Posts Tagged ‘e-cigarette users’

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.

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.

Cruise Lines Tightening Rules on Smoking

Thursday, 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.

Comparing Costs between E-Cigarettes and Traditional Smokes

Friday, 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.

E-Cigarette Throat Hit – Getting that First Feeling Right

Thursday, 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.

Do Regular Cigarettes Taste Awful After Vaping?

Monday, 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.

Research Evaluates Acute Effects of Electronic Cigarettes

Thursday, August 4th, 2011

Since e-cigarettes are relatively new on the market, little research has been done to determine their effects. Smokers can find a wealth of information about the immediate (a.k.a. acute) effects of traditional smokes but for e-cigarettes, there’s not much out there.

One study conducted last year by Dr. Thomas Eissenberg and associates at Virginia Commonwealth University helped provide some clarity on the acute effects of electronic cigarettes…study findings were published in the American Association for Cancer Research journal.

Researchers at VCU in Richmond, Virginia evaluated 32 smokers in 4 different conditions separated by product – (1) smokers’ own regular cigarette brand, (2) NPRO brand electronic cigarettes with a 18-mg nicotine cartridge, (3) Hydro brand electronic cigarettes with a 16-mg nicotine cartridge and (4) what was dubbed ‘sham,’ or an unlit cigarette.

At two separate times during each session, participants took 10 puffs. Four factors were assessed, including:

  1. Plasma nicotine concentration
  2. Carbon monoxide concentration
  3. Heart Rate
  4. Subjective effects of the user

Within the first five minutes, regular cigarette users experienced increased plasma nicotine concentration, carbon monoxide concentration and heart rate. NPRO, Hydro and sham users did not experience this increase in concentration and heart rate.

Also, own brand, NPRO and Hydro significantly decreased tobacco abstinence symptom ratings but increased product acceptability ratings.

From these results, researchers were able to conclude that neither of the electronic cigarette brands exposed users to measurable levels of nicotine and carbon monoxide. Each though suppressed nicotine/tobacco abstinence ratings. This finding is one strong reason why we think it’s unwise to market electronic cigarettes as quit smoking aids.

Studies like this can shed a lot of light on the effects of electronic cigarettes. Understanding the true nature of these devices can help us properly communicate the benefits (…and risks) of these devices.

From these findings, we can definitively conclude electronic cigarettes present a safer alternative to traditional smokes.

If you’re looking for such alternative, we invite you to examine our large selection of electronic cigarettes for sale…our available models cover all types of vapers’ preferences and needs.

Why Does My New Atomizer Have this Bad Taste and What Can I Do About It?

Thursday, July 21st, 2011

Some new atomizers, especially those that include primers, sometimes carry this awful taste when you first hook them up and take a puff. Many vapers complain of this foul taste that eventually goes away with a few puffs on their e-cigarette.

Many vapers think this bad taste comes from the liquid but that isn’t necessarily the case.

What you’re tasting are manufacturing and machining residues, which include machine oil, coatings, traces of adhesives and coatings on the silica fibers of the wick. Therefore, when you first put nicotine liquid into the atomizer, it may taste bad as it absorbs the residues.

Burning the residue off through using the e-cigarette is the only safe way to get rid of the taste. You can however soak and/or rinse your atomizer to get rid of the residue(s) but this method may end up reducing the life of your atomizer. And the more effective your solvent is, the more likely these solvents will upset your atomizer’s structure.

If you use any solvents, use them sparingly.

There are ways you can get rid of this foul taste without reducing the life of your atomizer.

You can first blow out any primer by blowing air from the top and open ends while holding a paper towel under the threaded end. Next, briefly rinse in alcohol and blow out once again. Connect the batter, drip 3 or 4 drops of nicotine liquid and puff a few times, but don’t inhale. Repeat this step one more time and you should get rid of the taste.

It’s rare the bad taste cannot be rid of this way. If this doesn’t work, you could have excess sealant or glue in the atomizer body that’s being heated.

And if you can’t get any air flow through the atomizer, the airways could be blocked by sealant. There’s really no way to resolve this issue so you should return the defective atomizer.

If you’re experiencing bad taste in your e-cigarette atomizers, this method may resolve the problem without resorting to abrasive solvents.

Passenger Pelts Flight Attendant for Not Being Allowed to Use E-Cigarette

Wednesday, July 13th, 2011

Talk about overreacting!!

Anyone who flies knows smoking hasn’t been allowed on airplanes since the late 1980s. Smoking on a flight generally carries heavy fines and possible jail time.

These regulations do extend to electronic cigarettes as well. In fact, regulators with the U.S. Department of Transportation recently formalized regulations banning the use of these devices on any flight.

However, this didn’t stop a Utah man from overreacting when asked to put away his electronic cigarette. Traveling from Los Angeles to Salt Lake City, 42-year old Pogos Sefilian of Sandy, Utah became ‘combative’ when a flight attendant ordered him to quit using his e-cig.

According to reports in the Salt Lake City Tribune and USA Today, the incident started when Sefilian began puffing on his e-cigarette shortly after boarding his flight on Southwest Airlines in L.A. An attendant asked the passenger to put the device away but that didn’t sit well with him.

Sefilian begrudgingly stowed the device away but shortly after takeoff, he got it out and started puffing on it again. Again, he was asked to quit using the device immediately.

Later in the flight in an apparent act of rage, Sefilian began pelting the flight attendant and cockpit door with pretzels and peanuts. Shortly before arrival in Salt Lake City, the unruly passenger began opening overhead storage bins.

Once the flight safely landed in Salt Lake City, Sefilian was taken into custody by the FBI. He’s been charged with interfering with a flight crew and is being held in a Utah jail pending a hearing before a Federal judge.

Sefilian’s reaction to the flight attendant’s request is extreme to say the least.

While we generally don’t support e-cigarette bans, perhaps the rule for airplanes makes sense. Considering the devices are still relatively unknown when compared to traditional cigarettes, fellow passengers will perhaps mistake an e-cigarette for a regular one.

No doubt this can cause confusion in a place where it isn’t needed.

Either way, e-cigarette retailers at Modern Vapor urge users to be respectful when using their devices. If it’s clear the restaurant owner, airline, taxi cab or other place doesn’t want you using the device on their property, then it’s best to respect their wishes. While we think some regulations are harsh, we don’t want to seem insensitive or assault those asking us not to use our devices in their presence.