Posts Tagged ‘regular cigarettes’

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.

Automatic vs. Manual E-Cigarette Batteries

Tuesday, 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.

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.

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.

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

Wednesday, 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.

Common (…and Dangerous) Chemicals Found in Regular Cigarettes

Tuesday, September 6th, 2011

Ever stop and think about why regular cigarettes are considered to be dangerous? Is it mind numbing to think about the literally thousands of chemical substances, many of which are known to cause cancer?

Over the years, much research has been done to study the chemical composition of traditional smokes. Much of the buzz surrounding e-cigarettes is that they offer a safer alternative – which is true when comparing the chemical composition of each.

On one hand, nicotine liquid for e-cigarettes contains only a few substances, most of which are relatively harmless. Propylene glycol is the most prevalent, and is a substance found in many foods for example. The actual nicotine is considered to be the worst substance in e-cigarettes, especially in terms of addiction.

But experts agree that as long as you don’t ingest nicotine liquid directly, the substance is no more harmful than caffeine.

Regular cigarettes on the other hand contain literally thousands of chemicals. Over 599 chemicals are approved by the U.S. Government for use in e-cigarettes. But when you light up, the burning causes some chemicals to change their composition…meaning, when you smoke, you’re actually ingesting some 4000 chemicals into your body!!

Of these, 69 are known carcinogens, or cancer-causing agents. Some of the most harmful include:

  • Acetone – found in nail polish remover
  • Ammonia – found in toilet bowl cleaner and other cleaning agents
  • Arsenic – found in rat poison and other insecticides
  • Benzene –  found in paint stripper/mineral spirits
  • Cadmium –  found in batteries
  • Carbon monoxide – commonly found in car exhaust
  • Hydrogen Cyanide – a substance used in gas chambers
  • Toluene – found in many industrial solvents
  • ….and many more!!

To list all of the harmful chemicals in cigarettes would take all day…just listing a few though should give anyone pause, especially if they’re a smoker.

Batteries, cleaning solvents, nail polish remover? Yuck!! Most of us don’t relish the thought of ingesting those substances.

But when you smoke, you’re certainly ingesting very dangerous components of these substances (…and more).

Next time you and/or a friend are smoking, think about these substances and what your body is ingesting. Doing so may prompt you to quit or seek less dangerous alternatives, like electronic cigarettes.

Related Posts

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