9 Facts Everyone Should Know About Vaping

May 25, 2022

Vaping is a hugely popular hobby with a massive global market. The past twenty years have seen an explosion in online and brick-and-mortar retailers and flavours to appeal to every taste imaginable. It's a worldwide sensation. But how much do you really know about vaping?

In this guide, we'll be walking you through the facts everyone should know about the world of vaping, from its history to device production, flavours, health effects, and more. Let's get into it!

1. E-Cigarettes Began as a Replacement for Smoking Traditional Cigarettes

After significant research had proven that cigarette smoking negatively impacted people's health, the desire for a replacement reached an all-time high. The answer to regular cigarettes? Flavored e-cigarettes. The e-cigarette has come a long way since then, developing into a wide variety of vapes that we know and love today.

Electronic cigarettes are still marketed as a form of smoking cessation, though opinions differ on how successful vaping is when trying to quit smoking traditional cigarettes. Still, using e-cigarettes is considered safer than consuming tobacco products, though certain risks may still emerge.

2. They Don't Always Contain Nicotine

Many people use vapes or e-cigarettes as a tool for quitting smoking. E-cigarette users who have recently switched to end their smoking habit may find the withdrawal symptoms from nicotine addiction difficult at first. A smaller dose in a vape could help with smoking cessation.

However, nicotine can be highly addictive, and prolonged consumption can lead to health effects like arterial hardening and various heart diseases. Interestingly, recent research suggests that it has little to no effect on blood pressure. 

That said, not all e-cigarettes contain nicotine. E-juice is available with varying levels, including zero-nicotine options.

It's worth noting nicotine itself is not what makes smoking traditional cigarettes so harmful. Instead, the problem is the combination of the addictiveness of nicotine with the harmfulness of tobacco. Vaping products that contain nicotine aren't as bad for you as smoking tobacco products.

3. Vaping Safety Is Still Underresearched

Despite claims that vaping poses fewer threats to your health than traditional cigarettes, many long-term effects of smoking e-cigarettes are still unknown. Research into how harmful smoking a daily e-cigarette could be is ongoing.

One risk is lung disease, including conditions such as popcorn lung, commonly associated with using e-cigarettes. A particular chemical of concern with e-cigarette use is vitamin E acetate, as identified by the CDC. Johns Hopkins researchers further discovered a wide variety of other chemicals that were largely unidentifiable. If you use e-cigarettes, it is best to purchase your vaping device and e-juice from a reputable brand that is transparent about the ingredients they use.

4. They Are Increasing in Popularity—Not Just to Quit Smoking

There's no denying that e-cigarette sales are on the rise, especially among young people. Numerous high school students reported that they use e-cigarettes, with even some middle school students admitting to smoking an e-cig.

This increase in vaping among teens may be due to social perceptions—the same reasons traditional cigarettes became so popular. They believe it makes them look cool, and with the advent of social media upon us, appearance is everything. Still, not all young users become regular users — some try it out of curiosity and never use it again.

5. Vape Liquid Contains Multiple Ingredients

Vape liquid, also known as e-liquid, contains multiple ingredients. The recipe varies between vaping products, but the most common ingredients include:

• Propylene glycol
• Vegetable glycerine
• Flavourings
• Nicotine (optional)

If you use e-cigarettes, you'll quickly discover the sheer variety of products. It would be best to purchase from a reputable brand to avoid the associated risks of unidentified chemicals.

6. Vaping Devices Come in Many Forms

There is a world of vape devices, from vape pens to puff bars and pod mods to disposable e-cigarette use. Whether you want to start using e-cigarettes because you want to quit smoking or if you're curious about what e-cigarettes are like, there's something out there for everybody.

The first thing you will probably notice about varying vape products is the size difference. You can find smaller pod or pen devices for easy transportation, and the larger devices allow extended use with fewer refills. It is best to start with the smaller devices if you aren't used to e-cigarettes.

7. They Were Originally called Ruyan

The devices recognized as vapes today first originated in Asia, and they were not known as vapes or e-cigarettes at that stage. Instead, they were called Ruyan. First developed by a Chinese pharmacist, Hon Lik designed and patented the original e-cig. The idea was simple but effective: it allowed smokers to inhale nicotine without exposing themselves to tar or tobacco. It made it easier for them to stop smoking ordinary cigarettes.

The name Ruyan translates to 'like smoke' in English. Hon Lik began selling the products in China, which later spread throughout Asia. It only reached the West in 2006 and wasn't legalized in Europe and the USA until 2006 and 2007, respectively. The same components used in the original design are still relevant to today's model, using a battery, a heating element, and an e-juice compartment.

8. There Are Thousands of E-Liquid Flavours Available

Part of the biggest appeal to vaping is the sheer variety available, not only in model design but also in the available flavours. An estimated seven thousand flavours are currently available to consumers, from mint to bubblegum and everything in between. There's no sign of innovation slowing down either, especially with the continuous growth in the market.

One of the best things about this vast portfolio of flavours is that you can switch it up anytime with detachable flavour pods. If you get bored of a particular flavour, you can change it. The possibilities are almost endless.

9. There's Such a Thing as Vape Tongue

Vape tongue is the name of the phenomenon where vape users lose their ability to taste a particular flavour over time. If you stick to just one flavour, you might find that you can't taste it as strongly as time goes on.

Vape tongue is easy to remedy. All you need to do is mix up the flavours you're consuming instead of sticking to just one. This way, your mouth won't get used to just one taste. All of the flavours you consume will remain potent for longer.

Conclusion

So there you have it! Our breakdown of facts everyone should know about the world of vaping. Whether you've recently switched or want to use it to quit smoking, there's plenty to enjoy! Browse through the RELX shop and see for yourself why vaping has remained so popular.

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