The reach of electronic cigarettes is increasing. They are mentioned now by airlines, including them in the list of what you cannot smoke in-flight. I am seeing them in more stores and I am seeing more people smoking them on the streets.
Also, I have seen the vending machine in the photo.
So, the reach is increasing. this means that retailers of tobacco product in Australia will need to consider their position on this type of product. There are many businesses working hard to leverage the product from being niche to mainstream.
Have I been living in the country too long – what the hell is an electronic cigarette?
Jenny, they have been around since the 1960s apparently. I first saw them at a trade show a year ago. They I saw them in a newsagency in London and now I have seen them sold by several retailers in the US.
I googled it. Was curious, I too have been around since the 60’s and never heard of them. They’d be good to sell if smoking was considered cool.
I think it might be more a tool to help give up smoking , from what i found when i googled it was they start off with these then off all smoking after awhile
Spot on Shauns! I only looked at the picture, they looked like a fashion accessory, something a movie star (of the older style) might be seen using.
Users I have spoken with are using them as they would cigarettes. One even started with the device – i.e. an entry point.
I agree Jenny. Smoking isn’t considered cool and I doubt this product will change the increasingly negative stigma that has been attached to it. That in itself will be the biggest barrier to these products.
If by some miracle the product were to show signs of getting off the ground in Australia I suspect we would feel the swift hand of legislation place restrictions on their advertising, sale and use very quickly.
While I agree with the sentiments re smoking, it is interesting to see considerable effort in the US and some Asian countries to build a market. Seeing it available from two locations in a shopping mall in the US this trip was a surprise.
I imagine that they would be cheaper for smokers long term.
Smoking isn’t cool any more, but if they called these things an “iSmoke”, the kids would be lining up outside the store on launch day.
OMG LOL kthxbye.
I used to smoke a packet a day then quit completely when a friend introduced me to electronic cigarettes and my doctors are thrilled. I think you will find any any e-cigarettes sold in Australia contain no nicotine. That is the law and i think the argument that they are a gateway to smoking is rubbish