SOUTH Africans are vaping up a storm.E-cigarette retailers are reporting remarkable growth as smokers use the devices to quit tobacco.One of the biggest brands, Twisp, reports that sales grew 4000% between 2012 and 2016.Former smoker and keen “vaper” Sharri van Zyl, who owns four e-cigarette stores in Gauteng, said the habit was growing because smokers were discovering that “they can still get their hit of addictive nicotine without struggling up stairs”.She and business partner Warren Pleass quit smoking with the help of e-cigarettes, and in 2013 they started a shop, Vape King.It has grown 10% a year for the past two years. In the past year, the number of customers at their four outlets has gone from 8000 to 15000.Some customers came in once a week to get the latest model, said Van Zyl, whose shop offers regular upgrades, accessories, various flavours and batteries.Pleass said: “It‘s like any gadget in the technology world. What was cool six months ago is not cool now.”There‘s eve...
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