When a Cigarette maker makes E-CIG = Doubtful Intensions !

[hrlw817]

I never really thought about it that way before. The OP is right. Makes perfect sense. I have people I work with that have tried those or ones just like them. Then within 3 days, they are back to regular cigs.

 

[wv2win]

I'm happy to say that a Blu disposable has been an instrumental part of my progress in quitting smoking. The funny part is that I bought the one disposable after I already had a Reo, a Vmod, and a few box mods. It was something that felt like a cig that I could roll around in my fingers to help fight the urge to smoke, while vaping on my Reo. I needed something that felt like a cig, but that I couldn't light. For that limited purpose, it has been a big help. I may never vape from it, but it has helped.

This is the best use for a Blu PV that I have ever read. The user doesn't actually vape it, so they won't be seriously disappointed and go back to analogs.

Good idea, thanks for sharing.

 

[stevegmu]

I think a lot of us got started on Blu. It is fine for beginners. Kind of a gateway to vaping and quitting cigarettes. Beer companies also make 'near beer' even though it may undercut sales of beer with alcohol. I see Blu being owned by a tobacco company as kind of the same thing. It is a growing industry that will not be going away. Not sure it is fair to compare a disposable to a tank system. Of course the tank system puts out more flavor and vapor. If it hadn't been for Blu, I'd still be smoking cigarettes, rather than vaping from a Halo tank setup. I just don't buy the conspiracy aspect.

 

[Ryedan]

I'm not a conspiracy junkie by any means, but in my opinion this one is a possibility. Lorilard know what they are doing and what Blu is really like. This is all about money. Whatever they feel is best for Lorilard is what they will do, no matter how unethical it is. Of course, let's not kid ourselves, all large corporations do this.

 

[Discord]

I think it's more of an issue of a massive tobacco company wanting to get in on the buzz (with how much ecigs have been in the news), to do it as cheaply as possible, and if profits from that part of their product line does well, then they will likely put more effort into it. That makes a lot more sense to me than making, publicizing and working out a distribution chain for a product they are planning failure with. ecigs really aren't going to ever go away, and the smart BT companies would more likely try to corner that market too.

 

[DC2]

I think it's more of an issue of a massive tobacco company wanting to get in on the buzz (with how much ecigs have been in the news), to do it as cheaply as possible, and if profits from that part of their product line does well, then they will likely put more effort into it. That makes a lot more sense to me than making, publicizing and working out a distribution chain for a product they are planning failure with. ecigs really aren't going to ever go away, and the smart BT companies would more likely try to corner that market too.

That's what I would have said, but I just didn't have the energy at this time of night.

 

[Caveclown]

I dont think BT is going about things to ruin the ecig experience with a crap product, they are getting into it to keep the customer base that they have for as long as possible. They know that the public is getting more and more serious in the efforts to quit, and ecigs are catching on more and more. And as a business model they want in asap to make as much money as possible and hey to claim "we were the first to come aboard" is a great market ploy down the road isn't it?

Dont get me wrong BT aint no friend of ours, but its all about profit and image, they get more money off the people quitting/trying to quit, and they want a piece of that pie. All the gums/patches and whatnot take away from their profits and this is something they can get to help lessen the loss. And BT image has been bashed around alot, what better thing to do then get into being able to say how much they care and how they are not so bad cause they are in full support of a "healthier option" and that they are only trying to give people what they want as "safely" as possible... Sure its just a ploy but they want to do anything to help their image and save their income from us...

And I must say I started with blu ecigs, the reason I went with blu was cause I thought (oh how things change lol) that they looked so cool with the blue glowing tip and black look, instead of the typical exact cigalike look so many of those type of cigalike ecigs had. I wanted the cool look, and wanted people to see it was NOT a cig so when I puffed someplace they wouldnt bug me about the cig I was smoking in a non smoking area... funny cause (and still to this day) only smoke my ecig where smoking is allowed for some reason (well outside of my home as I didn't smoke for the last 10 years of my smoking life in the house anyway but do puff my ecig inside). And it was "blu" brand ecigs that got me off of smoking analogs at first, and it was me using blu eicgs that got me connected with my good friend who was selling ejuice and had a greater knowledge of ecigs then I had, which got me into refilling carts and then expanding my ecig mechanical base into the mods and RBA and even eventually ECF.

Is blu a rip off for the money? damn rights, you sure pay heavy for something you can get way cheaper if you know about it and only difference is it doesn't have the "blu" name, does it taste as good as what I use now? not even close!, do they last as long as they claim? from what I found from my experiences... not even close!, is BT getting into ecigs (like blu) to ruin the ecig experience for users and get them back on analogs? I dont think so, I think they are just trying to get as much money out of their users/ex users as they can, and are trying to do anything to make their image look better, and put on a "We care about you to" mask to try and soften their evil ways, and being a company that moves in to be one of the first works best for you in so many ways down the road.

Well now I am rambling but that is my feelings on it... but all in all no matter how it ends up, or what their motives are, I have to say it, I am glad that blu was around to get me into ecigs at the start, as its the only reason I am smoke free for as long as I am now...

 

[Caveclown]

bah double post!

 

[jSquared]

Some really interesting insights/arguments here - it's a subject I've been going backwards and forwards over myself for some time.

I think that the success of electronic cigarettes has been a bit of a wake up call for BT. Never before has there been a viable alternative to smoking that so closely mimics the act of smoking. Now we have one, and it has proved itself to be immensely popular. Despite all the knowledge we have gained about the effects of smoking over the past 30-40 years and the relentless public health initiatives in more recent history, nothing has ever posed a significant threat to the future of traditional tobacco products in the way that electronic cigarettes do. It does not make sense for BT to sabotage/destroy an industry which is likely to be key to its own survival in the long run.

It has already been pointed out that Blu is a bad example - it was a pretty poor product to begin with (although I do accept that some users have been able to make it work for them). There are other brands of disposables which are much more effective in my opinion e.g. Greensmoke. However, most people are quick to upgrade to more powerful/efficient devices like the eGo and, subsequently, move on to APVs.

This progression highlights one of the biggest bottlenecks in vaping at the moment: power. At almost every stage in our vaping journey, we are being held back by current battery technology. We are constantly searching for devices which:

a) have more power
b) deliver that power better/more consistently
c) continue to provide the power we want for the longest possible time.

The limitations of current battery technology are most obvious amongst entry level devices like the Blu. The NJOY is perhaps a good example of the potential that disposables have. Those things give out a ridiculous amount of vapour (with a pretty reckless throat hit to boot), but the one I bought on a recent trip to the US only lasted for 60 puffs before the battery died. It strikes me that there is a huge opportunity for BT to exploit this potential by investing in the development of a new battery technology, and we could all potentially benefit in the long run.

BT: friend or foe? Only time will tell...

JJ

 

[Robino1]

Picture this:

Gas stations and convenience stores have those shelves that hold tons of different brands of cigarettes. Slowly space is being made for packs of non-refillable cartridges, like cigarettes are packaged. Batteries will be sold as well in packages. But the money is in the replaceable product. If BT can get rid of the refill liquid, more money in their pocket with the replaceable items.

Liquid - inexpensive
New cartridges - dollar signs in their eyes

They already have the tobacco licenses in place, cigs are already sold under those licenses. Get the government, state or fed, to do the dirty work and get rid of the mom & pop vendors by limiting/doing away with Internet sales and requiring the vendors to have a tobacco license to sell the liquids. Leaves the door wide open for them. They are preparing for that and helping it along with the bills that RJR is writing, all over the country.

I don't think anyone was counting on us fighting back. We sure didn't when they were banning smoking all over the place. I really believe that with enough voices, we can be successful in fighting. CASAA has made progress in some places. We are visible, we are growing, we will fight back back and, just maybe, we will win.

Join CASAA and make it a stronger voice. It doesn't cost a thing, just requires some emails to be written when calls to action are needed. You don't have to leave your house and a computer and keyboard are all the tools you need. You already have that, you're here aren't you? .

*off soapbox*

 

[qorax]

Some really interesting insights/arguments here - it's a subject I've been going backwards and forwards over myself for some time.

I think that the success of electronic cigarettes has been a bit of a wake up call for BT. Never before has there been a viable alternative to smoking that so closely mimics the act of smoking. Now we have one, and it has proved itself to be immensely popular. Despite all the knowledge we have gained about the effects of smoking over the past 30-40 years and the relentless public health initiatives in more recent history, nothing has ever posed a significant threat to the future of traditional tobacco products in the way that electronic cigarettes do. It does not make sense for BT to sabotage/destroy an industry which is likely to be key to its own survival in the long run.

It has already been pointed out that Blu is a bad example - it was a pretty poor product to begin with (although I do accept that some users have been able to make it work for them). There are other brands of disposables which are much more effective in my opinion e.g. Greensmoke. However, most people are quick to upgrade to more powerful/efficient devices like the eGo and, subsequently, move on to APVs.

This progression highlights one of the biggest bottlenecks in vaping at the moment: power. At almost every stage in our vaping journey, we are being held back by current battery technology. We are constantly searching for devices which:

a) have more power
b) deliver that power better/more consistently
c) continue to provide the power we want for the longest possible time.

The limitations of current battery technology are most obvious amongst entry level devices like the Blu. The NJOY is perhaps a good example of the potential that disposables have. Those things give out a ridiculous amount of vapour (with a pretty reckless throat hit to boot), but the one I bought on a recent trip to the US only lasted for 60 puffs before the battery died. It strikes me that there is a huge opportunity for BT to exploit this potential by investing in the development of a new battery technology, and we could all potentially benefit in the long run.

BT: friend or foe? Only time will tell...

JJ

As of now... Foe, definitely.
That's no pulp fiction... the media continuously belches gripes against e-Cig tech, overtly, however ridiculous some of them may be. Our numbers r albeit on the rise, but our enthusiasm seems limited within ourselves... How many encouraging/approving infomercials do we see? Negligible, right? It sure suggest that BT/BP is yet in firm control and we'd be taken for a ride as long as they can.

 

[tj99959]

Blu existed for a long time with the same inferior product before being bought out by BT, so stop and think it through.

BT stands to loose almost 50% of it's market share over the next few years. You really don't expect them to do nothing about it do you?
BT has been barred from most forms of advertising for quite some time now. All of a sudden BT has uninhibited access to advertising for the bargin basement price of just $135 million. Buying out Blu has very little to do with selling the product, but they stand to make billions as a result of the advertising, both from e-cig sales AND cigarette sales.

 

[wv2win]

......................It strikes me that there is a huge opportunity for BT to exploit this potential by investing in the development of a new battery technology, and we could all potentially benefit in the long run..........

JJ

But why would BT want to waste huge amounts of money on better batteries?? And it would take millions as companies have tried for decades to make small powerful batteries unsuccessfully.

It would make much more sense for BT to push for regulation that would limit vaping options to ones like Blu, NJoy, etc. That way the user has only two options, use their ineffective, extremely short use model like Blu, throw it away and buy a new one which will work well for 40 - 60 puffs OR go back to analogs. Both options are big financial wins for BT.

 

[AngelsBreath]

Not surprised, not at all! {{shaking head}}

 

[jSquared]

But why would BT want to waste huge amounts of money on better batteries?? And it would take millions as companies have tried for decades to make small powerful batteries unsuccessfully.

Millions as a proportion of global revenues of half a trillion US dollars sounds like a pretty good return on investment to me...

The fact is that, sooner or later, someone's going to either a) significantly improve the existing technology or b) come up with an entirely new technology. The question is who? With BT's recent move into the e-cig industry, there's an opportunity for them to exploit a several new markets they've never had access to before - not just e-cigs themselves.

JJ

 

[Andy Morris]

BT has the brands, which must be their biggest asset, the farming and manufacture is just a commodity business and hence low margin. If they transfer the brands to ecigs /eliquids they can clean up on the new vapers.

If they produce bad ecigs and try to flog them as 'Marlboro E' they will devalue the brand and lose out.


I hope.

 

[qorax]

BT has the brands, which must be their biggest asset, the farming and manufacture is just a commodity business and hence low margin. If they transfer the brands to ecigs /eliquids they can clean up on the new vapers.

If they produce bad ecigs and try to flog them as 'Marlboro E' they will devalue the brand and lose out.


I hope.

That e-Marlboro and the likes is well opined. I'm sure it'd come one day. Not now, not tomorrow, definitely not in the near future, but it'd come some day. And that'd be a 'revolution'. As of now we r in the 'evolutionary phase'... and BT/BP would like to play a Big Boss till they can, that's what it sure looks like, unless one of them puts a Provari or a Caravela type in their assembly line (wow!).

 

[wv2win]

But why would BT want to waste huge amounts of money on better batteries?? And it would take millions as companies have tried for decades to make small powerful batteries unsuccessfully.

It would make much more sense for BT to push for regulation that would limit vaping options to ones like Blu, NJoy, etc. That way the user has only two options, use their ineffective, extremely short use model like Blu, throw it away and buy a new one which will work well for 40 - 60 puffs OR go back to analogs. Both options are big financial wins for BT.

Millions as a proportion of global revenues of half a trillion US dollars sounds like a pretty good return on investment to me...

The fact is that, sooner or later, someone's going to either a) significantly improve the existing technology or b) come up with an entirely new technology. The question is who? With BT's recent move into the e-cig industry, there's an opportunity for them to exploit a several new markets they've never had access to before - not just e-cigs themselves.

JJ

I think my original premise is much more likely. Your premise would take a huge outlay of capital with no sure success or certain return on the investment. Old, large companies do not take those kind of risks. Especially in an industry (battery development) in which they have no experience or expertise. As they did with Blu, it's much better to let some small venture take the risk and then if it they succeed and it makes financial sense, just buy them out.

Second, if they capture 90+% of the vaping market through regulation (which is very inexpensive for them) and at the same time keep those who don't like their product, continuing to smoke, it's a huge win-win for BT.

As I worked in management for several old, large companies for years and now operate my own very small company, I believe my premise is much more likely. And unfortunately, not a good outcome for those of us who vape.

We all need to join and support CASAA.

 

[synergis7]

Well, I guess I'm an oddball. I actually liked the mild flavor of the Blu disposable.

Got it just for kicks. Like all of the disposables I've tried, it didn't last nearly as long as a couple packs of smokes, but it did last longer than most.

I also disagree with the video reviewers assessment of the Blu's vapor production. Mine hit like an effin champ, thick smoke. Negligible throat hit, but great vapor production, super smooth and thick vapor. They're 1.4%, which isn't high (I usually vape 2.8), but they certainly contain more than "almost no nicotine", as the review states.

As far as BT getting into the vaping game, I guess it's inevitable, and probably not a good thing, but unavoidable.

Peoples flavor preference is so subjective, though, that the industry is kindof uniquely suited to support a bunch of small/medium vendors, whether BT gets heavily involved or not.

My main fear is that they'll lobby legislation that'll put boutique juice vendors out of business. That'd suck.

 

[Ipster]

Im an eternal optimist. (Maybe my downfall.) No Doubt its a lousy disposable However MY first ecig was also a disposable! I was intrigued with the possibility, and THAT prompted me to research and find something which eventually worked for me! I saw the "buy out" of Blu by Liggott last year. I was encouraged. I thought-"that just proves, Big Tobacco knows the eCig technology is here to stay" hopefully they too will find a way to make thier profits off the manufacture of safer liquid nicotine e juice, and phase out the old stinky. It was also my understanding that prior to Liggott purchasing Blu the disposable was only one item of a product line.