Are you one of the 6.9 million adults in England who smokes?

Smoking is the leading cause of premature deaths, accountable for nearly 75,000 preventable deaths each year. But the good news is, it’s never too late to quit.

Giving up cigarettes is one of the best things you’ll do for your health. You’ll reduce your risk of disease (including lung cancer, throat cancer, emphysema, heart disease, kidney disease, etc), live longer, feel healthier, and save money. You’ll improve your sense of smell and taste, too.

Admittedly, it won’t be easy and some smokers may find it more difficult to overcome their addiction and tobacco cravings than others. That’s where Stoptober can help, though.

What is Stoptober?

Stoptober is a campaign that Public Health England has run for 28 days throughout October, ever since 2012. The idea behind it is to encourage smokers to stop, by pledging not to pick up a cigarette during the 28 days – starting on October 1^st.

Research has shown that if you quit smoking for 28 days, you’re five times more likely to quit for good. With the campaign taking place throughout October, it makes it more manageable for you to count down the days.

Stoptober is widely recognised as the 28-day stop smoking challenge, thanks to social media. Over the years, many celebs have got involved – ditching their favourite blend of tobacco cigarettes and enjoying the benefits of a smoke-free life. So, why don’t you give it a try?

What are the benefits of taking part?

There are lots of reasons why you should sign up for Stoptober – the main one being that it can dramatically improve your health and life expectancy.

Smoking tobacco is harmful to your health and the health of your loved ones. Even if your friends and family don’t smoke personally, they will be breathing in the fumes you produce every time you light up a cigarette.

Deciding to stop smoking this October (and hopefully beyond) will help you to breathe more easily, and save those around you from having to inhale second-hand smoke.

Cigarettes don’t come cheap, and many smokers sacrifice luxuries, such as holidays, cars, and home improvements to fund their expensive habits. But the reality is, the average smoker can save £1,875.60 a year by quitting smoking. There really is no better time to quit than now.

5 ways to quit smoking this Stoptober

·         Download the free NHS Quit Smoking app

If you’re serious about quitting smoking this Stoptober but need a little motivation to help you, download the NHS Quit Smoking app from the App Store or Google Play.

This allows you to monitor and track your daily progress, calculate how much money you’re saving by not buying cigarettes, and receive the support you need to successfully quit – for free.

·         Join Stoptober Facebook communities

Curbing cigarette cravings isn’t easy – especially if you’ve smoked virtually all of your life. However, Stoptober offers a variety of useful (and free!) tools to help you stay on track and enjoy the benefits.

Most of us spend hours flicking through social media and talking to our mates online. Perhaps you’d find it helpful to be able to speak to like-minded people when you feel the urge to take a drag on a cigarette? Stoptober’s online communities and Messenger groups allow you to do just that.

·         Consider face-to-face support

If you’ve tried to quit smoking in the past but not succeeded, it’s easy to feel downhearted. But there are things you can do to help you be more successful. For instance, making a list of the reasons why you want to quit (e.g. to better your health, for your family, to save money, etc.) will give you something to focus on.

Seeking advice and support from medical professionals and your local Stop Smoking Service is also a great way to keep yourself busy and keep cravings at bay. Attending one-to-one appointments will help you to determine your goals and how to achieve them.

·         Try nicotine replacement therapy

Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), such as gums, patches, sprays, and lozenges, are available on prescription from your GP or over the counter at your local pharmacy. These products slowly release nicotine (the reason you’re hooked to smoking) into your bloodstream.

Most people combine two types of NRT – typically nicotine patches and nicotine gum or a nasal spray for cravings – before gradually reducing the dosage until they stop.

NRT isn’t for everyone, but it’s worth assessing the different options available before you rule it out.

·         Use e-cigarettes

Vaping is believed to be 95% safer than smoking and poses fewer risks to human health. With that said, using e-cigarettes and e-liquids from a reputable retailer – like us at Cloudstix – can help you to combat your cigarette cravings and progressively reduce your nicotine intake.

Ideal for ex-smokers, we supply e-cig starter kits that come with everything you need to get started on your vaping journey.

We provide an assortment of nicotine salts, high VG (vegetable glycerine) e-juices, and shortfills from renowned brands such as Twelve Monkeys, IVG, and Vampire Vapes – to name just a few. On top of this, we have various flavours to choose from that will invigorate your senses and help you kick your habit this Stoptober.

For more tips on quitting smoking once and for all, or for information about the products we stock here at Cloudstix, feel free to get in touch. Call us on 0345 257 6544.

So, you’re thinking about taking the plunge into the vaping world?

According to studies, vaping is 95% safer and less harmful than smoking tobacco cigarettes. Unlike regular cigarettes, electronic cigarettes don’t burn tobacco, so don’t produce tar or carbon dioxide. Instead, an e-liquid is heated up to produce a vapour that can be inhaled.

These liquids often contain nicotine, which is what makes smoking so addictive. However, nicotine-free options are widely available. E-liquids also contain propylene glycol (PG) or vegetable glycerine (VG) flavourings, and other chemicals. They do not contain tobacco which is a carcinogen (cancer-causing substance).

Whilst vaping poses fewer risks to human health, it isn’t exactly ‘risk-free’.

That’s why, in this article, Cloudstix will be sharing a few top tips to help you stay as safe as possible when vaping.

6 vaping safety tips

1.    Wash your hands before and after vaping

Some people are better at multi-tasking than others, but we can bet you vape whilst doing other things at the same time (or you at least try to). Although it’s not practical to get up and wash your hands every few minutes, we highly recommend that you do so when heading out for or returning from a vape break at work.

2.    Do not share your vape with others

The chances are you wouldn’t share your toothbrush or lipstick with someone else, and neither would you eat something that you’d dropped on the floor. So, why would you let a friend have a go of your e-cigarette?

The truth is, we repeatedly put vaping devices to our lips and touch them all the time which transfers a lot of bacteria. If you must be generous and share, at least use spare drip tips, pods, or disposable mouthpiece covers.

3.    Be mindful of where you put your device

Depending on how often you vape, it’s easy enough to leave your e-cig on the kitchen counter – or worse, the bar or toilet dispenser in the pub! If you keep it in your pocket, make sure your pocket is clean and you regularly use vape hygiene products. Better still, place it in a plastic bag or protective case for when it’s not in use.

As a general rule of thumb, you should leave your e-cig at home if you’ve got an appointment at the hospital or GP surgery. That applies to any other hygienic environment too. You won’t be able to use it at such places, so there’s no point exposing it where there are lots of poorly patients.

4.    If you drop your device on the floor, clean it immediately

We’ve all been there…meant to slip our e-cig back into our pocket or bag and missed, resulting in the device staring up at us on the ground.

When in public, you might only be able to give it a quick wipe down with a damp cloth or paper towel which – although not ideal – will be enough until you get home and can sanitise it properly.

5.    Sanitise other things that you come into contact with regularly

Before and after you vape, think about what you’ve touched. It could be the steering wheel in your car or the handbrake, perhaps the keyboard, your mobile phone or even the door handle at work.

Even if you regularly clean your e-cigarette, it’s not to say you won’t get cross-contamination from the other things you touch. Always make sure you use hand sanitising gel and give everything a good wipe down (preferably with disinfectant).

6.    Always buy from a reputable retailer

Lastly, never purchase e-cigarette hardware or e-liquids from an unscrupulous dealer.

Shop around online to find the best deal. Remember, you get what you pay for – so if the price seems too good to be true, then it more than likely is.

A reputable vaping manufacturer, like ourselves, will comply with stringent regulations for product safety. Every e-liquid and e-cigarette product will be TPD compliant and priced competitively.

Contact Cloudstix today

For more information about the products we stock, here at Cloudstix, or for further advice on vaping safely, get in touch. You can either call us on 0345 257 6544 or send an email to [email protected], and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.

On the 20^th May 2020, the UK Government put a ban on menthol cigarettes in a bid to reduce the appeal of smoking and lower the number of people who smoked across the nation. But, how much of an impact has that had on vapers? If you’re new to vaping and are unsure whether you can legally enjoy menthol e-liquids – let us clear things up.

First things first – are menthol e-liquids banned in the UK?

Although disruptive for those who enjoyed a menthol cigarette, for vapers, the good news is that nothing has changed! This is great for both current vapers as well as those who may be thinking of making the switch from cigarettes to vaping now that menthol cigarettes are no longer available.

What’s more, there are no current plans to do away with menthol e-liquids or e-cig refills, so you can feel confident that your favourite menthol brands are here to stay.

Why have menthol cigarettes been banned in the UK?

Menthol cigarettes have been around for over 100 years now, being first introduced as an alternative to traditional tobacco flavour and advertised as having ‘medicinal’ properties. Whilst this was well before we really knew the dangers of smoking, it is widely believed still that menthol cigarettes are less harmful than regular ones.

Of course, whether plain old tobacco or menthol, the truth is there really is no difference when it comes to the harmful chemicals within, and it has led us here, to the UK menthol ban.

For many, the menthol ban has been a long time coming. Part of a 4-year phasing out plan, it has been on the cards since 2017 when we saw smaller packets of rolling tobacco banned, as well as 10 packs of cigarettes. And the ban of menthol cigarettes isn’t the only thing to have come into place in May. With it is the ban of menthol rolling tobacco and papers, other flavoured tobacco products and completely plain cigarette packaging.

All of these changes together aim to ultimately reduce the rate of smokers across the UK.

Is it time to make the switch to menthol e-liquids?

If you have always been a lover of menthol, all is not lost. Menthol vape liquids are a perfect alternative, still offering those familiar refreshing flavours, but considerably less harmful. It is testament to e-liquids that these have remained legal here in the UK – so are you thinking of making the leap?

If so, you’ve come to the right place! Here at Cloudstix, we offer a plethora of menthol e-liquids and refills from some of the most reputable brands. Some of our favourites include:

• Cloudstix Tropical Storm – a beautiful blend of sweet tropical fruit and cooling menthol
• Vampire Vape Heisenberg – one of the biggest menthol names out there, Heisenberg brings a fruity twist to traditional menthol e-liquids
• SALT Glacier – high strength nicotine dose with soothing crushed ICE menthol

This is just a glimpse of our menthol range, and we provide a range of other options including mint and spearmint so it’s certainly worth browsing our entire e-liquid collection.

Get your menthol vape fix with Cloudstix

Whether you’re ready to try a new menthol e-liquid, or this is your first time – you’re in safe hands with us. Take a look through our extensive collection of e-cig vape juice or contact us if you have any specific queries about our flavours, strengths or anything else you may be unsure of and one of our experts will be glad to help.

Vape coils are the heart of any e-cig device, but how do you know when its time to replace yours? Newby vapers may find it difficult to recognise the signs that their e-cig coil is past its prime, whilst others may be replacing it prematurely, therefore spending much more money than is strictly necessary.

But luckily, there are a few signs you can look out for that will indicate that your vape coil is ready to be refreshed, which come down to sight, taste and sound – so let’s take a look!

#1 Reduced vape cloud production

For many keen vapers, the appeal is in the showmanship of vapour production. A coil with a low resistance will produce huge plumage of vapour, and for those who enjoy that, it can be the first recognisable sign when it starts to deplete due to a worn coil.

Of course, if you only use your e-cig sporadically, perhaps as a social vaper, you may not be as adept at noticing this change. Ultimately, you know better than anyone else how much vapour production is normal for your e-cig device and the settings you use, so if its dwindling, perhaps its time to change that coil.

#2 Unpleasant tasting e-liquid

What’s your go-to e-liquid flavour? Whether you’re a lover of sweet fruity vape juice or more of a menthol lover, one of the most obvious indicators that your vape coil is on its way out is an unpleasant tasting e-liquid.

The vape coil controls much of how we experience vaping, so one that is ready for replacing will often produce flavours that are reminiscent of the last e-liquid you used, or it may just taste unusual, burnt or leave a bitter aftertaste.

#3 Noisy vaping

A coil that has reached the end of its lifespan will often make a strange gurgling noise during vaping. Often, this is one of the last signs to show when your coil is in need of replacing, so if you hear it then it’s certainly worth changing your coil imminently. If replacing your coil doesn’t solve the gurgling issue, it may indicate a leak so should be investigated further.

Get your e-cig coil replacements from a stockist you can trust

Here at Cloudstix, we pride ourselves on our transparent approach to e-cigs and vaping. We don’t charge eye watering prices like many of our competitors, and we only stock the best quality brands. This extends to our range of vape coils, designed to suit a range of preferences for your convenience, and including some of the biggest brand names including:

• SMOK
• INNOKIN
• Aspire
• VooPoo

Why not take a look through our entire collection of vape coils, or to speak with a member of our team, give us a call on 0345 257 6544 and we will be more than happy to help with any query you might have.

Has COVID-19 got you revaluating your choices? Perhaps you’re making a conscious effort to exercise more and to eat less junk food, or maybe you want to ditch your favourite tobacco blend and switch to a healthier alternative – like e-liquid.

There has been very little good to come out of the coronavirus pandemic, however, studies have shown that more than 1-million Brits have successfully quit smoking since the virus hit in March. Whilst it’s unclear how many of these made the switch to vaping, we do know that e-cigarettes are the UK’s most popular quitting aid. And it helps that there are hundreds of delicious e-liquid flavours to choose from.

With so many different flavours on the market, you’re bound to feel overwhelmed and spoilt for choice. But you can be sure that there is an e-liquid out there with your name on it.

So, how do you choose the right e-liquid for you?

Most people will opt for a tobacco or menthol e-liquid as it’s what they’re familiar with. Although this might help them to quit, it doesn’t necessarily mean it’ll be right for you. We recommend doing a little research to see what different flavours there are. Once you’ve done this, you should be able to compile a shortlist of the ones you’d like to try.

Here we look at 5 of our favourite, most popular, e-liquid flavours:

1. Tobacco

As we mentioned earlier, tobacco e-liquids are a popular choice for smokers who aren’t ready to wean themselves off, just yet. You’d be surprised at how many different tobacco flavours are on the market today! Whether you’re wanting to stick to a gold tobacco blend or to mix it up with caramel and nuts, we are confident we have the perfect e-liquid to keep your old habits at bay.

2. Menthol

There’s something about the cool, fresh and slightly sweet taste of a menthol e-liquid that leaves vapers wanting more. But it’s not just your bog standard menthol, spearmint or peppermint. Oh no. Our menthol e-liquids are a great choice for breaking down and softening strong flavours, such as citrus fruits, and give a nice icy blast. It’s also believed that they can help blow the cobwebs away on days when you’re feeling under the weather.

3. Fruity

Want to get your senses dancing and your mouth watering? Of course you do! Check out our fabulously fruity e-liquids, here at Cloudstix, and find an extensive range of single fruit flavoured e-liquids, (i.e. apple, juicy pineapple, cherry, etc.), and mixed flavours that are perfectly blended and guaranteed to tantalise your taste buds.

4. Dessert

Our dessert flavoured e-liquids go down a treat with both new and old vapers. After all, who doesn’t love a good pudding? From Cherry Bakewell to frosted lemon donuts and vanilla custard, there really is something for everyone within our collection – and, the best bit is, we strive to provide the most competitive prices.

5. Sweets

Do you crave all things sugary? Uh-oh, the dentist certainly won’t be your best friend! But, lucky for you, we have a wide selection of sweet e-liquids, here at Cloudstix, including flavours, such as bubble-gum, pink cotton candy and, the tuck-shop favourite – liquorice. All our e-liquids are sure to give you that nostalgic feeling and bring back memories of your childhood.

Buy the perfect e-liquid today

Here at Cloudstix, we regularly update our stock – both online and at our five vape shops in the northwest – to ensure we bring you the best quality e-liquids at affordable prices.

If you’re shopping online for e-liquid, browse our full range and find the right flavour for you. Remember, they all come in different nicotine strengths, so think about your daily intake and choose carefully. Once you’ve decided, add it to your online cart and proceed to the checkout. It’s as easy as that.

As soon as your order has been received, we will send a confirmation email and parcel your e-liquid up – ready to be delivered to your door in just a few days.

If you have any questions about the e-liquids we stock, or would like to discuss your requirements in more detail, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. Either call 0345 257 6544 or email [email protected], and we’ll get back to you.

There are approximately 3 million vapers in Great Britain alone, 50% of which use their electronic cigarettes as a means to stop smoking once and for all or to gradually reduce their nicotine intake. But something you might not know about vaping is that it’s extremely competitive, and there are plenty of cool vaping tricks you can learn and show off to your friends, family and fellow vapers.

There’s no denying that some stunts are easier to master than others but – with a little practice – you’ll be nailing them in no time!

Here we look at some of the best vape tricks of all time and how to do them.

8 vaping tricks to try at home:

1.The Ghost (beginner level)

If you’ve been on the vaping scene for quite some time then we’re sure you’re familiar with ‘ghost tricks’.

Sometimes called the Ghost Hit or the Mushroom Inhale, it involves exhaling a cloud of vapour and then quickly sucking it back in.

This has to be one of the easiest tricks to try, and here’s how to do it:

• Take a drag from your e-cig and allow it to linger in your mouth for a few seconds.
• Open your mouth and create an O-shape to ensure it comes out in one short, round burst.
• As soon as the vapour leaves your mouth, inhale it back in and you should see a little ‘ghost’ of vapour.

2. The Dragon (beginner level)

Whilst it might look pretty tricky, this is undoubtedly one of the coolest – and simplest – vape tricks known!

The secret to the Dragon is to ensure that vapour erupts in four separate streams (both nostrils and the corners of your mouth) and to push it out as quickly as possible with some force.

Follow these two steps, and you’ll be looking like a fearsome dragon every time you vape:

• Take one long drag on your vape pen. As delicious as your e-liquid may be, you mustn’t fully inhale the vapour.
• Exhale through your nose and both sides of your mouth – using your tongue or the central part of your lips to create a block in the middle of your mouth.

3. O Rings (intermediate level)

Exactly as its name implies, this trick involves creating the letter ‘O’ with vapour.

Learning how to blow O rings is an important technique to master if you’re to progress onto more advanced tricks, like double Os or triple Os, or even triangles.

If you’re wondering how to blow smoke rings, here’s your answer:

• Inhale the vapour from your e-cig and keep it in your throat. You should start small for your first few rounds, at least until you feel more confident to do fancier tricks.
• Rest your tongue at the bottom of your mouth.
• Keeping the lips tight, carefully curve them around your teeth to form an ‘O’ shape.
• Push the vapour out of your mouth by pulsing the back of your throat. The shape of the ring will depend on how you round your mouth when exhaling.

4. The French Inhale (intermediate level)

The French Inhale is a popular smoke trick that can be done with cigarettes or vapes. Commonly referred to as the ‘Irish Waterfall’, vapour flows upward from the mouth and is inhaled through the nose, creating a reverse waterfall effect.

Though it may take a few attempts to get right and make it look effortless, it’s super easy to do once you know how.

• Start by inhaling a large amount of vapour and hold it in your mouth. A top tip is to trap it at the back of your mouth using your tongue.
• Slowly open your mouth and allow the vapour to seep out naturally (avoid exhaling or blowing it out).
• Push out your lower lip slightly so the vapour can travel up towards your nose.
• Gradually move your tongue from the back of your mouth to the front – pushing all the vapour out.
• Breathe in through your nose and continue to push the vapour out of your mouth with your tongue.

5. Tornado (intermediate level)

Whilst there are many easy vape tricks to have a go at, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a more impressive stunt than the Tornado.

It entails whipping a flat pool of vapour on a surface using your hands, causing it to swirl like a tornado. It requires a skilful flick of the wrist but, other than that, it’s a fairly straightforward technique to learn.

• Find a flat surface and make sure that it won’t move. This is not a trick that can be done in the car!
• Inhale as much vapour as possible (the more, the better).
• Breathe out the vapour onto the table in front of you. If you’re a beginner, you might want to grab an empty kitchen/toilet roll tube so you can breathe down the roll in a more compact manner. Advanced vapers typically have more control and can exhale the vapour slowly, ensuring it doesn’t disperse.
• Once all the vapour is released, extend your hand and put it in the centre of the cloud. Then quickly raise your arm to create the rise and spin of a vapour tornado.

For the best results, you should consider using a vape pen or mod that produces a thick, still vapour.

6. The Bull Ring (intermediate level)

You’ve seen the rings that are put through a bull’s nose, right? Well, this trick teaches you how to create that same effect through your nose before you re-inhale the remainder of your vapour.

If you can blow Os no problem, then this shouldn’t take you too long to get the hang of.

However, before you show your fellow vaping friends, it’s a good idea to practice the Bull Ring in front of a mirror so you can see how it comes off and to make sure that it’s perfectly executed.

• Begin by taking a deep drag. Keep it in your throat and make sure your tongue is at the bottom of your mouth, towards the back of your throat.
• The next step is to create an ‘O’ shape with your lips and blow a medium-sized vapour ring.
• Lean forwards and inhale the vapour through your nose. This will create the illusion of a bull ring.

7. Triangles (advanced level)

Are you a pro at O rings? If so, you might be looking for something a little more challenging than creating round shapes…how about triangles?

Of course, your mouth cannot form this shape naturally, so it’s a vaping trick that requires you to use your hands.

• Create an O ring by taking a long drag on your vape pen.
• Use your hand to quickly tap on the side of the ring. This should bend it into a triangle.

Timing is crucial for this vape trick. Yes, you have to perform the taps rapidly to ensure you reconfigure the shape before it’s too late, but you also don’t want to break the ring.

8. The Jellyfish (advanced level)

As far as vape tricks go, this has to be the coolest and most difficult of all.

The idea is to create a small O in the middle of a larger ring to form a jellyfish.

It’s tricky but, master the Jellyfish and, you’re sure to add to your vaping credibility! Here are four simple steps to practice:

• Make sure you inhale enough vapour to blow two smoke rings.
• Blow one large O ring and use your hand to push the ring and slow its pace slightly.
• Blow a second O ring, only much smaller, and push it through the centre – forcing the two rings to combine and create that jellyfish shape as they spread out.
• Lean in and inhale all that is left.

Are you ready to hone your vaping skills?

Learning vape tricks can be lots of fun – whether you choose to do it alone or with a group of friends. But much like anything else, you need to make sure that you have all the necessary tools to do so.

From smart vape pens to sophisticated pod systems and advanced vape kits, we stock a vast range of e-cigarette hardware both online and at our vape stores at Cloudstix. We even provide mouth-watering e-liquid flavours, in a variety of nicotine strengths, from renowned brands like Steep Lyfe, Bad Juice and Vampire Vapes.

So, if there’s anything your vape collection is missing, or if you have any questions about the vaping tricks listed, call us on 0345 257 6544, and our experts will be more than happy to help.