The Basics of Vaping & E-Cigarettes

An e-cigarette – or as as we like to call them cause it sounds a lot cooler, a personal vaporizer – is a battery-operated device that vaporizes a liquid nicotine solution and then lets the user simulate the act of smoking. The vapor produced looks and feels like vintage, 20^th century style cigarette smoke but the 21^st century technological evolution allows the vapor to carry NONE of the thousands of harmful chemicals and carcinogens found in traditional cigarettes.​ No combustion or tar means no lingering odor, no ash, no nasty stains.

The liquid used in the device comes in a variety of flavors, like Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream for the discerning smoker of the advanced technology age. And the liquid comes in a variety of nicotine strengths to allow the user a fully customizable capability, giving each individual smoker full control over their vaping experience. 

Breaking down and analyzing the anatomy of a Vaporizer: The vaporizer is a device consisting of a battery and a heating element. When activated, the heating element boils a small amount of liquid in the device, creating a vapor, which is then inhaled by the user. Here are the terms you’ll encounter for this device:

• TUBE – the main console of the vaporizer.
• BATTERY – housed power source usually charged through a USB.
• CARTRIDGE – component that houses the e-juice.
• ATOMIZER – heats up the e-juice and creates the vapor that's inhaled and exhaled.
• CARTOMIZER – combination of the atomizer and cartridge in one.
• E-JUICE / E-LIQUID – water-based liquid that contains the nicotine. Comes in a variety of flavors or just plain. Four main ingredients: Nicotine, Propylene glycol, Vegetable glycerine, Flavoring - all of which show no evidence of being a carcinogen.
• TIP – end where the vaporizer is inhaled.

Nicotine Density is also something you need to consider. Here’s a quick look at the different densities:

• 0mg  =  NO nicotine
• 6mg  =  Ultra Light (Low Density)
• 12mg  =  Medium (Med. Density)
• 18mg  =  Regular (High Density)
• 24mg  =  Strong (X-High Density)
• Anything more is Super Strong. Good luck with that!

Maintenance is an ongoing process and very important for your continued vaping experience. We suggest is that you clean the excess juice out of the reservoir and clean the metal contacts down inside the atomizer adapter once a week. You can use a Q-tip or paper towel to clean off the parts. Check out this video below for comprehensive maintenance instructions.

Now that you know the basics, let’s look at the questions we absolutely know you have …

How much is "vaping" like smoking?

Overall the aesthetics are very similar. In fact, it’s similar enough to convince even the most serious smokers of today – those gritty and rugged Marlboro Men of yesteryear – to make the switch and firmly grasp their electronic delivery device between two fingers. There are many reports floating around the ether like molecules in the vapor that demonstrate smokers with even a 2-pack-a-day habit have completely switched over to the technology fueled more advanced e-cigarettes permanently. The vapor feels and looks like smoke, so it’s an easy sell. These wonder gadgets deliver that instant nicotine satisfaction that smokers fiend for, and avoid many of the hazards that warning labels portend.

Is it safe?

This is the BIG ONE! Tobacco smoke contains THOUSANDS of toxic chemicals. No actual smoke is involved with e-cigarettes. That’s right, no smoke. Only vapor! Smoke is the biggest health hazard with old timey cigarettes that were oh so popular in generations past. But the whiz-bang power of the E-cigarette gizmos that today’s chic smoker sports is these technological gadgets deliver nicotine through their atomizers and the smokers inhale a vaporized nicotine solution. This solution is composed of propolyne glyclol, vegetable glycerin (yeah, that’s right you get your veggies!) and focused flavoring. There’s absolutely no tar, carbon monoxide, flame retardants, pesticides, etc. – all the stuff that makes smoking tobacco cigs super duper bad for you and your lungs. ​A report by the Royal College of Physicians states that nicotine by itself has not been proven to cause any long term ill health effects.

How do I use the amazing devices to quit smoking?

E-cigs are touted NOT as stop-smoking aids, but more of a gateway toward cutting down on smoking. There has been a rise in the use of e-cigarettes among smokers who are using them to cut down on their regular habit as a first step toward quitting entirely. You decide how an e-cig fits into your lifestyle and you use it to manage your own choices and intake. Remember: you can lower your nicotine strengths whenever you like.

Are personal vaporizers and e-liquid approved by the FDA?

The e-cigarette is technology! So these new fangled forward focused gizmos are classified as a nicotine delivery device. This means e-cigs do not fall under the jurisdiction of the FDA. Your super powered, ultra sleek totally modern Personal Vaporizer is completely not banned or un-approved by the FDA.

Can an electronic cigarette be used in public?

Technically yes, though this does have some variance. You see with these flashy techy personal vaporizing devices there is no burning tobacco. No burning smelly leaves means there’s no second hand smoke produced. Zero. Zilch. Nada. So these handy dandy devices are totally acceptable in most public places. But be warned: there are certain areas like restaurants that may not like the appearance of it. So please be respectful of others' policies. Smoking has earned a rather terrible reputation throughout the past century; as we blaze forth into the new tomorrow of techno devices that vaporize and atomize liquid into enjoyable and refreshing flavors, we don't want vaping to get a bad rap!