What Is Vaping?
This article is about vaping...
Vaping is a term that has been coined to refer to the use of a personal vaporizer in place of tobacco cigarettes. This article is not about tobacco cigarettes or tobacco products of any kind.
Stop Sending Your Money and Your Health Up In Smoke!
E-Cigs Provide Tobacco Harm Reduction
If you have been thinking about giving up smoking, but you just feel you would miss it too much, you may be wondering about the only innovation that has ever given conventional tobacco products a run for their money. The latest technology in that field is e-cigarettes, which originated in China in 2003 and came to the US and Europe in 2006. Today more than 300,000 people are enjoying them.
Electronic cigarettes are also called personal vaporizers. A personal vaporizer is a battery powered device that is used for nicotine inhalation. It is a great alternative to smoking any tobacco product. With a personal vaporizer, you have a very good chance of successfully walking away from your smoking addiction and happily taking up a "vaping" hobby. The reason for this is that, with vaping, you will still be getting your nicotine hit, you will still be inhaling a thick, rich vapor that is very similar to smoke (but does not contain the many deadly chemicals found in cigarette smoke). You will still have something to do with your hands and all the little built in pauses, mannerisms, and personality traits that you have developed with smoking and that have become part of your communication style, but you won't have any of the negative aspects of smoking.
Here's why: You will not be carrying a flaming object around with you. You will not be trailing ash or burning holes in clothing and furniture. You will not be polluting the atmosphere and offending and endangering those around you because the vapor your e-cigarette produces will dissipate almost instantly. You will not have smoker's breath, smoker's cough or stained hair, teeth, fingertips and fingernails. You will not be filling up ashtrays or littering the ground. You will not be disposing of multiple cigarette cartons, packs and butts. You will not be leaving your work to huddle outside several times a day in all kinds of weather. You will not be sending your money up in smoke on a regular, ongoing basis.
You will be: Feeling better, looking better, and saving money. You will also be enjoying a new pass-time that you can discuss enthusiastically with your friends and relations. You may even make new friends online. There are whole communities devoted to discussing the interesting and satisfying pass-time of vaping. There are a several reasons for this.
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What Are The Advantages of Vaping?
First, because the electronic cigarettes is a new technology, people who are interested in technology find the workings of personal vaporizers fascinating. They enjoy tinkering with them, discussing them, and experimenting to see if different configurations of parts will enhance the vaping experience. Those who are not particularly interested in technology don't need to worry though. Just as some people love to spend time under the hood of their car and talk "shop" while others just want to get behind the wheel and drive, there are vapers who love to talk technology and vapers who just love vaping.
Among those who just love vaping, there are some who also like to experiment a bit. Vaping offers a great opportunity to personalize your vaping experience by concocting your own special blends of flavors. You can order all kinds of flavors ready made, of course (everything from your favorite tobacco flavors to candy, sodas, fruit, and more). However, you can also order all the ingredients separately and have fun developing your own, signature flavors in just the nicotine strength you prefer. If you enjoy cooking or chemistry, vaping may offer you a whole new outlet for your interest. Then again, if you would prefer to just order a standard flavor and your choice in nicotine strength, you can do that, too!
Finally, there are vapers who are into fashion . E-cigarettes and accessories come in a multitude of colors, patterns and styles to suit every taste. Whether you love to dazzle or simply prefer sleek classic, black or chrome, personal vaporizers and accessories come in your style. You will be amazed at the vast array of choices you will have with vaping.
How Do Electronic Cigarettes Work?
By this time, you are probably wondering how electronic cigarettes work. It is really very simple. The electronic cigarette is made up of two or three parts. Three-part electronic cigarettes consist of a cartridge holder, an atomizer, and a rechargeable battery with a bit of electronic circuitry included. The two-piece models combine the cartridge and the atomizer, making a simple concept even simpler. All these parts just screw together. There is nothing difficult about it.
The cartridge holder is the part you place between your lips. It holds the flavoring and the liquid nicotine. The atomizer contains a heating element that heats the combination, turning it into vapor. A lithium-ion rechargeable battery provides the power for the heat. You inhale the vapor through the holder. Once you have your battery charged and all the parts screwed together, you are ready to begin vaping. It's as simple as that.
How Much Do E-Cigarettes Cost?
One of the really great things about vaping is how affordable it is. Even though, there is a bit of a start-up cost for your initial kit (between around $80 and $180) you will soon recover your expenses. There are many choices in start-up kits, so you are sure to find just the right kit to suit your budget and your needs. Once you get started, you will be pleased to find that vaping is so much more affordable than smoking, and everything you get from vaping is positive! You certainly cannot say that about smoking!
What do you think about E-Cigarettes?
Please choose and vote, and be sure to leave a comment!
Related
The best and most effective quitting smoking treatment: The day I quit smoking cigarettes for good
Why Electronic Cigarettes Are Not Necessarily A Safe Alternative for Smokers
Extinguishing The Smoking Habit- Personal Tips, Insights, and Frustrations
Asking How Do I Stop Smoking?! Here is How I Did It
Comments
I quit smoking nearly thirty years ago but some of these innovations might have helped me quit sooner.
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Thanks, Dahoglund! Even though I don't smoke, I am very impressed with e-cigarettes! I learned about them by helping my friend, James Oliver, develop some articles and materials for his e-cigarette business. The research I have done has really convinced me that they are a great alternative to smoking and potentially a very good way to quit. As a Behavioral Science Specialist, I can see that they have everything it takes to change a behavior effectively. They allow the smoker to keep the rituals while shedding the negative aspects of the behavior. They also substitute a positive activity for a negative addiction. I had some concern about the use of polyethylene glycol and vegetable glycerin, but after I read up on it a bit, I felt that any small negative impact these may have are far outweighed by the benefits. That is the feeling in the medical community as well. I wish these had been around when my father was smoking many years ago!
Hi Everyone,
I am James Oliver (who my friend Suzanne mentioned above). I have been an advocate for electronic cigarettes ever since they changed my life in a profound way a couple years ago now. In my case I stopped smoking 'analogs' - the "vaper's lingo for traditional tobacco cigarettes :)" within 2 weeks of getting a hold of my first quality e-cig, which was the totally wicked super e.cig and never looked back (after ten years of using cigarettes).
While it is not permissible until more study is done to market electronic cigarettes as quit smoking aids, in my case I was able to stop inhaling burnt tobacco and said goodbye to many thousands of toxins for good... however I do still use nicotine based e-liquid (only quality formulations made in the USA or UK), and enjoy making my own e-liquid mixes with all sorts of fun and crazy flavors!
Honestly the benefits are outstanding and I really feel that this is the first and only real alternative and positive development for smokers to come along in, well, probably ever!
The technology has come a long way since I began vaping 2 years ago and I encourage you to learn more on the topic if you smoke or you know someone who does. It is only a matter of time in my belief before everyone knows about this great new advancement and alternative, and I am doing what I can to help spread the word.
Thanks Suzanne for putting up this hub to help further educate and inform as I really know first hand the positive effects electronic smoking bring about!
- Author
Thank you, James! What a great comment! :) I am happy to be involved in spreading the word about e-cigarettes because I really think they are a very positive development and a great way to help people lead happier, healthier lives!
I quit "analogs" in sept 09 with the help of taking chantix for much longer than FDA recommended. I would be tempted to use these e-cigs to help me gain control of the weight gain I'm still experiencing. HOWEVER, based on my understanding of addiction, the nicotine I would get from using an e cig would be enough to take me back to smoking. So, no thanks for that reason. I'm so glad to be done with that. This is definitely something I would have tried though. The gums and patches were never attractive to me because they cost so much ongoing. I could see an initial investment without the ongoing expense. Thanks for the good info. I'll have to tell a friend who chews the gum.
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Thanks for your comment, Kim. You know, you might try them without the nicotine! You can get e-liquid in all kinds of flavors (including tobacco) with ZERO nicotine. Then you would still have something to do with your hands, something to keep your mouth busy, and the oral satisfaction of the flavor. I think those are probably the elements of smoking that contribute to keeping weight off. It might be worth a try.
I have smoked for nearly 50 years, and have tried to quit many, many, many times by an equal number of methods. The e cig is the only thing I have found which lets me quit "smoking." Even if there were some side effects from the vapor, I believe they would prove less harmful than smoking the polluted tobacco cigarettes. People no longer hesitate to come to my home because they don't have to put up with the effects of 2nd hand smoke. Some of those were headaches, smelling of smoke, nausea, or just not liking the smell.
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Thanks for your comment, Linda! That's a very good point about people being more interested in visiting your home now! Vaping can open new social doors not only in finding others who vape, but also in having increased contact with people who don't want to be around smoking! :)
Very interesting article and very interesting coincidence: I just saw the movie "The Tourist", and Johnny Depp's character in that film can be seen puffing on an E-cigarette (which he clearly identifies as such) in many scenes. Wonder if that will broaden people's awareness of this item. I do wish it could have been around when my father (who died of lung cancer in 1994 after 54 years of heavy smoking) could have used it. I myself have never smoked... you might guess why.
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Well good for Johnny Depp! I bet that will make more people aware of e cigs. I have never smoked either, but my father's smoking did negatively impact my health when I was a child.
It is very informative! I really like it! It really shows negative impacts of cigarettes to one's body.
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Thanks, Krike!
hopefully my husband would eventually be able to quit smoking through the vaporizer he just bought last Christmas!
- Author
I bet he will! Keep me posted! :)
sounds like a great way to stop smoking - i dont smoke so I cant really relate, but I understand the addiction...
- Author
Same here! I think electronic cigarettes are just a great idea! :)
Wow I never thought that there is such a feasible way to quit smoking yes m going to utilize this information thanks for sharing I like the hub.
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Thanks, Mike! I'm glad I could help you! :)
I quit smoking, twice and each time for over two years. And then, both time, I absentmindedly had a smoke and one thing led to another. An e-cigarette would have made all the difference. Here I have another chance to quit - thanks.
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Thanks Phil! I think e-cigs are absolutely the way to go for smokers! They save money and are so much healthier and better for all concerned (except the tobacco corporations!) ;D
All I can say is that this is very rare information which I was trying to search thanks for sharing.
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Glad to be of help! :)
This is a great alternative to cigarette smoking! I've been looking for a solution for a close friend of mine who really wants to give it up once, and for all.
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Thanks, LA Surfer! That's great! I hope this information helps your friend! :)
My sister smokes and has tried to quit many times. This might be a great solution for her. I will pass on this information to her. Thanks for the info.
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Glad I could help! I hope e-cigs turn out to be a great discovery for her! :)
Very convincing! I'll Have to look into this! Voted this up :)
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Thanks! Let me know how you like e cigs! :)
I am a former smoker, and this method puts me some questions. Obviously, the e-cigarette has many positive aspects, but the person is always tied to an image of himself and to a gestures typical of the smoker. I think this could lead to a relapse more easily than to quit smoking without surrogates. It is just my thought. But maybe already exist information and data related... I do not know... Now I am curious ...
- Author
E cigs are designed to take the place of cigarettes. The choice is entirely up to the vaper of whether to continue vaping with nicotine, reduce or eliminate nicotine, continue vaping without nicotine, or quit vaping eventually. E-cigs are not designed or marketed as stop smoking tools, but the vaper can make the choice to use the e cig in that way.
The strength of e cigs is that they empower the vaper to make choices. To continue to vape with nicotine eliminates a tremendous amount of exposure to toxins. To continue to vape without nicotine turns a chemical addiction into a harmless habit or even a hobby.
There are lots of fun things about vaping that include choices in colors, flavors & styles, online communities to share info with, technological tinkering, carrying an interesting conversation piece around that acts as an ice-breaker in social situations.
People might certainly choose to continue vaping without nicotine for their entire lives, and there's no harm in it. We all have social supports that we use. There's no reason to break the habit of having something to hold and puff unless the vaper chooses to do so. It doesn't hurt anything.
This E-cigarettes, is very helpful to those people who have been trying to stop smoking,this would be useful as their starting point.They will no longer intake a big amount of nicotine, which is very harmful in the body.
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Yes, that's true! Thanks for your comment! :)
I am not a smoker, but I someone I knew was using this to quit. Her biggest complaint was what it was costing her, because she used it so often, she was going through the refills very faster, than the manufacturer recommended. It was adding up, but she felt it was worth it if it helped her quit.
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Yeah, that's something I've heard from a number of smokers. Since there's no "end" to it, they just keep right on vaping instead of vaping for a period of time, stopping and then vaping again. Perhaps the manufacturers can upgrade by installing a timer! :)
I think I can let some people know about e-cigarettes, which so far I have not heard yet. thanks.
- Author
Well, thanks! I'm glad if it helps some folks! :)
It'll help some smokers. Quitting smoking is so hard. I've done it in my life. I've also written a hub on this.
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Thanks, upal - I will look at your article :)
I love vaping! I used to smoke, but then the price of cigs went through the roof. Now I get my flavors online, candy cane is my favorite, and the cost is about 1/20th of what I was paying for smokes.
Another cool thing that most people don't mention, is that ecigs don't smell like anything, so you can smoke in the house, which is really nice when it's -30 outside. LOL
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Thanks, New Information! Yes, no odor, no secondhand smoke or vapor. The person enjoying the e-cig is the only one affected by the vapor, and the effect is not deadly! :D
Thank you Suzanne. Somebody told, to me, about vaping, but they couldn't explain it as you did. Obviously it fills a need for those who don't want to quit smokin, but who want to quit dyin from it.
- Author
I'm glad I could help! :)
For us smokers its never easy to give up, but your hub page has explained some very good options to cigs and the benefits. And I know now waht vaping is...thanks
- Author
My pleasure! :)
What an interesting article Suzanne. Both of my parents smoked and both gave it up when it was determined how harmful it was but it took a while and was not easy. During WWII many of the movies actually glamorized smoking. I never smoked and it has always bothered me. So good to know that there are healthier alternatives available these days. I was not familiar with the term Vaping. UUI votes and sharing with my followers.
- Author
Great! Thanks! I'm glad you found the article useful! Actually, smoking was glamorized into the 80s! Remember Rob and Laura smoking on the Dick van Dyke Show? Phillip Morris was one of their sponsors. Andy smoked occasionally on the Andy Griffith show. I think they stopped smoking on TV shows so much in the 70s, but they still had lively cigarette commercials. I clearly remember getting a mini-pack of Virginia Slims free in the mail around 1981. They did a mass mailing and sent them out to every woman in America, I think!
You are right in that smoking was definitely glamorized on TV as well as movies. I am glad that this is no longer done as much because it obviously influences younger kids into starting the habit which is not only expensive but dangerous to their health and everyone else around them.
Suzanne, I used to smoke about 40 cigs a day. but now i have given up . We still do not get these things in stores in Delhi yet but I am sure when it is available it would help many smokers quit smoking. Very useful hub.. voting up and interesting.
- Author
I'll bet you can get e cigs online IC! Give it a search! :)
Going to pin this to my Health related boards on Pinterest. It might help publicize it and help more people to give up the habit of smoking cigarettes. I see from your comments that you are pinning, but I don't see that you have a Pinterest account. How are you able to do it? At least it does not show up on your profile.
- Author
Thanks! Yes, I have a pinterest account:
http://pinterest.com/justmesuzanne/
Just haven't updated my profile yet! :)
Ah...that explains it! You should put it on your profile page so that people can find it and follow you if they wish.
- Author
Yep! I did! Thanks! :D
Suzanne, the people who benefit most from the e-cig is not the smoker but the none smoker.
My grandfather smoked, then one day I stole one of his Camels, and I seem to have an alergy to the tobacco. I was so sick I could not run from the beating for stealing.
My mom smoked until she lost her voice, and she use to sing in a night club in Nashville.
I don't know what tobacco is good for, but would like to know.
Maybe you could ask that in a forum question.
Great hub, voted up +++, posted on fb and pinned. :-)
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Actually, I've been doing some research on that for some unique articles for my e cig client. It seems that the tobacco industry is exploring new avenues in such diverse areas as development of a preventative rabies vaccine for people and toxic pond scum cleanup. I think there are probably a couple of reasons for this. One is a worldwide reduction in smoking thanks to cigarette bans, availability of e cigs and the general public wising up. The other (rather dark and frightening reason) is genetic modification is making it possible to franken-warp tobacco for all kinds of uses.
A very interesting and well-informed hub on vaping. A word with great meaning and I found this hub to useful and so thoroughly researched.
- Author
Many thanks! :)
I missed this article earlier. Smoking is my pet hate and I find vaping offensive as well. I see it is dying before it really took off (here anyway). People do find it expensive; it still annoys "passive vapers" in the work place who are, after all, still breathing in particles which have been in the vaper's lungs, and it looks ridiculous!
Biased? Me? you bet!
Bob
- Author
The article has already countered all of your points except for the "breathing in particles which have been in the vaper's lungs, and it looks ridiculous!"
We are all, always breathing particles that have been in other people's (and anything breathes) lungs.
Ridiculous is in the eye of the beholder.
This whole smoking scenario has cost untold millions of lives and the misery of bad health. Nicotine is still a virulent poison and only palatable in tiny amounts (with cumulative damage). Vaping is just another way of the super criminals and psychopaths (Tobacco Barons) to keep on addicting people with noxious habits that fill their coffers. Youse backing the wrong gee-gee in the race, gurl!
Bob
- Author
You are entirely wrong about this. E cigarettes allow the smoker to take control of addiction to nicotine and reduce it to nothing then make the choice to either continue to vape a plain flavored water vapor (which contains the same inactive ingredients found in asthma inhalers along with food grade flavoring) or simply stop.
Medical stop stop smoking solutions such as patches and prescription drugs have an almost 100% rate of recidivism. Electronic cigarettes, on the other hand, produce approximately 90% success for people who take them up for the purpose of stopping smoking.
I have been researching and writing about e cigs for over six years. You are expressing an un-informed opinion.
Interesting, but these actually became available here in the States before they became a main-stream alternative to tobacco.
They've been in use for several years before that, in the "alternative medicine arena," with folks preferring to vape, instead of smoke their choice of "medicinal herb," (which is legal in many states).
Since I suffer from insomnia and chronic back pain, (and the prescription sleep-aids have side effects I don't care for), I was looking into this, as the edibles are not always available. Since I don't smoke anyway, I was not interested in starting, just to get my herbal medication. But, the vapers are rather pricey for my budget, so I'm still on the edibles. ;-)
Voted up, interesting and useful.
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Thanks! Yes, e cigs are not intended for use by non-smokers. They are intended (by scrupulous suppliers such as V2Cigs and a few others) as a safer smoking alternative and/or tobacco harm reduction product for adult smokers.
What herbs do you use for sleep and back pain? Could you grow them yourself? Could they be infused as tea? Have you tried yoga?
I was referring to medical cannabis, which is legal here in California, and in several other states, but not nationally. The 'grow it yourself' option is possible, but can be risky, due to both very gray areas in the law, and the likelihood of attracting thieves.
- Author
I see. Hmmm...it's a shame that growing it is risky since it grows like a weed! :D
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