Vapouround Magazine ISSUE 29 | Page 8

LETTER FROM THE Editor At last we are finally getting back to normal, even if none of us really know what ‘normal’ is any more. Thank you for your continued support Vape shops are open once more – they should never have closed in the first place – and have been welcoming back vapers who need to stock up on supplies and smokers who want to change to something less harmful. The vape landscape looks a lot different and shops are generally not the places to hang out and relax as they once were, but they are back and that is the main thing. Not unexpectedly, we heard many examples of vapers returning to smoking when the shops closed down and we all hope that they can switch back just as easily. We know that the government made mistakes during this pandemic but, on balance, I think they got a lot a heck of a lot more right than they got wrong - but closing vape shops was wrong. If, God forbid, we actually do suffer a second wave of COVID-19 in the winter, then I have a suggestion for the government. This time round ban cigarette sales but keep the vape shops open. That way we can recognise the essential service that vape stores really are while also encouraging more smokers to switch to e-cigarettes instead. Forcing vapers back to smoking makes no sense. We have done it once but let’s not do it again. The price of doing so is a death sentence for many and that is too much of a costly mistake to make a second time. This crisis has once again demonstrated how resilient the vape industry is and how it can quickly adapt and evolve as change is necessary. One thing we all miss are the live expos around the world and we can’t wait to see their return on a massive scale. We are also delighted to add our virtual yearlong expo – VOXPO – into the mix as a way of complementing traditional expos while also opening up a new trading platform for the vape and CBD industries. Finally let’s all hope that the second half of the year is a lot better than the first as we move forward with a new sense of cautious hope and optimism. BEST VAPE MAG THREE YEARS RUNNING EDITORIAL Editor - Patrick Griffin Assistant Editor - Gordon Stribling Senior Journalist - Caroline Barry DESIGN Head of Design - Hayley Parker Lead Designer - Ayaz Arshad Senior Designer - Connor Dimberline Graphic Designer - Lewis Eyre Graphic Designer - Aaron Rana Design Support - Lucy Booth MARKETING Creative Director - James Parnell Web Developer - Aadil Popat Junior Web Developer - Kain Alden Marketing Executive - Jill Shah Social Media Exeutive - Benedict Jones SALES Client Partnerships Manager - Steve Culf Head of Sales - Tom Slack Sales Executive - Baz Bassra Sales Executive - Jason Bacon Sales Executive - Carl Mayes ACCOUNTS Finance Director - Joanne Stubley Accountant - Kris Worton Finance Executive - Anna Difusco Finance Executive - Mollie Smith GENERAL MANAGER Abida Razaque DIRECTORS David Turner Pom Kaila MANAGING DIRECTOR Paul Caplin 2019 v a p e a w a r d s 2018 v a p e a w a r d s 2017 v a p e a w a r d s BEST vape mag W I N N E R BEST vape mag W I N N E R BEST vape mag W I N N E R VAPOUROUND Products in this magazine may not be used, bought or reviewed by any individual under 18 years old. Vapouround does not support the use of e-cigarettes and devices for individuals under the age of 18 years old; by reading this magazine, you are indicating that you are over 18 years old. Vapouround does not endorse the inappropriate application or misuse of nicotine, smoking or product abuse of any form. We do not claim that e-cigarettes and nicotine devices will help cure smokers’ nicotine addiction and as such, we cannot take responsibility for any effect products advertised in our magazine may have on users’ nicotine consumption. There is no guarantee that products in this magazine including e-cigarettes and nicotine devices will stop you smoking. The opinions in this magazine are solely those of the writers. Vapouround takes no responsibility and rejects all liability for third party reviews or opinion pieces by external agencies. All trademarks, registered or otherwise of products in this magazine are the property of respective owners. To use trademarks, please contact the company directly, who will advise you further. 6 VM29