To be main-stream or not to be?

[Kaston]

I was posting on another thread and it got me thinking on another topic that would be in interesting discussion:

What would be the pros and cons of e-cigs going main stream?

Pros:

• cheaper prices from mass production
• greater availability of accessories
• laws would regulate appropriately (able to use everywhere)
• $ poured into technology = better products

Cons:

• Sold in Wal-Mart
• not as cool, everyone would have one
• loss of customer service from dealers
• possible banning (lower likelihood)

Please discuss so I can add to the list.

 

[CaSHMeRe]

ECigs have already gone mainstream ...

njoy is already sold in target!
NJOY Smokeless Cigarette Starter Kit - Black : Target

 

[GabbyD]

Pilot truck stops are carrying njoy.

The benefit, in my mind, to seeing them in retail places is that I could grab supplies in a pinch. Last week I almost ran out of cartridges and I was in a panic. Another benefit, I think, would be that people actually know what this thing is so we don't answer questions or get funny looks everywhere we go.

The negatives? Maybe regulation and price.

 

[rustylug]

They are main stream in Inverness to date .... But we got every local authority on our backs......Not funny at his time of year.

 

[dc2k08]

they come around today rusty ?

 

[Kaston]

I would argue that it is still novel and mostly unheard of by the masses. I live in Dallas Texas, have been a smoker for 12 years, and never heard about it. If my husband was not such a tech geek, we would have never come across it!

 

[TropicalBob]

After a year with an e-pipe, e-cigar and various e-cigs, I still have never met anyone who has even heard of them, much less seen one, or owns one. I explain and demo all the time.

But ... I've said it before .. these unreliable, fussy things we use today are not ready for mainstream. Those trying today's models for the first time might well give up on the entire concept, which would be a pity. These will evolve, given a year or two. Until then, every fastbuck artist in the country is seeing opportunity.

 

[Kaston]

...these unreliable, fussy things we use today are not ready for mainstream...

The faster this grows, the more money will be put into R&D, and the better products we will have. I just hope Phillip Morris is not the one to pick up on this technology or the opposite -- them getting their lobbyists to get them banned...

 

[Frankie]

One great con are TAXES. Healthy or not, once the greedy moneygrabbers realize this is a drug - meaning steady number of consumers - they will try to grab our money. Just like with tobacco cigarettes.

 

[TropicalBob]

The reasoning is easy to follow: If a heavily taxed tobacco product is replaced by another product serving the same purpose for addicts, why should that other product not be taxed in similar fashion? And you know all governments everywhere are now heavily dependent on tobacco taxes, while promoting programs that tell smokers to quit!

These will be taxed, if they are allowed to exist at all. That is very much in doubt. It's not a stretch to envision chemically created nicotine being declared an illegal drug at any level beyond 2mg per ml, then available in higher dosage only by a doctor's prescription, with liquid contents made and sold by Big Pharma.

 

[keys]

One of the rationales for taxing analogs is that they engender health care costs to society. Also, few people take up the defense of analogs. It's an easy "sin" tax.

My hope is that there will be an enlightened approach to this. The benefits are too great to let it all go down that government/pharma company crap hole.

Maybe, just maybe, these things will be entrenched enough so that the wind is at our backs when the time comes. Politicians fall easy prey to popular opinion (read that, whoever has the money to make publicity). So it may be up to us spread the word at that time. I posted a link over at the suppliers forum about how to keep informed with Google News alerts. Check it out.

 

[Kaston]

One great con are TAXES. Healthy or not, once the greedy moneygrabbers realize this is a drug - meaning steady number of consumers - they will try to grab our money. Just like with tobacco cigarettes.

I cannot say that I see that as a con per-se. Taxes are the main way out school systems are funded, and here in Texas, almost $2 per pack of cigs go directly to schools. And if you ask me, schools need all of the money they can get!

If we had no taxes, there would be no government, and as much as we all hate it for one reason or another, it is a necessary evil, like abortion. The current level of civilization we have is not as a whole intelligent enough to self govern, so we need big brother =)

 

[bribri]

Take it from some1 who does decently well in the stock market, even in this economy... ...Use a Janty KB atomizor or one from Jane, Jam it on a Trog Screw Driver, add some kind of cartridge replacement system, shrink it down about 2 inches, then use some PureSmoker Coca Cola Juice and tell me that is not going to go mainstream... And I will tell you your a F*&^%$* fool. Its a no brainer.

 

[tonyph]

I agree with bribi. The demand is there, the only thing I can see holding back the big companies with all there R&D ability is fear of health issues and the legal liabilities they may take on.
Going by the number of people who have taken up e-cigs since seeing me with one there will be a large market within 2 years.

 

[Kimmiegrif]

what is holding me back from screaming from the roof tops is too much exposure. Also the fact that the juice isn't in maybe the safest form or control.

 

[parked]

I would argue that it is still novel and mostly unheard of by the masses. I live in Dallas Texas, have been a smoker for 12 years, and never heard about it. If my husband was not such a tech geek, we would have never come across it!

Kaston,

There is a smokingeverywhere kiosk right in your backyard at
Grapevinemills mall just a FYI

Parker

 

[Frankie]

I cannot say that I see that as a con per-se. Taxes are the main way out school systems are funded, and here in Texas, almost $2 per pack of cigs go directly to schools. And if you ask me, schools need all of the money they can get!

In my book taxes are primarily used for wars and/or other ways of killing people. Just compare "Defense" (Ministry of Peace) and "Home Office" (Ministry of Love) budgets with the peanuts they give to education.

 

[Dale]

What I fear most is regulation and taxation... prices being driven up by high taxes, the requirement to get a perscription and only drug manufacturers ("big pharma") being allowed to sell ejuice.

I hope we remain an "underground movement" for as long as possible. Sadly, it seems we're already being noticed...

 

[bribri]

Look anything GOOD gets noticed no matter if you like it or not. I mean same with music...


Personally some of you guys make me sick.

When we had a poll on here to vote if we thought someone should try to get the word out by making a news article like half of you said no all worried about taxation and stuff... Ummm HELLO PEOPLE ARE DYING HERE and you guys are like Ohhhh, I dontttttt knoooooowwwww... Maaaammmaaa maybeeee weeee should keeep it a secret??? .... Good you go keep it a secret and someday , maybe, when you grow balls you can go tell all your smoker friends...... when they are in the nether....

 

[Frankie]

Ummm HELLO PEOPLE ARE DYING HERE and you guys are like Ohhhh, I dontttttt knoooooowwwww... Maaaammmaaa maybeeee weeee should keeep it a secret??? .... Good you go keep it a secret and someday , maybe, when you grow balls you can go tell all your smoker friends...... when they are in the nether....

Those who are trying to quit will eventually find and try this alternative, too. MANY others will quit without trying/wanting, because they bought e-cig for the PRICE, for the savings it could provide them, and almost inadvertently stopped using tobacco. By raising the price you lose this whole segment of PEOPLE WHO ARE DYING HERE.


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