Vaping 101
Introduction To Vaping
Whether you've just been introduced to e-cigarettes and vaping and are looking to kick your smoking habit, or if you've been vaping for years, the vape experts at The Vapor Shoppe have put together a Vaping 101 guide to help you vape safely.
What is Vaping?
Vaping is the act of inhaling and exhaling the aerosol, often referred to as vapor, which is produced by an e-cigarette or similar device. The term is used because e-cigarettes do not produce tobacco smoke, but rather an aerosol, often mistaken for water vapor, that actually consists of fine particles.
How do vaping devices work?
All vaping devices work in the same fundamental way: A battery powers a coil heating element that turns a liquid solution known as e-liquid into an aerosol. Different devices apply these principals in differing ways - and it’s surprising just how many variants have been created from such a simple concept!
Why should I vape?
Vaping provides you with the sensations, rituals and nicotine that smoking provides, but is not smoking. In fact, from a flavor perspective, we believe vaping is now more enjoyable and satisfying than smoking ever was.
Can I vape anywhere?
The short answer here is no. Many Cities and Counties have chosen to prohibit vaping in public places, shoehorning vaping into smoke free legislation. Vaping is still permitted in public places in the majority of the US, but these laws continue to change.
Nevertheless, it’s wise not to assume that you can vape anywhere just because it’s not illegal. Premises owners are entitled to prohibit vaping on their property, and many do.
Is vaping right for me?
If you're an adult smoker then the answer is yes. Non-smokers should not take up nicotine in any form. The addictiveness of nicotine as provided by vaping devices is as yet not fully understood, but it should be assumed that it does have the potential to cause dependence.
What are PG or VG liquids?
PG (propylene glycol) and VG (vegetable glycerine, or glycerol) are ingredients in e-liquid which create the vapor. Both are widely used in a variety of products for human consumption. PG is associated with a stronger “throat hit” but with less visible vapor, whereas VG has a sweetish taste and produces a much more visible vapor. Some vapers find PG irritates their throat and lungs and choose to use VG based e-liquids instead. Some e-liquids contain a blend of both ingredients to balance out the characteristics of each.
What e-liquids should I get?
Again, there is no one-size fits all answer here, so the best thing you can do is to try out a few e-liquids and see which one suits you. Interestingly, don’t assume that you need an authentic tobacco flavor. There are some good ones out there, but we find that the vast majority of vapers end up choosing a flavor other than tobacco, and this happens very quickly if they try a few different ones to begin with. In terms of PG/VG, you’ll have to try for yourself and decide what you like.
What strength e-liquid should I buy?
This is, in a way, the trickiest question of all because ultimately it’s a personal preference. You need to try out vaping to see what you like.
There are two basic styles of vaping. We call this “NO/VO” and you can read all about it.
Put simply, some vapers prefer a stronger nicotine eliquid but on a lower powered device, whereas others prefer less nicotine but on a more powerful device. And some people are somewhere in the middle!
Also, vapers differ in how much nicotine they need, and how much they want to vape overall. So, if you want to vape less, use a stronger e-liquid, if you find you’re getting too much nicotine from the amount you like to vape, move to a less strong liquid.
There are two basic styles of vaping. We call this “NO/VO” and you can read all about it.
Put simply, some vapers prefer a stronger nicotine eliquid but on a lower powered device, whereas others prefer less nicotine but on a more powerful device. And some people are somewhere in the middle!
Also, vapers differ in how much nicotine they need, and how much they want to vape overall. So, if you want to vape less, use a stronger e-liquid, if you find you’re getting too much nicotine from the amount you like to vape, move to a less strong liquid.
Can I save money over smoking?
Yes, absolutely. Although how much you will save depends on several factors:
How much cigarettes or tobacco costs where you live.
The amount you spend on devices (this becomes a hobby for many!)
That said, with a good setup you should be able to save considerable amounts of money, and the more focused on saving money by vaping you are, the more you will save.
How much cigarettes or tobacco costs where you live.
The amount you spend on devices (this becomes a hobby for many!)
That said, with a good setup you should be able to save considerable amounts of money, and the more focused on saving money by vaping you are, the more you will save.
What should I look for when choosing a vaping device?
There is a huge range of vaping devices available, and they come in all shapes and sizes. When choosing your first device you will be making your choice based on looks and price/performance. It’s hard to give generic advice.
However, do make sure you consider this: You will always want to have a device charged up and to hand. The biggest mistake new vapers make is forgetting that you need time to charge up a vape once it’s gone flat, and this can be frustrating. Keep a backup!
However, do make sure you consider this: You will always want to have a device charged up and to hand. The biggest mistake new vapers make is forgetting that you need time to charge up a vape once it’s gone flat, and this can be frustrating. Keep a backup!
Can I quit smoking by vaping?
We are prevented from talking about this by federal regulations which came into force in 2016.
It is impossible to say whether YOU can quit smoking by vaping. The only thing we can say with certainty is that there are many people who are known to have quit smoking by substituting with vaping.
Whether you will be one of those people depends on a few factors, such as how motivated you are, how much effort you make finding a device that works for you, and how much you find you enjoy vaping to being with. The only way to find out is to try!
It is impossible to say whether YOU can quit smoking by vaping. The only thing we can say with certainty is that there are many people who are known to have quit smoking by substituting with vaping.
Whether you will be one of those people depends on a few factors, such as how motivated you are, how much effort you make finding a device that works for you, and how much you find you enjoy vaping to being with. The only way to find out is to try!