New Wakefield Business Focuses On e-Cigarettes

A new business opens Friday on 88 Albion Street with a focus on e-cigarettes and supplies. 

In a conversation this week with Wakefield Patch, EZ Cig Vapors owner Larry Bleauvelt, a West Peabody resident, talked about the efforts he's put in to creating his first business after 25 years in the sales industry. 

Bleauvelt acknowledges that nicotine is addictive in any form, but also credits electronic cigarettes with having helped one of his brothers kick a 50-year smoking habit and another, a 40-year habit. Bleauvelt himself reports that he was a smoker for about five years before switching to the electronic alternative. He also maintains that e-cigarettes do far less damage to one's lungs than traditional cigarettes, although recent media coverage has also warned about potential long-term health effects from them. 

Electronic cigarettes use a nicotine oil that is available in more than 100 flavors, said Bleauvelt, adding that he plans to mix a few house blended flavors himself with at least one (coffee latte) already available. Customers also buy their own flavors, such as fruit and so forth, that can be blended.  

The electronic cigarette contains a battery and a coil used to vaporize the oil. The "smoke" effect upon exhaling is due to propylene glycol in the mix, said Bleauvelt, demonstrating the product and adding that the substance is also used in inhalers. A three ounce container of the oil reportedly lasts about a week, he added, with different levels of nicotine strength available - depending on how heavy a smoker a person tends to be. Customers are also welcome to sample different flavors and to consult with Bleauvelt about ones they may like. 

Those who want to kick a traditional smoking habit will also find a coach in the form of Bleauvelt, who said he will help people come up with plans to smoke fewer cigarettes and to stick with their plan. 

"It's something new, there's never been a nicotine-only retailer, this is new to the town, it's new to most people," said Bleauvelt.