Monthly Archives: August 2020

Despite the fact that the NHS is happy to confirm that vaping is a perfect alternative to smoking and actively encourage smokers to use vaping as a way to give up it seems that the industry will always be under scrutiny and not always popular.  Many social media sites still shun vaping and will not allow the sale and promotion of any items. But if vaping is banned from advertising, are we actually damaging smokers?

Social Media

It is fair to say that social media is hugely popular and used by many people. While we can understand the concern of underage vapers being encouraged because of adverts it seems a little remiss to ban them carte blanche. It seems, that it is not just underage vaping that concerns the groups responsible for pushing a ban. At the end of last year, the Advertising Standards Agency decided to ban the adverts from social media platforms. Ironically the campaign to get them banned was backed by two UK based anti-smoking groups: Action on Smoking and Health and Stopping Tobacco Organisations and Products.

Vaping can contain nicotine, and while we understand that this is part of their concern it seems a shame to prevent smokers learning about alternative ways that might actually work for them and help them to quit smoking. With scientific backed studies that can evidence how much safer for the body vaping is when compared to traditional smoking, the use of tobacco in this case could be argued to be negligible and valuable. When people first start vaping they look for a level of tobacco similar to smoking, but the plan generally for a lot of people is to cut down the level of tobacco they vape until they are simply using some of the amazing liquid's out there that do not contain any form of tobacco.

How the Ban was Imposed

It was alleged that the companies who were under scrutiny which included the British American Tobacco company,

In June 2020 the European Council announced that it was time to tax vaping products in a similar manner to tobacco products, with a plan to introduce a tax on vapes which would apply across the whole of the EU. Before it becomes a done deal it must first pass to the European Commission, and this has been an issue that has rattled around for many years Anne will come as a bit of a blow for the vaping industry. It was initially sold as a good thing, because an excise tax that was uniform would ensure that EU states could not levy significantly high taxes which was thought to be the reason why the vaping industry in Italy was destroyed. Until now, the UK government has not insisted on taxing electronic cigarettes and e-liquids and they are rated number one in the world for being independent of the tobacco lobby. But can the UK avoid it?

What Would Happen?

Minnesota is quite a good case study, they found themselves subject to a 95% tariff on e-liquid which had a devastating effect on smokers looking to use vaping as an alternative. Figures showed that it would deter over 32,000 people from quitting. Worse still, extensive studies also showed new smokers went up in numbers, and this included a 6% increase among pregnant women.  In 2014 Italy saw a massive vape tax imposed and this took 70% of the number of vapers. They once had 4000 vaping shops, and this fell to 1000 and cost approximately 10,000 people their job. Unsurprisingly, there was an increase in illegal and imported e-liquids as people felt they were being unfairly treated.

Will it Come to the UK?

The short answer is it might. The EU isn't exactly known for being quick, and approval is needed before anything can be done from the EU Commission. It would then be reasonable that companies would be given time to ensure that they could implement any necessary changes. It is now down to when

One of the problems the vaping industry faces is substandard equipment and worse still dubious e-liquid. A number of scandals where vaping got the blame can actually be traced back to poor and substandard supplies. That is why it is so important that the MH RA vaping legislation is tough, and in place in the UK.

Unregulated Industries are Dangerous

Every day we hear stories about vapes that exploded, or e-liquids that caused lung damage. These storeys are sensationalised and sent across the globe and really damage the vaping industry. Generally, once the fires have settled and calm investigations have been carried out, they can be traced back to cheap components, lack of care manufacturing, and dodgy ingredients that really shouldn't be in vapes. Sadly, the general public doesn't have enough information to differentiate between the two and people end up believing the worst about vaping. As we say a million times, it is perfectly possible to pick up a 10 quid vape at a petrol station or market and believe you have a bargain, but likely you have bought substandard goods that failed to sell elsewhere and are now seriously outdated technology not to mention likely dangerous. 

As detailed on the government website the standards very specific and designed to protect you. Currently it says:

The TPD introduced new rules which ensure:

• minimum standards for the safety and quality of all e-cigarettes and refill containers (otherwise known as e-liquids)
• that information is provided to consumers so that they can make informed choices
• an environment that protects children from starting to use these products.

From 20 May 2017, the new requirements:

• restrict e-cigarette tanks to a capacity of no more than 2ml
• restrict the maximum volume of nicotine-containing e-liquid for

Switching to vaping instead of smoking is so much better for your health that it is a recommended method used by the NHS. There is lots of information on their website about why it is so much better, but we thought we'd have a quick look at some other health benefits you can experience if you ditch the cigarettes and instead pick up a vape.

95% Less Harmful

Way back in 2015 Public Health England conducted a study and were able to evidence that vaping using nicotine e-liquids is 95% less harmful to the body than actually smoking cigarettes with tobacco. More recently further research has been done at the Queen Mary University in London and they have endorsed the fact that smokers who can make the transition to vaping stand a much better chance of quitting for good. Vaping devices are also twice as effective at helping the process than other things such as gum and patches.

Why Does it Work Better?

One of the reasons that vaping is thought to be such a good way to stop smoking is that fundamentally you are replacing one habit for another almost identical one. Chewing gum in no way mimics the process of smoking but many beginners vapes have been designed to almost look can feel like a cigarette with a very similar drag process to inhale into the lungs and even get the hit of nicotine at the back of the throat. Because you can control the amount of nicotine in your illiquid you can also start to wean yourself off it but at the beginning, you will not have any withdrawal symptoms as your body is still getting what it thinks it needs.

So, What Happens to the Body?

Even early in the process, as soon as day two if you are no longer smoking cigarettes carbon monoxide from them will exit the body and this

Propylene glycol (PG) and vegetable glycerine (VG) are two things that you’re going to encounter every time you vape because virtually every vape juice on the planet contains both of those liquids. If you look closely at the labels on the bottles of e-liquid that you buy, though, you’re going to notice something interesting. A bottle of e-liquid usually has its VG/PG ratio printed on the label, and different brands of vape juice often have different VG/PG ratios.

Why would VG/PG ratios differ from one e-liquid to the next? Are there any reasons why you should look for high-VG or high-PG e-liquids? What are VG and PG, anyway? Read on, because those are the things that you’re going to learn from reading this article.

What Is Propylene Glycol (PG)?

Propylene glycol is a synthetic substance that is one of the world’s most versatile and useful compounds. In industry, PG is used in the production of plastics. Food-grade PG is also an ingredient in many of the things that you ingest or put on your skin every day. PG is an emulsifier and stabilizer. It attracts and retains moisture. It even inhibits microbial growth. Those properties make PG an important ingredient in an enormous variety of products.

• Because PG traps moisture, it’s a common ingredient in eyedrops and lotions.
• PG’s ability to keep ingredients emulsified makes it common in liquid food products like sweeteners and syrups. It’s also a common base for liquid medications.
• Since PG inhibits microbial growth, it’s added to shelf-stable foods to prevent those foods from spoiling.
• PG is a common base for liquid flavour concentrates.

The reason why e-liquid contains PG and VG is because liquid nicotine and flavour concentrates are extremely strong in their undiluted forms. Those substances have to be diluted before they can be used to make an e-liquid. In a bottle of e-liquid, on

You might think that starting vaping is as simple as walking into a shop and grabbing the first set up that you see. However, it's a little bit more complex than that and it is something that takes a while to get used to. Technology is moving really fast in the industry and there are new products on offer all the time, so picking the right one for you can seem a little bit daunting which is why we're here. Here are some of the most common mistakes new cloud chasers make and how to fix them.

Too Advanced Too Quickly 

If you are new to vaping you may not realise that there are many different types of mod and kit, some of which are designed to be used by vapers with experience, rather than those new to the hobby. If you are starting out, something simple that mimics the draw of a cigarette is probably your easiest option. As you get more experienced you can move on to devices that come with changeable coils and have more complex settings that require user interaction to manipulate them to create the perfect experience. But, we highly recommend a simple set up when you are first starting out.

Buying Cheap Kit

We don’t just say this to try and sell more products for ourselves, but vape shops are your best bet for quality gear. Many general shopping outlets such as petrol stations and market stalls sell cheap £10 devices that might look enticing if you are just starting out. However, having something completely rubbish is a sure-fire way to put you off and make you think that vaping is the problem. They can sell these kits this cheap because basically they are really old technology that no one else wants anymore and they have been manufactured on the cheap in the first place. This can lead to things like poor performance, lousy battery life, leaking, and many other problems. There are plenty of big-name brands that are stocked by reputable vaping shops and these include Aspire, Smok, Innokin to name a

We have talked before about how you need to take care when travelling abroad as a vaper. There is no global policy on vaping and some countries are very strict on their bans, to the point that those found with vape equipment in their possession even on holiday could be put in jail. So here is a quick heads up to some other places you definitely do not want to visit with your vaping gear in tow. We totally get that it is a habit and not something you want to go without for a week, but seriously, any of these places and there is a simple answer. Leave it at home or go somewhere else!

Dubai

The whole of the United Arab Emirates is pretty against vaping but Dubai seems to be one of the most active and vicious when it comes to trapping holidaymakers who might accidentally stumble into the country without realising vaping is a distinct no-no. There have even been cases of travellers having a layover in Dubai and getting their kit confiscated even though they are not staying and have not left the smoking lounge in Dubai Airport. There does seem to be some lack of consistency though as other travellers report being able to vape whilst within the smoking lounge. Out in the streets and hotels, the punishment has been reported to be much worse so the simple answer is to avoid.

Hong Kong

Ah, the irony! Hong Kong as you are probably aware is part of China where each year millions of vaping products are manufactured and shipped all over the world. But, within the country, it is actually illegal to use such devices, despite the fact they are actually credited with inventing the whole concept! This is one country that uses jail as punishment and you could be thrown in the slammer for up to two years and receive massive fines if you are found with vaping equipment in your possession.  

Singapore

Again, if you look at the advice for vaping in Singapore you would discover that it

Smoking is still a popular habit, despite the fact that it is regularly reported to be significantly dangerous to your health. Vaping is a much safer alternative, and this has been shown in various studies. There are more than one reason why vaping trumps smoking so let's have a quick recap of the benefits if you are considering switching from smoking to vaping.

It's Cheaper

Let's start with the wallet, money tends to have an element of control over our lives whether we like it or not. The good news is that vaping is actually cheaper than smoking, of course, you have the initial outlay for your kit, but after that you will not be spending as much money. An e-liquid lasts longer than a packet of cigarettes for most people, and you can pick up various flavours now and then, so you will soon end up with quite a collection and still have spent a lot less than smoking. The tobacco industry has a habit of increasing prices, one assumes because less people are choosing to buy cigarettes, so by vaping you can save some cash.

It's Healthier

The tobacco industry like to release information claiming that vaping is as damaging or more so than cigarette smoking, but the truth is studies have been carried out in controlled conditions and proved it is actually much safer. The NHS have even recognised vaping as a suitable alternative to smoking and actively suggest to people that this is a route they go down when wanting to quit. Vaping fulfils the hand habit, and you can adjust the level of nicotine so you can even Break free from the addiction of this drug and just enjoy the flavours. Reducing the nicotine content is important if at all possible because it is a known carcinogen and lung cancer is one of the leading health issues developed by smokers.

Second-hand

Are You Thinking of Going on Holiday Soon?

Now that travel restrictions are starting to ease, millions of Brits are packing up and heading off in search of the sun. Too much time has passed and we are all fed up with being locked down, but before you leave there are lots to think about, especially what you were going to do with your vape.

Put it in Your Suitcase?

No, we are not being flippant here, the fact is across the world there are many different rules and regulations about vaping. So you can't just assume you can take your vape with you as in some countries it could actually, genuinely, see you be arrested. So, before you leave, do your research and see what the legal standpoint is on vaping in the country you are going to visit. Taking a piece of kit into a country where vaping is frowned upon will vary in sanction. In some countries, they may just slap you on the wrist and confiscate your kit but other times it can be a lot worse so please, do take this seriously. It might make a talking point for your friends when you get home but being arrested and potentially jailed in a foreign country is terrifying and not something anyone wants to experience.

Pack With Care 

We totally understand that if you are using vapes with a nicotine content leaving them at home it's not going to be easy. But again you should consider the issue of respect in the country of which you are visiting and potentially take some kit that is maybe smaller and more discreet than what you would normally use at home. It might mean you can't take your favourite vape but as long as you can still get that cloud chasing hit you will cope for the duration of the holiday.

Your next consideration is the airline on which you were travelling. Again there is no universal rule, each airline has its own legislation on how you can safely carry vaping equipment onto their planes. Remember

Virtually all of the world’s smokers inhale in the same way: They draw the smoke into their mouths before inhaling it into their lungs. That’s called mouth-to-lung inhaling. That’s the inhaling technique that you used when you were a smoker, and you naturally continued to inhale that way when you switched to vaping. The idea that anyone would do things differently might strike you as a little odd. With smoking, inhaling directly into the lungs isn’t even possible for most people; you’d cough like crazy. How is it possible that vapers can inhale directly into the lungs without coughing? More importantly, why would anyone want to vape that way?

One of the greatest things about vaping is that there are so many ways of doing it – and no matter what you want your vaping experience to be like, you can find products to accommodate your preferences. Reading this article, you’re going to learn about the differences between mouth-to-lung and direct-to-lung vaping.

What Is Mouth-to-Lung Vaping, and What Are Its Benefits?

Mouth-to-lung vaping is the act of drawing the vapour into your mouth before inhaling all of it into the lungs at once. The primary benefit of mouth-to-lung vaping is the fact that it’s familiar and comfortable to smokers.

The benefit actually goes even further than that, though, because mouth-to-lung vaping is what feels most like smoking. When you draw the vapour into your lungs from your mouth, you feel a sensation called “throat hit” as the vapour passes through your throat. You also feel throat hit when you smoke a cigarette, and the mouth-to-lung inhaling style is the only way to mimic that sensation.

Most people use fairly high-nicotine e-liquids when they switch to vaping because using an e-liquid that delivers as much nicotine as possible on a puff-for-puff basis helps to ensure that you’ll be able to switch to vaping successfully. With that in mind, the mouth-to-lung inhaling style is actually necessary for most ne