E-cigarette firm considers stock listing
THE Entrepreneurs behind an e-cigarette firm founded in a garden shed are considering listing the company next year as sales boom.
ECigaretteDirect.co.uk, set up by Jean and Mike Rasbridge in 2008 with just £3,500, is on course to turn over £5 million this year.
Jean said: “Business is going very well, and listing is something we might look at next year if growth continues.”
Our biggest threat is new EU regulation, if that comes in everything will change
ECigaretteDirect sells electronic cigarettes online and through its growing network of shops. It currently has 12 stores and is aiming for 20 by February.
However, the EU is considering bringing in regulations that would earmark the nicotine-containing devices as medicines rather than a consumer product.
Jean added: “Our biggest threat is new EU regulation, if that comes in everything will change.”
It is feared that e-cigarette businesses would be forced to close if they were only allowed to be sold through medically licensed outlets.
Rasbridge, a former 20-a-day smoker, is also rolling out weight-loss clinics dubbed Lipo Cool Slim, which uses a technique called Cryolipolysis that destroys fat cells by freezing them.