Christopher

So I was thinking, coming up this December marks 8 years smoke free for me. (Time really does fly!) I'll be honest, I did cheat once if I recall in 2009 but other than that I haven't touched a cigarette since. As a pack a day smoker I always assumed I'd probably smoke most of my life. How long have you been Smoke Free?

Hi Folks, Here is a complete breakdown of the Prop 56 Tax in California. (Something that affects Vapor Talk directly as we have an office and soon wharehouse in California). Credit goes to Blue Dot Vapers. You asked us to clarify apply how the new Proposition 56 tax will apply to your various business functions. As you well know, Proposition 56, also known as the Tobacco Tax Increase Initiative (or “Prop 56”), was adopted into law by California voters on November 8, 2016. Prop 56 amended the existing California cigarette and tobacco product laws to: (1) define e-cigarettes as tobacco products under the tax code (note that e-cigarettes are already defined as tobacco products in section 22950.5 of CA’s Business and Professional Code (Cal. Bus. & Prof § 22950.5), (2) increase the tax on distributors of cigarettes by $2.00 a pack, and (3) impose an “equivalent” increase of the tax on distributors of “tobacco products”, which include “e-cigarettes”. Importantly, many of the details related to how this law will be applied to e-cigarettes will be worked out in the coming months, as the CA State Board of Equalization has been tasked with developing regulations to determine how to implement an “equivalent tax” for products like e-cigarettes. We note that we interpret the “e-cigarette” definition below to mean that for purposes of the Prop 56 tax, closed-system (cigalikes) and open-system e-liqiuds are “electronic cigarettes,” but open-system devices (and related accessories sold separately) that are sold without e-liquid are not electronic cigarettes under this definition. The Prop 56 tax (the amount of which, as noted above, has not yet been determined for e-cigarettes or e-liquid) applies to the distribution and distributors of e-cigarettes in California. Cal Rev. & Tax. § 30130.51(b). Manufacturers (or original importers) who sell e-cigarettes directly to licensed distributors are exempt from the tax. Cal Rev. & Tax. §§ 30103 and 30105. Rather, the tax is triggered the first time the (previously untaxed) e-cigarette is sold by a distributor to another distributor, wholesaler, retailer, or consumer in the state. (Please note we define these key terms (e.g., distributor, importer, manufacturer, etc. below). For example, a California-based manufacturer of a nicotine-containing e-liquid is not required to pay the tax for selling the product to a CA distributor. However, when the distributor then sells the e-liquid to a retailer or a consumer in California, the distributor is obligated to collect the appropriate tax for the state. Distributors who sell e-cigarettes directly to CA consumers via the internet (i.e., are participating in delivery sales) must also pay the tax, regardless of their physical location, provided the tax has not already been paid by some entity upstream in the supply chain. Cal Rev. & Tax. §§ 30101-30111. See also Cal. Code Regs. ***. 18 § 4011. If the tax already has been paid, the distributor is classified as a wholesaler, and no tax is due. Distributors who sell to CA wholesalers (i.e., CA retailers and retail stores) via the internet also are required to pay the tax, even if they are located outside of the state. Sales made to out-of-state consumers or distributors (who are not reselling into California) are not taxed. Also, in-state sales of e-cigarettes which are shipped to a point outside the state are not subject to the tax. Cal. Code Regs. ***. 18 § 4080. Importantly, if an e-cigarette for which the tax has not been paid is sold to a consumer, the obligation to pay the tax then falls onto the consumer. Cal Rev. & Tax. § 30107. See also Cal. Code Regs. ***. 18 § 4091. The tax becomes effective on the first day of the first calendar quarter commencing more than 90 days after the effective date of Prop 56 (i.e., April 1, 2017). You are correct that the tax will be due on the wholesale cost of the purchase price for the tobacco product.Cal Rev. & Tax. § 30123. California recently promulgated new regulations which determine how to interpret the term “wholesale cost”. Cal. Code Regs. ***. 18 § 4076; see also https://www.boe.ca.gov/regs/pdf/Reg4076_OAL_Approval_2016.pdf. In “arms-length transactions,” the wholesale cost is the amount paid for the e-cigarette, including any relevant federal excise taxes, but excludes transportation charges for a shipment originating in the U.S. The wholesale cost for transactions of tobacco products where the manufacturer or importer is also the distributor are computed as specified in Cal. Code Regs. ***. 18 § 4076(b)(2). Specifically, these regulatory provisions provide that: “If a manufacturer or an importer is also the distributor, the wholesale cost of tobacco includes all manufacturing costs, the cost of raw materials (including waste materials not incorporated into the finished tobacco product) prior to any discounts or trade allowances, the cost of labor, any direct (including freight-in) and indirect overhead costs, and any federal excise and/or U.S. Customs taxes paid. Wholesale cost includes all freight or transportation charges for shipment of materials and/or unfinished product from the supplier to the manufacturer concurrently licensed as a distributor, but excludes domestic freight or transportation charges for shipment of finished tobacco products.” Cal. Code Regs. ***. 18 § 4076(b)(2). Thus, you cannot act as a manufacturer and sell a product to yourself for a deep discount, as doing so would not comply with the spirit or requirements of Cal. Code Regs. ***. 18 § 4076(b)(2). There is a relatively complex scheme in place to determine the wholesale cost of these non-arms-length transactions, and we advise you to carefully review the provisions in Cal. Code Regs. ***. 18 § 4076. You may find it necessary to obtain the assistance of a tax attorney or CPA to properly compute the cost of the tax due in these scenarios (if so, let us know). Below is a short summary of the other key provisions of Prop 56. I. California Proposition 56 A. Key Definitions 1 Arm’s-length Transaction – An “arm’s-length” transaction means a sale entered into in good faith and for valuable consideration that reflects the fair market value in the open market between two informed and willing parties, neither under any compulsion to participate in the transaction. 2 Consumer – A person who purchases tobacco products. 3 Dealer – Includes every person, other than one holding a distributor's or wholesaler's license, who engages in the sale of cigarettes or tobacco products. 4 Delivery Sale – Means the sale of tobacco products into and in CA in either of the following cases: “(a) The consumer submits the order for the sale by means of a telephone or other method of voice transmission, the mail, or the Internet or other online service, or the seller is otherwise not in the physical presence of the consumer when the request for purchase or order is made; (b)the cigarettes or tobacco products are delivered to the consumer by common carrier, private delivery service, or other method of remote delivery, or the seller is not in the physical presence of the consumer when the consumer obtains possession of the cigarettes or tobacco products.” 5 Delivery seller – A person who makes a delivery sale. 6 Distribution – Includes the sale or use of untaxed tobacco products in CA. Distribution also includes the placing of an untaxed tobacco product in a vending machine or in retail stock for purposes of selling the product to consumers. 7 Distributor – A person who distributes, as the term is defined above, tobacco products. The distributor is the person or entity that makes the first tobacco product distribution (i.e., sale of a previously untaxed tobacco product) in CA. See https://www.boe.ca.gov/sptaxprog/spctdistributor.htm. 8 Electronic cigarette – Defined as “any device or delivery system sold in combination with nicotine which can be used to deliver to a person nicotine in aerosolized or vaporized form, including, but not limited to, an e-cigarette, e-cigar, e-pipe, vape pen, or e-hookah.” The term includes any component, part, or accessory of a device that is used during the operation of the device when sold in combination with any liquid or substance containing nicotine. The term also includes include any liquid or substance containing nicotine, whether sold separately or sold in combination with any device that could be used to deliver to a person nicotine in aerosolized or vaporized form. Electronic cigarettes do not include any device not sold in combination with any liquid or substance containing nicotine, or any battery, battery charger, carrying case, or other accessory not used in the operation of the device, if sold separately. As noted above, we interpret this to mean that for purposes of the Prop 56 tax, closed-system (cigalikes) and open-system e-liqiuds are “electronic cigarettes,” but open-system devices (and related accessories sold separately) that are sold without e-liquid are not electronic cigarettes under this definition. 9 Importer – Any purchaser for resale in the U.S. of tobacco products manufactured outside of the United States for the purpose of making a first sale or distribution within the United States. 10 Tobacco Product (Revenue and Taxation Code Definition) – A tobacco product is defined in the Revenue and Taxation Code as a “product containing, made, or derived from tobacco or nicotine that is intended for human consumption, whether smoked, heated, chewed, absorbed, dissolved, inhaled, snorted, sniffed, or ingested by any other means, including, but not limited to, cigars, little cigars, chewing tobacco, pipe tobacco, or snuff, but does not include cigarettes.” Electronic cigarettes are captured within this definition of tobacco product. See Cal Rev. & Tax. § 30121(b). 11 Wholesaler – A wholesaler is a person who engages in making sales of tobacco products intended for resale for which the tobacco product tax has been paid.

Welcome board

Yup, at the time the Kanger Aerotank's were great. One of the first tanks that allowed for airflow adjustment. But compared to most of the tanks today (which allow for far more airflow), they're crap You'll also find, at least in the aerotank, they don't handle High Wattage very well or heavy VG liquids. (You just end up with the infamous burnt toast taste)

I see well I would allow a few other members to comment as well (we've got a couple Vapor Talkers on here that literally have half a stores collection worth of devices. They've always got some solid feedback) The dry mouth isn't unusual when vaping though I find that to be the case more with VG based eliquids than PG. If you happen to make an order in the VT store, let me know via PM (before it goes out) and I'll add some Vapor Talk Black Label (You'll probably like Crown Jewels or Adams Apple) I hate dry mouth and kept this in mind when making the liquids. I'm a mouth to lung vapor, rather than direct ( to hot for me) so I'm probably biased in my suggestions. To be honest though, I've tried so many tanks, RDA's, RBA's, ABC XYZ and after awhile it comes down to minor differences. It's not like the old days where we had significant steps forward in hardware generations. I think you can probably choose anything with a decent airflow and you'll be alright. Give this post another hour or so and you'll probably get a little more guidance. (By the way I do occasionally direct lung inhale with the Nautilus with no issues, I just find I get a ton of vapor without that nice hit in the back of your throat, more of a long running burn instead. But that's just me)

Shoot, I've been doing this since 2008 and it makes my head spin too. Ridiculous amount of options these days! You'll likely get a ton of answers, mostly because there are so many options but I find I have two tanks that seem to do well in the Vapor Talk Store. The Nautilus or the Nautilus Mini. The tank has been around for a little while but it's solid, I personally haven't had leaking issues with it and I get a nice warm vape. (I also fly often which is the ultimate leak test with the cabin pressure) I should note that what liquid you use is important too, if the liquid is too thin (PG based) it'll leak everywhere. Another option our customers all seem to love is the TFV8 Beast Tank. Performs well, no leaking issues and lots of coil options. (For example sounds like you might want to opt for temp control) If you want a complete no fuss solution, you might also try looking at some of the AIO kits. They're cheap but mostly hassle free. The voltage is much much lower but I find the vapor product is still decent. As for the device I'm about to add a couple new devices this evening. One of them being the new Vape Forward Vapor Flask 150w. They literally just arrived and it's a sleek looking thing! (I might even dip into the inventory and snag one for myself)

hmm you definitely shouldn't have any leaking! (I hate the smell of eliquid on my hands) Sounds like the setup you have now isn't horrible outside of the leaking issue. Are you sure the tank isn't missing any of it's rubber o - rings? (I had my old Aerotank start leaking through the air holes only to find out one of the rubber rings had fallen off)

I'm still rocking my Nautilus, it does me well. Though I'll probably switch over to the baby beast next. (Not reason I haven't yet, just lagging)

Here you go, from November, 2009

Oh man, Wet Your Stick. That's a name I haven't heard in a long time. The good ol' days. I remember you first post on the forum.

Here you go, you new kids

Looks good! I wished I had the option to cut my hair and choose another style. It.... it just falls out on it's own *crys*

Welcome! I don't think you'll see a huge difference between the two devices unless you specifically require higher wattage (or you're just looking to jump into something new) Welcome to the forum

And I hope you'd be so kind as to return the favor

And I hope you'd be so kind as to return the favor

Sounds like you need to..... oh wait Adver nailed this topic with another great answer. I'll just run along....

Welcome to the forum

Yup this is a pretty ridiculous tax. Right as we're preparing to move the warehouse to California. Though we're moving to focus mostly on interstate sales so this won't affect us as much as it'll affect the local B&M's. It's my understanding that Californians can just order outside of the state (online sales) to avoid the tax. But this really screws the local guys. (All this will do is send more people to the Chinese companies. Most resident will just order from wherever is the cheapest) We'll have to collect sales tax from addresses that reside in California but do not for customers outside of California. On Vapor Talk products (which we have more direct control of) we plan to try and attempt to cover sales tax for CA residents. (Otherwise you're looking at some huge price hikes)

Anytime

I don't care which side of the fence your on or who you vote for, but your life should not be threatened because of who you chose to vote for at the polling booth. Look at this: NSFW by the way

Welcome

Our house

Hey Squid, So I was checking the logs and noticed that everything appeared to be ok.. so I contacted one of the devs from IPB and they mentioned it's a known current bug in the software since the last update we did. It's due to be patched on the next release. Knowing IPB, they're usually pretty quick so I'd say no longer than a month. I'll post back here once I apply the next set of updates. (Generally speaking the update rolls out, I test it on the VT duplicate forum, make sure all is ok and then push live. Normally takes about a day after the update is released)

So if I understand correctly, you're saying now that it seems to happen even with two devices? In other words, when switching between your phone and desktop the same issue seems to happen? (logging off)

ha ha Yup, you're probably right.