Vapouround magazine Issue 04 | Page 208

FYI This emerging bias could lead to some interesting industry dynamics at the TPD after-party, says VaperCrew’s MD, Melissa Morris. The biggest TPD conspiracy theory cites the government as being in cahoots with pharma and tobacco giants, to rape and pillage the creative and fiercely independent vaping community. In reality, as an eliquid manufacturer, it feels more like the so-called villains have turned up awkwardly (and late) to the vaping party. Albeit with good intentions, they've turned on the lights, turned down the music, and confiscated the booze. But, by turning on the lights, they’ve revealed some deep flaws in the industry, which will be expensive to fix: the market has thrived on untested products for too long, leaving vapers in the dark. So we should, to this extent, be very glad the party-poopers arrived. But here we are: the party is pooped. The fear is that people will wander back to the smoking joint next-door, but that doesn't have to be the case. If the ‘villains’ are only after nicotine, maybe we should let them have it. If they want to regulate it, tax it, licence it, whatever – let them. (I know we have rights, but that’s for another debate.) For now, let’s equate nicotine to booze at the party – sure, it livens things up but the party can go on without it. Losing your favourite flavours, how