Independent Vapor Retailers of Minnesota, 50 members strong and still counting

Minneapolis, MN (Sept. 08, 2014) The Independent Vapor Retailers of Minnesota, now 50 members strong and growing, announced today that they are standing together to advocate for responsible, common sense standards in the vapor/e-cigarette retail business. As a coalition of shops, lounges and manufacturers offering and making the tobacco free solutions that are helping Minnesotans quit smoking, IVRM recognizes the need for established industry norms in this rapidly growing industry. The retailers & manufacturers, many of whom are direct competitors, wish to educate the public about their products and services, dispelling misconceptions about them.

IVRM’s Director of Government Relations, Cap O’Rourke, noted the constructive cooperation among IVRM members, while emphasizing the need for an honest understanding among the public of who they are and what they do.

“The public and policy makers need to know that our shops provide a better alternative to products marketed by the big tobacco corporations” says O’Rourke; “moving smokers away from an anti-social, energy draining, health harming habit, allowing them to breathe better, work better, smell better, spend less money and enjoy life. We market to smokers and not to youth. We help smokers with a nontobacco product. There are plenty of smokers for us to concentrate on without influencing nonsmokers to try our product.”

Reiterating O’Rourke’s point, IVRM member Beecher D. Vaillancourt III, one of the principle partners of Infinite Vapors Stores, notes that the growing popularity of their tobacco free solution has supported the rapid proliferation of shops and lounges in Minnesota.

“The bottom line is that a lot of people, including policy makers, know someone who has become tobacco free or reduced their tobacco use as a result of these devices,” says Vaillancourt. “It’s naturally gaining acceptance every day.”

Vaillancourt points to the numbers of retailers today compared to two years ago as further evidence of the phenomenal rise in popularity of the vapor/e-cig product. In less than two years Minnesota’s Vaping only retail locations have grown to over 100, with IVRM representing more than half and growing each day. IVRM has become a strong organization of retailers & manufacturers who understand the nature of their business and are committed to growing it in a respectful manner that contributes positively to Minnesota’s health and economy.

“I’ve been in all sorts of businesses in the past and to see groups of people—business owners especially—get together for the benefit of the community, that’s just awesome because that just shows that their intentions are in the right place,” Vaillancourt says, adding that the vapor/e-cig product will grow in popularity as scores of smokers continue to benefit from leaving the traditional tobacco habit behind.

Independent Vapor Retailers of Minnesota---At a glance

Who: A Coalition of Independent Vapor retailers and Shop Owners in Minnesota

What: Since Spring of 2013 – MN’s e-cig industry has soared from 6 stores to 100 plus

Why: To Advocate Responsible, Common Sense Standards for Vapor/E-Cigarettes

About Us

Independent Vapor Retailers of Minnesota is a non-profit group formed to help fight for the
rights and regulations of the Independent Business Owners and Entrepreneurs that make up the Vapor Retail business in Minnesota. Further information can be found at our web site, www.ivrm.org. For any questions or to become a member, contact Cap O’Rourke, Director of Government Relations, at: 612.483.1863 or cap@orourkesc.com.

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