Vaping has grown in popularity since e-cigarettes were first introduced in America in 2007. What started out as a trend has now become a way of life for tens of thousands of people. Celebrities have even embraced e-cigs to promote a fashionable, healthier lifestyle. But, is it just a trend? Or is there much more to it?
Vaping is More Stylish than Cigarettes
It can undoubtedly be said that vaping is much more appealing than traditional smoking. Unlike cigarettes, vaping leaves no lingering smell which diverts people away from your presence. The smoke created through cigarettes is no longer present, meaning your creating far less of an annoyance to the public. Furthermore, the overall appearance of a vape pen is enough to get many people onto the trend. You can choose from a variety of designs and find yourself a vaporizer that is unique to you, as opposed to carrying around a pack of cigarettes everywhere you go.
Vaping is a Healthier Alternative to Smoking
While clinical studies haven’t yet established the long-term health risks of vaping, many people who have switched report how their health has improved since they started using e-cigarettes. E-liquid (or e-juice) contains four main ingredients: Propylene Glycol, Nicotine, Vegetable Glycerin and flavoring. Propylene Glycol is a common food additive. Vegetable Glycerin is a sweet, thick oil that is derived from vegetables such as corn. Pharmaceutical-grade nicotine comes from tobacco plants.
People often question the difference between smoking and vaping when they hear about the nicotine content. The difference between smoking a cigarette versus an e-cigarette is the tobacco, which contains tar and many carcinogens that are known to cause cancer and other health problems. E-liquid does not contain tobacco.
The American Lung Association has publicly stated that e-liquids and other nicotine replacement products can help alleviate the withdrawal symptoms. By switching to vaping, you can:
- Reduce your risk of a heart attack significantly.
- Reduce your risk of a stroke within 2 to 5 years.
- Reduce your risk of lung, throat, mouth, bladder and esophageal cancers by 50%.
- Reduce the risk of health problems for your relatives that are caused by second-hand smoke.
- Reduce the risk of premature births and other complications, if you are pregnant.
You will notice a change in the way you feel within two or three days after you switch. For one, you may notice an increased level of energy. If the opposite happens, don’t worry. Your body is simply readjusting itself, and you will start to feel better within a week. Your normal sense of smell and taste will return, which will be both good and bad at first. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself going on a mad cleaning spree to eradicate the tar and smoke smells from your house and car.
How to Use e-Cigarettes to Ditch the Smoking Habit
There is no question that cigarettes are toxic. Yet, they are readily everywhere you go. Switching to vaping can not only help alleviate your withdrawal symptoms, but they can improve your health.
You will find many online retailers who sell e-cigarettes, e-juice and other related products. Most of those sell vape starter kits, which allow you to try the e-cigarette and e-juice without having to invest in a lot of money.
E-juice comes in many nicotine strengths. For example, you can buy juice that contains as high as 42mg/mL and as low as 0mg/mL. Many people start off between 6 and 18mg/mL and either increase or decrease the dose, depending on how well their bodies tolerate the nicotine.
Heavy smokers typically start out by trying the 12mg/mL or the 18mg/mL. Light to moderate smokers can start with the 6mg/mL. If you are unsure what to get, research your cigarette brand online to see how much nicotine they use. This will give you an idea of how much nicotine you will need when first starting out.
You also need to check out the ingredients of the e-juice you want to buy to make sure that it doesn’t contain diacetyl. This is a harmful substance that is typically found in low quality juices. Check out the E-Cigarette Forum (ECF) to learn which brands to avoid.
Once you find juice(s) that satisfy your nicotine craving and is safe to use, you can vape as often as you need. If you want to ditch the nicotine, but still enjoy the hand-to-mouth sensations that smoking entails, you can do that, too. Simply buy the dose that you require and wean yourself off gradually.