EU Tobacco Products Directive

We all know that electronic cigarettes generate a lot of speculations (Specially for the Scientific and Health Communities) and not all of them are positive. The same goes for European countries by which news laws controlling tobacco and nicotine products such are electronic cigarettes or e-cigarettes; are being proposed.

I know, I know...you might be asking why does this concern me or why would it bother me? Well, "the proposed legislation would ban, or effectively ban, nicotine products that people can (and do) use as much less dangerous alternatives to smoking cigarettes – for example, smokeless tobacco, e-cigarettes, vapour devices, or other novel ways of taking nicotine that don’t involve burning tobacco. Although the risk is reduced by 95-99% if there is no smoke, Europe still thinks it is better to ban these products even though they are a potential life-saver for people who can’t or don’t want to give up nicotine.   If you use these products yourself, they are restricting your options and adding to your health risks.  Background information on ‘tobacco harm reduction’ here "


Still, doesn't concern you? 


Here's a summary of what they're trying to do...

1. Bans the safest tobacco products.

2. Treats e-cigarettes as though they are medicines – potentially banning or marginalizing them.

3. Prevents any claim that one tobacco product is less harmful than another.

Does It Even Matter?

Well, real people are at stake here. In case you didn't know, "smoking kills about 700,000 and costs €25 billion in health care costs in Europe annually (about 100,000 and £3.7 billion for the UK) [source]"

 If this new law is passed, safer alternatives or potentially safer options would then be banned and thus harm reduction for those people who finds it hard to quit would be perilous.

"The proposed directive contains measures that make it harder or impossible for smokers to switch from cigarettes to much less dangerous nicotine products – an approach that will cause much more death and disease than it prevents. If you smoke, use e-cigarettes, or if have friends or relatives that smoke, or if you are concerned about the health damage from smoking, then this directive matters to you." 
-taken from e-cigarette-forum.com post



What Can I do?

•  Write to your MP and MEPs

Here's a short Guide on  Who to Write and What to Say about EU Tobacco Directives. 

20% Apollo E-Cig Coupon Code

Whom here loves Apollo Ecigarettes? Though I personally haven't tried them myself, I simply made this post to simply share the coupon code I recently found. To be frank, I am in no way affiliated with them or working for them.

COUPON CODE: ECIGINSDER

The Apollo Standard Kit costs about $69.95.  The price is very reasonable for what is included. With the Standard Kit, you get 5 cartomizers, a personal charging case (this is shaped like a pack of cigarettes), 2 batteries, a usb charger and a wall charger.  You have the option of getting the batteries in black or white, in automatic or manual, and blue or red led cap.

But simply use the coupon code and avail the 20% Off.
In case you're wondering, here's the source by which i found the coupon code: Apollo Ecigs Coupon Code.

Big Tobacco Now Joins The E Cigarette Industry

As we all know that electronic cigarettes were originally designed to be an alternative to smoking. But, what if these tobacco companies decided to manufacture/create their own  line of ecigarettes? I mean who else can better imitate the flavors that made smokers addicted for years than those from the well-known tobacco brands namely British American Tobacco(BAT), Philip Morris and R.J. Reynolds.

In 2012 Lorillard Tobacco purchased the Blu brand of e-cigarettes and RJ Reynolds(RR) is said to be producing its own brand of e-cigarette. The strategy is simple; as tobacco companies lose cigarette smokers they gain new e-cigarette customers.

In an interview with CNBC, Wells Fargo analyst Bonnie Herzog said e-cigarettes produced as much as a half-billion dollars last year and is believed to double this year. Amazingly, big tobacco industries found a way to cash in on the anti-smoking campaign. What was thought to be a bad news for tobacco industry has now become another means of market. Another speculated reason is because e-cigarettes are untaxed and unregulated in most US States (except in Minnesota). We all know how cigarettes are heavily taxed.

One main question still remains once these big tobacco companies join the electronic cigarette industry, "Are electronic cigarettes a safe alternative to smoking?"

Join The Petition Preventing FDA from Regulating Or Banning E-cigs and Related Products

I just found out that FDA is again eying on one of its favorite subject that is electronic cigarettes. Apparently, the FDA has repeatedly stated its intent to propose a “deeming” regulation to apply Chapter IX of the FSPTCA to e-cigarettes. But Sections 905 and 910 would ban all e-cigarettes, and other provisions of Chapter IX would also decimate the e-cigarette industry, protect cigarette markets and otherwise threaten public health.

Are you gonna let FDA deny the right to vape or use electronic cigarettes? If no, then join us by signing the petition... Don't let FDA take away our right to vape!

As of today the SIGNATURES NEEDED BY FEBRUARY 13, 2013 TO REACH GOAL OF 25,000 is
6,515.

Here's the link to the official Petition Page: Prevent FDA from Regulating or Banning Sale and Use of Electronic Cigarettes and Associate Products Petition

FDA Public Hearing on NRT & Innovative Products on December 17 - Monday

FDA will held a public hearing on Monday - December 17, 2012, regarding NRT &  Innovative Products. The topic goes:  

FDA Actions Related to Nicotine Replacement Therapies and Smoking-Cessation Products; Report to Congress on Innovative Products and Treatments for Tobacco Dependence; Public Hearing

- https://collaboration.fda.gov/Section918

We encourage e-cigarette advocates attend in person (if possible) or at least to watch the webcast of FDA's hearing on Monday (from 8AM - 5PM eastern US time), as it could be very influential in facilitating future FDA e-cigarette policies and potential regulations.

Seven e-cigarette consumers, three e-cigarette vendors and five other THR advocates are scheduled to testify, along with 8 folks who work for or are funded by drug companies (most of whom were/are e-cigarette prohibitionists)

A description of some of the folks testifying is at: 
FDA to hold public hearing Dec. 17 on NRT regulation

Disposable E Cigarettes Vs E Cig Starter Kits

What are Disposable Electronic Cigarettes? 

Disposable E Cigarettes are those electronic cigarettes designed to last only for a certain number of puffs. These are often are sold in solo blister packs and just takes a few seconds to open and puff right out of the pack. It's fairly easy to use without much to worry about (just dispose of it properly in the recyclables).

It is often available in:

• 200 Puffs
• 300 Puffs
• 500 Puffs

This is a pretty decent amount of puffs considering that an average stick of cigarette last only 12 puffs. (I'll let you do the math)

Advantages:

• Comes Cheaper than starter kits(a.k.a. rechargeable ecigs)
• Good for trying out different brands as it is cheap
  
• Puff Immediately out of the pack
• Easy-to-Use
• Dispose when puffs or battery runs out

Disadvantages:

• Limited flavors(packs often contain just one flavor)
• Fixed nicotine strength
• Not recommended to be refilled after flavor runs out

 What about Ecigarette Starter Kits?

Electronic Cigarette or Ecigarette starter kits always come with a charger, battery, cartomizer/atomizer+cartridge, and flavor/s of your choice, (and most brands includes a deluxe carrying case). These rechargeable electronic cigarettes also comes in various cool designs and functions. It also proves to be much cheaper in the long run as the only thing you need to buy is the e-juice(refill).

Advantages:

• Wider range of flavors to choose from
  
• Oftentimes, ecigarettes come with instructions
• Advance users have the option to mix e-juice (flavors and nic strength)
• Can prove to be cheaper in the long run
  

Disadvantages:

• Can be complicated to understand some instructions(language can be an issue)
  
• Maintenance can be complicated for newbie vapers (cleaning and refilling)
  
• Charging sometimes is a hassle especially when you're in a rush.
• Other issues issues/factors that could affect vaping (battery charging, flavor tastes, etc.)
  

Hence, whatever you do or decide, the final say is yours. Also, feel free to leave suggestions, remarks, criticism and other comments if you feel it.. :)

I Bought New Atomizers and It Tastes Awfully Bad - What to Do

Have you ever experienced that awful taste when you first bought a replacement or extra  atomizer? I mean that foul taste in the first few puffs of the new atomizer which eventually goes away after a few puffs. Ever wonder what's the case when that happens? I experienced it too and I did also wonder at first, so I did my research. Here I am to share what I've learned from it.

This is common to those atomizers that include primers. I know what you're thinking, somewhere you might think that it's because of the e-juice or e-liquid you bought. This most often is not the case.


So Is It the Primer That Causes The Awful Taste? 

The answer would be no...it has no taste and is zero-nicotine though sometimes it is tobacco flavored.

 Why are Primers Included Then? It can be one or more of the reasons:

• To ensure that the first few puffs on the new atomizer are not dry which could lead to damage
• To help keep the internal metal parts from rusting
• Sometimes it is utilized in the testing machines of the manufacturer's factory

So Why Does It Taste So Awful?
 
As you should know, atomizers go through a testing process. What you are tasting are the residues of manufacturing and machining... Surprised? I know I did at first, I mean who would want to vape on these residues? We're talking about machine oil, coatings, traces of adhesives and sealants, and coatings on the silica fibers of the wick or wicks.

So How Do I fix It?

• One way is through using the e-cigarette which burns the residue off.(If you can stand it)
• Another is through soaking and/or rinsing your atomizer (this method may end up reducing the life of your atomizer) using solvents

Anyways, that's pretty much briefly the basics of it... If you want to know more, below is a more detailed explanation on how it's done.

Related Links: How to Fix The Bad Taste on Atomizers