Vapouround magazine ISSUE 22 | Page 70

FEATURE We couldn’t bring you the awards if it wasn’t for our offical sponsor. In three short years, Blackburn-based Vape Dinner Lady has become a regular fixture at both the Vaper Expo and the Vapouround Awards. They were awarded the Best Show Stand gong in 2017 and Juice of the Year for Lemon Tart a year later. We are delighted that they decided to sponsor this year’s event. Ahead of the fourth annual Vapouround Awards, Vape Dinner Lady’s marketing director Haroon Rashid said: “The Vapouround Awards have always meant a lot to us. The awards recognise the best in the industry and so it was important for us to support that cause. “Dinner Lady shares some core values with the Vapouround Awards – dedication to excellence, striving to be better and pushing boundaries. For us it was a no-brainer.” The brand’s journey is reflective of how the industry has changed in such a short space of time. In 2018, Vape Dinner Lady became one of only a handful of independent brands to make it onto supermarket shelves, once the stronghold of poor-quality cigalikes and refills. Haroon said: Over the past year, the pod system has cemented its place as the entry-level device for smokers making the switch. The technology is more robust and accessible than ever, so it was only right that we added awards for Best Pod System and Salt Nicotine to this year’s line up. On this, Haroon said: “Salt nic products are widely considered now to be the best solution for smokers trying to quit. The market is confirming this. Dinner Lady’s job remains the same – make people smile and serve them nostalgia in a bottle (or a pod).” “The entry into the FMCG (Fast-Moving Consumer Goods) space has been nothing short of amazing. We’re truly humbled that the country’s major retailers want to work with us. Vaping is primarily a tool to help smokers switch to a less harmful alternative, but that does not mean that ardent vapers and hobbyists should be neglected. “FMCG allows us to reach more people and help them with their battle against smoking. We’re now in talks with some of the biggest FMCG players globally – exciting times ahead!” By popular demand, we have introduced the Best Accessory award to celebrate everything from coils and tanks to tank bands and mod cases, as well as RBA of the Year, open to all forms 70 | VM22