Advertising expense was approximately $273,663 and $1,815,450 for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively, a decrease of $1,541,787 or approximately 85%. The expense reduction was due the suspension of internet advertising and television direct marketing campaign for our Alternacig® and VaporX® brands, and reductions in print advertising programs, participation at trade shows, and other advertising campaigns.
Advertising expense for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 was $2,374,329 and $2,264,807, respectively, an increase of $109,522 or 4.8%. During the year ended December 31, 2014, we decreased our Internet advertising and television direct marketing campaign for our Alternacig brand, increased our print advertising programs, participation at trade shows, initiated several new marketing campaigns in which we sponsored several music concerts and we continued various other advertising campaigns.
Net other income and expenses of $35,559,236 for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 include a $47,405,025 non-cash gain from the change in the fair value of derivatives, $5,279,003 of costs associated with the underwriting of our July 29, 2015 public offering, stock base expense of $3,871,309 incurred in connection with the Waiver agreement, $977,938 of amortization of deferred debt discounts and financing costs, and $1,544,044 of loss on debt extinguishment, interest expense of $181,994, offset by $8,499 of interest income. The decrease in the trading price of the Company’s common stock at September 30, 2015 directly decreased the trading fair value of derivatives resulting in a non-cash gain of $47,405,205 from the change in the fair value of derivatives for the nine months ended September 30, 2015. Net other income and expenses of $65,723 for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 included interest expense.
Net other expenses for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 was $366,433 and $683,558, respectively, a decrease of $317,125. Included in other expense is interest expense which was $348,975 and $383,981, for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 respectively, a decrease of $35,006 or 9.1%. The decrease in interest expense was attributable to lower amounts of outstanding debt throughout 2014 compared to 2013. In addition, the Company incurred an induced conversion expense during the year ended December 31, 2013 of $299,577 related to the reduction in the conversion price for the $350,000 Senior Convertible Notes and $75,000 Senior Convertible Notes in order to induce the holders to convert the notes. Such inducement did not reoccur in 2014.
Income tax expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 was $0 and $767,333, respectively. Income tax expense (benefit) for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 was an expense of $767,333 and a tax benefit of $524,791, respectively, an increase of $1,292,124 or 246.2%. The Company determined, based on the weight of the available evidence, that a valuation allowance of $5,695,446 (or 100% of the Company’s net deferred tax assets) is required at December 31, 2014, which is the cause of the significant increase in income tax expense compared to the year ended December 31, 2013. At December 31, 2013, the Company had determined that a valuation allowance against its net deferred tax assets was not necessary and recorded an income tax benefit.
A non-cash deemed dividend of $38,068,021 was recognized in connection with the public offering of Series A Unit preferred stock and warrants on July 29, 2015. No non-cash dividend were deemed or recognized in 2014 or 2013.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Our net cash used in operating activities of $10,621,161 for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 resulted from our net income of $26,908,771 offset by non-cash adjustments of $37,891,854 plus $361,922 generated from changes in operating assets and liabilities. Our net cash used in operating activities of $4,698,822 for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 resulted from our net loss of $7,340,038 and non-cash adjustments of $2,026,088 plus $615,128 generated from changes in operating assets and liabilities.
Our net cash used in operating activities was $6,290,997 and $4,120,152 for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, an increase of $2,170,845. Our net cash used in operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2014 resulted primarily from our net losses, purchases of new inventories to meet future customer demand, and changes in accounts receivable, prepaid expenses, accounts payable, accrued expenses and due from merchant credit card processor, which are attributable to our efforts to accommodate anticipated future sales growth.