VAPOR GRANDE: VAPING FAQ
What are electronic cigarettes?
Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) are an alternative to tobacco cigarettes. They are battery-operated devices that create an inhalant, water-based vapor instead of smoke. The rechargeable battery powers a heating element called an "atomizer." The user puts their mouth over the mouth piece, also known as the drip tip, then presses the power button, activating the battery, which delivers power to the atomizer. The top or bottom of the atomizer, depending on which model you have, has an opening to allow the use of electronic juice. (e-juice) The e-juice comes in contact with the heating coil and is then vaporized. Vapor Grande carries many models of e-cigarettes. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes and have specific features to cater to all, from the novice to the experienced smoker.
What is e-juice?
E-juice is the liquid you use with your e-cigarette and your nicotine source. It contains Nicotine, Vegetable Glycerin, Propylene Glycol and Flavoring. Vegetable Glycerin is a colorless and odorless liquid that is used in pharmaceutical formulations. Propylene glycol is an FDA approved food chemical used in everything from cake mixes to asthma inhalers. The flavoring is made from food-safe additives. Vapor Grande e-juice is customizable by requesting a certain VG (Vegetable Glycerin) percentage and PG (Propylene Glycol) percentage. VG has a lower throat hit, but produces more vapor. PG has a higher throat hit, yet produces less vapor. The user may also request a custom nicotine strength. The common
nicotine strengths available at Blacksheep vary from 0mg to 32mg.
Can e-cigarettes help me quit smoking?
Evidence strongly indicates that e-cigarettes are an effective alternative to smoking. Surveys show that up to 80% of e-cigarette users have quit smoking traditional cigarettes while using e-cigarettes. However, a majority of e-cigarette users treat the devices as an alternate source of nicotine and not as a nicotine cessation program. There is not much scientific research showing how effective e-cigarettes are in curing a nicotine addiction. Users have reported that using e-cigarettes helped them to wean off of nicotine, break smoking triggers and dramatically reduce nicotine levels. As with pharmaceutical NRTs, it depends upon the smoker and the strength of his or her addiction and resolve to quit. E-cigarettes also appear to be a much safer option for short-term use in the event of relapse.
Are You Able To Smoke E-Cigarettes Anywhere?
Many businesses are now smoke-free and are banning traditional cigarettes. Therefore, e-cigarettes definitely are at an advantage. E-cigarette produces vapor, not smoke, so people can smoke them anywhere they want without the fear of being asked to put out their cigarette. However, with e-cigarettes growing in popularity, there are few businesses that treat them like cigarettes out of shear misunderstanding or principal.
Do e-cigarettes contain anti-freeze?
No. This is simply a myth created by a 2009 FDA press release regarding electronic cigarettes. The FDA tested 18 cartridges from 2 companies. Of those 18 cartridges, 1 tested positive for a non-toxic amount of diethylene glycol (approximately 1%). While diethylene glycol is occasionally used in anti-freeze, the chemical is not a standard ingredient in e-cigarette liquid and it has not been found in any other samples tested to date.
Do e-cigarettes cause cancer like tobacco cigarettes?
Testing by the FDA and other labs have discovered trace amounts of tobacco-specific nitrosamines, which are known to cause cancer with high exposure, however, the amounts found were very low and unlikely to cause cancer. For example, an e-cigarette contains nearly the exact same trace levels of nitrosamines as the FDA-approved nicotine patch and about 1,300 times less nitrosamines than a Marlboro cigarette.The base liquid for Blacksheep's e-juice is propylene glycol. Propylene glycol is considered safe by the FDA and EPA. In fact, it is added to anti-freeze to make it less toxic and safer for small children and pets. Propylene glycol is commonly used in everything from, cosmetics, cake mixes and asthma inhalers
Are e-cigarettes regulated by the FDA?
Although nicotine is highly addictive and has formed a bad reputation due to its close relationship with traditional cigarettes, evidence from numerous studies strongly suggests that they are much safer than tobacco cigarettes. The FDA currently considers e-cigarettes to be tobacco products. Originally, it claimed that e-cigarettes are being used as smoking cessation devices and therefore needed to be regulated as pharmaceutical nicotine replacement therapy drugs (NRTs). In 2009, the FDA ordered customs officials to start seizing e-cigarette shipments coming into the country. The FDA has stated it is aware that certain products made or derived from tobacco, such as electronic cigarettes, are not currently subject to pre-market review requirements of the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act. It has yet to develop a strategy to regulate this "emerging class of products" as tobacco products under the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act. Products that are marketed for therapeutic purposes will continue to be regulated as drugs and/or devices. Contrary to some media reports and comments by legislators, regulation as a "tobacco product" under FSPTCA does not mean that e-cigarettes are automatically regulated in the exact same manner as tobacco cigarettes, ie., subject to PACT, flavoring prohibitions and indoor use bans nor subject to the same tax rates. However, it does mean sales of these products to minors are finally prohibited by law.
Is there an association where I can get more information concerning electronic cigarettes?
Yes, the Electronic Cigarette Association is a non profit organization who is devoted to the disclosure of real information and the release of e-cig technology to the public. Another great non-profit organization is The Consumer Advocates for Smoke-free Alternatives Association (CASAA). Their mission is to ensure the availability of effective, affordable, and reduced harm alternatives to smoking by increasing public awareness and education. Their website can be
found below. For more information on e-cigarettes and its benefits please visit these resource websites:
http://antithrlies.com/2013/08/08/breaking-news-new-study-shows-no-risk-from-e-cigarette-
contaminants/
http://casaa.org/