Over 400 members in one weekend. The Swedish Vejpare association got off to a flying start after word spread on social media.
"We have reached those who are active in the groups on Facebook and we are very grateful for that. Now we need to reach the rest," says Karl-Åke Johansson, who, together with Vejpkollen, took the initiative for the association.
Sedan the government announced its plans on banning flavors in e-cigarettes and e-liquid, concerns have grown among Swedish users. Especially on forums such as Facebook, where the Minister for Social Affairs, Lena Hallengren's statement on e-cigarettes, flavors and young people provoked strong reactions. The message was that all flavors except tobacco would be banned.
"Thousands of us in Sweden have saved our lives with these products. Unfortunately, many will probably go back to the extremely deadly smoking tobacco if you go ahead with this" said Therese Ström, one of the many engaged vejpers on Facebook to Vejpkollen about the government investigation.
The Swedish Vejpare Association was founded
In connection with the investigation, Vejpkollen published a series of articles on how Swedish politicians view e-cigarettes from different perspectives. A majority of them consider flavorings to be problematic. Prohibition was an option that many considered reasonable. According to the Central Association for Alcohol and Drug Information (CAN), nearly 200,000 Swedes use e-cigarettes. Around 100,000 are daily vejp users. Karl-Åke Johansson, who took the initiative to The Swedish Vejpare Association, says that politicians need to take a broader view of the importance of taste.
"Our goal as an organization is, at least in the short term, to submit a consultation response to the government's investigation into the taste ban. A second goal is to reach politicians and tell them what vejpning means to us, as former smokers who have quit using the technology," says Karl-Åke Johansson.
"We are fighting for both us and the companies"
At the time of writing, 425 people have applied for membership. But that's not enough, says Karl-Åke Johansson.
"To have weight, we need more people. But the majority of vejp users in Sweden are probably not on Facebook or other social media. They are e-cigarette users who just go to the store, a vejpshop, convenience store or online, from time to time. They might buy a coil or a juice and that's fine. We need help to reach them" says Karl-Åke Johansson.
According to Karl-Åke Johasson, the retailers' involvement in recruitment is very important. Not least for their own sake.
"We are fighting not only for the right of vejps to vejpa, but indirectly for the right of vejp shoppers to exist in the market. Although we are fighting for our needs, the fight is for us as well as for them. It is in everyone's interest that we gain muscle" says Karl-Åke Johansson.
"Businesses must recruit customers"
He now hopes that all vejpshoppers, even those with online-only stores, will inform their customers about the Swedish Vejpare Association. And that they do so immediately.
"We don't have much time to make an impact. It's free to join and every name is important. I hope every shop will put up one of our notices with the qr code directly to the application. Online shops should post a link with information. Physical stores that have tablets can post it on the front page so that customers can easily find the form" says Karl-Åke Johansson.
The government's report proposing a taste ban is currently out for consultation. Responses must be registered by September 1.
