Vapouround magazine Special Issue 02 | Page 8

VV V A P O U R O U N D A G A Z I N E The USA Vape Trade Magazine EDITOR: Paul Caplin CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER: Steve Tarpey Sales Manager: Dave Turner SALES EXECUTIVES: Katie Loomes Kerrie Costello Shelia Tole Julie Henderson GRAPHIC DESIGNERS: Matthew King Hayley Parker Tom Kibble Martin Priest James Parnell DESIGN SUPPORT Sam Bennett JOURNALISTS: Patrick Griffin Ria Amber-Tesia Tony Ottomanelli II Siddiqa Khalifa FINANCE: Joanne Stubley GUEST REVIEWERS: Alex Shenker Peach Atkinson FRONT COVER IMAGE SUPPLIED BY LETTER FROM THE EDITOR Hello and welcome to this second Vapouround special edition for the USA. These are clearly very challenging times indeed for the entire US vaping industry as government regulation threatens to deliver a killer blow to many businesses. While we firmly believe that a certain amount of regulation is both necessary and, indeed, good for the vaping industry it must be proportionate and fair. Treating e-cigarettes in exactly the same manner as ‘tobacco products’ is certainly not proportionate and it is clearly not fair. The level of regulation being imposed by the FDA and the fees they are charging to comply with their regulations are almost beyond belief and one could be forgiven for thinking that they are actually designed to put the entire vaping industry out of business. By comparison with the FDA regulations the European Tobacco Products Directive, as flawed as it is, seems rather gentle by comparison. Thankfully this is an industry which does not just roll over and give in and there are many advocacy groups who are doing all in their power to fight the injustice of overzealous regulation. We urge everyone in the industry to make their feelings known by supporting the efforts of the various advocacy groups out there and by encouraging people that you know to do the same. We don’t want to see one single business have to close their doors because of overly burdensome regulation and will be doing our bit to highlight what is going on and support the work of the advocacy groups. Whatever lies ahead, as a community we will be stronger if we all pull together in these very difficult times. We feature some great companies, some great individuals and stories of people in this industry going the extra mile to help others. However it is not all doom and gloom, in this edition we have some great news and features for you to enjoy. Already a lot of US-based manufacturers and distributors are successfully looking to Europe as they expand into new markets. Hopefully the US will continue to have a thriving and vibrant vaping market too, it would be unconscionable if an industry with the potential to do so much good were to be regulated out of existence. Paul Caplin | [email protected] Editor 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 VAPOUROUND MAGAZINE USA vapouround