Vapouround Magazine Issue 50 (2)

Once

advocates and consumer groups were banned from the World Health Organization’s COP10 The

WARNING - THIS PRODUCT MAY CONTAIN NICOTINE WHICH IS A HIGHLY ADDICTIVE SUBSTANCE

Hello and welcome to the half centenary special edition of Vapouround Magazine.

I am thrilled to bring you the latest news and developments from the world of vaping. Over the past two months, several significant events have unfolded that are worth discussing.

Firstly, I will highlight the ‘Tobacco and Vapes Bill’ which recently passed through the House of Commons.

This bill aims to create a ‘smokefree generation’ and reduce the appeal and availability of vapes to young people.

It proposes to make it an offence to sell tobacco products to anyone born on or after 1 January 2009. Furthermore, it seeks to reduce the appeal and availability of vapes to children by making it an offence to sell non-nicotine vaping products to under-18s. This bill has unfortunately been designed with only one group in mind, with the government overlooking the 1.5 million vapers that legally use e-cigarettes to steer clear from conventional tobacco. In contrast, we have seen a surprising development in New Zealand.

The new government has announced plans to scrap

EDITORIAL

Editor Oliver Smith

Journalist Grace Lynk

Journalist Hannah Rhodes

DESIGN

Head of Design Hayley Parker

the nation’s world-leading smoking ban to fund tax cuts. This legislation, introduced under the previous government, would have banned cigarette sales next year to anyone born after 2008.

Lastly, I would like to highlight the new research funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) found that giving out free e-cigarette starter packs to smokers in hospital A&E departments helps more people quit.

The trial, conducted in six UK emergency departments, found that almost one in four people given the starter packs said they had quit smoking six months later.

These developments underscore the dynamic and evolving landscape of vaping and tobacco control.

As we navigate these changes, our magazine remains committed to providing you with the most accurate and up-to-date information.

Thank you for your continued support and happy vaping!

Design Team Co-ordinator Lucy Booth

Graphic Designer

Charlotte Linthwaite

Design Support Anna Difusco

MARKETING

Marketing Director

Katie Loomes

Marketing Executive

Alicia Snow-Simpson

Web Developer Kain Alden

SALES

Sales Executive Kirk Martin

+44 7917 582 001

ACCOUNTS

Head of Finance Rochelle Warsop

EVENTS

Events Director Abida Razaque

Bus Manager Farooq ‘H’ Hussain

MANAGING DIRECTOR

Pom Kaila

CEO

Paul Caplin

VAPOUROUND

Fusion

SHORTFILLS

Vapouround journalists Hannah Rhodes and Grace Lynk selects their top picks of short vape-related stories and research making news around the world.

LOOK INTO MY EYES

Fellow vaper and journalist for The Sun Veronica Lorraine recently published a rather personal and in-depth written journey showcasing her next steps on quitting nicotine. Having been a ‘hardcore’ smoker since the age of 15, Veronica reached out to hypnotherapist Max Kirsten and successfully kicked the habit alongside the use of e-cigarettes. Veronica came out triumphant in quitting vaping, and whilst this isn’t a cigarette-specific quitting journey, it is important to shed light on those quitting vaping if it is no longer working for them.

SWISS MISS

The Swiss Parliament continues its struggle to enforce new restrictions on all tobacco and vaping advertising due to resistance from the SVP, SP and the Greens. Back in 2022, The people and states agreed upon banning tobacco-based advertising directed at young people and children. Flash forward to 2024 and The Federal Council are now looking to extend this ban to all advertisement, with the inclusion of vaping related products. In the end, the advertising restrictions for the tobacco industry went too far for the SVP and not enough for the SP and the Greens.

BAD LUCK OF THE IRISH

Following the Government’s latest plans to create a smoke-free generation in the UK, Stormont’s Health Minister – Robin Swann – has confirmed Northern Ireland will also implement a ban in April 2025. The legislation will make is illegal to sell tobacco-based products, including vapes, to anyone born on or after 1 January 2009. There will also be further bans on disposable vapes and certain flavours. In response, Robin Swann said: “I fully support the UK government’s plans to create a smokefree generation and tackle youth vaping. “It was clear from the UK-wide consultation that people in Northern Ireland are also fully behind these plans.”

‘NO INTENTION OF STOPPING’

A New Zealand online vape seller that distributes to Australia has been seen taunting the Albanese government over its latest vaping bans. The seller told customers that they ‘have no intention of stopping’ vape shipments despite new laws prohibiting importers without license and permits to sell to Australian buyers. Prescription vape importers and manufacturers also need to notify the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) of their product’s compliance with standards. The seller also said: “Even once the March 1 deadline passes, we will continue shipping orders world-wide, including to Australia.”

FANCY SEEING YOU HERE…

Upon meeting with President Samia Suluhu Hasan during a recent visit to the Vatican, it was agreed PMI will produce 12,000 tonnes of Tanzanian tobacco annually for the next five years. Following a halt in production in its local produce since 2017, PMI are set to return to the East African Country in full force as it establishes a new cigarette factory in Morogoro. However, along with ramped up production efforts and the new factory expected to be running by the end of this year, the country is aiming for 200,000 tonnes for the current season.

CLOUD CONTROL

Kazakhstan has banned the sale and distribution of vaping products, including flavours and liquids, as well as their advertising. Despite health officials and politicians threatening a ban for several years, the new legislation was recently signed into law by Kazakhstan President KassymJomart Tokayev. Those caught selling could be jailed for up to 50 days, and those importing and distributing could face harsher penalties of up to two years in prison. The new law will take effect 60 days after official publication, according to Azerbaijan-based Trend News Agency.

WAS THAT REALLY NECESSARY?

In a shocking video from Australia, a 13-year-old boy is shown to be wrestled to the ground by two police for using a vape in public. As the clip progresses into a struggle between the individuals, one officer grabs the teen in a headlock and violently throws him to the ground whilst friends and family of the victim shout ‘let go of him’. With the ban on vapes fully enforced in Australian territories and youth vaping a pressing issue worldwide, it should be noted that physical force used by authorities to tackle such issues is utterly disgraceful and unnecessary.

BACK TO BLACK

The recent announcement of a new vaping tax, set to be introduced as of October 2026, has revealed interesting insights from over half the vaping population in the UK. Research from agency Opinium has found that 56 percent of current vapers

in the country believe that black market vape sales will only increase following these price rises. Although the tax has been marketed by the government as a means to prevent youth vaping, the same majority, this time with 66 percent, believe it will have an adverse effect, encouraging kids to shop from the black market too.

KEN-YA CUT IT OUT

In Kenya, Public Health Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni, flanked by MP Gachoki Gitari, addressed concerns in Kerugoya, highlighting the risks posed by illegal nicotine products, particularly to the youth. However, vaping advocates argue that vaping has played a significant role in smoking cessation efforts, citing studies that suggest vaping is less harmful than traditional

cigarettes. They urge policymakers to consider the potential unintended consequences of overly restrictive regulations on vaping products. While the government seeks to address public health concerns, it must navigate the delicate balance between safeguarding public health and preserving consumer choice.

1 IN 4

A new study from the University of Minnesota School of Public Health (SPH) has gathered information from rural, adult, daily smokers that has uncovered only 1 in 4 have tried quitting in the past year. The research found that having a level of education beyond high school, using e-cigarettes, and being advised to quit by a doctor increased the likelihood of individuals quitting smoking. Lorna Bittencourt, a doctoral student at SPH and lead author said: “Along with higher smoking rates and fewer attempts to quit smoking, rural communities face limited access to programs, “… medication and health care professionals as tools to help them quit smoking.”

BANKING ON IT

The Vape Protection Alliance, otherwise known as the VPA, is currently trying to raise over £15,000 in order to combat the Conservative government’s proposed and impending vape restrictions. The hope is that with enough money, the VPA will be able to afford a King’s Counsel Barrister to provide legal advice on how best to take action against the looming changes. The group said: “Our

case has the potential to make a significant difference to the hundreds of legitimate vape businesses in the UK, while also saving lives by ensuring these life changing products remain an accessible product.”

EXTREME MUCH?

The manufacturing or selling of vapes in Australia is now enough of an offense to land an individual up to seven years in jail, a drastic punishment as authorities seek to crack down even further. Antivape measures started spreading across the country at the start of this year, when the importation of devices was officially banned in January. The new bill proposed that any tobacconists or vape shops caught selling the products will face a fine as expensive as $2.2 million, or more severely, a long prison sentence.

HUW’S MAKING CHANGES?

The Government in Wales has finally announced the date that the disposable vape bans will come to fruition, with Welsh minister Huw Irranca-Davies saying it will be within the next year. It is estimated that as of April 1st 2025, the regulations will be implemented, with the minister believing this to be enough time for businesses to properly prepare. This all follows a consultation of more than 27,000 people between the four nations in January, where Wales agreed to support the UK Government by increasing the smoking age and restricting vape sales.

SHAKE IT OFF

A rather bizarre approach to anti-vaping has surfaced from North Kingstown, America, in the shape of a Taylor Swift themed event. Spokesperson for South County Prevention Coalition – Natalie Kimmerlein – said: “We thought it would be fun to have a Taylor Swift themed event. We know vaping and youth vaping is a serious conversation, but we want to put a fun spin on it,” With youth vaping taking centre stage across the world of vaping news, the state-wide campaign hopes that the age-appropriate spin will interest those attending the talks.

YOU DON’T SAY

Researchers at the University of Bern have recently conducted a study that recruited 1246 smokers around the age of 40 to have their habits evaluated over the course of six months. 622 participants were assigned to an intervention group, who were given as many e-cigarettes as individually needed in addition to cessation aids like nicotine patches, while the remaining participants received only counseling. At the end of the six months, 29 percent of the group with extra help had quit smoking, whereas only 16 percent of those who went cold turkey managed to leave cigarettes behind.

THE NEW AMERICAN DREAM

Hunter Biden, son of the President of the United States, was recently spotted vaping in Malibu while sharing a coffee with his friends on a sunny afternoon. The 54 year old was escorted by a team of Secret Service agents to meet up with two unnamed male friends, where he was seen puffing on a vape device. Upon inhalation, Joe Biden’s son was seen breaking into a coughing fit, despite photos being leaked of Hunter smoking much harder substances in the past.

FROM THE ASHES

It was September last year that the premises occupied by Vape Dinner Lady went up in smoke, located just off Johnson Way in Blackburn’s Shadsworth Industrial Estate. It took over 50 firefighters to get the fire under control, and took a total of three days to be put out completely, damaging multiple structures around the property. Ascini Investments Ltd are now looking to rebuild the damaged industrial unit of Vape Dinner Lady, with a planning application having already been submitted to Darwen Council.

TAKE IT FROM ME

A group of former smokers have banded together to tell the senate in Australia how vaping was a miracle that allowed them to quit a lifelong and deadly smoking habit. With the prescriptiononly model underway in the country, senators recently opened up a panel for independent vape store owners to plead their case. Rallying for greater protection for legitimate cessation tools, Jacqueline Munn, Craig Jackman and Greg Isaacs all opened their own stores after vaping helped both them and their loved ones to abandon cigarettes.

FOLLOW THE

LEADER

International health experts have come together to listen and learn from the example set by Sweden in a bid to replicate the success that the country has had in smoking cessation. Quit Like Sweden, a conference launched in Brasilia inviting politicians, policymakers and medical professionals, aims to motivate countries from around globe to prevent millions of premature deaths The founder of the conference, Suely Castro, said in response to Sweden being set to become the first nation to attain a ‘smoke-free status’: “Sweden has achieved this remarkable feat by ensuring that safer alternatives to smoking are accessible, acceptable and affordable.”

SEIZE THEM!

Nearly 500,000 vapes have been seized during importation in what is currently the largest operation in the history of Australia, with an estimated value of about $15 million. It took departments from both the Victoria Police and the Therapeutic Goods

Association to get the situation under control, with Commonwealth, state and territory agencies all getting involved. This haul comes following over one million vapes sourced illegally in the country since the Australian Border Force started cracking down on tougher regulations in January this year.

MORE BOOTS on the ground

A recently launched UK-based scheme is expected to generate more than £50 million annually to tackle the industry’s biggest challenge…underage and illicit vape sales.

Words: Hannah Rhodes

Data provided by Freedom of Information (FOI) has revealed that 1.57 million illicit vapes between 152 surveyed councils were seized last year alone, with 95 percent of illegal sellers going ‘unpunished’.

With these numbers sending shockwaves throughout the country, industry experts have warned that unless an effective enforcement strategy is adopted, this figure could ‘spiral even further out of control’.

These same experts are continuing to voice their concerns following tightening restrictions and a recently announced ban on disposable vapes as these could result in a ‘tidal wave’ of illicit products flooding the market.

Paired with a lack of funding from the UK Government, Trading Standards and a self-funded licensing system have since stepped forward and have presented plans on how to combat this issue at the root.

But the increasing number of regulations and lacking funds is not the only cause for this growing problem: currently, there are no restrictions for the sale of vapes within the UK.

This means that anyone – whether an

off-license, takeaway, sweet shop, or wholesaler – can sell vaping products. Thus, resulting in those selling vapes to minors and possessing illicit goods are more easily able to evade punishment.

Co-founder of the UKVIA and Managing Director of Vape Club – Dan Marchant –said: “It doesn’t matter what legislation the government introduces, whether the newly announced ban on disposables or any future restrictions.

“A robust and balanced licensing system is critical to ensuring the law can actually be enforced and for ushering in a new era of responsibility, accountability and best practice.

“If our licensing scheme was in force, the 2,871 retailers identified as being in possession of, stocking or selling illegal vapes through the newly released FOI research would have been fined a collective £7.1 million.”

Hence the importance of this industry-led scheme, which will allow ‘more boots on the ground’ to issue rogue retailers guilty of such activities harsher penalties, whilst also generating upwards of £50 million per year for further enforcement.

Developed alongside industry experts

and figureheads from retail, regulation, and Trading Standards, as well as backed by multiple MPs, it is being hailed as a game-changer that will stamp out those tainting the community.

The first-of-its-kind plan will involve a selfsustaining fee structure as well as strict criteria that businesses would have to meet before qualifying for a license.

A fine and penalty system is also detailed in the proposal for those who are caught abusing the terms and conditions, which could result in some retailers being shut down if found guilty.

Retailers looking to obtain the license will need to demonstrate they have put measures in place to prevent the sale of vapes to minors, only stock and sell compliant products, and operate legally across all areas of business, among other points.

Biannual test purchasing exercises will also be performed to further ensure retailers are following youth access prevention procedures and only stocking products that comply with TRPR provisions.

Distributors will also be held accountable and will be made to meet marketing, environmental, and business obligations as well as no stocking or selling any products that could be deemed as overtly youth appealing.

However, not everyone will be able to even attempt to gain access to a license as those previously caught without the appropriate certifications or attempting to reapply within two years of having their license revoked will be automatically denied.

Alongside those unable to attain a license, businesses such as takeaways, hairdressers, beauticians, event venues, and event operations, such as fairgrounds, will be automatically blocked from gaining access.

“

A robust and balanced licensing system is critical to ensuring the law can actually be enforced.

This product contains

nicotine which is a highly addictive substance.

This

product contains

nicotine which is a highly addictive substance.

Words: Grace Lynk

hancellor Jeremy Hunt of the Conservative Party has confirmed that the new Spring Budget for the United Kingdom will impose a higher tax on vaping products as of October 2026.

Vaping products are currently only subjected to VAT in the UK, but under the new reported plans will be given a dedicated ‘products levy’ similar to that of combustible tobacco.

This levy would be subsidised on imports and by manufactures, which according to media reports is an attempt to ensure children can no longer buy vapes for pocket-money prices.

Applying more specifically to vape liquids, taxation will be based on nicotine content, with the system imposing charges from £1 to £3 per 10ml, on top of the current 20 percent VAT.

There are fifteen other countries in Europe currently operating similar schemes, and with the EU planning to introduce a standardised bloc-wide levy, this change was anticipated by many advocates in the UK.

Regarding cigarettes, the government will also implement an increase on tobacco duty in an effort to ensure that vaping remains the cheaper alternative across the country.

The announcement from Jeremy Hunt reads as such: “To discourage non-smokers from taking up vaping, we’re today confirming the introduction of an excise duty on vaping products, and publishing a consultation on its design.”

“Because vapes can also play a positive role in helping people quit smoking, we’ll introduce a oneoff increase in tobacco duty at the same time to maintain the financial incentive to choose vaping over smoking.

The concurrent increase in tobacco duty is, according to the government, a structured approach to both regulate the vaping market and promote healthier alternatives to smoking.

In a YouTube clip from the announcement, vaping advocates flocked to the comments to voice their qualms about the new tax, with many denying that the decision has anything to do with public health.

One person commented: “I thought they justified the extortionate price on tobacco because of the health risks and potential increased cost to the NHS. How are they justifying this other than profiting from addiction?”

Another user said: “So they accused Labour of overtaxing the people to oblivion, then the Tories decide to increase the costs to smoke tobacco and increase the cost to quit.”

Citi analysts who have reviewed the report have stated that alongside the ban on disposable vapes in the UK, the regulatory rewards are angling towards BAT and other tobacco companies.

Concerns regarding profit for big tobacco and the government are not too far-fetched, as the tax on both vaping and smoking products combined is estimated to reach over £500 million per annum by 2028.

With smoking rates decreasing in the UK, one user summarised: “Of course they’re taxing e-cigarettes. They’re losing tax on tobacco because fewer people are smoking. They’ve got to get their salaries somewhere.”

OF COURSE THEY’RE TAXING E-CIGARETTES. THEY’RE LOSING TAX ON TOBACCO

BECAUSE

FEWER PEOPLE ARE SMOKING, THEY’VE GOT TO GET THEIR SALARIES SOMEWHERE.

In a bid to fend off the UK government’s looming e-liquid tax, vaping advocates are out in force warning of its potential impact on smoking cessation efforts and vapers’ wallets. Words: Hannah Rhodes

he No Vape Tax movement, spearheaded by the New Nicotine Alliance (NNA) and Vapers.org.uk, is gaining momentum as the UK government gears up to implement a controversial tax on e-liquid sales come October 2026.

With Chancellor Jeremy Hunt’s announcement in the spring budget, the vaping community finds itself at a crossroads, facing the prospect of steep price hikes on their favourite vaping products.

Both organisations are sounding the alarm, emphasizing the detrimental effects the proposed tax could have on smokers seeking an alternative to traditional cigarettes and vapers striving to maintain a smoke-free lifestyle.

The New Nicotine Alliance, a prominent advocate for tobacco harm reduction since 2016, is leading the charge to raise awareness about the potential benefits of vaping as a smoking cessation tool.

With their mission to promote a better understanding of safer nicotine products, they’re urging policymakers to consider the broader implications of the proposed tax on public health outcomes.

Primarily based online, the campaign’s efforts are funded by donations from the public to the NNA Go Fund Me page, where £2,500 has been raised thus far.

Meanwhile, Vapers.org.uk serves as a vital platform for the vaping community, offering news, insights, and support for vapers across the UK.

Run by volunteers and free from corporate influence, the website has become a trusted source of information for vapers seeking to stay informed about industry developments and regulatory changes.

As the debate over the vape tax heats up, the New Nicotine Alliance and Vapers.org.uk are calling on vapers to join the conversation and share their experiences.

With testimonials flooding in, the #NoVapeTax campaign is amplifying voices from the grassroots, urging policymakers to reconsider the proposed tax and prioritize public health above all else.

As part of their effort to publicise the impact this tax could have on the public, the campaign has published multiple individual stories detailing the fears and worries users have.

One such user – Jamie, 44, dual user based in the UK –wrote:

“I am a dual user (smoke and vape) and I am working to switch fully to vaping. But the vape tax will hit people like me the hardest who need the stronger nicotine strengths.

“If the e-liquids that I buy triple in price it would be less of an incentive for me to switch from smoking.”

Another testimonial – Mark, 34, London, Vaper and Director of Consumer group We Vape – wrote:

“To punish members of the public who have been encouraged to and done the right thing by choosing to vape rather than smoke is appalling.

“This tax will in some cases quadruple the cost of vaping. Making black market cigarettes cheaper than legal vaping products and pushing people away from a vastly safer alternative to smoking.”

Not only will vapers be subjected to a tax increase on all e-liquids, but the proposal will also hike-up the VAT on each item purchased.

For example: A 10ml bottle of 20mg nicotine salt e-liquid which currently retails around £3.99 will increase to £6.99 with the tax added, plus 60p VAT.

A 100ml shortfill (nicotine free) bottle of e-liquid currently retailing at £9.99 will increase to £19.99. Plus £2 in VAT will be added.

With the deadline for implementation looming, the fate of the UK’s vaping community hangs in the balance.

Will policymakers heed the warnings of vaping advocates and reconsider the proposed tax, or will vapers be left to foot the bill for government revenue?

Only time will tell as the No Vape Tax movement continues to fight for a smoke-free future.

TO PUNISH

MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO HAVE BEEN ENCOURAGED TO AND DONE THE RIGHT THING BY CHOOSING TO VAPE RATHER THAN SMOKE IS APPALLING

VAPING? Responsible

A new APPG for Responsible Vaping has been established by the UK Government as a representative of new vaping regulations within parliament.

Words: Oliver Smith

n a significant development, a new All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Responsible Vaping has been formed.

The group aims are to ensure that the government’s measures on vaping are balanced, while also encouraging and highlighting improvements led by the sector.

The APPG for Responsible Vaping serves as a focal point for vaping issues, providing a clear focus on sector responsibility in addressing key issues associated with vaping.

It demonstrates the positive benefits in support of smoking cessation and supports an evidence-based approach to vaping regulation.

The group was launched by parliamentarians from across the political spectrum, including a former Health Secretary.

The inaugural meeting saw the election of Gareth Johnson, MP for Dartford, as Chair.

Other elected officers include MP’s Mary Glindon as Vice Chair, as well as Mark Logan, and Mark Eastwood.

The Independent British Vape Trade Association (IBVTA) is supporting the new group with its efforts.

Their research estimates vaping contributes to about 50,000 to 70,000 additional smoking quits in England.

As MPs decide on proposed regulations during the passage of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, it is clear that disproportionate restrictions on flavours would undermine the Government’s ambitions for a smoke-free future by 2030.

The APPG will act as a focal point for vaping issues within Parliament, particularly in making representation to the government as it seeks to introduce a series of measures in the coming months.

These measures include a new vape tax, potential restrictions on flavours, and a ban on disposable devices to regulate the sector.

THE SHEER VOLUME OF LEGISLATION PROPOSED ON THE SECTOR OVER THE NEXT 18 MONTHS IS CONSIDERABLE AND IT’S CRITICAL WE GET THE BALANCE RIGHT

TAKE TWO

New Zealand is set to overturn its pioneering smoking ban, with the move aiming to chart a path towards a smoke-free generation...although, it's now stirring some controversy.

Words: Hannah Rhodes

The new coalition government, elected in October and led by Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, is pushing through the repeal as part of its 100-day plan and will be putting its revised legislation before Parliament.

The previous government's first of its kind ban, which would have come into effect in July this year, was hailed as the toughest anti-tobacco bill in the world.

If enforced, it would have prohibited tobacco sales to those born after January 1, 2009, drastically reduced nicotine content by 95 percent as well as reduced the number of tobacco retailers from 6000 to 600.

The legislation has also been said to have inspired other Governments, including Rishi Sunak’s recent plan to enforce stricter regulations and bans surrounding tobacco and harm reduction tools.

Associate Health Minister Casey Costello said: “The coalition government is committed to the Smokefree 2025 goal, but we are taking a different regulatory approach to reducing smoking rates and the harm from smoking,

“The last government was moving towards an untested regime that ignored how well quit smoking initiatives were working, and the potential downside of taking a prohibitionist approach for smokers, or for retailers and crime.”

The plan will repeal three parts of the previous Government’s proposed legislation – the retail reduction scheme, denicotinisation, and the smoke-free generation measures.

Ms Costello also noted further tightening vaping regulations to deter young people from using the devices.

“My focus in this role is on reducing smoking rates and having practical approaches that help people quit.

“We’re down to a very small number of youth smokers, 19,000 in total, and a larger group of people who have been smoking for a long time and who need help to quit.

“Cutting off supply, which is what the last government had planned, doesn’t reduce demand or stop those who are addicted wanting to smoke.”

However, this decision to bin off the previous anti-tobacco ban has sparked widespread concern, with researchers and experts saying these actions lack logic and evidence.

Janet Hoek – co-director professor at Otago

THE LAST GOVERNMENT WAS MOVING TOWARDS AN UNTESTED REGIME THAT IGNORED HOW WELL QUIT SMOKING INITIATIVES WERE WORKING… ““

University’s Aspire Aotearoa Research Centre – fears the new scheme could disproportionately affect Maori and Pasifika populations, who have higher smoking rates.

Hoek said: “Repealing the legislation flies in the face of robust research evidence; it ignores measures strongly supported by Māori leaders and it will preserve health inequities,

“Large-scale clinical trials and modelling studies show the legislation would have rapidly increased the rates of quitting among smokers and made it much harder for young people to take up smoking.”

Professor Richard Edwards – a public health expert also at the University of Otago – said: “We are appalled and disgusted. This is an incredibly retrograde step on world-leading, absolutely excellent health measures.

“Most health groups in New Zealand are appalled by what the government’s done and are calling on them to backtrack.”

A petition signed by health professionals and opposition parties with more than 45,000 signatures was delivered to parliament calling for the government to change course.

Despite these calls to retain key aspects of the original smoke-free law, the current government remains resolute in its repeal, and options for compromise, such as implementing an age limit for tobacco purchase, have been dismissed.

NO TIME TO WASTE

The UKVIA have criticised local authorities for not providing the necessary infrastructure in public spaces regarding waste collection facilities and disposable drop-off points.

Words: Grace Lynk

PLASTICS

GENERAL WASTE

DISPOSABLE VAPES?

he UK Vaping Industry Association (UKVIA) have come forward with new criticisms aimed at local authorities regarding what has been described as a staggering lack of investment in collection points for e-cigarettes.

The Local Authority Recycling Advisory Committee (LARAC), which is currently run by twenty local authority waste management officers, have expressed their profound disappointment in the recent reproval.

LARAC have argued that it is actually local authorities who shoulder most of the responsibility when it comes to handling vape waste and have since called for the UK government to step up instead.

The committee has urged for a Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) levy and have also proposed an Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) framework to shift financial burden onto retailers and manufacturers to encourage a circular economy.

They have also called for producers to bear the total net costs of collecting and recycling disposable devices before the government ban on single-use vapes comes into effect in April 2025.

Before the disposable ban was announced earlier this year, the UKVIA issued Freedom of Information requests to multiple provincial cities and central London councils across the country.

The Association found that only 60 percent of local authorities claim to offer waste disposal at designated collection facilities, and only one in ten have introduced waste containers in public spaces.

These statistics are made even more concerning upon the UKVIA saying that one-third of these councils fail to offer any waste disposal containers or drop-off points at civic amenity sites of any kind.

Furthermore, it has been revealed that only one of the ten nationwide councils included in the information requests have implemented kerbside or household vape collection schemes.

A massive 80 percent of included councils have no plans at all to invest in these vape collection solutions over the remaining course of the upcoming year.

In fact, according to the UKVIA, only Wandsworth Borough Council have plans to introduce a network of small WEEE (waste, electrical and electronic equipment) collection bins with funding support from non-profits.

The UKVIA have acknowledged “that the sector needs to demonstrate the highest levels of environmental responsibility”; but argue that this will be made easier if local authorities provide the necessary infrastructure.

John Dunne, Director General of the UKVIA, has said: “Advocating a ban on disposable vapes on environmental grounds while not committing any investment to vape waste collection is a case of the pot calling the kettle black.”

“We can, and will, do much more to ensure environmental compliance across the sector, but that doesn’t mean local governments can simply offload their responsibility for providing vape waste collection facilities in public places.”

“If local authorities can provide public waste disposal facilities for all types of waste, why not used vapes?”

ADVOCATING A BAN ON DISPOSABLE VAPES ON ENVIRONMENTAL GROUNDS

WHILE NOT COMMITTING ANY INVESTMENT TO VAPE WASTE COLLECTION IS A CASE OF THE POT CALLING THE KETTLE BLACK

DISTRIBUTING THE LARGEST VAPE BRANDS ACROSS THE UAE AND GCC REGION

ON A KNIFE EDGE

UK government have backed the plans for the new ‘Tobacco and Vapes Bill’, leading Sunak one step closer to his questionable smoke-free future.

Words: Oliver Smith

he UK government has recently introduced a significant piece of legislation known as the ‘Tobacco and Vapes Bill 2024’.

This bill, introduced in the House of Commons in March is a major step towards creating a smoke-free generation and reducing the appeal and availability of vaping products to young people.

The Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, has expressed his commitment to building a brighter future for children by taking necessary decisions for the long-term interests of the country.

The bill has two main components…the first, aims to create a new smoke-free generation, making it an offence to sell tobacco products to anyone born on or after 1 January 2009.

This effectively phases out the sale of tobacco products, without stopping anyone who currently legally smokes from being able to do so.

The bill also amends existing legislation to make it an offence for anyone over 18 to purchase tobacco products on behalf of those born on or after 1 January 2009.

The second part of the bill aims to reduce the appeal and availability of vaping products to the youth.

Providing powers for ministers to regulate the flavours and contents of vaping products, the packaging, design of the vaping product and point of sale displays of vaping products.

The bill also includes additional financial penalties for shops and subsequent ‘on the spot’ enforcement powers awarded to Trading Standards Officers.

The vaping industry will need to adapt to these changes, with the potential ban on flavours impacting sales and more importantly sending smokers down less effective methods of NRTs.

John Dunne, Director General for the UKVIA said: “We cannot stand by and let the Government play Russian Roulette with millions of lives.

WE CANNOT STAND BY AND LET THE GOVERNMENT PLAY RUSSIAN ROULETTE WITH MILLIONS OF LIVES

“The potential health impacts of any new regulatory changes must be robustly examined and quantified before anything else happens.

“The potential health disaster that the Government is about to unleash with this politically-motivated Bill is so serious that we must halt its progress immediately.

He added: “It is absolutely crucial that Parliament gets this right before this Bill becomes law. We have already written to the Prime Minister and every MP to point out this glaring oversight by the DHSC.”

MISINF OHM MATION STRIKES AGAIN STRIKES AGAIN

Research funded by Cancer Research UK has shone a light on the destruction misinformation and fearmongering is having on the public’s opinion on vaping.

Words: Hannah Rhodes

THIS MISPERCEPTION IS A HEALTH RISK IN AND OF ITSELF, AS IT MAY DISCOURAGE SMOKERS FROM SUBSTANTIALLY REDUCING THEIR HARM BY SWITCHING TO E-CIGARETTES

he weekly survey running since 2006 to track smoking patterns and inform stopsmoking policies has issued some rather alarming data pertaining to the UK public’s views on tobacco harm reduction tools.

According to CRUK, fewer smokers up and down the country now see vaping as a less harmful alternative than their deadly counterpart: combustible cigarettes.

Despite numerous scientific studies and even the NHS and the UK Government backing the smoke cessation devices, new information from a 28,000-participant survey is visibly showing the devastating shift in mindset.

The latest set of results found that 57 percent of UK-based current smokers between 2014 and 2023 believed vaping to be just as harmful if not more so.

In 2014, it was reported that 44 percent of smokers thought vaping was less harmful than smoking, with 11 percent voting for more harmful and 30 percent believing it was just as harmful as combustibles.

However, based upon the latest sweep of data published in the journal JAMA Network Open, CRUK found that the number of those convinced vaping to be more harmful has risen to 23 percent.

This increase has undoubtably worried experts and the vaping community as the mission for a smoke-free future slowly drifts further from reach…

One of the researchers – Dr Sarah Jackson, from University College London – said: “These findings have important implications for public health.

“The risks of vaping are much lower than the risks of smoking - and this isn’t being clearly communicated to people.

“This misperception is a health risk in and of itself, as it may discourage smokers from substantially reducing their harm by switching to e-cigarettes.

“It may also encourage some young people who use e-cigarettes to take up smoking for the first time, if they believe the harms are comparable.

“Better communication about the health risks is needed so that adults who smoke can make informed choices about

the nicotine products they use.”

Simon Clark – Director of the smokers’ group Forest – added:

“Government is partly to blame for the confusion because banning disposable vapes and threatening to severely restrict the display and packaging of e-cigarettes is hardly the best way to promote a reduced risk product that has helped millions of smokers to quit.

“Furthermore, is it any wonder that smokers are confused about the perceived risk of vaping when the message coming from government and the public health industry is that the only people who should vape are adults who want to quit smoking, and no-one should vape long-term or recreationally.”

Whilst the study didn’t delve into why these changes in the public’s perception are happening, Action on Smoking and Health Chief Executive Deborah Arnott believes ‘scare stories’ could be to blame.

In particular, young people and underage vaping could be the driving force behind the growing worry and misconception among adult smokers that vaping is more or just as risky as smoking.

Deborah Arnott said: “The tragedy is that as a result many smokers may carry on smoking when they could have quit, continuing to put themselves at serious risk of cancers, respiratory and heart disease, followed by premature death.”

Prof Jamie Brown, also from University College London, said: “E-cigarettes are novel and so have attracted much attention in the media, with news articles often overstating their risks to health compared with smoking.

“There is relatively little reporting about deaths caused by smoking, even though 75,000 people die as a result of it in England each year.

“The government plans to offer one million smokers a free vaping starter kit alongside behavioural support to help them quit.

“This initiative may be undermined if many smokers are unwilling to try e-cigarettes because they wrongly believe them to be just as harmful as cigarettes or more so.”

Honouringthe Brands and Innovators shaping the Middle East and North Africa Vape Industry

Join the UKVIA

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We are a fully inclusive, non-profit organisation owned and run by its members, with a wide range of membership levels to suit your business and your budget.

So why should you join?

Shape the future of our industry

Contribute to dialogue with government advisers, policymakers, regulators and the public health community and help shape a vaping-led smokefree future.

Make new business-critical connections

As the largest independent vape trade association, the UKVIA provides members with a network of more than 100 organisation in the sector and helps them make new connections which will support the development of their businesses.

Enhance your brand reputation

Be part of reputation enhancing initiatives organised by the UKVIA such as a national test purchasing scheme for all retailers, VApril, the world’s largest vaping education campaign for adult smokers and Sustainable Vaping Week.

Access invaluable resources

Members have access to a range of materials published by UKVIA and partners that will support business growth and manage commercial risks including market research, policy papers, industry guidance and campaign assets.

Learn from industry peers and experts

From regular webinars to an annual conference, members can benefit from the latest industry insights as well as learn about new market developments and game changing innovations.

...and much more

The UKVIA has launched a new nationwide initiative to identify and report rogue traders suspected of selling vapes to minors or stocking illicit goods.

Scan the QR code now to learn how you can get involved in the campaign and help cut underage vape sales off at the source.

Being a member of the UKVIA enables VPZ to be part of the wider engagement and education around the vaping industry with public health bodies and beyond by working together with other likeminded and professional companies that are part of the sector. UKVIA provides a great platform to help realise the the evidencebased life changing public health benefits of vaping products.

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

STANDING UP FOR THE INDUSTRY

The industry may be facing tough times but that certainly hasn’t steered UK-based company Prohibition far from the path as they continue their mission of creating a tobacco-free future for all.

Words: Hannah Rhodes

Since Prohibition’s inception over 10 years ago, how does today’s industry compare to when you first launched?

“Has it been over 10 years already?! When we first got going, there were just a few players in the game, and the rules back then were a little different.

“We knew a thing or two about our industry and knew the only thing we could do was set the pace, trend, and standard here in the UK.

“Fast forward to today, and vaping is everywhere…there’s a hoard of products out there, and more people than ever are getting in on the action.

“Sure, the rules have tightened up a bit, but that’s just part of the journey. It’s a dog-eat-dog world out there, and this only pushes us to be more disruptive than ever.”

The UK industry is expected to undergo drastic changes this year, what are your thoughts regarding these new restrictions and how do you think these will

affect both your company and the community as a whole?

“I’ll be honest, it has everyone a little worried, but we’re prepared. We’re tracking data as well as updates directly from the UK Government to ensure we stay one step ahead of the curve.

“We’ve always been a diverse business, capable of U-turns at a moment’s notice, and we remain adaptive to this day. Costs could shoot up, but we believe the demand will remain.

“And let’s not forget about our community – our mission has always been to provide a healthier alternative to smoking and that mission continues.

“Yes, the news is a bit of a bummer, but nothing changes for Prohibition, we move forward regardless of potential barriers.”

Another potential threat to the industry is that of a flavour ban – what impact could this have on fellow vapers as well as those trying to quit smoking?

“Flavours aren’t just for show –they’re a big reason why vaping is such a hit for those wanting to ditch regular cigs.

“You only need to take a quick look at the data to reassure yourself of this. However, the industry does owe responsibility to everyone.

“We need to tighten up regulations when it comes to branding, especially the outlets that retail vape products.

“Banning flavours or introducing brandless, bland packaging isn’t necessarily the answer.

“We need to look at how these products are displayed and specifically sold. Create a governing body that oversees all sales in the country and enforce a certification for all retailers that want to sell vapes.

“Any reputable vape store, and I know there are thousands, would be more than happy to join this scheme and those that don’t or can’t, simply shouldn’t be able to sell.

“Make the industry responsible for their actions without crushing the potential for adults looking to quit smoking and lead a healthier lifestyle.”

The media plays such a huge role in influencing the public’s view on the industry – do you believe those outside the community dictate the industry’s fate more so than those on the inside?

“Of course, the media has its say in how we all see different industries, but when it comes down to it, it’s those in the thick of things who call the shots.

“Sure, media buzz can shape what people think, but it’s the movers and shakers within the industry who really steer the ship.

“They’re the ones who get what’s going on behind the scenes, the hurdles and the breakthroughs, and they’re the ones who drive change.

Stand up for the industry and deliver the facts.”

What does the future hold for Prohibition and how do you plan on continuing your mission in achieving a smoke-free future?

“The future looks promising as we continue to innovate and expand our offerings! We plan on staying true to our mission of providing high-quality, safer alternatives for everyone.

“Our focus will rely heavily on R&D to create new and exciting products and after some serious time spent behind the scenes, we recently launched our latest venture that sits under the Prohibition umbrella – Nic Pouches Direct.

“For us, this launch is yet another success story in aiding our mission – delivering top-brand products for the cheapest prices in the UK.

“And honestly, the best thing we can hope for during these times is for those insiders to speak up.

“We aim to keep people away from tobacco-based products in the most convenient, costeffective way possible…and we couldn’t be more excited to shout about it!”

MAKE THE INDUSTRY RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR ACTIONS WITHOUT CRUSHING THE POTENTIAL FOR ADULTS LOOKING TO QUIT SMOKING AND LEAD A HEALTHIER LIFESTYLE

DON’T LET ‘POLITICALLY MOTIVATED’

NEW VAPE LAWS SEE SMOKING DEATH RATES CLIMB AGAIN

UKVIA wants full risk assessment into the potential health harms of measures contained in the ‘severely fl awed’ Tobacco and Vapes Bill

Words: John Dunne, Director General, UKVIA

Things can get a little crazy in a general election year and much of this craziness is currently centred around vaping.

Since the Tobacco and Related Products Regulations became law in 2016, the UK has got vaping laws more or less right.

While the current legislation is less than perfect and the government missed a huge opportunity to make some much-needed changes when we left the European Union, our regulations are generally held in high regard.

I regularly see the UK lauded as setting the gold standard for proportionate regulation by speakers at vape conferences around the world.

The government encourages smokers to use vaping to quit cigarettes, most notably with its Swap to Stop scheme and the annual Stoptober campaign to help smokers quit.

Vaping has played a significant role in helping bring down the UK’s smoking levels to the lowest rate on record and the 2022 Khan review said vaping was vital to help the government meet its smokefree ambitions.

All eight of the e-cigarette evidence updates, first published by Public Health England and latterly by OHID, all point to vaping being 95% less harmful than smoking – not without risk but significantly less harmful.

Now this stable evidence-based vaping landscape could be about to change for the worse because of the severely flawed

Tobacco and Vapes Bill which is currently making its way through parliament.

I was absolutely horrified to learn that the government has carried out no risk assessment to predict the possible health

Regulatory Impact Assessment into the new Bill and is akin to playing Russian Roulette with people’s lives.

The DHSC admits that they ‘… have not quantified the health impacts of fewer people using vapes to quit smoking,’ as a result of potential changes to flavour offerings, point of sale displays or packaging and product presentation.

THIS CANNOT BE ALLOWED TO GO UNCHALLENGED AND THE UKVIA WILL CONTINUE TO PRESS FOR A RETURN TO PROPORTIONATE AND EVIDENCEBASED VAPE REGULATION FOR THE UK.

“ “

harms caused by enacting new regulations which could see vapers returning to cigarettes.

This shocking omission was revealed by the Department of Health & Social Care’s (DHSC)

This is all the more worrying because if the Bill becomes law, it will give unprecedented power to the government to bring in a raft of new regulations, prohibitions and limitations without further parliamentary scrutiny.

I don’t know how it is possible for the government to say that bringing down smoking rates remains a priority while, at the same time, introducing legislation which could do the very opposite.

The UKVIA wants this Bill to be paused until a full risk assessment is carried out and made public. We have also written to the Prime Minister and every MP to point out this glaring oversight in the Bill.

Politics can indeed get a little crazy in an election year but this goes too far. It is irresponsible in the extreme for the Government to propose legislation of this nature without even a cursory nod to the health impacts this may have.

This cannot be allowed to go unchallenged and the UKVIA will continue to press for a return to proportionate and evidence-based vape regulation for the UK.

quit, while still putting the time and effort required into ensuring children don’t pick up the habit.

John Dunne, Director General of the UKVIA, has commented on the report, saying: “We are absolutely on the same page as the RCP in looking at doing everything to discourage young people…”

“And never smokers from taking up vapes and focussing on ensuring as many of the 6.4 million smokers that remain in the UK make quit attempts using vape devices.”

In essence, the UKVIA is welcoming the RCP’s comprehensive review of vaping because of its nuanced approach to addressing the multifaceted issues surfacing within the industry.

By endorsing evidence-based strategies and continuously advocating for responsible regulation, both organisations strive to ensure that vaping continues to serve as a valuable harm reduction tool, just not for children.

John Dunne continued: “There are two sides to our industry - the legitimate one (the majority) and the illegal one (the minority). The former wants to do what vaping was intended for originally - ”

“To support smokers to give up their habits and drastically reduce the exposure to the harm associated with conventional cigarettes by taking up vapes which have been approved for sale in the UK by regulators.”

THERE ARE TWO SIDES TO OUR INDUSTRYTHE LEGITIMATE ONE (THE MAJORITY) AND THE ILLEGAL ONE (THE MINORITY). THE FORMER WANTS TO DO WHAT VAPING WAS INTENDED FOR ORIGINALLY

Who is to Blame?

Step into the ring as former officials challenge the World Health Organization’s damaging views on tobacco harm reduction.

Words: Hannah Rhodes

It’s not every day that you hear those associated with the World Health Organization (WHO) standing up for vapes, but sound the alarms because the time is now…

Robert Beaglehole, former bigwig in the Department of Chronic Disease and Health Promotion, and Ruth Bonita, ex-Director of Surveillance, have joined forces to dish out some truth bombs in their recent letter to The Lancet.

Now at the University of Auckland, the dynamic duo has voiced their views for tobacco harm reduction as a central strategy in global health, something the WHO has opted to steer clear of.

They argue that while measures like the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control are necessary, they're not enough to curb tobacco consumption.

In both Beaglehole and Bonita’s eyes, tobacco harm reduction should be front and centre, alongside the usual suspects of demand and supply reduction tactics.

Despite not outright banning harm reduction, the WHO hasn't exactly been enthusiastic about it, leaving smokers with limited options, with many returning to smoking cigarettes or seeking illicit vape alternatives.

The pair wrote: “There is no scientific justification for WHO's position that e-cigarettes

and other novel nicotine products should be treated in the same way as tobacco products.

“This position overlooks a riskproportionate approach. We believe WHO needs to provide positive leadership and technical support to countries as they consider the use of e-cigarettes and other nicotine delivery devices, including snus, pouches, and heated and smokeless tobacco.”

It’s also noted that the WHO ‘rewards’ countries that ban vaping, and disregard success stories showcasing how harm reduction approaches can significantly reduce smoking rates.

While 34 primarily low-income and middleincome countries have banned vaping, the number of vape bans has fallen from 42 in 2019.

In contrast to those struggling with enforcing a smoke-free generation through efforts such as bans and regulations, countries that have a more open-minded and inclusive approach are quickly seeing major improvements.

In response to New Zealand’s tactics of welcoming tobacco harm reduction tools instead of outlawing them, they wrote:

“The prevalence of adult daily smoking plummeted from 13.3 percent in 2017–18 to 6.8 percent in 2022–23 after e-cigarettes became widely available, a 49 percent decline in 5 years.

“New Zealand's Smokefree 2025 goal looks likely to be reached by consent rather than coercion and by further support for switching to smokefree nicotine products.”

Other countries like Sweden, Norway, England, and Japan have seen similar success thanks to snus, vapes, and heated tobacco products.

According to Beaglehole and Bonita, countries must wake up and smell the success of tobacco harm reduction, emphasizing the importance of leadership in reducing smoking rates worldwide.

The 1.3 billion smokers of the world deserve better options, and it's time for countries and the WHO to prioritize harm reduction in public health strategies.

“ “

THERE IS NO SCIENTIFIC JUSTIFICATION FOR WHO'S POSITION THAT E-CIGARETTES AND OTHER NOVEL NICOTINE PRODUCTS SHOULD BE TREATED IN THE SAME WAY AS TOBACCO PRODUCTS.

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AND THE OSCAR GOES TO… cigarettes?

With only one Oscar nominated film abstaining from tobacco depictions, it begs the question; when did cigarettes and cinema become Hollywood’s hottest couple?

Words: Grace Lynk

The Oscars are a night of glitz and glamour; a celebration that consistently attracts a viewership of thousands of movie buffs to admire all the finest films on offer each and every year.

However, amid all the dazzling gowns and heartfelt speeches of the recent 2024 ceremony, a concerning trend has somehow gone unnoticed; the prevalence of smoking in

nearly all of the nominated films.

From period dramas to gritty crime thrillers, cigarettes seemed to be almost ubiquitous on the big screen, with a whopping nine out of this year’s ten nominees for Best Picture containing depictions of tobacco.

While it has been argued that these portrayals add depth to certain characters, or evoke the aesthetic of bygone eras, the reality remains that it perpetuates a harmful habit

that claims millions of lives each year.

A study called ‘While You Were Streaming: Lights, Camera, Tobacco?’ came to this conclusion in their recent report, stating that the inclusion of these scenes will leave a lasting and harmful impression on young people.

Kathy Crosby, CEO of Truth Initiative and director of this recent report has said: “Tobacco imagery in movies, TV shows and music videos have become alarmingly pervasive. This year’s Oscar best picture nominees are no exception.”

Of all the films at this year's ceremony, ‘Barbie’ was the only anomaly in this concerning trend, with Greta Gerwig’s perfect, pink and plastic world containing zero depictions of cigarettes.

Admittedly, a few of the nominated films were set in a time where smoking was the norm, or had actors depicting real life smokers such as Cillian Murphy in ‘Oppenheimer’.

However, with several of these movies being set in the modern world, there’s not really much of an excuse for perpetuating the idea that smoking is cool, especially to impressionable children who choose favourite characters.

The same report has highlighted that Hollywood blockbusters and movie extravaganzas aren’t the only problem, with tobacco

TOBACCO IMAGERY IN MOVIES, TV SHOWS AND MUSIC VIDEOS HAVE BECOME ALARMINGLY PERVASIVE. THIS YEAR’S OSCAR BEST PICTURE NOMINEES ARE NO EXCEPTION. ““

depictions in TV shows popular with young people also at an all-time high.

Shows such as HBO’s Euphoria showed a whopping 200 instances of characters smoking across the course of 2 seasons alone, a series that only consists of only 18 episodes in total.

The fact that tobacco depictions, after years of being blacklisted from Hollywood for good reason, are returning as though nothing ever changed is massively concerning, especially with the vaping industry currently facing so many challenges.

Truth Initiative is determined to encourage directors and

actors alike to stop including cigarettes in their films, describing themselves as the nation’s largest nonprofit dedicated to this sort of investigation.

Crosby continued, saying: “Images have power, and this report aims to educate the Hollywood community to recognise its responsibility to change the picture, and not be the unwitting spokespersons for the tobacco industry.”

The group has also suggested introducing an anti-smoking message to air before and after films and TV shows that contain tobacco depictions, as well as establishing a rating system that will warn viewers of cigarette images.

FEDUP!

Dear Prime Minister, We deserve to be heard.

Sincerely,

The Vaping Industry

Words: Hannah Rhodes

ow, it’s no secret that those in power actively put the vaping industry’s thoughts and opinions on the back burner when it comes to any whiff of a major change.

The latest development comes from the lands of the UK as The Federation of Independent Retailers (the Fed) publicly calls out Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in the form of a letter.

The document in question protests that independent retailers’ opinions about vape restrictions were ignored by the UK Government – no surprises there…

In the letter to the Prime Minister, the Fed’s National President Muntazir Dipoti said that the consultation over creating a smoke-free generation was deeply flawed and ‘unbalanced’.

Mr Dipoti wrote: “Our members are at the frontline of society and well placed to comment on how best to take effective action in the real world against products deemed harmful.

“We do not believe that the consultations on vaping products and tobacco evidenced sufficient awareness of the fact that it is already against the law to sell such products to children.

“A new law is unnecessary, as the legislation was not lacking – it was enforcement which was badly lacking.

“By banning the sale of single-use vapes in legitimate retail outlets, the governments of the four nations are simply handing a blank cheque to rogue dealers on social media and street corners by school gates.

“The legislation will impact on visible traders rather than the less visible ones who trade on a large scale.”

“It seems to us that politicians have gone for an option which looks good on paper and in headlines, rather than investing the level of resources that would enable trading officers to combat rogue traders effectively.”

In response to creating a smoke-free future and tackling youth vaping, the Fed recommended the enforcement powers of Trading Standards should be strengthened with higher fines and punishments issued to those abusing the law.

It also comes as no shock to many that the limitations to products on the market may further fuel the illicit market, creating a dangerous and hostile environment for both retailers and those trying to quit smoking.

One of the latest major crackdowns in the UK – banning disposable vapes – is certainly a cause for concern regarding a spike in the black market.

Mr Dipoti wrote: “While we agree that action is needed to prevent children and young people from being attracted to vaping, we do not believe that banning disposable vapes is the way to go about it.

“An outright ban will simply send youngsters towards unorthodox and illicit sources where there is no compliance to tobacco and vaping laws, while the products they peddle are likely to contain dangerous and illegal levels of toxic chemicals.”

Whilst vaping as a whole is an effective way to quit smoking, the letter did mention how disposables in particular are more affordable as well as a big incentive for those quitting combustibles.

Instead of the ban, the Fed said the Government should make more financial resources available for educational programs and more enforcement at borders to prevent illicit vapes from entering the market.

But what about the environmental concerns surrounding disposables? This undoubtedly can’t be ignored by both parties involved as it is one of the major reasons behind the ban.

Mr Dipoti wrote: “Vape retailers are responsible and offer a recycling option, but the government should be looking at making available more ways to safely recycle disposable vapes.”

In addressing this issue further, it was recommended that an introduction of a disposable scheme that would be similar to that of the deposit return initiative planned for single-use drink containers would be incredibly beneficial.

All in all, each problem outlined in the original consultation has an alternative, effective, and industryagreed-upon approach that contrasts the plans put forward by the UK Government.

The opinions of the community and those in other organisations inside the vaping industry such as The Federation of Independent Retailers should not be ignored.

Possible funding and infrastructure for this have recently been published by the UK Vaping Industry Association (UKVIA), which has gained substantial traction both inside and outside the vaping community.

The Fed also warned the PM that making it an offense for anyone born on or after 1 January 2009 to be sold tobacco products could have unsuspecting consequences too.

These include endangering those working in retail, as asking customers to prove their age was reported to be a massive trigger for violence and abuse.

These issues should be tackled head-on by those who understand, and value the good smoking cessation tools make instead of only by those in a place of power.

Whilst the letter itself is a lot to unpack, the message is stark clear: Do better, be better, and give those truly making a difference on the frontline the space to be heard.

A new law is unnecessary, as the legislation was not lacking – it was enforcement which was badly lacking.

With a government seemingly making up new policy on the fly, Vapouround looks at what the future may bring.

Words: Oliver Smith

quick scan of the vaping landscape right now shows that four is the new one.

The logic seems to be that why would you settle for one 2ml pod in your compact vape device when you can have four.

These devices are very much in fashion and the UK regulator is content to see multiple pods in a single device, as long as each one meets the 2ml tank size rule.

But what is behind the rapid rise of the multi-pod, multi-use device which is taking the industry by storm?

Happy Vibes, which unveiled their Sky Hunter Slim at the Vaper Expo in October, reports ‘unprecedented demand’ for a four pod, four flavour, refillable and rechargeable system and I am sure they are not alone.

I suspect that at the upcoming Vaper Expo in May, there will be a lot more systems like this all vying for the attention of retail buyers and consumers alike.

Apart from the obvious convenience of being able to legally have 8ml of liquid in a single device, is there is something bigger at play here?

The government has announced that it will ban disposable systems from April 2025….even though it looks like we will have a change of government by then, Labour is also likely to press ahead with a single use ban.

The announcement of a forthcoming disposables ban sent shockwaves throughout the industry and retail buyers were soon looking at easyto-use alternatives to replace the outgoing disposables.

The four-in-one option could be just the thing that buyers, cost-conscious consumers and anyone with even a passing interest in the environmental impact of vaping will tend to gravitate towards.

The Sky Hunter Slim, which can be recharged 300 times, has taken three years to develop and it looks like their timing in bring this to market could not be better.

Happy Vibes founder Jonathan Jiang said: “Disposables have done an amazing job in helping to get people

off smoking and the decline in smoking prevalence highlights this.

“However, disposables were doing more harm than good for the reputation of the industry. That’s why we have waited until now when the market was ripe for an alternative to roll out our new pioneering solution across the retail sector.”

Michiel Carmel, Happy Vibes’ Business Development Manager, said: “We can’t see any reason why vaping should be any more complex in the postdisposable landscape, which is why we have developed a brand-new product that is a direct replacement for the disposable market.

“The huge difference is that this is rechargeable, and that makes it a responsible choice.”

As write this, the new Tobacco and Vapes Bill is currently making its way through parliament and is poised to give the government sweeping new powers to further regulate the vaping industry.

I was shocked to learn that when putting forward this legislation, the government had not carried out any risk assessment on the health implications of vapers returning to smoking caused by any future restrictions on flavours, retail displays or product design and packaging.

Little wonder that the UKVIA branded the Tobacco and Vapes Bill as ‘irresponsible in the extreme’ and called for an immediate pause to its progress until a thorough risk assessment had been completed.

We are already feeling the effects of a disposables ban which is still almost a year away and I dread to think what will happen if a future government decides to impose populist new vape regulations which seem more about pandering to public opinion than in offering smokers a lifeline away from deadly cigarettes.

The days of the UK being held up as offering the gold standard in global vaping regulation may now be numbered.

THE DAYS OF THE UK BEING HELD UP AS OFFERING THE GOLD STANDARD IN GLOBAL VAPING REGULATION MAY NOW BE NUMBERED

A SOLUTION Glaring

Forget power stations and fusion reactors, could the claim of uranium filled e-cigarettes be the secret key to our energy moving forward.

Words: Oliver Smith

THINK YOU’VE SOLVED IT! A.I A.I

In this issue Vapouround sat down with Charles Garcia from Cyphene to talk about the brands cutting edge AI fingerprint technology along with their new partnership.

Words: Oliver Smith

What is the technology behind Cypheme’s AI fingerprints? How does it ensure the verification of legitimate products?

Cypheme’s solution is two-fold: On the brand side, it’s a tag, added to the package, that features a unique signature, what we call the « Noise Print ».

On the consumer’s side, it’s a web-app that connects to our AI…this AI is trained to recognise this unique signature from a picture taken by a smartphone.

Then it sees if the tag in the picture is the original and then confirm to the user that the product is authentic.

Along with this certification of authenticity, the web-app can send the consumers to a page, information about the product, a fidelity program or even a warranty registration...it puts the brand in direct contact with them.

Can you explain the process of generating and scanning these AI fingerprints?

The Noise Print is chemically random…during the production process, it creates by itself, materially, a unique pattern.

Which means that there are no two identical Noise Print out there, even if they were to be produced in the exact same way, even by the same factory.

It’s like the crystalline pattern in a snowflake, the nerves of a piece of wood, or a fingerprint. Which is why we often describe it as ‘adding a fingerprint to a product’.

Recording this pattern is then done in the factory, in line, right after production, using high precision sensors.

How do you handle counterfeit products? What measures are in place to prevent them from being verified as legitimate?

That’s where the AI comes in. Examining this Noise Print, it is able to detect if it doesn’t match the ID recorded in the database, or if someone tried to copy an existing Print.

But Cypheme is a fully integrated anticounterfeit system, so once a fake is spotted, we immediately warn the brand owners about it.

We work with them to help figure out the source of the counterfeit products.

Because we know when and where both the fake and real products were scanned, it gives us a direct insight into the distribution network of both the real and fake products.

How does Cypheme’s system ensure the privacy and security of the data encoded in the fingerprint’s code?

The data from the web app is anonymised and GDPR compliant. It follows the strictest rules in terms of respecting privacy, the ones set by the European Union.

Therefore, we don’t know and can’t know who is scanning the tags.

How does Cypheme handle errors or discrepancies during the verification process?

Being able to read the signature despite the variety of light conditions, positioning of the tag in the picture, types of phone camera... that’s an incredibly difficult task.

For this, there is no trick: It required the development of a sophisticated neural network specialised in image processing, trained with tens of terabytes worth of images and continuously learning and improving.

What kind of support and maintenance do you provide for your AI fingerprint system?

On the brand side, our system can also provide a number of services for them:

As mentioned, we can assist them if they want to not just fend off the counterfeiters, but also wants to fight back.

They can also get a direct overview of their distribution, see where they products are sold.

Each product has an individual signature, so if they want to see where a specific batch or type of product is spread, it’s also possible.

How scalable is Cyheme’s system? Can it handle a large volume of products?

The tag itself doesn’t feature any complex electronics, therefore it can be produced in large volume fairly easily.

The AI is where the power and complexity of the system is, but once it’s there, scaling it up is just a matter of increasing its server allocation.

Therefore, our solution is fairly easy to deploy in large scale… as a matter of fact, some of the industries we work with have volumes in the tens of billions, as counterfeiting is a problem in an incredible variety of sectors.

LIMITATIONS

Creativity AUDIENCE

Turn industry limitations into creative solutions

Transform your audience into a loyal community

Community REGULATIONS

Strategic

Kick-start your marketing with a winning strategy

NOT WITHOUT A Fight

Defying all Odds: A Q+A with a determined vape shop owner about how looming government restrictions and flavour bans will not deter advocates from their struggle.

Words: Grace Lynk

In the heart of Derby, amidst growing debate and regulatory crackdowns on e-liquids, one vape store is subverting government restrictions by fighting for the rights of the industry they represent.

I spoke to Jane Johnson - the owner of Del Boy’s Vape and the presiding individual rallying her community - about how looming flavour bans threaten to suffocate what has, until now, been a thriving market. Jane has opened up her doors to the public to help set the record straight, imploring people to sign government petitions with a display made possible through the help of leading industry professionals and brand manufacturers.

Vape stores such as Del Boy’s Vape serve as evidence that those advocating for informed policies will not go down without first having their voices heard, so without further ado, we encouraged Jane to take centre stage.

As a vape store owner in the UK, how will you be affected if the government’s flavour ban on e-liquids comes to fruition?

“To be honest, we won’t have a business anymore.

‘I’ve been at Del Boy Vapes for 12 years now, and the majority of my customers use flavoured e-liquids in their devices…so if the government decides that flavours go, then I go too.”

What changes have you implemented in your own store since the announcement?

“We’ve been pushing for people to sign the government petition

to save our flavours and stop the ban.

“What we’re trying to do is make people understand that this is not fake news, and that the fight is very real.

“If we explain to people the severity of what’s going to happen, we hope that it’s enough to keep our flavours available and our shops open.”

Do you think it’s important that other independent vape shops follow in your footsteps?

“I wish they would, I really do. Honestly, I think a lot of people are sitting back and letting people like me do it instead.

“There’s so much that shops can do, and yet there are so many vape stores that don’t even know about the flavour ban at all. It’s crazy.

“The fight starts with speaking up, and there’s so much more that needs to be done.”

Since the majority of vape users typically turn to disposable devices, will you use the upcoming ban to encourage both smokers and vapers alike to make the switch to e-liquids?

“Yes, I will. I encourage all disposable vapers to make the switch to a kit as soon as possible.

“I like the idea of customers being able to regulate their nicotine intake to their individual needs, so if they don’t need 20mg, they can swap to 10mg and so on. We even have some customers on 3mg!

“To me, this is the natural progression to quit cigarettes,

which is something you can’t do with disposables.”

Finally, what does the future hold for your company? Do you have any plans or changes set in motion to continue what you’re doing today?

“I will continue the fight! This has been my life for 12 years now, and I refuse to give it up that easily.

“I’m grateful for everyone who assisted in making today happen. It wouldn’t have been possible without the brands that stepped up to help.

“Also, I will be taking the display to the next Vaper Expo UK if anyone wants to get involved. We will be in the Ohm Zone with petitions at the ready and an iPad to sign people up.”

“The flavour ban, if it were to come to fruition, would be devastating. We know that people prefer something completely different to menthol and tobacco when trying to quit smoking, and for the government to take those rights away is going to be horrendous across the UK.

- James from Aromaxy E-liquids

The brands who helped make the display possible:

“

We came here today to help Jane promote flavours and to raise awareness that should the impending flavour ban happen, people don’t want two straight flavours of tobacco and menthol. People should have a choice, and that’s what this is all about.

- Mike from Wick Liquor

- Ace of Vapes

- Dr Vapes

- Black Rose Elixirs

- Infernal Liquid

- Phoenix Vaper

- Brawl & Blasda

- Exceptional Vapes

- Aromaxy

- Wick Liquor

- Ultimate Juice

- Longboat Liquids

- Pixie Juice

- Riot Squad

- Zeus Juice

- OHM Brew

- Endo Warrior Liquids

- Flooid

- Soda King

FIGHT FOR FLAVOURS

Flavoured vape products may face a ban in the UK to tackle underage vaping, threatening the future of vaping. It's crucial to support efforts to prevent the flavour ban as flavours are essential for smokers making the switch to vaping.

UK VAPERS ITS TIME TO ACT SIGN THE PETITION

TO SAVE YOUR FLAVOURS

Full name: Jay Spencer

Location: Cornwall, UK

Instagram page: @gravelthroated

Words/ interview by: Hannah Rhodes WITH

COIL ART OF INSTAGRAM

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

COIL ART OF INSTAGRAM

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

“I first got into vaping back in 1996 as a way to stop smoking cigarettes as well as other addictions such as alcohol abuse.

“Unfortunately, it didn’t work the first time around as I soon relapsed and went back to combustible tobacco. But two years later in 1998, I had had enough and was determined to get myself better.

“I moved to Cornwall with a CE4 clearomizer and an Ego battery, got some sherbet lemon e-liquid and that was me set.

“I later upgraded to a Kanger sub tank mini with an RBA, which got me interested in the world of coil building.”

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

“At first, I found the sub tank mini a challenge so turned to YouTube and found the coil building community.

“Videos from YouTubers Twisted Messes and OhmBoy Josh were a great inspiration for me early on and gave me the information I needed to continue my journey.

“Finally, I stumbled across YouTuber ‘n.devine83’, who was at the time filming a Live video. The people in the live chat were all very welcoming and friendly.

“I was given a box of wire to get started by a builder in America as I had nothing, and I will never forget that generosity.

“A lot of those same people in that initial live chat, I now consider to be good friends and an active source of inspiration. “

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

“I have faced many challenges during my coil building journey as some of the more intricate art coils are extremely delicate – some of which you can easily spend hours on.

“Another issue in making the wire

is that they can sometimes explode when wrapping the coil, which can be really disheartening.

“Photographing such a small subject matter also brings its own set of challenges, especially in the beginning when all I had was my phone camera.

“I’ve since upgraded to a DSLR camera and was helped by some of the more advanced coil builders in the community about how to get the most out of my macro photography.”

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

“Inspiration can be hard to come by at times…but I have always been creative and have found inspiration in many places, in particular during walks in nature.

“One of my biggest sources of inspiration for builds is through social media platforms such as Instagram.

“The community is full of incredible artists who are always willing to help you out if you need it.”

@GRAVEL

Do you only build coils for yourself as a hobby or for others too?

“Coil building is currently a hobby and honestly, the thought of making a business from it isn’t something I like the idea of.

“This is mainly because making the same coils all day doesn’t appeal to me and I would like to keep my work and hobby interests separate.

“I mainly make coils for myself and a few friends if they need them and I do like to give coils to people that are struggling to afford decent coils.

“As I said before, I was given a big help when I first started out and was struggling to afford anything, and so I believe paying that same generosity forward is incredibly important.”

Are you currently working on anything new at the moment?

“I’m not currently working on much at the moment as I’m currently about to move house and anyone who has moved house before, will know what a nightmare it can be.

“There are always ideas floating around though, so we shall see what happens in the near future.

“I’m always up for collaborations with other builders, so if anyone is interested, please do reach out and we will sort something out!”

A recent university study concluded that handing out vapes in emergency and walk-in rooms could save thousands of smokers lives.

Words: Oliver Smith

fter a trial, researchers found that free e-cigarettes handed out in emergency rooms could save thousands of lives across the United Kingdom.

The test was carried out by the University of East Anglia (UEA) in six emergency departments across England and Scotland, including the Royal London Hospital and Leicester Royal Infirmary.

Those who identified as smokers were given vaping starter kits, smoking cessation guidance, and a referral to other helpful services.

The smoking habits of the participants were then evaluated at one, three and six month intervals using a carbon monoxide tests.

488 people took part in the control group, with 4.1 percent stating that they had quit smoking after six months.

Among 484 participants in the vape group, a massive 7.2 percent had quit…a rate that was 76 percent higher than the other.

Dr Ian Pope of the UEA Norwich Medical School, explained how the group that was given free e-cigarettes had a significantly higher rate of steering clear from smoking after six months compared to the control group.

Dr Pope said: “Providing smoking cessation support in the emergency departments should be considered to reach groups of the

population that may not routinely engage with stop smoking services but have the most to gain from stopping smoking,

“The time people spend in emergency departments represents an opportunity… where patients can be empowered to change their behaviour and improve their health.”

Across the country, around 45,000 people visit emergency rooms every single day, with an additional 25,000 visiting associated walk-in services for minor injuries.

Analysing the findings of their study, the researchers say that rolling out their emergency room approach may ‘result in more than 22,000 extra people quitting smoking each year’.

Clive Bates, British harm reduction advocate, said: “It’s a point where people may become hyper-aware of their health and mortality, and may even be able to link their admission to smoking.

“An accident and emergency visit is a powerful moment to intervene to try to start people down the track of a diversion from smoking to vaping.”

In what could lead to significant health and financial benefits, the hospitals and health systems would make vast savings if more smokers switch from cigarettes to vaping, as previous research has indicated.

With the cost of treatment for smoking-related conditions in the UK’s at an estimated £2.5 billion a year for the National Health Service.

SPEND IN EMERGENCY DEPARTMENTS REPRESENTS AN OPPORTUNITY…WHERE PATIENTS CAN BE EMPOWERED TO CHANGE THEIR BEHAVIOUR AND IMPROVE THEIR HEALTH.

VAPOUROUND ON TOUR

REGISTER NOW

THE LARGEST B2B VAPE EVENT IN THE WORLD

With events across the globe, including South America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, the largest international vape event in the world, The World Vape Show, returns to Dubai in June 2024. The flagship event will draw record numbers after the huge success of 2023, which attracted hundreds of global exhibitors, thousands of brands and products, 15k+ attendees and 30+ world renowned speakers. This year also sees the launch of the Global Vape Forum, a stand alone Conference separate from the expo hall.

○ According to the estimates, 180 million premature deaths can be avoided by reducing cigarette smoking by half by 2027, e-cigarettes are a major factor to help achieve this.

○ B2B expo with 9 halls (4 in 2023) dedicated to doing business, networking and collaboration

○ NEW Global Vape Forum introduced where leading experts from the the medical, academic and industry will share their thoughts, knowledge and experience with you

○ With more than 64 million people switching to vaping devices, instead of smoking traditional cigarettes, the industry is predicted to be worth $53.4 billion (2024) with experts forecasting further annual growth.

○ 1000’s of brands and like-minded professionals

○ Awards, entertainment, show features and much more

WORLD VAPE SHOW PARAQUAY

MARCH 8-9

Words: Lauren Godfrey

Set against the backdrop of Paraguay’s vibrant vape market, the event served as an ideal opportunity for networking, innovation, and business expansion.

This edition of the World Vape Show had an extraordinary 63% increase in total attendance, underlining its status as the premier international vape expo in the region.

The Latin American e-cigarette market is on the brink of a significant surge, with a projected Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 5.74 percent during the forecast period from 2022 to 2027.

Against this backdrop, the recent World Vape Show Paraguay 2024 emerged as a beacon of opportunity and connectivity for the global vape community.

The World Vape Show Paraguay 2024 not only showcased the latest advancements in vaping technology but also provided an exclusive opportunity for stakeholders to tap into emerging markets and foster invaluable partnerships.

In the previous year’s event, hundreds of manufacturers and suppliers interacted

with thousands of trade professionals from across the region, including retailers, wholesalers, distributors, and enthusiasts.

Nestled in Ciudad del Este, Paraguay’s second-largest city, the World Vape Show Paraguay 2024 enjoyed proximity to Brazil, South America’s largest vape market.

Ciudad del Este, renowned as one of the largest free-trade zones globally, attracts a diverse audience, drawn by its taxfree status and burgeoning commercial landscape.

Next up, join us at World Vape Show Dubai 2024 from 12-14 June 2024. Beyond the bustling exhibition floor, where cuttingedge innovations await discovery, lies the all-new Global Vape Forum.

This dedicated conference theatre, colocated with the World Vape Show Dubai, proudly features 40 plus Speakers, 20 plus Sessions, 12 plus hours of content across 3 days, 20 plus companies taking part and 3 Keynote speakers.

World Vape Show Dubai 2024 is a mustattend event for anyone interested in the vaping industry.

ALTERNATIVE PRODUCTS EXPO MIAMI

MARCH 14-16

Words: Sebastian Carmona

The latest installment of the Alternative Products Expo, held from March 14-16, 2024, at the vibrant Mana Wynwood Convention Center, has once again set a benchmark in the smoke shop and alternative products industry.

As the first significant industry event of the year, the Alternative Products Expo in Miami showcased a myriad of breakthrough products and technologies, setting a strong pace for the industry’s direction in 2024.

With over 300 exhibitors and thousands of industry attendees, the expo has not only exceeded expectations but has also amplified the buzz surrounding the potential of alternative products in the mainstream market.

Noteworthy was the engagement level seen at the show, with exhibitors reporting record-breaking interactions and transactions.

The expo not only provided a platform for

showcasing products but also acted as a catalyst for forging substantial business relationships, with many exhibitors and buyers finalized deals directly on the show floor.

The show’s innovative buyer incentives included the AltPro flight voucher program, which saw buyers flying in from all over the nation and even from abroad to partake in the event.

The climax of the show was the thrilling giveaway where two lucky store owners won over $50,000 each in wholesale inventory, significantly enhancing the excitement and engagement at the event.

Building on the success of the Miami show, Alternative Products Expo is already gearing up for its next stops in Medellín, Houston, and Atlanta.

These upcoming events promise to carry forward the momentum, with each location tailored to capture the unique aspects of their respective regional markets.

EVO NXT MALAGA

APRIL 5-6

Words: Robin D. Uhlenbruch

Following the highly acclaimed début in 2023, the second EVO NXT festival at the Palacio de Ferias y Congresos de Málaga (FYCMA) has been another success, giving participants a varied and informative event.

Numerous exhibitors travelled in from different parts of the world to present their new products and enable visitors to find out first-hand about the latest trends in the NGP (next-generation products) industry.

Prominent businesses as well as promising newcomers and innovators convened once more and met with key trendsetters, thought leaders and industry experts. The aim was to analyse the present and future of the industry together, and to benefit from knowledge-sharing.

In keynote talks, discussion panels and master-classes, renowned international experts and industry insiders discussed

the most important developments and challenges for the future of the industry.

The focus was on topics such as sustainability, market regulation and technological progress. Naturally, the festival character and the entertainment were not neglected either.

Special challenges such as political regulation and growing health and environmental awareness among consumers were the focus of much attention at EVO NXT and featured strongly in the high calibre supporting programme.

At the opening event entitled ‘Outlook for the European Union and Key Global Markets: Examining Market and Regulatory Trends in Alternative Tobacco Products’, speakers from TobaccoIntelligence gave the audience an overview of regulatory legislation in the key global markets.

ON THE ROAD AGAIN

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

Words: Hannah Rhodes

LOUGHBOROUGH TOWN CENTRE february 5

As our UK tour for harm reduction continued we returned to the evervibrant town of Loughborough. Packed with a host of brands and devices on board to help cater to anyones quitting journey…no matter how far down the line they were.

The Gold Bar 600 and the WenaxQ Pods from Geekvape generated a lot of interest, especially as open and closed pods are becoming more and more popular amongst users.

Due to this stop off being a midweek arrangement, the crowds weren’t as full as we have been used to mainly due to the fact we target town and city centres on weekends.

Despite the reduced crowds, we of course still had some intrigued individuals come over to the decked-out bus and ask about Vapouround and vaping in general. One individual of note was an older gentleman Stephen, who described himself as a hybrid user, smoking on

several days midweek but still always having his vaping device with him in times of nicotine need.

He went into detail about his time in the military and how cigarettes were just ‘a part of life’ for many servicemen.

When asked about his vaping journey, he spoke about his first experience in a proper vape shop and how their friendly service helped him feel more confident about cutting down his smoking.

This only stresses the importance of brick and mortar stores for the many current smokers who don’t know where to start on their journey giving them clear starting steps to be complete tobacco free.

The Vapouround team really enjoyed our stop off on the tour in Loughborough, informing as many of the public about Project Vapouround as well as the benefits of switching to va[ing from combustible cigarettes.

I look forward to joining the team on our next stop off wherever that may be.

NUNEATON town centre

february 16

Spring has officially sprung and Project Vapouround’s next adventure in Nuneaton was the perfect day out to spread awareness about tobacco harm reduction.

With a mixture of locals and those visiting the town centre, the team were quickly flooded by those seeking information about how to begin their quitting journey.

One local in particular stood out as she explained how her time quitting had been made challenging due to not finding the perfect tool to succeed.

After receiving a disposable vape from the Project Vapouround team, she was excited and grateful to try another method that has been hailed as the most successful on the market.

We bid her and Nuneaton farewell as the team packed up and returned to the road in yet another successful day aiding those in kicking the habit once and for all.

LOUGHBOROUGH TOWN CENTRE march 26

The beautiful spring sun welcomed the Project Vapouround team as we rolled into Loughborough town centre for another day on our smoking cessation journey.

Smokers of various age groups gathered in front of the bus to explore the world of vaping.

We spoke to several individuals who had never tried a vape before and believed that, because of their age, they weren’t ‘cool’ enough to vape.

We explained that vaping was never created to be a fashion accessory but an effective tobacco harm reduction tool that is used to help quit traditional cigarettes and make the move to a healthier life.

We paired them up with a vape kit to take home and try, along with our Vaping 101 booklet to aid them in learning more about e-cigarettes.

Here’s to another successful day out with Project Vapouround!

VAPOUROUND REVIEWS

Please

Specifications

Battery capacity: 700 mAh

Working voltage: 3.7 V

Coil resistance: 1.0 Ohm

Tank capacity: 2 ml

Dimensions: 104.4 mm x 22.5 mm x 12 mm

Hailing from the UK, the AirsPops Pro by AIRSCREAM presents an entirely new gadget in the vaping landscape.

The AirsPops Pro makes a powerful initial impact, embodying the ideal that all pod systems strive to achieve.

Balancing weight perfectly, the AirsPops Pro maintains a sense of superior quality and meticulous artistry, mirrored in its chic exterior.

Offered in a variety of colours, I was fortunate to acquire the sophisticated black and white variant –undeniably my preferred colour palette for vaping products.

With a few external features, including a power ON/OFF button (five clicks to switch on or off), an activation light, a battery life indicator, an airflow hole and a USB-C charging port, this device is still super easy to operate.

Despite having a physical button, the AirsPops Pro is draw activated, so you just need to inhale on the mouthpiece to use this device.

The pod itself has a small rubber gasket for the fill port which is a dark, translucent colour to allow you to see how full the pod is.

Pods fit the standard, TPD-compliant 2ml capacity and I averaged at about 2-3 refills a day.

What is the battery life like?

AIRSCREAM AIRSPOPS PRO AI RS CR EA M

The 700mAh built-in battery meant that I only had to charge this device once a day.

Battery life is indicated by three small lights on the side of the device, meaning you’ll know exactly when it’s time to pop your vape on charge.

How does the AirsPops Pro perform?

Throughout my time trialling this kit, and even on a hot day, there was no leaking, just a touch of condensation on the base of the pod which is magnetically attached to the device and fits

precisely, with no looseness or rattling.

One of my favourite features is that it uses replaceable coil heads, rather than having to replace a whole pod.

Not only does this reduce waste, but you can bulk buy coils making vaping more cost effective in the long run.

Utilising 1.0ohm coils, this kit works wonders with thin e-liquids as well as high-strength nicotine (It was incredible alongside 20mg nic salts) and despite not being sub-ohm, you could still really appreciate the strong flavours and intense throat hit.

I found that the AirsPops Pro had a very tight MTL inhale and closely resembled the inhale associated with smoking a cigarette (apart from the differentlyshaped mouthpiece).

Paired up with a high-strength, tobacco flavoured e-liquid, it becomes easier to try and reduce your daily amount of cigarettes.

What is the design and build quality like?

The build quality was simply amazing and it even survived a substantial drop without so much as a scratch.

The magnetic pods remained in place and despite vaping consistently, they never became loose or unstable.

To say I was impressed would be a massive understatement. It was glaringly obvious that it will be the ideal choice for new vapers due to its tight inhale and strong nicotine throat hit, but even as a veteran vaper, I enjoyed using the AirsPops Pro.

Overall thoughts on the AirsPops Pro

Pros: Stylish

MTL Inhale will be perfect for smokers looking to quit

Replaceable Coils

Cons: I would have liked adjustable airflow control

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

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

Specifications

E-liquid capacity: 2ml

Nicotine Strength: 20mg Salt Nic

Puff Count: 600+

Battery capacity: 500 mAh

Geek Bar, with their immense popularity and extensive fan base, are considered pioneers in the realm of disposable products.

Their latest flavours embody their consistent and reliable essence, the introduction of a novel dual mesh coil system enhances these flavours, promising an unparalleled taste experience and maximum pleasure.

Blueberry Sour Raspberry

This flavour, known for its vibrant and aromatic profile, enjoys widespread popularity due to its unique blend of berry notes, crafted to invigorate and captivate.

It starts with a delicate and sweet fusion of blueberries, offering an incredibly authentic taste.

It manages to encompass several modalities in the form of sweet and sour, whilst simultaneously including a strong iciness as a base.

To me, that undertone of cooling agent amplified the sweet notes found in the watermelon, to the point of it being similar in taste to a gummy candy.

As expected, this disposable was super easy to vape and will be a definite hit for sure.

Geek Juice

With a truly tropical vibe, this disposable brings together a smorgasbord of exotic tastes.

Reminding me instantly of an expertly concocted mocktail, there were notes of citrus, mango, pineapple and what I thought to be apple or pear.

As suggested by the name of this disposable, a tangy twist is provided by a candy-like blue raspberry.

A hint of a cooling element can be detected upon exhalation.

The dynamic mix of bold, lively berries and a gentle hint of frostiness results in a flavour that is effortlessly enjoyable to vape, particularly for those who favour fruity flavours.

Watermelon Ice

A firm favourite of many, watermelon based disposables are probably one of the most widely vaped fruity flavours out there.

This offering from Geek Bar presents a perfectly executed display of just how to create the ideal melon flavoured disposable.

There is a small amount of coldness to this vape, but not so much so that it damages the fruitier notes.

I think the thing I enjoyed the most about this disposable was its intricately unique flavour constituents and the overall complexity that it offered.

GEEK BAR MELOSO DISPOSABLES GE EK BA R

I felt that the perfectly proportioned fruity elements were in the ideal amounts and combined to create a flavour that was deeply refreshing.

Sour Apple

Bouncy yet crisp, the apple flavourings used in this disposable closely resemble those found in sour green apple candies.

Basic yet effective when it comes to the flavour ingredients chosen, it’s easy to see that sometimes simple is best.

The sourness given by the tart, green apple certainly makes your tongue tingle but is then offset a

little bit with a sugary sweetness that seems to circle around the more prominent notes.

Even if you have never tried a sour apple flavoured vape, I feel that you would recognise it immediately with no trouble at all. With minimal iciness, that dependable fruity taste can really flourish.

Pink Lemonade

Bright and incredibly effervescent, this widely popular beverage flavour holds up flawlessly.

Sweet and rather mellow notes of strawberry bring about a subtle softening effect to the sharper citrus elements.

I noticed a very minute amount of cooling agent added right on the exhale, furthering the revitalising nature of this disposable.

When it comes to comparing this Pink Lemonade flavour, with others I have tried, I can’t help but be impressed.

There is no indication of a harsh, artificial or chemical aftertaste, allowing vapers to fully enjoy a perfectly well rounded and easy to vape disposable.

Blueberry Ice

When analysing this disposable and trying to think of exactly what to say about its direct taste, I came across a rather profound quote by Leonardo da Vinci. “Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication” – something that certainly seems to ring true with this flavour.

The notes of blueberry are simultaneously sweet and tart and deliver a candy like vibe.

As indicated by its name, this disposable boasts a powerful and refreshing kick of iciness throughout – ensuring a place as an all day vape.

As an overall look at this flavour, I would highly recommend it to vapers that enjoy fruit and/or menthol e-liquids.

Mango Ice

In stark comparison to the previous flavour, this disposable is diverse in its complexity.

Vapers will notice a combination of tastes, including ripe, juicy mango flesh, sharp green mango and a subtle fizziness to complement the more mellow notes.

To round up these exotic flavours comes a biting and constant undertone of minty iciness.

As someone who is rather ‘neither here nor there’ when it comes to mango vapes, I would say I was pleasantly surprised and feel that it will definitely appeal to die hard fans of tropical flavours.

Strawberry Ice

From the very first puff, I knew this is certainly one to look out for.

Including a delicious mixture of strawberry notes, this disposable brings about a candy vibe as well as a realistic edge.

The notes of strawberry are sweet and well rounded with no unpleasant aftertastes or tinges.

Being an icy flavour, you will be impressed by the eartingling effect when exhaling, giving off a bright and fresh feeling with every puff you take.

The combination of incredible flavours, iciness and the use of mesh coils in these disposables, creates a deep, flavourful and unique vaping experience.

Peach Ice

Floral and aromatic, this peach flavour brings a fizzy sensation to the table, strongly reminding me of peach gummy rings.

When it comes to vaping peach based flavours, I often steer clear of desserts (such as peaches and cream or peach cobbler) as I find them to be sickly, however, I really enjoy a pure, refreshing and fruity peach – and this was no exception.

There were consistently bright notes throughout and despite being candy like in nature, I wasn’t overwhelmed by the sweetness in this disposable.

The choice to include a cold sensation was a good one, as it simply increased the jovial feel of the overall flavour. fine tipped e-liquid bottles.

Because of the 1ohm coil, I used 50/50 VG/PG e-liquid to maximise the amount of time each coil would last – which was typically a week depending on a number of factors.

I had to refill the pod approximately two to three times a day (again, during moderate usage) which was fairly average. With no adjustable airflow, the Caliburn A3 provided a true MTL (mouth-to-lung) inhale, meaning high strength nicotine e-liquids performed well when used in this kit.

UW ELL

UWELL CALIBURN A3 POD SYSTEM

Specifications

Dimensions: 109.8mm x 21.3mm x 11.7mm

Weight: 31g

E-liquid capacity: 2ml

Output: Max 13

Battery Capacity: 520 mAh

In recent years, I’ve had the good fortune to possess multiple versions of the UWELL Caliburn series.

Therefore, when the opportunity to evaluate the A3 pod system presented itself, I was filled with both anticipation and curiosity about the potential features of this new gadget.

Maintaining the design lineage of its predecessors, the A3 continued to sport the recognizable rectangular form, complemented by gentle, curved corners.

Initial impression

The range of colours was diverse, each exuding an aura of understated elegance.

The device’s exterior was minimalist, equipped with a power button on the side and a USB-C port for charging at the bottom.

Being ultra-light and fitting comfortably in the palm, the A3 epitomized portability and felt as light as a feather in my hand.

Regarding its operation, the device was designed with simplicity in mind, offering features like auto-draw, rapid charging, and refillable pods with integrated coils.

Activating or deactivating the device required a quick quintuple press of the fire button. Once powered on, the battery status could be monitored via a discreet LED indicator at the base.

Charging the 520mAh battery was straightforward and impressively fast, reaching full capacity in just about 15 minutes - truly remarkable.

Battery and pods

I found the modest battery held up remarkably well, considering its relatively small size and during a day of moderate usage, I only had to

put it through two speedy charges.

The 2ml pods had built in 1ohm coils and filling them involved removing the top part of the mouthpiece to reveal a one-way valve that could accommodate most fine tipped e-liquid bottles.

Because of the 1ohm coil, I used 50/50 VG/PG e-liquid to maximise the amount of time each coil would last – which was typically a week depending on a number of factors.

I had to refill the pod approximately two to three times a day (again, during moderate usage) which was fairly average. With no adjustable airflow, the Caliburn A3 provided a true MTL (mouth-to-lung) inhale, meaning high strength nicotine e-liquids performed well when used in this kit.

Flavour performance

The flavour offered up by this device was fairly decent, and the vapour production was incredibly discreet – something I genuinely enjoyed.

How much does the Caliburn A3 cost?

The A3 has an estimated RRP of about £19.99, so would suit most budgets easily, particularly when compared to using disposable setups on a daily basis.

Overall thoughts on the Uwell Caliburn A3

The straightforward operation of this device comes across as streamlined when compared to, say, the Caliburn X kit and feel like this could be a positive for new vapers/ smokers looking to switch.

As always, it was a pleasure to review another Caliburn device and I found it to be an exceedingly impressive option for vapers that are after a ‘no fuss’ setup.