Author: Staff Writer

Maximum Simplicity

The new XROS pod system from Vaporesso revolutionizes the method for filling vapor devices.
By Mike Huml
The XROS from Vaporesso is a pod system representing the culmination of the most successful features available in a pod. From its build quality to its ease of use, nothing is out of place or unnecessary. The XROS retains maximum simplicity while offering superior vapor production and flavor. Vaporesso is well known for its quality and innovation, and the XROS is no exception.
The newly released XROS is a pod system with a manual-automatic switch combination, an 800 mAh battery and a 2 mL e-liquid capacity. It uses a USB Type-C connection for extremely fast charging and a single LED below the fire button to display battery life and charging status. The reverse side of the body features adjustable airflow, allowing the user to vape using both direct-lung and mouth-to-lung vaping styles.
The pod itself is held in place securely with two magnets. The top half of the pod is transparent and extrudes far enough beyond the body that determining the amount of remaining e-liquid is effortless. The top part of the pod is the mouthpiece, which can be easily removed to reveal the filling port. Vaporesso has taken the extra step to make sure that filling is quick, easy and clean.
If that all sounds standard, think again. If other pod systems are easy to fill, the XROS is easier. If other pod systems are great for mouth-to-lung and direct-lung vaping, the XROS is better. There is not a single area where the XROS doesn’t excel, and that is mainly due to the nuanced and subtle improvements over past pod systems.
One of the largest improvements over other pod systems is the filling method. First and foremost, the pod does not need to be removed to be filled, which isn’t in and of itself unique, but it is rare. What’s more impressive is the simple and intuitive filling method. After removing the mouthpiece, the e-liquid bottle is simply inserted into the fill port and squeezed until the reservoir is full.
This generally leads to all sorts of issues such as flooding, leaking or e-liquid backing up due to pressure and surface tension. However, the XROS eliminates these issues by using a flap to seal the fill port when it’s not in use as well as introducing a pinhole opposite the fill port to release pressure when the pod is filled. It’s another one of those things that’s so incredibly simple and effective that it’s a wonder it hasn’t been thought of already.
Each pod is available in 1.2 ohm and 0.8 ohm varieties, with the 0.8 ohm pods using a red rubber seal as opposed to the 1.2 ohm’s black seal so that the user can tell which is which at a glance. The practical difference between these two resistances is negligible. The 0.8 ohm pods will generate slightly more heat and therefore are better for direct-lung vaping due to the increased airflow required, but both pods perform perfectly regardless of vaping style.
Both pods incorporate mesh coils for increased surface area, which also means more vapor and flavor at lower powers. While the XROS uses a constant voltage output and can’t be adjusted, both coils are tuned specifically for this device, and voltage adjustment isn’t necessary.
The coils have also been tuned to work well with the full range of airflow available with the XROS. By sliding the airflow adjustment all the way to the right, the airflow will be at its most restricted, and sliding it to the left will open it up for direct-lung vaping. While many pod systems rely on more open airflow for increased vapor production, the XROS produces impressive vapor at its most open and when closed.
Additionally, a common problem with many pods that claim to support mouth-to-lung vaping is that other than the adjustable airflow, nothing about the airflow path is designed for mouth-to-lung vaping. The coil is too large, the wire too thick or the airflow inlet too wide. This leads to poor vapor production, weak flavor and a harsh throat hit. Amazingly, the XROS suffers from none of these issues, no matter which coil is installed. Both the 0.8 ohm and 1.2 ohm pods offer great vapor and pure flavor without an overly harsh throat hit when direct-lung vaping and mouth-to-lung vaping.
The XROS only has one button, and it is used to turn the power on or off and optionally to fire the device manually. As is the standard, five clicks of the button will toggle the power on or off. Holding the button will fire the coil, but this is down to personal preference. The automatic switch more closely simulates smoking, but the manual switch allows for more control and pre-firing.
There are no settings to switch back and forth, and the user can simply vape however they want without having to think about it. Underneath the button is a single LED that will illuminate when the switch is activated or when the device is charging. Green signifies that the battery is above 70 percent charged, blue indicates a charge between 30 percent and 70 percent while red is reserved for a charge level under 30 percent.
When it comes to the fit and finish, the XROS is second to none. The glossy metallic finish does collect some fingerprints but only minimally so. It never ruins the overall sleekness, even after days of use. The XROS is also fairly heavy for its size. It exudes a sense of quality, and it’s not so heavy as to take away from its portability or convenience. Overall, it’s a simple design that gets the job done and looks great in the process.
The incorporation of the USB Type-C charging port is a welcome addition that should be making its way into more devices for two main reasons. First, it eliminates the annoyance of having to fiddle with the charger to ensure that it fits correctly. Unlike micro-USBs, the USB Type-C charger is symmetrical and can be inserted in either direction.
Second, it can charge the battery much faster. In the case of the XROS, it can be charged at a rate of 1A when used with the proper adapter, which means it can charge the 800 mAh battery from empty to full in under 20 minutes. This virtually eliminates the need to worry about backup batteries. In today’s modern world, USB ports are abundant, and finding one to use for a few minutes in a pinch is getting easier and easier.
With refillable pod systems gaining in popularity due to the ban on most pre-filled pods, many manufacturers have tossed their respective hats in the ring, but most don’t hold a candle to the XROS. The battery is solid and long-lasting with possibly the most effective adjustable airflow to be found in a pod system to date. The pods are disposable, eliminating the need to maneuver with replaceable pods in addition to replaceable coils. The disposable nature of the pods keeps things simple, which is what pod systems are all about.
The filling system is also ingenious in its simplicity, allowing for fast fills with no mess. Fast charging via USB Type-C ports keeps downtime to a minimum, although the 800 mAh battery is likely to last for six to eight hours of constant use. Mouth-to-lung vapers will find quite a bit to love about the XROS with its perfectly tight airflow when restricted that produces clean and robust flavor as well as the ideal amount of vapor and throat hit. Vapers who favor direct-lung vaping should appreciate the increased vapor when the airflow is open, and it could be argued that the XROS rivals most “cloud-chasing” pods on the market in terms of raw performance.
It can be difficult to find a pod system that’s just right for each vaper and that’s also made by a proven manufacturer, which is important due to the fact that replacement pods can become difficult to find over time. With the XROS being Vaporesso’s most recent pod system and with PMTAs taking effect, there is a good chance the XROS is here to stay. For those looking for the most reliable pod system in roughly the same vein as the Juul, the XROS is currently the best bet.
October 19, 2020
Manuel Maneuver

Innokin’s Sceptre is the latest pod system to incorporate a manual and automatic switch.
By Mike Huml
Innokin is a titan of the vapor industry, having made some of the highest quality vape gear available over the past decade. Their newest pod system, the Sceptre, is no exception. With amazing battery life, top tier build quality and support for multiple vaping styles, the Sceptre is a force to be reckoned with.
The Sceptre is a little larger than a standard pod system, but it’s not a “pod-mod” by any means. The larger size is to accommodate a long-lasting 1400 mAh battery to ensure at least a full day’s worth of vaping. One button on the side is used to fire the device, toggle the power and adjust the output power. Three lights next to the fire button indicate the current battery life and output power. It’s slightly more involved than the run-of-the-mill pod system but still remarkably simple.
Each pod includes an airflow adjustment via a simple slider on the side of the pod. The coils are replaceable by turning the plastic fitting on the bottom of the pod and sliding out the assembly. From there, it is just a matter of unscrewing the old coil and installing a new one. There are two types of coils available: a 1.2 ohm coil that is best suited to mouth-to-lung vaping and a 0.5 ohm coil that is better for direct-lung vaping.
On the side opposite of the fire button is a micro-USB charging port. The included charging cable can be plugged into any USB port and can charge the battery from empty to full in under one hour. Given the size of the battery, the Sceptre should only need to be charged once per day with regular use.
Like a growing number of other pod systems on the market, the Sceptre incorporates a manual and automatic switch. The fire button can be pressed to preheat the coil or just provide more control in general. Alternatively, the user can simply take a drag without pressing the button to more closely emulate smoking.
Both methods provide a flavorful, smooth vaping experience, but it should be noted that the automatic switch only works when the pod is set to “MTL” mode. Pressing the fire button will also activate an LED underneath the pod that illuminates the e-liquid to more easily determine how much e-liquid is remaining without having to remove the entire pod. The pod is easily removed, however. It is held in place via a magnet and easily pops in and out of the battery.
Each pod holds just over 2 mL of e-liquid, which is standard and adequate for multiple hours of use. The pod is filled by removing it from the battery and opening a silicone plug on the side. The fill port is large enough that it should not back up or clog when being filled by any reasonably sized bottle or dropper. The silicone cover feels thick and sturdy and won’t wear down or break, even after prolonged and repeated use.
The Sceptre also offers two power settings for each coil. This can be adjusted by turning the device off with three clicks of the fire button then holding the fire button down for three seconds. Subsequently, each click will alternate the power output mode, indicated with either a green LED or a purple LED. The green LED signifies nine watts when using the 1.2 ohm coil and 18 watts when using the 0.5 ohm coil. The purple LED provides a small power boost, increasing the power output to 10 watts with the 1.2 ohm coil and 20 watts with the 0.5 ohm coil. The practical difference is subtle but noticeable and appreciated.
The third LED near the switch displays the approximate remaining battery life. Green means that more than 50 percent of the battery charge remains, blue indicates a charge of 10 percent to 50 percent, and red is a warning that the battery is about to die and a charge is needed imminently. It is a simple system, but for most users, battery life shouldn’t be an issue if the Sceptre is charged overnight.
The vape quality of the Sceptre is superb and really demonstrates how far pod systems have come in a short time. Airflow is smooth with no spitback to speak of, but it may be a bit airy for some discerning mouth-to-lung vapers, even with the airflow set to “MTL” mode. When the pod is removed, it reveals a switch with one side labeled “MTL” and the other designated “RDL.” As expected, when “RDL” mode is selected on the pod, the airflow opens up even more to accommodate direct-lung vaping. At this point, the automatic switch no longer functions, but the vapor production is significantly increased at no cost to flavor.
The overall build quality and aesthetic of the Sceptre is Innokin at its finest. It’s a heavy device with a two-tone finish that resists fingerprints, and the device as a whole feels like it could easily withstand an accidental drop. It doesn’t shake or rattle and feels like a solid piece of hardware. The design is unassuming enough to not look tacky but still looks flawless and slick up close.
The Sceptre is undoubtedly a step up from the traditional pod system in terms of complexity and features. It’s easy enough to “set and forget” just as one would with any similar device, but it also offers an elevated level of fine-tuning capability. Aside from multiple coil options, the airflow as well as the output power can be adjusted to suit most vapers’ preferences. The battery life is also a welcome upgrade, particularly among those who have become accustomed to charging a 150 mAh pod battery multiple times per day. No longer having to consider battery life throughout the day is truly a weight off users’ shoulders.
Innokin has maintained its attention to detail in designing the Sceptre, both aesthetically and functionally. Despite the weight, the rounded sides are easy to hold, and it never feels as if the Sceptre isn’t a good option to bring on the go. The pod itself is clearly marked in such a way that most vapers should be able to figure out the airflow adjustment, coil replacement and filling without even opening the instruction booklet. It’s incredibly intuitive, particularly for anyone even remotely familiar with other vapor devices.
Innokin has once again demonstrated why its products are revered as the best among the vaping community. The Sceptre offers a simple pod system with a few extra features that really set it apart from its peers. In terms of vapor, flavor and throat hit, the Sceptre is among the best in terms of performance, but it pulls ahead in terms of customization and fine-tuning.
Very few pod systems offer adjustable power and airflow without delving into “pod-mod” territory. Innokin offers these features in a familiar package that’s suited to both newcomers and veterans alike and even offers battery life comparable to much larger devices without the accompanying size or shape. It should be no surprise to anyone in the vaping community that Innokin has a clear winner in the Sceptre. It ticks all the boxes for a robust and competitive pod system and is undoubtedly a worthy upgrade.
October 19, 2020
Juul Labs to Exit Germany

Photo: Juul Labs
Juul Labs will withdraw from Germany at the end of the year, reports W&V, citing a company spokesman in Hamburg.
The company said it needed to set priorities in to be successful in the long term. “In this way one can invest in research and development and future products in core markets,” it stated.
German consumers will be able to purchase Juul products until stocks run out.
Following a wave of layoffs, Juul’s German subsidiary had only about a dozen employees left, which have now been terminated, as well.
Juul had already exited Austria this summer and plans to leave Switzerland soon.
The company, which enjoyed great success in the United States until a regulatory backlash, has found it challenging to crack the European market due to EU limits on nicotine.
Juul products sold in the EU contain significantly lower doses of nicotine than those on the U.S. market, making it difficult for them to compete against combustible cigarettes in Europe.
Recently, Juul was also forced to temporarily halt shipments in Germany because its packages were missing a mandatory recycling symbol.
October 19, 2020
UKVIA Appoints John Dunne as General Director

John Dunne (Photo: UKVIA)
John Dunne has been confirmed as director general of the UK Vaping Industry Association (UKVIA) after a vote by the trade body’s full membership.
Dunne was previously responsible for the UKVIA’s member recruitment activity, where he oversaw significant growth in membership levels. He is also the UKVIA’s primary media spokesperson on television, radio and in print.
Dunne has a long and well-respected background in European vaping and has held senior positions at some of the sector’s leading firms. In addition, he has advised industry analysts and financial institutions on the vaping industry, both in the U.K. and globally.
The new role has been established to support future planned growth of the UKVIA, as it extends its role and influence, while building its membership base significantly.
“I am honored that the UKVIA membership has put its faith in me.,” said Dunne. “The association is well placed to go from strength to strength, with membership growing consistently despite the challenges of the pandemic.
“The next 12 months are hugely important to the vaping industry, with the government review of the Tobacco & Related Products Regulations set to shape the future of our sector. It is crucial that we have a unified voice to influence these regulations, for the benefit of the industry and the public health of the nation. We have already started formulating our contribution to the government’s review, working closely with all our members.”
October 19, 2020
Pennsylvania Seizes $1.7 Million in Illegal E-Cigarettes

Credit: Bill Oxford
More than 86,000 unapproved vaping products, worth an estimated $1.72 million, were intercepted on the way to the Lehigh Valley in eastern Pennsylvania, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection said.
The shipment from China arrived Sept. 18 in the United States, identified as “LED lights” and addressed to a location in Northampton County, officials said.
Instead of lights, the shipment was actually 216 boxes of about 86,000 Alphaa Onee Plus flavored electronic cigarettes. The flavors included mojito, apple blue razz, strawberry milk, energy drink and pomegranate strawberry, according to a story on lehighvalley.com.
CBP officers at the Port of Lehigh Valley in Allentown detained the shipment and contacted the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Earlier this month, the FDA examined the e-cigarettes and determined they violated the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act as misbranded consumer goods being imported by an unauthorized agent.
The e-cigarettes will be destroyed.
October 16, 2020
Oregon Vape Shops Stressed Over Proposed Vapor Tax

Credit: NYPLS
Oregon Ballot Measure 108, a new tax on e-cigarette products and a tax increase on tobacco products is going to hurt local businesses because the products will affect what consumers can afford. It could also drive current vapers back to combustible cigarettes. E-cigarettes would be taxed at the rate of 65 percent of the wholesale sales price under the measure.
The new e-cigarette tax would not include products that have been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to help people quit smoking. It also does not include e-cigarettes sold for the purpose of vaporizing marijuana.
Oregon’s NewsChannel 21 stated Wednesday that it spoken with representatives of Smoke This, High Mountain Mist and Valley Vapors, three vape shops that say customers have expressed concern about the possible tax hikes.
Measure 108 would raise the state’s cigarette tax by $2 per pack and tax e-cigarettes for the first time in Oregon. Currently, Oregon’s cigarette tax is $1.33 cents per stamp for a pack of 20 cigarettes.
Supporters say such increases bring Oregon’s cigarette taxes in line with Washington and California. That means it would likely stop Washingtonians from driving across the state boundary to buy cheaper cigarettes.
Jamie Dunphy, Oregon government relations director with the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, says the measure is about public health.
“Evidence shows that e-cigarette use directly leads to tobacco use, and it directly leads to cancers, and it directly leads to a lot of health disparities that cause lifelong problems.” Several studies have shown all three claims to be false.
Jason Weber, CEO of Vape Crusader, is working with local businesses in the “No On 108” campaign. He said the new tax would cause some businesses to take a hit. “A 65 percent tax on every product in our vaping stores is detrimental to our businesses,” Weber said. “I would say somewhere around 90 or 95 percent of us would have to shut down.”
Weber explained that there are parameters in place to keep people safe and healthy. “All of our stores are 21 and older, so youth can’t come in our stores as is,” Weber said. “Again, these products have been proven 95 percent safer than smoking.
“And then for the argument (that) this leads to tobacco use — well if that was the case, we’d see tobacco use skyrocket right now,” he said. “We don’t — we see that the CDC says it’s a 34 percent drop in vaping in the last year.”
The American Cancer Society said the tax dollars will go toward intervention, public services, rehabilitation and tobacco education programs. The bill states that 90 percent of tax revenues would go to the Oregon Health Authority to pay for the treatment of sick people, especially those suffering from mental illnesses. The remaining 10 percent would go to tribal health providers and other culturally specific health programs for tobacco cessation efforts.
October 16, 2020
Air Factory, Charlie’s Chalk Dust Get PMTA Filing Letters

My Vape Order, Inc. (MVO) announced that on October 9, 2020, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a Filing Letter notifying MVO that the Air Factory’s premarket tobacco product application (PMTA) met the FDA’s requirements and was moving forward into the regulatory agency’s substantive scientific review phase.
Charlie’s Chalk Dust e-liquids have also received a filing letter and moved on to substantive review. “It is with great pleasure that we can announce to our customers that the FDA’s Center for Tobacco Products has informed us that our PMTA is sufficiently complete to enter the Substantive Review phase of the process,” wrote Brandon Stump, CEO of Charlie’s Chalk Dust. “This news is worthy of celebration as it highlights our progress towards achieving full regulatory compliance and providing our customers with a trusted product portfolio. It is a reflection of our relentless hard work and meticulousness in the pursuit of precision. We are confident that during the Substantive Review process the FDA will recognize that our submission is both distinguished and suitable for approval.”
Kyle Godfrey, MVO’s CEO, said the FDA will review the extensive scientific data and research submitted with the PMTA to determine whether the Air Factory products are appropriate for the protection of public health. “The Air Factory PMTA was the culmination of years of planning and extensive toxicological testing and scientific research,” he said. “We look forward to working with FDA on its review of the Air Factory products, with the ultimate goal of obtaining FDA marketing orders for the products.”
October 16, 2020
Advocates Welcome Study on Vapor’s Cessation Credentials

Photo: Sergey Shibut – Dreamstime.com
The U.K. Vaping Industry Association (UKVIA) has welcomed new research that has found that vaping is 70 percent more effective in helping smokers to quit cigarettes than nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), such as patches and gum.
The study undertaken by Cochrane, which reviewed 50 studies across the world, with more than 12,000 participants, also showed that an additional 60 percent could potentially quit smoking with nicotine containing electronic cigarettes. In addition, the review found that “there was no evidence that people using nicotine containing e-cigarettes reported more serious health problems than people using nicotine-free e-cigarettes, NRT or no therapy at all.”
John Dunne
John Dunne, director general at the UKVIA, said the findings add to a growing catalogue of evidence supporting vaping’s role in smoking cessation.
“Quitting cigarettes can be difficult, which is why adult smokers must have access to the most effective tools available,” he said. “This review underlines the enormous potential vaping holds for public health, particularly as the government aims for a smoke-free U.K. by the end of the decade. We call on all stakeholders, from policymakers to health professionals, to seize the opportunity which vaping represents, and to give smokers the best chance of quitting successfully.”
According to Dunne, the recent review builds on research by the National Institute of Health Research and Cancer Research UK, which shows that vaping was far more effective than nicotine replacement therapy products.
October 16, 2020
Evidence Shows Vaping Most Effective Way to Quit Smoking

Vapes containing nicotine are more effective in helping people quit smoking than patches or gum, and safer than cigarettes, although more evidence is needed on their potential long-term impacts, a new review of evidence found on Wednesday.
Studies suggest vaping could boost the number of people who stop smoking, according to an article by Reuters.
“There is now evidence that electronic cigarettes with nicotine are likely to increase the chances of quitting successfully compared to nicotine gum or patches,” said Jamie Hartmann-Boyce, an expert at the Cochrane Tobacco Addiction Group who co-led the review.
The review was conducted by Cochrane, an organisation that pools the best scientific research to help assess the relative effectiveness of health interventions.
E-cigarettes have been around for about a decade, and increased in popularity significantly in recent years. Unlike gum and patches, they mimic cigarette smoking because they are hand-held and generate a vapour.
The World Health Organization says tobacco kills up to half of all its users, clocking up a death toll of more than 8 million people a year.
A 2016 Cochrane Review also found e-cigarettes were more likely to help smokers quit than nicotine patches or gum, but the available body of evidence at that time was slimmer.
A spate of vaping-related lung injuries and deaths in the United States last year threw a spotlight on vaping and e-cigarettes, and prompted bans on some types of the products.
But the outbreak was not linked to vapes that contain nicotine, and appeared to be waning late last year as evidence grew that vitamin E acetate, a cutting agent used in marijuana vapes, could be behind the cases.
October 15, 2020
ASH: Misinformation Cause of Britain’s Drop in Vaping

The number of vapers in the U.K. declined by 400,000 since last year, despite mounting evidence that e-cigarettes are effective smoking-cessation aids, according to a study commissioned by Action on Smoking and Health (ASH).
The Health Charity blames a “misguided belief vaping is just as harmful as cigarettes.”
“About a third of smokers have never even tried an e-cigarette, and less than 20 percent are currently using one,” said Deborah Arnott, CEO of ASH, in a statement. “If many more smokers could be encouraged to give e-cigarettes a go, the latest evidence indicates that many more might successfully quit.”
Only 39 percent of smokers in the country believe vaping is less harmful than smoking combustible cigarettes. This year, there were 3.2 million e-cigarette users in the country, down from 3.6 million in 2019.
A review conducted by Cochrane suggests vaping could help more people stop smoking.
“There is now evidence that electronic cigarettes with nicotine are likely to increase the chances of quitting [smoking] successfully compared to nicotine gum or patches,” said Jamie Hartmann-Boyce, an expert at the Cochrane Tobacco Addiction Group who co-led the review.
The review included evidence from 50 studies around the world. There was no clear evidence of serious harm resulting from nicotine-containing e-cigarettes, but since the review used a relatively small number of studies, the evidence is still uncertain.
“Scientific consensus holds that electronic cigarettes are considerably less harmful than traditional cigarettes but are not risk-free,” Hartmann-Boyce said.
October 15, 2020