Cruise Lines Tightening Rules on Smoking

January 19th, 2012

One of the reasons many are choosing e-cigarettes over traditional ‘analog’ cigarettes is the increasing restrictions on smoking in public. Restaurants, airplanes, stadiums and many other public venues with large crowds generally have restrictions on where you can light up.

Cruise lines like “Princess’ Cruises” are tightening the screws on smokers as well. Going forward, guest of the cruise line will not be able to smoke in their staterooms or on balconies. Three other cruise lines (Carnival, Holland America and Norwegian) are joining Princess in cracking down on where travelers can light up.

“Our consumer studies show that smokers are a small minority of our passengers, and that the large majority of passengers value having their primary living space on-board smoke-free,” comments Jan Swartz, Executive Vice President of Princess Cruise Lines.

In fact, the numbers of smokers has been on a steady decline for years. Only 19.3% of adults, or 45 million Americans, smoked cigarettes in 2010 according to federal health regulators…in 2005, 20.9% of adults were smokers.

At iCruise.com, a Florida based cruise agency, complaints about smoky cabins and balconies have dropped sharply. Don Walker, co-president of iCruise, says the drop can be attributed to tighter rules on smoking onboard cruise ships. Walker says smokers seem accepting of these restrictions.

How are these policies affecting e-cigarette users?

Depends on the cruise line.

Some are lumping e-cigarette users in with regular smokers and asking them to only use their devices in designated areas while others clearly distinguish between the two and allow e-cigarettes in staterooms and around the ship.

On Princess, guests are allowed to use their e-cigarette in their staterooms since they leave no odor and have no known second-hand effects. However, their use is restricted in dining halls and theaters.  Carnival on the other hand is restricting e-cigarettes to designated smoking areas since they’re relatively new and not much is ‘officially’ known about them.

Tightening restrictions on smoking in public areas is serving as an impetus for smokers to either quit or seek alternatives like e-cigarettes.

While there are still many misconceptions out there, it’s not fair for digital e-cigarettes to be lumped in with traditional ‘analog’ smokers. Next time you’re taking a cruise or traveling, be aware of any of these restrictions and mindful of others around you.

Share|

Tags: , , , , ,
Posted in New Things Going On, Vaping News and Insights | No Comments »

Automatic vs. Manual E-Cigarette Batteries

January 10th, 2012

If you’ve been browsing around at e-cigarettes, you’ve likely stumbled across a couple of different types of batteries – manual and automatic.

If you’re new to vaping, you may be scratching your head wondering what these terms mean. Either type can fit the same model but there are distinct differences between the two.

See below for a quick description of each type of battery.

Automatic Batteries

These e-cigarette batteries are automatic since the heating element is engaged when a pressure-sensitive switch inside the unit responds to air being drawn through. Once engaged, a heater coil is turned on, which vaporizes the nicotine e-liquid.

Pros

Great for beginners, especially if they’re traditional cigarette smokers looking to e-cigarettes as an alternative since automatic batteries work like a traditional cigarette – just puff and inhale. Also, battery consumption is more controlled, which helps maximize time between charges.

Cons

Automatic battery models are more vulnerable to damage due to leaking liquid. Since these models require an air channel through them, sooner or later, the unit will die out or get damaged. Automatic batteries also have restrictions on the length of the drag or number of drags per minute. While this helps maximize battery life, it poses some frustration to veteran users who desire more control over their vaping experience.

Manual Batteries

These e-cigarette batteries have a tiny push-button switch on the battery, which is sealed and less susceptible to damage from a leak. The user pushes the button to engage the heater coil, which vaporizes the nicotine e-liquid that’s inhaled.

Pros

Manual batteries give users more control over their vaping experience, allowing longer, more frequent drags. The unit can be pre-heated and left on for as long as you like.

Cons

With the ability to take longer drags more frequently though means the battery will not last as long.

As you can see, the big difference between automatic and manual e-cigarette batteries is the switch function. Is there a push button or do you inhale to activate the heating element?

One thing to remember is that you can switch between the two with many e-cigarette models, including our signature Sidesho model.

In the beginning, many choose to use automatic batteries since it most closely resembles a traditional cigarette. But as a newbie becomes a vaper, they may choose manual batteries so they can have more control over how they enjoy e-cigarettes.

Share|

Tags: , , ,
Posted in E-Cig Technology, Vaping News and Insights | No Comments »

Comparing Costs between E-Cigarettes and Traditional Smokes

December 16th, 2011

One of the first questions we’re asked about vaping is cost. While many e-cigarette retailers claim you can save lots of money by switching, there are not too many specific comparisons to regular cigarettes.

Over the years, the cost of traditional cigarettes (…or ‘analog’ cigarettes as they’re known to experienced vapers) have dramatically increased. In fact, the cost per pack has nearly doubled in the past 5 years!!

Some of this is due to increased cost for the raw material – tobacco. But other factors like federal, state and local taxes though have been a main driver too. In 2009 for example, the federal government raised its excise tax on cigarettes from $0.39 to $1.01. And in light of constraining budgets, many states have raised their taxes on cigarettes in order to raise operating revenues.

State tobacco taxes range in amount from a mere $0.17 per pack in Missouri to an astounding $4.35 per pack in New York State. Even some localities like New York City assess taxes on tobacco products, resulting in a cost of well over $10 per pack in some areas!!

E-cigarettes are not subject to these taxes (…not yet anyway. It’s been suggested by some that e-cigarettes be subject to the same taxes as analogs. We strongly oppose any moves like this.)

The absence of these taxes alone makes e-cigarettes compelling in terms of cost. Although up-front cost may be slightly more than a week’s worth of analogs, the ongoing cost are significantly less unless you try multiple models and buy large quantities of the most expensive nicotine liquid.

Let’s take a look at the following scenario to illustrate.

Let’s say George averages a pack a day at a cost of $6 per pack. That works out to around to around $72 per week. Monthly, George spends around $290, which works out to nearly $3500 annually.

Keep in mind though – this doesn’t include cost for lighters, ashtrays, air fresheners and the cost of replacing clothes with burn holes in them.

One day, George discovers Modern Vapor and e-cigarettes and decides to make the switch. His first expense will be a starter kit, which averages around $50-$70 but can be as low as $25 or as high as $130 for our Sidesho starter kit. Let’s say he chooses the $75 kit, which includes everything he needs to get started.

From here, all George will need to invest in are replacement parts like batteries, atomizers and of course e-liquid. On average, this will cost anywhere from $20-$40 per week depending on how much George enjoys vaping and the type of e-liquid he chooses.

If we use the high estimate, George is looking at an ongoing cost of around $2100 annually, significantly less than the $3500 annual cost of analog cigarettes.

As you can see from this basic example, the cost of vaping, even when using high estimates, can be significantly cheaper than traditional smoking. Of course, George could do certain things to mitigate his costs even more like clean his atomizers, fill his own cartridges or even make his own e-liquid.

If you’re looking for a lower cost alternative to traditional cigarettes, you can’t overlook the potential of e-cigarettes from Modern Vapor. Check out our line of e-cig starter kits – the Sidesho, 902 and Lux – today and begin seeing the savings for yourself today.

Share|

Tags: , , ,
Posted in Vaping News and Insights | No Comments »

Propylene Glycol – Is it Safe?

December 6th, 2011

I’ll admit, when I first heard of e-cigarettes a few years back, I was naturally intrigued, yet skeptical too. One of main sources of my skepticism had to do with the fact that one of the main ingredients of the nicotine e-liquid was propylene glycol, or PG.

My initial reaction was of alarm and bemusement at how inhaling a substance containing PG could not be harmful.

Part of the negative conception regarding propylene glycol is yes, it is an ingredient found in antifreeze (…more background on that later). PG though is found in many things we use every day. I could list literally hundreds of them – from prepared foods to cosmetics to fog machines to inhalers for people with asthma, COPD, lung disease and other respiratory ailments. The substance is also found in IV meds among other things.

In short, PG is safe for humans to inhale.

Personally, I was convinced of this since many with asthma use an inhaler daily. Propylene glycol itself is a relatively simple chemical substance containing carbon, hydrogen and oxygen – C3H8O2 or HO-CH2-CHOH-CH3

Discovered in 1942 and approved for use around 1950, many studies have been commissioned to study the effects of PG. One study commissioned by Time Magazine used monkeys to determine the impacts of the substance. No negative effects were discovered except for one group of monkeys who gained weight after inhaling heavy concentrations of PG.

Another study took place over a 3-year period in a pediatric hospital. Rather than using tri-ethylene glycol in the facility’s air filters, PG was used. Concurrently, respiratory infections in the hospital dropped from 132 cases to 13.

The U.S. Centers for Disease classifies PG as ‘GRAS’ – or “generally recognized as safe” as a food additive.

Why do so many think PG is harmful?

It’s hard to say. Some people, including myself, were confused between propylene glycol and ethylene glycol, which is most definitely a toxic substance.

Up until recent decades, all antifreeze contained EG rather than PG. EG was known to be very dangerous to pets and small children since it made antifreeze smell real sweet. Pets and unsupervised kids could smell it and ingest the substance. Needless to say, the outcome most of the time was really tragic.

Today though, antifreeze contains PG and doesn’t give off the inviting smell.

In the end, unawareness is what drives much of the negative perception of propylene glycol. Countless studies though have shown that only in very large quantities does it make any noticeable impact in people.

Take a look at this video courtesy of VapeTalk on the safety of propylene glycol. If someone ask you about the safety of your Sidesho or Lux e-cigarette and has concern over PG specifically, be sure to direct them here or kindly explain it’s a common substance in numerous everyday items.

Share|

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in E-Cig Technology, Vaping News and Insights | No Comments »

Direct Dripping – A Quicker Way to Fill your E-Cig with Juice

November 17th, 2011

Once you’ve been vaping for a while, you’re sure to discover it takes a little work (…or money) to keep vaping. By this, we mean the maintaining a steady supply of nicotine liquid that’s necessary to enjoying your electric cigarette.

Two of the most common options include pre-filled cartridges or ones you fill yourself using a bottle of liquid you purchase from an e-cigarette retailer.

Both of these options have their drawbacks. Either they’re expensive (pre-filled cartridges) or they’re time consuming (fill your own cartridges). If you vape often enough, filling your own cartridges may seem like a part-time job you’re not getting paid for.

What’s a vaper to do? Do you try and adjust your habit so you’re not spending so much time re-filling cartridges?

Fortunately you don’t have to…

Direct dripping, or simply ‘dripping,’ presents a viable solution to this dilemma. In a basic sense, direct dripping is where you drip nicotine juice directly onto the bridge of your atomizer rather than rely on your cartridge’s filler to ‘wick’ the juice to the atomizer.

Before you start dripping though, you need to be sure your personal vaporizer unit has a sealed battery (…which you find on manual e-cigarette models, not automatic ones). The reason why you should have a sealed battery is because liquid can leak through the hole and into the battery, which destroys it.

(Batteries that are ruined this way will NOT be covered by any warranty).

If you have sealed battery, you can take the following 3 steps to direct drip nicotine juice into your atomizer.

1.     Take your cartridge and remove the filler, which looks like cotton

2.    Take your bottle of juice and drip a couple of drops on the bridge of your atomizer. If the bridge is dry, prime by placing an additional 3-4 drops

3.    Replace the empty cartridge and vape on dude!!

Once you’re vaping, if you hear a gurgling sound and don’t get any vapor, your atomizer is flooded. Take the cartridge off and blow on the other end to dry the excess liquid out. Conversely, if you experience a burnt taste, then your atomizer is too dry and needs more liquid.

Direct dripping is, generally speaking, a quick way to get nicotine e-juice to your atomizer so it can be heated into vapor. Drip tips (see picture) like the ones available on our main site can help you put nicotine liquid into your atomizer without any mess.

If you’re getting frustrated with buying pre-filled cartridges or trying to fill your own e-cigarette cartridges, consider direct dripping today. Many veteran vapers choose this method because it’s both cost AND time effective.

Share|

Tags: , ,
Posted in E-Cig Technology | No Comments »

Federal Regulations Banning E-Cigarettes on Airplanes Moving Forward

November 8th, 2011

Electronic cigarettes – or rather their use – may soon be formally banned on all passenger aircraft in the United States.  As you probably know, smoking a cigarette on your flight has been illegal for quite some time…since 1987 in fact.

The original law passed by Congress states (…in 49 USC Section 41706) “An individual may not ‘smoke’ in an aircraft.” After the law was passed, the U.S. Department of Transportation wrote regulations to enforce this new law.

However, using an e-cigarette is not smoking as defined by DOT regulations. Combustion does not occur and the device doesn’t emit smoke, it emits (…and you exhale) water vapor.  Therefore, it cannot be legally regulated under current law. What would need to occur is for Congress to amend the 1987 law to include electronic cigarette devices.

Today though, it appears the DOT is essentially writing its own laws to re-define what smoking is. Their proposal would slap a maximum fine of $3300 on anyone caught using an e-cigarette on an airplane.

This is equal to the fine imposed for smoking a regular cigarette, which we and the Consumer Advocates for Smoke-Free Alternatives Association (CASAA) find to be quite extreme and in violation of the 8th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which prohibits cruel and unusual punishment.

CASAA’s advisory also says the DOT hasn’t produced any evidence to suggest that water vapor coming off an e-cigarette is harmful to bystanders…we certainly haven’t seen any evidence of this sort.

CASAA has a great advisory on the proposed regulations along with contact information for the agency. They’re accepting comments through Nov. 14th so we implore you to take a few moments and send a polite, yet firm comment to the DOT asking them to withdraw their proposal.

The advisory also includes links to several studies showing e-cigarettes to be on par with nicotine replacement therapies (gums, patches) in terms of toxicity.

Share|

Tags: , ,
Posted in New Things Going On, Vaping News and Insights | No Comments »

E-Cigarette Throat Hit – Getting that First Feeling Right

November 3rd, 2011

When we’re referring to throat hit, we’re referring to feeling in the back of your throat that you get when first inhaling vapor or smoke.

Regular, or analog smokers largely base their cigarette choices on the throat hit – is it too strong or not strong enough?

When I used to smoke, I didn’t like Marlboro Reds because the first hit off one would be too much for me – the throat hit on Lights on the other hand was just right.

Throat hit is important for vapers too, especially if you’re trying e-cigarettes as an alternative to traditional smokes. This is because by their very nature, e-cigarettes have a lighter throat hit (…no combustion of tobacco is taking place). If you’re trying to mimic your old cigarettes, you may require a stronger flavor to get the same feeling when first puffing.

What determines throat hit in an e-cigarette?

First off, the quality of e-liquid and its nicotine content will play an important role in the throat hit – higher doses of nicotine will yield a stronger throat hit. Also, if your e-liquid is of poor quality, you may experience a harsher throat hit.

Next, how you use your vaping device plays an integral role in the throat hit. Heating the liquid up more for instance will produce more vapors and give you a stronger throat hit. In fact, the amount of vapor you produce strongly correlates to the strength of your throat hit.

Conversely, if you take quick puffs, you may not get a throat hit that’s satisfactory. To get a better throat hit, a drag should be long and slow, around 3-5 seconds.

One more factor that determines the quality of your throat hit is the condition of your device. Clogged atomizers and weak batteries can have a dramatic impact on throat hit. Keep your device clean and charged to maintain optimal throat hit.

Aside from flavor and vapor production, throat hit is one of the most critical things vapers consider. Too much throat hit though can be painful, even damaging to your throat…not to mention changing the taste of the cartridge. Too light of a throat hit on the other hand will make for an unsatisfying vaping experience.

The feeling from that first drag hitting the throat, for some, is the most critical part of the vaping, or smoking experience. Like traditional cigarettes, some experimentation with e-juice is required to find the right throat hit for you.

When looking at nicotine juices, see if they have any reviews that discuss the degree of the first throat hit.

Share|

Tags: , ,
Posted in Alternative Smoking Reviews and Ramblings, Vaping News and Insights | No Comments »

Pre-Filled Cartridges vs. Do-it-Yourself – Pros and Cons

October 18th, 2011

Once you discover vaping and electric cigarettes, you’re sure soon to discover the diversity of nicotine e-liquid available on the market. All kinds of flavors and strengths…from coffee to chocolate, from high to very light…offer tantalizing tastes for your vaping enjoyment.

This nicotine infused liquid is one of the central components of using an electric cigarette.

Besides flavor and strength, you will also discover differences in how you replenish your ‘e-juice’ supply, something you will be doing kind of often.

There are advantages and disadvantages to both options – pre-filled cartridges, which as the name implies are cartridges that already have nicotine liquid in them, or fill your own methods where you purchase a bottle of e-liquid and fill the cartridge yourself.

These ‘cartridges’ basically consist of a mouthpiece and a filler material that contains the e-juice

There’s certainly one advantage to pre-filled cartridges – all you’ve got to do is put one in and vape on!!

That’s why they’re great if you’re on the go a lot. You can basically twist the old cartridge off and put a new one on, very simple.

A couple of disadvantages – it can get expensive depending on how much you vape. Although you can get a pack of 5 cartridges for anywhere from $5 to $10, it can really add up – especially if you’re using your device in one place a lot, like your home.

The other disadvantage is your flavor options are bit more limited.

Of course, you can fill your own cartridges, which offers a bit more cost effective option. A 10-milliliter bottle of e-liquid costs just a few bucks and there are dozens of flavors to choose from. There are also different mixtures of propylene glycol and vegetable glycerin available.

Filling the cartridge though will take a little time and requires patience. A syringe injection method is the least messy. Cartridges do eventually wear out and need to be changed…but that’s not terribly expensive.

So it’s a trade-off – convenience of just twist and go, or more options for mixture and flavor that, per cartridge, is much cheaper.

Modern Vapor carries a wide-variety of both types of cartridges – both pre-filled and fill your own e-liquid varieties. Try out a little of each and see which one best fits your routine. But remember, each option has its unique advantages and disadvantages to consider.

Share|

Tags: , , ,
Posted in E-Cig Technology, Vaping News and Insights | No Comments »

Do Regular Cigarettes Taste Awful After Vaping?

October 10th, 2011

Many people who try electronic cigarettes do so because they’re looking for an alternative to regular smokes. Perhaps you’ve been a smoker for many years and want to quit but feel like you’re unable.

Nicotine is a very powerful drug that’s highly addictive. For instance, it’s commonly believed that quitting cigarettes (…or nicotine more specifically) can be as difficult as quitting heroin. It’s hard to believe that something so common could be so addictive but it is.

For those unable to kick the habit, electronic cigarettes offer an alternative that’s not quite so damaging. E-cigs do not contain many of the harmful chemicals and components found in traditional cigarettes…they really only contain nicotine, which is ultimately the substance we crave.

When a smoker makes the switch to vaping and electronic cigarettes, many are unsure of whether the digital devices will actually work in helping them kick their former smoking habits.

While results are mixed, many vapers do officially become former smokers.

One of the main reasons why is the fact that many vapers claim regular cigarettes have a foul taste once they’re used e-cigs for a while…the effects are also more pronounced with one vaper claiming that smoking a cigarette made him feel light headed and dizzy.

Another thing too is the smell – after quitting, many ex-smokers say cigarettes smell awful to them. Electronic cigarettes do not produce this putrid odor so once you use them for a while instead of traditional smokes, it’s easy to detect the smell of a regular cigarette.

It’s well known that quitting smoking helps you dramatically improve your sense of smell and taste buds. So when you puff on a cigarette after not doing so for a while, it’s easy to see how a regular cigarette will taste and smell pretty bad.

Many vapers writing on electronic cigarette forums back up this claim. Unsure of how electronic cigarettes will work, many keep a pack of their favorite smokes around just in case. But once they’ve used an electronic cigarette for a while, their sense of smell and taste return. When trying to puff on a regular cigarette, they begin to realize how distasteful they really are.

It’s certainly unclear why the use of electronic cigarettes makes traditional smokes taste awful. Have you had this experience? Tell us about it by leaving us a comment.

Share|

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in Vaping News and Insights | No Comments »

5 Reasons Others Frown on Smoking (…and how e-cigs can help you avoid them)

September 21st, 2011

If you’re a smoker, or former smoker, how many times have you felt like people were looking at you with disdain for your habit? Perhaps some have even said “…you know that’s bad for you” or “…stop polluting my air” or other such statements.

The fact is this – smoking just isn’t the glamorous activity it once was. Smoking has been on a steady decline for a few decades now. People today are a bit more health conscious than they were even 10 years ago.

Besides people’s changing attitudes, there are many more restrictions on where you can light up. If you’ve flown on a plane, you’ve certainly heard the warnings about smoking on an airplane being a federal crime. Many states have passed indoor smoking bans…but New York City has a gone a step further by banning smoking in public altogether.

What’s led to this negative attitude toward smoking? Below are 5 negative effects of smoking that most people find objectionable.

  1. Odor/Smell
  2. Litter
  3. 2nd Hand Smoke
  4. Healthcare Costs
  5. Physical Appearance

For further explanation along with some ways electric cigarettes help you avoid these negative perceptions, check out our newest knowledge center article – 5 Reasons Society Frowns upon Smoking and How Electric Cigarettes Help you avoid them – today for more.

Share|

Tags: , , , , ,
Posted in Alternative Smoking Reviews and Ramblings, Vaping News and Insights | No Comments »

« Older Entries