Official Green Smoke Electric Cigarette Blog

In most parts of the country, January is one of the coldest months of the year. And the fact that there’s nothing going on the entire month can make it seem even colder.

The holidays have passed. Valentine’s Day is more than a month away. And it’s very cold outside.

It’s especially hard if you smoke. When you’re forced outside during your lunch break while all of your co-workers stay inside enjoying the heat.

That’s why the winter is the perfect time to use Green Smoke® electronic cigarettes. Our cigarettes are odorless, create no mess, and can be smoked indoors.

You’ll be able to enjoy them while staying inside – and out of the cold.

The list of places that you could smoke is endless. Here are just a few places that Green Smoke® customers have reported using their electronic cigarettes that normally ban cigarettes:

In a bar.

In the recliner in their living room.

In their office during meetings.

In the house with nonsmokers.

At the office.

At MusicFest 2012.

In a Red Lobster.

The possibilities are endless.

From a distance, it’s easy to confuse a Green Smoke® electronic cigarette with a real cigarette so you might want to keep your electronic cigarette member’s card handy in case someone asks you to smoke outside.

What do electronic cigarettes and the Three Little Pigs have in common? Our favorite comedian John Branyan! He is back for another round of hilariousness!

“In times past, though not long ago, there lived pigs – in stature, little; in number, three – who being of an age, both entitled and inspired to seek their fortune, did set about to do thusly….”

If you haven’t heard the Three Little Pigs in Shakespearean then you are in for a treat.

Two of our readers wrote in to let us know where they enjoy using their Green Smoke electronic cigarettes. In their own words:

“I’ve used mine at a local wrestling show, inside a national guard armory “No Smoking” signs everywhere.  It was okay for me to smoke it while everyone else who smoked traditional cigarettes had to smoke outside in the pouring rain, they had no shelter from the rain and here I was smoking in a none smoking enviroment, not getting soakin’ wet. It felt good to be able to watch a full show.

Thank You Green Smoke!”
Steven”

******

“I am from India. A land with over a billion people in population. So whenever I whip out my e-cig I used to get stares and glares alike. I used it often in Shopping malls, inside night clubs and bars. And the best was using it inside the our subway trains. There are guards posted to check non violation of any rules which includes Smoking. The guard walked up to me ready to fine when he noticed the green light instead of red. He got confused and asked me what is it? I told him ‘My favorite toy’. He asked me what’s with the smoke? I told him its vapor. He said: “Not allowed”! To which I took out my Green Smoke membership card and showed him. He read it about five times all confused as to what should be done. Finally he gave up and asked me to let him take a drag and enjoy. In all this hullaboo all the other smokers present in my coach wanted to try too. Lucky i had extra rubber tips with me .

Cheers!”
Abhi
******

If you are planning to use your electronic cigarettes in any unusual locations this year, let us know.

John Branyan is known for his comedy.

What most people probably don’t know is the real John Branyan. Someone who, believe it or not, is actually a pretty quiet guy and not the life of the party. While he has the talent to make audiences of thousands roll on the floor in laughter, he’s actually a quiet, humble family man.

Our own Ken Berg recently caught up with John to find out who is this comedian who’s taken the electronic cigarette industry by storm:

Ken: How did you find out about Green Smoke® electronic cigarettes?

John Branyan: I choose Green Smoke® based on a few things. The first is that there’s an actual Green Smoke® store here in Kokomo, Indiana where I live, and all they carry are Green Smoke® products. A few months ago I went in and asked the store owner how her business was doing, because I couldn’t imagine that there was enough business in my little town here to keep the shop afloat. But she told me that business was doing very well, and that products were flying off the shelves. She was very pleased with her business venture. So I figured I’d buy them right here in town to support local business which made me happy. And I think Green Smoke® makes one of the few electronic cigarettes that have a 2 piece design, which made it very easy to use.

Ken: When we started there were very few competitors that had the 2-piece design. With this design the atomizer is built directly into the cartridge you get a fresh atomizer each time [you replace the cartomizer]. Even as recently as a year ago a few of our main competitors were still selling that 3-piece design. There are companies that are still selling the old 3-piece design today even.

By now the competition has caught up to us in that regard but over the summer we completely upgraded our entire cartridge line with our new FlavorMax™ Cartomizers. They’re bigger and come in much better packaging so they’re even fresher. These are just the beginning of a number of new innovations and products we’re planning on bringing to shelves soon.

John: That’s great. It sounds like you guys are doing really well. I’m actually a little bit unusual I would imagine, because I’m actually not a smoker. So I have no complaints about your product. I’ve been using this for about a year, because it’s part of my act. My Smoking in Church act actually started with me using a rolled up piece of paper. I’d pull it out of my pocket and go through the list of places you don’t expect to see a cigarette etc.

When I heard of electronic cigarettes and saw the amount of vapor they gave I off, I thought “Hey, that’s pretty cool!” So I got one.

The electronic cigarette was a perfect thing to add to my act. The act was going great with the rolled up piece of paper, but the e-cig just took it to a whole new level. It’s actually now one of the highlights of my act. And after I finish I people asking me, “Where can I get that?!”

Anyways, I was using the e-cig in my act for a while and then my mother-in-law, who’s a smoker, tried it. She tried the Red Label Cartomizers and thought it was great! She took my e-cig from me and I had to go get another one!

Ken: Where are you from? And how did you get involved in comedy? Was it a slow process or were you always the funny kid in school?

John: I’m from Indiana, born and raised here my whole life.

Actually my entry into comedy was a slow process. Believe it or not in real life, off stage, I’m actually pretty shy and withdrawn. I’m not really the life of the party, although I always liked comedy. In 1990 I saw a standup comedian who I really didn’t think was very funny and I said to my wife, “I’m funnier than him.” She agreed, so I went down to the local comedy club. I had no idea what to expect. I did my first set thinking they would laugh me off stage, but I had a great response.

Eventually I was getting calls to do local shows and the comedy club hired me. All this time I was still working a day job. I was working in graphics at a print shop doing their design and layout.

While the people at the graphics place were very supportive of me and my comedy, eventually I started receiving invitations to shows in other states and the traveling was affecting my work at the graphics shop.

It was in 2000 that I left the job at the print shop and started doing comedy full time.

Was I ever the class clown? The truth is I love doing comedy, but only when I’m supposed to be doing it. I didn’t act out in class. But I love to make people laugh and when I got the chance – like in a book report or a speech I had to present to the class – I would cut loose.

Ken: Wow, that’s quite a story. I don’t know many comedians but I imagine that it’s certainly a unique way to get started in the field.

John: Typically it’s pretty hard to make a living doing this. But I think the difficulty most comedians have is finding a market where they can perform and make a decent living – and a comedy club is definitely not the place to do that.

Most comedians are in comedy clubs either because they have to be (because of their comedy’s content) or they don’t know any better. Because there are no rules in a comedy club you can say and do anything you want. And while that might appeal to a lot of people, the drawback is that you don’t make any money.

My market isn’t the comedy clubs, I do a lot of shows in churches. And believe it or not there’s a huge market for clean, family friendly comedy.

Ken: That’s actually one of the things we really enjoyed about your comedy is that it’s clean. So many comedians today, even if they’re not talking about something inappropriate they still use obscene language. It’s really like breath of fresh air to actually hear a clean comedian (especially a comedian that’s using our products). We had no inhibitions to get that out on the internet and promote your videos.

John: There’s a huge demand for quality family entertainment. I tour sometimes with another comedian named Tim Hawkins and he’s released a number of videos over the last few years and his popularity has grown tremendously from it. And when we go and do shows together it’s always a packed house and we’re talking anywhere from 2000-3000 people in a room to see some comedians. In the industry that’s unheard of. You can go to a comedy club and see guys who’ve been on TV and in movies and they don’t have 3000 people come out to see them in a week!

This just gives testimony to the size of the market for clean comedy. People know that when they come to see Tim or me, they can bring their kids and they can all sit together and laugh. There’s no danger, no one’s going to get their feelings hurt, we’re not going to make any crazy political statements and we don’t really make any crazy religious statements. It’s safe for everyone.

And that’s the truth of this market. Because no one’s doing comedy for these people. And we’re making a really good living doing this.

Ken: Wow, that’s great. I just wanted commend you for the great work that you’re doing. It’s really something that’s so needed and you’re filling that need.

John: Yeah you guys too. Green Smoke® offers great products and I’m very happy with it. You keep doing what you’re doing and good luck to you.

*Green Smoke® does not recommend its electronic cigarettes for non-smokers.

Why does gift giving have to be so complicated? It’s the thought that counts right? Well, in theory. Buying holiday gifts can be tricky and one woman’s dream gift can be another woman’s nightmare. So, while you might have to adjust gift ideas for her personal preferences, here are a few gift ideas that we think most any woman would enjoy!

What better gift than dinner and a movie each and every month? Give yourselves the chance to unwind with a stress free night at home with a gourmet pasta dinner and a Blockbuster movie gift card for one rental with the Dinner & a Movie Package from AmazingClubs.com – $29.95/month, options for 3, 6 and 12 months.

Give her a spa day at home with the Crème Brulee Bath & Body Collection set from Laura Mercier. These amazing bath products will not only give her super soft skin but they also have an irresistibly delicious crème brulee scent. Prices vary depending on size. Sephora.com.

For the woman who has almost everything, take a look at the Michael Kors Handbag, Kindle Case. It’s just right for the woman who wants her Kindle to be stylish, safe and ready for action so she is never left without something good to read. 38.00 at Macys.com.

Have a special lady that’s interested in e-cigs? Why not get her the Starter Kit? With everything an e-cig user could want, it is our most popular kit! The Starter Kit includes 1 long rechargeable battery, 1 short rechargeable battery, 1 USB cigarette, 1 USB home charger kit (USB charger with wall adapter) and 10 full flavored FlavorMax Cartomizers. $129.99 at Greensmoke.com

For a little extra dazzle take a look at the Sparkle Green Smoke Carrying Case as well. It’s $29.95 and offers a classy way to hold Green Smoke e-cigs. $29.95 at Greensmoke.com

Holiday gift buying can be one of the most stressful aspects of the holiday season. There’s a lot of pressure to find that perfect gift for your loved ones and the wrong present can cause far more upset than it should. While we all know it should be the thought that counts, the right gift often counts for a lot too. So, don’t stress – just browse this quick list of top holiday gifts that any man in your life would be happy to get!

Beer of the Month Club from AmazingClubs.com – Whether your guy loves pilsners, stouts or ales, the Beer of the Month Club has you covered. Help him discover loads of great new beers that he’ll be sure to enjoy. Choose a 12 month subscription to make it the gift that gives year round! Price varies based on subscription – AmazingClubs.com.

Bose SoundLink Wireless Mobile Speaker – If your guy loves gadgets and crystal clear high quality sound, than this portable Bose speaker will make his holiday season. It links wirelessly to iPhone, Blackberry and Android phones as well as tablets and laptops. Best of all, it’s small enough to slip into a backpack or bag. $299 at Bose.com.

LED Flashlight with Multitool from LL Bean – He’ll feel like McGuver with this handy stainless steel flashlight. With a green beam for improved night vision, as well as seven different tools, including screwdrivers, scissors, knives and more. $30 at LLBean.com.

The Green Smoke® Holiday Gift Kit – Introduce your loved one to Green Smoke® e-cigarettes with a popular electronic cigarette starter kit! This kit includes everything he could possibly need to get started. The kit features: 1 rechargeable battery, 1 USB cigarette, 1 USB home charger kit (USB charger with wall adapter) and 5 full flavored FlavorMax™ Cartomizers. $79 at Greensmoke.com.

Comedian John Branyan recently pulled out his Green Smoke® electronic cigarette on stage and proceeded to entertain the audience (and the internet) with a hilarious list of places an electronic cigarette might be used.

In church…

While officiating a wedding…

Or delivering a baby…

What’s the strangest/coolest place you’ve ever smoked your e-cigarette?

Good news for basketball fans, the NBA finally announced the five-game holiday slate opening the 2011-2012 season. With basketball season around the corner we thought you might want to know who we met at our latest Fashion Week event. That’s right…Basketball Wives: LA star, Laura Govan. Laura is one of the stars of the VH1 series alongside sister Gloria and the fiancé of Gilbert Arenas. Gilbert is a payer for the Orlando Magic and a three time NBA All Star.

What you might not have known about Laura is that she isn’t the typical basketball wife in that before she was engaged to Gilbert, she already had a successful career doing PR work for the Sacremento Kings, the LA Lakers and also served as a personal assistant to Shaq.

When we caught up with Laura at the GBK Green Smoke Fashion Week event, she tried our electronic cigarettes and declared them a, “Slam Dunk!”

Thanks, Laura! We look forward to seeing more of you, Gilbert and the kids on Basketball Wives: LA.

For Bill Clemmer April 8, 2008 was just another spring day. This machinist had just come back in from a smoking break when his lighter exploded in his pocket, burning away his clothing and giving him 3rd degree burns over most of his body.

Bill’s family rushed to the hospital to find him badly injured. While the doctors did everything they could for him, he succumbed to his wounds 4 weeks later and passed away.

What happened to Bill Clemmer? Why did the lighter explode?

Forensic experts explained that the lighter Bill used had a faulty seal which caused the butane to continue flowing even after he’d turned the lighter off. The result was that his lighter still had a lit flame inside its metal cap when he put it back in his pocket.

The butane continued flowing until the lighter tilted and the flame made its way into the main compartment causing all of the butane to explode…

Unfortunately Bill Clemmer’s story is not unique. According to a Consumer Product Safety Commission report defective lighters cause approximately 1000 injuries and deaths in the United States every year.

Lighter regulations are not enforced by the US government. There is a voluntary safety test that manufacturers and importers can simply ignore before they put these defective and dangerous products in stores across the country.

For years there has been little government oversight of these products. The lighter market is being flooded with these cheaply made lighters – 85% of which are made cheaply overseas and imported. They haven’t passed any safety tests and people are still carrying them around in their pockets.

Another scary fact is that of those companies that do opt to have their lighters tested, only 30% of the lighters pass inspection. The remaining 70% that don’t pass the inspection are still allowed to be sold in the US!

We at Green Smoke® are thankful for a great many things. But if we list them all, we’ll need until New Years to finish. So here is our very shortened list:

7. We’re thankful (and honored) to produce an incredible electronic cigarette.
6. We’re thankful that we’re able to come to work every day knowing that we’re making an impact on so many people’s lives.
5. We’re thankful to our amazing partners who work hard bringing our message to so many people and are helping us change the world with our products.
4. We’re thankful for the Green Smoke® team – great people who are enthusiastic, talented and just inspirational to work with.
3. We’re thankful to Ken Berg who does a great job communicating with our customers and making sure that everyone is taken care of.
2. We’re grateful for the internet that provides a sensational environment to create value, turn strangers into friends, laugh at funny pictures, and build things that we previously never thought possible.
1. And the #1 thing we’re grateful for is you. Our customers. Together we make things happen.

As an added treat, we just posted our new video – with footage submitted by YOU.

Enjoy!