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Four customers had already left phone messages when Faizan Ahmad, owner of Artisan Vapor, arrived at his Burlington store Thursday morning. A few were already waiting in the parking lot.
All Ahmad had to do was take their order and bring it back out.
As Vermont’s stay-at-home policy takes effect, businesses labeled nonessential might be looking toward digital markets.
But because of last year’s ban on online sales of e-cigarettes and other nicotine-containing products, some vape shops are trying curbside service instead.
“Basically, we’re open for business,” said Alex Morano, owner of Valley Vape in Essex Junction. “Not as usual, but were still open for business.”
Customers at her store call in an order and park while gloved employees come outside and pass along the products, Morano said.
Ahmad’s employees wear both gloves and masks, and the store also offers plastic fingertip covers to customers if they need to handle something.
Gov. Phil Scott’s executive order, which went into effect Wednesday night, mandates that all businesses and nonprofits stop in-person operations to limit the spread of the coronavirus, except in some essential sectors. It encourages nonexempt businesses to find new ways to stay afloat, like curbside service.
The mandate has spurred confusion and frustration about what’s considered essential. Vermont vaping advocates say they believe they are as essential as stores selling cigarettes.
“To my customers, especially, I’m essential,” Morano said. “They were panicking and calling me, saying, ‘Am I still gonna be able to get this stuff?’”
Both store owners said that with the state restrictions, vapers might have a hard time finding juice or parts for their devices.
“It’s their alternative to tobacco,” Morano said. “I don’t want them smoking cigarettes.”
Customers could go to a gas station or convenience store, but those shops typically only carry disposable vapes or products like Juuls, which use high-nicotine juices. Morano said those wouldn’t help her customers who vape at a low-nicotine level with a goal of cessation.
“If I was left with only the option to get some very, very high nicotine device,” Morano said, “it would be pretty detrimental to me.”
Health Commissioner Mark Levine, speaking at a Scott administration press conference Friday, listed people who smoke or vape among groups he’s concerned about.
“I think everybody understands the harmful impact of smoking on the lungs and the growing body of evidence regarding e-cigarettes and vaping and harming lung health,” Levine said. “By now, you should all understand what the coronavirus does to the lungs as well. And it really makes it harder for people who smoke or vape — tobacco, cannabis, anything else — to fight off the virus, putting them in much greater risk of severe illness or even death.”
Some on a national level have also speculated about the susceptibility of vapers to the coronavirus, though others have disputed whether the evidence is sufficient.
For now, Morano said she’s doing what she can to help her customers. A white marquee sign sits outside her shop door advising people not to enter and to call or text instead.
“I’m not selling glass, I’m not selling new hardware — I’m selling people their replacement coils and their juice right now,” she said. “So they’re not at home going through the withdrawals of this substance.”
