The Confusion: Smoke and Vapor

For new or experienced vapers, one of the most frustrating aspects of the experience is the lack of knowledge about vaping by the general public. When most people who don't vape see someone vaping, they’ve a tendency to assume the vaper is smoking tobacco or some other harmful substance. In reality, while many do start vaping as a way to quit smoking, the fact is that the two have little to do with each other, particularly when it comes to health risks or second-hand smoke.

Many Smokers Quit by Vaping 

While e-cigs aren’t yet approved by the FDA as a smoking cessation method, many smokers have quit smoking completely by switching to vaping instead. Most start with a nicotine e-liquid that includes the addictive quality their body has grown used to. Later, they are able to "step down" the amount of nicotine used until they’re vaping completely nicotine-free.

The E-Juices Used in Vaping Aren't Inherently Harmful

While most non-users think vaping e-juices are a mysterious nicotine mix, the truth is that ingredients are carefully measured for use. For instance, the base ingredient in most mixes is a vegetable glycerin (VG) that produces a high amount of vapor. The flavor is produced by food-grade ingredients that can be natural or artificial and are tested for toxicity when vaped. One study showed that the toxic substances from vaping are anywhere from 9 to 450 times less than the toxic substances from smoking. Notably, the chemicals used in vaping aren’t only fewer, but generally considered to be less harmful as well. While cigarette smoke has at least 4,000 chemicals, over 40 of which may be fatal, nicotine is the only known carcinogen used in vaping.

Some Vapers Don't Even Use Nicotine

Nicotine is often, but not always, included in e-liquid, up to 36 milligrams per millimeter. In fact, recent reports from the e-juice industry have indicated that low-strength nicotine options actually sell considerably more than the higher-strength juices. For experienced vapers, this information is not surprising. The fact is that nicotine actually reduces the flavor of vapor, and when specialized companies make blends that’re a mixed flavor then the precise flavor becomes very important. Likewise, many who vape enjoy the clouds of vapor produced, and high-nicotine blends don’t produce as much cloud vapor. For a complete vaping experience, you’re starting to see some vapers pass on nicotine-infused blends and choosing e-juice without addicting elements that’re more flavorful and entertaining to use.

Vaping has taken off in the last decade, and like many new activities, it has faced skepticism by naysayers. As more non-smokers and non-vapers grow accustomed to the idea, however, many are learning that vaping does not include all the harmful qualities of cigarette smoking, and has become a viable alternative in their lives.