First airport e-cigarette zone to open at London's Heathrow

LONDON (Reuters) - Electronic cigarette maker Gamucci is to open the world's first airport "vaping zone" for e-cigarette users at London's Heathrow later this month, highlighting the rise of the smoke-free devices.

The new indoor zone, measuring 30 square meters, will open on November 25 in the international departure lounge at Terminal 4, with entry restricted to those aged 18 and over, Gamucci said in a statement on Sunday.

Sales of e-cigarettes have boomed in recent years, prompted in part by restrictions on smoking. The battery-driven devices allow users to inhale nicotine-laced vapor and are seen as a less harmful alternative to smoking.

Governments are currently struggling to work out the best way to regulate them. Britain decided in June to regulate them as medicines from 2016 but European parliamentarians last month rejected the idea of doing the same across the European Union.

E-cig explodes, damaging truck

EUGENE, Ore. - An e-cigarette left charging in a car for about 2 hours exploded, damaging the car, according to the owner.

"You plug it in here and it goes in your cigarette lighter," explained Judy Timmons, who purchased the e-cig as an alternative to traditional cigarettes. "I'm just glad my grandkids weren't in the backseat because it could have exploded at any time."

The fire caused extensive damage to the stereo system and the interior of the truck, he said.

"It had enough power and momentum to shoot all the way to the backseat," said Larry Timmons.

E-cigs have gained in popularity, touted as being less harmful than conventional cigarettes. The devices are so common, you can buy them at many convenience stores.

Jared Followill sparks security scare with e-cig

Tobacco is notoriously bad for your health, but Jared Followill has discovered e-cigarettes are not as safe as they seem.

The Kings Of Leon bassist touched down in Dubai with his family band on Wednesday, and carried his trusty e-cig through the airport without a second thought.

What star didn't realise was that the devices are banned in the middle eastern country - at least not until he was approached by some sinister looking airport security guards.

The authorities take their rules on the digital fags so seriously that Jared almost found himself banged up abroad, but he managed to talk his way out of it and took to his Twitter account to tell fans about his terrifying run-in with the law.

He writes, "Just had the life scared out of me at security in Dubai. Apparently it's not just my bros (brothers) who think e-cigs (sic) are uncool. Almost locked up abroad."

It looks like a visit to Dubai might be the only time when a traditional tobacco-filled smoke is recommended.

Proposed e-cig ban off the table

The Cherokee County Communities of Excellence Tobacco Control Program has asked the Tahlequah City Council to remove from its Monday, Nov. 18 agenda an ordinance banning the use of electronic cigarettes from city property.

Mayor Jason Nichols confirmed that, at least for the time being, there will be no action on the controversial measure, which drew a standing-room-only crowd to the Nov. 4 council meeting.

"We've removed the item from the agenda at the direction of the people who requested its consideration," Nichols said. "I think that they've become aware of the need for more information to be presented and more discussion to be had over that data before any change to the city's regulations [is made]."

When copies of the original ordinance began circulating days before the council meeting, e-cig users and employees of businesses selling those products began posting protests on Facebook and urging local residents to oppose implementation.

Misinformation on social media about the ordinance's actual intent raised the ire of many citizens, who believed the use of e-cigs would be forbidden throughout the city. However, advocates said they only wanted to prohibit the use of those products on city property.

The inclusion of Tahlequah's public parks on the ban list drew objections from dozens of "vapers," who maintain e-cigs are safer than tobacco because they don't cause cancer, nor does the vapor emitted from the devices pose the hazards of second-hand smoke.

Nichols agrees that city officials should proceed with caution.

"I had informed [coalition members] that I personally felt there isn't sufficient rationale for a ban on city properties, given the lack of data on the subject," he said.

Officials in a few other Oklahoma cities, like Ada, have imposed similar bans, and media reports indicate the restrictions are still highly unpopular with residents, many of whom say they have used e-cigs to quit smoking. Other cities have delayed voting on proposed measures so officials can solicit further input from the public and the medical community.

"We've met with people who are in opposition to what had been proposed and will do so with those who had made the proposal soon," Nichols said. "Both sides have indicated interest in continued discussion on the issue, especially regarding sale [of e-cigarettes] to minors. But the ordinance that was proposed is no longer under consideration."

First Vaping Zone at an Airport for E Cig to Open in UK Reviews

Dallas, TX -- (SBWIRE)-- E cig sale and use both have shot up over the last few years. With the increase in popularity, adult users are seeking easy access to e cigs, the reason why Gamucci, a known brand in the smokeless cigarette arena is set to open the first ever vaping zone at an airport. The e cig zone which will measure 30 square meters will be at the international departure lounge at terminal 4 of the airport.

The entry to the electronic cigarette zone is restricted only to adults i.e. those aged between 18 and under are prohibited to even make an entry into the zone. Electronic cigarette brands have been making constant attempts at restricting sale of electric cigarette to minors as most of the brands ask for age declaration on online purchase. Retail stores too have been strictly following the rule to not sell e cigarette to people not above 18.

The new indoor zone is the first which is a clear hint at the rise of vapor cigarettes. E cigarette reviews regarding the move have been good as e cig users around UK are seemingly happy with the new development. The store will open at 25 November and with 1.3 million users of the smokeless device alone in UK, there are going to be a lot of visitors to the vaping zone.

The Britain parliament in June 2013, decided to regulate e cigarette as medicine, the regulation likely to come in effect from 2016, while the EU parliamentarians decided to can the idea. Authorities are still working on regulations but the hindrance is possibly the lack of research. Experts at ECigaretteExposed.com say." It's a new development and a good one. The e cig reviews from round the globe reflect how much people like this product and with many claiming it to be a better alternate to smoking; such a move is encouraging for people who claim to have managed to refrain from tobacco cigarettes after switching to e cigs."

Commissioners approve raise for ABC chair, e-cig ban

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) -- New Hanover County Commissioners today approved a raise for the head of the county's Alcohol Beverage Control and banned e-cigarettes from county property.

The Consent Agenda for today's commission meeting included a $7,000 raise for ABC CEO Dan Sykes. Sykes has been making $105,000 since he was hired in April 2010, except for a one-time $7,000 bonus he received in 2012. The commission has to approve raises for the CEO position, for whom the salary is restricted by the state ABC after issues that arose with former ABC chief Billy Williams and his pay.

Also at this morning's meeting, commissioners also approved a ban on e-cigarettes and expanding the county's restrictions on smoking. E-cigarettes and regular smoking products are now banned in county buildings and vehicles and within 50 feet of entrances to county buildings

Reynolds adds Utah to e-cig test markets

A Reynolds American Inc. subsidiary is adding Utah as a second test market for its Vuse electronic cigarette product, beginning in mid-January.

R.J. Reynolds Vapor Co. officials said during the parent company's Investor Day presentation Monday that they expect to begin distributing Vuse nationally in 2014.

E-cigarettes are battery-powered devices that heat a liquid nicotine solution in a disposable cartridge and create a vapor that is inhaled.

The company began selling Vuse statewide in Colorado in July after launching the product last year in Tarheel Tobacco stores at 6311 Stadium Drive in Clemmons, 3193 Peters Creek Parkway in Winston-Salem and in Danville, Va. It still is sold in those stores, but the volume available may be limited as part of the expanded distribution.

Daan Delen, Reynolds' chief executive and president, said Vuse can be an industry "game changer" because it could solve the vexing dilemma of a high volume of smokers trying e-cigs, but a limited number converting to them as their top tobacco choice.

Reynolds spokesman David Howard said the company will mirror the Colorado distribution and marketing efforts, including 60-second TV commercials.

"We already have the distribution infrastructure in place for that part of the country, and we expect to get different learnings from tobacco consumers in Utah," Howard said.

Cigarette advertising on television was banned by the federal government in 1971. Reynolds has been running TV ads in its Iowa test market for Zonnic, its nicotine replacement therapy product. Altria Group Inc. in August launched its MarkTen e-cig product in Indiana.

Reynolds is the latest major tobacco manufacturer or marketer to step through a window of opportunity – possibly fleeting – to advertise e-cigs on TV to adult smokers. NJoy and blu Ecigs also are doing TV ads.

Howard said the TV commercials run during late-night shows, and other times when adults comprise at least 85 percent of the viewership of adult-oriented content.

The tobacco industry, advocacy groups and consumers have been waiting since 2009 for the Food and Drug Administration to decide how it will regulate e-cigs for product safety, minimum legal age for use, flavors, marketing and retail availability.

That decision was expected to be made in October before the federal government shutdown took effect. Analysts say the decision could come any day.

The Vuse TV ad centers on a message that "it's time that smoking changed forever" with an e-cig that offers "a perfect puff, first time, every time." The ad features lab technicians in white coats focusing on the Vuse microprocessor that Reynolds claims provide a more realistic vapor experience than other e-cigs.

It also emphasizes the made-in-USA aspect of the product. The liquid for the vapor is made in Winston-Salem.

Anti-tobacco advocates pushing for strict limitations on e-cigs sales say it is necessary to keep the products out of the hands of minors. Some of the same advocates consider e-cigs – as well as smokeless tobacco and dissolvable tobacco products – as potential gateways to the use of traditional cigarettes.

The large e-cig marketers may be trying to get as much exposure and adult smoker trial as they can before FDA regulation is set, said Roger Beahm, executive director of the Center of Retail Innovation at Wake Forest Schools of Business.

"Typically, when tobacco regulations come out, they can serve to freeze or dictate market share," Beahm said.