Archive for February, 2012

Does Vapor from E-Cigarettes Set Off Smoke Detectors?

Tuesday, February 28th, 2012

Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are commonplace in homes and businesses these days.

These devices emit a loud beep that can easily wake even heaviest of sleepers out of their slumber. They act as a warning system in the event of a fire or gas leak inside your home.

Smoke alarms though do sometimes ‘trip’ without a fire – burnt toast or even a burning cigarette can set one off if you’re close enough to it.

Some have wondered though about vapor from an e-cigarette. Does it set off smoke alarms if you’re within a certain range?

This question is especially important for those who use their devices in public buildings like a restaurant or office. You wouldn’t want to vape at your desk and set off the alarm system in your building.

Thankfully though, it seems from the video below from Smoke2Vape that it doesn’t. In the video, vapor is blown directly onto a working smoke detector and it doesn’t go off.

However, it may depend on the type of smoke detector too.

According to a forum discussion on the matter, one participant says that a block in the device’s optical system is what sets a smoke alarm off. Cigarette smoke can do this as can e-cig vapors, at least theoretically. However, he says it’s less likely vapor will trip the alarm since it dissipates much faster than smoke.

If you’re using your e-cigarette in a public building, check with the manager or your employer before using your device just to be safe. However, you should be able to use your device in your home and not set off your smoke detector.

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What is Nicotine and is it Harmful?

Monday, February 20th, 2012

Nicotine itself is the substance smokers and vapers (e-cigarette users) crave…puffing on an analog or electronic cigarette is simply the delivery method for this nicotine.

Thousands of deaths each year are attributed to smoking traditional cigarettes, which is why there is some ambiguity on whether the nicotine itself is harmful. Numerous studies have shown that other substances in the cigarette smoke like tar and carcinogens amplify these risks, not the nicotine itself.

The substance nicotine is in fact naturally occurring and is derived from the tobacco plant Nicotiana tabacum and is considered an alkaloid, which is basically a naturally occurring compound comprised mostly of nitrogen. Its chemical formula is C10H14N2.

Nicotine certainly has physical impacts but whether it’s harmful or not is up for debate. Some have claimed that it causes cancer but it is not proven.

What nicotine does do is stimulate the production of dopamine within seconds of being inhaled. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that regulates emotions and feelings of pleasure. Nicotine’s effects on the brain are similar, albeit to much lesser degree, than cocaine or amphetamines. This fact is why many make the claim that nicotine is as addictive as cocaine and heroin.

Besides these psychological effects, ingesting nicotine also causes increased heart rate and blood pressure and restricts blood flow to the heart. Interestingly, nicotine can act as either a stimulant or a depressant. Nicotine also has the effect of increasing alertness and enhancing mental performance.

While these effects are relatively minor, NICOTINE IS VERY ADDICTIVE

People who are addicted to nicotine do experience withdrawal symptoms when they stop smoking or otherwise ingesting nicotine. Anger, anxiety, depressed mood, difficulty concentrating, increased appetite and cravings for nicotine are very real.

These effects though subside within 3-4 weeks in most people…cravings and hunger though may go on for months.

Nicotine’s addictive nature is largely due to the dose and rapid delivery to the brain when vaping or smoking cigarettes.

So in the end, nicotine is very addictive but it isn’t necessarily too harmful. Other substances in cigarette smoke like tar and carcinogens are largely responsible for health effects connected with smoking. Simply ingesting nicotine, while it has its effects, is relatively harmless.

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The First Few Days – Transitioning to Electronic Cigarettes

Thursday, February 2nd, 2012

Many vapers out there discovered e-cigarettes because they were looking for an alternative to traditional cigarettes. Many of our customers tell us privately they are smokers in search of this alternative.

While e-cigarettes look, feel and deliver the same thing (nicotine) as traditional cigarettes, they do not contain other addictive substances found in your pack of Marlboros. These Whole-Tobacco Alkaloids (WTAs) – substances like nornicotine, anabasine and others – will not be in any e-cigarette.

Therefore, if you stop smoking and opt to vape instead, you may still crave these substances.

It’s certainly okay if you crave a cigarette once you start vaping. In fact, if you feel like having one, have one. As long as your cigarette usage continues to decline, it’s no big deal if you “light one up.”

If you’re not satisfied with your progress in reducing traditional cigarette usage, you can do a few things to help you in your transition.

Read our latest e-cigarette knowledge center article – The First Few Days – Transitioning to Electronic Cigarettes – for more information.

In the end, there’s no magic timeline for completely transitioning to e-cigarettes. Many say the first week is the worst. Over time though, you should see your cigarette use decline and decline dramatically.

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