Where there’s smoke, there’s fire. Where there’s vapor, there is Steve Negm.

Negm, of Downeast Vape in Lewiston, is widely known as the Yoda of the vape world. He’s been indulging in this smoking alternative since 2009, well before most of us even knew vaping was a thing.

Now, with new legislation being passed left and right to deal with vapor, vapers and vaping, we wanted to check in with Negm to get his thoughts on the matter. He’s not hard to find – just follow the white cloud that smells of chocolate-covered strawberries.

How do you describe vaping to a noob? Vaping is a safer alternative to smoking and can be used as a smoking cessation device. Aside from the stench of tobacco cigarette smoke vs. the non-offensive or usually pleasant scents associated with vaping, burning tobacco generates a smoke that is a toxic cocktail of chemicals that affect not only the smoker, but others as well. The American Heart Association isn’t known for being all that into smoking. But vaping? It can get down with it, in certain cases. The group has taken a remarkably measured stance on e-cigarettes, suggesting in a lengthy statement that the technology could help smokers quit, and refraining from outright condemning the tech, like other organizations have. It’s something of a win for the industry. At every turn, health groups and politicians have taken shots at vaping and the companies who make e-liquid, suggesting that they are every bit as dangerous as cigarettes, despite there being some evidence (and the common-sense argument) that they’re leaps and bounds safer than combustibles. Here’s a link to the statement on August 25th, 2014: http://tinyurl.com/n2hncqv

How did you get into the business? I started vaping in December of 2009 as a means to quit smoking. It worked and I soon found myself really enjoying the flavors. The issue I was running into was that even though you kept ordering the same flavor from the same company, what you received was always different. There was no consistency. I decided to learn how to make my own, and everything blossomed from there.

What’s the weirdest juice flavor you’ve concocted? What’s the most popular? Pizza is the weirdest and Mellow Sunshine is the most popular.

Cities are starting to ban vape in public places. Is this good? Bad? Somewhere in between? Since there are no definitive studies regarding the safety of first-hand or second-hand vapor, I must agree with the bans until more information is obtained. My concern is more for the children then the adults.