In a few months, the state of Illinois will see a few changes to laws concerning electronic cigarettes. As of June 1st, anyone below 18-years-old who is caught with an e-cig will get a citation. Offenders will face a fine of $100 or have to serve up to 30 hours of community service. These penalties also apply to other nicotine based products. This new legislation is in addition to the existing state law that prohibits selling e-cigs to individuals under the age of 18. The new laws are satisfactory to many health advocates who are weary of the health effects […]

Despite having the support of the e-cigarette industry and the strong backing of the Americans for Tax Reform (ATR) – one of the most powerful advocacy groups in Washington D.C. – a policy rider has failed to make it into the House’s omnibus spending bill released the night of January 12th. This policy rider had the potential to change the FDA’s rules regarding e-cigarette products. Businesses and advocates were depending on this rider to change the industry’s obligation to undergo the costly Pre-Market Tobacco Applications (PMTA) process. According to The Daily Caller, “This provision was vitally important to vaping businesses […]

Avail Vapor is poised to be the “Starbucks of vaping,” says CEO James Xu. He opened the first Avail Vapor store in 2013 and wants to open 70 more locations by the end of the year in North Carolina, Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, Maryland, and Ohio. Xu markets his company to cigarette smokers who are trying to quit, and a new study by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) might help his dreams come true. The study suggests that there may be positive health effects from electronic cigarettes, which could change their image in the public eye. Which is good news […]

E-Cigs, electronic cigarettes, are becoming nearly as controversial as tobacco cigarettes. There is conflicting information about its safety, its usage, and its addictiveness. This sounds like the tobacco industry from the early to mid-1900s, and while tobacco cigarettes still outsell e-cigs by millions, they are steadily growing in the US and Canada. However, while sales are rising, there are still many issues that need to be sorted out in this industry. While stick e-cigs are big sellers, vaporizers are pushing their way into the market. While they are already used for marijuana use, vaporizers are being sought after for e-cig […]

In the interest of protecting the public and creating a healthier future for Americans, the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act (Tobacco Control Act) was signed into law on June 22, 2009. This Act gives the FDA the power and authority to regulate the manufacture, distribution and marketing of tobacco products. For merchants, this Act has caused processors to be wary of processing payments for electronic cigarettes. Regardless of the fact that they are technically not cigarettes or tobacco. Without the federal research and regularization of e-cigarettes, banks are not willing to expose themselves to any potential legal risks. […]

Since electronic cigarettes appeared, there has been much speculation around how they would affect the traditional cigarette market. Thus far, it seems that e-cigs are quickly gaining momentum as former smokers migrate to e-cigs, curious non-smokers try them, and the FDA remains unsure of how to regulate them. While the FDA and various other organizations are conducting studies to test the health effects of electronic cigarettes, the public’s acceptance of them at this early stage is overwhelming. This fast acculturation of smoking e-cigs, or “vaping,” should have merchants who deal exclusively in the traditional cigarette market worried. Vaping is on […]

Electronic cigarette merchants are waiting for the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to decide if e-cigs are going to be subjected to the same regulations as traditional cigarettes. But first the FDA has to discern if and how e-cigs affect public health and their impact on the smoking industry. Eager merchants aren’t the only ones interested in how e-cigs will affect public health and commerce. Academics are now investigating how the public perceives the rules regarding e-cig legislation. Rutgers professors talked to over 519 people about electronic cigarettes and how they believed they are currently regulated. Most people […]

E-Cigarettes are no longer the savvy entrepreneur’s secret they were back in the 2000s. They have established themselves on the tobacco-nicotine scene as indicated by Big Tobacco’s move to acquire e-cigarette companies. The question now for merchants with e-cigarette merchant accounts is what does the future hold? Photo Credit @ TBEC E-cigarettes have been successful and project to continue that success for a number of reasons according to the High Risk Guys. Tabbed as a healthy alternative to traditional, tobacco cigarettes, they often attract those trying to kick the habit. They also appeal to a younger crowd due to the […]

E-cig banning is gaining speed again, at least when it comes to their use in public spaces. While e-cigs do not offer up traditional smoke, they do have “vapes”, or vapors, which are not yet proven to be safe. They have not been proven unsafe, either, so its safety is up in the air. However, lawmakers and concerned citizens are clamoring for a public space ban on the products. Of course, in restaurants and such it is up to the owner to ban the products. This has not been an issue. Instead, it is public buses, parks, and even street […]

Electronic cigarettes are seeing a steady influx of sales and media attention. The safer alternative to tobacco cigarettes has created a wider acceptance among the younger and older generation as a way to quit smoking. With the sudden demand for e-cigs and e-liquids, more shops are opening up all across the states. These shops and online sales need merchant accounts to process the payments. At The High Risk Guys we specialize in working with electronic cigarette merchant accounts to help them start accepting credit and debit cards. Banks and institutions view E-Cig stores as high risk and do not open […]