With 400 brands on the market and shops dedicated to them popping up across daily, more and more people are choosing to take a drag on an e-cigarette.
Vaping has taken off in a big way, with the amount of users thought to have tripled in Britain in the past two years alone, to an estimated 2.1 million.
As Stoptober encourages smokers to ditch the (regular) cigarettes, even more people are expected to switch to a rechargeable alternative.
Mohammed Nasir, owner of Vapinghouse in Forest Gate, says his business went up about 10 per cent in October last year - while trade year-on-year is 25 per cent higher.
An ex-smoker himself, he sees himself as “helping people” quit the habit and estimates that about 1,000 people have finally packed up smoking with his guidance.
His success stories include police officers, doctors and barristers, some of whom smoked 30 or 40 a day, and even a 70-year-old man who had smoked ever since he was a teenager
Some have been so grateful that they have sent Mohammed flowers, while one lady kissed his hand in gratitude.
“It has a big impact on people because it is very hard for people to stop smoking, especially the older generation,” he said. “Lots of people can’t stop and this is practically instant.”
“Even though I do make money out of it, basically I care about helping people. When somebody comes in and can’t stop smoking, and then they do, that is a gift in itself.”
He thinks the rising demand means that he could open another shop in Forest Gate in the future.
Starter kits range from £15 to £100 for a cigarette and charger, with the cost depending on the battery power and cigarette strength.
Smoking 10 cigarettes a day is approximately equivalent to a bottle of e-liquid a week with popular flavours at the Vapinghouse including “blue magic”, a kind of bluberry infusion, and Egyptian apple.
More unusual offerings include Skittles, Red Bull and Coca Cola.
Help is available if you want to stop smoking for Stoptober. Research shows that those who stop smoking for 28 days are five times more likely to stay smoke free.
Visit newham.gov.uk/stopsmoking or call 020 3373 6630.
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