Electronic cigarettes - harmful or not? What are the harms of electronic cigarettes to the health of the human body?

general information

In our rapidly developing age, people have a wide variety of gadgets.
In the kitchen, a smart multicooker prepares dinner itself, a robot vacuum cleaner cleans the apartment, and the modern telephone has long ceased to be just a means of communication. And such examples can be given endlessly. Of course, technological progress is a wonderful phenomenon that makes our lives easier and in some cases much more convenient. Unfortunately, not all innovations can be called completely safe or useful. Electronic cigarettes can serve as a prime example of this.

On the one hand, this invention allows heavy smokers to “smoke” wherever they please, regardless of prohibitions. But on the other hand, there is reliable evidence that they cause no less, and in some cases, more harm to the health of both the smoker himself and the people around him.

What are electronic cigarettes and why are they harmful? What happens if you smoke them constantly? What harm does the device cause to human health? Can pregnant women smoke e-cigarettes? We will try to answer these and other popular questions on the topic in this article.

Harm from e-cigarette vapor for the vaper

Even if you use “self-mixing” for an electronic cigarette, do not think that this substance will be less harmful. The presence of nicotine and other additives in liquid is not a reason to hear “thank you” from your body. Therefore, it is better to give up cigarette products altogether. Remember, if smoking causes addiction, then electronic cigarettes support it!

In addition, it also happens that the cigarette battery overheats. Consequently, the liquid in the device heats up above normal and its harm to the body of the steamer and those around him increases significantly. Moreover, overheating can cause a cigarette to explode.

Now let's look at the harm and impact of electronic cigarettes on the body in detail. All symptoms and negative effects are confirmed by scientists conducting relevant research. See for yourself.

Lungs . Have you heard about popcorn lung disease? It is this disease that haunts vipers (those who smoke electronic cigarettes). Another name for the disease is obliterating bronchitis, caused by a component such as diacetyl. A study of diacetyl was conducted at Harvard University and revealed its far-reaching adverse effects on the lungs.
Central nervous system . The functions of the nervous system, or rather the cause of disturbances in its functioning in the regulation of internal organs, are affected by nicotine, which is found in the e-cigarette liquid. It has a particularly harmful effect on the autonomic nervous system. This often leads to cardiovascular system disorders and digestive problems, even among those who prefer vaping to regular cigarettes. The reason for this is regular poisoning of the body with nicotine.
Liver . Let us remember that nicotine metabolism is carried out by liver cells. After going through this process, the harmful substance is converted into cotonine, which is very harmful to health. Due to the fact that our body receives another dose of harmful substances from a bad environment during the day, the liver works for wear and tear. In turn, overloads lead to disruption of the parenchymal tissue.

It should also be recalled that nicotine contains a strong acid, which causes irreparable damage to the liver vessels. As a result, circulatory disorders and sclerosis may occur. Nicotine harms the liver, lungs and nervous system!

What are electronic cigarettes

An electronic cigarette, steam generator, vaporizer or vape is a device that creates a highly dispersed aerosol, in simple words, steam, intended for inhalation. Steam is generated from a special liquid that evaporates when heated. Externally, the device may be similar to either a cigarette or an electronic smoking pipe.

1 - battery; 2 — power button; 3 - cartridge; 4 - electronic chip (processor); 5 - atomizer

The design of the electronic steam generator is simple and consists of two main parts:

a battery pack that powers the device;
an atomizer or vaporizer consisting of a wick and a heating element. The evaporator is designed to uniformly supply liquid to the heating element.

Is there nicotine in an electronic cigarette? Yes, if you choose a nicotine-containing e-liquid to use. There is also a nicotine-free option for using the device, when the smoker inhales exclusively flavored vapor.

Although liquid for refilling the vape is not nominally included in the design of the device, without it the vapor generation process is simply impossible. As a rule, liquids contain the following compounds:

glycerin is an essential component necessary for the formation of steam;
propylene glycol (solvent);
distilled water;
nicotine (absent in nicotine-free liquid);
dyes are used to give color to liquids;
Flavoring agents are responsible for aroma and taste.

Depending on the ratio of ingredients, there are four main types of liquids for refilling:

classic, which contains glycerin and propylene glycol in equal parts;
The “velvet cloud” consists of 80% glycerin and 20% water. This type is charged to produce a large amount of vapor; it is suitable for those who cannot smoke liquids containing propylene glycol;
The ice blade is 5% water and 95% propylene glycol. This type is suitable for smokers who prefer to feel a pronounced tobacco taste;
a liquid consisting of 70% glycerin and 30% propylene glycol is considered the most popular and widespread.

Vaporizer liquid can contain up to 3.6% nicotine. As a rule, its strength will be indicated on the label:

nicotine-free liquid – 0 mg (0%) nicotine is considered the safest alternative to conventional tobacco products for health;
ultra light liquids contain from 1.5 mg/ml (0.15%) to 3 mg/ml (0.3%) nicotine. They are suitable for those who smoke very rarely and lightly;
super lite liquids contain from 6 mg/ml (0.6%) to 12 mg/ml (1.2%) nicotine. This variety will help in the final stages of the transition from regular tobacco to electronic vapor generators;
lightweight liquids contain from 12 mg/ml (1.2%) to 15 mg/ml (1.5%) nicotine;
strong liquids contain from 15 mg/ml (1.5%) to 18 mg/ml (1.8%) nicotine;
very strong liquids contain from 18 mg/ml (1.8%) to 36 mg/ml (3.6%) nicotine, which is comparable to strong tobacco varieties.

The amount of nicotine contained in one puff of an electronic cigarette depends not on the concentration of the substance in the liquid, but on the power of the evaporator. The more vapor is generated (i.e., the more intensely a person puffs), the more nicotine enters the body per puff. As a rule, heavy smokers use very strong liquids for smoking at first, eventually moving to lighter ones.

Manual or automatic batteries

Manual batteries start working when the user presses a button. There is, of course, no button on a regular cigarette - electronic cigarettes with a manual battery therefore imitate the process of smoking tobacco cigarettes less effectively.

Most, however, sooner or later switch to manual batteries.

Automatic batteries turn on when the user takes a puff. Some react to the sound of a puff, and some react to the movement of air inside the tube; that is why they can be activated accidentally - by the wind, loud sounds or air conditioners inside the car. However, new models already use special devices to prevent accidental operation of the automatic battery.

But you can smoke such a cigarette without using your hands. Most people never do this - only the smallest electronic cigarettes feel quite comfortable in the mouth and do not pull on the lip.

Automatic batteries turn themselves off after a few seconds of operation. This is exactly what most of their users complain about. The electronics stop working in the middle of a particularly deep drag. If handled carelessly, liquid from inside the cartridge may end up in your mouth. With practice comes experience, but one way or another, the use of automatic batteries imposes certain restrictions on the use of an electronic cigarette.

The manual battery allows the smoker to control the strength and duration of the puff. The vast majority prefer manual batteries, but there are also those who accept only automatic ones.

NOTE: Batteries are a sore subject for e-cigarette users. Please, if you buy batteries for your electronic cigarette yourself, read the safety precautions. Not all batteries are safe to use.

Throat is a burning sensation in the throat that occurs when inhaling a cigarette. The strength of this “throat hit” is directly proportional to the nicotine content in the cigarette liquid with which the e-cigarette is filled.

Most people like a strong hit to the throat. Some people prefer a gentle hit to the throat. Almost everyone agrees that the more steam an electron produces, the better.

Most often, there is a direct relationship between the amount of steam and the force of the blow to the throat. The more the atomizer heats up, the more liquid evaporates (and is wasted), and the more vapor is produced and the stronger the blow to the throat. If the atomizer overheats too much, the resulting vapor may lose its aroma.

When using a manual battery, you can keep the atomizer heated longer. This is one of the main reasons why most people prefer manual batteries over automatic ones.

The type of liquid you smoke can greatly influence the throat hit and amount of vapor. In this case, there is no longer a direct relationship between the blow to the throat and the amount of steam. Very often, an increase in the nicotine content in the liquid leads to a noticeable increase in the throat hit. Various flavorings contained in the liquid can also cause an increase in throat hit or increase in the amount of steam.

How to smoke an electronic cigarette

To begin with, we note that those who smoke regular cigarettes are called smokers, and those who prefer electronic cigarettes are called vapers. Before you start using the device yourself, you should read the instructions. And, believe me, these are not empty words.

After all, a vaporizer is an electrical device that you need to be able to use and, even more so, know how to maintain it. Then, questions will not arise about how to use the device or why the cigarette does not smoke. At its core, a vape is an inhaler .

True, there is one significant difference between these devices. Steam in an inhaler is produced due to an increased level of pressure, and in an electronic cigarette by evaporation of liquid when the heating element operates.

Usually, beginners are interested in two main points in the operation of the device - how to refill it and how to smoke it correctly.

In order to smoke a regular cigarette, you just need to set it on fire, and the combustion of the tobacco will do its job and give the smoker the much-needed dose of nicotine.

When a vaporizer operates, a special liquid is heated, so there are some nuances to the smoking process, therefore:

puff slowly and do not take too deep breaths so as not to burn your airways;
between puffs, do not forget to take a short break, this way you can avoid overheating of the evaporator springs (atomizer);
Always check for liquid before smoking an electronic cigarette, otherwise the device will immediately burn out.

True vaping connoisseurs say that you need to take a puff slowly and slowly savor the aroma. Regular cigarettes can be smoked by quickly inhaling so that the body receives the dose of nicotine it needs. This is also possible with a vaporizer, but then you will not be able to appreciate the full range of flavors collected in one or another type of liquid.

Quite often, vapers are interested in what can be used to refill electronic cigarettes other than liquid. Device manufacturers speak out against any experiments with liquids for refilling. The thing is that the “factory” liquid is a carefully calibrated solution, which, if used correctly, will not harm human health, nor will it damage the vaporizer itself.

There have been cases when users refilled their vape with alcoholic beverages. In some cases, this ended badly because the device instantly ignited and exploded. You can see how to refill an e-cigarette with liquid in the video below.

Harm from e-cigarette vapor to others

Device lovers should remember that vape is also harmful to the health of others. Despite the fact that steam does not contain carbon monoxide and carcinogenic substances that are contained in the smoke of a regular cigarette, there is harm to steam from electronic cigarettes with other components.

During evaporation, the nicotine, glycerin, propylene glycol, and flavorings contained in the liquid are not completely absorbed by the viper and most of the components dissolve in the air. Therefore, people who are near the vaporizer unwittingly become participants in the whole process. It is not surprising that such nicotine inhalations are harmful to others, and especially to children and pregnant women.

For children. A growing child's body reacts worse to nicotine. After all, many organs are not yet fully developed. Therefore, you should think carefully before you start using a cigarette, even an electronic one, with children. In addition, smoking is not the best example of a healthy lifestyle for a child. Read more…
For pregnant. Even a small amount of nicotine negatively affects the formation and development of the fetus in the womb. A smoking mother risks causing diseases such as asthma, autism, and mental disorders in the child. Read more…

To avoid harm to pregnant women and children, you should not smoke in their presence. Remember that smoking not only kills you, but also those around you. Vaping of electronic cigarettes is also accompanied by the release of harmful substances in the vapor. This could be not only nicotine, but also other substances that the manufacturer simply kept silent about.

Do not forget that if, instead of smoke, an e-cigarette produces odorless steam or is completely invisible, this is not a clear sign that the steam is not poisoning the air with toxic substances. Therefore, a passive vaper may become addicted. If you smoke such cigarettes indoors, nicotine vapor will certainly settle on walls, windows and other surfaces, and this is no longer safe for others.

What are the health risks of electronic cigarettes?

electronic cigarettes harmful or not for humans? If so, what harm does a steam generator cause? How harmful is liquid for refilling cigarettes? If, after all, electronic cigarettes are absolutely harmless, then what real evidence is there for this? This is just a small part of the questions that should be answered before purchasing such a device.

Before we answer whether electronic cigarettes are harmful to the human body, let’s take a short excursion into history. After all, few people know that the first patent for the invention of a steam generator was filed back in 1963, but the official date of birth of the vape is considered to be 2004. Electronic cigarettes have always been and are still presented by manufacturers as the safest alternative to conventional tobacco products.

Advertisers also placed bets on those people who would like to quit smoking. It was assumed that the benefit of electronic cigarettes is that they help get rid of nicotine addiction.

However, back in 2008, the World Health Organization (hereinafter referred to as WHO) stated that there is no scientific basis for manufacturers' claims that their product is effective in nicotine replacement therapy.

Moreover, experts unanimously argued that the harmfulness of an electronic cigarette is no less. The WHO report at a conference on tobacco control in 2014 sounded tough and uncompromising; it completely debunked the myths about the benefits of electronic cigarettes. In addition, emphasis was placed on their health hazards.

As a result, it was decided that:

The free sale of liquids with various flavoring additives should be prohibited, as they increase the attractiveness of vapes;
there is insufficient evidence that vaporizers help smokers overcome nicotine addiction;
Electronic cigarettes should be subject to exactly the same restrictive measures (on sale, in advertising, in use) as on all tobacco products.

This means that the world's most authoritative health organization has answered the question of whether e-cigarettes are harmful to health. In addition, at the same conference, WHO expressed concern about how popular e-cigarettes have become among teenagers.

Children who have never smoked before decide to try them as a safer alternative to conventional tobacco products. What’s even sadder is that many parents themselves purchase vapes for their children, thinking that in this way they will protect their beloved child from even greater danger.

Unfortunately, not all adults themselves ask themselves whether electronic cigarettes are dangerous to health, and how harmful the liquid for refilling them is, let alone teenagers. Currently, in countries such as Canada, Brazil, Turkey, Denmark, Italy, Norway, Uruguay, Australia, Jordan, Thailand, advertising, as well as the sale of electronic cigarettes, is prohibited by law.

But despite this, the global market for electronic steam generators shows stable growth from year to year. It turns out that people are ready to buy electronic cigarettes, knowing that they can be harmful to health. The cost of a reusable vapor generator can vary from 50 to 150 US dollars, and disposable e-cigarettes will cost several times less (2-15 US dollars).

What is the harm from electronic cigarettes with liquid?

The main danger of vaporizers lies in the composition of the liquid for refilling them, which contains:

Potent carcinogens nitrosamine and diethylene glycol . Scientists have proven that their content is approximately ten times higher than in conventional cigarettes;
formaldehyde , a poisonous and highly toxic compound, poisoning with which can be fatal;
acetaldehyde is a carcinogen that not only poisons the body, but also forms an addiction (dependence) to smoking, and also increases the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease .

In addition, experts have identified, in the vast majority of cases, a clear discrepancy in the actual nicotine content in the vaping liquid and that declared by the manufacturer. It is important to emphasize that the concentration of all of the above compounds increases significantly when the e-cigarette overheats.

Another way e-cigarettes with liquid are harmful, according to the scientific community:

Aggressive marketing by vaporizer manufacturers, based on the unproven benefits of the device, actually contributes to the development of nicotine addiction, rather than combating it. Electronic cigarettes are very popular among teenagers and promote smoking among them.
When manufacturers are asked about the dangers and how harmful e-cigarettes are, they unanimously claim that there is no reason to worry, since their devices simply generate water vapor, as pure as the air itself. This is a criminal and blatant lie, because... nicotine vape liquid also contains other substances that are toxic to the body.
Due to the fact that vaporizers have appeared relatively recently, there are still no uniform standards in the world regulating their production, as well as quality and safety testing.
Electronic cigarettes are dangerous devices that can explode or catch fire if used incorrectly.
Vape liquid is also extremely dangerous, especially for children. The replacement cartridge for an electronic cigarette contains a dose of nicotine that is lethal for an adult. Therefore, especially strong packaging should be used to store it.
Nicotine, which is part of vaping liquids, is a neurotoxin and alkaloid , which forms a persistent physical and mental dependence, which negates all arguments about the benefits of electronic cigarettes in the fight against nicotine addiction.
Vaporizers, like regular tobacco products, increase the risk of developing diseases common to smokers.

The video below outlines interesting facts about electronic cigarettes and their effect on human health.

We think we have answered the question of whether smoking electronic cigarettes is harmful. However, every coin has two sides, so it will be useful to familiarize yourself with the arguments of vaping supporters. Moreover, there are not only nicotine-containing liquids, but also nicotine-free cigarettes. Are they harmful to human health?

Electronic cigarettes without nicotine

Let's imagine such a situation. A person has firmly decided to quit smoking, but to make this process as easy and painless as possible for his health and psyche, he decides to resort to the help of a vaporizer and chooses e-cigarette liquid without nicotine. According to the manufacturers, such a device will be absolutely safe and suitable for everyone.

Are e-cigarettes without nicotine actually harmful or does this variety also have a detrimental effect on human health? Let’s say right away that there is no consensus on this matter. Even ardent supporters of nicotine-free e-liquids admit that they also have their negative aspects.

The main advantage of such vaporizers is their relative safety compared to classic tobacco products. It has long been proven that regular cigarettes are harmful not only because of nicotine. Combustion products and tar cause irreparable damage to both the lungs of the smoker himself and the people around him.

Smoking is prohibited in public places, but vaping is permitted. This device is convenient to use. There is no unpleasant smell from electronic cigarettes, because the liquid for refilling them can emit pleasant enveloping aromas. In addition, vaporizers are affordable and help you save money.

A smoker has to buy cigarettes every day. Vapes are bought once and filled with liquids that last for a long time, and they cost on average no more than a regular pack of cigarettes. And, perhaps, the main advantage of nicotine-free liquids is that they really help a person gradually forget about conventional tobacco products.

True, there is one fat but. A person does not cease to be a smoker, he becomes a smoker. That is, he changes a regular cigarette to an electronic one. The dependence does not disappear anywhere.

Harm of electronic cigarettes without nicotine:

Imaginary safety for health forms persistent addiction (equally dependence), both on the physical and psychological levels;
Due to the lack of nicotine saturation sensations familiar to a smoker, a person begins to “vape” more often and more;
A person’s lungs are injured both when smoking regular cigarettes and electronic ones. The more often a vaper uses a vape, the more damage he causes to his respiratory system.
The use of nicotine-free electronic cigarettes, like nicotine-containing ones, is not recommended for some categories of people, for example, teenagers or pregnant women. The thing is that the influence of vaporizers on human health has not been fully studied.
The lack of mandatory certification of vapes in some countries entails serious consequences for buyers of untested electronic cigarettes, as well as their liquids. Without proper control by the state, a person literally gets a “pig in a poke”, because the manufacturer does not bear any responsibility in the event, for example, that the actual composition of the liquid does not correspond to what is stated on the packaging. There is also a high probability of buying a fake instead of a product from a well-known and trusted company.
Liquids without nicotine still contain propylene glycol , which, when heated, negatively affects the respiratory system, and also contributes to the development or exacerbation of many serious diseases ( asthma , pulmonary edema , bronchitis , chronic obstructive pulmonary disease , allergies , bronchospasm ).
Glycerin contained in nicotine-free e-liquids harms blood circulation. At first glance, the completely safe composition of liquid for electronic cigarettes without nicotine is transformed into strong toxic compounds (carcinogens, aldehydes) when exposed to temperature.

From everything said above, only one conclusion arises - smoking nicotine-free electronic cigarettes is just as dangerous to health as those containing nicotine. In addition, when used for a long time, they cause no less harm than regular tobacco cigarettes.

Electronic Cigarettes - A Complete Guide for Beginners

Increasingly, on the streets of our city you can meet people with a device that is popularly called an “electronic cigarette.” In fact, it is correct to call this device differently, namely, Electronic Nicotine Delivery Device (ENDS), you can read more about this term in the official WHO article. And looking ahead, I would like to say that the “electronic cigarette” trope is fundamentally incorrect, but deeply embedded in people’s subconscious. Even outwardly good and high-quality devices do not in any way resemble the notorious cigarette, but first things first.

The electronic cigarette market is growing at a tremendous pace, slowly squeezing share from tobacco companies.

By 2021, according to Wells Cargo's forecast, the volume of the e-cigarette market will overtake the traditional tobacco market and reach $10 billion. By 2030, their sales will increase 17 times, WHO experts predict. Already, the e-cigarette market is estimated at $3 billion and includes 466 brands.

However, tobacco companies do not want to lose their profits and have already actively begun to absorb small companies that produce electronic cigarettes and also conduct strong propaganda about the dangers of electronic cigarettes all over the world. However, on April 4, 2015, WHO officially recognized e-cigarettes as an effective alternative to combat nicotine addiction, here is the official article. And this is after 15 years of scrupulous study.

This article will tell you about what modern ENDS are, what liquid is used in cigarettes, the principle of operation, and will also introduce you to the Vape movement that is fashionable nowadays. In addition, at the end there will be useful links for beginners.

A little history

Somewhere in Hong Kong lived Uncle Hong Lik, who is rightfully considered the inventor of the electronic cigarette. After his father died of lung cancer, a talented Asian pharmacist promised that he would come up with an alternative and could save humanity. And by 2003, the world saw his first suitable and working invention. At that time, he worked at, where his scientific feat was appreciated and the device was patented. Just a year after the release of the prototype, the first batch of cigarettes ready for sale was created.

At the beginning, Ruyan Group Lrd was the only monopolist in the production and sale of electronic cigarettes on the world market, managing to provide the whole world with its products. However, this state of affairs could not last long, and after some time other companies managed to obtain the necessary licenses and start producing electronic cigarettes. Well, then the competition did its good work.

To date, Hon Lik has developed two patents related to e-cigarettes. The first patent is dated April 2003, and the second - April 2004. Patents differ slightly from each other, but the essence remains the same.

A few years later, this “miracle” of engineering came to us. Maybe someone else remembers such thin cigarettes with a red light that lit up when inhaling; most often these were nasty electronic cigarettes called Pons. They were not serviceable, meaning the liquid, evaporator and wick could not be replaced. Therefore, after the battery ran out, they were boldly thrown away. Of course, there were Kulibins who disassembled, soldered and revived the gadget, but this was akin to driving with a pitchfork through water. And here this very cliche appeared that electronic cigarettes are utter disgusting. The fact is that the first models gave the so-called “garik”, when the liquid ran out and the cotton wool began to burn, they had a vile taste and in general it was strange how they could be used.

A little later, cigarettes of a standardized eGo format appeared, which people call “egoshki”. These were already more advanced models in which it was possible to charge the battery and even change the liquid cartridge. Later, cartridges were also discontinued due to inconvenience and were replaced by clearomizers - transparent containers with a wick into which liquid could be poured. Despite the fact that clearomizers were more convenient and allowed you to change the evaporator inside, they still leaked and were not ideal, for example, liquid got into the mouth, especially when taking a strong puff on a cigarette.

By this time, the world had already realized the advantage of electronic cigarettes and began to actively use them. Specialized sites and communities appeared, and the evolution of the eGo format continues to this day. Clearomizers and tankomizers are becoming more modern and convenient, producing more vapor and flavor, and batteries allow you to adjust power, count your puffs, and even connect to an app on your smartphone via Bluetooth to keep statistics.

In addition to the popular and notorious “egoshki”, there are also more powerful devices, such as mechanical mods (modifications), varivat-varivolt mods. They come in different formats - boxes, tubes, telescopes, etc. Experienced steamers use such devices to soar, creating a whole cult out of it.

Principle of operation

The figure shows an approximate diagram of a standard atomizer

The operating principle of any electronic cigarette, no matter whether it is a MOD or an eGo, is quite simple. In any clearomizer or tankomizer, drip, etc., there is a base (platform) from which the positive and negative contacts rise. The contacts are closed to each other by a spiral, most often it is kanthal or nichrome, less often titanium and other conductors. The spiral encircles a hygroscopic material, previously it was a silica thread, but now most often it is cotton wool, cotton or even bamboo. When the contact is closed, our spiral, having resistance (remember physics and Ohm’s law), begins to heat up, thereby evaporating the liquid from the cotton wool and turning it into steam.

It is very important to understand that electronic cigarettes create vapor, not smoke, as it may seem visually. By adjusting parameters such as resistance, power and current, you can achieve thick and tasty steam. But I will say right away that it is impossible to achieve good effects with a regular electronic cigarette like eGo due to the lack of power and configuration options.

Next, I will show examples of more serious mods and tanks in order to knock the addiction to the eGo format out of your head. On the other hand, if you just want to quit smoking, then I would not recommend spending money on expensive boxes. Take an inexpensive electronic device from a company like Joytech and gradually reduce the dose of nicotine - quit!

Important: any battery mods and tanks come in both original and clones. That is, the Chinese copied them from the original. If the original can cost $200, then its clone will cost $20. But you definitely need to look at the quality of the clone when purchasing and read reviews.

Tanks and drips

All evaporating elements (what is screwed onto the battery) can be divided into 2 types: tanks - everything into which liquid can be poured and “drips” - devices that do not have a tank for liquid and are designed to produce thick and dense vapor by evaporation directly from cotton wool. Simply put, if you pour liquid into the tank and vape, then you need to drop a certain amount of liquid into the drip tip and, after several puffs, repeat the procedure. You're probably thinking that this is not convenient, but on the other hand, a good drip tip gives more vapor and flavor thanks to direct airflow from the coil. The airflow, by the way, is also an adjustable parameter and the quality and taste of the steam depends on what it is. By the way, the mouthpiece that sticks out of your tank/drip is called a Drip Tip and the quality of the vapor also depends on it.

I won’t delve into this topic, which tank to choose, which is better, and the like. At the end there will be links to YouTube channels with cool reviews that will answer many questions.

Varivat-varivolts and mechanical mods

The quality of the coil of your device depends on which battery pack you use. The form factor of battery mods can be varied, from boxes, which are popularly called “pachan” (from their resemblance to a pack of cigarettes), to a variety of tubes. As I said earlier, “variable-varivolts” allow you to adjust the power and voltage, which is very good for beginners and those who don’t want to sweat. In addition, such a system has a board installed that will do the thinking for you: make a cutoff if necessary, measure the resistance of the coil, and modern models have thermal control in their arsenal, thanks to which you will not burn out the fleece. The disadvantage of such a system is the limitation on the board, that is, if your device is designed for 50w, you are unlikely to squeeze more out of it. And in some mods, such as iStick, it is impossible to replace the batteries and if you find yourself empty, there will be nowhere to charge. In addition, varivolts have a minimum resistance threshold, for example, up to 0.3 Ohm.

Fur mods are most often a tube (maybe a box) into which a battery is inserted, for example, form factor 18,650. Such a system has no board restrictions and will fry as long as you press the button. On the one hand, it’s cool that there are no restrictions, both in terms of resistance and power, it all depends on your battery inside the device and the coil settings. On the other hand, in inexperienced hands such a thing turns into a grenade. Especially when using low-quality batteries like TrustFire and Noname, there is a high chance that your bellows will explode. Besides the fact that you will have to buy fur. mod, you also need to purchase high-quality batteries of the required form factor and a good charger, without this you can’t go anywhere. Well, it is advisable to use an Ohmmeter for a 510 connector (threaded connection standard) to know what resistance you are playing with.

Liquid for electronic cigarettes

This is perhaps one of the most interesting and pressing topics for discussion. Not a single device will work without a special liquid. There are many myths about it: it’s a chemical, it settles in the lungs, it’s a terrible carcinogen, worse than cigarettes, it’s used in air conditioners, and so on. In fact, these are the tales of a smoky Marlboro cowboy.

The nicotine concentration of the liquid varies as follows:

0 mg/ml, NO – liquids without nicotine. Typically, TH is absent. Can be used to quit smoking and help overcome the habit of holding a cigarette in your hand and blowing smoke.
6 mg/ml, LOW – corresponds to light cigarettes.
12 mg/ml, MEDIUM – corresponds to regular cigarettes.
18 mg/ml, HIGH – corresponds to strong cigarettes.
24 mg/ml, VERY HIGH – corresponds to very strong cigarettes.
36 mg/ml, SUPER HIGH or ULTRA HIGH - the strongest liquids, usually used as a base for diluting weaker liquids.

Typically the liquid consists of the following optional components:

Propylene glycol (PG);
Glycerin (VG);
Water (AD);
Nicotine;
Flavors.

Next in order

Propylene glycol

Propylene glycol (propaldiol) is a colorless, viscous, hygroscopic liquid with a sweetish taste. Chemical formula – C3H6(OH)2. Two isomers of propylene glycols are known - 1,2-propanediol and 1,3-propanediol. The 1,2-isomer is obtained on an industrial scale. Propylene glycol is completely miscible with water (dissolution occurs with the release of heat), acetone, diethyl ether, monohydric alcohols, glycols, amines, chloroform and many other organic solvents.

PG - serves as an excellent transporter of nicotine and flavorings into the lungs, as it is quickly absorbed into the blood through the mucous membrane. Propylene glycol is also responsible for the “throat hit”, that feeling of heavy vapor and throat irritation that is common among smokers. The strength of the liquid will depend on the PG ratio.

In terms of chemical properties, propylene glycol is a typical dihydric alcohol. In reaction with alkali metals and alkalis, it consistently forms mono- and disubstituted salts - glycolates. It is esterified with alcohols and carboxylic acids to form both mono- and disubstituted ethers and esters.

The toxicity of propylene glycol is significantly lower compared to ethylene glycol, as a result of which 1,2-propanediol is widely used in the food industry;

It is used, for example, in the food industry (10-12%) as a solvent for food additives and a humectant for tobacco (due to its hygroscopicity). 1,2-Propylene glycol has moderate preservative and bactericidal properties;

In the food industry, propylene glycol is registered as a food additive E1520, as a moisture-retaining, softening and dispersing agent.

Glycerol

Glycerin (1,2,3-propanetriol) is a colorless, hygroscopic, viscous liquid with a sweet taste and odor. Chemical formula – C3H5(OH)3. Miscible in any proportion with water, ethanol, methanol, acetone, insoluble in chloroform and ether. When glycerin is mixed with water, heat is released and contraction (volume reduction) occurs. When glycerol reacts with hydrohalic acids or phosphorus halides, mono- or dihalohydrins are formed; with inorganic and carboxylic acids - complete and partial esters; during dehydration - acrolein.

The scope of glycerin is varied: food industry, tobacco production, medical industry, production of detergents and cosmetics, agriculture, textile, paper and leather industries, plastics production, paint and varnish industry, electrical engineering and radio engineering.

Glycerin is used as a food additive E422 in the production of confectionery products to improve consistency, prevent chocolate from sagging, and increase the volume of bread. The addition of glycerin reduces the time it takes for bread products to go stale, makes pasta less sticky, and reduces the adhesion of starch during baking.

Glycerin is used in the preparation of extracts of coffee, tea, ginger and other plant substances, which are finely ground and treated with an aqueous solution of glycerin, heated and evaporated. The resulting extract contains about 30% glycerol.

Glycerin is widely used in the production of soft drinks. An extract prepared on the basis of glycerin, when diluted, gives drinks “softness”.

Due to its high hygroscopicity, glycerin is used when preparing tobacco (to keep the leaves moist and eliminate the unpleasant taste).

In medicine and in the production of pharmaceuticals, glycerin is used to dissolve drugs, increase the viscosity of liquid preparations, protect against changes during fermentation of liquids, and from drying out ointments, pastes and creams. Using glycerin instead of water, you can prepare highly concentrated medical solutions. It also dissolves iodine, bromine, phenol, thymol, mercuric chloride and alkaloids well. Glycerin has antiseptic properties.

Distilled water

Distilled water serves as a natural solvent that does not contain salts or impurities. Since propylene glycol is quite thick, it needs to be diluted slightly for tanks.

Nicotine

Nicotine ((S)-3-(1-methyl-2-pyrrolidinyl)pyridine) is a hygroscopic oily liquid with an unpleasant odor and pungent taste, easily miscible with water in its basic form. Chemical formula – C10H14N2. As an amine, nicotine forms salts with acids, which are usually solid and water-soluble. Nicotine penetrates easily through the skin. Basic nicotine burns below its boiling point and its vapor ignites at 95°C in air, despite low vapor pressure.

Nicotine is an alkaloid found in plants of the nightshade family (Solanaceae), mainly in tobacco and, in smaller quantities, in tomatoes, potatoes, eggplants, and green bell peppers. Nicotine alkaloids are also present in coca leaves. Nicotine makes up from 0.3 to 5% of the dry weight of tobacco; nicotine biosynthesis occurs in the roots, nicotine accumulation occurs in the leaves. Nicotine is a potent neurotoxin, especially affecting insects; As a result, nicotine was formerly widely used as an insecticide, and currently nicotine derivatives, such as, for example, imidacloprid, continue to be used in the same capacity.

Electronic cigarettes use nicotine with a purity of at least 99%

Food flavoring

Food flavoring is a flavoring substance, and/or a flavoring preparation, and/or a technological flavoring, and/or a smoke flavoring agent or a mixture thereof, forming a flavoring part, intended to impart aroma and/or taste to food products, with the exception of sweet , sour and salty, with or without the addition of filler carriers or filler solvents, food additives and food raw materials.

Industrial flavorings for food products are usually complex mixtures of natural and synthetic ingredients, designed to meet the requirements of a specific food product (ice cream, alcoholic beverages, baked goods, etc.)

The substances used to produce flavors are generally identical to the corresponding substances found in nature.

Artificial flavoring substances make up about 20% of the list of approved aromatic substances for use, and although in terms of safety they are no different from those identical to natural ones, food manufacturers, following market trends, try to avoid the use of flavors containing artificial substances (that is, artificial flavors ).

Component information source: https://bit.ly/1fj7BFW

The characteristics of the steam depend on the ratio in which these ingredients are mixed. Lots of taste, but little steam, or vice versa, little taste and TH, but abundant and thick steam.

Types of mixtures

There are some “standard” types of liquids, divided according to the content of the listed substances:

Traditional: 55% Propylene Glycol, 35% Glycerin, 10% Water - This is the most commonly used as it has a good balance between Throat Hit and the amount of steam produced.
Velvet cloud: 80% Glycerin, 20% water - abundant vapor production, but extremely low/no Throat Hit effect
Ice Blade: 95% Propylene Glycol, 5% Water - High/Very High Throat Hit, but Low/Very Low Steam Production

Many experienced steamers purchase all these elements separately and mix the liquid for themselves and to their taste. First of all, this is due to cost reduction, and secondly, to individual quality requirements.

The most dangerous substance in this whole process is nicotine and it should be treated with extreme caution. The body of a non-smoking person produces the required concentration of nicotine itself, and we also get it from certain products, for example, nicotine or potatoes. When a person starts smoking, the nicotine production function atrophies. This is why withdrawal symptoms begin when you quit smoking. The body does not yet produce its own nicotine, and it does not come from cigarettes. This gives rise to another myth that people get sick from electronic cigarettes. In fact, this is mostly due to the waste from tar, nicotine, formaldehyde and other things. Less commonly, this is caused by individual intolerance to any ingredients.

For reference: a 30 ml jar of prepared liquid costs on average 2000 tenge. It lasts approximately 3 weeks of use. It is much cheaper and safer than regular cigarettes. There are a great variety of liquid flavors: coffee, berries, tobacco, mint, alcohol, energy drinks, various “cookies”, cappuccino and so on. In addition, there are premium liquids, the recipes of which include dozens of different flavors and are kept secret.

Vape movement

The word (Vape - steam) in 2014 became the word of the year according to the Oxford Dictionary. This is such a traditional award. Here is a list of all the words selected by the Oxford English Dictionary since 2004: 2004: Chav, 2005: Sudoku, 2006: Bovvered, 2007: Carbon footprint, 2008: Credit crunch, 2009: Simples, 2010: Big Society, 2011: Squeezed middle , 2012: Omnishambles, 2013: Selfie, 2014: Vape.

The release of luxurious clouds of steam looks like some kind of magic that fascinates and encourages you to try it. It is not surprising that a whole trend of vapers has emerged, who organize gatherings and even specialized exhibitions and conferences.

One of the largest communities in the CIS is Pro Vape on Vkontakte. But keep in mind that it has its own atmosphere and a newcomer will obviously not be understood and may even be sent to hell.

In such communities, they mainly post their builds (the art of winding coils) and sets - that is, the sets of electronic devices themselves, as well as recipes for self-mixing (home-made liquids for electronic cigarettes). Usually a hash tag like #CarCheck is placed on publications if the photo was taken in a car or, for example, #HandCheck, etc.

Watch in HD

Cloud chasing ( Cloud - cloud, Chasing - pursuit, pursuit ) is a kind of sports blowing off steam and a whole movement. It doesn’t matter what taste it is, the main thing is its quantity and quality. There are even competitions called cloud chasing competitions, in which the winners are given fashionable and cool devices. Cloud chasing is not an activity for a beginner; if you are not in the know, you can easily blow up your device. You must know about all the elements of the system involved and how they work. Be able to make a sub (coil with a resistance below 1 ohm).

If you are interested, look for more videos on YouTube

Coil Porn

Another interesting direction is Coil Building or Coil Porn - the art of creating coils that are not only beautiful but also functional. Believe me, sometimes this is a piece of jewelry. Check out the hash tag #CoilPorn on instagram and enjoy some great photos.

useful links

The VAPE NATION Vkontakte community is a group that will help with advice and answer any questions.
https://www.ecigtalk.ru is the largest forum dedicated to electronic cigarettes in the CIS. Here you will find answers to all your questions and get help from the community.
YouTube channel Butch's Podvalchik - Georges Batareikin is one of the main catalysts for the vaping movement in the CIS. In his channel you will find a lot of useful tips for both beginners and pros.
YouTube channel Alex from VapersMD – Alex makes excellent reviews of various devices and, as they say, it’s better to see once than to hear a hundred times.
Fasttech online store is one of the most popular stores selling clones (not originals) of everything related to electronic cigarettes and more. Read the reviews carefully before purchasing!
HeavenGift – a store selling original products
GearBest is a great store with a good selection and loyalty program.

Instead of a conclusion

This is a very extensive article, but I sincerely hope that it will help answer the questions that concern you and now, when they ask me what is in your hand, I will provide a link to this article. I in no way consider myself a professional, I'm just an amateur who likes this direction. I will be glad to answer your questions =)

Thick and bulky for everyone!

A lot of research has been done on this topic.

Our article contains excerpts from a small part. All studies have shown that e-cigarettes and vaporizers are less toxic than regular cigarettes. They are more effective than pharmaceutical drugs for getting rid of nicotine addiction and do not pose any danger to others. There is information, but it is difficult to find because the media ignores it.

It is quite possible that an electronic cigarette is exactly what humanity needs to finally quit smoking forever. And if you haven’t tried switching to it from regular cigarettes, it’s time to experiment.

Electronic cigarette or tobacco products

People buy an electronic cigarette for different purposes, first of all, it is one of the methods to give up regular cigarettes and quit smoking forever. Secondly, they are driven by curiosity: whether they will like it or not. Also, some vape models can replace a difficult-to-maintain hookah. Finally, vaping is a special trend or a fashion trend with its pros and cons.

There are even competitions and entertainment performances where experienced users blow off steam with rings or fancy shapes. Reviews about such events are interesting, and often the audience likes it.

Between a regular cigarette and a vape, it’s really better to choose the latter. A quality device will require monthly expenses and maintenance, there is no guarantee that it will be more profitable from a financial point of view. This is a solution for experienced smokers: replacing tobacco with a vaporizer in some cases helps to give up the bad habit.

Conventional cigarettes contain a huge number of various substances that are harmful and dangerous to humans. For this reason, vaping can be beneficial; the device can become an alternative to tobacco, but only for those who have been trying to quit smoking for a long time. Nicotine harms the liver, lungs, circulatory and nervous systems. If the vape contains diacetyl, regular smoking contributes to the development of bronchitis obliterans - a disease of vipers.

If we consider smoking liquid containing nicotine, an electronic cigarette will inevitably provoke the development of addiction. After this, the user of the electronic device switches to regular tobacco and increases its strength. Further, the fight is only possible with the help of doctors, despite the fact that the nicotine in an electronic cigarette is purified and added in small portions. To cigarettes it can cause addiction. It is necessary to mix it according to its proportions. and release steam with rings or whims

A vaporizer is much safer than a regular cigarette.

There are two opinions about the smoke of electronic cigarettes: either it is completely harmless, or it is even worse than the smoke of a regular cigarette, a forest fire and a nuclear explosion combined. And you have probably heard more than once that “no one has conducted any objective research.”

Meanwhile, there were studies. In 2012, a study was conducted in Greece entitled “The Impact of Electronic Nicotine Devices on Myocardial Function Compared to Conventional Cigarettes.” Scientists’ conclusion: “The absence of combustion and chemical components leads to the fact that the human body absorbs less toxic substances. Electronic cigarettes can become a safe alternative to tobacco cigarettes.”

Also in 2012, a research work was carried out entitled “Levels of carcinogens and toxic substances in the smoke of electronic cigarettes.” Conclusion:

“We have discovered that e-cigarette smoke contains some toxic substances. But the level of toxicants is 9–450 times lower than in cigarette smoke. Our data are consistent with the idea that replacing tobacco cigarettes with electronic cigarettes can significantly reduce exposure to tobacco-specific toxicants. "E-cigarettes as a harm reduction strategy for smokers who do not want to quit require further study."

Another study entitled “Comparison of the effects of e-cigarette smoke and conventional cigarette smoke on indoor air quality,” also from 2012. Conclusion:

“E-cigarettes have very little impact on indoor air compared to tobacco cigarettes. The study found no apparent risk to human health from e-cigarette smoke based on the substances analyzed.”

There are many more studies that could be cited: the issue has been widely studied. Particular attention should be paid to passive smoking. In Russia, the law allows smoking electronic cigarettes and vaporizers in public places; they are not covered by the anti-tobacco law.