As vaping is a fairly new hobby compared to some there are many mistruths and myths out there. Some have been born out of simple misunderstandings. Some out of a need for the media to produce sensationalist headlines and pro-tobacco fans to discredit this valid and healthier alternative. To put the record straight and so you have a better understanding of what an eliquid is here is our basic guide to e liquid.
Aren’t E Cigarettes Like Tobacco Cigarettes, Only Digital?
No! They are nothing alike. When a cigarette is lit it burns tobacco and as many as five thousand chemicals into the air and into your body. Many of these chemicals have been classified by WHO (World Health Organisation) as being both toxic and potentially carcinogenic (cancer-causing). When an e cigarette is switched on the e juice inside is heated in order to produce a flavoured vapour. Very different indeed.
What’s in an E Liquid
E liquids are made up of four main “parts”. These include flavourings, nicotine in varying strengths and a base made up with a split between vegetable glycerin and propylene glycol. It is this e cigarette liquid mixture that is heated within your e cigarette device to produce the flavoured vapour you inhale.
What is Vegetable Glycerin?
Commonly referred to as VG, Vegetable Glycerin is used to thicken up e liquid, making them smoother and better tasting. VG is made from natural ingredients such as vegetable plant oils. VG is sometimes described as slightly sweet, free of any odour and great for vapers who enjoy bigger vape clouds.
What is Propylene Glycol?
Propylene Glycol (PG) is also used in an e liquid base to dilute down the nicotine and flavourings. Unlike VG, PG isn’t as thick however does have benefits of its own. Vaping juice made up with PG tends to go down really well with those who enjoy a firmer throat hit. This is particularly true for those new to vaping, having recently moved over from tobacco smoking.
As with VG, PG is recognised as safe by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). You will typically find it in food products, cosmetics, medication including asthma inhalers and more; as well as in e liquid.
Nicotine
E liquids contain nicotine in varying strengths. Some are zero nicotine. Ejuice offers the opportunity to completely customise your vape. Nicotine contributes to the taste and throat hit, the pleasurable slightly harsh feel at the back of the throat when you inhale. Nicotine is also known to be addictive. While the risk to health from nicotine has been found to be very low. The addictive nature of nicotine is what concerns some people. Being able to decrease the nicotine vaped with e liquids is great for those looking to be nicotine free.
Flavourings
There are a number of different flavourings used in e liquids. This is because there are so many different eliquid flavours. All ingredients are listed on e juice packaging and only FDA/safe ingredients will be used.
Be Sure About Your E Liquids
If you want to ensure your e liquid contains only these ingredients, make sure you buy from a reputable retailer. This guarantees safety as well as quality.
Myths About E Liquid Contents
Despite what you might hear on Facebook or from other dubious news sources, e liquids are not full of rubbish. They don’t contain the bones of mice that were sacrificed for their flavour, nor will they contain anything else equally bizarre. E liquid manufacturing is well regulated and retailers looking to sell e liquids must ensure new e liquids pass TPD regulations.
You may also hear that vapour liquid contains diacetyl and this is something that needs to be explained properly. A condition called popcorn lung has been attributed to working with high levels of diacetyl.
Diacetyl is a chemical used to add buttery flavours. Only significant exposure over a long period of time causes popcorn lung. Evidence suggests that even if you were to vape the minute diacetyl traces for a very long time that this wouldn’t cause you harm.
To ensure that there is no risk and no worry manufacturers of e liquid no longer use this ingredient. They haven’t for some time. If you buy an e liquid nowadays that lists it as an ingredient you would be wise to find another supplier!
Eliquid and Antifreeze
This one bemuses us here at 99p e liquids. We’d like to think that if e liquids contained incredibly harmful antifreeze that the government would have implemented a blanket ban on them years ago. This myth started as a misconception. It soon became something the media could rub their hands together over while producing headlines like “PG in E Juice Contains Deadly Antifreeze”.
PG is found in a wide variety of products from makeup to food (it’s a preservative). PG is added TO antifreeze to make it bitter tasting so that people don’t want to drink it (i.e. if a child got hold of an unsealed bottle).
In Summary
The composition of an e liquid is fairly easy to get your head around, especially when you stop listening to online vaping conspiracies. What is important to remember is to buy your e liquids from reputable sources. Follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for your e cigarette to make sure that you enjoy the very best vape possible.