Nowadays Germany is seen as the powerhouse of Europe, where economic prosperity and social liberation intertwine simultaneously resulting in the progressive nation it is today. This has naturally filtered down to vaping, where not so long ago in 2016, there were only 1 million vapers in the country, a mere 1.5% of the adult population. Fast forward four years and the German vaping industry is worth over a staggering £400million, with a 40% increase in sales within the past year alone.

More importantly however is their overall attitude towards vaping as a harm-reducing, tobacco cessation product which can combat smoking on a mass scale. We take a look at the thriving German model, whilst comparing the perceptions of vaping to that of the UK’s, ahead of the huge Vape Expo, The Hall Of Vape, in Stuttgart at the end of the month.

What Is The Public Attitude Towards Vaping In Germany?

As many of you may know, Germany is a firm part and arguably the spearhead of the European Union, therefore since 2016, just like the UK, they have followed the TPD regulations set by the EU which dictates bottle size, tank capacity and nicotine strength of products.

Despite this, it seems the public opinion of vaping in Germany is seen in a much more positive light especially in regards to quitting smoking. Obviously, there are still clickbait headlines from untrustworthy news sources claiming vaping is toxic and more damaging than cigarettes, however, more and more people are ditching tobacco in favour of vaping due to many reasons.

Manu AKA Xmvapes says,

“Vaping is still a niche market in Germany but it’s constantly growing and getting more publicly accepted and easily accessible through pod systems like the MyBlu.”

One predominant feature of why vaping is more positively acknowledged is that the advertising of vape products is fairly lackadaisical, with minimal guidelines resulting in the public being informed of the harm reduction and benefits of vaping in an educational and effective manner.

Take this in relation to the UK model, wherein advertising laws are extremely strict therefore creating an underground culture connotation which is deemed to be harmful and negative.

Compared To The UK Vaping Industry

Furthermore, Germany has no excise tax on hardware or e-liquids as well no prohibitions against cross-border sales or transport, meaning the industry thrives from an independent standpoint, contributing to the German economy both in jobs and financially.

This type of liberal stance, whilst still adhering to the TPD regulations, highlights that the UK vaping industry has the potential to not only bring in copious amounts of revenue to the economy but to also supply the public with important and possibly life-changing information. This stance is surprisingly reinforced by German tobacco companies as well.

Michael Kaib, chief executive of the cigarette manufacturer Reemtsma, claims,

“The calls by tobacco opponents for a smoke-free future will intensify and are even echoed in our industry.” (Source: Handelsblatt Today)

Healthcare initiatives in the UK such as PHE (Public Health England) and the NHS have heavily advocated for vaping when trying to quit smoking, however even this message is relatively unknown with an alarming 93% of GPs and healthcare professionals unaware of PHE’s stance that vaping is 95% less harmful than smoking. (Source: New Nicotine Alliance)

All of this goes to show that without the public backing and room to manoeuvre as an industry, vaping is heavily restricted in being a highly effective cessation tool.

Looking Forward

A lot has been made about the revision of the TPD regulations once Britain eventually leaves the EU, with many politicians expressing interest in loosening the shackles, so to speak, in regards to tank capacities, bottle sizes etc.
However as previously stated, Germany still ardently follow the TPD standards and place more emphasis on viably using vaping as a form of combat against tobacco rather than looking to expand the ratios and contents of particular products.

The future remains to be seen, but with the Vape Expo, The Hall Of Vape, taking place from 31st May to 2nd June in Stuttgart, it highlights Germany’s growth as a vaping nation worldwide. The event will feature brands such as Dinner Lady, IVG and Large Juice showcasing their talents in what promises to be a memorable few days. For tickets and an in-depth look at The Hall Of Vape Expo.

For more information, visit our website www.vapeclub.co.uk or please don’t hesitate to contact us regarding any queries surrounding the German and UK vape industries or vaping in general.

Recently, there’s been an alarming level of news articles and reports signifying that it is illegal to vape and drive. Whilst this is far from the truth and highlights the clickbait mentality of many media outlets, it’s important to know what’s legal as well as safe when operating a vehicle.

The laws behind vaping whilst at the wheel remain rather cloudy (ahem), so we’d thought we’d clear up exactly what’s lawfully allowed and offer some helpful tips when vaping and driving to avoid any nasty situations.

 

Is It Illegal To Vape In A Car In The UK?

As mentioned, the laws behind vaping and driving are somewhat unclear and it is usually down to the police officers discretion as to whether to administer a penalty or offence for distraction whilst driving.

What the law categorically states, is that anyone distracted when driving, whether that be using a vape device or any other activity, could be liable to be penalised. For example, if a driver was heavily sub ohm vaping to the point where their vision is impaired severely, then this would be illegal as it’s causing a dangerous risk to other drivers as well as themselves.

Sergeant Carl Knapp, a member of the Sussex Road Policing Unit, states,

“The smoke caused by vapes are a distraction and the consequences of them can be dire, all it takes is a moment to become distracted and potentially cause a crash and even worse, a fatality. I strongly advise people to pay 100 per cent attention to the roads when driving as anything that takes that attention away has the potential of severe consequences.” source: The Sun

Can I Top Up E-liquid Whilst Driving?

Alternatively, topping up your eliquid in your device would prove to be a huge risk as the driver won’t have full control of the vehicle and is highly recommended against. Most of this is completely subjective, which is why the responsibility lies with the driver and should be treated with careful attention and caution.

The physical process of vaping when driving is not illegal whatsoever, the issue regarding lies in the fact that you’re essentially operating another piece of electronic equipment as well as the vehicle.

 

Is it Illegal To Smoke or Vape In Car With A Child?

Furthermore, the government introduced the law back in 2015 that it’s illegal to smoke in a car with a child (under 18 years of age) present, yet this doesn’t include vaping, therefore it’s again down to the discretion of the driver whether they think it’s acceptable or not. The full breakdown of this law can be found here.

 

How To Avoid Vaping Being A Distraction Whilst Driving?

A large proportion of vapers admittedly vape whilst driving, possibly due to restrictions at home or in the workplace, therefore making it illegal would quite possibly see a huge backlash which could reverberate through the vaping industry. To avoid this happening, here are some handy tips to make sure it’s safe to vape and drive:

 

Open The Window

This one is as simple as it sounds and is highly recommended when using sub ohm kits and other high wattage vape kits due to the large amount of vapour which they produce. Naturally, the vapour will escape through the window causing no visual impairment which greatly reduces the risk of crashing.

As Vinny Luciano, AKA SirVapingAlot, says,

“I believe blowing clouds can affect your vision. All it takes is common sense, we’re adults and this is an adult thing after all.”

It’s important to be mature and sensible when you’re behind the wheel full stop, yet vaping adds another layer of responsibility which needs to be acknowledged throughout. Another thing worth noting is that it also helps to prevent the residue which gathers on windows if you consistently vape in a vehicle.

 

Choosing The Correct Eliquid When Driving

Choosing a high VG eliquid, particularly when sub ohm vaping, will increase cloud production, that in turn can reduce visibility. It’s advised to switch to a high PG e-liquid with an appropriate kit or pod device when driving, delivering more emphasis on flavour without the production of huge clouds that could cause issues.

 

Where To Store Your Device Whilst Driving?

A common occurrence is your device going missing whilst on the move, possibly because of taking a sharp corner or going over a bump. Under no circumstances should you try to retrieve it whilst driving, rather aim to keep your device in a safe, accessible space in the first place. Drink holders and side door compartments are usually a safe bet, whilst glove compartments are advised against due to reaching over to the passenger side increasing the likelihood of loss of control.

Dean Williamson, otherwise known as The Devil Vaper states,

“My setup is kept in the cup holder so that it doesn’t fall over and is within easy reach. A helpful tip is to use a regulated mod and a stock coil tank whilst driving or even a simple pod kit without any buttons for a low maintenance”.

 

Recap

To reiterate, it is not illegal to vape and drive, however as a driver responsibility lies firmly with you and the utmost care and sensibility must be ensured. On the other hand, if you’ve been pulled over and questioned, then it’s essential you know exactly what the law is and what you’re entitled to do within the legal boundaries.

Please be aware, that should an officer accuse you of distraction whilst driving, it is down to their discretion and interpretation, not yours, therefore all efforts should be made to avoid any awkward dealings with the police.

For more information, visit our website www.vapeclub.co.uk or please don’t hesitate to contact us regarding any queries surrounding vaping whilst driving or vaping in general.

As vaping continues to grow worldwide, many nations are taking the unprecedented step of banning the use and sale of e-cigarettes altogether. Many of these countries are predominantly in Asia and remain some of the most popular tourist destinations for people across the world. This begs the question; are holiday goers going to be prosecuted for vaping abroad, particularly when it’s advocated for by the NHS and PHE as a highly effective means of quitting smoking?

We try to understand the mindset which has lead to the implementation of regressive policies towards e-cigarettes, whilst also highlighting the miseducation around vaping in the UK, most notably through GPs and healthcare professionals, which has ultimately set the tone for negative connotations worldwide.

 

Where Is Vaping Illegal/Banned?

Even with the TPD regulations approved by European Parliament back in 2014, vaping is permitted in most European countries with restrictions including bottle sizes, atomiser capacities and nicotine strengths. Many nations such as Belarus and Macedonia, however, have chosen to not declare any information or set in place clear regulations regarding vaping laws. This ultimately translates to a possible free-for-all for citizens and tourists to use and sell e-cigarettes at their own peril which potentially makes supplying products to minors a lot easier.

In Asia however, it’s a completely different story with countries such as Japan adopting a non-regulation policy for non-nicotine e-cigarettes (which means they can be sold to minors willingly) but a somewhat contradictory blanket ban on all vape products containing nicotine. In South Korea, the sale and use of e-cigarettes is legal but is heavily taxed to the point where most people are pushed to the more cost-effective option of smoking tobacco.

 

Why Is Vaping Banned in Certain Asian Countries?

In the popular holiday destinations of Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Thailand, vaping is simply illegal and can lead to hefty prison sentences. In Malaysia, though it’s not legally binding, the country is governed under the strict Islamic code of Fatwa, which sees vaping as forbidden and unacceptable due to the bad smells and alleged ‘harmful health effects’. In India, the states of Karnataka, Kerala, Punjab and Kashmir to name a few have banned e-cigarettes under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940. The union government have been led to believe that vaping has cancer-causing properties, which will likely result in a nationwide ban in the near future.

Furthermore, Hong Kong has recently announced a proposal to ban the importation and possession of e-cigarettes, brought upon by a survey conducted by parents of school students who voted in favour of banning vape products. With over 570,000 UK citizens visiting Hong Kong last year, an estimated 6% (35,000) of those are going to be vapers which means they run the risk of imprisonment or will have to leave their device at home and get their fix from conventional cigarettes instead.

 

Clive Bates, a former director of ASH (Action on Smoking and Health) and prolific anti-smoking campaigner says,

“I just can’t believe they are thinking of banning e-cigarettes in Hong Kong. If a country wanted to destroy its hard-won reputation for innovation, technology and hospitality, it would prohibit new and better ways of quitting smoking and drive away visitors who have embraced this alternative to smoking.”

If you’re planning on visiting any of these countries, unfortunately, it is highly recommended to not bring any vape products with you, at the risk of prosecution or detainment.

 

Does The NHS Advocate For Vaping?

The worrying aspect of this boils down to the fact that the governments and experts in these countries genuinely believe e-cigarettes to be as, if not more, harmful than tobacco. The NHS is seen as one of the most well-respected and credible healthcare institutions in the world yet even their advocation for vaping when trying to quit smoking isn’t agreed with internationally.

Vaping is seen as a highly effective method for quitting smoking tobacco according to PHE (Public Health England), a close affiliate of the NHS, yet even though this should effectively encourage people to make the switch, an alarming 93% of GPs and healthcare professionals were unaware of PHE’s position that vaping is 95% less harmful than smoking.

 

Martin Cullip, a trustee of the New Nicotine Alliance (NNA) an advisory body for combating harmful tobacco consumption, states,

“This is a common theme I’ve come across before where many GPs believe vaping to be harmful. Vaping takes most of the harmful chemicals out, so you’re delivering the nicotine in a much cleaner form. There’s no reason why doctors cannot recommend these devices but if they are not aware of the reduction in harm then they’re not going to do that.”

 

Is Vaping A Gateway To Smoking?

This is rather concerning and obviously relates to the more holistic view internationally surrounding e-cigarettes. A common theme is a belief that vaping can lead to smoking and is deemed to be a ‘gateway’, however this is completely unfounded. A recent study by Cardiff University found that an increase in e-cigarette use has led to many young people viewing smoking in a negative manner. The research indicates that the percentage of young people who reported that smoking cigarettes was ‘normal’, has declined from 70% in 1999 to 27% in 2015. They also found that it started dropping at a faster rate from 2011 onwards, which is approximately when the e-cigarette boom ensued.

 

What Now?

Arguably more needs to be done by the NHS other than catchy social campaigns and initiatives, possibly in the form of properly educating GPs and healthcare workers on a mass scale regarding the benefits and harm reduction of vaping. This will possibly lead to an increasingly positive outlook within the UK, potentially adding to the estimated over 3 million vapers already, which in turn could possibly stretch internationally to put more pressure on countries who perceive e-cigarettes as damaging and ethically immoral.

Whether or not this will be carried through remains to be seen, yet it’s evident that people shouldn’t be punished for trying other safer, more proven, alternatives than smoking whether you’re a citizen or a tourist.

For more information, visit our website www.vapeclub.co.uk or please don’t hesitate to contact us regarding any queries surrounding vaping abroad or vaping in general.

It’s safe to say Cannabidiol, otherwise known as CBD, has caught the attention of the industry. With over 120 companies in the UK alone already stocking and selling CBD products, it remains one of the most talked about topics of interest in not just vaping but within society in general.

Huge UK brands already stock a range of CBD products from oils to capsules, highlighting the ever-growing market for this new phenomenon. We aim to discover just what exactly CBD is, the science behind it as well as how it’s already infiltrating the vaping world.

Science

CBD is a chemical compound found in the Cannabis plant. It’s a natural substance which unlike Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is not psychoactive therefore it simply won’t get you ‘high’.

According to the World Health Organization’s Expert Committee on Drug Dependence, “CBD is generally well-tolerated with a good safety profile yet it’s always advisable to see how you respond to CBD before operating a vehicle or engaging in any other potentially dangerous activity.”

There is an argument over which method is the most effective, taking CBD sublingually or vaping it, however, it is agreed both methods are much more effective than taking CBD orally due to CBD entering the bloodstream on a quicker scale.

When vaped, CBD enters the lungs and diffuses directly into your bloodstream through the alveoli which exchange carbon dioxide and oxygen between the bloodstream and the lungs, rather than passing through your gut and liver resulting in a more concentrated ingestion. This avoids the ‘first-pass effect’, which is the process in which a substance is broken down by the liver, reducing its overall potency.

How Do You Vape It?

Whilst most CBD eliquids still contain PG (Propylene Glycol) and VG (Vegetable Glycerin), they’re different to standard eliquids in the way they are vapourised. The majority of CBD eliquids have a high PG solution, making the CBD concentration viscous enough to vape without losing its effect or flavour, due to the high PG consistency it’s recommended they are used at low wattages with starter kits and pod devices.

Many manufacturers recommend vaping CBD at a wattage of between 15-25 watts, allowing for a high enough temperature to produce vapour but not high enough to burn off the CBD which essentially makes them useless and a waste of money. Because of this, CBD hasn’t really cracked the sub ohm market as of yet but for those who do prefer large cloud production, it’s recommended that you add a CBD booster shot to your regular eliquids in order to achieve this.

Alternatively, for those who aren’t into the hassle of sourcing a device with all the necessary components to vape CBD, many manufacturers have designed proprietary CBD pens and cartridges, which are a simple and discrete way to vape CBD with little maintenance required.

What Products Are Available?

Here at Vape Club, we’ve recently launched a range of CBD products from esteemed manufacturers Harmony and Dinner Lady, with more products coming soon. These include flavoured CBD eliquids including dessert, tobacco and mint fused blends available in 10ml and 30ml bottles with CBD ratios from 100mg all the way up to 1500mg concentrations.

It’s worth noting concentration refers to the overall CBD content per bottle and not an mg/ml concentration, basically meaning a bigger bottle size doesn’t denote increased strength. For example, 50ml of 300mg CBD eliquid will have an overall weaker CBD concentration than a 25ml 300mg bottle.

As well as the aforementioned CBD Vape pens, cartridges and the flavourless CBD booster shots for those who wish to add a CBD solution to regular eliquids, we also stock pure base CBD which is effectively similar to booster shots, in both 10ml eliquid form with 100mg – 1000mg CBD strength, and also as crystals in 500mg strength to infuse.

Alternatively, CBD oral drops are ideal for those who don’t want to vape, these are to be ingested orally and under no circumstances are to be vaped.

Conclusion

Whilst the introduction of CBD into the vaping world is a sign of the times, it will be interesting to see what the future holds for CBD and whether it progresses vaping into a different chapter altogether. Whilst it remains a significant borderline product, the opportunity of making CBD a huge business within itself is an enticing prospect for many manufacturers both international and independent yet the provincial legislation is subject to change at any given time.

For more information, visit our website www.vapeclub.co.uk or please don’t hesitate to contact us regarding any queries surrounding CBD or vaping in general.

Salt Nicotine eliquids are one of the latest developments in the vaping industry, taking the market by storm with a huge boom in sales and interest. JUUL were the first company to produce salt nicotine blends back in 2015 and since then the popularity of salt nics have risen at a rapid rate, with the majority of the top eliquid manufactures releasing a range. However, saying this, not a great deal of info is available on their composition, effects and how to use them correctly etc.

We thought we’d give an overview of salt nicotine and answer some frequently asked questions to correlate with our latest video explaining all about it.

What is Salt Nicotine?

Salt nicotine eliquids are different to regular eliquids in both their structure as well as the effect they have on your body. By using a salt nicotine compound rather than standard freebase nicotine in eliquid, you’ll experience a faster absorption rate of nicotine into the body, with a more noticeable nicotine hit which satisfies cravings for longer.

Standard eliquids have a higher PH level than salt nic, basically meaning they are more alkaline which leads you to experience what is commonly known as ‘throat hit’ when you vape. This can result in a harshness on the throat which is both uncomfortable and offputting for some.

Alternatively, salt nicotine has a lower or more neutral PH level, meaning it’s less alkaline, so you’ll experience a smooth throat hit even at high nicotine strengths.

How To Use Salt Nics

You’ll generally find salt nicotine eliquids in higher strengths of 10mg and 20mg, or in between, and they are most often available in 50%-60% VG ratios. Because of this, it’s recommended you use salt nics with a compact vape kit or pod device.

Furthermore, there’s now a growing number of salt nicotine booster shots that can be used with shortfill eliquids should you favour large clouds. In this case, use a kit that is compatible with the VG content of your eliquid, 60% VG and higher means ideally you should be using a sub ohm kit.

You may find that salt nicotine delivers a stronger hit than you’re used to, we recommend taking a moment between puffs to see if you need to continue vaping to feel satisfied. Chain vaping or continuous vaping may also produce a nicotine hit that’s too strong and should be avoided.

When it comes to choosing your ideal nicotine content, we recommend you start low and work your way up. Despite offering a smoother throat hit, the majority of salt blends are high nicotine eliquids, which if overused could culminate in a nasty headache or a drowsy feeling.

Consuming too much nicotine can also cause something similar to ‘vapers tongue’, particularly if you combine vaping and smoking, also known as dual using. Symptoms can include an overall swelling or numbness of the mouth, whilst experiencing a decrease in the ability to taste different flavours.

This is the result of vaping too much nicotine, which is easier to do with nic salts due to their smoothness and is easily avoided by reducing your intake and simply not vaping more than you need to.

You can buy salt nicotine eliquids here at Vape Club, in the specially designated salt nic section. There you’ll find a range of flavours and strengths, to suit your specific preference.

The Pros and Cons

Like anything, salt nics has its positives as well as its negatives. Salt nics may not be right for you as even with the smooth throat hit, they have a higher nicotine content than what some people are used to, so you may not want to make the switch if higher nicotine strengths don’t agree with you.

Also, presently salt nicotine eliquids are not available in high VG concentrations, so if you’re into producing big clouds or prefer sub ohm vaping, you may want to try using a salt nicotine booster shot with a shortfill if you’re keen to try nicotine salts.

On a positive note, the high nicotine in salt nic eliquids means that you will feel the need to vape less to satisfy your nicotine cravings, which in turn will help you conserve eliquid and battery life.

As well as this, if you’re looking for nicotine that won’t reduce the flavour as much as standard blends, satisfies cravings for longer and is ideal for smaller vape kits then we’d definitely recommend salt nicotine.

Conclusion

All in all, there’s a reason why salt nics have seen an upsurge in use, honing in on a suitable solution to many vapers needs. It’s also worth noting when storing salt nicotine, it’s advised to keep in a cool, dry place at room temperature and not in direct sunlight. Moreover, salt nicotine has a longer shelf life than standard nicotine eliquids which means they won’t go off as quickly.

For more information, visit our website www.vapeclub.co.uk or please don’t hesitate to contact us regarding any queries surrounding salt nicotine or vaping in general.

Whilst the government scrambles to negotiate a decent deal to leave the European Union, it’s pretty safe to say the majority of businesses and industries will be affected in one way or another.

This includes the vaping sector, where arguably EU regulation has changed the face of vaping since the TPD (Tobacco Product Directive) first came into full effect back in May 2017; capping tank sizes, nicotine strengths, bottle capacities and also advertising laws of vape products and their potential harm-reducing benefits.

We take a look at the consequences and the future of vaping, as the UK is expected to leave the EU in a little over two months time.

Rules

It is likely that the regulations surrounding vaping are to be revised post-Brexit yet an immediate change is highly doubtful, as reported in this article from the Pharmaceutical Journal. At present, the vaping industry is regulated by the Tobacco and Related Products Regulation (TRPR) who implemented the TPD (Tobacco Products Directive) standards back in 2017.

This resulted in various concrete measures put into place, such as tank sizes being limited to 2ml and pre-mixed nicotine bottles to a 10ml maximum capacity. As well as this, the reduced risk and benefits of vaping aren’t permitted to be advertised, which in turn limits the possible reach of smokers looking to quit.

Here’s a video of the parliamentary discussion that provides a snapshot as to how attitudes to vaping have changed inside government and how it could affect the industry at large.

Opinion

The public consensus on vaping is somewhat mixed, many agreeing with the numerous studies conducted by health bodies over the past few years that vaping is far less harmful (95% to be precise) than smoking. However, there is still a large number of people who perceive vaping in the same bracket as smoking, which is mostly due to the restriction of education surrounding e-cigarettes.

As a result, the UKVIA (UK Vaping Industry Association) was formed in 2016, to teach and promote the advantages of vaping from a health and business point of view. Dan Marchant, a board member of the UKVIA, states, “The UK is seen as a world leader in the vaping sector, and yet still a significant percentage of smokers incorrectly believe vaping to be as bad as, or worse than smoking. This is a message which has been propagated by the media with the spread of junk science and the click-bait mentality but we are at last starting to see a turn in the tide. Brexit could allow the opportunity to update the advertising laws which currently curtail the ability to spread the public health potential of these products to the public. Beyond this, there is the ability to update the TRPR in general, and correct many of the unjustified restrictions on tank sizes and bottle sizes, which only serve to make vaping less convenient and stifle innovation”.

The Market

The UK remains one the largest consumers of e-cigarettes in Europe, more than double than its next competitor and the second worldwide, behind the US. The scope for growth from a financial point of view could possibly be immense, whilst the reduction of tobacco smokers could potentially see the burden on the NHS gradually lifted to a more manageable level.

All of these regulations, if revised, will arguably have a beneficial effect on vaping, which is estimated as the fastest growing industry in the UK already.

Summing Up

With the UK controlling its own laws surrounding vaping, coupled with the vast amount of studies advocating the use of vaping from PHE (Public Health England) and the NHS, it could feasibly result in a massive shift in strategy both on a social and economic level.

Needless to say that the coming years could represent a change in the opinion, size and marketability of the vaping community.

For more information on the TPD please visit the TPD Direct Gov website.

Likewise, if you have any queries on vaping, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

With the arrival of a new year, an estimated over 3 million of us are aiming to cut out smoking this January. Numerous health organisations and initiatives have heavily advocated for the use of vaping to significantly help to kick the habit, as seen by PHE’s (Public Health England) recent study into the effects of inhaling tobacco smoke and vapour.

We’ll be taking a look at five reasons as to why vaping is the way to go when quitting and how it could save much more than just your life.

Health

Let’s start with the obvious; smoking remains the largest cause of preventable death worldwide, increasing the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases such as coronary heart disease and angina whilst being directly linked to 72% of lung cancer deaths in the UK alone.

It’s universally accepted that smoking tobacco is inherently damaging to your body, whereas vaping has been shown to be 95% less harmful. The e-liquids in vaping devices do not contain the nasty tar and toxins of conventional cigarettes that are the chemicals which can cause harm to your body, therefore the benefits of vaping are extensive.

Addiction

Whilst nicotine remains an addictive substance, the damaging effects are relatively minimal compared to the alarming level of carcinogens and hazardous chemicals in tobacco. So whilst it’s nicotine that your body becomes hooked to when smoking, it’s not the compound that damages your body fundamentally.

Fortunately, the majority of eliquids have with the option of coming pre-mixed with nicotine or with nicotine booster shots, making it an easy transition from smoking to vaping without the inevitable detrimental effect on your health.

Price

The cost of smoking grows year on year, and when calculated it makes for startling statistics, as evidenced in our recent cost-benefit analysis animation explaining the effects on your wallet.

If you smoked a 20 pack a day, it would subtract a whopping £300 a month from your savings. On the other hand, If you made the switch to vaping, there’d be the one-off cost of a starter kit – on average around £25, then per month the cost of purchasing 120ml of eliquid and a five pack of replacement coils, coming to £73 altogether, meaning after the first month, on average you’ll be saving a huge £252 a month. Think of what you could be doing with that extra cash each month!

Personalisation

Whilst many tobacco companies pride themselves on delivering a premium, more cultivated taste than others, it’s fair to assume that the overall tobacco flavour is relatively generic across the board.

Vaping however, promotes an abundance of flavours and tastes to suit everyone’s palate. From layered dessert blends to tropical fruit medleys, the opportunities are endless and are designed with the user’s preference for certain flavours and strengths at the forefront of production. This means that whatever floats your boat, we probably have it in our handy eliquid finder.

Convenience

The laws behind vaping in public areas are relatively inconsequential and it’s usually down to the vapers discretion as well as consideration for other people in the room, as to whether it’s acceptable to vape in an enclosed space.

Many people wrongly believe that inhaling secondary vapour production is as harmful as tobacco smoke, however this is not the case at all with no evidence suggesting that passive vaping is damaging whatsoever.

Aside from this, the overall public opinion sees vaping as far more convenient and socially preferred to smoking. More and more bars and restaurants allow vaping indoors (although it’s always best to check beforehand as it’s down to the specific venue’s policy), which in turn could save you the journey of going to the smoking area and awkwardly stinking of cigarettes.

Conclusion

As you can see, the difference switching to vaping will make in your life is massive. Not only will you save money, it will also have a positive effect on your health and lifestyle in general. For more information, on starting vaping please don’t hesitate to contact us.

Intro

As January hits us, so does the inevitable New Years resolutions of cutting out smoking. A reported over half a million smokers will try and kick the habit in one way or another this month and to coincide with this, PHE (Public Health England) have released footage of a laboratory experiment revealing the effects of smoking tobacco compared to vaping.

The Findings

The experiment clearly shows the alarming nature of smoking and the effects on your body. The bell jar with cotton wool containing tobacco smoke is a murky brown, whilst its tubes are full of sticky tar mimicking what’s happening in your lungs when inhaling tobacco smoke. In comparison, the cotton wool in the e-cigarette bell jar remains virtually unchanged, albeit some water vapour and a slight blemish from the colouring in the eliquid.

Dr Shahab (Associate Professor in Health and Psychology at UCL) goes on to state, “research conducted shows that vaping is much less harmful than smoking and that using e-cigarettes on a long-term basis is relatively safe, similar to using licensed nicotine products, like patches or gum”.

The Figures

Over the past year or so PHE, as well as the NHS, have heavily advocated the benefits of vaping when choosing to quit smoking, however, the public consensus around vaping is still rather negative. 44% of smokers wrongly believe vaping is as harmful as smoking, despite the number of studies and research being made public categorically stating vaping is notably 95% less damaging than smoking tobacco.

Steve Brine, the Public Health Minister claims, “the evidence is clear that e-cigarettes are far less harmful than smoking and they are the most popular quitting method in England. When paired with local stop smoking services, they have some of the highest success rates”.

There are over 6.1 million smokers in England alone and a reported 60% of them want to quit but many try to give up using willpower alone. Not enough is being done on a mass scale to educate and inform people on the differing effects of vaping to smoking which could arguably sway people in the right direction. The culture around vaping is treated in the same regards as smoking which whilst understandable is arguably not conducive to creating a smoke-free world. If you’re interested in reading a bit more about vaping etiquette in the workplace, as well as viewing a handy infographic on the topic, then here’s our article explaining the conceptions and laws. 

The Future

Smoking increases the risk of developing more than fifty serious health conditions, including cancer and heart disease, whilst doubling the risk of dying from a stroke. Now is the time to take action and stamp out smoking for good, with the help of vaping.

We stock a range of kits and devices suitable for all levels, for more information visit www.vapeclub.co.uk or alternatively contact us regarding any queries.

Whilst the general consensus on vaping is fairly accepted and liberal, the use of electronic cigarettes in the workplace or in public areas is somewhat murky.

With regards to this, the APPG (All-Party Parliamentary Group) has released a new report, ‘Vaping In The Workplace and Public Places’, outlining a set of guidelines and recommendations designed to challenge the common misconception that vaping, particularly second hand vaping, is not only damaging to bystanders but also socially unacceptable.

Many workplaces regard vaping as the same as smoking, which ultimately can be detrimental for those looking to quit smoking entirely. Over 96% of vapers are smokers or ex-smokers, trying to kick the habit.

What This Means For Vapers

The new report, chaired by Mark Pawsey MP (also chairman of the APPG for Vaping) has brought forward some key recommendations in relation to employees vaping in the workplace. These include:

• Permitting the use of vaping in all outside areas (terraces, courtyards and gardens) as well as leisure areas (restaurants, cafeterias and lounges) pending reasonable permission from colleagues or occupants.
• Vaping not permitted during client or staff meetings, as well as operating machinery or equipment wherein vapour could be a distraction during the performance of the required role.
• Vapers should respect the wishes of colleagues who do not wish vaping to take place around them or who dislike certain stronger smelling flavours or large-scale cloud production.
• Vapers must ensure that all vaping paraphernalia is securely stored and is inaccessible to those under the age of 18.

The Research

Comprehensive studies have suggested that the misconception of second-hand vapour being harmful is false.

Both Public Health England and The British Medical Association found that “there is a lack of evidence that exposure to the constituents of e-cigarette vapour poses specific health risks to bystanders”.

Whilst it’s determined to be respectful to ask to vape when in the vicinity of non-vapers, this notion suggests that compared to smoking, the effects of inhaling second-hand vapour are largely non-existent.

Over 96% of vapers are forced to use shelters and smoking areas, shared by smokers, to vape. Andrew Alisson of the Freedom Association goes on to state, “a non-vaper may not like the smell of vapour when they encounter it but this is much more tolerable than the harm caused by requiring vapers to share space with smokers”.

This reiterates the fact that placing vapers in a designated area with smokers, has a detrimental effect in stopping smoking altogether. Something which needs to change in order to fulfil the government’s ambition to reduce smoking rates down to 12%.

Check out this infographic our friends over at Purplebox Vapours have created on vaping etiquette in the workplace: