"In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes." Benjamin Franklin
But AnthonyB, one doesn't need a crystal ball to see, at a minimum, what's coming. Now that the FDA has officially and legally deemed e-liquid as being a "tobacco product", the -tax- side of that popular quote is, without a doubt, coming. As with all other tobacco products, taxes (direct and indirect) will ultimately represent the vast majority of the total cost paid by consumers. Application fees, licensing fees, permits and all other manufacturing/retail costs associated with these regulations will also be tacked on. Stockpiling for the long haul divorces government(s) from the equation entirely. Dirt cheap insurance.
"The only difference between death and taxes is that death doesn't get worse every time Congress meets." Will Rogers
The thought of having to pay 10 times more for it (if it even remains legal for public sale) is far more ghastly a thought in my humble opinion. Since, when properly stored, liquid nic has a long shelf life (decades) it seems only prudent to circumvent paying unnecessary taxes and averting the very real possibility that it could become difficult or illegal to obtain. Why even take the risk when there's no down side to stocking up while it's readily available, inexpensive and legal? Where I live face-to-face transaction requirements (no internet purchases) are not a matter of if, but when. I live an hours drive from the nearest real B&M vape shop....
I don't know about anyone else but I wont vape any black market juice or nic bought from a flea market or out of some dark alleyway. Mods and attys are a different story. Black market hardware is a good bet but that's assuming you live near a major city where such illegal selling activities might be easily found. Importing from overseas vendors will also be a possibility but I've already experienced what happens when you try to import regulated/restricted items (tobacco products), U.S. customs is actually better at its job than what most people think. Best hope is for overseas manufacturers to market vape products as intended for other purposes i.e. dimmable flashlight with a 510 connector etc.. That's what I figure will happen.
I hear you buddy.
I too have taken measures albeit moderate measures. I put in an order with NET.com a few days ago that cost $230. That order in itself is enough to last me 6 months on top of the 2-3 year supply already sitting in my fridge.
All I am suggesting is people take a balanced approach. If you like mini kayfuns then by all means buy 2 or 3 instead of 10.
The fight is not over. The FDA has been trying to regulate vaping for 6 years and people have gone through waves of stockpiling.
This war against the FDA has only just began. Vaping is too big for there to be a seamless transition to oppressive regulation. Millions of people Vape now. There is a critical mass. There will be a huge uproar and response as the time comes nearer. Advocacy groups are banding together and some politicians are already speaking out against the deeming regs. All the research points to vaping being a much safer option to smoking.
In order to try and get some positive perspective here, let's just say vaping as we know it is doom and all those small vendors are sent packing. Big tobacco in conjunction with larger vape gear manufacturers such as joyetech, kanger and innokin may enter into joint ventures or business collaborations and have at their disposable large resources and funding to produce better and safer products. Development will continue, it just won't be possible by the smaller vendors we know and love. It's a miscarriage of justice and fairness in the business community no doubt but product development will continue and where there is demand and money to be made, no government regulation will prevent the really big players from satisfying the markets desire for better products along the lines we are accustomed to now.
If the market wants 150 watt temp control devices and the best tasting juices and there is $100 million dollars to be made, there is no doubt the post deeming reg market participants will do everything to bring that product to the market.
Yes, I get it, we hate market and government corruption which sends our beautiful cottage industry to the greedy corporate captains in big tobacco and big pharma. Yes it's Undemocratic and not in the spirit of free enterprise and a market economy but for the vaper, it's not the end of the world. We aren't suddenly going to go from our current 100 watt temp control devices with dual claptons to fixed 510 like cigalikes 3 piece devices. It just won't pan out like that.
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