10 Facts about Vaping

A woman in a black shirt, vaping. Photo by Don Delfin Almonte . Unsplash

10 Facts about Vaping

Vaping is similar to smoking. Vape devices powered by batteries produce an aerosol that resembles water vapor. Vapes are not made of water. Propylene glycol, vegetable glycerine, or glycerol are the main ingredients in vapes. The same harmful chemicals found in cleaning products, nail polish remover, weed killer, and bug spray can be found in vapes. They simply do not include it on the pack.

Vapes are appealing because they come in a variety of flavors such as blueberry or bubblegum. Many vapes contain nicotine, the highly addictive substance found in tobacco cigarettes. The nicotine and chemicals in the aerosol are inhaled into the lungs and then enter the bloodstream.

The first vape devices resembled cigarettes. Modern models resemble a USB flash drive or a small pod. Vapes come in a variety of shapes and sizes, but they all share the same basic components, which include a battery, a sensor, and an atomizer/flavor cartridge. The e-liquid is rapidly heated and converted into an aerosol that can be inhaled.

1. Hon Lik invented the vape

A person holding a vape. Photo by Vaporesso. Unsplash

Han Li, also known as Hon Lik, is a Chinese pharmacist who invented the modern electronic cigarette, also known as a vape. Lik was a heavy smoker, and his father died of lung cancer. Hon’s initial goal was to assist himself in quitting smoking. This did not work out in the end. He is now a dual user who smokes and vapes.

Based on his 2003 priority application in China, he filed patents for his invention in China, the United States, and the European Union. The first electronic cigarette, known as “Ruyan,” was manufactured in 2004 in Shenyang, China. The Ruyan used the same system that we use today: aerosolized liquid passed through a heating element powered by a battery.

He is now developing a new product, the “e-hookah,” which will be sold in the Middle Eastern and North African markets.

2. The use of vapes skyrocketed since they first appeared on the market

Many vape companies believe that 2010 was the year that vaping’s popularity skyrocketed. That year, vape manufacturers realized that people wanted more than what electronic cigarettes could provide. They desired more clouds, more flavor, and a more authentic hookah experience.

Larger pen mods that were more technologically advanced than e-cigarettes were first developed by vape manufacturers. These pen mods were preferred by vapers, but they still desired more.

The first box mod kits became commercially available in 2010. These kits provided vapers with more power and control over their vaping experience.

This increase has been attributed to targeted marketing, lower costs compared to traditional cigarettes, and vapes superior safety profile compared to tobacco. The most people use e-cigarettes in China, the United States, and Europe, with China having the most users. 

3. Vapes come in a variety of shapes and sizes

A grey vape. Photo by Sven Kucinic. Unsplash

There are numerous types of vapers. It’s unusual for someone to pick up a device and a single flavor of liquid at first glance and stick with it. There are numerous types of vapes, which include vape pens, pods, and mods.

Cigalikes

These are small, discreet vapes that resemble traditional cigarettes in appearance and feel. They use disposable cartridges that screw onto a rechargeable battery. As a result, they are easy to use and popular among beginners. They are also one of the most affordable e-cigarettes, providing excellent value for money.

Pods

Pod system vapes, also known as pod vapes or pod mods, are small, easy-to-use devices with a battery and refillable or pre-filled pods. These are one of the newest generations of e-cigarettes and are quickly becoming very popular, especially among those who are new to vaping. This is because of their comfort, satisfaction, low cost, and ease of use.

Vape pens

Vape pens are refillable ‘all-in-one’ devices with a tank and battery. They are small, pen-shaped devices. Because these e-cigarettes are designed to be used with e liquid, they have more flavor options than cigalikes or pre-filled pod systems. Vape pens are frequently activated by a button and may include additional features such as airflow adjustment and wattage settings.

Box Kits

Box Kits, also known as ‘box mods,’ are, as the name suggests, box-shaped! A box-shaped casing houses the battery and technical components. Most box vape starter kits include a removable tank, but you can also buy just the battery section for some of these devices; usually referred to as ‘box mods’. Simple, beginner-friendly box kits are available, as are more sophisticated models with adjustable settings.

4. There are different vaping styles

You may come across the terms ‘MTL’ and ‘DTL’ when talking about vaping. These are abbreviations for the phrases’mouth to lung’ and ‘direct to lung’. These terms describe the various vaping styles used by vapers and how they inhale the vapour produced by the vape.

Beginners should stick to devices that support a mouth-to-lung, or ‘MTL,’ vaping style. This is due to the fact that they are intended to be inhaled into the mouth, then into the lungs, in the same way that most smokers inhale from a cigarette. MTL devices, which produce a subtle amount of vapour, are also known as ‘classic’ e cigs or vape kits.

Direct to lung vaping kits are intended to inhale vapour directly from the device into the lungs. As a result, they are typically best suited to more experienced vapers. Although some DTL kits are suitable for beginners, the inhalation style is different from that of a cigarette and may take some getting used to. Attempting to inhale mouth-to-lung from a DTL device can cause coughing and spluttering. 

5. Vaping generates no waste

Woman refilling pod vape. Photo by Vaporesso. Unsplash

Reusable vapes, unlike traditional cigarettes, do not generate waste or potential litter with each use in the form of discarded cigarette butts. Traditional cigarettes end up in the ocean, where they pollute the environment, but once discarded, they degrade through biodegradation and photodegradation.

Although some brands have started recycling services for their vape cartridges and batteries, the extent to which recycling is practised is unknown. Non-reusable vapes contribute to the problem of electronic waste, which can endanger people and other organisms. When batteries and unused e-liquid are improperly disposed of, they can release heavy metals, nicotine, and other chemicals. 

A garb ology study conducted from July 2018 to April 2019 discovered that vape products accounted for 19% of all traditional and electronic tobacco and cannabis products collected at 12 public high schools in Northern California.

6. Individuals are in fact burned while vaping

Multiple reports from the United States Fire Administration conclude that vapes are combusting and injuring people and the environment. The composition of a cigarette is to blame, as the cartridges intended to contain the liquid mixture are so close to the battery.

A research report by the U.S. Fire Administration supports this, stating that, “Unlike mobile phones, some e-cigarette lithium-ion batteries within e-cigarettes offer no protection to stop the coil overheating”.

In a 2015 report, the United States Fire Administration stated that electronic cigarettes are not manufactured by Big Tobacco or other tobacco companies, but rather by independent factories with little quality control. Because of this lack of quality control when manufactured, electronic cigarettes have resulted in incidents in which people have been injured or the surrounding environment has been damaged.

7. Critics claim that vaping is a safer option to smoking tobacco products

Woman vaping behind bars. Photo by Vaporesso. Unsplash

Vaping ban opponents argue that vaping is a far safer alternative to smoking tobacco products and that vaping bans encourage people to revert to smoking cigarettes.

For example, critics point to an August 2015 article in the British Journal of Family Medicine that stated, “Vapes are 95% safer than traditional smoking.” Furthermore, when discussing the San Francisco vaping ban, Ted Egan, the city’s chief economist, stated that the city’s ban on e-cigarette sales will increase smoking as vapers switch to combustible cigarettes.

Smoking ban opponents point out the absurdity of criminalizing the sale of a safer alternative to tobacco while tobacco remains legal. Prominent supporters of smoking bans are also opposed to criminalizing tobacco, preferring to give consumers the freedom to choose whatever products they want.

8. Vaping has an impact on more than just the lungs

Vape Juice E-liquid. Photo by Saj HZ. Unsplash

While it is well known that nicotine is harmful to the lungs, it is also harmful to other organs. Nicotine, an addictive chemical found in vapes, can raise blood pressure and increase adrenaline levels. This increase in heart rate increases the likelihood of having a heart attack.

Vaping on a regular basis can also cause mouth and gum problems. The mouth can be a good indicator of health problems. Nicotine reduces blood flow and nutrition to the gums, which causes them to turn black.

9. Vaping is addictive

The only difference between traditional and vapes is that traditional smoking delivers nicotine to the body by burning the tobacco, whereas vaping delivers nicotine by heating a liquid that turns into vapor and aerosol. Because of the nicotine-laced vapor, vapes are just as addictive as traditional cigarettes.

10. Vapefest is a popular annual vapping event 

Vape meets, or large gatherings of vapers, are held all over the United States. They concentrate on e-cigarette devices, accessories, and the associated lifestyle. Vapefest, which began in 2010, is an annual event hosted by various cities. Those who attend these meetings are typically enthusiasts who use specialized, community-made products that are not available in convenience stores or gas stations.

These products are mostly available online or in specialized “vape” shopfronts, where mainstream vape brands from the tobacco industry and larger vape manufacturers are not as popular. Some vape shops have a vape bar where customers can try out various e-liquids and socialize.

The Electronic Cigarette Convention in North America, which began in 2013, is an annual gathering of businesses and consumers.