How to increase your customers’ vape store spend
Eight easy ways to increase your customers’ vape store spend You’ve got lots of customers visiting your vape store. Result. The next step? Getting them to spend more money when they shop with you. If you’ve ever fantasised about diving into a pool of coins like Scrooge McDuck (and who hasn’t?), encouraging your existing customers to spend more can turn your dreams into reality. According to Marketing Metrics, you’re 14 times more likely to get an existing customer to buy more in your shop, as opposed to a brand new customer. Not sure how to get started? Don’t worry; we’ve got you. Here are eight tried-and-tested ways to get your customers to fill their baskets and boost their average order value. Want to know more about owning a vape store that customers want to visit? This article will tell you how to market yourself like an absolute boss. Implement a loyalty scheme Pick the right salespeople Know your customer Review where your products are Get cross-selling and up-selling Audit your store décor Manage your stock levels Add extra value #1 – Implement a loyalty scheme A loyalty scheme is when you reward a customer for their repeat business. Think about the little coffee shop you go to where you get your card stamped in exchange for a free Frappuccino. Extra whipped cream and chocolate sauce on ours please. The truth is that customers love loyalty schemes, and they’re a great incentive to encourage shoppers to spend more at your vape store. According to KPMG, 41% of customers who signed up for a loyalty program use it to shop every week, meaning you’re guaranteed lots of lovely repeat business. There are lots of different ways you can operate a loyalty scheme, and the right option for you will depend on your store’s setup. For example, if you have an online store, you can send your customers discount codes or set up a points scheme. Offline, offer your best shoppers a discount card or a referral scheme in exchange for introducing you to new customers. #2 – Pick the right salespeople Have you ever been into a shop where a salesperson jumps on you as soon as you cross over the threshold? It’s not an enjoyable experience. Over half of people think salespeople are way too pushy. On the other hand, the right sales team can do a lot for your vape store, and get customers handing over those ten-pound notes like they’re going out of fashion. Ultimately, you want staff who can provide a friendly in-store experience and talk to customers like they’re a really good friend. Here’s what to think about when hiring your sales team. Do they know the products you sell? Ultimately you want someone who can recommend the right product to the right person, especially if they’re new to vaping. Your salespeople don’t have to necessarily vape themselves, but they need to have a handle on how vaping works. Can they talk to a wide range of different people? Lots of people vape, everyone from the sweet old granny down the road to the twenty-something graduate who wants to stop smoking. Your team needs to be able to relate to anyone who walks into your store and understand how they can help. Do they have good emotional intelligence? Emotional intelligence is when you can easily understand the emotions of the people around you. For example, knowing that someone you’re talking to is happy, angry, or sad, and reacting accordingly. Emotional intelligence means your salespeople can connect with customers on a personal level and realise whether they need extra support or want to be left alone. Are they open to new experiences? The best salespeople are the ones that are willing to learn new things and are happy to undertake training opportunities to better themselves. Pokémon are better when they evolve, and so are your sales staff. Can they respond well under pressure? Let’s be honest; the person who said ‘the customer is always right’ never worked in sales. Your sales team need to have cool heads and be able to perform in a crisis, even if they have five different people shouting at them at once. If your staff are friendly, empathetic, and relatable, you’re more likely to see repeat customers. And 93% of customers are more likely to make repeat purchases if they receive excellent customer service from salespeople. #3 – Know your customer When you know the different types of people who shop in your store, you’ll know how best to approach them, and which products to recommend. This is a fantastic opportunity to do some people-watching and gather some research. Don’t know where to start when it comes to customer research? Here are some of the customers you might recognise and how to encourage them to buy. We know, it’s like we’ve visited your store already. Dave who loves a deal Yep, Dave’s the one that always tries to haggle and is most interested in getting value for money. Suggesting multi-deals and slightly reduced ‘hot pick’ items will keep him coming back and ensure you still make a tidy profit. Payday Penny Penny comes in once a month when she gets paid to buy all her vaping gear. No time for chitchat; she knows what she wants. Make time for Penny and suggest products that fit in with her busy lifestyle. Shiny Steve Steve is all about his gadgetry and his souped-up vaping rig. Most of the time, he thinks he knows more than you. Let him lead the conversation and take the time to talk about the most innovative products you sell. Simple Sophie Sophie is not the most tech-savvy person, but she’s a good customer and is always happy to let you make recommendations for her. Offer Sophie lots of advice and support, whether that’s helping her change her vape coil or suggesting the latest products she might like. Customer X The unknown first timer that wants to start vaping
Ohm Brew Team Flavour Picks
Ohm Brew team flavour picks – what our crew are enjoying Sometimes your workmates can tell you all about them without saying a single word. From the state of their desks, to the type of tea or coffee they drink. Extra milky, six sugars?! Go on, get out of here. Here at Ohm Brew, we ask our crew to tell us what flavour Ohm Brew they like the most. The good news? Judging from the responses below, all our team have one thing in common – impeccable taste! Here’s what the Ohm Brew crew are loving at the moment, with the links to find out more. Dominic Sharkey – Marketing Manager Favourite flavour: Slush Brew – Green Mix “My absolute go-to liquid every. Single. Time. Seriously, if you loved Slush Puppies when you were younger, you’ll go for this in a big way. Tangy sour apples and lip-puckering limes come together to create an absolute taste sensation.” Danny Bradley – Brand & Product Development Favourite flavour: Watermelon Sugar “I’ve vaped for eight years and have always had a hankering for watermelon flavours. The problem is, so many companies can’t get the taste right; it’s either too sweet or too bland. Watermelon Sugar though? It’s bang on. It’s sweet, bitter, and sour at the same time, with mouth-wateringly juicy candy notes. Yum.” Jae Mason – Head of Major Accounts Favourite flavour: Banana Caramel Waffle “The only way I can describe this one? Total indulgence. You get a hit of rich, gooey caramel tied up with sweet, milky banana afternotes. It’s an absolutely heavenly combo.” Barry MacGabhann – Regional Sales Manager – South Favourite flavour: Mr White “Heisenberg flavours aren’t everyone’s thing, but they’re certainly mine! This Breaking-Bad-inspired blend tastes of mixed fruit with a touch of aniseed, ideal if you’re not a fan of sweet vapes. This is the vape that knocks!” Phil Jackson – Business Development Executive – North Favourite flavour: Rockin’ Raspberry Sorbet “Is it too predictable to say you love a sweet vape? I don’t care; this one is amazing! The sugary raspberry and vanilla combo is cut with a dash of tongue-tingling lemon that rocks my tastebuds and stops me from hitting the vending machines at lunchtime!” Derek Payne – Operations Director Favourite Flavour: Grape Menthol Aniseed “If you love grape flavours (like me), you’ll love this blend. The grape is combined with a dash of slightly spicy aniseed that gives it a little extra oomph, as well as menthol for a pleasant throat hit. Not everyone’s cup of tea, but definitely one of my favourites.” Sam McIlhatton – Logistics Manager Favourite Flavour: Candy Cherry “A sweet cherry tang, a candy aftertaste, nice clouds and a smooth vape – what’s not to love? This one’s my go-to vape and if you give it a go, I’m sure it will be yours too!” Beth McIlhatton – Logistics & Sales Support Favourite flavour: Strawberry Chew “In my honest opinion, this is one of Ohm Brew’s best, as it feels like it could have come straight out of Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory. It’s tangy, juicy and has a hint of tingly fizziness, which all come together to create a perfectly balanced e-liquid flavour.” Which Ohm Brew flavour is your favourite? Drop us a line and let us know, or tag us on social media! << Back to blog Facebook-f Instagram Linkedin
Why choosing vaping will save you money
Why giving up smoking and choosing vaping can save you money Do you remember when we were stuck at home baking banana bread during the pandemic? We’d all laugh on Zoom quizzes with our families and friends and say, ‘soon we’ll be free, and everything will be so much better than it is now…’ Hah! Oh, how wrong we were. Let’s be honest, 2022 has been a bit pants so far. Inflation is at an all-time high, it costs five figures to top up our fuel tanks and let’s not get started on the state of our energy bills. If you’re looking at your bank statements and wincing, it might be time to start cutting back on certain things.One way you can make savings is by stopping smoking. Yep, we know there’s a reason why you haven’t quit yet. However, it can be one of the easiest ways to save money, as well as improve your health. But you may also be feeling quite anxious about quitting smoking too. That’s fine and totally normal. Your best chances of success lie in your planning and preparation, so read on to find out how maximise your chances of success! If you’re on the fence about stopping smoking, here’s how it can save you cash in the months ahead, as well as why vaping is a good alternative. Cigarettes are expensive: pass it on It’s not just the cigarettes that will cost you either Smoking: making people less houseproud for centuries Stopping smoking will help your health Best to quit while you’re ahead Hang on… when are you going to plug vaping as an alternative to smoking? So, why vape over smoking? It’s a cheaper alternative It tastes nicer You can cut down on your nicotine intake as you vape It can help reduce the amount of plastic in landfill It can help you pick up better habits You won’t smell In summary: Pick up the vape and save some money Cigarettes are expensive: pass it on At the time of publication, 20 cigarettes cost anything from £9.75 to £14.45. That’s between 49p and 72p per individual cigarette. (To put it into context, a single Freddo costs about 30p. Do you remember when they were 10p? It’s absolutely scandalous.) So, let’s say you smoke 20 cigarettes a day. This means you could be spending between £3,558 and £5,274 a year! Let that sink in. That’s a lot of cash. That money could pay your energy bill and keep your car running. You could even have a little bit of wonga left over to buy something nice like a holiday or Christmas pressies for the family. Alternatively, £5,274 could buy over 17,500 Freddos. Be right back, just going to the corner shop. For… reasons. (Want to see how much money you can save by switching to vaping? Keep reading to find out!) It’s not just the cigarettes that will cost you either Smokers typically pay more for life insurance than non-smokers. This is because they’re more susceptible to illness than people that don’t and therefore, more likely to need a pay-out. Depending on your insurance provider, you can expect to pay between 30% to 200% more for cover if you’re a smoker. And don’t even think of lying on your application, as they will check your medical records if you make a claim. This means by quitting, you can not only save cash on cigarettes, but on your insurance too. To qualify as a ‘non-smoker’ by insurance companies, you typically need to have not smoked for about twelve months. This can vary from policy to policy though, so be sure to check. Important note: Bear in mind that some insurance companies treat vaping the same way as smoking, so if you switch to vaping, you might still need to pay a premium. Check the terms of your policy to see if you might be affected. Smoking: making people less houseproud for centuries Another indirect cost of smoking can be seen around the home. If you like to light up in the house, you can soon find yellow stains on the ceilings, walls and paintwork, as well as marks on your soft furnishings. Plus, everything you own smells like damp cigarettes. Bleugh. This means you have to spend money on redecorating and can even see the resale value of your home drop. According to Yopa, smoking can devalue your property by up to 29%. After all, who wants to sleep, cook and watch TV In a giant ashtray? Pretty much no one. By stubbing out those cigarettes, you can unlock the value of your home and even save some money to buy a new TV or a cool piece of art for the wall. Everyone’s a winner. Stopping smoking will help your health Even though we do it, we all know that smoking damages our health. If you’re one of those people that can’t bear to look at the disgusting photos they put on cigarette packets these days, we feel your pain. However, it has to be said – smoking is the leading cause of preventable disease and death in the UK. Heart attack? Yep. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease? Yep. Cancer? Pretty much every kind you can imagine. According to the NHS, around 78,000 people a year die from smoking, with many more living with serious health conditions. Even if you’ve smoked for decades, stopping is still one of the best things you can do for your health. Days after stopping, you’ll experience a drop in heart rate, and your sense of smell will improve. Within a year, your risk of coronary heart disease falls to half of what it was before. Stopping smoking not only improves your health but the health of those around you. It’s estimated that passive (second-hand) smoking causes nearly 10,000 deaths in the UK a year. If that doesn’t urge you to stub out the cigs, we don’t know what will. Best to quit while you’re ahead The UK
Planogramming 101 for vape stores
Planogramming 101: how to set your vape store up for success You’ve sweet-talked the locals, leafleted every single house in town and spent hours posting hilarious vaping memes on your business’s Facebook page. Now, the big question. When you get people coming into your store, how do you get them to buy? If you’re currently shrugging your shoulders, you should try planogramming. What is planogramming? Planogramming is a strategy where you optimise the placements of the products in your store in order to maximise sales. It’s a bit like if market research and psychology had a baby, and you put it to work stacking your shelves. All the big stores use planogramming to increase the chances of customers buying high-ticket items. The good news? You can too. Here are some of our top tips to get you started. #1 – ‘Eye line is buy-line’ If something is in the customer’s eye-line, they’re more likely to buy it. There’s a reason brands pay big money for their products to feature on the middle of the supermarket shelves. Play this to your advantage by putting your most expensive items in the customer’s eye line. Interesting tip for you. Shoppers usually scan left to right when looking at shelves, so put your most premium items left of centre, and they’re more likely to be picked up. #2 – Play ‘spot the product’ When your products are in the same spot all the time, regular customers can become complacent. By moving items around every now and again, customers will think you’ve got new product lines in, even if you’ve been selling the same stuff since Oasis split up. #3 – Don’t overstock your shelves Ever been to an Apple store? Everything is precisely laid out, and there’s lots of empty space. This creates a sense of urgency – buy now or it’s gone for good. Even though he always wore the same clothes, it’s no surprise that Steve Jobs was one of the world’s biggest marketing geniuses. If your shelves are overstocked, customers might think your product lines aren’t being bought and therefore are rubbish. Give your products room to breathe, and you’ll reap the rewards. #4 – Keep it tidy Your customers want to enter your store knowing it’s safe, clean, and welcoming. If it resembles a teenage boy’s bedroom after a long night playing Call of Duty, they will probably go elsewhere. Regularly monitor the store for mess and debris, and if any stock is misplaced or has fallen over, neaten it up. Remember: ‘a tidy space is a profitable space!’ #5 – Reposition slow sellers as ‘hot picks’ We’ve all got those product lines that we thought were a good idea at the time, but just won’t shift. Who could have thought a Hawaiian pizza-flavoured e-liquid just wouldn’t resonate with the punters? If you have slow sellers, reposition them as a ‘manager’s special’ or ‘customer pick’. This can help sell units and means you reclaim your stockroom space. p.s. Want to know more about making your vape store a success? We’ve got you covered. << Back to blog Facebook-f Instagram Linkedin
How to sell vape bars responsibly
How to sell vape bars responsibly Vape bars, or disposable vaping devices, are one of the most popular ways to vape at the moment. Going to a festival? Pop one in your bag. Forgot to bring your vaping gear to work? A vape bar can keep you going. Want to see if vaping is right for you before you commit? Give one a try. However, vape bars aren’t without their issues. As manufacturers and stockists, it’s our responsibility to ensure customers use them correctly and ethically. Here are some of the ways you can sell vape bars more responsibly to your customers. And remember, if you need any help or have any other questions about vape bars, we’re here to help. #1 – Ask people to recycle The main issue with disposable vape devices is once they’re used, they’re thrown away. They then sit in landfill, taking up to a thousand years to decompose. That’s not all. Contaminants from the vape pens can run off into our water supplies, harming wildlife and damaging the environment. Throwing vape pens away means valuable resources are being wasted. It’s estimated that discarded vape bars account for ten tonnes of lithium being wasted every year – a valuable mineral used to create batteries for mobile phones and pacemakers. With two disposable vape pens being thrown away every second in the UK, stockists need to remind customers of the need to recycle. Some councils allow vape bars to be put in household recycling, while others ask for them to be dropped off at a nearby recycling centre. We recommend asking your local council to see how your customers can safely dispose of their vape bars. #2 – Don’t sell to minors As they’re disposable and affordable, vape bars are unfortunately extremely popular with young people. According to Ash, 16% of children aged 11 to 17 have tried vaping, up from 14% two years ago. Even more worryingly, nearly half of vapes used by young people are being bought in stores. Keep in mind that it’s illegal to sell vapes and vaping equipment to under 18s. If you think a customer is underage or is buying a vape for a minor, don’t be afraid to ask for ID. And remember, you have the right to refuse service. #3 – Encourage people to use them sparingly Disposable vape bars are a great option if you’re on a trip or have left your equipment at home. However, they shouldn’t become an alternative to a vaping device and e-liquids. It’s important to remind customers that they should only use disposables when they genuinely need them. Not only is a traditional vaping set-up better for the environment, but it’s better for your customers’ wallets too. A 2ml vape bar costs £5.99. A 10ml bottle of e-liquid costs £3.99. Even when you factor in the vape hardware, it’s still a more cost-effective option. We’re dedicated to ensuring our Brew Bar disposable devices are used ethically, and we hope you’ll join us in making sure this is the case. << Back to blog Facebook-f Instagram Linkedin
7 Ohm Brew flavours to keep you going this summer
7 amazing Ohm Brew flavours to keep you going this summer We’ve waited for so long, but summer is finally here! Goodbye jumpers and cold mornings, hello trips to the beach and backyard BBQs. If you run a vape store, a fresh and fruity liquid will really hit the spot with your customers this time of year. It’s an excellent time to check your inventory and bring in some seasonal flavours. Need a little inspiration? Here are 7 of our summertime faves. 1. Blue Slush When we were kids, we knew summer was well and truly here when our folks treated us to one of these frosty bad boys. The sugary high, the brain freeze from the cold ice and of course… the blue tongue! Life was good. If you’re craving a bit of summer nostalgia, this sweet blend of blueberries and raspberries will take you back to your childhood. 2. Lychee Ice If sugary sweet e-number-filled drinks aren’t to your taste, this sophisticated number will be sure to get your mouth watering. The delicate, floral flavour of lychees is combined with an icy-cold blast that you’ll keep coming back to, time and time again. 3. The Black Summer raises a lot of mysterious questions. What are the rules of cricket? Why do supermarkets always run out of burger buns? What makes the Black such a stone-cold summer classic? We can’t help you with the first two questions, but we can definitely answer the last one. Syrupy blackberries, astringent blackcurrant and a whisper of cooling menthol come together to become an absolute summertime favourite. 4. Pineapple & Mango Ice Cream I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream! If the ice cream van doesn’t come to your street as often as you like, we’ve got the next best thing. One of our summertime hits, this stunning blend of creamy and tangy tropical fruits will make your tongue want to dance the Macarena. 5. GREEN MIX Sweet things not to your taste? We hear you. If you’d rather listen to Cliff Richard sing at Wimbledon than enjoy a sugary treat this summer, you’ll love our Green Mix. A lip-smacking combo of tart lime and sour green apple, this e-liquid will keep you refreshed, wherever you are. 6. Cola Ice When the sun hits the sky and the temperature skyrockets, there’s nothing nicer than heading to the fridge and grabbing a chilled can of pop. Imagine the coolness in your hand, the water droplets running down your arm… bet you’re thirsty now! If you’re in the mood for an icy drink of pop, our cola ice will keep you buzzing. A satisfying cola taste with an icy twist at the end. Perfecto. 7. Strawberry Lime Cider Does anything scream summer more than relaxing in your local beer garden with a pint of refreshing cold cider in hand? If you’re a cider drinker, this is the vape liquid you’ve been longing for. This zesty little number combines the sweetness of strawberries with the slightly mouth-puckering lime aftertaste that we all know and love. Don’t forget that the Government wants to make the UK smoke-free by 2030 – you can read our thoughts here. << Back to blog Facebook-f Instagram Linkedin
Top tips for making your vape store a success
Top tips for ultimate vape store success If you’re reading this on your phone while you’re walking over to open up your vape store, keys in hand, this blog post’s dedicated to you. With the UK Government planning to make the UK smoke-free by 2030, more and more people are starting to consider making a move to vaping. It’s now estimated that about 6% of adults now regularly vape. What does this mean if you have a vape store? It means now’s the time to get your face out there and get customers through the door. We’ve put together this comprehensive guide to help you become the number one vape store in your village, town or even your city. Delete where applicable. Do your market research Consider your unique selling point Promote yourself like a boss Local SEO is your friend Know where you can and can’t advertise Chase those testimonials Get yourself on the radio and in the papers Spend time on the marketing channels that work best for you Understand your outgoings Focus on customer service Create a welcoming atmosphere Keep evolving In summary And our final tip? Sell Ohm Brew Ready to go? Let’s get down to business! 1. Do your market research People from all walks of life vape. Your old friends from school that you occasionally meet up with at the pub? They vape. Your old boss where you used to work? He vapes? Your nan who has been smoking fifty cigs a day since you were wearing short trousers? She’s getting into vaping now, bless her heart. This means you need to do your research and see who’s coming to your store as different target audiences will want different products. Don’t be afraid to ask your current customers what they want to see you sell. If people don’t buy from you just yet, what products would tempt them into your shop? Consider seasonality in your market research too. You wouldn’t have a mulled wine in the middle of August – the same applies to the vape flavours you stock. Typically, people prefer fresh and fruity flavours to cool them down when the hot weather hits. And before you ask, no, we don’t stock a mulled wine flavoured e-liquid… yet. 2. Consider your unique selling point It’s estimated that there are now nearly 3,000 vape shops across the UK. To put it into context, there are almost three times as many vape stores in the country as there are Starbucks. This means that you’ve got a lot of competition out there. Think about where your competitors are – there could be another vape store similar to yours just around the corner, ready to pounce on your customers. Scary stuff. In the business world, companies need to define their unique selling point, or USP. This is essentially what you do that your competitors don’t. Grab your favourite vape, pour yourself a strong cup of coffee and find a notepad. Write down a couple of ideas of what you do differently from all the other vape stores in your vicinity. For example: You could stock a brand of vape liquid that nobody else near you does (check out our stockist page to see who sells Ohm Brew in your area)You could offer promotional materials that help people understand more about vaping and the advantages it has over smokingYou could specialise in a particular demographic, like women or older peopleYou could provide stellar customer service and have the reviews and testimonials to prove itYou could offer delivery to people’s homes or workplaces or provide click and collect When you’ve got a better idea of your USP, work it into your marketing and use it to get people into your store. Speaking of marketing… 3. Promote yourself like a boss Doing marketing is a lot like paying taxes. It’s a lot of work, and it can be incredibly frustrating, but it’s something we’ve all gotta do to stay in business. We’ve covered some of the promotional tactics you can use in a previous article, but here are some additional ways you can get your brand out there and into people’s hearts (aww). Local SEO is your friend Local SEO is a special type of search engine optimisation, where you’re focusing on search engine results in your nearby area. That way, if someone searches for ‘vape stores near me’ or ‘vape shops in X’, you’re more likely to be in the number one spot. One of the best ways to improve your chances of people finding your business is to set yourself up with a free Google Business Profile. You can use this to provide Google with additional information about your vape store and make it easier for people to get in touch with you. There’s a similar online directory for Bing – Bing Places for Business – some people still use Bing, right?! If you want to find out more about local SEO, there’s a great guide here. If you’re still not sure, there are plenty of digital marketing agencies that can help you out. Know where you can and can’t advertise Want to use pay-per-click advertising to promote your vape store. Unfortunately, you’re in for a hard time. Google Ads and other social media platforms have strict policies in place for advertising tobacco products, meaning you can’t pay for advertising. It sucks, we know. The good news? You can promote your vape shop and the wares you sell using local SEO and free social media posts as an alternative. So take the budget you were going to spend on pay-per-click advertising and use it to create some awesome organic content instead. Job’s a good un! Chase those testimonials Social proof… it’s absolu-blinking-lutely massive. Over 90% of customers read online reviews before buying a product or visiting a store. This means the more five-star reviews you can get, the better. Good reviews don’t just get customers through the door – they help with local SEO too. If Google
Plans for the UK to become smoke-free by 2030
A smoke-free UK – Government wants UK to stop smoking by 2030 The Government recently carried out an independent review into how it could make smoking obsolete by the year 2030. It’s something we’ve been following with a lot of interest here at Ohm Brew. Whether you run a vape shop or are a smoker looking to quit, here’s a short summary of the review and how it may affect you. About the Government’s smokefree plan The Government first talked about its ambitions for the UK to be smoke-free in 2019. The target was that by 2030, only 5% of the population would smoke. To give you some context, 14% of adults were smokers then. An independent report on how this goal was progressing was released by Dr Javed Khan, the former CEO of Barnardo’s, in June 2022. The results? Not good. The report showed that if things carried on the way they do, the Government would miss its 2030 target by at least 7 years, and up to 14 years in the poorest areas. This means the Government needs to pick up the pace. The report suggested four radical plans of action: 1. Invest more money The report recommends investing £125 million a year to encourage people to stop smoking, with 56% of this money dedicated to stopping smoking services. If the Government don’t have the cash, they need to increase corporation tax or levy additional charges on the tobacco industry. 2. Increase the age of sale The legal smoking age in the UK is currently 18, raised from 16 in 2007. However, the report suggests increasing the smoking age even further to discourage younger people from picking up the habit. It proposes raising the tobacco sale age by one year every year, meaning the younger generation will never legally be able to buy cigarettes. They’re already going to do this in New Zealand. 3. Persuade people to quit The report advises that the NHS needs to push cessation services more to patients, even if they’re attending hospital or their GP surgery for an unrelated issue. It’s especially important to focus on more deprived regions where more people smoke. 4. Encourage vaping Vaping has long been established as an alternative to smoking, and the report advises that the Government should encourage smokers to vape as a way of kicking the habit. Vaping is 95% less harmful than tobacco and is also a heck of a lot cheaper. If you’re curious, you can find out exactly how much you can save using our vaping calculator. There are also many great flavours that can help make quitting feel much less frustrating! Our thoughts? It will be interesting to see if the Government adopts these recommendations moving forward, and we’ll continue to watch with interest. If you are considering quitting smoking, a vape can be a great way to gradually reduce your nicotine intake while still satisfying those cravings. << Back to blog Facebook-f Instagram Linkedin
Why vaping is better for you than smoking
Facebook-f Instagram Linkedin Why vaping is better for you than smoking Many people, when considering giving up smoking, would rather aim to be completely nicotine-free. But the truth is that quitting smoking without finding an alternative is very difficult indeed, and while most people start with the very best intentions it’s not long before they find themselves back on the cigarettes again. For this reason, vaping is the very best alternative there is to kick the habit for good, and people have a far better success rate when they make the switch. Public Health England (PHE) has now written seven reports on vaping in England, and their latest one concluded that vaping is far safer than smoking for many reasons. Here are some top stats! Vapes are the most popular aid to stop smoking (27.2%). In 2017, more than approximately 50,000 people in England managed to stop smoking with the aid of an e-cigarette. In 2019 and 2020, quit success rates were between 59.7% and 64% using a vape. Around 6% of adults regularly use vapes, which adds up to around 2.7 million adult vapers in England. This has had a positive effect on driving down numbers of people still smoking, and the pattern is expected to continue. The report is a long one, but it takes a very in-depth look at vaping and it’s worth reading if you’re not completely convinced yet. PHE is unequivocal in their advice that smokers are far better off switching to vaping than continuing to smoke tobacco. The government’s goal is to be smoke-free by 2030, and they have been considering ways in which to achieve this goal. Vaping plays a really important part in this. When weighing up the pros and cons of quitting smoking, it’s important to bear in mind the very alarming statistic that smoking killed almost 75,000 people in England alone in 2019, and it continues to be the leading preventable cause of premature death. While people may be concerned that vaping still carries some risk, there is no doubt that it is a safer choice than smoking. Those with the best possible chance of success in giving up smoking have done two things: firstly, they have switched to a vape, and secondly, they have sought support from a local stop smoking service. If you’re thinking of making the switch to vaping rather than smoking tobacco, visit your local vape store. They will be able to show you the different types of e-cigarettes and help you choose one that suits your needs. They’ll advise you on flavours and nicotine strengths, and they’ll always be there to help support you through your quitting journey. Every high street has one, so go and support them. << Back to blog Facebook-f Instagram Linkedin
Vape stores need your support this Stoptober
Vape stores need your support this Stoptober Many people are planning to pack in the cigarettes this October, inspired by the national Stoptober campaign. Stoptober happens every year, and thousands of people have been able to quit permanently inspired by a month of success on the programme. We all know the many benefits of giving up smoking, but if you need a reminder here’s a handy list from the NHS. A quick look at that will be all the inspiration you need to pack in the fags for good! Independent, local vape stores are gearing up for busy times – there is always a surge of interest in vaping around this time of year as people wanting to give up are looking to make the switch to e-cigarettes instead. This is great news for lots of reasons! Firstly, they are very glad of your business. When you support a local shop, no matter what it is that they sell, you are helping those shopkeepers support their families, and making a very real difference to their lives. You are not just lining the pockets of an already-wealthy multinational corporation; instead, you are supporting the high street and those who make it so vibrant. So, this Stoptober, go and support your local vape shop – they’ll be very glad you did! Secondly, vape shops are the place to go to get brilliant advice on stopping smoking, making the switch, choosing your first e-cigarette, managing the amount of nicotine you’re taking in (and reducing it slowly) and making sure you’ve always got a charged vape to hand so you don’t consider going back to cigarettes in desperation. There is very little that these people do not know about vaping, so make the most of their knowledge. They’ll be delighted to help, and they will play an important part in supporting you through your quitting journey. More and more people are buying their vaping supplies online, and if this pattern continues then there is a very real danger that vape stores in local towns will be a thing of the past. We can’t allow this to happen. High streets around the nation need your support more than ever before. Make time in your day to do as much of your shopping locally, and you’ll find that you benefit from great prices, brilliant choice and friendly service to boot. One word of advice though – vape stores can get completely inundated at the beginning of October as many people seek an alternative to smoking tobacco. So, get prepared and visit them early, or you may find yourself waiting around in queues. So, in your quitting journey, make sure you use your local vape shop regularly, tell your friends about them, support them and help them spread the word. << Back to blog Facebook-f Instagram Linkedin
