E-cigarette retailers are reporting remarkable growth as smokers use the devices to quit tobacco.
One of the biggest brands, Twisp, reports that sales grew 4000% between 2012 and 2016.
Former smoker and keen "vaper" Sharri van Zyl, who owns four e-cigarette stores in Gauteng, said the habit was growing because smokers were discovering that " they can still get their hit of addictive nicotine without struggling up stairs" .
She and business partner Warren Pleass quit smoking with the help of e-cigarettes, and in 2013 they started a shop, Vape King.
It has grown 10% a year for the past two years. In the past year, the number of customers at their four outlets has gone from 8000 to 15,000.
Some customers came in once a week to get the latest model, said Van Zyl, whose shop offers regular upgrades, accessories, various flavours and batteries.
Pleass said: "It's like any gadget in the technology world. What was cool six months ago is not cool now."
There's even a one-day conference for vapers next month. In its second year, the conference will draw 40 exhibitors, double last year's number. Events include competitions blowing out sizes and shapes of vape "smoke".
But while many doctors support e-cigarettes as a way to quit smoking, a new study has raised concern that an increasing number of teenagers who never smoked are experimenting with e-cigarettes.
The study, published by the American Academy of Pediatrics, found that"e-cigarettes are not merely substituting for cigarettes. E-cigarette use is occurring in adolescents who would not otherwise have used tobacco products."
However, a British study showed that only 1% of non-smoking teens had tried e- cigarettes and most did not continue using them.
In South Africa, a survey conducted by Twisp of 4000 of its customers found that 98% used to be smokers.
The Electronic Cigarettes Association of SA says its member organisations do not sell e-cigarettes to teenagers, do not sell e-cigarettes with dangerous chemicals in them and provide warning labels on liquids for children.
Click here to view original web page at www.timeslive.co.za
