BRADENTON, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--What a Difference a Year Makes!
Vaping has become quite the controversial topic over the years. Swapping one means of inhaling nicotine for another can seem counter-intuitive. We recognize that the vaping sector and the products affiliated with it are often misinterpreted and misunderstood. The mainstream press, and the bodies designed to protect us from ourselves, such as the CDC, all seem to misrepresent or ignore the mounting evidence that vaping is probably the greatest harm reduction tool of the 21st century. Meanwhile, Public Health England has embraced vaping, declaring it to be at least 95% safer than smoking.
In August of 2016, the FDA’s vape regulations went into effect. In one fell swoop, these regulations culled all innovation and demanded premarket tobacco applications (PMTA) be submitted for all existing products on the market post-2007. The cost of these PMTA’s, along with their scope of inclusion, was prohibition by the back door. It was effectively impossible for any small to medium sized vaping company to exist after August 2018.
When the full extent of these regulations was realized, Totally Wicked, a Bradenton, Florida based electronic cigarette and e-liquid company, decided to tell the truth to our customers and to the vaping community at large that, “It is impossible for our company to continue doing business in the USA after August 7th, 2018.” The truth was scary to admit, but the right thing to do was to raise awareness and ensure that our customers were aware that with these regulations in place, vaping would be all but outlawed in the USA. Our business runs with the aim of decreasing the number of smokers across the United States by offering them a viable alternative to cigarettes. We continued to offer our products to our customers at an even more affordable price to ensure that we had spread the positive message of vaping and its benefits to as many people as possible in our final days.
On July 28th, 2017 the newly appointed head of the FDA, Scott Gottlieb, announced a stay of execution.
The FDA decided to continue to research tobacco harm reduction, look at reducing nicotine levels in cigarettes, and study further the products they call END’s (Electronic Nicotine Devices). The new date for this PMTA was changed to 2022, meaning that the industry had been given an additional four years while the FDA consults and researches viable ways to protect the nation from the horrific medical repercussions of smoking cigarettes and other combustible tobacco products. This change of heart is truly a testament to the hard work of advocacy groups and individuals who fight so hard to make the Vaper’s voice heard.
Totally Wicked will now no longer be closing in 2018. We will continue to sell vaping products to adult smokers who wish to make an educated, well-informed decision to use an electronic cigarette as an alternative to a traditional, combustible tobacco cigarette.
Today, vaping is transforming centuries of bad habits for millions of people. We support Gottlieb and his new tact - a real partnership that includes consultation with vaping companies to make these products the safest that they possibly can be.
Totally Wicked understands the evolution of the vaping industry and supports it. We stand by our purpose, founding roots, and our customers. To quote our Mission Statement, we intend to always, “Do the right thing regardless of the consequences.”
Thank you for believing in us, thank you for being loyal, and most of all, thank you for being Totally Wicked. Visit us online or at one of our 5 store locations in Florida today! Also make sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest news, deals, and Totally Wicked giveaways! P.S. Our 6th and 7th store will be opening very soon and there will certainly be more to follow.
- The Totally Wicked Family
Totally Wicked is a pioneer in the vaping industry. We arrived in the USA in 2008 as the very first brick and mortar vape shop with operations in both the U.K. and the US. Since then, we have built a reputable business and provided our customers with only the best brands and the most innovative products on the market. From starter kits that help the common smoker transition away from smoking, to the range of flavors and nicotine strengths that will entice heavy smokers to effectively quit, we offer a wide variety of products to every kind of vaper out there.
