How Much Does Smoking Cost Britain?

How much does smoking cost Britain? We all know smoking is bad for your personal finances. If you’re smoking 20 a day, you’re spending nearly £5,000 a year. That’s enough for a fancy all-inclusive holiday or to buy takeaway pizza for tea every single night. However, did you know that smoking affects everyone’s finances, even people that don’t smoke? Yep – sad but true. Smoking is that much of an expensive habit. It costs the NHS lots of money, means people have to take time off work, and causes damage to infrastructure and buildings. ‘Hang on’… you might be saying. ‘Don’t the taxes on smoking help fund things in the country?’ Unfortunately, this is a common misconception, often mumbled by your Uncle Dave in the pub after half a bottle of Teacher’s and a 20 pack of Silk Cut. It’s true that tobacco duty goes back to The Government, which uses it to fund the NHS and other public health initiatives. With the increase in duty announced in the 2023 budget, tobacco duty currently accounts for about £4.90 for a pack of 20 cigarettes, plus 16.5% of the retail price. So while The Treasury does get just over £10 billion a year from tobacco duty, it’s still running at a loss when you consider the overall impact of smoking on the economy. Let’s do a deep dive into some of the ways smoking can affect the country’s coffers. Smoking and the NHS Smoking and productivity in the workplace Smoking and environmental cleanup Smoking and fires So can vaping turn things around? In summary: Is smoking the reason why we can’t have nice things? Smoking and the NHS This is the biggie – smoking costs the NHS in England £2.6 billion a year. And that’s just one part of the country – it costs the Scottish NHS £780 million a year, the Welsh NHS £302 million a year, and hospitals in Northern Ireland £164 million a year. Smoking is the leading cause of preventable death in the world, causing a myriad of diseases, from COPD and stroke to heart disease and cancer. This puts a lot of pressure on the NHS in helping to cure and alleviate these diseases. Not only this, but smoking adversely affects the healing process. This means smokers are more likely to experience complications after surgery and require longer hospital stays. Smoking also indirectly causes other health problems. For example, smoking affects the body’s ability to absorb calcium, leading to brittle bones and conditions like osteoporosis. Smokers are twice as likely to have problems conceiving than non-smokers, and women are more likely to experience menopause sooner. These issues cost the NHS money to manage, not just through surgery but medication and therapy. Second-hand smoke is also a major issue – when people smoke, they’re harming not just themselves but their family and friends. It’s estimated that people exposed to second-hand smoke have a 30% increased chance of developing lung cancer and a 35% increased risk of heart disease. It’s vital to throw social care in the mix here too. It’s estimated that smokers need help ten years earlier than non-smokers. This puts the strain on local authorities and adult social care services to the tune of £1.2 billion a year. Smoking and productivity in the workplace Most people just think of the NHS when it comes to how much smoking costs Britain. However, there are other things to consider as well. Smokers are more likely to be absent and take sick days at work, as well as cost more in pensions and benefits. Studies have shown that it costs companies £4,600 more to hire a smoker than a non-smoker a year. Not only this, but smokers are more likely to experience irritability and impatience at work, potentially affecting performance and output. Nobody wants to go into a Zoom meeting with someone going through nicotine withdrawal! Let’s talk about smoke breaks at work. It’s estimated that smoke breaks throughout the day cost businesses £8.4 billion a year in lost time. And if your non-smoking staff demand to take breaks at the same time in order to ensure equality, that figure only goes up! On a more depressing tangent, smokers are more likely to die or have to take long-term sickness when they’re still of working age, meaning a further blow to the economy. Smoking and environmental cleanup Have you played ‘avoid the soggy cigarette tabs’ on the commute to work or while taking the kids to school? If the answer is yes, you’ll know all about the environmental issues that smoking can cause. It’s estimated that cleaning and disposing of cigarette butts costs local councils about £40 million a year. And while councils do come down hard on those that they catch littering, most people are unfortunately getting away with it. Cigarette butts contain over 4,000 toxic chemicals that can pollute the earth and waterways, causing damage to wildlife and destroying our fragile ecosystems. So while we have an idea of how much it costs to clean up cigarettes, we don’t completely know the cost in terms of long-term harm to the environment. There are also more minor costs involved in removing smoke from homes, vehicles, and buildings too. Nobody wants to smell like they live or work inside an ashtray, after all! Smoking and fires We’ve all seen the ads on the telly where someone lights a cigarette in bed, and boom – the whole house is on fire before you know it. Unfortunately, smoking remains the top cause of fatal fires, with about 25% of fire-related deaths caused by cigarettes. While we don’t have specific statistics for how much fire damage costs fire and rescue services across the UK, callouts aren’t cheap. Plus, as fires caused by smoking are preventable, it means that fire and rescue services may not be able to attend other emergency situations, compounding the damage even further. When you factor in insurance costs, loss of livelihood, and property damage, it’s easy

Are you Eligible for a Free Vaping Starter Kit?

Are you eligible for a free vaping starter kit? What do you have a one in five chance of being? For example, you have a one in five chance of having hazel eyes. If you’re over the age of 65, there’s a one in five chance you don’t know how to swim. There’s also a one in five chance that you’ll think that Bigfoot or the Loch Ness Monster will be discovered by science. Right, hands up if you believe that one… There’s also a one in five chance you might be eligible for a free vaping kit in the near future. Earlier this month, the UK Government announced that it was providing funding so one million smokers could stub out their cigarettes for good and give vaping a go. The scheme, called ‘swap to stop’, has been described as the first of its kind in the world. So if it works, there’s the possibility that other countries could follow suit. The swap to stop scheme is estimated to cost £45 million over the course of two years. Let’s be honest; we all love a freebie. With this in mind, you’re probably wondering if you’re eligible for some free vaping goodies and if so, when you can get your hands on them. Keep reading because this article will explain everything you need to know! Why is The Government giving out vaping starter kits? But why vaping? Why not just encourage people to quit smoking? Will I get a vaping starter kit? What will be in the vaping starter kit? Is anyone guaranteed a vaping starter kit? When will I be able to see if I’m eligible? Has anything else been announced as part of the scheme? But I can’t wait! I want a vaping starter kit now! In summary: will you be getting a free vaping kit? Why is The Government giving out vaping starter kits? Excellent question. The UK Government is giving out vaping starter kits because it wants the country to become smoke-free by 2030. (Okay, 5% of the population isn’t technically ‘smoke-free’, but it’s better than nothing, right?) At this moment in time, The Government will miss this target unless it takes drastic measures. The primary focus of the smoke-free initiative is young people and people living in deprived areas. To combat young people taking up smoking, The Government has raised the legal smoking age from 16 to 18, and there are talks of increasing it even further. People in deprived areas are four times more likely to smoke than those in more affluent areas. This might sound counterproductive as smoking costs money, but people in low-income households are more likely to smoke as a coping mechanism and to relieve stress. Plus, it’s a vicious cycle. People smoke because they have financial pressures, further exacerbated by spending money on cigarettes. But why vaping? Why not just encourage people to quit smoking? The UK Government wants people to quit smoking for good. Getting people to stop smoking cold turkey may sound impressive, but if they’re back on the cigarettes two weeks later, it’s all been a waste of time and money. Vaping is the most effective smoking cessation tool on the market, even more so than gum or patches. Studies have shown that people who vape are more likely to eventually quit smoking. The great thing about vaping is that you can gradually cut down on nicotine without inhaling any disgusting chemical substances in cigarettes like carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, and tar. Plus, as vaping gives you something to do with your hands and mouth, it feels like a proper alternative to smoking. Still not convinced? Here are five reasons why you should give vaping a go! Will I get a vaping starter kit? Honest answer… we’re not sure yet! The Government will encourage councils across the UK to apply for funding. The councils will then determine which residents are eligible for a vaping starter kit. We strongly believe that local authorities will prioritise low-income households and people living in deprived areas. This has been done before with great success. For example, in 2022, Norfolk County Council gave vaping vouchers to residents in certain areas, with 15% of people quitting smoking for good. However, some local councils may use different criteria, for example, targeting young smokers or people with chronic health conditions. Others might even have a ‘first come, first served’ approach. What will be in the vaping starter kit? Again, the UK Government hasn’t gone into the nitty gritty. It’s highly probable that local councils will decide what to include in the kits. It’s likely that the kit will contain a piece of hardware that’s easy to use and maintain, like a vape pod or vape pen, as well as a couple of e-liquids. Essentially everything that a smoker needs to get started with vaping straight away. Some councils may even give customers vouchers for a local vaping store, meaning they can buy what they want – this is what they did in Norwich. Customers get the freedom of choice, and the nearby vape shops get a nice bit of well-deserved promotion – everyone’s a winner! One thing that is highly likely not to be included in a vaping starter kit? A disposable vape. These single-use vapes have got a lot of flak recently for not just being bad for the environment, but encouraging kids to try vaping. So if you’re hoping for a neon pink Gnome Bar or two in your starter kit, you’re probably not going to get one. And in our honest opinion, that’s a good thing. Is anyone guaranteed a vaping starter kit? Not a starter kit as such, but as part of the Government initiative, pregnant women will be offered up to £400 to stop smoking. Details on this aren’t entirely clear just yet, but it looks like all pregnant women who smoke, regardless of where they live, will be offered vouchers as well as support to quit. It’s estimated that about

How to get your customers to transition from disposables

How to get your customers to transition from disposables this VApril Did you know that it’s VApril this month? Four weeks of the year that are dedicated to promoting the benefits of vaping over smoking and helping vapers choose the right products for their needs. We wanted to promote a worthwhile cause this VApril – encouraging customers to transition from disposable vapes to vaping hardware and eliquids. Disposable vapes sound like an excellent solution for new vapers and people looking for a quick and simple nicotine hit. However, these little single-use pieces of plastic are starting to cause a lot of trouble. Encouraging people to move from disposable vape bars to refillable vapes not only saves them money and helps the environment, but it means more profit for your store too! Not sure how to get your customers to make the switch? We’ve got you covered with our comprehensive guide. The problem with disposable vapes The benefits of switching to disposables for your vape store More repeat customers An increase in lifetime spend Improved customer loyalty More credibility for your store Six easy ways to help customers make the move from disposables Step 1: Educate them on the cost-saving benefits of a refillable pod Step 2: Make them think about the environment Step 3: Put the right promotions in place Step 4: Help customers get to grips with vaping equipment Step 5: Offer like-for-like flavours Step 6: Promote the variety you can get In summary: Say no to disposable vapes, yay to more profits! Psst! Need more help with your vape store? The problem with disposable vapes Governments all across the world are encouraging smokers to move from cigarettes to vapes. It’s more cost-effective, contains fewer chemicals, and is the most effective smoking cessation tool on the market. So far, so good. However, disposable vapes, or vape bars, have skyrocketed in popularity over the past few years. These are single-use vape devices that are prefilled with eliquid. When the vapes are empty, they can be disposed of and replaced. Seems a good idea in theory – anything that stops people from using cigarettes has got to be good, right? However, disposables aren’t the magic vaping fix they’ve been made out to be. Here’s why: The first reason is that disposable vapes are bad for the environment. We’ll go into more detail about this later on in the article, but a lot of vapes are going to landfill, where they take thousands of years to decompose. Two disposable vapes are thrown away every second in the UK, and that’s not good. Secondly, more and more children and young people are buying disposable vapes. It’s easy to see why; they’re cheap, they’re easy to buy when you’re underage, and they come in a range of sweet flavours. It’s estimated that 16% of teenagers have tried a vape bar. Finally, disposable vapes aren’t always what they seem. Earlier this year, a popular vape manufacturer came under fire for selling vape bars that contained an illegal amount of nicotine. If you’re vaping, It’s Important to know exactly what you’re putting into your body. The benefits of switching to disposables for your vape store Switching to disposables is fantastic for your customers, but it’s great for you too. Hey, we all went into business to make a profit! When you encourage customers to move to refillables, you can expect: More repeat custom With refillable vapes, you’ll have customers coming to your store to buy coils, pods, and eliquids all year round. Not only this, but they’re more likely to trust your judgement, meaning they’re more willing to try more expensive products. Repeat customers spend over two-thirds more than new customers, so be sure to keep those repeat customers sweet! An increase in lifetime spend Customers won’t just be coming into your store more frequently; they’ll be buying more when they visit. They’ll not only need to purchase replacement elements for their vaping hardware, but they’ll want to try out all the different eliquids you have on offer. According to our research, refillable vapers spend at least £520 a year – make sure they’re spending all of this money with you! Improved customer loyalty Treat your customers well and help them transition to refillables, and they’ll tell their friends how awesome you are. Businesses that provide exceptional customer service get up to 8% higher revenue than those that don’t! More credibility for your store Providing exceptional levels of customer service will set your vape shop aside from the corner shops flogging cheap disposable vapes. Not only this but seven out of ten shoppers want to know that the businesses they shop with are addressing social and environmental issues. So being a responsible vape retailer can give you a distinct advantage in the marketplace. Six easy ways to help customers make the move from disposables So we’ve looked at the benefits that getting customers to drop their disposable vapes will bring to both them and your store. But how do you go about it? When you’re used to the simplicity and ease of using a disposable vape, faffing around with eliquids and coils just doesn’t seem appealing. The good news is that there Is a lot you can do to change your customers’ mindsets and encourage them to give a more traditional vaping setup a try. Here are six ways to get started. Step 1: Educate them on the cost-saving benefits of a refillable pod Disposable vapes may be convenient, but they sure ain’t cheap. Let’s say your customer buys a £5 disposable vape every day. That works out at a staggering £1,825 a year. That’s a decent holiday in an all-inclusive resort, or two season tickets for a Premier League football team. Okay, it’s still cheaper than smoking, but not by much! Depending on the vape setup you opt for and whether you’re a heavy or light vaper, a refillable pod and e-liquid combo can cost between £520 and £900 a year. So even if

Spring Budget 2023: vaping and cigarette update

Budget 2023: what’s the news when it comes to vaping? Wednesday 15 March 2023. Picture the scene. It’s a nice sunny day, you’re at work doing some awesome Ohm Brew-related stuff, and you’ve got leftover takeaway pizza for lunch. Life is good. However, disaster strikes. The Chancellor, Jeremy Hunt (not a typo), is seen walking into 10 Downing Street with a big red suitcase. Yep, it’s Budget Day. Two interesting points were raised in the 2023 Spring Budget, which we’ll talk about now. If you don’t do politics, why not check out our top 10 eliquids of 2022? Normal service will be resumed in a few minutes. #1 – Cigarette prices increase by 15% The Budget usually sees cigarette, petrol, and beer prices rise. We all know someone who legs it to the Shell garage to fill the car up the night before it’s announced. In this Budget, the cigarette levy increased by 12.7%, alongside an extra 2% price hike for good measure. Not only this, but the cost of hand-rolling tobacco has risen by a staggering 18.7%. Now is an excellent time to start stockpiling Rizlas… While we do sympathise with these price increases, especially in the current cost-of-living crisis, this has only got to be a good thing. Increasing the cost of cigarettes means people are more likely to quit, meaning a better quality of life, and less stress on the already over-burdened NHS. The UK Government seem to share the same mindset, given that it’s planning for the UK to go smoke-free by 2030. If you want to quit smoking but know you’ll miss nicotine, vaping is a great alternative. You inhale fewer chemicals, and it works out much cheaper, especially if you use refillable vapes. Why not check out our calculator and see how much you can save? #2 – No levy on disposable vapes Disposable vapes are causing a lot of issues at the moment. They’re polluting the water and taking space up in landfills, they’re popular with teenagers, and there are significant issues with how they are labelled and advertised. As a result, there has been pressure on the Government by health groups to increase the tax levy on disposable vapes, making them more expensive to buy. This would not only discourage young people from buying them, but encourage vapers to make the move to refillable vapes. Unfortunately, this did not happen in this Budget. However, it does sound like the Government is very keen to crack down on teen vaping, given that 16% of children admit to having tried it at least once. So we can expect some sort of legislation to be introduced in the coming months. And that’s it for the 2023 Budget folks – what a wild ride! See you in 2024 for the next one? << Back to blog Facebook-f Instagram Linkedin

5 reasons to give vaping a go this VApril

5 reasons to give vaping a go this VApril There’s a lot going on in April. We get to stuff ourselves with chocolate. It’s Shakespeare’s birthday. Apparently, it’s ‘National No Housework Day’. That’s a holiday we can truly get behind. It’s also VApril – a month dedicated to helping smokers quit cigarettes and move to vaping. Hashtag: #VAprilWorks.   According to the team at VApril, 4.3 million UK smokers have turned to vaping, with nearly 60% now calling themselves former smokers. Now that’s a pretty cool stat if ever we heard one! So, why should you drop the tabs and give vaping a try this month? We’re glad you asked. Here are five fantastic reasons why vaping is the way forward. #1 – You save money If you want to watch your money go up in smoke, you have two options. Buy NFTs, or start smoking. Smoking is an expensive hobby, especially if you go through a pack or more a day. And with the latest budget announcement, it’s going to get even more pricey. If you smoke 20 a day at £11 a pack, you can save between £2,796 and £3,176 by moving to vaping. Just think of all the cool stuff you can buy with that leftover cash! See how much you can save by making the switch #2 – It’s healthier Cigarettes contain a collection of gross chemicals. Tar. Carbon monoxide. Arsenic. Benzene. Why you’d stick that stuff in your mouth is beyond us. While vape juice contains nicotine, it doesn’t have any of the gross and disgusting chemicals that cigarettes do. So you can still get the nicotine hit you need to get through the day without worrying about smoking-related illnesses. #3 – It’s the most effective smoking cessation tool on the market If you’re looking to stop smoking, there are several ways you can do it. You can go cold turkey, use gum or patches, or listen to the weird dude with the hypnotherapy tapes. However, vaping is the best method of all. A study by the University of Oxford showed that vapes lead to higher quit rates and help people quit smoking for longer. And that’s research by a proper fancy university featured in the Harry Potter movies. #4 – You can customise vaping to suit your needs With smoking, there aren’t a lot of options. You can buy cigarettes in packs of 10 and 20. You can get rolling tobacco if you’re feeling adventurous. That’s about it. However, one of the great things about vaping is that you can do it your way. You can choose the hardware that works best for you, and the eliquid to suit your needs. Whether you want a smooth vape that tastes like strawberries or a rough throat hit with the tobacco taste you love, it’s your call. #5 – There’s no second-hand smoke Passive smoking is still a killer, with an estimated 10,700 deaths annually in the UK. However, vaping doesn’t cause this risk as it doesn’t contain the chemicals that cigarettes do. Of course, we still recommend vaping outside and away from children and high-risk people. But it’s good to know that vaping doesn’t just help protect your health, but the health of the people you love.   Looking to make the switch to vaping? We have all the hardware and eliquids you need. Check out our fantastic stockists and see where you can find Ohm Brew near you! << Back to blog Facebook-f Instagram Linkedin

Why Regulations Are Important When it Comes to Vape Bars

Why regulations and checks are so important when it comes to disposable vapes Supermarkets were sent into a mass panic at the start of this month, leading to them pulling certain products off their shelves. But what were these items? Mouldy bread? Flat pop? Unripe avocados? Disposable vape bars. It was found that a random selection of Elf Bars contained between 3ml and 3.2ml of nicotine. For context, the legal limit in the UK is 2ml. The Elf Bar brand was launched in 2021 and sells 2.5 million disposable vapes every week, accounting for two-thirds of all vape bars sold in the UK. It’s already come under fire for using social media to promote its products to young people. As a result of the independent lab tests carried out, Tesco and Morrisons removed some Elf Bar products from their stores. Elf Bar apologised for the findings, advising that some batches had been overfilled, leading to higher amounts of nicotine. The issue with vape bars and why testing is needed It’s only right that you want to know what’s going into your body for the sake of your health. Imagine that you’re vegan, and you order a meat-free sandwich from your favourite restaurant. You polish it off, only for the serving staff to point at you and say ‘Haha! You just ate chicken!’ You’re going to be majorly peeved, right? The same logic applies to disposable vapes. If a disposable vape says it contains a certain amount of nicotine, it must contain that amount. No more, no less. We’re not saying vaping is bad – if we did, we’d be talking ourselves out of a job. But it needs to be controlled, and it needs to be safe. Otherwise, regulations are going to get more and more strict until nobody can vape at all. So, what should I be doing as a business when it comes to disposable vapes? You might think it’s weird being in the vaping business and encouraging people to vape responsibly. It’s like the extravagant alcohol ads on the telly with the teeny-weeny ‘p.s. Please drink responsibly’ right at the end. However, as businesses, we can make a difference and ensure people make the right choices. Not all superheroes wear capes… some own vape stores! One of the easiest ways for customers to have a handle on the amount of nicotine they inhale is by choosing refillable e-liquids. That way, they can choose the right strength for them, or even use a nic shot to create a customised blend that satisfies their cravings. At this point, you might be saying… ‘Hang on. How will I know that refillable e-liquids contain the amount of nicotine they say they do?’ Excellent question. A reputable vape manufacturer (*waves*) will ensure the appropriate health warnings are on all their products, provide a detailed list of ingredients, and have tamperproof packaging. Plus, all e-liquids must be GC-MS tested to ensure they comply with strict UK guidelines. The bottom line is that if you stock Ohm Brew products, you have peace of mind that you’re selling highly regulated and safe products to your customers. After all, the only places elves should be are Santa’s grotto or a Tolkien novel. Not a vape store. << Back to blog Facebook-f Instagram Linkedin

A Parent’s Guide to Vaping

A parent’s guide to vaping One of the things about having rugrats is that you have to answer a lot of questions. Seriously, so many questions. ‘Why is the sky blue?’ Erm… ‘Where does the sun go in the evening?’ Hmm… ‘Where do babies come from?’ Uhm… Go ask your mum/dad/gran/that nice person standing over there. One thing you might be asked about, no matter how old your children are, is vaping. Let’s be honest, a kid sees an adult blowing smoke rings, and they’re going to think they’re half-person, half-dragon! Many of the parent’s guides to vaping we’ve seen on the internet, with the greatest respect, are very ‘OMG, YOUR TEEN IS VAPING! DELINQUENT! BAD PARENTING!’ We wanted to put our own guide out there, with slightly less pearl-clutching and Karen-ing involved. Whether your little ones see you vaping and want to know more, or are older and you’re worried about peer pressure at school, it’s good to talk. Here’s everything you need to know. Kids and vaping – the facts Is the Government going to ban kids from vaping? What’s the legal age for vaping in the UK? Why do young people vape But isn’t vaping harmless? How do I talk to my young kids about vaping? How can I tell if my teenager is vaping? Are teenagers that vape more likely to smoke? Help! I’ve found a disposable vape in my kid’s bag. What do I do? Does vaping mean my kid is doing drugs? How can I help my teen stop vaping? In summary: Knowledge is power Kids and vaping – the facts The good news is that children and young adults are smoking less than they used to.  According to the NHS, 12% of children reported having ever smoked in 2021, a decrease from 16% in 2018. A combination of Government health initiatives, people becoming more health-conscious, and smoking just becoming downright unfashionable have all played a part in fewer people smoking. However, more kids are now vaping. 9% of 11 to 15-year-olds currently use e-cigarettes, an increase from 6% in 2018. And quite frankly, that’s terrifying. So why is vaping more popular with children than ever before? While vapes aren’t marketed explicitly at kids, they do appeal to them. The bright colours, the affordability of disposable vapes, the sweet flavours. Some disposable vape manufacturers have even come under fire for targeting young people on Instagram and TikTok with influencer ads. We’re mentioning no names. Think about the bright and funky alcopops that were popular with kids in the 1990s, the ones with the cartoon mascots. It’s precisely the same premise. Is the Government going to ban kids from vaping? While direct action hasn’t been taken yet, health campaigners are petitioning the Government to make it as hard as possible for children to buy disposable vapes. For example, Ash has asked the Government to tax disposable vapes, effectively doubling the price. The Local Government Association is also asking for vaping packaging to mirror that of cigarettes and other tobacco products – plain packaging and kept out of sight behind the counter. Some governments are looking at banning disposable vapes, making it harder for children to get into vaping. For example, the Irish Government is currently discussing a ban and countries including Mexico, India, and Cambodia have eliminated disposable vapes entirely. We’ll keep you updated with the latest developments in regards to vaping and the law on our blog. What’s the legal age for vaping in the UK? The same age as smoking – 18. It’s illegal for anyone under the age of 18 to buy e-liquids, disposable vapes, or vaping hardware, or to get anyone over the age of 18 to buy for them. Some people think it’s okay for 16-year-olds to vape if they have parental permission. This definitely isn’t the case, and you’d be laughed out of any reputable vape store for trying. 18 or bust. Why do young people vape? Most kids are inquisitive when it comes to vaping – over half admit to trying it out of curiosity. Looking at the stats, many teens will try a puff to see what it’s about, and that’s it – no more. But why do some kids and teens keep up the habit? Some of the reasons include:   They can do it as a social activity. Buy a vape, pass it around, and have a chat with their friends They can show off – one in five teen vapers admit to doing tricks like making big clouds  They can order online – just tick a box to say they’re over the age of 18, job done, no questions asked. Alternatively, many supermarkets and off-licenses don’t ask for ID It tastes nice. Why would a teenager suck on a disgusting wet cigarette when they can enjoy mint, sweet, fruit, or chocolate flavours? It’s cheap – they can buy a disposable vape for under a fiver. Compare and contrast, a twenty-pack of cigarettes costs about £11, and the cost is rising all the time It’s discreet – disposable vapes are slim and streamlined, meaning they can easily be hidden in a coat pocket or purse It’s an appetite suppressant. In a world where being ‘thin is in’, some teenagers, especially girls, are vaping to keep hunger at bay. Don’t get us started on this one But isn’t vaping harmless? Many kids think it’s okay to vape as it’s just water, vapour, and flavour. While vape juice doesn’t contain carbon monoxide, tar, arsenic, and formaldehyde like cigarettes do, it does contain nicotine. Some disposable vape cartridges can contain 20 cigarettes worth of nicotine, with some illegal vapes containing even more. Two out of three teens aren’t even aware that vapes contain nicotine. This is why education is so important. The more children know about vaping from an early age, the more information they have to make the right choice. So while vaping is less harmful than smoking, it’s not as harmless as your teen may

The vaping industry in 2022: what, who, where, and when

The vaping industry in 2022: what, who, where, and when We might not look like it on the surface, but we love nothing more than digging into the stats around smoking and vaping. For example, take our report looking at the 2021 census. The team at Ohm Brew aren’t just pretty faces! A little while ago, this report from the Centre for Economics and Business Research pinged into our inbox. It was compiled on behalf of the Vaping Industry Association and looks at how the vaping industry has benefitted the United Kingdom, both directly and indirectly. Can’t be bothered to read it? That’s okay; here’s our summary! The vaping industry turned over £2.8bn in 2021 The vaping industry turned over £1.3 billion in 2021, and when combined with indirect turnover (for example, seen in supply chains), this number grew to £2.8b. This is a growth of 23.4% compared to the 2017-2021 period. The vaping industry created 8,215 full-time jobs in the UK in 2021 The economy hasn’t just benefited from vaping; people’s livelihoods have too. Over 8,000 jobs have been directly generated by the growth in vaping, including retail and manufacturing. Even more jobs have been indirectly created. For every ten jobs generated by the UK vaping industry, a further 11.6 jobs are supported in the economy, which equates to 9,529 additional employment opportunities in 2021! There was a 60% rise in the number of vape shops The number of vape shops in the UK has grown from 2,281 in 2017 to 3,644 in 2020, an increase of 60%. The most vape shops can be found in the North West, with the South East generating the most economic value. People are more likely to buy their vape products at a specialist store, with one in three purchases made this way in 2021. Vaping can save the NHS over £300m a year In the current economic climate, the NHS needs all the help and support it can get. Smoking-related illnesses put a significant strain on the NHS, as well as the government in general, for example, lost productivity at work, and cleaning up cigarette butts. The estimated cost saving to the NHS of smokers switching to vaping was £322m in 2019. If half of all smokers made a move to vaping that year, it’s estimated that the healthcare savings would have been £698m. It’s no surprise that the NHS is encouraging people to swap from smoking to vaping, like in this trial in the Norfolk area. Vaping is working Of all the smokers that switched to vaping, 80% found they smoked less, while 50% quit entirely. Older people are more likely to use vapes to quit smoking and reduce their nicotine intake, while younger people vape because they enjoy the flavour. Discover more about why you should make the switch to vaping. Want more insight into the benefits of vaping? Check out our blog! << Back to blog Facebook-f Instagram Linkedin

The ultimate guide to becoming a responsible vape retailer in 2023

The ultimate guide to becoming a responsible vape retailer in 2023 When you run a vape store, there are loads of abbreviations and acronyms you need to be aware of. For example, P&L. SKU. ROI. B2C. COP. EOD. EIEIO. It’s a Scrabble enthusiast’s nightmare. Here’s another abbreviation that you’ll probably want to make yourself mindful of. CSR. What’s CSR? We’re glad you asked. (Seriously, we’ve spent hours writing this article!) CSR is short for ‘corporate social responsibility’. It essentially refers to how businesses operate in line with environmental, societal, and ethical concerns. So basically, what you can do to be a good and responsible business. With melting ice caps, shady business dealings, and dodgy offshore bank accounts, being principled, moral, and trustworthy is more important than ever before. Not only is it the right thing to do, but it can work wonders for your profits too. 87% of people say they would be more likely to buy a product if a company advocates for an issue they care about. So if you can’t do it to help the world, do it for your bottom line! The vaping world is prone to a lot of its own moral, ethical, and environmental issues. With this in mind, we’ve put together this comprehensive guide to how you can be a responsible vape retailer, all while keeping your customers, staff, and accountants happy. Important note: The information in this article applies to England, Northern Ireland, and Wales and is accurate as of January 2023. Given that the current government is partial to a nice U-turn, it’s highly likely that the guidance here may be subject to change. Illegal and counterfeit products Underage sales A little bit about proxy purchasing Disposable vape sales Carbon footprint reduction In summary: It’s really easy not to be sleazy! Illegal and counterfeit products When you were younger, did you ever buy one of those super-cheap perfumes or aftershaves out of a suitcase? Typically from a guy who looked like Del Boy Trotter’s even dodgier older brother. Then, when you sprayed it on at home, you not only smelled like a gorilla’s compacted anal gland, but broke out in hives? Gucci Bloom? More like Poo-cci Fume, right?! All joking aside, fake products are terrible. Yes, they’re cheap, but they’re rubbish. And in the worst-case scenario, they can be incredibly dangerous. According to Trading Standards, illegal vapes are currently the biggest threat on the UK High Street. Along with selling vaping products to children, which we’ll talk about in more detail later. So, what do we mean by a counterfeit vape? Fake vaping equipment and e-liquids are ones that have been created illegally, often in countries where regulations are a lot more lax. These can often contain dangerous chemicals, putting people’s health and safety at risk. Vaping hardware can also have missing electrical parts, making it more prone to catching fire or exploding. Illegal products and fake products don’t comply with UK Government regulations, meaning they shouldn’t be sold. For example, disposable vapes in the UK are meant to contain 2ml of liquid. Any more than that, and alarm bells should be ringing. Here are a few ways that you can recognise a legitimate product. So if Shifty Steve comes up to you with a carrier bag full of stuff that might have fallen off the back of a lorry, you know exactly what to look out for. The maximum tank size for disposables is 2ml, which is about 600-650 puffs. If a disposable vape promises more puffs than that, consider it a red flag. We’ve heard of some shops selling vapes containing 12,000 puffs of e-liquid, which is all sorts of wrong The maximum size of refill containers is 10ml. If you see anything bigger, act like the kids at Grange Hill and just say no The maximum nicotine content for vapes is 20mg/ml – which is still really strong. If you’re offered a more potent e-liquid, run away really fast Health warnings on vape hardware, disposable vapes, and e-liquids must cover 30% of the front and back of the pack. The warning must exactly read: ‘THIS PRODUCT CONTAINS NICOTINE WHICH IS A HIGHLY ADDICTIVE SUBSTANCE’. We all don’t like the labels, but they have to be there, thems the rules All e-liquids must have a list of ingredients, nicotine content, delivery per dose, and batch number. If they don’t, then put the packaging down and move on All products must feature some kind of recommendation to keep the product out of the reach of children. Teen vaping is bad, mmkay? Vapes that are charged from the mains electricity supply should bear the CE or UKCA mark, which show that they comply with EU or UK directives respectively. Safety first, people All vapes and refill containers must have tamperproof and child-resistant packaging. Otherwise, it’s time to get the heck out of Dodge And finally, all packaging must contain the manufacturer or importer’s name and contact details. We know, it’s a lot to ask for! The easiest way to ensure the stuff you sell is legitimate is to buy it from a trusted supplier and responsible source. An excellent place to start is to check out the MHRA website, which lists all the vapes that can be sold in the UK. If it’s not on the list, it can’t be sold in the country. At Ohm Brew, we brew all of our e-liquids ourselves, right in the heart of beautiful Belfast City. Every batch we make is GC-MS tested to make sure it is not only of the highest quality, but is compliant with strict UK guidelines. So when you order from us, you know you’re not just getting the good stuff, you’re getting the safe stuff. Underage sales Kids are smoking less these days – yay! Only issue? They’re vaping instead. Boo. The choice of e-liquid flavours combined with brightly coloured and affordable disposable vapes (more on that in a bit) and how easy they are to buy from

Our 10 best-selling e-liquids of 2022

Our 10 best-selling e-liquids of 2022 – is your favourite on the list? Would it even be the start of 2023 without a review of what happened in 2022? Our data boffins have extrapolated the data, pivoted some Excel spreadsheets, and drank several cups of coffee to determine our bestselling e-liquids of last year. In no particular order… here we go! #1 – Blue Slush One of our most popular blends, this tongue-tingling combo of blueberry and raspberry will make you nostalgic for the slushy ice drinks you enjoyed back in the day. Without the blue tongue and brain freeze, of course! #2 – Sensation X A mysterious name for a mysterious blend – the ingredients in this beauty are a well-guarded secret! Needless to say, its fans keep coming back for the rich minty blast they get from this delicious e-liquid. #3 – Iced Menthol If you prefer your vapes to be more minty than fruity, this is the e-liquid you’ve been dreaming of. A cool menthol taste with sweet hints of your favourite spearmint gum, Iced Menthol is beloved by vapers across the UK. #4 – Tobacco Ziggicig Sometimes you don’t want a vape that tastes like strawberry bubblegum; you want something that tastes like a cigarette. This smooth and sweet tea-cured tobacco vape is perfect if you’re looking for something sophisticated, classic, and, most importantly, grown-up. #5 – Rockin’ Raspberry Sorbet Your favourite dessert with a modern twist! This e-liquid takes the tart sweetness of raspberries and lemon, combined with the sweet richness of roasted vanilla and decadent cane sugar. If this were on a menu, it’d get all the Michelin Stars. #6 – Strawberry Storm The nation’s favourite fruit, it’s easy to see why this e-liquid is loved by so many people! This delicious vape will remind you of strawberry picking in the summer, pints of refreshing cider in a local beer garden, and hazy afternoons BBQing in the sunshine. #7 – Sour Blue Raspberry It’s time to pucker up! The favourite e-liquid of those who love a little mouth-tingling sourness, Sour Blue Raspberry combines the tangiest blueberries with a candy-sweet aftertaste. #8 – Sour Blue Raspberry Everyone’s favourite sweet shop treat; this quirky e-liquid transforms a well-loved penny sweet into a spectacularly delicious vape. Bubbly, sweet cola combined with powerful, sour cherry notes, this vaping liquid always is in high demand. #9 – The Grape Escape Okay, it’s not one of your five a day, but this best-seller always flies off the shelves! Take luscious and sweet black grapes, and combine them with tart and succulent blackberries for a fruit basket’s worth of flavour. #10 – Passionfruit and Mango The weather outside may be grim and grey, but this e-liquid will transport you to a tropical paradise! Our Passionfruit and Mango e-liquid is sweet, juicy, and full of sunny flavours that will do the tango on your tongue. Check out our awesome best-sellers, as well as our other delicious flavours, on our Balanced Blends page. Want to try our best-sellers for yourself? We’ve got you. Find your nearest stockist. << Back to blog Facebook-f Instagram Linkedin