A REFORMED smoker has opened a new e-cigarette shop to encourage others to give up smoking after the death of his father.

Jamieson Westall, 30, launched Vapours Oven online with partner Cassandra last year.

After its success, they have now opened a shop in Clacton’s High Street, selling battery-powered vaporizers – which simulate the feeling of smoking.

Using the e-cigarettes is known as vaping.

Mr Westall’s father Thomas died due to a smoking-related illness.

The former Clacton County High School pupil said: “Smoking is what caused my dad to die.

“He suffered from COPD and, as a result, passed away from heart failure. It was a huge shock to lose my father when I was quite young.

“Losing him made me realise I didn’t want to go the same way and vaping was the answer for me.

“Vaping has potentially saved the lives of millions of people who suffer from COPD.

“We have successfully converted most smokers we know on to vaping and we now want to help more people kick the nasty habit of smoking.”

Mr Westall added: “We started vaping cig-alikes four years ago.

“Since then the vaping world has grown tremendously and the equipment that is now available makes it so easy for people to leave cigarettes behind.

“Vaping simply removed the harmful effects of smoking and delivers nicotine in a far more healthy way."

Mr Westall fears there could be a tax hike on electronic cigarettes in coming years as the EU tries to regulate the industry.

They have also been banned on some train lines, as well as sports stadiums and hospitals.

Mr Westall said: “We are making a stand and will do whatever we can to put a stop to this.

“The tax the Government is losing due to people not purchasing cigarettes on a daily basis is substantial, so we are sure it will do whatever it takes to make vaping taxable.”