At present virtually all pre-packaged mods sold in US vape shops are completely assembled units built in China (excluding a few things made in the US and any DIY parts). And, for the most part, all pre-built mods subject to local "vaping taxes" which makes them more expensive for the end user. For example, in Pennsylvania, a 40% wholesale tax on the purchase price paid by the PA shop or distributor.
(Typically vaping taxes “call out” specific aspects of complete e-cigarettes units or mods and tanks used for vaping. However, all the parts within any given mod (batteries, wires, connectors, switches, etc.) based on my experience would themselves not qualify to be taxed.)
The effect of these taxes is to push the price up to make a vape closer is cost to “combustion tobacco.” This keeps more people paying tobacco-based taxes which keeps the tobacco settlement money pouring into state treasuries.
I am advocating for mod "components" to be manufactured which users purchase and assemble on their own - much like Lego bricks. Further, these components are to be designed as “dual use” (see below). Components which are “dual use” are not "e-cigarettes" and not subject to vaping-specific taxes - in particular most components are virtually identical to technical, commercially available products which are not "vaping parts."
(For example, the nut holding your 510 connector in place would not be taxed if purchased separately.)
Vapers are under attack by state and federal agencies via both regulations and taxes. By making a mod that is purchased as components (components which have open specifications meaning anyone can make them) that are not taxable because they are already made and sold as non-vaping things we can free vaping from these taxes and regulations.
I am "donating," if you will, the design, software, etc. for this purpose to the vaping community.
I hope to encourage others to join with me and to eventually starting making this equipment - either at home for themselves or as products to be sold.
With careful planning nothing should be subject to regulation or taxation as "vaping" or "tobacco products."
One point that comes up is: "Duh! Don't you know there's DIY???"
Of course! But many people are not interested in DIY. Would they shift to DIY if there were no other alternative? Yes. But if I can save 40% can I do something with Lego-like bricks? I might be interested... at least for 40%...
Remember, smokers are cheap!
It is also the case the all Chinese and, AFAIK, all other mods are not "open source." No one knows how they work inside- electrically or software-wise. This is a problem in general and eventually battery regulations will come to haunt us. I know, specifically, that what's inside a commercial LiPo battery pack - which can be shipped anywhere - is exactly the same as what's in many Chinese mods (for example: this and this).
The point of this is also to "open this up" - hence "open source" so that anyone can see how it works and, if motivated, make changes. Create better "temperature control" - "smoother vaping" etc.
Right now we in the US are locked into the Chinese supply chain. This also makes us subject to import duty and supply chain regulation.
"Open source" can eliminate all of these issues.
It's been proven in the world of software with Linux. Linux, a free open source operating system, is steadily replacing Windows from Micro$oft because it is open source and free.
You can think of this as "roll your own" for vaping (which does already exist with DIY and home-built mods) except that the components, instead of being cigarette tubes, tobacco, etc. are "off-the-shelf" electronic parts with other purposes.
So here in PA a USB charger or battery, as far as PA Revenue is concerned, is a "dual use" item - this means it cannot have the vaping tax applied because other sell it for other purposes, e.g., Walmart and a phone USB charger.
The idea is to make your entire e-cigarette out of "dual use" components which a user buys separately and assembles - just like a USB charger.
(For that matter nic shots and "cupcake flavoring" theoretically should reduce the taxes only to the nic shot.)
(Typically vaping taxes “call out” specific aspects of complete e-cigarettes units or mods and tanks used for vaping. However, all the parts within any given mod (batteries, wires, connectors, switches, etc.) based on my experience would themselves not qualify to be taxed.)
The effect of these taxes is to push the price up to make a vape closer is cost to “combustion tobacco.” This keeps more people paying tobacco-based taxes which keeps the tobacco settlement money pouring into state treasuries.
I am advocating for mod "components" to be manufactured which users purchase and assemble on their own - much like Lego bricks. Further, these components are to be designed as “dual use” (see below). Components which are “dual use” are not "e-cigarettes" and not subject to vaping-specific taxes - in particular most components are virtually identical to technical, commercially available products which are not "vaping parts."
(For example, the nut holding your 510 connector in place would not be taxed if purchased separately.)
Vapers are under attack by state and federal agencies via both regulations and taxes. By making a mod that is purchased as components (components which have open specifications meaning anyone can make them) that are not taxable because they are already made and sold as non-vaping things we can free vaping from these taxes and regulations.
I am "donating," if you will, the design, software, etc. for this purpose to the vaping community.
I hope to encourage others to join with me and to eventually starting making this equipment - either at home for themselves or as products to be sold.
With careful planning nothing should be subject to regulation or taxation as "vaping" or "tobacco products."
One point that comes up is: "Duh! Don't you know there's DIY???"
Of course! But many people are not interested in DIY. Would they shift to DIY if there were no other alternative? Yes. But if I can save 40% can I do something with Lego-like bricks? I might be interested... at least for 40%...
Remember, smokers are cheap!
It is also the case the all Chinese and, AFAIK, all other mods are not "open source." No one knows how they work inside- electrically or software-wise. This is a problem in general and eventually battery regulations will come to haunt us. I know, specifically, that what's inside a commercial LiPo battery pack - which can be shipped anywhere - is exactly the same as what's in many Chinese mods (for example: this and this).
The point of this is also to "open this up" - hence "open source" so that anyone can see how it works and, if motivated, make changes. Create better "temperature control" - "smoother vaping" etc.
Right now we in the US are locked into the Chinese supply chain. This also makes us subject to import duty and supply chain regulation.
"Open source" can eliminate all of these issues.
It's been proven in the world of software with Linux. Linux, a free open source operating system, is steadily replacing Windows from Micro$oft because it is open source and free.
You can think of this as "roll your own" for vaping (which does already exist with DIY and home-built mods) except that the components, instead of being cigarette tubes, tobacco, etc. are "off-the-shelf" electronic parts with other purposes.
So here in PA a USB charger or battery, as far as PA Revenue is concerned, is a "dual use" item - this means it cannot have the vaping tax applied because other sell it for other purposes, e.g., Walmart and a phone USB charger.
The idea is to make your entire e-cigarette out of "dual use" components which a user buys separately and assembles - just like a USB charger.
(For that matter nic shots and "cupcake flavoring" theoretically should reduce the taxes only to the nic shot.)
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