VPA asks South African vapers to lend their voices and be heard at Durban Vape Festival

Vaping community to unite to shape SA vaping laws at upcoming Durban Vape festival.

Vaping is becoming a way of life for South Africans. Just how popular the phenomenon has become, is attested to by the launching of Vape Festivals, the latest of which will be held in Durban on Saturday 16 December. Andre van Biljon, spokesperson for ‘Durban Vape festival’ points out that about 4 000 vaping enthusiasts are expected to attend the Vape Fest at the Durban Exhibition Centre.

“The event in Durban is the second to be held this year. It follows the successful Cape Town Vape Fest, which was held in March. We expect that the Durban event will attract vapers who, like their Cape Town counterparts, are keen to learn about the alternative to tobacco smoking that is sweeping the country and is, undoubtedly, one of the fastest-growing social trends in the country.”

Vapour Products Association of South Africa (VPA) will also be exhibiting at the Festival that has, to date, attracted a record 35 participants across the industry. VPA will be participating as part of its campaign asking South African vapers to lend their voices and to be heard. Those attending will experience the new devices and receive the latest internationally recognised vaping information – as well as learn how they can lend their voices into shaping South Africa’s Vaping laws.

The popularity of the Cape Town event and sales of tickets for the Durban Vape fest indicated that vaping, far from being a temporary fashion statement, it is saving lives by moving smokers to a product which the Royal College of Physicians in the UK has reached consensus is 95% safer than smoking, says Director of Vapour Products Association (VPA) Kabir Kaleechurn.

“We understand from the vaping community that, thousands of South Africans of all ages are replacing tobacco cigarettes with devices. By doing so, they are making a conscious choice to reduce the health risks associated with smoking and inhaling burning tobacco and tar”. Researchers found that people who switched from smoking regular cigarettes to e-cigarettes or nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) such as gum or patches for at least six months had much lower levels of toxins in their saliva and urine than those who continued to smoke.

The study lead by Lion Shahab, a specialist in epidemiology and public health at University College London, has also stated that the existing evidence shows that e-cigarettes and NRT are far safer than smoking, and suggests that there is a very low risk associated with their long-term use.

“Controlled delivery of vapour through increasingly sophisticated devices means that measured amounts of nicotine are delivered to a vaper. We believe that the Durban Vape Fest will not only be enjoyed by vapers but will also attract people who are tobacco smokers and who are looking to quit.”

“It is expected that e-cigarettes & vaping could face a range of possible regulations in 2018 which is why we are urging everyone to share their stories with the VPA, to ensure they have a voice in shaping SA vaping laws,” says Mr Kaleechurn

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