India Expo Shock – TPD Removal Bill – Scottish Smokers – LGBT Vape Shop – NZ and Aus Latest – Hale Vape – Nicotine for Depression – Ryanair Vape Ban Overturned – Vape Posters ‘Uproar’ – Wear that Vape!
Indian Government Cancels Vape Expo at the VERY Last Minute
Vape Expo India should have taken place this weekend however two legal objections forced the organizers to cancel the event leaving sponsors and exhibitors seriously out of pocket and probably not too happy at all.
The event organised by Events International was due to take place yesterday and today [8-9th September] in New Delhi with 200 exhibitors planning to bring vaping to the huge Indian market.
Approval for the event was given by the Indian Ministry of Health and Family Welfare as far back as March this year however in a shocking about turn the government filed two letters sent less than a week before the expo started saying permission had been denied.
A legal team from the organizers flew to India arriving on September 4th and were advised by lawyers based in India the proposed ban was ‘illegal’.
The legal team were able to argue the expo should go ahead and it looked like it would – however on the eve of Expo another letter denying permission for the event was filed by none other than the State Government of Uttar Pradesh – governors of where the event would be held.
This left no time for an appeal and Events International had no choice but to cancel India Vape Expo.
I spoke to a shell shocked organizer who told me:
While our lawyers were confident that they would succeed in challenging the ban in the Allahabad High Court, Uttar Pradesh, being the Court which could revoke the fresh ban, we simply did not have the time to engage in a fresh battle against the new and sudden ban. Today, we succeeded in the Hon’ble Delhi High Court. Our lawyers managed to have the rejection letter issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare set aside. However, having been visited by a ban at the last stage by the State Government and due to reasons beyond our control, it was impossible to go ahead with the Vape Expo India. We strived our best and took recourse to all resources at our disposal to conduct the Expo.
I have contacted a number of sponsors for a reaction and what they plan to do to recoup the losses they have undoubtedly suffered but as you might expect they haven’t got back to me yet – I guess they are considering their next move over plenty of bottles of Kingfisher!
Watch this space and I’ll pop a larger story on the main site when more info is forthcoming.
Personally I find this absolutely shocking and it stinks of behind the scenes ‘skullduggery”.
As I said in my piece India Should Not Ban Vaping by planning to ban e-cigarettes in the country the Indian Government is literally sentencing the lives of the country’s estimated 120million smokers to a slow and painful death.
The Indian Government should hold their heads in shame and I sincerely hope the 200 plus exhibitors sue them senseless.
Bid to Remove UK From TPD Gets Over First Hurdle
Last Tuesday saw what’s known as the ‘First Reading’ of the Electronic Cigarettes (Regulation) Bill 2017-19.
This is a formal procedure where the bill is introduced to the Houses of Parliament without debate.
It will be the second reading set for Friday 20 October 2017 where MPs will have a chance to formally debate the bill.
There’s still a long way to go to rid us of the TPD – but hope as they say springs eternal!
We’ll keep you informed of course!
Smoking in Scotland to be Stubbed Out by 2034
A new study says Scotland is on track to create a smoke free generation over the next 17 years.
Scientists from the University of Edinburgh and NHS Health Scotland had a close look at the tobacco control strategy and reported it was showing signs of working however smoking in more deprived areas was still a concern.
Scotland has a three pronged approach to create a smoke free generation – prevention – education on passive smoking and helping people quit.
They say three main methods have made an impact:
- Tobacco products in supermarkets and shops had been moved out of sight
- Number of children exposed to second-hand smoke in home was cut from 11% to 6%
- Smoke-free NHS grounds policies have been introduced
Dr Garth Reid from NHS Scotland said:
The evidence shows the positive impact of tobacco policy, ranging from the display ban which put tobacco out of sight in small shops and supermarkets to the introduction on smoke free NHS grounds. Yet, levels of smoking are still highest in Scotland’s most deprived areas, with 35% of people living in the most deprived areas smoking compared to 10% in the most affluent areas. It is clear that further action to reduce inequalities in smoking is necessary if the aim of making Scotland tobacco-free by 2034 is to be achieved.
LGBT Vaping Shop Opens Its Doors
Not sure why the LGBT crowd needs its own vaping shop and website but now there is one!
However the CannaLGBT website seems to predominantly sell ‘medicinal herb’ vaporizers and a few fancy bongs so not strictly a vape shop so to speak.
Passionate vaper and company owner Jerry Castillo said:
CannaLGBT combines two things I am passionate about: educating consumers on new technology available to consume medicinal herbs and the benefits of vaping over smoking. Even though we cater to the LGBT community, everyone is always welcome.
Having had a look around the website some of those vaporizers do look interesting – however I think Jerry might need to invest in a dictionary – the spelling mistakes on the site are driving this old writer nuts!
New Zealand and Australia – Very Different Approaches to Vaping
Whilst Australia dithers over legalizing e-cigarettes containing nicotine scientists in New Zealand are looking for vapers to take part in the worlds largest study on vaping.
This week in a bid to slash the number of smokers in the country the Aussie government raised the price of cigarettes by a whopping 13%.
However experts have warned this will have little effect on smoking figures with health expert Dr. Colin Mendelsohn adding:
For the first time ever, there has been no statistically significant reduction in the smoking rate, and an increase in the number of smokers in Australia. This is despite plain packaging and the most expensive cigarette prices in the world.
Meanwhile over the water in New Zealand and following the government relaxation of the vaping laws – scientists are calling on both vapers and those desperate to quit smoking to help in a new study.
Researchers from National Institute for Health Innovation at the University of Auckland need volunteers to use e-cigarettes and nicotine patches to test their effectiveness.
We could save them the time by pointing them to this article I wrote Nicotine Patches and Gums Don’t Work which categorically shows Big Pharma and Big Tobacco has known for decades they are ineffective.
However the team of researchers has been ‘working closely’ with Auckland’s vapers and have chosen the device they will be testing.
One of the scientists – Professor Chris Bullen said:
This study will be the largest trial of e-cigarettes for quitting conducted anywhere in the world and we are hoping to recruit around 1800 people across New Zealand into the study.
Further info: Ascend2
The Irish Are Coming!
Despite all the controversy and legaleeze around vaping one Irish vape entrepreneur is about to conquer the UK market with plans for up to a 100 new stores.
Hale Vaping currently has 40 vape stores and its believed a turnover of around £15million from its website and vape shops in Ireland – and based on their success company director Vincent Lynch says the UK market is the next target.
The company brews its own e-liquids in Ireland and I have to say if they taste as good as Guinness I’m in!
There are currently 4 stores in the UK and funding is in place for a further 40 with the rest coming within two years.
Could Vaping Make Sad Old Folk Happy?
Given I’m in my mid fifties and suffer from depression and other mental health issues I feel as though I can take a light hearted look at this!
There’s a condition that affects the over sixties known as late-life depression [LLD] and it seems the usual anti-depressants don’t seem to have any affects on the debilitating illness that manifests as low mood and poor cognitive performance.
However experts in nicotine know the chemical does aid cognitive performance and believe treating LLD with nicotine may help!
The team are currently considering the patches approach but who’s to say vaping won’t have the same effect!
Ryanair Vape Ban Overturned
The planned cabin ban of e-cigarettes by Irish budget airline Ryanair took a heavy landing before it had even took off this week!
No sooner had the company announced vaping devices would not be allowed on board – a few days later they decided they would be!
The change in policy came after the Irish Vape Vendors Association [IVVA] and the Independent British Vape Trade Association [IBVTA] had written to the airline.
Here’s a snippet from the letter:
In our view, this policy change by Ryanair sends the wrong message to smokers and vapers. In allowing passengers to bring cigarettes on board, but not vape products, it implies that Ryanair considers vaping to be more harmful than or as harmful as smoking. In reality, we know that vaping is at least 95 per cent less harmful than smoking.
Ryanair changed the policy earlier this week to read:
You may carry electronic cigarettes on board but are strictly forbidden to use electronic cigarettes or any other type of cigarette on board the aircraft.
Good news!
Another Vape Shop Upsets Town Council
Following our recent vape news that a vape shop in a historic part of an American town had upset the council now we have a similar story in the UK!
Apparently ‘historians’ in Ashford Kent are in an ‘uproar’ over posters appearing on a listed town centre building.
Steve Salter who runs a history column on his local newspaper said:
I went to see the owner and told him he shouldn’t be putting posters in the windows. People have complained about it to me, they are up in arms, in uproar about it.I respect the fact he runs a business and needs to make an honest buck, but he needs to have regard to the fact it is a listed building, and he needs to adhere to the regulations.
Ashford Borough Council has now launched an ‘investigation’ into the matter.
Meanwhile Vapelation lounge owner Mr Silver [no first name reported lol] said:
The vape lounge has just opened and it has pool tables, a pinball machine, a jukebox. We are applying for an alcohol licence, and we are refurbishing the former cafe space.Although we are in a historic building, we want to give it a fresh feel. We want to open a burger bar in the ground floor and a radio station will be moving in as well.It’s a massive project. While Mr Salter has criticized us, I just wish he had something to say about the good work we have done.
Have to say I wish we had somewhere like that in my home town – beer – burgers and vaping – what’s not to like lol.
And finally…Don’t Just Vape It – Wear It
I don’t own one single vape t-shirt – not one.
The ones I have been sent are usually far too small and given to charity shops – for the record I’m a larger man – 6 foot 1 17.5 stones [all muscle lol].
So the chances of me getting one of these bad boy hoodies to fit are highly unlikely however that’s not stopping style guru Jonny who reckons I’d rock the look!
So what am I going on about now I hear you ask – apart from begging freebie XXXL T-shirts off vape companies haha #freeshit lol.
Vaprwear is the brand and these hoodies and backpacks are designed to be your device as they come with a patented Drawstring™ vapor delivery system!
Yup – suck that toggle!
So you’re basically wearing your mod which is either a bit crazy or bloody brilliant!
Each hoodie and backpack comes with:
- T-Shirt Hoodie or backpack
- Removable Drawstring cording
- 3.8V Vaprwear battery with a 4.0V turbo boost button
- .8ML cartridge with removable mouthpiece
- 5V USB Quick Charger
So would your wear one of the Vaprwear t-shirts?
Let us know in the comments below!
Right I’m off to try and stuff my mod into my PJs and connect my tank to my silk dressing gown – given that’s what I tend to wear most of the time 😉
*shuffles papers*
