Unfortunately if e-cigs eat into their profit margins enough for them to notice (which they have already) we can pretty much count on them dipping into the pie. I just hope all these small independent vendors aren't run out of town on a rail so to speak.
I think the small independant vendors will be fine. There seems to be a loyal customer base (by judging from this forum) already and more people will likely become loyal customers after joining this and any other e-cig forum.
The NJoys tanked at a few local 7-11s (I have friends who work for 7-11) because people just didn't want to be bothered with it, especially when a box of 5 cartos is $20 ($30 at the local smoke shop). Having a small sign on the window and employees who know nothing of the product doesn't help either. I doubt Phillip-Morris will pay for employee training or if employers will bother giving out trainiing aids to their employers for the product.
This new inhaler thing-a-ma-jig will probably be overpriced anyways and people walking into 7-11 are going to look at that and then a pack of cigarettess. They're going to choose the cigs. Also, being that it is an aerosol, it's going to be a cool/cold mist. I, personally, can't inhale a cold vape. I cough up a lung in a violent manner.
As for the nicotine, PH isn't going to make it as strong as their cigarettes. They have the dissolvable tobacco and it isn't nearly as strong as their cigarettes. They want people to smoke, but they also want a piece of the other pie. I don't think they're going to make much of a dent.
Also think of the advertising. More than likely, the bulk will be in magazines. Many people will see it and check the web for more info. If they go on the surfing string, eventually they'll end up here and learn about the e-cig.
The e-cig is more word of mouth than anything and it's doing pretty damn well for itself. We just need to keep educating people on a personal level and get them interested in it. I know I've converted a few and they've converted a few, so on and so forth.