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Author Hannah Rubery Categories E-Liquid Posted on

Top Tips for Vape Retailers for 2023

With the vaping industry booming, retailers new and old will be looking to capitalise on the growing trends within the industry. It can be seen in the numerous vape shops that open on high streets, the major supermarkets accepting more vaping products to be openly placed on shelves in the UK, and many places around the world.

It's important now more than ever that vape retailers work hard to ensure quality products are available to the UK public. Especially with the recent crackdowns on vape stores that have uncovered thousands of pounds of illicit stock or selling to those who are underage, these issues have the potential to negatively impact the vaping industry as we know it.

Most of these tips you may already know but it can be rewarding to simply go back to the basics and start from there. These vital cornerstones make up the basic principles of creating a successful vape retail environment.

General Tips for Retail

Visibility in your store and out

Obviously one of the first things you want to do is to coax potential customers from the street into your store. Great ways of doing this is through visual, eye-catching displays in windows, a window vinyl showcasing your top products/in-demand products and of course signage of your brands.

Inside your store, you should create just as much visual interest as the outside. It can take a little effort but creating a customer journey through your store with products and promotional materials, helps a potential customer to visualise their point and where could be next – especially important when targeting smokers looking to quit cigarettes. Using modular units will benefit this style as they allow you to change up the design when necessary.

Having brand sections help the customer browsing experience, especially for those who may already prefer a certain brand. Even within these brand sections, some brands may have their own customer journey within them (moving from disposables to Nic Salts to shortfills, or potentially high nic strength to low nic strength etc). Lacing these areas with promotional content or informational content like posters/leaflets, help to provide a customer with clearer ideas about their purchase.

Point of Salt materials (POS)

Using POS throughout your store helps to maximise brand impact and provide vital product information in a clear, concise way. These could be product posters, window powers, counter mats, window vinyl stickers, box displays and more. POS materials are great for influencing a customer's decision to choose a specific brand or product, even simply for curiosity’s sake.

Availability

It can seem obvious but having great product availability is an easy way to help increase customer retention. If a customer cannot find the product, they are looking for there is always a good chance they will go elsewhere. Ensuring your product range has good stock levels, especially during peak times, is crucial. These peak times tend to be around vaping promotions such as VApril and Stoptober, plus New Year as smokers begin to make New Year resolutions for quitting.

By making sure you cater for all vapers you are increasing your potential customer range. From first-timers to vaping veterans, having at least the basics for each type of vaper is beneficial. For example, you should aim to stock at least one open system device with refillable tanks, a closed system device which uses pods, and a choice of Freebase and Nicotine Salt E-Liquids.

Product Knowledge

There’s a good chance that a customer may ask questions about your vaping products or vaping in general. Knowing the answer or being able to point them in the right direction can be crucial for consumers.

Investing in staff training so that your employees have at least a basic understanding of vaping and the products you stock, will help to also provide unique selling points to customers. By being able to answer these questions you help to build customer relations and customer retention.

Stocking disposable devices – yes or no?

With the recent goings-on in the vaping industry, there are some who are starting to question whether it is worth stocking disposable vapes. And the answer isn’t nearly as clear-cut as we’d like.

For one, disposable vapes are booming and there’s no question about it. They offer a convenient and often cheap way for vapers to get their nicotine hit while on the go – no mess, no kits, and no need to charge or refill. This makes them ideal for newcomers to vaping with little to no knowledge of vaping.

They are also great as an introduction to a brand, with many brands nowadays offering a disposable device as part of their range. Disposables allow consumers to essentially test a brand or flavour before deciding on their go-to.

However, the boom in disposable devices has also risen at the same time as the boom in underage vaping. There is some evidence to suggest that most of these are using disposable devices and some of these under-age users have never smoked either. So perhaps disposables need to be treated with more care than first thought. Perhaps disposables should be treated more like ‘taster’ products for brands, than true vaping devices?

Being a responsible retailer

The key to this is by being a responsible retailer. The news of late has been riddled with recent busts of vape stores or off-licence stores that are stocking illicit and illegal vape products or selling to those under age. This is not to say that all retailers are guilty, in fact, there are many, if not, more stores that are responsible retailers. Unfortunately, the few that do break the mould end up tarnishing the rest.

It is important that as a retailer you ensure that your products are TPD compliant (in the UK, or compliant with your country’s regulations), and that you source them from reputable companies. Not only are products that are not TPD-compliant classed as unsafe due to higher nicotine strengths or inclusion of banned ingredients, but fake products are potentially even more harmful.

Making sure you are one of those reputable retailers will allow you to enjoy a profitable vape retail experience and create an environment for your customers where they feel they can get the products and services they need. Create an experience for your customers they cannot find anywhere else, and they won’t look anywhere else.

Author Hannah Rubery Categories E-Liquid, Xyfil Updates Posted on

Vaping Confirmed At Least 95% Less Harmful Than Smoking

Back in 2015, it was first announced by Public Health England that their review on vaping proved it to be 95% less harmful than smoking. Since then, there have been countless studies and claims that have tried to undermine these findings. And now the Office of Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID) has released an evidence review.

Overall conclusions from Nicotine Vaping in England 2022 update

One key finding that was noted in the review, was the level of toxicant exposure in biomarkers. The evidence suggested significantly lower exposure to harmful substances from vaping compared to smoking, as shown by biomarkers associated with the risk of cancer, and respiratory and cardiovascular conditions.

Not only this but short-term second-hand exposure showed no significant increase of toxicant biomarkers among those who did not smoke/vape.

Thereby the findings confirmed that in the short and medium term, vaping poses a small fraction of the risks of smoking, but is not completely risk-free, particularly for those who have never smoked.

An important note raised in the review was a call for standardisation and consistent methodologies for future studies. Currently, many studies focus on vapers who are ex-smokers, and evidence can be interpreted without considering these implications.

Youth vaping – an issue for all involved

The review also makes a note of the prevalence of youth vaping in England. A 2022 survey from ASH-Youth on 11-18 year olds, noted that the smoking prevalence had grown from 4.1% in 2021 to 6%, a change from 6.7% in 2020.

Vaping prevalence in youth was recorded at 4% in 2021 and has since doubled to 8.6% in 2022. This included occasional and regular vaping. Importantly, the majority of young people who have never smoked also reported not vaping (98.3%).

Although the numbers are still low in comparison to other countries that have noted issues with underage vaping like the US, it is a creeping number that we should be aware of. There is much work to be done by the government, retailers and brand owners to ensure that vaping products remain out of young people’s hands.

What the vapers want

It should come as no surprise that the review noted an increase in the disposable device uses with 15.2% using them in 2022 compared to 2.2% in 2021. Despite this, tank-type vape products remained the most commonly used for those looking to stop smoking.

Flavours remained the same preference as in previous years with fruit flavours ranking the highest, followed by mint and menthol. The review did also note that there is limited evidence that some flavours have the potential to alter cellular responses (from animal and cell studies, not tested in humans), but less than what is seen with exposure to tobacco smoke.

It was also noted in the review that vaping products typically provided lower nicotine levels than that of smoking. Perhaps this may raise discussions on the topic of increasing the nicotine strength cap in the UK (which currently stands at 20mg).

The importance of knowledge and perception

The review stated that there is a strong need for inaccurate perceptions of vaping to be addressed. This is due to only 34% of adults in 2021 accurately believed vaping is less harmful than smoking. Similarly, only 11% of adults who smoked, knew that none or a small amount of the risk of smoking, was attributed to nicotine.

Clearly, there needs to be more work in raising perceptions and communicating the accuracy of information about the relative harms of vaping.

In conclusion, this new update from the government is a welcome addition to the vaping industry’s arsenal. There are still many arguments to be had with those who wish to be rid of vaping products, but this review only continues to solidify the evidence that vaping is less harmful than smoking.

Keep in the loop with Xyfil and the latest news in the vaping industry by watching out Info Hub.

Author Hannah Rubery Categories CBD, E-Liquid Posted on

Could CBD Vapes Become the Most Popular Way to Vape?

The vaping industry continues to boom in the UK and overseas, but is there a dark horse hiding within a different industry?

CBD too has risen in popularity over the last few years, no doubt due to the pandemic when demand spiralled higher than expected. Tying the two expanding industries together seems only natural but the potential of CBD vapes is still relatively untapped.

Part of this is likely due to not enough research and hesitation in suggesting any medical benefits until such a time as numerous pieces of evidence, support it. But research is well underway with many clinical studies ongoing with promising results on the horizon.

How popular are CBD vapes?

Although CBD oral drops and edibles remain the most popular methods of taking CBD, vaping is beginning to be recognised for its worth.

Vaping is continuing to receive positive pushes from experts who recognise that it is much less harmful than smoking. Including recent research that once again confirms vaping is at least 95% less harmful than smoking. The only thing stopping the vaping industry from truly booming has been misinterpretations from the populace thanks to media scaremongering. There’s hope that with the continued approval of vaping in the UK, more may be interested in trying CBD vapes and for good reason.

Much research has already shown that CBD vape products offer the highest bioavailability (the amount that is actually absorbed) of any CBD product. Vaping CBD is certainly the best method for taking CBD thanks to this, its convenience and ease plus the variety of flavours and strengths available within the territory. CBD vapes, especially disposable vape pens, are incredibly beginner friendly making them a great starting point, as well as a means for taking CBD with you on the go.

What’s more, CBD vapes are beginning to be used as a smoking cessation tool. It comes after some evidence has come to light regarding CBD as an alternative to nicotine without addiction. Vaping generally is seen as quite an effective smoking cessation tool with recent studies noting most who quit smoking used vaping as their method to quit. With more research, perhaps CBD vapes could begin to compete with traditional nicotine vapes for smokers looking to quit.

What does the CBD industry look like in the UK?

In general, CBD has seen explosive growth in the UK with the market expanding 3-6 times more than previously estimated. And British CBD sales have increased 228% after the lockdowns. It shows how far CBD products have come that they are now readily available in many high street chains and supermarkets.

Currently, it is estimated that the CBD market will triple to over £1 billion by 2025.

Are CBD vapes popular outside of the UK?

The legality of CBD outside of the UK varies from country to country. Most European countries have legalised CBD, but some have not. Countries that have legalized CBD include:

  • Spain
  • Netherlands
  • Austria
  • Czech Republic
  • Luxembourg
  • Italy
  • Switzerland
  • Estonia
  • Finland
  • Malta
  • Lithuania
  • Sweden
  • France

Currently, the market leaders for CBD are the US, closely followed by the UK, but globally, the market is valued at $4.9 billion in 2021 and projects to rise to $47.22 billion by 2028. What we know is that demand for CBD is high, and even more so for high quality products.

With the increase in popularity, more attention has been thrown onto the lack of regulations surrounding CBD, and so consumers are becoming more knowledgeable about CBD quality. This means for products to do well, they must be high quality, safe, in demand and at a good price point.

How Xyfil can help

As a leading CBD and E-Liquid manufacturer, we have unique expertise in both industries that has helped us to combine them into creating award-winning, high-demand CBD vape products. We are able to translate our knowledge and expertise into white label CBD offerings for CBD vape juices and CBD disposable vape pens.

With a choice of high strengths, CBD Isolate (with the option to add terpenes to the mixture), we can help you manufacture CBD vaping products that will fly off shelves. Combining our high-quality CBD Isolate with award-winning flavours help to create devices & vape juices that are sought after.

We also produce a wide variety of other CBD products including CBD oral drops, lotions & balms, and more. By using our white label CBD manufacturing offerings, you get access to our expertly crafted products and curated formulas. You can also choose to create completely bespoke CBD products with us.

Get in contact today to find out how we can help you develop your latest CBD product.

Author Hannah Rubery Categories E-Liquid Posted on

How Black Friday Has Evolved in the UK – Plans for 2022

Most know Black Friday as the day of amazing sales that mark the start of Christmas shopping. But over the years Black Friday has changed and no longer is it restricted to just the US.

Originally in the US, Black Friday was named for the financial crash in 1869 but was later coined as the day after Thanksgiving. At first Black Friday held a negative connotation as it was often used to label the Friday after Thanksgiving when there were staff shortages or other issues. But it was regarded as a sales point in the 1950s when it was used to refer to an influx of shoppers the day after Thanksgiving.

Since then, it’s only given rise to the Black Friday movement as becoming a sale-orientated promotion.

Black Friday in the UK

On the flip side, in the UK, Black Friday was still used as a way for the Police and NHS to refer to the Friday before Christmas when there tends to be an influx of emergencies. So, when US-based companies like Amazon and Asda began to hold Black Friday-style promotions, there was an initial worry about the negative connotations behind the name.

It did little to dissuade customers in search of discounts however as it’s quickly grown to outpace the Boxing Day sales which predominantly in the UK, was the most profitable sales day for retail.

The evolution of Black Friday

In the retail world, Black Friday started to become a race between competitors. Who could launch their Black Friday deals first and who could offer the best deals? And as many Black Friday deals moved online with online retail booming during recent years with the pandemic, the ease of creating online promotions allowed for retailers to expand from a day of sales to a week of sales.

Now there are retailers who have Black Friday offers throughout the entire month of November. With pre-Black Friday offers and Black November offers, it’s easily become one of the biggest promotions in the UK.

Before the boom in Black Friday promotions that now can range the entire month, the start of Winter sales was the Black Friday weekend. The shift to longer promotions, it’s made the previous retail calendar somewhat obsolete. Retailers instead have noticed that customers tend to shop earlier/before the holiday season, potentially giving rise to a preference for Black Friday promotions over Boxing Day sales.

With Black Friday sales now lasting longer, retailers have also had to action plans for helping to retain shoppers’ interest. Rather than offering blanket-wide savings across their stores, intermittent offers or promoting product categories on specific days/weeks, help to keep customers interested.

How you can prepare for Black Friday 2022

Stock is going to be one of the most important things to have in mind with your promotions. The last thing you want is for your offers to run out of stock too quickly. Ordering now and getting ahead is best not only for you but for your manufacturer.

Around this time E-Liquid manufacturers will be receiving orders for Black Friday stock and to be able to meet demand, they will need to know the full extent of the demand. This year (2022), our cut-off for Black Friday products to be delivered before the day is September 30th.

When planning your Black Friday offers this year, you may want to take the current inflated cost of living, into consideration. This could potentially mean your standard customers have less disposable income to spend. For the vaping industry, it could mean that marketing around Black Friday is tailored to highlight the savings to be made for those swapping from smoking to vaping.

Although online sales have been booming thanks to the pandemic, customers have been returning to the high street in favour of shopping in person. But there has been a decline in this with the recent cost of living crisis. It’s important to ensure that stores also offer promotions, and offering in-store exclusive offers may help to entice more back to your stores.

If you are looking to stock up before the Black Friday rush, make sure to place your order before the 30th of September, to get your order before Black Friday.

Author Hannah Rubery Categories E-Liquid Posted on

Latest Updates on Vaping Trends in the UK

ASH (Action on Smoking and Health) have recently released its newest update on adult vaping in the UK. These annual reports help to shed some light on the trends we can see in the vaping industry and could potentially help companies meet future customer demands.

Use, awareness, and attitudes to E-cigarettes

One of the keynotes from the update shows that there are now 4.3 million people who vape in the UK. That’s an increase from 3.3 million in 2020. Most current vapers are ex-smokers (57%) with the proportion peaking in 2021 (64%), potentially due to the pandemic which reinforced health concerns.

Only 8.1% of vapers had never smoked before. It also seems that the proportion of adult smokers who have never tried E-Cigarettes is continuing to decline. The good news continues as the proportion of smokers who are current vapers has increased since 2021 from 17% to 22%.

The main reason given by ex-smokers for vaping has continued to remain the same as in previous years, with 29% using vaping as a means to help quit. After that, the most common reasons are to prevent relapse, because they enjoy the experience and to save money. Similarly, smokers predominantly said they vaped to help cut down on smoking, save money, help quit and to prevent relapse.

Worryingly, there is still a trend of smokers believing that vaping is equally or more harmful than smoking, showing clear signs that the industry and experts need to continue to push vaping advocacy. A third of smokers still incorrectly believe this notion.

What are the most common vaping products used

As in previous years, refillable E-Cigarette devices remain the most common amongst current vapers, with 65% using these as their main device. This includes vapes with replaceable pods (17%) and disposable vapes (15%).

Unsurprisingly, disposable vapes have risen in popularity, particularly amongst 18–24-year-olds. Around 48% of current vapers use disposables as their main type of device in 2022, a whopping increase from 2.8% in 2021.

Our thoughts for the future of vaping

While disposable devices have undoubtedly become one of the most popular devices this year, it is likely that this will shift in the coming year. With talks of sustainability and cracking down on underage vapers, disposable devices may very well begin to wane in popularity, or at least in suitability.

With the ongoing cost of living crisis in the UK, disposable vapes quickly become an expensive means of vaping compared to traditional refillable tanks or pod kits, so we could see a shift in this direction. Especially as more pressures are put on companies to ensure environmentally sustainable methods are met. Even now, some prominent disposable vape brands have started turning to pod kits in response to more environmentally friendly vapes.

As the Smokefree 2030 deadline grows closer the government may step up on vaping advocacy as well as continue to crack down on illicit and illegal vapes. We hope that the UK continues to recognise the importance of vaping as a means of smoking cessation.

Author Hannah Rubery Categories E-Liquid, Regulations Posted on

New Progressive Vaping Laws in the Philippines Welcomed

Vaping regulations change each year and differ around the globe. Some countries offer much tighter restrictions than others, and some regulations change to the detriment of vapers. However, the recent moves from the Philippines government have been welcomed by vaping activists.

Earlier in the year, legislation was proposed to make changes to the vaping laws in the country, and as of July 25, the bill became law.

What is the updated law for vaping now?

The most important takeaway from the updated law is that it legitimizes the use of vapes as a means for quitting smoking. This helps put the Philippines in line with most of Europe, setting them apart as one of the very few Asian countries to have reasonable vaping regulations.

The new laws allow for nicotine strengths of up to 65mg/ml (6.5%) and lowers the legal age of purchase from 21 to 18. These of course offer great benefits for customers who feel the need for higher strengths and help introduce aid for smokers aged 18-21.

In the Philippines, the legal age for buying cigarettes had always been 18 meaning that until this legislation changed, young smokers had at least 3 years of smoking before being able to legally purchase vapes. The hope is therefore that these changes will help 16 million smokers in the country, including the youngest adult smokers.

These changes also include restrictions on where vaping products can be sold and penalties for stores and online retailers for selling to minors. In a move similar to the UK and Europe, they have also restricted advertising with social media influencers and celebrities.

Another slight change to the laws revolves around flavours. Although the law does not ban flavours outright (a ban on flavours other than menthol and tobacco already exists), it prohibits labels and advertising that use flavour descriptors that may appeal to minors. This includes wording such as those relating to fruit, candy, desserts or cartoon characters.

One of the biggest changes is the change in the authority of who manages vaping. Rather than the FDA, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) will have control over the regulations on vaping and heated tobacco products.

The politics behind the changes

At the time of the bill first being introduced, there were some parties who disagreed with the proposed changes including the Philippines Department of Health. However, the FDA had previously angered many after it was revealed that American billionaire Michael Bloomberg attempted to influence Philippines policies with money sent to anti-vaping groups.

The bill was also under review at the same time as the presidency began to change hands, suggesting that possibly it flew under the radar.

Here's hoping that the Philippines continue to trial the new regulations and allow time for them to work, without bending under opposition that aims to oppress vaping as a quit-smoking tool.

The impact of the law changes on manufacturers and brands

As part of the improved regulations, the importation, manufacture, sale, packaging and distribution have also been overhauled. These have been brought in line with internationally accepted standards. But there are still some regulations that brands need to be aware of if they wish to take their products to the Philippines.

For one, the flavour ban restricts vape products to menthol and tobacco flavours only. These also cannot be labelled with fruity/candy/dessert names. Therefore, brands should be careful of product labels, flavour names and flavour descriptions.

Although some tobacco flavours may have naturally fruity tones, they should not be used as a descriptor. With the change of the legal vaping age from 21 to 18, age restriction labels on products will also require updating.

How Xyfil can help E-Liquid brands as a Toll Manufacturer

We pride ourselves in being able to help you through any and every step of the process, from concept to shelf. Whether you’re new to the business and want to take your first steps into creating an E-Liquid brand, looking for an E-Liquid manufacturer in the UK to develop your products, or have an existing product that needs some re-work. We’re here to help.

Our services cover all aspects of manufacturing, including white label and OEM, and compliance. We offer expert teams who can develop unique flavours, manufacture and produce your E-Liquids, bottle and label your products, and even offer a creative studio that can develop/update packaging, labels, logos and POS.

As a leading E-Liquid manufacturer in the UK, Xyfil has the trust of the many brands we have already helped take to market in the UK, EU and overseas. Get in contact with us today to see how we can help you.

Author Hannah Rubery Categories CBD, E-Liquid, Manufacturing, Regulations, White Label Posted on

British Manufacturer for E-Liquids & CBD

A leading E-Liquid and CBD manufacturer in the UK.

Why should you choose Xyfil for your manufacturing needs? There are a lot of reasons why we make a great fit for those looking to start an E-Liquid or CBD brand. We’ve already helped hundreds of brands take their products to market, including several award-winning names (Pod Salt, Cali Greens and more) that continue be recognised by the industry.

Here are a few of the reasons why you should choose Xyfil for your manufacturing needs.

ISO & GMP certified

Xyfil is one of the very few British E-Liquid manufacturers that has not only been ISO 9001 certified, but GMP certified also. This is a massive step for us in showcasing our commitment to quality and safety.

ISO 9001 sets out the criteria for a quality management system and is a certified standard used by all good quality manufactures. This standard is based on several management principles used to ensure quality. These include: a strong customer focus, motivation, and involvement of top management, plus processes for continual improvement.

ISO 9001 certification ensures that companies provide customers with consistent, good quality products and services. As a manufacturing company, we at Xyfil are proud of our ISO 9001 accreditation as it shows we are consistently pushing to provide our customers with only the very best.

GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) is often used by many manufacturers as a guideline system for ensuring that products are consistently produced and controlled according to quality standards. It is designed to minimise risks involved in production that cannot be eliminated by testing the final product.

Most companies use this, but few are GMP certified. We have gone the extra mile to ensure that our customers can have the utmost peace of mind with us, and have been certified to GMP standards, showcasing our continued effort in providing the very best possible.

Quality assurance with full traceability

We ensure that your products are in safe hands whether they are manufactured here or delivered to us ready to be bottled and labelled. There are a variety of ways we do this following our ISO and GMP practices, but also through our full traceability process.

At Xyfil, we like to make sure that from start to finish, we have full accountability for every aspect. This includes supply chains and ingredients, to manufacturing and production work, all the way to the creative studio designs and eventual dispatch from our doors. Every step of the way is tracked so that should any errors occur, we can quickly and efficiently find the point of issue and correct it with as little impact on the product as possible.

Versatile toll manufacturing

Xyfil not only offers white label manufacturing and OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer), but we also operate as a Toll Manufacturer. This essentially means that at whatever point in the process you may require work, we are able to help. Not all who are in the market for a E-Liquid or CBD manufacturer in the UK require the full manufacturing process.

Some may only need the ability to bottle their products, or need the creative aspects such as logos, POS, packaging & labelling. There are some who are looking for help with regarding compliance testing of products to ensure they meet market regulations. No matter the scale of your products or business, no matter the step of manufacturing you are currently in, Xyfil can help.

Bottling

Already have a formulation ready for bottling, but don’t have the means to do so? We can offer our bottling services for any non-edible liquid including E-Liquids, CBD, hand sanitiser and more. With a wide range of bottle solutions that cover many of the industry standard sizes and shapes for E-Liquids, CBD and cosmetic products, there is a bottle/container for everything.

Creative studio

Work with us on your branding, product labels, product packaging and more. Our in-house creative studio is able to offer white label and OEM solutions for your brand. With experts in all things creative, we are able to effectively create stunning product & packaging designs, full media kits including web content, and POS for stores.

Compliance

Seeking regulatory compliance can be tricky and time-consuming, but we make it as simple as possible. Our in-house compliance team are here to help you make sure your products are market-specific and meet the trade licenses of the country you wish to sell in. This includes both E-Liquid and CBD. We are uniquely experienced in securing regulatory approval in the UK, EU and across many international markets including the Middle East.

Adaptable, capable, sustainable

In a market as ever-changing as the vaping industry, it is important to remain versatile and adaptable to changes. Vaping regulations often change around the globe with some having long-standing effects. To be able to remain present as a brand, under these situations can be daunting but it is something that we strive to work with. Whether it be flavour bans, limits on nicotine strength or E-Liquid capacities, Xyfil is capable of rectifying such changes.

Seen before in the application of the TPD regulations in the UK and EU, Xyfil was among the very first to update product lines to create compliant products that were immediately back on shelves for consumers.

Whether regulatory changes mean a flavour ban on all things other than tobacco, Xyfil offer a wide range of tobacco flavours in our white label packages, or new regulations on nicotine-containing products, we are able to adapt and are capable of meeting the new demands quickly and efficiently.

If you think that Xyfil would be a great fit for you, contact us today to find out exactly how we can help you.

Author Hannah Rubery Categories E-Liquid, Regulations Posted on

Malaysia Vape Tax to Hit E-Liquid Hard

The Malaysian tax on nicotine E-Liquid

Last year, the Malaysian government decided that vaping needed to become more regulated due to its increasing popularity. Along with the sudden Tobacco and Smoking Control Bill approved July 13, 2022, that bans the sale of vape products to those born after 2005, they are going ahead with their planned tax increase on nicotine-containing products including nicotine-free E-Liquids. Originally the new taxation on E-Liquids was due to take effect on January 1st 2022 but was delayed due to complaints from consumers and the vaping industry.

The plans would see the price of vaping products triple their current prices.

Currently vaping products that contain nicotine are not legally allowed for sale in Malaysia. At first vapers rejoiced at hearing the government’s plans to legalise and regulate vaping, however, the cost may be too great. The current tax rate on nicotine-free products is RM 0.40, but with the tax hike, it will go up to 1.20 RM per millilitre. That’s around an extra $17 on a 60ml bottle of E-Liquid.

How popular is vaping in Malaysia?

Originally, vaping was seen as a niche market in Malaysia however since then there are approximately 1.12 million vapers in Malaysia and is touted to continue to grow. 94% of these were previous smokers, a number that should be celebrated considering the reduction in harm by swapping to vaping. Not only this but there are more than 3,300 businesses related to the vaping industry, and so feeding the growth is likely to grow the economy and potentially invite foreign direct investment (FDI). Data collected in 2021 suggested that 80% of Malaysian people are in favour of regulations being introduced for vape products.

However, all of these great things can be hindered by the wrong sort of regulations.

Problems with the proposed vape tax going forward

One of the problems with this tax hike on vaping products means that incredibly, E-Liquids will become more expensive than cigarettes. Considering that vaping is generally agreed on being much less harmful than smoking, the fact that vaping products will be taxed harsher than cigarettes has many rightly concerned.

Similarly, there are worries that because of the sharp increase in price that manufacturers and retailers will have to make decisions on, put these legal products at odds with the much cheaper, black market products. Due to the legal state of nicotine-containing products in Malaysia, a black market has arisen to cater for the needs of vapers who want these products. With the increase in prices of vaping products which will see them become more of a luxury item, those using vaping to quit smoking could possibly quit vaping and re-take up smoking or purchase the much cheaper black market options. Neither are ideal.

This is not to say that regulations are a bad thing, on the contrary, we’ve seen that regulations can be beneficial. They help to establish a safe vaping market with products that are intended to help reduce harm. As seen by us here in the UK, our vaping regulations are some of the strictest in the world and yet it has allowed the vaping industry here to flourish.

In the case of the Malaysian government, an open conversation needs to be had between the governing bodies and representatives from the industry. Establishing regulations is ideal but ensuring that those regulations are fair and just, is a must to avoid creating more harm than good.

What do you think, should Malaysia opt for similar regulations to that in the UK?

Author Hannah Rubery Categories Branding, E-Liquid Posted on

E-Liquid Case Study: The Evolution of Big Tasty

Big Tasty – Big bottles, big flavour, bigger experience.

Designed with big flavours at its heart, Big Tasty has been carefully designed by renowned flavour artists to inspire and delight. With concoctions derived from countries both exotic and rural, take a trip with Big Tasty in a swirl of flavours.

A brand of shortfills, there is a true focus on flavours with these nicotine-free E-Liquids.

The Juiced range focuses on fruity tastes with fruit combinations both juicy and refreshing.

The Blast range delivers delightful icy tones to new fruity mixes that are a cool treat to enjoy.

The Exotic range delivers truly exquisite tastes with exotic flavour blends inspired by sunny shores, paradise islands and places of wonder.

Each range prides itself on delivering authentic flavours and with each inhale you can enjoy a variety of tastes from start to exhale and aftertaste.

Where Big Tasty first began

From the get-go, Big Tasty, a brand exclusively manufactured and produced by us here at Xyfil, was to be a brand of shortfills that focuses on creating unique and inspired flavours. And it certainly has achieved that with the expansive ranges of flavours that continue to prove popular.

If you saw the original Big Tasty packaging however you would be surprised to see that it has since changed. Originally, Big Tasty bottles were wrapped in a metallic label with bright colours and large images of fruit along with a script-style logo. This design was very in-keeping with the popular launches of its time but as time wore on and the market began to change, we re-launched Big Tasty with a whole new look.

A fresh new look and feel

Simplicity and contemporary designs make up the basis of Big Tasty’s new designs. With clean, white designs offset by a modern take on showcasing flavours with geometric shapes to reflect the flavours. These geometric designs are cleverly designed to showcase the fruits in shape and colour, in a simple but pleasing way that almost makes the design a puzzle to be deciphered. Not only this but the logo was redesigned to reflect the principle of the brand, highlighting ‘BIG’ as the focus for the products. Big in flavour and big in size.

Our first iterations showcased a smaller logo atop the product label and packaging, but this was then changed to make the logo slightly larger and more noticeable. Overall, it helped the brand take on a much cleaner, modern look that appeals to mature audiences.

The latest addition to Big Tasty was the newest range, Candy Rush. These flavours combine all things sweet and sour. With tastes inspired by many classic candies and sweets, get transported back to days gone by with each inhale.

How Xyfil can help you manufacture the next best shortfill brand

As one of the leading UK E-Liquid, CBD and personal care manufacturers, we support brands worldwide as they develop. We provide end-to-end white label manufacturing services, helping you develop your brand at every stage from flavour development to the design and production of your liquids. We offer TPD E-liquid compliance, regulatory compliance and E-Liquid analysis so that you can have confidence in the quality and safety of your products.

If you think your brand is due a refresh or re-launch to incite new interest, then Xyfil can help you. We pride ourselves on being able to help you no matter what stage you are at, whether it’s launching a new range, updating existing products or even if you’re just looking for advice. Get in contact with us today to find out how we can help you.

Author Hannah Rubery 1 Comment on E-Liquid Case Study: The Evolution of Pod Salt Categories Case Studies, E-Liquid, Manufacturing Posted on

E-Liquid Case Study: The Evolution of Pod Salt

What is Pod Salt and what does Pod Salt do?

Pod Salt is a British-made E-liquid brand exclusively produced and manufactured by us here at Xyfil. Created with the intention of building the first step in helping smokers quit, Pod Salt is committed to helping smokers quit tobacco. Dedicated to Nicotine Salt and dedicated to providing a less harmful alternative to cigarette smoking.

The Nicotine Salt formula that is Pod Salt’s base, is a revolutionary method of nicotine delivery. Smoother, faster and stronger with greater satisfaction for vapers, Pod Salt delivers what people need. And our formula has proven top of its class, forming the basis of many other popular Nicotine Salt ranges.

Since its launch in 2018, Pod Salt has come leaps and bounds focusing on quality and the products that are in demand. From developing unique flavours to upgrading to pharmaceutical grade manufacturing equipment, to branching out in the UAE as the first E-Liquid brand with ESMA compliance. Pod Salt continues to be a premium brand that tailors to the individual needs of vapers and prides itself on being a brand that is trustworthy and honest. We know that Pod Salt will satisfy the cravings and certainly Hit the Spot.

What does Pod Salt have to offer?

Versatile offerings from Pod Salt take the smoker on the journey from quitting cigarettes, to eventually quitting vaping.

The Core range of 10mls are high in demand with flavours that everyone can enjoy from fresh fruit to cooling mint to classic tobacco flavours. The perfect companion for any vaper looking to Hit the Spot.

The Nexus range features totally unique flavour combinations inspired by the world around us from sun-soaked shores to mountain tops. Tailored to adventurous vapers who enjoy complex flavours, Nexus is available as 10ml Nic Salts and nicotine-free shortfills.

Fusions is the blending of Pod Salt’s quality Nicotine Salts and familiar flavours from popular brands. This collaboration range adds a new twist to popular favourites like Doozy, Pacha Mama, Marshmallow Man 3 and more.

Meeting the demand for more convenient vaping options, we launched Pod Salt GO before improving the device and flavours with GO 600. The disposable vape devices boast our UK-made E-Liquid and continue to deliver a premium vaping experience at little cost, and in a convenient way for newcomers to vaping.

We also cater for markets outside of the UK with a wide variety of products such as Subo, the sub-ohm specific range of E-Liquids, and flavour concentrates. With different regulations across the globe, our Pod Salt ranges include larger capacity and higher strength products for those overseas. Pod Salt's product list expands into various sized disposable devices and even the revolutionary PS ONE pod kit available exclusively in the UAE.

Award-winning and globally recognised

Since 2019, Pod Salt continues to be recognised for excellence with our first award, ‘Best Salt Nic winner’ from Vape Jam 2019.  From then we went on to receive awards for ‘Best Salt Nic’ from Vapouround Awards in 2021 and ‘Best Salt Nicotine Range’ in 2022. And recently, Pod Salt took home the ‘Best Tobacco’ flavour range from the World Vape Show Awards.

Not only do we continue to see Pod Salt’s achievements recognised each year, but our reach also continues to grow. As a globally recognised brand, Pod Salt is quickly becoming a worldwide brand known for its premium quality, look and feel. Pod Salt has grown into a brand that consumers and traders know they can trust. Our products are stocked in: Abu Dhabi, Iceland, Lithuania, Spain, Georgia, Ireland, Pakistan, Sweden, Germany, Israel, Saudi and many more.

The next step for Pod Salt

Where can Pod Salt grow next? We continue to strive for the next answer to the question that has yet to be asked, innovating, and pushing Pod Salt’s core ideals further. In a market like the vaping industry, there is always room for growth and changes in direction. Currently, the demand is for disposables, but we believe that this will soon shift in a new direction, and we are already well on our way to developing and announcing this new step.

Keep up to date with Pod Salt’s latest products with us here at Xyfil, or by following Pod Salt on LinkedIn. Get in contact with us today to find out how we can help you create a brand that takes the vaping market by storm.

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