Derriford Hospital in Devon, a large portion of Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust, announced this week that whilst smoking is banned entirely on-site, vaping is welcomed with open arms.
The fact that vaping is 95% safer than smoking has been thrown around at every opportunity since that statement was released back in 2017 – and for good reason. So it comes as no surprise to realise that it’s no longer health professionals stressing this finding, they’re putting it into practice too.
Vaping Allowed in Hospital
The hospital took a big leap by allowing its premises to become “vape-friendly” and permit vaping everywhere (within reason), but requests users don’t vape by the entrances and bus stops where many people would congregate.
Its plan is to make the hospital tobacco-free, instead of smoke-free, targeting the real reason why a person’s health can rapidly decline.
Along with granting both staff, patients and visitors the go-ahead to vape on-site, they are also considering issuing out disposable e-cigarettes to help the public cut down and quit smoking.
How to Give Up Smoking
If, like Derriford Hospital, you believe it’s time to stop smoking and consider transitioning from smoking, we fully support you. A fantastic beginner kit to get you started on the road to regaining your health is Vapour2 UK’s Starter Pack – which contains an e-cigarette battery, cartridge, USB charger and choice of e-liquid.
Start with a high strength nicotine to begin with, and experiment with flavours to step away from tobacco and look for something that suits your palate. Over time, you’ll find you do not need as much a nicotine hit and you can lower the strength of your e-liquid whilst still enjoying the flavoursome tastes available.
For more information on how to stop smoking, please feel free to contact us.
A recent report published by public health experts has declared 2007’s ban on smoking in public spaces and workplaces to be the greatest UK public health achievement of the 21st century.
A formidable feat to be admired, let’s take a look at how vaping has helped the cause for a smoke-free future and how it can help you quit smoking today as a way to help combat the ban.
The Public Smoking Ban of 2007 and Aftermath
There was a time when you’d walk through the doors of any high street pub or restaurant, only to be greeted by plumes of thick tobacco smoke. If dining out, it was likely that you would have been asked if you if you’d like to sit in the smoking or non-smoking section of the restaurant. With often only a single metre, divided by roped bollards, to separate the two distinctly different sections of the dining area, the thought of such an environment is now obsolete thanks to the smoking ban of 2007.
Fast forward to 2020, and the effects that the smoking ban has had on the health of our nation is overwhelmingly positive. Everybody knows that smoking is terrible, but did you know that in 2016 smoking-related deaths accounted for 16% of all adult fatalities in the UK? A figure that has steadily decreased since 2006, the smoking ban in public spaces and workplaces has been credited for the number of heart attacks and cardiac conditions, reducing by over 20% during the first ten years since its introduction.
With a significant shift in the countries smoking culture taking place over the last decade, it comes as no surprise that the recent report published by the Royal Society for Public Health places the smoking ban at the top of the UK’s public health achievements in the 21stcentury.
As the number of smokers declines, it’s fair to say that while cigarettes are still available, smoking will continue to be a problem for our public health.
How Vaping Can Help You Stop Smoking
If you are one of the estimated 7 million UK smokers still puffing away on your cigarettes, it’s feasible that you may have made some resolutions to finally quit in 2020. The addictive nature of smoking means that you may be finding it harder to quit than your first imagined. Whether you’ve gone cold turkey or are trying to reduce the amount you smoke gradually, there’s no escaping the fact that quitting smoking is one of the trickier obstacles that one faces in life. If you’ve yet to try vaping, then you might be missing out on one of the best tools available to you.
To provide a smoke-free future for generations to come, the introduction of e-cigarettes has proven to be a particularly useful tool in helping smokers become smoke-free. Public Health England published independent evidence in 2015 that shows e-cigarettes to be up to a staggering 95% less harmful than traditional cigarettes and offers the potential to help smokers finally quit and become smoke-free.
More recently a global team of researchers from multiple universities, led by Queen Mary University London, found that vaping proved to be up to twice as effective as other stop-smoking tools such as nicotine patches and gums.
If you need help finding the right vaping products to help you make the switch from a smoker to a vaper, then you’ve come to the right place. With a wealth of knowledge and a market with a brilliant array of starter vaping kits (that come complete with everything you need to start vaping), why not explore your options online and take a step in the direction of a smoke-free new you?
Vaping is a much less harmful alternative to smoking and should only be taken up by smokers who are looking to quit.
Save Money and Buy Your Vape in Bulk
Not only will vaping reduce the harm you pose to your body every time you would’ve lit up a cigarette; vaping will also benefit the health of your finances. Depending on what kind of device you choose, vapers can expect to spend up to 60% less than smokers.
To further increase your savings, a top tip is to buy your e-liquid in bulk. While you might go through an element of trial and error in finding your favoured e-juice flavour, once you’ve identified an e-juice that you palate takes pleasure in, buying a bulk order of e-liquid cartridges will save you some significant money.
Choosing something like Vapour2’s premium e-liquid cartridges in bulk means that you can spend up to 25% less than you would if you were buying them in smaller packs. The more you buy, the more money you save – simple!
Many of our readers may be thinking about quitting smoking and if they already haven’t done so 2020 is the year to make a determined effort to succeed and finally stop smoking – clear the way for a healthy 2020.
Ways to Stop Smoking
It’s easy to say at Christmas, or at New Year that you want to give up and stop smoking but the secret is not only to mean it but to take positive action. For the lucky few this can mean going “cold turkey” and just stopping, for others it can mean cutting back so that instead of getting through a packet of cigarettes a day you make a pack last a day and a half, then two days, then two and a half days and so on until you find that you are only smoking once a day or even less frequently. If you are doing this try to avoid places where you feel you should smoke to “fit in”, be that pubs or other social settings.
Another method that some people have used to stop smoking is to use e-cigs (e-cigarettes). These, as you may know, or have read elsewhere on this site, often look like cigarettes but instead of being filled with tobacco have cartridges will with liquid that sometimes contains nicotine (but can also contain flavoured nicotine-free liquids). I’m sure that you have seen the television adverts or even the e-cigs that you can buy over the counter in supermarkets, newsagents, garages or even in small shops of all types. If you need help on getting the right e cigarette, take a look at our guide on the best e cigarettes that you can buy in the UK.
Safety First
If you do decide to use ecigs as a way of stopping smoking there are several things to consider. Do you want to start with one that contains nicotine (there have been reports of pets being killed when they have chewed a nicotine cartridge such as this one on the BBC or this one from Australia. These articles would suggest that you need to keep the cartridges away from pets (and probably children as well) but any responsible smoker would do the same thing with their cigarettes and matches anyway.
Summary
There are lots of ways to stop smoking if you are determined to do so. The NHS offers a lot of support which is freely available and should be used in conjunction with your quest to stop using your vape pen.
It’s been quite the year for the vaping industry. As more and more smokers understand the benefits that vaping affords, let’s take a look at some of the year’s top research studies and what we’ve learnt in 2019.
Vaping Twice as Effective as Patches and Gums
If you vape, you’ll be aware of how effective e-cigarettes have been in your quest to become smoke-free. However, without any scientific research to back the wishful thinking up, the opinion had been very much limited to the vaping community. But at the beginning of 2019, the beliefs of the vaping community became scientific evidence when the (UK) National Institute of Health Research and Cancer Research UK funded a groundbreaking study that revealed just how effective e-cigs are. Led by a team of researchers from several UK based universities, the study found that e-cigarettes are almost twice as effective as other nicotine alternatives such as patches and gums in enabling a smoker to become smoke-free.
By choosing to use e-cigarettes and e-liquids such as XEO vaporizers and Vapour2’s premium e-liquid, the journey to becoming smoke-free can be viewed as a much more effective way to give up smoking than it was before. The perceived hurdles and cravings that are traditionally so synonymous with smokers trying to quit are close to becoming a thing of the past.
E-Cigarettes Help 50,000 People Quit Smoking Each Year
If you were ever in doubt that vaping is a useful tool that helps smokers quit, then a recent study led by University College London has revealed some hugely positive news. Funded by Cancer Research UK, the study found that, since 2011, smokers using e-cigarettes to help them quit coincided with the success rate of smokers actually quitting. It might sound straightforward, however many critics of e-cigs debate whether vapers are simply swapping addictive cigarettes, for supposedly addictive e-cigarettes.
As we know, vaping is a healthy lifestyle choice that smokers undertake on a relatively short-term basis, as an aid to become smoke-free. Available in 4 different concentrations of nicotine (o%, 0.6%, 1.2% and 1.8%), vapers can gradually decrease the amount of nicotine that is in their e-liquid, which means that in time, smokers can become both smoke and nicotine-free.
Less People Smoking, More People Vaping
In July, more good vaping news came via the NHS’s ‘Statistics on Smoking’ Report 2019. The report detailed that, as suspected, the most common reasons for vapers choosing to vape is because they want to quit smoking. Quickly becoming the go-to tool for people trying to quit smoking, the report found that the number of smokers continues to decline. 19.8% in 2011, the current percentage of smokers in the UK has since reduced to 14.4%, which is down from 14.9% in 2017. The numbers equate to around 1.8 million smokers quitting since 2011. What makes the report such fascinating reading, is that since 2011 the number of smokers quitting is mostly within the younger age groups of 18-24 with numbers exponentially decreasing the older the age group. Compared with the underage vaping epidemic that the US is currently experiencing, the latest figures show us that despite claims made by various media outlets, juvenile vaping in the UK remains relatively problem-free.
Update 2020. ASH (Action on smoking and health) have now confirmed in their recent press release on Vaping: “In 2019 around half as many Britons now vape as smoke, and the majority are ex-smokers
CDC Say Vaping is Safe
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ll know that the US vaping industry has become a focal point for scrutiny in recent months. From the controversy surrounding JUUL marketing their products to those under age to the outbreak of a mysterious vaping related illness that hospitalized thousands, the question of whether vaping is safe has been a prevalent one. While no specific ingredients have been mentioned as a cause, the understanding is that e-liquids containing THC has caused the illnesses. Furthermore, it is thought that the e-liquids in question may have been bought illicitly.
Tasked with investigating the outbreak, the Centre for Disease Control (CDC) have since revealed that they do not believe the explosion of illnesses are linked to long-term vaping.
While the vaping epidemic in the US has dominated the headlines in recent months, the wealth of positive vaping news, research and study that took place in 2019 is something to give a hearty cheer about. Bring on 2020 and a smoke-free future for all.
If you’ve heard about the recent outbreak of a mysterious vaping related illness that is making its way across the US, then you may be wondering whether or not it’s safe to vape and if you might be affected. Let’s take a look at the details and provide some reassurance that it is safe to vape in the UK despite what’s happening in the US.
What is happening in the US?
First reported in September, the e-cigarette news that has been occupying the headlines around the world is the outbreak of a serious lung disease that has been sweeping across the US. With over 1,500 cases reported from 49 states, the disease has sadly accounted for 38 deaths to date. The high number of cases and fatalities speak volumes about the severity of the disease, though the Centre for Disease Control (CDC) who are investigating, have said that the illness is confined to a specific group of people.
With the majority of patients identified as young males (70% male with an average age of 24), the predominantly common theme is that patients with the lung illness had been vaping products that contained THC. `While this may be a regular theme among the illnesses, the team at the CDC who have been investigating the case say there isn’t a specific substance that they can conclusively identify as the cause. Additionally, it appears that the THC containing products that may be responsible had been sourced illicitly from street dealers or from friends and family who may have obtained those products from the black market. Confusingly, while no specific chemicals have been attributed as the cause, the CDC says that it is not clear whether all the cases are even the same kind of lung disease.
The illicit nature of e liquids potentially vaped by many of the patients has led to a US-based study of illegal e-liquids. Of 12 illicit e-liquid cartridges tested, 9 contained dangerously high levels of Vitamin E – a substance banned by the TPD and not found in UK or EU made e liquid cartridges. Worryingly, of the 12 THC vape cartridges, all contained pesticides, including myclobutanil, which breaks down into the highly poisonous hydrogen cyanide when vaped and inhaled.
Due to the sudden outbreak of illnesses, states across the US have begun to ban and limit the sales of various e-liquid flavours, while the US administration explores the idea of a nationwide ban. But what does this kind of legislation mean for those who value vaping as a less harmful alternative to smoking tobacco products, who use e-cigarettes to stay smoke-free?
Outbreak Not Associated to Long Term Vaping
An item of information that may provide US vapers with some hope is that the CDC, do not believe that the current outbreak of lung-illnesses is related to long-term vaping. With an estimated 9 million US vapers currently enjoying the benefits that e-cigarettes afford, the danger of vilifying the vaping industry and banning e cigarettes could mean that the millions of US vapers may be warned off vaping entirely and consequently return to smoking tobacco cigarettes to satisfy their cravings for nicotine.
E-Cigarettes Still Far-Less Harmful Than Smoking
It should come as no surprise that the illegal drugs market is a global market, which means that any harmful products in the US have the potential to make their way to UK shores. While the threat of illicit e liquids finding their way to the UK remains, the advice for vapers is to stay vigilant and avoid the temptation of vaping e liquids if you’re uncertain about where the e liquid has been sourced from.
Ensure that what you’re vaping is safe and always buy your e-liquid from a reputable brand that has good reviews to back it up. E liquids from companies such as Vapour2 will use only the best ingredients and are lab tested for your safety per the Tobacco Product Directive.
The advice of Public Health England (PHE) is that e-cigarettes are still far less harmful than smoking tobacco cigarettes and that vaping has the potential to provide smokers with a route to becoming smoke-free. An independent study conducted in 2015 and published by PHE says that e-cigarettes are up to 95% less harmful than smoking, while more recent research indicates that vaping is up to twice as effective as other nicotine replacement products such as patches and gums.
Affable, affordable and a great introduction to dry herb vaping, the Vie Dry Herb Vaporizer at £49.95 is one of most cost-friendly dry herb devices to be found on the market. Compact and convenient, let’s take a look at and review the Vie Dry Herb Vaporizer in all its glory.
Vie’s Vital Statistics
Build Quality:7
Ease Of Use: 7.9
Heat Chamber Size: 8.5
Multiple Heat Settings: 9.2
Value For Money: 9.7
PROS
Affordable
2 airflow options
3 heat modes
4 temperature settings
Herb capsules create 3600even heating of herbs
Use for dry herbs and wax concentrates
Dry herb capsule stores 0.3 grams
200 vape puffs per charge
CONS
Vaporizer heats up in 1 minute
Not suitable for e-liquids
Vie Heating Chamber & Capsules
First things first, the Vie is not to be used with e-liquids. This is a device for those seeking an alternative to the conventional e-liquids that have become so popular. While you may be content with loosely packing your leaves directly into the heating chamber, Vie provides a designated dry herb capsule that stores 0.3g of herbs. Perfect for those on the go, pre-prepare capsules that are mechanically and thermodynamically designed to evenly heat your herbs to 3600to create a great tasting flavourful vape.
Variable Heat Settings
For those looking to truly take control of their vaping experience, the Vie will offer you quite the range of temperature settings to suit your tastes.
Depending on what you’re vaping will determine which heat setting you will need. Whether you’re going to load dry herbs directly into the chamber, use herb capsules or even use concentrates or wax capsules, the Vie will afford you multiple heat modes and temperature settings to provide the optimum heat necessary to create the best vaping experience.
To adjust the heat settings suitable for what you want to vape, you’ll need to press and hold the temperature level button, which can be found on the bottom of your Vie. Then to change the heating mode, simply tap the power button. A blue light will indicate the low heat mode suitable for loading your herbs directly into the heating chamber, a red light signals the correct temperature for dry herb capsules and a purple light indicates the heat mode required for concentrates and wax capsules.
In addition to the various heat modes that you’ll be able to select, you can also apply alternative temperature settings. Once you’re in your desired heat mode, simply select the temperature level by pressing the button found on the bottom of your device. With each press of the button, you’ll be able to navigate through four variable temperature settings, which will be indicated via the LED bars found on the front of your device. One bar indicates 1700C/3380F, two bars for 2000C/3920F, three bars will provide heat of 2200C/4280F and finally, four bars will create heat of 2500C/4820F.
Vie Battery Life
Considering the tech that has gone into this powerful bit of kit, the battery life of the Vie is comparable to some of the far more expensive devices available on the market. With a charging time of approximately one to two hours via a designated USB cable, a fully charged Vie will provide you with up to 200 puffs to enjoy before having to re-charge. Keen to know how much power you have remaining? The light found near the micro USB port will let you know what kind of charge you have left on your device. A green light represents 50-100%, an orange light 30-49%, while a red light means that you have 5-19% left. If you’re seeing a red flashing light, it means that you’ve got less than 5% left and you’ll need to get yourself to a charging point pronto.
Want to vape but think you can’t whilst your device is charging? The Vie has a unique Safe Pass-Through feature, which will let you vape even whilst your device is plugged in.
Vie Design
Sleek, stylish and unassuming, the jet-black coloured Vie is ergonomically designed to fit discreetly into the palm of your hand to let you sit back and vape dry herbs with ease. While you might find similarly designed vaporizers on the market, the Vie includes some unique design features that leave you feeling suitably impressed.
Airflow is an important attribute of any vape. Determining how hot or cool the vapour you inhale is can be the difference between a sweet or sour experience. Contributing to further control in the temperature department, the Vie has a small silicone insert that can be found underneath the mouthpiece. On one side of the insert, you’ll see a maze and on the other just a single hole. For dry herbs, the side of the insert with a maze will help to cool the vapour by spreading the surface area of the vapour before you inhale. The single hole will provide a direct airflow, which is good for products like concentrates and wax.
Essential Accessories
If want to venture into the world of dry herb vaping, the key to experiencing the perfect vape will be the quality, coarseness and consistency of the herbs that you’re packing into the chamber. Investing in a robust herb grinder such as the Vapour2 PRO Grinder that will finely cut your herbs to the correct consistency will ensure that none of your herbs goes to waste. Always make sure to add dry herbs to your grinder.
A few simple twists should be all that is required to produce the kind of final consistency that you’re looking for. If you grind your herbs too much, your mixture may be too fine which means that your chambers contents may be too dense to vape effectively. If your herb mixture is too fine, you’ll ultimately reduce the airflow and limit the surface area of the herbs that you’re trying to vape. Avoid attempting to grind any moist or damp leaves, as these will clog up your grinder.
Vie Dry Herb Vaporizer Kit Contents
Considering the Vie costs just under £50, you get a lot of brilliant stuff for your bucks. In addition to the Vie Herb Vaporizer, the kit contains two herb capsules, a wax concentrate capsule, USB cable and a whole host of cleaning goodies to keep the device free from any build-up of excess herbs.
Priced at just under £50, it’s hard to find any faults with the Vie Even if there were any qualms or queries, finding a dry herb vaporizer that’s as affordable and multi-functional as this is hard to come by. If you’re looking for a simple, yet highly capable dry herb vaporizer for the home then choosing the Vie would be a wise move to make.
Known as the ‘powerhouse of vaporisers’, MigVapor’s recent Khan model has taken the market by storm. Offering phenomenal performance and a small form-factor, the Khan is a dry herb vaporizer designed to provide an optimal vaping experience for users of all stripes.
So, how does it stack up against some key criteria and is it worth considering as an upgrade or a solid first step into the world of herbal vaping?
Battery life: One of the main draws of the device is its powerful 2500mAH battery. Able to fit in the device’s slim housing, the powerpack ensures long-lasting use and enables a range of variable temperature settings; giving you a staggering range of 150-240°C for the device.
The high capacity battery goes from empty to fully charged within 2-3 hours, locking the device into charge mode and preventing it from accidentally being turned on whilst plugged in. While it can be a little frustrating waiting between charges, a portable battery pack can easily help you top-up on the go with no fuss.
Usability: The Khan solely deals with loose-leaf products and is top loading, letting users avoid the finicky changing mechanisms that come with hybrid vapes. Five short clicks on the device’s button activates the heating mode and a built-in vibration function means that you can be quietly informed that your device is ready to go without being forced to ‘clock watch’.
The Khan’s housing is made from elegant aluminium that has been branded by the device’s signature snake motif, packing a lot of bite in a small frame. The device also enjoys a smooth draw through an isolated air path, ensure that your vape always operates at maximum efficiency. Marry this with a colossal 0.5g capacity chamber and you have a device that can make sure your chosen supplement lasts as long as you need it to.
Variable heat settings
Settings: As with many of MigVapor’s products, usability is of the utmost importance. The device is controlled by a central button that powers on in three seconds, allowing you to quickly access your temperature control mode and other options. This is all presented through a neat smart screen that allows you to make key adjustments with ease, whether it’s a burst of power for a strong smoking session or a gentle heat to make the most of your herbal product.
This also allows you to tweak your overall battery settings and find the perfect balance between longevity and performance, letting you easily switch your settings as needed – even on the move. While the device may take some initial getting used to, checking through its fantastic user manual can have your tailoring the settings and making it your vape in no time at all.
Value for money: As with many V2 products, the Khan comes with a wealth of accessories to keep your vape going for as long as possible. This includes an additional glass mouthpiece and a range of maintenance and cleaning tools at no additional cost. Chief among these useful extras is the dry herb bubbler that comes as a free piece of additional kit and has become a massive USP for the item.
Made from balanced, graded Pyrex, the bubbler cools the smoke leaving your vape. This reduces the ‘burn’ that often accompanies other products and creates a smooth, clear draw that can only be replicated through much larger, non-portable devices. While the bubbler is robust, it’s always advisable to take extra care of your product and picking up a case can help ensure that your items stay safe and intact.
Mig Vapor Torpedo kit contents
Torpedo dry herb vaporizer -2200 mAh
5 Mesh filters
2 long black silicone mouthpieces
3 silicone mouthpieces
1 cleaning brush
1 USB charger
1 Torpedo user guide
In Conclusion
The Khan is a genuinely surprising package that fits a lot of options into an elegant piece of kit. Unlike many multi-use vapes that deal with e liquids, the device focuses on doing one thing <i>excellently</i> and provides a best-in-show herbal vaping experience. While it may sit at the higher end of the market when it comes to its price point, the device unquestionably delivers for the casual user and seasoned professional alike; offering functionality, durability, and a reliable performance, charge after charge. If you’re serious about enjoying your herbal vaping, it’s well worth taking the time to invest in a product that not only lasts, but is guaranteed to deliver time and time again.
Ready to rid yourself of the smoke-chain shackles that keep weighing you down? Ready to finally quit smoking and lead a healthier lifestyle. Let’s take a look at how to stop smoking this Stoptober and how vaping might help you overcome that hurdle-like habit you’ve been struggling to overcome.
Smoking Kills
It doesn’t take a genius to work out, that smoking kills. In fact, smoking-related diseases account for a staggering 16% of all adult deaths in the UK. Responsible for numerous ailments and diseases including lung cancer, tuberculosis, stroke, heart attack, loss of vision, and more – even second-hand smoke will increase the risk of non-smokers suffering from smoking-related diseases. As a result, it’s not good for those loved ones of yours who regularly have to inhale your surplus smoke, by quitting smoking you’ll not only enhance your quality of life but those nearest and dearest to you too.
How Vaping Can Lead to Smoke-Free
Life
Did you know that research published by Public England shows that e-cigarettes are up to 95% less harmful than smoking tobacco products? More importantly, the same research also indicates that vaping can help smokers become smoke-free, and consequently lead a healthier lifestyle than the one which they have been used to.
A more recent
study conducted by Queen Mary University London found that vaping e-cigarettes
were up to twice as effective as nicotine patches and gums used by smokers
trying to quit.
Get Rid of Cravings
By replacing cigarettes with a vaporizer and a nicotine-based e-juice, smokers can curb their cravings to light up and avoid all the nasty accompaniments that come with smoking. Because vaping heats the e-liquid as opposed to burning tobacco, all the carbon monoxide and tar that is released every time you smoke is removed from the equation. Free yourself from the odorous tobacco smoke that clings to your clothes and your every being. In other words, smell better and save the time and hassle of excusing yourself every time you need a ‘breath of fresh air’.
From
traditional tobacco flavourings to sweet and fruity offerings, the e-liquid
used are available in a range of flavours which provides vapers with an added
extra when it comes to the taste of their vape. As well as flavours, you can
also choose from a range of nicotine strengths, which means you can gradually
reduce the strength of nicotine you use and become both smoke-free and
nicotine-free. Win. win.
The Best Device for First-Time
Vapers
For first-time
vapers, the myriad of devices and accessories that lie in wait can seem
dizzying. Quitting smoking is hard enough without having to sift through the
assortment of options that are presented to you right? With that in mind,
keeping your vaping equipment as straightforward as possible is the key to a
successful switch from smoker to vaper.
Alternatives to Cigarettes
While there are numerous devices at your disposal, starting with a simple e-cigarette should be your first port of call. Devices with multiple functions such as high-end vape pens and box mods are great, but they can be tricky to work out for first-time vapers. Get to grips with the basics and sub-ohm box mods can be something to look forward to once you’ve become accustomed to vaping.
For a
completely fuss-free experience, Vapour2’s Standard Starter Pack provides
everything you need to get started. Enjoy a standard cigarette styled
re-chargeable battery and USB charger, together with your choice of flavoured
nicotine-based e-liquid cartridges. Prefilled, simply screw the cartridge onto
the end of your fully charged and vape away. No buttons, no-refills – just
happy vaping.
How to Break the Smoking Habit
For those who may be used to rolling their cigarettes, the ritualistic habit of rolling your own can essentially be replaced by refilling your e-liquid tanks with a quality e-liquid like Vapour2’s Premium E-Liquid. A far more environmentally friendly alternative to the aforementioned disposable screw-on cartridges, shisha style tanks like Vapour2’s EX Blanks series produce great flavour and vapour and can be refilled up to 15 times before you’ll need to replace them. Simply fill your tank with e-liquid and screw onto Vapour2’s standard e-cigarette battery and away you go.
Those with a
serious smoking habit and who may be used to strong tobacco or cigarettes with
a throat hit to match, a device that may be worth thinking about is a POD vape.
Similar in style and ease-of-use as an e-cigarette, PODS use a nicotine salt
e-juice stored in a pod, rather than e-liquid in a tank. The nicotine salts are
an alternative form of nicotine that provides a similar throat hit to
cigarettes and a kick of nicotine that’ll leave you satisfied for some
time.
Vape Pods ideally
suited to newbies are devices such as the Vaptio C-Flat Mini Pod Kit or the iQ
Air. Simply fill a blank pod, which are included with both devices, with
VSAVI’s range of flavoured nicotine salts; inhale, exhale and curb the craving
for a cigarette.
Save Money and Vape
Vaping isn’t just a healthier alternative to smoking – it’s also a far more affordable way to go about getting your hit of nicotine. Whether you opt for the simple e-cigarette style device or go for the big hit provided by the Pod Vape both types of devices can be bought for under £20. While a bottle 10ml e-liquid or nic salts might cost £5.99, that one bottle will provide the equivalent of up to 3 packs of cigarettes.
Depending on
how much you smoke, by switching from smoking to vaping, you could soon be
making some significant savings. With more money in your pocket, you could go
on that holiday you always wanted to or treat your partner out to a regular
date night. Whichever way you wish to spend your extra cash, the benefits of
vaping mean that both your health and lifestyle will begin to reap the rewards.
You may or may not have heard that
San Francisco recently became the first city in the United States to ban
e-cigarettes. Home of the brave or have officials in San Francisco just put the
potential for a smoke-free city up in smoke? Let’s find out more about the
what, the why and the when, as San Francisco seeks to cease the sale of vaping
products.
First City in the U.S. to Ban Vaping
It seems hard to believe, but yes
San Francisco has become the first city to ban vaping in the United States.
Known for their healthy living and forward-thinking community, it seems at odds
with logic, that local government in the city have gone to such lengths that
will see shops removing e-cigarettes and e-liquid from their shelves.
Additionally, online sales of e-cigs in the city are also set to be banned,
meaning that a seemingly healthy solution to combat smoking will be reduced to the
depths and darkness of an illegal and illicit black market.
Why did San Francisco Ban
E-Cigarettes
The unprecedented move by San Francisco is aiming to combat the rise in underage vaping, which comes in light of the US Surgeon General issuing an advisory at the end of 2018 describing underage vaping in the states to be at an ‘epidemic’ level. As vaping becomes more and more popular, it is estimated that more than 4.9 million American teens used e-cigs in 2018, which is an increase of 1.5 million teens in under a year.
What happened to Juul?
What is fascinating about this
story is the fact that e-cig behemoths JUUL, who enjoy a 50% of the e-cig
market share and who are the biggest producers of e-cigarette products in the
U.S, have their headquarters based in the city. The incredible growth of JUUL
even saw them purchase a new 29-story skyscraper to house its growing team on
the very same day that the e-cig ban first passed the city’s committee.
While the vaping ban is yet to
come into effect, San Francisco’s Mayor, London Breed has said she will sign
the legislation with a ban expected to be enforced in early 2020 and shops
asked to remove stock from their shelves.
What Does The Ban Mean for
Vapers
Public Health England cites e-cigs to be up to a staggeringly 95% less harmful than smoking cigarettes as well as suggesting that vaping has the potential for smokers to achieve a smoke-free status. Additionally, research shows vaping to be almost twice as effective as traditional nicotine replacements such as patches and gums at helping smokers quit smoking. With approximately 3.2 million vapers and counting here in the UK, Public Health England estimates that vaping helps up to 20,000 smokers become smoke-free every year, though industry indicators suggest that the figure is much higher. With the U.S. boasting an estimated 10 million vapers, the move certainly comes as a smack in the face to those who vape to avoid cigarettes and endeavour to become smoke-free.
Prediction for the Vaping Industry
As the six-month countdown begins,
how will San Franciscan vapers respond to the impending ban? Unfortunately, the
likelihood is, that many may turn to the black market of potentially
unregulated products, which may pose a considerably higher health risk to those
who simply wanted to live healthier lives by vaping and not smoking.
Alternatively, residents may simply return to the toxic and carcinogenic
cigarettes that they had successfully managed to avoid up until now.
A story well worth keeping one eye
on, we wonder whether this will be an isolated blip in vaping’s history or
whether more cities and states in the United States will follow suit. Watch
this space.
The iQ One is the hybrid pod system vaporizer released by the popular e-liquid manufacturer Hangsen under their iQ brand and the device ranks in our three best e cig vape devices. Hangsen have also brought out the successful ultra-thin vape pod, the iQ Air. Hangsen have been operating in the e-liquid industry since 2009 and are very well known so I was interested to see how their attempt at a crossover into hardware would turn out. Hangsen produce e-liquid for many companies who then re-brand it with their own label.
iQ One pod and coil features
This vape pen or vaporizer is referred to as a hybrid pod system because it can be used for vaping a variety of e liquids, both traditional e-liquid, nicotine salts and CBD vape oil. You simply select the appropriate coil. The tank or pod is magnetically connected to the iQ One so there is no fiddling around with screw threads which also helps to ensure leaking is minimised.
The iQ also has comes with two coil types which screw into the bottom of the pod and can be replaced. The refill port in the pod is large enough to be filled with ease and while refilling slowly you should encounter no issues, however if you fill it too quickly you might encounter an airlock problem. Once filled, the pod tank is sealed by a rubber plug, this is secured so don’t worry about it getting lost. Looking into the transparent pod allows you to easily see how much e-liquid you have. However once it is inserted into the iQ one body there is no viewing window so you need to be aware of how much e liquid you have, simply pop the tank out and look! When you start out you will need to make sure to check on the pod frequently, you soon get a feel for how long it takes to use up 2 ml of your favourite vape juice.
With this vaporizer you have two coil options, 0.6 and 0.8 ohms, which are both very similar looking but are marked accordingly to avoid confusion. They both have an integrated airflow control ring at their base which allows you to adjust the amount of airflow to your exact requirement. How much airflow you will like is a personal preference as it affects flavour and vapour thickness. The 0.6 ohm coil is ideal for your regular e liquids whilst the 0.8 ohm coil works extremely well with both CBD vape oil and nic salts.
iQ size and ergonomics
Like most hybrid pod systems this vaporizer is intended to be highly portable; it weighs around 112 grams and feels substantial in the hand but it is still comfortable in a pocket, and is not as chunky and as heavy as a vape mod or box mod si it wont be an annoyance to carry around. However you will know that you’ve got it on you due to its weight and size. Part of the weight of this vaporizer comes from its polished zinc alloy main chassis which gives it a solid body and premium feel. In combination with the various finishes (resin, leather, plastic, silver charcoal, gold charcoal) it makes for a visually pleasing vaporizer.
There is the main function button in the centre of the vaporizer which activates the product and the iQ logo is embedded into the body of the vaporizer, both these looked solid in my opinion and the placement of the button fits in the hand nicely. On the left of the vaporizer there is both a small LED and a micro USB port that is used for charging. The LED is used to display the battery life of the vaporizer, red is less than 30%, blue is 30% – 70%, and green is anything above 70%, this light is also used to show different error messages. Visually the whole product looks solid, slick and has a really good build quality to it, there are the usual safety signs and “Hybrid Vapor System” written in large letters which I do not particularly like but assume much of it has to be included so is something that you will get with any other vaporizer.
The IQ One vaporizer has a relatively solid 1100 mAh battery life which is very good for a portable vaporizer, however it is slightly heavier than some of the competition in the field of portable vaporizers. You cant have 1100 mAh of battery life and a feather-light vape. The weight adds to the presence of the device and if you don’t mind that extra weight this is an excellent choice, as the battery will last for a long time and the pods are a sufficient for extended use without refills. If you spend a lot of time on the go and, despite its large battery, still worry about the iQ One vaporizer running out of battery, you can always just carry the included micro USB charging cable which is really convenient as it can plug into laptops, computers, USB hubs, in fact virtually any device. The combination of having a large battery and a convenient charging solution ensures that wherever you go, you’ll never be without battery. Another good factor is that vaping while the device is charging is supported ie “pass-through”. To achieve a full charge, it takes around one and a half hours which is good if you are on the go and stopping off In a café or hotel room. However, most of the time people charge their vaporizers over night so this is not a major factor.
So to sum up, this device has an impressive battery life for a small portable vape and the pass through facilitates all day (and night) vaping and at £29.99 it is impressive.
The iQ One vape kit contents and accessories
Out of the box, the iQ One will include the iQ One itself, the charging cable I mentioned, the pod along with a pre-installed coil, the two coils and the micro USB to USB charging cable. There are no replacement mouth-tips which is disappointing, but they are not usually included in products under £50.
The most important part of the product is how it performs; the iQ pod device delivers an excellent flavour and with the sub ohm coils you get considerable vapour which really helps in nicotine absorption. Other pod devices simply will not compete, you would need a larger scale (read awkward) vape mod to get this level of vapour and flavour.
The custom air flow controls allows for a range of air flows so you can customise your experience to match your preferences, however if you are someone who enjoys a super tight MTL draw this might not be the product for you. Part of the performance is also the experience of the product; its excellent build quality and classy finishes allows for a premium look and comfortable user experience.
Things to bear in mind
The iQ One is not like your average pod. This device gives you freedom to choose your e liquid, nic salts or CBD brand and with its sub ohm functionality is more a kin to a new-gen small scale vape mod, a pod-mod perhaps – but with an all day battery! Your standard pod device uses sealed non-refillable e liquid pods and will not give this level of vapour, typically requiring a recharge 2 -4 times a day – not the iQ One though. But before buying the iQ One be aware that you will have to buy additional packs of coils and you might have to buy a replacement e liquid pod if you lose or break your previous one. This will save you money compared to buying a pod device that is prefilled. The iQ accessories are reasonably priced (the coils are £3.99 for a pack of three and the pods are available at £4.99 and include a 0.8 ohm coil) the drip tip is not available to buy which is a shame as it could become damaged through extended use.
Hangsen iQ One maintenance
With anything that requires maintenance you need to think about the future and whether these pods and coils will be sold long term. Many companies bring out new vape devices all the time and you want to be sure you have the ability to continue using your device and replacing coils is part of that, Hangsen is an established vape company so there should not be any issues.
I would also point out here that some people have said they’ve struggled with slight condensation under the drip tip so to prevent this I would suggest that you clean everything with a paper towel before and after refilling the pod. Ensure the red rubber stopper is securely pressed into place.
The iQ One conclusion
The iQ One is a solid product, it has a premium look and feel, good battery life and a decent number of accessories. It is an excellent all-round vaporiser, there is always a slight trade of between battery life and weight and the iQ One balances that perfectly.
Is the iQ One worth buying?
It does no one thing spectacularly but performs extremely well overall. For its £29.99 price point it visually looks and feels like it’s worth a lot more. There is no device currently, apart from the iQ One, that has successfully bridged the gap between the cumbersome but effective sub ohm box mod or vape mod and a pod device and that is why you want to buy the iQ One. I would recommend this for anyone who doesn’t already have a vaporizer as it does everything you need well and is excellent value for money.
It’s easy to say at Christmas, or at New Year that you want to give up and stop smoking but the secret is not only to mean it but to take positive action. For the lucky few this can mean going “cold turkey” and just stopping, for others it can mean cutting back so that instead of getting through a packet of cigarettes a day you make a pack last a day and a half, then two days, then two and a half days and so on until you find that you are only smoking once a day or even less frequently. If you are doing this try to avoid places where you feel you should smoke to “fit in”, be that pubs or other social settings.
