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Vaping vs Smoking – What’s The Difference?
If you’re totally new to vaping, you may be unsure as to what the real differences are between vaping and smoking. You may have heard that smoking is far more harmful than vaping, or that vaping is an effective way to quit smoking but do you know the reasons behind these claims? In this article we take a look at the core differences between vaping and smoking and why many have given up tobacco in exchange for vapour.
Smoke Vs Vapour
Tobacco Cigarettes and E Cigarettes use completely different processes to give off their inhaled substance. Cigarettes use the combustion process to give off smoke and e cigarettes use heated liquid to give off vapour. The combustion process in tobacco cigarettes is what makes them so harmful to the smoker and those around them (second hand smoke). With e cigarettes, the vaper inhales vapour, rather than smoke, making for a much healthier smoking alternative.
Tobacco Vs E Liquid
When burned, tobacco smoke produces over 7000 chemicals with at least 69 of them known to cause cancer and many being toxic. Some chemicals in tobacco include arsenic, acetone, lead, tar, carbon monoxide and ammonia (to name a few). E Liquid on the other hand contains just a few main ingredients: glycerine, water, propylene glycol, flavourings and nicotine. Vaping is not completely risk free itself, however most health organisations (including the NHS and public health England) agree that vaping is far less harmful than smoking and also an effective way to help smokers quit.
Niccotine
Niccotine is the addictive substance found in both tobacco cigarettes and e cigarettes. Many believe nicotine is the harmful substance in cigarettes that causes cancer. However, nicotine alone is relatively harmless compared to other substances found in tobacco. The e liquid in e cigarettes also contains nicotine which is why smokers find them a helpful tool to wean off tobacco. The great thing about e cigarettes is the nicotine concentration within them can be gradual reduced over time, allowing the user to gradually wean off nicotine altogether and decide whether to continue vaping without it or quit vaping and smoking altogether.
Experience
The experience of smoking and vaping is a similar one. Both offer a substance to be inhaled and both offer that ‘hand to mouth’ action that smokers often miss when trying to quit cigarettes. The feeling in the back of the throat and lungs is also similar with vaping and smoking. The vapour in e cigarettes is heated to create that warm, back of throat hit that smokers find so satisfying.
As e cigarettes have evolved and technology continues to improve, manufacturers are finding cleverer ways of creating e cigarettes that feel more like traditional tobacco cigarettes. The selection of e cigarettes on the market ranges from basic vaping devices that activate simply on inhale to other more advanced devices such as box mods offering customisable technology for a totally personal vaping experience.
E Liquid – Your FAQs
Here we answer some of the most frequently and commonly asked questions on e liquid.
What is e liquid?
E Liquid is a viscous liquid used in e cigarettes. It is transformed into vapour inside the e cigarette which is then inhaled just like traditional cigarette smoke. Standard e liquid is made up of four simple key ingredients: VG (vegetable glycerine), PG (Propylene Glycol), nicotine and flavourings. E liquid can be found in a variety of flavours and concentrations depending on the wants of the user.
What are other names for e liquid?
There are many other names for e liquid including vape liquid, vape juice, e juice, juice and nic juice. Many novice vapers become confused by these slang terms at first, so if you’re new to vaping, don’t worry, they all mean the same thing!
What E Liquids are best?
Finding the ‘best’ e liquid depends entirely on personal preference. Of course it does pay to do a little research when it comes to finding an e liquid you’re entirely happy with, however most experienced vapers still like to try new flavours and brands as they evolve. No two e liquids are the same, whether that’s in flavour or concentration. New vapers often tend to lean towards sweeter flavours with higher nicotine concentrations, especially if they are using vaping as a way to quit cigarettes. As ex-smokers slowly wean off their cigarettes, they can reduce the nicotine strength, often times down to zero.
How do I Choose an E Liquid?
Choosing an e liquid depends on your vaping style, flavour preference and whether or not you’re using vaping as a tool to help you quit cigarettes. If you are looking to vaping as a means to quit smoking, the nicotine strength you choose in your e liquid will be dependant on how many cigarettes you are used to smoking. Many new vapers like to vape and smoke at the same time at first, and slowly wean themselves off cigarettes. Other smokers like to quit cold turkey, finding that e cigarettes provide enough of a nicotine and ‘hand-to-mouth’ hit that they don’t crave traditional cigarettes anymore.
When choosing an e liquid flavour, we recommend looking at all the awesome flavours on the market and trying out the ones you’re drawn to. If you don’t like the flavours you choose, there are always hundreds more to try! Don’t go crazy and order 50 flavours though, start out small with one or two flavours that take your fancy and get a feel for your personal preference. Some people like sweet, dessert-like flavours whereas others prefer a fruity or menthol hit. Some vapers don’t like different flavours at all and choose traditional tobacco flavours just like cigarettes!
E Liquid isn’t all about flavour and nicotine strength. There are other factors to consider too. Different e liquids are suitable for different vaping styles and devices. High VG liquid for example is e liquid with a high vegetable glycerine content which makes it more viscous. High VG e liquids make an excellent choice for sub ohm vapes and box mods as they help to produce big, dense clouds which are ideal for cloud chasers (vapers that enjoy producing large billowing plumes of vapour).
Finding the ‘best’ e liquid depends entirely on personal preference. Of course it does pay to do a little research when it comes to finding an e liquid you’re entirely happy with, however most experienced vapers still like to try new flavours and brands as they evolve. No two e liquids are the same, whether that’s in flavour or concentration. New vapers often tend to lean towards sweeter flavours with higher nicotine concentrations, especially if they are using vaping as a way to quit cigarettes. As ex-smokers slowly wean off their cigarettes, they can reduce the nicotine strength, often times down to zero.
How do I Choose an E Liquid?
Choosing an e liquid depends on your vaping style, flavour preference and whether or not you’re using vaping as a tool to help you quit cigarettes. If you are looking to vaping as a means to quit smoking, the nicotine strength you choose in your e liquid will be dependant on how many cigarettes you are used to smoking. Many new vapers like to vape and smoke at the same time at first, and slowly wean themselves off cigarettes. Other smokers like to quit cold turkey, finding that e cigarettes provide enough of a nicotine and ‘hand-to-mouth’ hit that they don’t crave traditional cigarettes anymore.
When choosing an e liquid flavour, we recommend looking at all the awesome flavours on the market and trying out the ones you’re drawn to. If you don’t like the flavours you choose, there are always hundreds more to try! Don’t go crazy and order 50 flavours though, start out small with one or two flavours that take your fancy and get a feel for your personal preference. Some people like sweet, dessert-like flavours whereas others prefer a fruity or menthol hit. Some vapers don’t like different flavours at all and choose traditional tobacco flavours just like cigarettes!
E Liquid isn’t all about flavour and nicotine strength. There are other factors to consider too. Different e liquids are suitable for different vaping styles and devices. High VG liquid for example is e liquid with a high vegetable glycerine content which makes it more viscous. High VG e liquids make an excellent choice for sub ohm vapes and box mods as they help to produce big, dense clouds which are ideal for cloud chasers (vapers that enjoy producing large billowing plumes of vapour).
