It seems a lot of our attention is turned towards the San Francisco vaping ban at present, yet this event is undeniably a huge chapter in the history of vaping and could be a potential precursor of things to come in the future. So many controversial subjects are intertwined in the legislation, most of all the alleged ‘teen vaping epidemic’ which we covered and disagreed upon in our previous blog post, yet the recent news of tobacco companies profiting in stock shares makes for alarming reading.

We break down just how and why this ban is ironically helping tobacco companies grow in economic stature, more so than what they already are, and what this means for vaping worldwide, particularly in the UK where vaping is still perceived in a positive and beneficial light when compared to smoking.

 

Stock Control

Tobacco has and will always be one of the biggest and most viable recession-proof products. On global stock exchanges throughout multiple recessions, tobacco companies have been some of the most consistent beneficiaries of financial global chaos. During the most recent crisis of 2008, U.S. stocks fell a whopping 27% between August 2007 and August 2010, yet tobacco stocks were largely unaffected as if nothing had happened. Think about it, when the world’s melting in front of our eyes, the chances are a large number of people are going to light up and watch it burn.

This will never change, especially as cigarette manufacturers offer the holy grail of a predictable dividend yield of approximately 4% or more, meaning they’re about as safe as England not winning the FIFA World Cup every time out. What’s more is that even though tobacco consumption faces a decrease in use globally, as well as constant campaigning against from citizens and governments, manufacturers enforce not only tax rises to smokers but also impose an additional price increase on products consistently to compensate for the inevitable loss of sales year on year. This is how tobacco companies remain the giants they are and ultimately it’s the public which fuel their existence.

As well as this, taking away one of the most successful ways to combat smoking, in e-cigarettes, is only going to turn ex-smokers back to tobacco of course. The economy expert Robert Ross sums it up perfectly, ‘’This might sound counterintuitive, but vaping bans could actually boost a company like Universal Corporation (one of the world’s largest tobacco merchants). E-cigarette regulations can’t hurt the company. Perversely enough, they might even help, as smokers return to traditional cigarettes if and when e-cigarettes become harder to buy.”

 

What This Means For Vaping

It needs to be stated that although many countries including Argentina, Thailand and Qatar have banned e-cigarettes outright, the blanket ban on sales and distribution in San Francisco caused shockwaves due to its surprise element. Yes, the US are in the midst of a crackdown on e-cigarettes mostly down to the fear of youth vaping, yet in turn it’s very unlikely that this will result in anti-vaping laws being passed through in multiple European countries.

On the other hand, if we were to look at the vaping industry from a business perspective, it can’t be denied that the market has taken a hit from the San Francisco ban, which was even further compounded by JUUL Lab’s CEO Kevin Burns personal apology to parents whose children have used the product.

It’s of even further concern when Universal Corporation’s shares have risen by 4.1% since the ban was announced, replicating the rapid jump achieved by BAT (British American Tobacco) who grew by a staggering 6.9% in shares last September when the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) announced warning letters, related to teen vaping, were issued to e-cigarette manufacturers and retailers.

These numbers suggest an industry in decline, yet here in the UK, vaping’s success has largely been down to public health bodies, such as PHE, NHS, Cancer Research and The British Lung Foundation, advocating for its use to help quit smoking which has seen the sector expand year on year in both credibility and economically. With more research consistently being pumped out outlining vaping’s positive effects when compared to smoking, hopefully soon vaping will be seen in a much more positive light on a social and political level across the world.

 

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

 

Following on from our previous blog post tackling the much talked about San Francisco blanket vaping ban, we touched upon the reasons behind the controversial legislation, in particular the so called teen vaping epidemic. More recently, two separate studies have been released by the NHS and ASH (Action On Smoking & Health) exposing smoking and e-cigarette use in the UK, with both reports providing a dedicated section on youth uptake.

It’s worth mentioning that the US figures for vaping within minors, whilst very much dramatically embellished by news outlets, is higher than the UK which is probably why more scare mongering articles are of prominence in the US. Having said this, since these reports have come out, the lack of mainstream British media covering the issue has been all too unsurprising and symbolic of their stance against vaping.

We break down the key evidence in these reports whilst highlighting the media’s obsession in tarnishing vaping, as evidenced by Emily Sheffield’s wildly inaccurate and under-researched recent Evening Standard article, and why the press need to start scrutinising smoking more heavily instead.

 

ASH (Action On Smoking & Health)

Let’s start with the recent report from ASH, who are a public health charity who specifically combat the harm caused by tobacco through research and campaigning. Their report which was released in June 2019, focused on the use of e-cigarettes amongst young people in Britain and made for some interesting reading.

 

Some of the key findings were:

• More than three quarters of 11-18 year olds have never tried (76.9%) or are unaware of e-cigarettes (6.6%).
• Young people vape mainly just to give it a try (52.4%) not because they think it looks cool (1.0%).
• In 2019 15.4% of 11-18 year olds had tried vaping, compared to 16.0% in 2018.
• In 2019, 1.6% of 11-18 year olds used e-cigarettes more than once a week (1.7% in 2018).
• Vaping is much less common among young people who have never smoked. A large majority of never smokers aged 11-18, 93.8% in total, have either never used an e-cigarette (87.8%) or are unaware of them (6.0%). Of young people aged 11-18 years old who have never smoked, 5.5% have ever tried e-cigarettes, 0.8% are current vapers, only 0.1% vape more than once a week, and not a single never-smoker reported vaping daily.

Not only does this evidence show a consistent decrease in the uptake of youth vaping from last year, it also reveals that persistent use of vaping in teens is nothing more than a myth, highlighted by the fact not a single never-smoker who’ve tried e-cigarettes vape daily. You can read the full report here.

 

NHS

The NHS Statistics On Smoking 2019 report, focuses on a wide variety of data concerning smoking habits across the UK, with a dedicated section concentrating on smoking patterns among young people (conducted in 2016). The bulk of their findings centred on tobacco smoking within secondary school pupils and the influences surrounding, yet also on e-cigarette use.

 

Here are some of the key findings:

• In 2016, 19% of pupils (aged 11-15) reported they had tried smoking at least once, similar to 2014. There has previously been a steady decline since 1996.
• 6% of pupils were current smokers, and 3% were regular smokers (smoked more than one cigarette per week).
• 62% of pupils reported being exposed to second-hand smoke in the home or in a car.
• 7% of pupils who lived with three or more smokers were regular smokers themselves.
• Of the 3% of the pupil population who are regular smokers, 60% of those reported that they would find it very or fairly difficult to not smoke for a week, while 74% reported that they would find it very or fairly difficult to give up smoking altogether.
• A quarter of pupils (25%) reported they had ever used e-cigarettes, with 2% of all pupils stating they were regular e-cigarette users.

 

The fact that smoking in school pupils has been declining for two decades is promising, yet it still holds a noticeable uptake compared to e-cigarettes. The statistics signifying pupils being exposed to secondhand smoke is also of concern, with the more smokers in the household proving the likelihood that the pupil will start smoking. This again highlights smoking’s influence on young people as well as the majority of regular smokers finding it difficult to stop. A full overview of the report can be found here.

 

What This Means?

All this statistical analysis makes for compelling reading, once again highlighting that vaping isn’t overtly targeting the youth despite the media’s view that the ‘child-like’ flavours entice minors as well as the apparent ease of purchasing a vape device from vendors both physically and online. The fact that the press demonises the products instead of the irresponsible retailing of the few vendors who allow this, shows where the problem lies, especially as the vast majority of retailers, like ourselves, have a strict age verification process to combat this.

The influence behind vaping, signified by only 1% of young people who had ever tried vaping because it looks cool, clearly shows that the marketing behind vaping doesn’t correlate with the media’s generalised assessment.

Smoking on the other hand, despite decreasing steadily over a 20 year period, still has its problems within youth uptake despite the government’s efforts to regulate the sale and distribution, as it has done for vaping. These stats also clearly show the more exposure to smoking you have at home, the increased likelihood of becoming regular smokers, echoing the sentiment if around cigarettes on a regular basis, the tendency to emulate is heightened.

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

Recently the world was informed that San Francisco has banned the sale, distribution and delivery of all vaping products within the county. This has come as shocking news, particularly as the Golden Gate city is home to the biggest e-cigarette manufacturer in the US, Juul Labs.

In 2018, the city banned all flavoured tobacco and eliquid use yet the news of an outright blanket ban has caught many by surprise, opening up the issue as to why vaping is so heavily scrutinised in the US and what this means for the rest of the world.

We take a look at the wider context as to why this legislation came to fruition and how the media’s role and lack of support by health organisations has a lot to account for.

 

The Facts

Law officials on Tuesday (25th June 2019) voted in favour of banning the sale and delivery of all vaping equipment (including e-liquids), prohibiting vape shops and online vendors from distributing within the county of San Francisco. Mayor, London Breed, has ten days to pass the law and has expressed firm indication she will do so, which will then come into effect in seven months. This means basically that anyone in San Francisco from then who is found to have bought or sold vape equipment within the city, is liable for prosecution.

This news is even more unexpected due to one of the US’ most popular e-cigarette producers, Juul Labs who are worth over $38bn, residing in the Californian city. This will potentially see a dent in sales and infrastructure, with Juul responding that the ban ‘will create a thriving black market’.

This highlights that vaping as a whole, is seen in an incredibly negative light within the US, backed up by the fact that virtually no health initiatives advocate for the use of vaping as an alternative cessation method to smoking. Compare this to the UK, where huge public health bodies such as PHE, NHS, Cancer Research and The British Lung Foundation have heavily campaigned for vaping as a successful tool to help quit smoking and the vastly contrasting attitudes of both nations are plain to see.

Linda Bauld, Professor of Public Health at Edinburgh University, states,’The great irony is that San Francisco are removing these products from the market that are significantly less harmful than smoking. Countries like Canada, New Zealand and the UK have shifted their position to be far more positive, driven by the signs.’

 

Why Has This Happened?

As stated, the perceptions of vaping are very different in the UK and the US, however these opposing views are formulated through the media’s role in tarnishing vaping. The most common issue is that vaping is allegedly taken up by a large proportion of young people, attracted by the flavours and large clouds, which then act as a gateway for young people to get into smoking in the future.

The National Institute of Drug Abuse report points to a dramatic increase in youth uptake of vaping in the US, stating:

 

“America’s teens report a dramatic increase in their use of vaping devices in just a single year, with 37.3 percent of 12th graders reporting “any vaping” in the past 12 months, compared to just 27.8 percent in 2017.”

 

But the obvious point of contention is that these stats are looking at ‘any vaping’ during a 12 month period – this does not represent regular vaping and could simply be teenagers doing what teenagers do best (apart from moaning about their parents); they try stuff they aren’t supposed to. This does not necessarily mean they are ‘vapers’ much in the same way if they tried a cigarette once we wouldn’t class them as ‘smokers’.

On the other hand, the recent report published by ASH (Action On Smoking and Health) highlights just the opposite in the UK. Use amongst children is almost negligible, and has actually decreased since last year, confined almost entirely to those that had already smoked.

What’s more, if we take it as fact that there are significant numbers of children vaping in the US, this is not a fault with the product – a product that is helping millions of adults turn their backs on a habit that we know kills half the people that do it, whilst causing serious health issues for many of the others. It is in fact a problem with irresponsible retail and to some degree marketing. It’s the same problem for any age restricted item; tobacco, alcohol, pornography, and in the US guns. It is illegal to sell these products, and vaping products, to a minor, therefore the real problem here is unscrupulous shop owners trying to make an extra buck. It is those people that need to be punished, not the users of a product that is saving their lives.

Here in the UK, there have been some reports of underage children getting their hands on vaping products, but luckily the powers that be are not blaming the products themselves and organisations such as the UKVIA (UK Vaping Industry Association) are working hard with relevant authorities to do everything they can to stamp out these untrustworthy retailers in an entirely logical approach. Bottom line is that if the kids aren’t sold the products, they can’t use the products.

Furthermore, presumably the main motive of this ban by the San Francisco government was to stop young people from getting hooked to nicotine and counter the so called ‘epidemic’, but where will all those young people (the ones the studies have told us are turning to vaping) get their nicotine hit from when vaping is banned? Cigarettes will still be legal of course.

 

Let’s examine that logic a little more closely…

• Fact 1 – Vaping is less harmful than smoking. We don’t know the long term effects of vaping yet by default but we are certain that smoking is deadly.
• Fact 2 – There’s arguably some unsubstantiated claims that vaping leads to smoking, however there’s conclusive evidence that vaping leads to many more people not smoking, and stopping smoking all together.

Conclusion – Therefore we should ban vaping but keep smoking legal.

 

Such questionable logic might lead one to think the motivation behind this ban may not just be concern for the public’s health, but if not that, what other motivation could there possibly be?

Many onlookers and pro-vaping activists put vaping’s unfavourable perception possibly down to the Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement. This was an arrangement that was set in place back in 1998, stating that over 25 years the 4 major US tobacco companies (Philip Morris Inc., R. J. Reynolds, Brown & Williamson and Lorillard) would pay the US government a fee each year based on the volume of their tobacco sales.  This fee (which was set as a minimum of $206bn over a 25 year period) in turn gives them immunity against any lawsuits or tobacco-related healthcare costs.

However, with California being pretty much the vaping capital of the world, cigarette sales have decreased markedly in recent years, and these payments have in turn markedly reduced. So considering that tobacco sales have not been banned, are they really looking out for a generation of potential nicotine addicts, or are they infact just chasing the dollar…. We’ll leave you to decide on that one!

With this in mind, it all makes sense as to why, through swaying of public opinion, vaping is viewed in a defamatory context and why somewhere like San Francisco, one of the most liberally thinking cities in the US, have caved in and banned vaping products.

 

What Next?

Following the much-expected confirmation of the ban, it remains to be seen whether this will transfuse to other US cities or states yet what’s clear is that this ban has been the culmination of pressure from many establishments who for some reason or another fail to believe that vaping can be a force for good to deter people away from smoking.

In the UK, the pressure is in fact going the other way, with the TPD regulations set out by the EU expected to be relaxed post-Brexit which could allow for further growth of the vaping industry.

As for Juul, it is believed they may have to relocate their headquarters, however fortunately for them they have the money and backing to survive this hit, whilst small independent vape shops and businesses in San Francisco will not and ultimately will go under.

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

Whether users are trying to give up cigarettes or simply change smoking habits, vaping has exploded in popularity. So where could call itself the UK’s vaping capital?

We analysed sales data from March 2018 to March 2019 to work out the UK’s vape capital. As well as answering that question, we discovered plenty of preferences for flavours you might not expect along the way.

Hertfordshire is the vaping capital of the UK

By looking at the number of Vape Club sales in a region, we used a mathematic formula to create a score out of 100 for each area and worked out where vaping is most popular in the UK: the quiet county of Hertfordshire. Situated just north of London, there are more sales per person among Hertfordshire’s population of 1,180,900 than anywhere else in the UK.

Although places like London (5^th place) and Hampshire (4^th place) buy more, they also have larger populations. Meaning that when you look it in terms of proportion of people, Hertfordshire is the spot that’s maddest about having a vape.

 

 

Rank	Location	Total spend as a % of all counties	Average order value	Sales per person score
1	Hertfordshire	5.78%	£37.38	41
2	Somerset	3.46%	£35.43	31
3	Northamptonshire	2.35%	£35.91	28
4	Hampshire	5.88%	£36.41	27
5	London	24.26%	£40.67	23
6	Cumbria	1.23%	£33.27	23
7	Surrey	3.18%	£37.52	22
8	Oxfordshire	1.60%	£36.58	21
9	Kent	4.56%	£37.63	21
10	Leicestershire	2.15%	£35.24	17
11	Gloucestershire	1.72%	£34.62	17
12	Essex	3.50%	£35.20	17
13	Worcestershire	1.12%	£37.54	17
14	West Sussex	1.47%	£36.38	15
15	West Midlands	4.42%	£34.93	13
16	Norfolk	1.30%	£35.68	13
17	North Yorkshire	1.64%	£34.77	13
18	Suffolk	1.07%	£34.31	12
19	Scotland	7.02%	£35.56	11
20	Devon	1.46%	£34.54	11

 

Rounding out the top five are: Somerset, Northamptonshire, Hampshire, and London. All are in the south of England, or the Midlands, which was true of the majority of the top 20; North Yorkshire, Cumbria, and Scotland were the only places ‘up north’ that feature. Wales and Northern Ireland don’t make an appearance.

So how much did everyone buy? Hertfordshire vapers ordered £37.38 worth of vape liquid and more, on average. That lagged behind only four places: London (£40.67), Kent (£37.63), Worcestershire (£37.54), and Surrey (£37.52). Across the top 20, the average spend per order in each area varied wildly. Various places, although they had fewer sales per person, had higher average spends than those further up the table.

Most popular flavours in Hertfordshire

With Hertfordshire being the UK’s vaping capital, we looked deeper into our sales data to find out what flavours you’re most likely catch in the air – should you pay a visit.

Rank	Region	Flavour
1	Hertfordshire	Menthol
2	Hertfordshire	Strawberry
3	Hertfordshire	Cream
4	Hertfordshire	Vanilla
5	Hertfordshire	Mint
6	Hertfordshire	Tobacco
7	Hertfordshire	Lemon
8	Hertfordshire	Raspberry
9	Hertfordshire	Mixed Berries
10	Hertfordshire	Pastry
11	Hertfordshire	Ice / Slush
12	Hertfordshire	Apple
13	Hertfordshire	Caramel
14	Hertfordshire	Blueberry
15	Hertfordshire	Citrus
16	Hertfordshire	Custard
17	Hertfordshire	Mango
18	Hertfordshire	Blackcurrant
19	Hertfordshire	Lime
20	Hertfordshire	Grape

 

Menthol is the most popular, while a variety of fruity flavours also come high up the rankings, such as strawberry, lemon, raspberry, and mixed berries. Tobacco is in sixth place, a flavour that stays a little closer to the taste of traditional cigarettes – and suggests there might be a good few people in Hertfordshire trying to kick the habit.

That said, some unexpected flavours are quite popular too, with pastry taking 10^th place, while ice/slush was in 11^th. But, of course, you can’t beat the classics: cream was in 3^rd place, vanilla was 4^th, caramel was 13^th, and custard 16^th.

Overall top flavours in the UK

So what is the UK vaping? We looked at the most popular flavours in the UK as a whole to see what people like best, and how this compares with our leader, Hertfordshire.

Rank	Flavour
1	Menthol
2	Strawberry
3	Cream
4	Tobacco
5	Vanilla
6	Raspberry
7	Mixed Berries
8	Lemon
9	Mint
10	Ice / Slush

 

Once again, menthol topped the list, while tobacco was in fourth. Four of the top 10 proved a preference for fruity flavours is a countrywide trend, with strawberry, raspberry, mixed berries, and lemon all appearing. Blueberry and apple both fell just outside the top 10, in 11^th and 12^th place respectively.

However, less tropical flavours, such as cream, vanilla, and mint, get added to people’s orders a lot. Ice/slush also just made it into the top 10.

There are many other unusual flavours that could be a growing trend, out of Vape Club’s data on over 130 flavours. Pastry proved to be 14^th most popular flavour nationwide, while nut was 28^th, aniseed/liquorice was 29th, and coffee was 38^th.

In a 2015 evidence review, Public Health England estimated that vaping is roughly 95% less harmful to your health than smoking cigarettes. Add to that the wide array of flavours available compared to traditional smoking, it’s possible that many people may switch their packets of cigarettes for an e-cigarette.

Although the south of England and the Midlands are where vaping is currently most popular, according to our sales figures, perhaps this trend could grow over time throughout the rest of the UK.

If any of the flavours we’ve talked about have caught your eye, then browse our range of e-liquids.

 

 

 

As more and more people begin to realise the damage human beings have caused to the planet, the need to become more eco-friendly and sustainable as a species is as vital as it ever will be. This is highlighted through World Environment Day, which takes place on the 5th June every year and has been active for 35 years, aiming to educate and inform us of our duty to protect the planet at all costs.

Vaping is no different, as an industry it’s important to be as ecologically sound as possible. Already by choosing vaping over smoking, on average you’re saving 6 trees a year from being destroyed, which is approximately 352 trees over a lifetime.

We take a look at how as a vaper you can be as economical as possible whilst offering some helpful tips as to how you can reduce your environmental impact through your choice of kit and eliquid.

 

Moving Through The Gears

As a beginner vaper, it’s common that you will use a simple kit like a pod kit where setup and maintenance are minimal. This has its consequences, especially if it’s a closed pod device that requires you to keep replacing the pre-filled cartridge of eliquid.

Most closed pods require you to disassemble all of the components once used, wash out thoroughly to remove any nicotine residue, which can be  toxic when contaminated into recyclable materials, and dispose of appropriately. All of this is an extremely laborious process, not to mention rather hazardous with the increased risk of injury when disassembling, therefore closed pod systems remain one of the most environmentally perilous forms of vaping overall.

It also means every 1-2 days, which is approximately the time you go through a closed pod, you’re disposing of on average 9.7g of plastic which over a year equates to 2.3kg of plastic, the equivalent weight of an adult Chihuahua, surprisingly. As you can see, this is detrimental to the environment when you consider the sheer amount of people using this type of device and if the materials are non-recyclable, but it can be avoided.

Having said that, if we compare directly to smoking, the environmental impact of using a closed pod device over tobacco is still huge with over 600 carcinogenic chemicals being pumped into the atmosphere for every discarded cigarette butt alone.

As an alternative, open pod devices are kits wherein you manually refill the cartridge yourself. If we were to apply the same method of calculating the average disposing of pods over a year, it would equal out to only 362g of plastic, remarkably making them over six times more eco-efficient than closed pods. Furthermore, you’ll dispose of your pods less frequently compared to closed pod devices as the built-in coils last a lot longer, on average needing to be replaced once a week.

Obviously, this form of pod device requires refilling with eliquid which is more often than not stored in plastic bottles, however, all the bottles we stock at Vape Club are constructed from recyclable materials like PET. We’ll touch on this in greater detail later.

The next step up is to use a refillable tank device, meaning the only thing you’ll be disposing of is the replacement coil every few weeks or so as well as eliquid bottles. Coils are widely recyclable, usually consisting of some form of metal such as Stainless Steel or Kanthal as well as cotton, meaning wastage is reduced significantly.

Moreover, if your device uses removable batteries, there are plenty of disposable battery bins around, including one right here at Vape Club, resulting in your battery being cleanly and appropriately recycled.

Going even further, rebuildable atomisers in particular RDAs are extremely eco-friendly due to their metal construction, as well as the coils and cotton they use being recyclable.

It’s also worth noting that here at Vape Club, we do our utmost to recycle all materials and package 95% of our customer deliveries in Jiffy green bags which are not only recyclable but are also biodegradable, an even bigger step in conserving our environment for future generations.

 

Bottle It Up

Earlier we mentioned that all of our eliquid plastic bottles are recyclable, it’s worth noting they need to be rinsed thoroughly before being recycled due to nicotine being poisonous which would have a huge effect on our water supply and marine life.

Eliquid bottles remain the most widely consumed vaping product by some distance. On average, a standard 10ml bottle weighs 8.4g, coupled with the logic that the everyday vaper expends a 10ml bottle of eliquid every 5 days, it would equal out to 613g of plastic being recycled per year.

For those who prefer shortfill eliquids, a standard empty 60ml bottle weighs out at 16.4g which taking into account that the common vaper goes through a 60ml shortfill around once a fortnight, approximately 426.4g of plastic is recycled each year.

Additionally, the majority of users mix shortfills with 10ml nicotine booster shots, which when applied to the same formula of being consumed once every two weeks, 218.4g will be combined with shortfill bottle consumption, totalling out at 644.8g per year for shortfill users.

All of these statistics may seem quite baffling and will no doubt vary according to your specific vaping regime, yet it’s important to know that if every vaper followed these tips and catered their consumption and habits to respect the environment it would have a hugely beneficial effect on the planet overall.

 

Helpful Tips and Hints

There are always more ways to reduce waste and protect the environment and it’s safe to say that as a species we are some way off from being as ecological as we possibly can be. Here are a few extra hints and tips in taking that extra step to preserve our ecosystem:

 

Buy Locally

One of the biggest causes of climate change is the overuse of fuel worldwide with around 54 million litres of fuel being burned away each day across the planet. One way to reduce this is to buy your eliquids locally in the UK, decreasing the air mileage and transportation as opposed to US or European produced eliquids. We stock an extensive range of UK manufactured eliquids from a variety of esteemed brands including Vampire Vape, Dinner Lady and Large Juice.

 

Reuse & Donate

Vape kits can serve different purposes, specifically advanced mods and tanks, which have compatibility with a host of output modes suited to users preferences. For example, a mod with a Variable Wattage mode can be used with a range of tanks meaning you won’t have to go out and purchase a new tank and instead reuse an old one.

Additionally, you’d be surprised at the number of vapers with a cupboard full of old equipment which is still in great condition and can be donated to users in need of hardware. These are all crucial variables in reducing wastage.

 

Recycle Packaging

This one is as simple as it sounds, with the vast majority of products packaged in fully recyclable cardboard which can be easily disposed of cleanly and efficiently. As stated previously, our jiffy green bags are biodegradable, a huge positive for the environment.

 

Switching Up Your Eliquid

There’s been an increase over the last few years of particular eliquid brands which use natural alternatives to PG (Propylene Glycol), such as vegetol a type of vegetable oil which is solely produced from plant-based ingredients. Although PG isn’t seen as a significant contributor to fossil carbon dioxide emissions, it is viewed as a petrochemical due to deriving from petroleum. We stock the popular Kind juice, as well as the premium French brand Curieux which feature vegetol.

It’s also worth mentioning that some eliquids with a large amount of flavouring have an increased sugar content which naturally kills coil much faster than simple flavours. As a rule of thumb, menthol or tobacco flavours usually have the longest lifespan which transpires to them needing to be replaced less often. Likewise, eliquids which use alternative sweeteners as a substitute for sugar will also improve the lifespan of your coils.

On the other hand, those who vape nicotine may find it useful to switch to a higher nic strength meaning you’ll vape less and in the process save on eliquid and plastic consumption. One way to achieve this is to change to a salt nicotine eliquid which naturally has a higher ratio of nicotine but also a faster absorption into the bloodstream, meaning cravings will decrease significantly. As well as this, salt nicotine offers a smoother throat hit than standard nicotine meaning the increase in strength doesn’t constitute irritation.

 

Conclusion

Basically, if you were to be the most ecologically responsible vaper possible, the holy grail setup would be; a low-wattage regular mod with a single removable battery, a standard glass tank with a removable coil and a 10ml 20mg salt nicotine eliquid blend with a low sugar content from the UK.

If, on average, a vaper was to go through a 10ml bottle and one coil each week (removable batteries last approximately 18 months), the overall annual waste totals at just under 1kg of recyclable materials. This would be the most beneficial and environmentally friendly way to vape.

Overall, compared to other industries, vaping remains a sustainable and eco-friendly entity which not only combats smoking healthwise but also ecologically. Saying this, like all of us, it has the power to do even more, particularly in the beginner vaper sector where the most money fluctuates yet the most waste is produced, and with a shift in the right direction this wholly possible.

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

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.