And now there are two BT companies in the field.

How does the world of vaping react to the move by Lorillard as it purchases a well distributed  e-cigarette company Blu (which has a patent)?

There seems to be a significant apathy mixed with fear of the unknown.  This is somewhat typical of many of the legislative fights and the FDA involvement; there is either an aggressive and informed action to be proactive or there is denial.  The CASAA's of the vaping world have been the front line for advocacy in tobacco harm reduction.  This is a devoted group that has been the forefront of the keep smokeless tobacco's existence and vital importance viable in the battle against the diseases of smoke delivery nicotine products.  The role and place they go from here is one that will be vital to the framing of the vaping options available to consumers in the next years.

This is to me a mixed blessing.  Finally there is a player in the field that will push forward the research and hopefully will allow the addition of harm reduction product to e-cigarettes.  Unfortunately this depends on the approach of the BT company as it does its studies and the FDA's interpretation of the data.  Lorillard may show that vaping is safer and a harm reduction method or they may say "their" e-cigarette. patent number XXXXXXXX is safer and leave the process of vaping out of the equation.  This would leave us on the event horizon of the vaping black hole.

It is my opinion that there is no trust that needs to be given to Lorillard.  There is no financial reason for them to do anything except that which would put their product in a marketable and FDA approved safer cigarette.  In fact it is in their best interest to exclude the Provari, Silver Bullet and GLV-2 manufacturers products from their research model and implicitly state that this data is only relevant to their product. This scenario is also identical for e-liquid manufacturers.

What concerns are important to address:

• Is this a WalMart like phenomena with the larger and more efficient company with a high profit motive entering the market at the expense of the little guy and his or her product line.
• Big and profitability means that there is no need to diversify product line.  There will be no incentive for the creativity of the small manufacturer.
• Will this mean pre-filled cartridges of limited taste type with connectors that are patented and not adaptable to the current atty's and carto's available.
• Price will be up and taxation yet to be determined.
• At present there is a fairly well known population of products available for the majority of vapers.  With the introduction of a possibly regulated product the mods, juices and equipment we know now will or at least could be forced into a black market like setting and with that there is a loss of the 1:1 contacts we as vapers have and trust.
• BT has a history of divisive and extremely close to the vest and proprietary tactics.  What is the motivation for this to change?
• Do we want to have BT in control of vaping and therefore lose the intimacy of the current vendor population.
• Can we trust the FDA to act in the best interest of the vaper?  The idea that one (and there will be more) generic delivery system with non-refillable product is easier to regulate is not conducive to the time and expense of allowing the current vendors to continue; the variety of delivery systems and liquids will each need to be monitored and regulated.

I myself am concerned that this is the end of vaping as we know it, and I don't feel fine.  Whether the current vendors can band together as a force and approach this as a team is yet to be seen.

We shall see the outcome. 

It might be getting close to loading up on DIY supplies, extra mods and bricks of cartos time.  But it is not that time yet.

Take off the blinders and realize this is big corporations entering the marketplace and they are not consumer friendly, they are brand friendly. 

Personally, my GLV-2 and DIY, Boge cartos and protected batteries would rather fight than switch.