Connex To "Revolutionise" Vaping
Riot Labs announces a new sustainable vape to “revolutionise” the industry with looming bans against disposables and offers a more environmentally sustainable way forward
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by Dave Cross
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Disposables face prohibition as part of the UK government’s plan to tackle the surge in young people vaping in addition to the sector’s escalating environmental impact. As of now, it’s estimated that more than 1.3 million disposable vapes hit landfills every week - a figure that’s prompted Riot Labs to pioneer a better future.
Unlike traditional disposable e-cigarettes, Connex boasts a unique design that allows users to detach the battery element through a magnetic connection and recharge it. The carbon-negative product is also made exclusively from recycled plastics, significantly reducing the impact of vapes on the environment.
Switching to this system can slash a user’s carbon footprint by around 103,321.05g CO2 in the first year of use - equivalent to taking a car off the road for more than ten days. If just 500 people joined in on this effort, the resultant CO2 savings would be on par with the emissions from burning a staggering 23,478 litres of gasoline.
Ben Johnson, who founded Riot Labs in 2016, claims that Connex therefore not only wears a cape for the environment and consumers, but ultimately the vaping industry.
He commented: “We’ve always wanted to be a step ahead when it comes to cleaning up the industry and finding solutions to the environmental problems of disposables. In 2021 we launched QBAR, the world’s first carbon-negative vape.
“You could argue that the product was before its time, as the awareness of the problems associated with disposables has really only hit the mainstream in the past 12 months as the Government has taken a stronger stance on their outreach.
“Connex has been in development for 18 months, and this is a sliding-doors moment for retailers. As new regulations around disposables threaten their livelihoods, they need to embrace a new technology like Connex. We can’t wait to get it in retailers’ hands.
“Heralding a new era in sustainable vaping, Connex hits shelves across 500 UK-wide stores from February 15th, with its 1,200 Puff Kit selling at £7.99 and 600 Puff Capsules sold separately at £2.99.”
Johnson added: “As purse strings continue to be tightened, thanks to its rechargeability, Connex also delivers excellent value for money. The 1,200 puff kit is double the industry average. Vaping is such an important tool in the arsenal for someone who wants to quit smoking - that was a unifying thought throughout development.”
Since launching in 2016, Riot Labs’ mission has been to become the most sustainable Vape brand on the planet, paving the way for the rest of the industry to follow.
In 2022, the firm also launched its Riot Recycle program to make it simple for stores and customers to recycle their devices, with Connex usable for 600 to 1200 puffs before needing to be disposed of.
Consumers can drop their Connex off at Riot Recycling Bins in specialist stores - which are all searchable on the Riot website - to be sent off for dismantling and recycling.
Ambitiously aiming for Zero Waste, Riot Labs also plans to work with stores to track how much waste each has saved so they can continue to optimise and find ways to reduce even further, in a bid to become an entirely carbon-negative company.
This all comes as part of Riot Labs’ overarching objective of complete smoking cessation, at a time when almost one in six hospital admissions for respiratory diseases are related to traditional cigarettes.
Johnson summarised: “Riot Labs has always wanted to change the status quo on smoke cessation by doing things differently. Whether that’s through marketing, product, or sustainability.
“As the Government continues to fall behind on its 2030 Smoke-Free UK target we have a massive role to play in helping smokers quit - and look after the planet at the same time.”
Available online, the 13-strong range will come in the award-winning UK manufactured flavours: Pink Lemonade, Mango Peach & Pineapple, Classic Tobacco, Pineapple Ice, Guava Passionfruit & Pineapple, Watermelon Ice, Grape Ice, Strawberry Blueberry Ice and Blueberry Sour Raspberry. Nicotine strengths of 20mg will be available initially, followed by the launch of 10mg and 0mg in Spring.
Dave Cross
Journalist at POTVDave is a freelance writer; with articles on music, motorbikes, football, pop-science, vaping and tobacco harm reduction in Sounds, Melody Maker, UBG, AWoL, Bike, When Saturday Comes, Vape News Magazine, and syndicated across the Johnston Press group. He was published in an anthology of “Greatest Football Writing”, but still believes this was a mistake. Dave contributes sketches to comedy shows and used to co-host a radio sketch show. He’s worked with numerous start-ups to develop content for their websites.
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