A Well-Known Vaping Company Is Saying Goodbye

One of the pioneers of vaping is now a thing of the past, due partly to the uncertainty created by the FDA’s newly introduced rules and partly to its own inability to continue delivering standout results in an intensely competitive market.

ProVape, the maker of the iconic ProVari line of personal vaporizers, announced this week that it is shutting down. The company was one of the first American vaping manufacturers to produce variable-voltage devices. It sent each of its previous customers an email explaining the decision.

“ProVape is now closing. Due to the upcoming FDA regulations and restrictions, we have decided to stop production and shut down all operations.

We would like to extend our sincere thanks to all of our customers, distributors, and suppliers around the world for your support and for sharing your stories and photos with us over the years.

It has truly been an amazing experience, and we are honored to have had you as our customers. We were delighted to hear so many success stories during the life of the company, and we are truly honored to have been a part of your lives. Thank you!”

The first ProVari model was launched in 2010. It was well made, with a stainless steel body and military-grade wiring materials. The chip inside was designed and manufactured by ProVape. The ProVari was widely recognized as a rock-solid device that could withstand rough handling.

The original model used 18490 or 18650 batteries. Later, the ProVari Mini was released, offering an 18350 option. Other versions followed, and when the company launched its variable-wattage model, the P3, in 2014, each product reflected its era.

In a vape market that moves at the speed of light, ProVape hoped that e-cigarette users would appreciate the company’s careful and thoughtful commitment to quality. But few were willing to spend $200 on a device with fewer features than products from China selling for $50. As Chinese manufacturers improved quality control, those differences became harder to justify.

The final blow was the FDA’s deeming rule. No new products could be introduced after August 8, 2016. That left ProVape’s lineup already feeling somewhat outdated, with no possibility for further innovation or even design changes. In recent months, the company had begun discounting its inventory.

The company was founded by former employees of Washington State’s aerospace industry. It was based in Monroe, Washington, about 30 miles from Seattle.

The company will still provide software updates for some devices through next year and has arranged for third-party repair services. Links to those services are available on the ProVape website.