Ozark firm distributes electronic cigarettes
Electronic cigarettes, all the rage overseas, have made it to the Wiregrass.
Vaporized cigarettes from China are now distributed by a company in Ozark. Save A Smoker was founded four months ago by three smokers, two of whom have stopped smoking and completely converted to vaping.
Vaping is the new smoking, without the toxins, carcinogens and chemicals produced when tobacco burns. It does emit a smoke, or vapor, which according to company co-founder Eric Slaick, does not have any harmful effects and is not considered second-hand smoke.
“I was introduced to this product while visiting my brother in Fort Lauderdale. I started doing the research and found it is extremely popular in places like the U.K.,” Slaick said. “Once I started using it, I fell in love with it.”
Both Slaick and his brother, Jason Slaick, have quit smoking by switching to the MaxxVapor Mini. Their partner, Eric Slaick’s brother-in-law, Shannon Thompson, has not given up cigarettes altogether, but has cut back from a pack-and-a-half to four or five cigarettes a day.
The electronic cigarette consists of three parts, which attach. There is a battery, which powers the cigarette, a center vaporizer or heating element, and a cartridge on the end filled with liquid. When puffed, the end lights up blue, but there is no flame and no fire.
The liquid contains nicotine, flavoring, and propylene glycol that produces a vapor mist that looks like smoke and has been deemed safe for use in food, cosmetics and medicines.
The MaxxVapor comes in a variety of colors, including black, brown, white, red, pink, purple and blue. Vapor users can choose their strength of nicotine — high, medium, low or none. Flavors include vanilla, cherry, chocolate, banana, coffee, tobacco, and menthol.
Vapors aren’t licensed as smoking cessation devices by the Food and Drug Administration, but are considered smoking alternatives to a product associated with lung cancer, heart disease and emphysema.
“The main problem with smoking is not the nicotine, which is addictive, but it is the 4,000-plus chemicals that result from burning tobacco,” Slaick said.
Cigarettes are also expensive. A 62-cent increase in federal taxes, approved by Congress in February, raised the federal tax to $1.01 per pack on April 1.
Locally, a carton containing 10 packs sells for around $36. Purchased individually, a pack of cigarettes costs around $4.50.
“Electronic cigarettes are far less expensive than tobacco,” Slaick said. “A pack-per-day smoker will easily see savings the first month. The cost is $120 to $150 monthly for cigarettes versus $40 to $60 per month using electronic cigarettes.”
The starter kit retails for $69.95 and comes with 10 vapor cartridges, and comes with a 14-day money back guarantee. Replacement cartridges are $1 each and are equivalent to a half a pack of cigarettes. The refill liquid is $10 and is equivalent to a carton of cigarettes.
“The savings, plus being able to smoke anywhere with no smoke, no carcinogens, no tar, no odor, no flame, and no ashes, have made this popular,” he said. “People are amazed at how much it tastes and feels like smoking.”
The World Health Organization has named tobacco one of the greatest public health threats of the 21st century. Nearly 50 million Americans smoke cigarettes.
