If you’ve gone to a gas station in the past few years, you have definitely seen a vape pen or e-Cigarette. This $20+ billion industry has gotten so big, these are everywhere. If you’re wondering whether you should get a vape from your local gas station, this article will give you a rundown of what you need to know.
Why Do Gas Stations / Convenience Stores Sell Vapes?
Many people go to the gas station for gas, drinks, snacks, and more. Oftentimes, you will see someone buying a pack of cigarettes along with their gas. With the number of people that have learned about vapes and are starting to switch, it’s a great opportunity for gas stations and convenience stores to change their lineup of products to sell.
It’s no secret that vaping has been taking the world by storm, especially in the last few years. With the rise of disposable vapes, more people are enjoying cutting back their daily use of cigarettes for an alternative with fewer chemicals and additives inside.
Types of Vapes at Gas Stations?
There are a couple of different types of vapes they sell at gas stations, the most popular ones being disposable vapes and open-system refillable pod vapes. Juul was the first brand to make refillable or pod-filled juices. Simply buy it, insert it into the battery, and vape away. Both of these vapes make it easy to buy, use and dispose of when done.
You can also buy your vapes and juices at different nicotine strengths. This helps you be able to control your nicotine consumption and makes it easier to wean off the nicotine. Simply start with the nicotine strength you’re used to and create a plan to slowly lower how much you’re vaping.
Pros and Cons of Gas Station Vapes?
With everything, there are pros and cons, good and bad. This is the same as everything else, so let’s get into them.
Pros
Convenient
Buying nicotine vapes at a gas station is one of the most convenient ways to get it. You are most likely going to buy a soda, snack or pump gas in your car. You might as well purchase something you’re going to buy anyway.
Cons
Limited Selection
If you have a favorite vape, it will most likely not be sold at the local gas station. They have a very limited selection and this makes it hard to find what you like. They generally only have 2-4 brands.
More Expensive
Due to the convenience along with corporate profits, gas station vapes are going to be much more expensive. Although a big portion of the cost is taxes, the vapes are also much more expensive than buying them online.
Poor Quality
Over the years, different vape brands have come and gone from gas stations. Most of them, if not all of them, are owned by Big Tobacco. For this reason, many vapes are not high quality in taste. They only use tobacco and mint/menthol due to regulations on the national and state levels.
Most Popular Vapes at a Gas Station?
As mentioned previously, vapes at these places change frequently so the brands come and go. The most popular ones that have stuck around are Vuse, Juul, and Blu. We will go a bit deeper into these brands.
Vuse
Vuse is known as a popular e-Cigarette brand that has received special marketing granted orders to market its items. It is made and sold by R.J. Reynolds, which is the biggest Tobacco company around. The Vuse Alto charge time is faster and it has a longer-lasting pod life. It even has a bigger battery and a more ergonomic design than the Juul.
Juul
Juul is one of the biggest eCigarettes and vape companies to come out. They converted many smokers into vapers with their proprietary pod cartridges and nicotine salts. Nic salts are stronger nicotine concentrates but offer a smoother throat-hit experience. They had one of the best price points for the battery and the pod.
Blu Pro Kit
Blu e-Cigs was one of the first mainstream eCigarette brands to become popular. They came in a rectangular boxes like a cigarette and gave the vaper the smoking experience. Many people used Blu to cut down their smoking habit.
Do Gas Stations Sell Disposable Vapes?
Disposable vapes came out around 2017-2018 but became more popular in 2019 from the Puff Bar. Since then, there have been many copycats, trying to recreate their own billion-dollar vape brand. With the Elf Bar disposable vapes being the largest one, many people are trying to copy those.
What Gas Stations Sell Vapes?
- Circle K
- 711
- Chevron
- Mobil
- Shell
While you may find many disposable vape options at gas stations, and even alternative products, such as a Delta 8 Pen, most stores won’t carry premium brands, such as Kalibloom or Stiiizy, a brand that has developed a fine product to experience your favorite cannabinoids.