Vaping – The FAQs

Q & As about ‘Vaping’ generally speaking opinions and simply put.

Q 1, What is an electronic cigarette or Vaping Device?

A 1, An electronic Cigarette (abbreviated “e-cig” or vaping device) is an electronic device made up of the following :

(1)  Battery (2) Tank/Pod… This is commonly referred to as a 2 piece e-cig and is the most common electronic cigarette model used today.

The battery can be manual or automatic.

Manual battery : Push a button to activate the e-cig.

Automatic battery : Sensor will detect when you inhale and automatically activate the e-cig, (no button to press).

Manual/Automatic battery: Some devices have a dual firing action where Manual, Automatic or both can be used.

 

Q 2,  What does an electronic cigarette (vape device) do… What is it for ?

A 2, An electronic cigarette vaping device is an electronic nicotine delivery device (where nicotine is present in the e-liquid …nicotine is not a requirement for the electronic cigarette to function) without the need for tobacco. Its purpose is to give tobacco smokers an ‘alternative’ to getting their nicotine ‘fix’ instantly, unlike patches or gum which are released slowly through out the whole day (& night).

The electronic cigarette vaping device gives the user, the tobacco cigarette’s equivalent of an instant nicotine ‘hit’ but without the 4000 + chemicals and tar in tobacco. However, should the cartridge be filled with zero nicotine e-liquid (0 mg nicotine), it  is simply a VG/PG (see below Q3 & Q5) mist/vapour electronic device that simulates the use of a traditional tobacco cigarette.

Although the simulation of the “hand to mouth” actions/habit and the inhalation and exhale of what appears to be smoke are copied, the habit similarities stop there. What is actually inhaled is not smoke as there is no smoke… as there is no tobacco.

What is actually inhaled is usually a compound with a Vegetable Glycerine and Propylene Glycol base substance, usually combined with a flavouring and nicotine, (can also be found with a tasteless flavour and zero nicotine content) is vaporized/atomised by an electronic component called an atomising coil.

Once the atomizer vaporises the e-liquid (electronic liquid), the liquid instantly turns into a vapour and is inhaled into the throat and lungs of the user. The obvious advantages of the electronic cigarette over the tobacco cigarette are many. The main benefits are as follows :

No tar, no smoke, substantially cheaper (currently cheaper, however, ‘too strict or over regulation’ may push smaller vendors to the side, reduce competition, which usually means prices increase) virtually odourless and with a nicotine range from 0 mg to 36 mg. ( The 36 mg will be reduced to a max of 18mg from 20/05/2017 via EU TPD regulations).

 

Q 3, What is e-liquid ?

A 3, The e-liquid’s main component is usually a food grade Vegetable Glycerin (VG) or Propylene Glycol (PG) which is a compound commonly found in many food products and approved by the FDA (Food & Drug Administration). Artificial and natural flavouring are mixed to produce a variety of flavours.

E-liquids are offered with several levels of nicotine ; (% can also be shown eg: 18 mg = 1.8% etc)

super high 36 mg, extra high 24 mg, (see note below), high 18 mg, medium 12 mg, Low  6 mg, or Zero 0 mg.

Note: EU Regulations, also known as TPD (Tobacco Product Directive) coming into force  (20/05/2017) will limit highest nicotine strength to 18mg/ml ( 1.8%) in the EU.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electronic_Cigarette

Electronic Cigarette Research

 

Q 4, the BIG 5 …Is e-liquid safe ? What’s in it? Do we know whats in it? How can I verify whats in it? Is it really less harmful than smoking Tobacco?

A 4, It is generally stated that electronic cigarettes are relatively new to market…so it is unknown if they are safe over the long term, however, they have been around about 16 years now (2023) and the  UK have said they are 95% safer than tobacco in 2015) . They are currently being offered on the UK NHS as a nicotine replacement.

There are Tobacco Product Directive (TPD) regulations which demands testing of all e-liquids which come to market in the EU which in turn insures all e-liquids coming to the EU market (after May 20th 2017) have undergone rigorous testing for any harmful substances. There is an ECID number on every TPD eliquid packet. So I personally feel it is safe to say “Yes”, at this time, from what we know over the last 16 + years AND the TPD directive that e-liquid undergoes rigorous testing…e-liquid is relatively safe.

(If you want to check out the ECID number of your eliquid, find it on the package and type it in here. If its eliquid, maybe refine the search using ‘REFILL CONTAINER/CARTRIDGE CONTAINING E-LIQUID’). If its found here, it’s legit and there will be lab results and paperwork from an independent lab stating exactly whats in that particular eliquid. So if your asking…do we really know whats in eliquid ? then the answer is Yes, we do know whats in it. We know exactly whats in it and its fully transparent so even you can know whats in it.

So, that’s my opinion. I have based by opinion on the following. What is in Smoking Tobacco versus what is in Vaping E-Liquid. I’ve kinda covered whats in e-liquid and everyone knows whats in tobacco and there’s certainly no research deficit here, however, I feel it is worth including/reminding all what is in tobacco. Below is a snippet of what is in Tobacco so this is my starting point when making an informed decision regarding ‘Smoking Tobacco’ versus ‘Vaping E-Liquid’.

There are approximately 600 ingredients in cigarettes. When burned, cigarettes create more than 7,000 chemicals. At least 69 of these chemicals are known to cause cancer, and many are toxic.

Many of these chemicals also are found in consumer products, but these products have warning labels—such as rat poison packaging. While the public is warned about the danger of the poisons in these products, there is no such warning for the toxins in tobacco smoke.

Here are ‘snippets’ of the chemicals in tobacco smoke and other places they are found:

  • Acetone—found in nail polish remover
  • Acetic acid—an ingredient in hair dye
  • Ammonia—a common household cleaner
  • Arsenic—used in rat poison
  • Benzene—found in rubber cement and gasoline
  • Butane—used in lighter fluid
  • Cadmium—active component in battery acid
  • Carbon monoxide—released in car exhaust fumes
  • Formaldehyde—embalming fluid
  • Hexamine—found in barbecue lighter fluid
  • Lead—used in batteries
  • Naphthalene—an ingredient in mothballs
  • Methanol—a main component in rocket fuel
  • Nicotine—used as an insecticide (also found in e-liquid)
  • Tar—material for paving roads
  • Toluene—used to manufacture paint

Please see below links to help make your own mind up.

Other links you may be interested in are found below : (The 1st link is a pretty simple and quick experiment, however, it’s not very scientific and that’s the very reason I have added it…simple to understand when comparing the effects of vaping as an alternative to ‘tobacco’).

https://www.irishtimes.com/news/science/smoking-v-vaping-what-the-test-results-show-1.3744304

http://www.ecigarette-research.com/web/index.php

http://casaa.org

BBC Horizon E Cigarettes Miracle or Menace

Does Vaping Cause Popcorn Lung

 

Q 5, What is the difference between VG and PG E- Liquid ?

A 5,  Vegetable Glycerin (VG) is a thick, sweet liquid.  VG produces luscious clouds of vapour.  

VG can impart a sweet taste to your liquid due to its sweeter ‘base’ ingredient. (ie: VG)

Propylene Glycol (PG) is a thinner liquid.  PG produces more of a “throat hit” than VG.

PG can also impart a stronger ‘taste/flavour’ but more so because of its PG properties carrying the flavours.

PG also has a higher sensitivity rate for some users, meaning that some people just cannot use PG in their vape. Both VG and PG can be mixed together to alter liquid consistency, flavours, strengths, throat hit & vapour production. So don’t be afraid to mix any % of VG with PG in different ratios to get exactly what suits your own personal taste. Usually 50/50 or 60/40 VG/PG ratio is used for regular vaping devices or what is described as MTL (Mouth to Lung) and 70/30 VG/PG used for DL (Direct Lung).

 

Q 6, How does the electronic cigarette / Vaping Device work?

A 6, In general, the e-liquid is ‘usually’ held in a tank of some sort. In this tank there is usually an atomizing heating coil which is surrounded via some kind of material, (usually organic cotton). This cotton feeds the e-liquid onto the heating coil. The battery heats the coil up (which vaporizes the liquid/atomizes it) and the vapour is then inhaled into the throat and lungs just like a traditional tobacco cigarette. The illusion of “smoke” is actually a vapour as there is no tobacco to cause smoke.

It has no second hand smoke as there is no first hand smoke and the vapour is just that… vapour, not smoke. Different models of vaping devices can differ but in general, heat will vaporise the liquid into a vapour which is then inhaled.

 

Q 7, Can an electronic cigarette be smoked anywhere where normally tobacco is banned.

A 7, Technically no, even though there is no second hand smoke and no ignition of tobacco, this debate is yet to be fully had. On the face of it, it would seem they ( Governments/EU etc) could, should or would not place a complete ban… but until then, I will have to state no… not anywhere.

 

Q 8, Is an electronic cigarette / Vaping Device (with nicotine) addictive.

A,8  Yes it is. It has the addictive substance of nicotine (where nicotine is present in the cartridge). (Similar to to way coffee has an addictive substance called caffeine (where caffeine is present in the product/cartridge). Wiki: If a person ate 10-13 grams of caffeine quickly, between 80-100 cups of coffee, it would kill them. So the above question should be taken in context.

 

The electronic cigarette or vaping device is not intended for use of non smokers. The innovation is designed to give tobacco smokers an ‘alternative’ to inhaling the 4000+ chemicals (plus tar & carbon monoxide…the big killers) found in tobacco cigarettes but still get that ‘instant’ nicotine ‘hit’ (with no tar or smoke) they miss with other alternatives (patches etc).

Q 9, How do I compare my usual tobacco cigarette nicotine strength with e-liquid strength ?

A 9, Below can only be seen as a general guide for new e-cig users.

A strong cigarette contains approximately 0.9 to 1.2 mg of nicotine in each cigarette…

or about 18/24 mg of nicotine per 20 pack.

A Light/Medium cigarette contains approximately 0.7 mg of nicotine in each cigarette…

or about 14 mg of nicotine per 20 pack.

An Ultra Light cigarette contains approximately 0.5 mg of nicotine in each cigarette…

or about 10 mg of nicotine per 20 pack.

Note: The above could lead you to believe that about 20 drops @ 1.2 mg is equal to your pack of 20 cigs if your brand has 1.2 mg on your pack of tobacco cigarettes box, however, no definitive scientific studies have actually been performed (at this time) with regular users of electronic cigarettes to determine how much of the liquid nicotine, if any, is burnt up or evaporates before it hits the lungs.

The above is only my opinion in order to guide new vapers as to what mg they would probably find in eliquid which is roughly equivalent to what they are currently using in tobacco. eg: Someone using strong tobacco cigarettes would probably choose 18mg, whereas someone using light tobacco cigarettes would probably prefer 3 mg or 6mg.

The numbers represented above only indicate the maximum amount of nicotine intake assuming that 100% of it makes it into the lungs of the user of an electronic cigarette. Most manufactures claim 1 ml is approximately the same as 1 x 20 pack of cigarettes. Most e-cig users find its closer to about 5 cigs per 1 ml.

It should also be noted that, although nicotine is addictive, no studies to my knowledge as of yet have shown nicotine to be a carcinogen. It is simply “the fix” which cigarette smokers crave. Similar to way someone who likes coffee wants their caffeine hit in the morning (afternoon – evening).

 

It is recommended that those who have demonstrated a sensitivity to nicotine, are pregnant or breastfeeding or who have unstable heart conditions, should discuss the use of any nicotine delivery device with a doctor before using.

Q 10, How long do electronic cigarette accessories (batteries and Coils etc) last for ?

A 10, How long is a piece of string ? Are you a social smoker or a chain smoker ?

Some people will vape for hours at a time, some will vape only when the need arises to get a nicotine fix. Some will inhale deeply and some lightly. Some like strong and some like weak. The different battery strength and different types and function of atomizers/coils will all need to be taken into consideration to answer this question. This is why it will always be down to the individual user. Talk to your local vapour vendor (or contact us) and they will advise you.

As a ‘general guide’ though and based on average use ;

The 1st kind of Pod system could be seen as a Disposable. When the vapour stops, the whole system is discarded (including the battery). Another type of Pod system (Vuse type) can have just the pod replaced which will have a coil and liquid prefilled and these pods will be disposed of when vapour stops but are replaced with another prefilled pod (battery can be recharged). Other Pods systems can have replaceable Pods with inbuilt coils but are refillable with eliquid like the Klyspe Pod. Other Pod systems can have the coil replaced, eliquid refillable and rechargeable batteries like the Flexus Q Pod Kit. It’s really horses for courses when it comes to what a user wants.

Tank systems usually have a common 510 thread and can be interchanged with various vaping batteries (also referred to as Mods) which usually all have 510 threads. Users can replace the coils in tanks and refill with eliquid and once the battery has a 510 thread, can usually be interchanged with different batteries. Examples of tank type kits could be the T20S Kit or Innokin Z80 Kit.

Coils usually last 7-10 days but again, this will depend of how heavy (or light) a user is and the type the coil is.

E-Liquid is very subjective but as a guide…most users seem to say that a 20 a day smoker could use between 3 to 4 ml per day. Again, individual use will determine how long accessories & liquid last for. (The above can only be seen as a ‘guide’…as stated).

Eg: A 10 a day smoker and a 60 a day smoker could differ by a factor of 600% in usage terms, relative to their consumption and use.

  

Q 11, Is there a certain way to vape ?

A 11,  Hmm… was there a certain way to smoke? but if your asking… you can vape anyway that suits you. It is a personal choice. However, there are a few things that are worth pointing out that may help you find which way suits you. Most people starting off will logically use the e-cig the same way as a tobacco cigarette, eg: when they want a pull, they will put the e-cig in their mouth, then press the button and suck on the e-cig to inhale the vapour, then exhale.

That is very understandable as that is how you smoked your tobacco cigarette, however, its not necessarily how you vape an electronic cigarette. What is worth pointing out is this. The electronic cigarette is an alternative to the tobacco cigarette, it is not the same.

When you light a tobacco cigarette with a match/lighter, you suck on it and the air rushes through the tobacco and increases the temperature which in turn releases/activates the chemicals… like when you fan a fire, the air contributes and the flames become hotter. The harder you suck on a tobacco cigarette, the more smoke, nicotine and throat hit you get. However, you must remember, the e-cig has no tobacco and no burning ignition.

So, understanding your electronic cigarette and how it works and how it differs from tobacco may help you change certain tobacco cigarette ways and replace them with new electronic cigarette ways that can give you a better experience with your alternative. Electronic cigarettes use a battery to generate that heat which will vaporize the e-liquid to produce the same effect as your old buddy, the tobacco cigarette. What this means is this… sucking harder on the e-cig will not increase the temperature as the battery is doing this for you.

If you find you are sucking and getting jaw ache and little vapour, there is something wrong, so stop and try figure out what is wrong. Usually its the coil wick/coil is too dry, its too wet, its clogged (old e-liquid build up) or the heating element is just not reaching the temperature to get it hot enough to vaporize the liquid, the battery cannot give the correct voltage etc….or indeed, it is just simply a faulty tank, pod, coil or battery.

The main points about vaping:

1) Ensure the wick is moist enough as a dry wick (Usually will get a burnt taste) cannot vapourize liquid if there is not enough liquid to vapourize. Always allow a ‘new’ coil to soak for the first few minutes as a dry coil WILL burn.

2) Ensure the wick is not over moist as too much liquid cannot be ‘vaporized’. You can usually hear a slurping/gurgling sound and with a little fiddling can be easily fixed eg: snapping the tank/pod in a downward fashion to expel the excess eliquid via the mouthpiece should get rid of excess eliquid and gurgling.

3) Ensure you replace the coil when they are spent. (usually a funky taste or just a burnt taste). Its not how long the coil will last which is relevant but rather how long the “good performance” will last.

4) Gently inhale the vapour in. Less is more. The vapour is very light  and only requires the minimum of inhalation. Avoid sucking too hard as this may draw liquid and over moisten the wick and lead to flooding of the wick. Over all tho, vaping is an individual thing so whatever suits you and is ‘working’ for you, is the right way.

5) Make sure your battery is fully charged (or at least charged enough). Most users see it as prudent to always have a spare battery just in case the battery in current use stops working for any reason.

 

Q 12, Who invented the Electronic Cigarette ?

A 12, As the story goes…  

Hon Lik used to light up first thing in the morning. He smoked between lectures at the university where he studied Oriental medicine, between bites at lunch, in the lab where he researched ginseng health products. He’d usually burn through two packs by dusk and smoke a third over dinner and drinks with colleagues. It wasn’t until his father, also a heavy smoker, died of lung cancer that Hon finally kicked the habit.

Hon’s story could be that of any other nicotine-addicted, middle-aged man in China, where 60% of the men smoke. What distinguishes the 52-year-old pharmacist and inventor is that he found inspiration in the addiction.

April 25, 2009|Barbara Demick

 

Q 13, Sooooo, what is the best electronic cigarette on the market for you ?

A 13, Personal choice can only dictate this, however, the most popular are usually the tried and trusted old reliables… Currently starter kits like the Innokin Endura T18E  – Endura T20S  – Jem Kit  – Vuse Device  –  Klypse Pod Kit  or see all our electronic cigarette kits or vaping devices here

Also Popular are the Pod type kits which usually only require you to replace a pod (which already have eliquid and coil inserted) and these can be very handy, quick, easy, discrete and convenient.  ‘Rebuildables’ (make your own) are usually only used by hobbyists and enthusiasts but are not only limited to same. Ordinary Joe’s can enjoy building his/her own coils/clearomizers too. There is kind of a satisfaction to building your own.

As mentioned earlier, it is basically a horses for courses kinda thing and each to his/her own.

Other models will come and go in an ever innovative market but it will always be a personal choice.

Soooooo, the question should really bewhat is the best electronic cigarette/vaping devicein ‘your’ opinion ?

On a final note, the bottom line will always be to get all the information you need to make an informed decision. The Internet is at your disposal, use it. However, should you have any further questions, we are here to help you in any way we can. Contact Us