Tag: Snowplus

  • Snowplus to Launch 2 New Disposables at Vaper Expo UK

    Snowplus to Launch 2 New Disposables at Vaper Expo UK

    Snowplus will soon launch two all-new disposable e-cigarettes. The Snowplus Gold Bar and Snowplus Clic are the first 5,000 puffs TPD-compliant devices to come to market, according to an emailed press release.

    Debuting at the Vaper Expo UK, to be held from October 27-29 in Birmingham, England, the new products represent a “pioneering innovation” in the vaping market, according to Snowplus.

    “The Snowplus Gold Bar will be the game-changer in the industry, it will definitely lead the product development direction,” said a Snowplus spokesperson. “A 5,000-puff TPD disposable vape has never been seen in the UK market before.”

    All vaping products sold in the UK must comply with the EU Tobacco Products Directive (TPD). Most legal disposable vaping products in the UK deliver less than 800 puffs in order to meet TPD requirements.

    The Gold Bar and Clic models both feature transparent e-liquid tanks that give users a clear, real-time view of remaining juice levels. The products also utilize lab-tested mesh coils made of specialized materials to deliver consistent and authentic flavor across 16 different juice options.

    “Snowplus has pioneered responsible innovation since its founding in 2019,” the release states. “With $40 million in funding from renowned investors like Sequoia Capital, the company aims to provide better alternatives to combustible cigarettes for adult consumers.”

    The Snowplus Gold Bar and Clic have also passed numerous third-party safety tests.

  • Snowplus Tech Obtains Production License in China

    Snowplus Tech Obtains Production License in China

    Snowplus has obtained a production license from China’s State Tobacco Monopoly Administration, which grants the company a quota to produce 80 million pods annually, according to a press release. The company stated that it will now takes on the “challenge and responsibility to help lead the development of a healthy and sustainable vaping industry.”

    While the U.S. government has strict regulations for vaping products, there has been a rise in fake or counterfeits of popular brands in the country, which has led to an increase in incidents relating to poorly manufactured variations, according to Snowplus. This highlights the importance of using a reputable, tested and certified vape product.

    For Snowplus Tech, a China-based e-cigarette manufacturer, equipment safety and quality are top priority. Snowplus products are designed in-house, developed by experts in specialist R&D centers, and manufactured in one of the largest, most advanced e-cigarette facilities in the world, according to the release.

    Established in Jan 2019, backed by investors such as Zhen fund and Sequoia, Snowplus has more than 60 criteria for testing, ensuring highest standards of safety and quality. With three CNAS certified research laboratories, its safety protocols are recognized and interoperable by 65 institutions in 50 countries, according to the release.

    “There is an increasing trend for cheap counterfeit vapes on the market, which we find deeply concerning,” said Derek Li, Snowplus co-founder and head of overseas markets. “That is why we have invested heavily in product research to create products that enhance the vaping experience while ensuring it is as safe as possible.” 

    Snowplus has invested over $2 million in quality and safety research and to help prevent e-liquid from leaking out of products, it conducts impact tests in variable temperature, humidity and pressure conditions, according to the release. In addition, Snowplus’ batteries pass two tests before assembly to “guarantee that devices can operate in different environments.”

  • Snowplus its Expands Operations in the Philippines

    Snowplus its Expands Operations in the Philippines

    Photo: Snowplus

    Snowplus of China is expanding its vaping business in the Philippines, reports The Philippine Star.

    Co-founder and head of overseas markets Derek Li is confident the company can build a good distribution network in the country.

    Snowplus has invested $2 million in quality and safety research since 2019 and has received over $150 million in financing, which is among the largest funding for any startup in the e-cigarette industry.

    Snowplus has also committed to raising industry quality and standards to deliver safe and reliable e-cigarettes to consumers in the Philippines.

    In line with new vapor industry regulations in China, Snowplus recently obtained permission to operate from the State Tobacco Monopoly Administration. The license authorizes the company to produce 80 million pods per year.

    The company established three advanced scientific laboratories with equipment to test its products’ power supply and durability, among other characteristics.

    “Consumers can trust Snowplus. We work only with the most reputable partners and deliver products of the highest quality that are 100 percent safe,” Li said.

  • Snowplus Taking Steps Towards Middle East Expansion

    Snowplus Taking Steps Towards Middle East Expansion

    The Middle East is a fast-growing market for vapor products. According to Mordor Intelligence, a market research firm, the Middle East and Africa vapor market is forecast to reach $485 million by 2025 with a growth rate of 9.74 percent during the forecast period (2021-2026). In a press release, vapor manufacturer Snowplus announced it is taking its first steps towards expanding into the Middle East market by attending the World Vape Show 2021 (WVS) in Dubai from Sept.19-21.

    Snowplus Alien X

    “Snowplus has seen a remarkable growth increase of 350 percent since late 2019 despite being faced with numerous challenges during the Covid-19 [pandemic] and is now looking towards more growth opportunities in the Middle East,” the release states. “The vaping company has secured lucrative partnerships with leading companies in their local market of China as well as regional offices around the world. These partnerships were made possible thanks to Snowplus’ quality products, the reliable support the company offers their partners, and strategic long-term investments.”

    The WVS is the first international vaping industry trade show to be held in the United Arab Emirate’s (UAE). Organizers say the show promises to attract some of the world’s most prominent vaping brands. Snowplus will be unveiling its latest device line: the Alien Series (Alien Air and Alien X). “The Alien lineup sits at the intersection of cutting-edge technology and unique, sophisticated design,” the release states. “Visitors will be able to catch a glimpse of the future of vaping through the Alien devices displayed at the Snowplus booth.”

    Snowplus also produces the Snowplus Pro, Snowplus Lite and Snowplus Go, as well as a series of flavored pods. Snowplus co-founder and head of overseas markets, Derek Li, said the company is excited for Middle East vapers to experience Snowplus’ products first hand. “We believe the Middle East market will be important for us and we’re ready to invest in creating partnerships to make it happen,” Li said.

  • SnowPlus Teams With Canadian Manufacturer Dvine

    SnowPlus Teams With Canadian Manufacturer Dvine

    SnowPlus has started to re-allocate certain aspects of its production to Canada. The China-based vaping hardware manufacturer confirmed its partnership with Canadian manufacturing company, Dvine Laboratories, in a recent press release.

    SnowPlus neon devices
    Credit: SnowPlus

    “We are incredibly excited to partner with Dvine Laboratories to have SnowPlus products manufactured in Canada under the stringent standards of quality,” said Brad Jemmett, general manager of SnowPlus Canada “Having a trusted local manufacturing partner will not only improve our supply chain, but also allow SnowPlus to offer premium quality e-Liquids made by Canadians, for Canadian adult vapers.”

    The outpost will be located in Lindsay, Ontario. The company states that localization has become an important part of its growth strategy and it no longer needs to rely on one region or producer to be responsible for all of its production needs. An estimated 90 percent of the world’s vaping and e-cigarette devices are designed and manufactured by about 1,000 factories throughout Shenzhen, China, with thousands more companies forming the supply chain throughout Guangdong province.

    The move makes SnowPlus the only domestic and international source for vape products and accessories in Canada. “We’re thrilled to have a partner like SnowPlus. Not only are they as committed to quality standards as we are, they share in our values of giving back to the communities we serve,” stated Nick Paparamborda, vp of sales at Dvine Laboratories. “This partnership will create more jobs for Canadians and opportunities for small business owners.”

    SnowPlus and Dvine Laboratories have stated that e-liquid for Canadian SnowPlus products will be produced in Canada, as well as filling pods, final assembly and packaging. “This ensures that product output is consistent to our government specifications and testing standards. The result is a Canadian vetted product that can be purchased locally,” the release states.

  • Vape maker SnowPlus Says Truth Must be Told About EVALI

    Vape maker SnowPlus Says Truth Must be Told About EVALI

    Maybe no one specifically asked for it, but when the first e-cigarette hit the shelves of bodegas and corner stores in 2010, this innovative nicotine delivery tool started making waves in smoker groups in urban centres in the US and Asia. For the better part of the following decade, smokers began to open up to this new tech as a possible replacement or pathway to quitting smoking and continued to convert smokers across the globe.

    girl vaping
    Credit: Elsa Olofsson

    That all abruptly changed in August of 2019, when an Illinois man succumbed in hospital to a mysterious lung disease caused by a vaping product — 2,807 more Americans are hospitalized for vape related illnesses following. At the same time, certain industry players drew public ire for using unscrupulous marketing tactics seen as targeting underage users.

    Yet instead of covering these two parallel stories in a way that’s in the best interest of public health, it quickly turned into a media firestorm combining both instances into one, spurring a race for headlines often spreading misinformation. Even President Donald Trump rode the media wave saying he would take ‘very, very strong action’ in September of 2019, then backpedaled a few months later.

    In the height of the media frenzy, the CDC swiftly mobilized and better understood the lung illness, later named ‘e-cigarette, or vaping product use lung injury’ or EVALI for short. The findings found that vitamin-E acetate, a thickener in THC vape products (which are illegal for sale in the US, by the way) was the culprit. The research led to the potential source of these products, weeding them out to ensure less people get exposed to these black-market products.

    Yet the general public was only hearing a generalized perspective of: “vape is bad.”

    While governments reactively regulated, credible vape companies already aligned to FDA and EU specifications continued to offer the millions of smokers around the world an alternative to smoking tobacco. Still, the media narrative abandoned the smoker looking for an alternative and focused only on the convoluted story of ‘vape is bad!’

    This position though, was not shared globally. The UK and EU experienced steady adoption in the vape category, with more and more smokers transitioning over to what UK Public Health says is 95% safer than smoking. In countries like Germany with more fully-fledged regulatory policies, youth vaping hasn’t appeared to be a problem.

    Experts have pointed out that EVALI cases are almost exclusive to the United States and haven’t made a blip on the radar globally. In the UK, there are approx. 3.6 million e-cigarette users with virtually no EVALI cases reported during the media coverage period in 2019.

    The EU experience was somewhat similar to what we saw here at home during that period. “EVALI was largely the result of an unregulated illicit THC vape market in the United States which didn’t follow safe production standards” says Allan Rewak, Executive Director of VITA. “Canada’s nicotine vape market was on the final path toward federal regulation at the time, which prevented EVALI from occurring in any significant way north of the border.”

    Brad Jemmett, a former long-time smoker and now General Manager for SnowPlus – an innovation based vape company – suggests that the core of what drove the negative media was a localized, US issue. “Globally, we don’t really see EVALI cases like there were in the US, because EVALI was linked to illicit marijuana vapes, and most specifically the addition of Vitamin E acetate as a thickening agent. Our products on the other hand, are developed and tested to the highest degree, and designed specifically for adult smokers looking to transition out of smoking. At SnowPlus, we never have and never will use Vitamin E acetate in any of our products. Through innovation, we’ve aimed to simulate the smoking ritual with vape technology, to provide a less harmful alternative compared to smoking cigarettes”.

    Brad, like many of the former smokers out there that have successfully transitioned from smoking to vaping, hope that those who are looking for an alternative to smoking can see a clearer picture now that the dust has settled, and the fake click-bait news headlines about vaping have passed. It may be time for smokers who want to butt out of the habit to reopen the conversation about alternatives that have a track record of working.

  • Excellent Examples

    Excellent Examples

    Rather than imposing new features into a familiar system, the SnowPlus line offers both new and improved and tried and true variants of the same system.

    By Mike Huml

    As the popularity of pod-style vaporizers and e-cigarettes continues to rise despite regulation, many newcomers to the vapor industry are materializing. SnowPlus is one such company, with an offering of two different pod systems in the SnowPlus line. While similar, each system offers its own set of benefits and drawbacks, depending on personal preference. Both the SnowPlus Pro and SnowPlus Lite are outstanding examples of what a pod system should be, offering convenience and performance with minor tweaks to suit many types of vapers.

    The SnowPlus line consists of the flagship SnowPlus Pro and the slightly smaller SnowPlus Lite. While the SnowPlus Lite represents the pinnacle of current vapor technology, the SnowPlus Pro pushes the boundaries with features like haptic feedback and fast USB Type-C charging. Both are compatible with all the pods that SnowPlus offers and are capable of standing on their own merit in terms of quality.

    So, what makes them different? The SnowPlus Pro is generally more robust. It’s heavier, longer and has a larger battery capacity at 450 mAh. It features a “soft-touch” coating that feels somewhat like a hybrid of rubber and metal. It’s durable and able to withstand above-average wear and tear without so much as a scratch. It also features haptic feedback, with a quick vibration indicating that a new pod has been successfully installed. The SnowPlus Pro is also one of the only pod systems on the market to incorporate USB Type-C charging.

    While this has been a common feature on mobile phones and other technologies for several years, the vapor industry always seems to lag a bit. Not only can the USB charger be inserted in either direction as the charging port and connector are symmetrical, but it can also charge a fully depleted battery to a full charge in under twenty minutes.

    That’s impressive considering most pod systems still using micro-USB connections can take up to an hour to charge even with smaller battery capacity. This is a huge upgrade for anyone who’s ever had to charge their battery halfway through the day. A full charge can be achieved on a lunch break or during a daily commute—anywhere there is an open USB port to utilize. In terms of vaping quality, the SnowPlus Pro has a significantly more open airflow compared to the SnowPlus Lite but is otherwise very similar in terms of vapor production and throat hit.

    The SnowPlus Lite doesn’t have all the bells and whistles that the SnowPlus Pro has, but what it lacks in cutting-edge technology, it makes up for with convenience and portability. That’s not to say that the SnowPlus Pro isn’t portable, but the SnowPlus Lite is naturally lighter, shorter and has a 400 mAh battery. The 50 mAh deficit in battery life is not particularly significant, but the weight surely is.

    This variant is much more akin to other common pod systems, and this is due mainly to the use of aluminum rather than zinc in the manufacturing of the body. Rather than a soft-touch coating, the SnowPlus Lite features the more common anodized coating that’s found in many other vapor products.

    The charging port utilizes a micro-USB connector, so charging times are more in line with what can already be found on the market. A full charge is expected to take between 45 minutes and one hour. Additionally, the haptic feedback is absent on the SnowPlus Lite, and the airflow is noticeably more restricted than the SnowPlus Pro.

    As mentioned above, both models use the same pods, of which several varieties are available. All pods contain 1.5 mL of e-liquid, which is on the larger end of the spectrum when it comes to pod systems, and all are installed by easily sliding the pod into the top of the battery. A magnet holds the pod in place securely, and an LED on the battery activates to confirm that a connection has been made.

    The classic pods are available in multiple flavors, with classic tobacco and mint available in 5 percent strength. Other fruity and beverage-type flavors are available in 3 percent strength, but that’s largely irrelevant now that these flavors are illegal to sell within the U.S. However, SnowPlus ships internationally from China, so the end user may still be able to purchase these flavors directly.

    Unlike many other pod systems, SnowPlus also offers a nicotine-free line with extracted caffeine. These flavors are based on coffee, tea and other caffeinated beverages. While it’s refreshing to see a 0 percent option, it would be better if some were offered without nicotine or caffeine and particularly if a tobacco-flavored option was offered for the U.S. market. Again, at the time of this writing, direct ordering of nontobacco flavors is an option.

    Finally, and perhaps most uniquely, is the “smokeless” line of pods. As any vaper knows, all vapor products are smokeless, but what SnowPlus is trying to imply is that these pods are vaporless, and yes, classic tobacco is an available flavor. These are available in a nicotine strength of 1.5 percent and are perfect for discreetly vaping in places where clouds of vapor would be irritating to others or inappropriate in general.

    Historically, vaporless e-liquid is appealing to a very niche market, but the option is very much appreciated. Vaporless e-liquid is more often used by vapers as needed rather than being the primary preference, meaning that it can be appealing to every SnowPlus user but not for every situation. After all, much of the appeal of vaping stems from its similarity to smoking, and without vapor on the exhale, the experience can feel lacking.

    Overall, the pod selection is vast, but filling out each line to include every nicotine strength in every flavor, including classic tobacco, would be a welcome improvement. Many pod systems simply do not offer a way to decrease nicotine consumption if the goal is to wean oneself off nicotine completely.

    If SnowPlus even were to offer their classic pods in the four strengths already available—0 percent, 1.5 percent, 3 percent and 5 percent—this would offer a linear decrease in nicotine strength that isn’t generally seen in pod systems. Given this criticism, SnowPlus does seem to offer the most choices when it comes to nicotine strength compared to the competition, and if taken further, it could be a great model for other manufacturers of pod systems to follow.

    When it comes to the actual vaping quality of the pods, SnowPlus is among the best. Each pod uses a ceramic heating element rather than the more traditional wick and wire. On paper, this produces a better throat hit and better nicotine absorption due to finer vapor particles. In practice, this isn’t very noticeable, and the true benefit to this wicking and heating system is consistency.

    These pods do not leak or gurgle, and they produce consistent vapor from start to finish, which are perhaps the biggest benefits of ceramic. Remember, pod systems appeal to new users and nonenthusiasts because of their simplicity and effectiveness. Leaking or spitback are among the most common turnoffs for new vapers and can be the sole reason a person can’t stick with vaping. It’s a small thing, but the ramifications shouldn’t be discounted or underestimated.

    The SnowPlus Pro offers an airier draw that allows for quick drags without sacrificing vapor production while the SnowPlus Lite features a tighter draw more reminiscent of a full-flavor analog cigarette. Both benefit from a quick primer puff to activate the automatic switch and make sure the heating element is producing vapor for the entirety of the drag.

    As with any pod system, it takes a few drags to acclimate, but beyond that, the learning curve is nonexistent. The airflow is smooth, and the vapor is produced easily, but the difference in airflow between the SnowPlus Pro and SnowPlus Lite is significant, and each user will have his or her preference as to which is better.

    Overall, both the SnowPlus Pro and SnowPlus Lite are great for what they are. The SnowPlus Lite plays it safe and doesn’t offer anything out of the ordinary but can hold its own against the best pod systems currently available. It’s familiar and appealing to anyone who is comfortable using a pod system.

    The SnowPlus pro pushes some new technology, and while innovations like haptic feedback aren’t particularly useful (albeit new and interesting), USB Type-C charging is a minor godsend. As other technologies adopt USB Type-C, spare micro-USB cables are becoming rarer and rarer. It’s nice to be able to charge a pod battery and a cell phone with the same cable, not to mention the vastly improved charging time.

    Rather than imposing new features into a familiar system, SnowPlus has simply offered both new and improved and tried and true variants of the same system, and it’s the smart play. New technology can appear to be gimmicky until widespread adoption takes place, but that should never stifle innovation.

    The SnowPlus Pro and SnowPlus Lite are both worth carrying for this reason. Both are quality vapor products that have much to offer despite both the innovation and familiarity of the SnowPlus Pro and SnowPlus Lite, respectively. People are still in the market for new pod systems even with the restricted flavor availability, and now could be an opportune time to highlight quality and innovation to try to fill that void.

    Picture of Mike Huml

    Mike Huml

    Mike Huml has been vaping since 2009 and has been working in the vapor industry for more than five years. He has extensive experience in various industry segments, including purchasing, quality assurance and content creation.