as info@ ropecut.com and we will either set you up
your hands on a new flavour every day of the year. In premium tobaccos, your choices are limited. I intended on creating a line that could be enjoyed every day of the year. Our line is targeted to a returning, loyal customer that wants something they can stick to. So we’ve made your all day vape an all weather vape.
38 - ROPE Cut
Vaping has really taken off in Canada. How would you describe the vaping scene over there? It has taken off indeed, but not without restrictions. Importing nicotine into the country is still illegal, making the market a very local one. This is actually a positive for us,
international brands coming into the country.
How do you want people to feel when they’re vaping Rope Cut e-liquids?
Other than this, there are other restrictions
First, they should feel good because they are
that vary depending on the province, such
not smoking cigarettes. Imagine how you
as not being allowed to vape indoors in
feel when you finally find the perfect pairing
some places. The vaping scene is a tight knit
to go with your morning cup of coffee, that’s
community where most vapers like to support
how Skipper feels. Now imagine finding the
local brands.
perfect pairing to go with your favourite drink
because we do not get flooded with tons of
at the pub, that’s how Dark Thirty feels.
Where do you want to be in five years’ time? Five years is a long time in this industry. We’ve been in the business for nearly three years and things have already changed drastically. I hope that with new legislations put in place, we will be able to keep helping people quit smoking and that Rope Cut will be THE reference for premium tobacco flavours.
What is your favourite thing about working in the vaping industry? What do you think of the UK vaping scene and how does it compare to the Canadian market? How do you think Rope Cut can add to the already eclectic mix?
The fact that we are working in an industry that is so quickly growing. There aren’t very many other industries like this. The vaping industry has allowed me to build my own business and work for myself. I love that we
We’ve only been to one UK show so far and
can take the brand in the direction that we
we loved our experience. The people in the
want it to go. Compared to so many other
UK vaping scene were extremely nice and
industries, it would be much harder to start
welcoming. One big difference we noticed
your own successful business and come so far
was the yelling and “team free shit” at the
so fast. Lastly, there is no greater satisfaction
stage. We don’t have much of that in Canada
than going to work and knowing you are
anymore. Generally speaking, a full brand
helping better someone’s health and life.
solely focused on premium tobacco is a rare find anywhere in the world and I think Rope
To find out more about Rope Cut, or make
Cut is something that can stand out in any
wholesale enquiries, go to website www.
vaping scene.
ropecut.com or email info@ropecut.com now.
ROPE Cut - 39
Vape store sPotlight: Ice Nine, Nottingham
hard-sell to customers. We will always give honest impartial advice on anything we sell.
Ice Nine is a cool and quirky store nestled in Goose Gate, Nottingham. Selling unique urban gear and gothic jewellery, it just so happens to sell vape products too. It’s an interesting development and recurring trend we’re seeing, where non-vape stores are flexing their entrepreneurial muscle and stocking vape products to cater to the growing vaping community. The store opened in 1979 and has been a Nottingham landmark since. VapeLyfe Magazine caught up with Marc, buyer at Ice Nice to chat about the vaping industry, the best thing about his job, and what he’s vaping at the moment.
When and why did you start stocking vaping products? We have been stocking e-cigs and vaping products since 2011. This was back when they looked like cigarettes and only gave, shall we say “modest” vapour production.
What is the best thing about your job? The varied stock we sell attracts a varied clientele, which makes the shop an interesting place to be. That coupled with the relaxed atmosphere makes Ice Nine a great place to work.
What is so great about Ice Nine?
How do you think the vaping industry has changed since Ice Nine started stocking vape goods? The market has certainly expanded. In fact, I’d say it has grown exponentially since we first started, from a purely smoking cessation market, to a much more
We have a constantly changing selection of e-liquids.
lifestyle-orientated one which we have today. The
Although we don’t have a full shop dedicated to
boom in e-liquids has also made it fantastic for the
vaping, it means I can vary our stock on a much more
consumer. Everyone can find a flavour they love.
regular basis than a lot of other stores. We also never
42- Ice Nine
Where do you see the vaping industry in 10 years’ time?
Are there any upcoming juices which you’re excited about?
Hopefully it will continue to grow, as it’s great that
Glory Glaze by Cheap Thrills is really good. It is, in my
there is now a safer alternative to smoking. How the
opinion, the nicest I have ever tasted. The flavour of
new TPD regulations will affect the industry, only
sweet blueberry doughnut is really quite amazing.
time will tell. It would be a shame if it had a negative effect, but I’m sure that we will always find a way to continue vaping!
What are you vaping at the moment?
What mods are hot right now? Is there anything you can recommend that’s good value for money? The new pen style vapes from Smok such as the Vape
I am currently vaping Dinner Lady’s Strawberry
Pen 22 (£22.50) offer fantastic vapour production and
Custard through my Smok Alien with Cloud Beast
flavour in a nice compact format. I’d say this is great
tank. It’s bloody lovely!
for people new to vaping. The new Smok Stick V8 (£45.00) features a new Smok Big Baby Beast tank which creates massive clouds and awesome flavour, which will no doubt satisfy most cloud-chasers.
Have you been to Ice Nine? To find out more about this very cool shop, or stock up on your supplies, head on over to www.icenine.co.uk or call 0115 958 0786 now.
Ice Nine -43
My Vaping Journey: David McGinlay
Did you do any research on vaping? Not really, but I had noticed a lot of people using these devices. I was desperate to quit cigarettes, but couldn’t. What did you start off with? Hardware
It takes courage and usually a good deal
and e-liquid names (plus nicotine content)
of introspection to quit smoking. It feels a
please?
little easier to read about someone in the
I started on the Eleaf iStick, and it’s a device I
same boat as you, and the difficulties they
still use. I use Utopia Liquid (Ice mint), grade
face when quitting smoking. Which is why
18.
VapeLyfe Magazine wants to applaud those on their journey to quit smoking, whilst
How did you find the transition from
providing hope to those battling their
tobacco to e-cigarettes?
smoking addiction.
The first drag caused me to cough a bit but after that I have had no issues whatsoever. I
Every issue we will feature the journey of a
wish I had tried it earlier. I have not coughed
vaper, providing an insightful look into how
since.
they are coping, and hopefully flourishing without cigarettes. VapeLyfe Magazine
How often do you vape now?
spoke to David McGinlay, a sales manager
I haven’t properly counted, but I probably use
from Knaresborough about why he took up
it three to four times an hour, and two drags is
vaping. If you feel this story strikes a chord
the most I have. A cigarette took much more
with you, please Tweet us @VapeLyfeMag1
time to smoke, which always felt longer when
with your comments, we’d love to hear from
standing outside in bad weather. I spend a
you.
few seconds outside now, which is a great improvement.
We understand you’re an ex-smoker. How many did you smoke a day and for how long?
Where do you go to buy your vaping
I smoked 20 per day for over 40 years.
supplies? If you buy online, what is your goto website? Or if in-store, which is your local
What was the key factor to prompt you to
vape shop?
start vaping?
I always go to my local vape shop in
I met a friend who had decide to quit
Harrogate, you can’t beat it.
cigarettes and start vaping. He told me that he enjoyed it as opposed to hating cigarette
What do you think about the rising
smoking. I identified with this, so I bought one
popularity of vape lounges and bars? Are
the next day and have never touched another
there any that you’d recommend?
cigarette since.
I have never tried these places (yet), I still feel a little uncomfortable smoking inside.
44- My Vaping Journey
However, I do use my device at home and in
What is the vaping scene like in North
the car. There is no smell and my family have
Yorkshire?
no objections (miraculously).
It is very popular and I see a lot of people vaping. There are at least three shops in my
E-liquid subscription boxes (where you’re
small town and various outlets in Harrogate.
sent a selection of e-liquids each month)
It’s all the rage with all ages.
are seen by some as a cool vaping gift. How would you feel if you were given a
Where do you think the vaping industry will
subscription box of e-liquids? Would you
be in 5 years’ time?
consider gifting an e-liquid subscription box
I can only see growth, provided the
to any friends who vape?
government doesn’t find a way of taxing it to
I am not sure to be
the same levels as tobacco.
honest. I like to stick to
You know what happens,
what I know. I did try
once it become mainstream
another brand of liquid
HMRC will find a way.
(4 bottles) and my eye lids became very itchy
What advice would you give
and dry. It could be
to someone who wanted to
coincidence, but as
give up smoking?
soon as I went back to
Buy a decent device, with a
my original brand, my
flavour you like. Don’t buy a
eyes cleared up.
cheap device (£10 -£20) as there is a chance you will
What is your favourite
discard it for cigarettes. Buy
e-liquid flavour?
something £50 and above. It
Ice Mint.
will pay for itself in less than two weeks and it will give you
What do friends and family think of you
control of how you vape. Oh, and don’t waste
vaping?
a minute… just do it.
I have had no objections. None of my family or friends smoke and they are happy that I no
Has vaping changed your life? Whether
longer smoke cigarettes.
you’re a new or seasoned vaper, we’d love to hear about your vaping journey. You could
How would you describe your vaping
have just bought your first starter kit, or have
journey?
been vaping for the past five years – we want
It is a very easy way to quit cigarettes and I
to know. Please email info@vapelyfemag.
actually enjoy vaping as opposed to smoking.
co.uk now with #MyVapingJourney in
It is one of the best decisions I have ever
the subject heading, with a chance to be
made.
featured in the magazine.
My Vaping Journey -45
FAKE NEWS
is damaging to vapers at all levels, especially to potential vapers who may have been researching methods of quitting smoking.
Esteemed journal publishes embarrassing vaping study littered with errors
Instead, they find fearmongering articles putting them off making the vaping switch. Not only is this questionable reporting irresponsible, but unethical too. The report in question was published in the
In the era of post-truth politics and fake news,
journal of the American Society of Plastic
it has never been more important to sift truth
Surgeons (ASPS), and warns of the risk of
from lazy lies. Those who spread untruths
complications post-plastic surgery.
need to be held accountable, because through casual reporting, news organisations
Researchers and ASPS members Dr Peter
are effectively impacting hundreds of lives.
Taub and Dr Alan Matarasso said: â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Based
One of the news stories doing the rounds, is
on our current best knowledge, it seems
that e-cigarettes drastically increase the risk
reasonable to advise plastic surgery
of complications after plastic surgery. This
candidates to cease e-cigarette use in
claim appeared in a report picked up by the
a manner similar to what is advised for
Daily Mail. It is just another example of vaping
[cigarettes].â&#x20AC;&#x2122;
being lambasted, with lack of scientific evidence to back up dubious claims.
The paper and press statement is fundamentally flawed and misquotes
Cosmetic surgery remains popular. As
references. As pointed out by Dr Farsalinos, a
the topic of cosmetic surgery gains more
cardiologist performing clinical and laboratory
column inches, so do potential talking points
research on e-cigarettes, the journal of the
surrounding this subject. The Daily Mail story
ASPS should retract both aforementioned
46- NEWS
paper and press release to avoid the risk of
yourself.”
ridicule.
It is a terrifying trend to see academics make
Dr Farsalinos said: “The paper is a meaningless review of laboratory studies on nicotine, in many cases irrelevant to plastic surgery, with a total confusion between nicotine and smoking. For example, a section titled ‘Mechanism of action of nicotine’ states: ‘In
sweeping judgments ignoring the devastating
humans, the ameliorating effects of cessation
lack of evidence. Now more than ever is the
are supported by Level I evidence suggesting
time to be wary of news establishments
that the optimal duration of pre-operative
pushing certain agendas. We must question
cessation is 4 weeks or longer.’ In case you
the veracity of stories and wherever possible,
missed it, they do not refer to cessation of
report, question and hold accountable those
nicotine but to cessation of smoking!
who publish such tales.
“It gets even worse. In the same section, this
If you have heard of any questionable news
follows: ‘Numerous complications following
stories, do let us know by emailing info@
surgery have been related to nicotine. The
vapelyfemag.co.uk now with ‘QUESTIONABLE
cause is thought to be the presence of
NEWS’ in the subject header, and it may be
reactive oxygen species in cigarette smoke.’
included in an upcoming issue of VapeLyfe
Does this make sense to anyone? In case
Magazine.
you don’t believe that a respected journal could ever allow such statements pass the peer-review process, get published and be accompanied by a press statement, please go to page 1063e of the pdf file report to read it
NEWS - 47
FAKE NEWS
The news outlet has been consistently under fire by researchers, scientists and
CNN bolsters US Surgeon General report packed with alternative facts Fake news strikes the vaping industry again and this time it’s being perpetuated by mainstream media giants CNN. Back in December 2016 CNN reported that US Surgeon General Dr. Murthy had released a report in which he claimed that use of electronic cigarettes amongst high school students had increased by 900% between 2011 – 2015. Murthy said: “These products are now the most commonly used form of tobacco among youth in the United States, surpassing conventional tobacco products, including cigarettes, cigars, chewing tobacco and hookahs.”
48- NEWS
activists from different industries for their gaffes when it comes to reporting the news accurately. The article which can be found on their website is loaded with misinformation and scare tactics that have often been employed to scare people out of using vaping as a smoking cessation method. There are several alarming claims in the article, most notably the assertion that there has been an increase of 900% in the use of electronic cigarettes in school children. The report doesn’t take into account whether a teen tried an e-liquid with or without nicotine, if they’re a daily user, an occasional user, or just a teen who tried vaping once.
The article also went on to quote Tyra Nicolay, a 16-year tobacco control advocate and former vaper who said: “I loved trying flavors, there are over 7,000 e-cigarette flavors.”
SmartDrugSmarts, a podcast that focuses on She added that she did not know they could
smart drugs says: “It [nicotine] increases focus
be addictive. There is no mention here, or
and alertness, helps sustain attention, and de-
reference to what kind of e-liquid she had
creases distractibility. It also controls hunger
used, or how much nicotine it contained. In
and reduces pain. Researchers are even look-
fact, no information is known about her other
ing into therapeutic uses for nicotine in the
than what the article deemed necessary for
fight against dementia and Alzheimer’s.”
its biased reporting. Totally lacking in balance, it is unlikely to Dr. Murthy continually glazes over many
bother CNN or the US Surgeon General for
recent studies that show vaping to be
that matter as the amount of political money
95% less harmful than smoking. He also
backing the anti-vaping movement is huge,
continues to classify vaping products as
most of it coming from big tobacco and
tobacco products because of the presence
pharmaceuticals.
of nicotine in e-liquids, with no distinction between the actual chemicals in tobacco
The Rebel, an independent media source
which actually make it addictive.
that discusses fake news, first reported the CNN piece with their journalist Holly Nicholas
It is interesting to note, that having
saying: “This has nothing to do with public
discussed the potential harmful effects of
safety, and everything to do with self-interest.
nicotine to young brains, there is no mention
What they’re doing, either knowingly or not,
in the article that some scientists and
works to prevent people from opting for a
researchers are now looking into the positive
healthier alternative to smoking.”
effects of nicotine.
NEWS -49
News BRITS SWITCH TO VAPING FASTER THAN ANYONE IN EUROPE Yes it’s true… the British are taking up
Studies and reports from the likes of Public
electronic cigarettes in a bid to stop smoking
Health England and the Royal College
quicker than any other country in Europe.
of Physicians are seen to suggest that
We’ve had the TPD imposed upon our
e-cigarettes can serve as a safer alternative to
vaping industry, countless negative articles
smoking and a way to successfully stop.
in the press damning vaping and electronic
Earlier in 2016, a landmark report from the
cigarettes, not to mention fake news, and still
Royal College of Physicians found e-cigarettes
we switch to vaping.
are not a gateway to traditional smoking and should be widely promoted as a substitute to
According to new research by Ernst &
cigarettes.
Young, since 2013 one person switched from cigarettes to vaping every four minutes in the
To add to this, a study by Public Health
UK. Now in 2017 a total of 4.2% of adults vape,
England found e-cigarettes were 95% less
by contrast just over 3% of adults who use
harmful than combustible cigarettes. The
electronic cigarettes in France.
British Medical Journal (BMJ) have also said that the growth of electronic cigarettes in
Health benefits and saving money have been
England has been associated with a higher
said to be the driving force behind the uptake
rate of successful attempts to stop smoking.
and the rate at which adults’ switch from
In 2015, e-cigarettes may have resulted in
smoking to vaping.
18,000 people becoming long term tobacco quitters.
Kingsley Wheaton, managing director for Next Generation Products, at British American
The BMJ study is the latest in a line of
Tobacco said: “The UK has one of the most
research to come out in favour of e-cigarettes
progressive regulatory environments for
when compared to traditional cigarettes. This
e-cigarettes and that’s reflected in consumer
is because of the huge benefits to the public
uptake and category growth.”
health burden that could emerge from a mass take-up of vaping.
This comes despite the TPD, which was passed in October 2016 and comes in to force
The EU Tobacco Products Directive and the
in May 2017, banning the advertising of vaping
FDA Deeming Regulations in the United
products to consumers.
States have both placed restrictions on vaping products, yet the body of scientific evidence
So where do potential vapers get their
in favour of e-cigarettes is growing. Surely
information from regarding the safety of
that sends mixed messages to smokers and
electronic cigarettes?
potential vapers, however we continue to switch!
50- NEWS
News
Professor Bauld flies vaping flag Negative news stories abound in the vaping industry. Although, as mentioned in an earlier news piece, Brits are switching to vaping faster than our European counterparts, public opinion about e-cigarettes remains divided. From exploding devices to an upsurge in teens vaping (unsubstantiated of course), the public cannot be blamed for being confused. Anti-vaping reporting for the most part is factfree and biased, which is why we commend Professor Linda Bauld’s recent column in The Guardian for reiterating her belief that e-cigarettes are far safer than smoking. Writing in retrospect, Professor Bauld reviewed anti-vaping headlines over the past year. She concluded that due to the effect of negative press year on year, more people today believe that vaping and smoking are as harmful as each other. In 2013, less than one out of ten British adults thought vaping and smoking were equally harmful; now, this number has spiked to one out of four. Who is to blame? Poor science and incorrect or biased reporting plays a huge part. We can challenge public perception by referencing studies and reports by established bodies such as Public Health England (PHE) and the Royal College of Physicians (RCP). This is exactly what Professor Bauld did, as she stated: “There is now very strong evidence, from a range of studies, that vaping is far less risky than smoking cigarettes. This body of evidence was brought together by the RCP who published an authoritative report analysing dozens of studies and concluded that the hazard to health arising from long-term vapour inhalation from e-cigarettes is unlikely to exceed 5% of the harm from smoking tobacco.”
Professor Bauld took her pro-vaping argument further, by referencing a doctors’ organisation. This is the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP), who have recognised the benefits of e-cigarettes over smoking, and have sided with the pro-vaping camp. The RCGP encourage smokers looking to quit tobacco cigarettes, to use e-cigarettes and Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT). Many public health bodies and health charities champion the use of e-cigarettes and NRT over smoking, because they have a crucial part to play in tobacco control. There were two reports that drew rightful reproach from Professor Bauld. Firstly, the World Health Organisation (WHO) released a report detailing severe e-cigarette regulation for signatory countries of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC). Harsh measures including banning, restricting distribution, advertising and sale of e-cigarettes, were roundly criticised by the UK Centre for Tobacco and Alcohol Studies. The second report by the US Surgeon General, as mentioned in an earlier news story was flawed. Although some science used was correct, it inaccurately grouped e-cigarettes with tobacco products, and supported a range of policies that may put off smokers making the switch to vaping. Professor Bauld believes that vaping, which provides a safer alternative to smoking, saves lives. She believes we should face negative news stories head on, and by opening up channels of honest communication, we can have an open debate on the benefits of vaping over smoking.
NEWS - 51
Keep the pressure on with TPD letter “If you wanted to sabotage a product, and add to the cost of producing that product, and limit the scope of competition of that product, and drive out business and small producers, it is hard to see how more an effective job can be done, in respect to the regulations that apply to electronic cigarettes.” Lord Forsyth After the referendum on Thursday 23 June
Harsh TPD regulations continue to apply. We
2016, the UK voted to leave the European
couldn’t agree more with former Tory cabinet
Union. Although we voted Brexit, extricating
minister Lord Forsyth, whose scathing speech
ourselves from the EU could take years.
to peers during a TPD debate last year drove
We have after all, been members of the EU
home the fact that there was no logic in the
since 1973. Much like a divorce which can be
TPD regulations.
messy, a mammoth task lies ahead, as our government will sift through laws that the UK
Once we have exited the EU, we will have a
will choose to continue to implement.
more transparent government where we’ll be able to hold ministers to account. We live in
Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty has yet to be
hope that our government will come to re-
triggered, which is the official precursor for
evaluate the TPD and its effect on businesses
the UK to leave the EU. Prime Minister May
and knock on effects on livelihoods across the
intends to kick-start the leave process by the
country.
end of March 2017, giving the UK two years to agree terms of the break-up. The UK is
Yes, it may be years before we leave the EU,
expected to leave the EU by 2019. Even then,
but this only gives us time to educate and
this process may be delayed by an additional
inform those in power. We urge you to sign
four years, as the UK hammers out a deal with
and share the following letter. Address it to
the remaining 27 national parliaments in the
your MP, and continue to keep the pressure
EU.
on. It takes time to forge a movement, and we feel very strongly about this.
As it stands, we are still part of the European Union until the UK stops being a member.
The fight isn’t over yet. We’re in it for the long
Until then, the UK will continue to live by EU
haul. Are you?
laws, the only difference being that it will not be included in any EU decision-making.
52 - TPD Letter
Dear ____________________________ I am an ex-smoker. I use electronic cigarettes, and to date, they have been the most effective method for smoking cessation I have found. I purchase my supplies from _________ a small shop in _______________ and I understand that a new form of legislation (TPD) will be affecting this small business drastically. I would like you to reply to the following questions please. Have you read the Tobacco Products Directive in full? Do you know how it will affect electronic cigarettes? Why are electronic cigarettes included in the TPD when there is NO tobacco in them whatsoever? Why are e-liquid strengths being limited to no more than 2mg of nicotine per 100ml e-liquid? Why are electronic cigarettes being restricted when the 2015 Public Health England study concluded that e-cigarettes are 95% less harmful than smoking? Vaping comes at no cost to the NHS, unlike current nicotine replacement therapy (NRT). Are you aware that there are at least 4 electronic cigarette shops in your constituency? Why have you not visited any of these shops to find out how the TPD will affect their livelihood? Why should the UK adhere to the draconian TPD legislation from Europe, when we are in the process of leaving the EU? I am not in favor of this directive and as such, feel I must make you aware. I am not alone and expect you as my representative in government to address this issue and reply forthwith. I feel that this is ruining an industry that promotes a safer alternative to smoking and that the research that has been done regarding electronic cigarettes and their relation to this directive is unscientific, unfounded and inaccurate. I believe the government has the tobacco industryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s interests at heart rather than the people it represents. This is wrong, and as my representative, I would like answers from yourself regarding the queries above. I await your reply. Sincerely _______________________________ _______________________________
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magazine
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Reviews We have a review price list; if you’d like your products reviewed, please email 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 an atty or mod). For this reason, we cannot do last minute reviews, as we don’t think you can get a clear picture after just a few puffs. Please note – we only give honest reviews. If you’ve paid for a review and we think the product is good or bad (we prefer good, because it’s not fun vaping crap), we will say it how it is. Please don’t take offence by this, we just really value truth and integrity. You will be notified of a publication date, which is usually within 1 month from the review date.