Are You Being Safe? Know What’s In Your E Liquid

When you put even a little time into studying the differences between cigarettes and e-cigarettes, you will find at least one fact that stands out: E-cigarettes are cigarettes.

The scariest thing about e-liquid: the juice that is burned to form the smoke, is the lack of serious regulation. According to the above article, that means what’s on the label is not necessarily what you get, or don’t get.

Nicotine is one example of what you are likely to get even when the label says you don’t.

There are also concerns about the manufacturing standards by which some e-liquids are produced. Some E Liquid Manufacturing is done in clean rooms that meet the highest standards, ISO 14644 certified to be precise.

As far as safety, there are two questions that have to be addressed: Are e-cigarettes safe in general, and is the e-liquid safe that you happen to be using?

The first question is easy.

E-cigs are safer than the traditional cigarettes they replace. So if you are already a smoker, moving to e-cigarettes is a good move for you, the people around whom you smoke, and the environment.

The answer to the second question requires quite a bit more thought:

Nicotine

Nicotine does not cause cancer. It is a naturally occurring substance. Then again, the same can be said about a tobacco leaf. However, nicotine is quite addictive. Smoking is largely a nicotine delivery system. That is just as true for e-cigarettes.

Then again, the same can be said about a tobacco leaf. However, nicotine is quite addictive. Smoking is largely a nicotine delivery system. That is just as true for e-cigarettes.

However, nicotine is quite addictive. Smoking is largely a nicotine delivery system. That is just as true for e-cigarettes.

But smokers do not simply ingest nicotine. They heat it up first. That is where things get chemically interesting.

The level of heat creates chemical reactions that produce formaldehyde, a known carcinogen. This is a particular danger with tank systems that get very hot, very quickly.

Even if you wanted an e-liquid without nicotine, you have to do some research. The product label can be misleading.

No nicotine does not mean there is no nicotine. In the same way, non-alcoholic beer usually contains alcohol. Reduce carcinogens by reducing the heat.

Reduce carcinogens by reducing the heat.

Base

The majority of e-liquid is what makes up the base. It is the same set of chemicals you find in inhalers and cough medicine. The two main chemicals are:

• Propylene glycol (PG) It is deemed safe. And is also used to make fog at rock concerts.
• Vegetable glycerin (VG) It is the food-grade liquid responsible for most of the vaping cloud.

Flavoring

What flavor do you prefer? Do you like a rich, buttery taste? Or do you prefer cherries?

Some manufacturers use food flavoring. Those are fine. Others use oil-based flavoring which should be avoided.

Diacetyl is another type to be avoided as it can be hazardous. It is used to impart a buttery flavor.

Some flavors such as cinnamon, spearmint, and citrus have been known to crack or even melt plastic when heated. Be sure you have the right kind of device for the flavor you choose.

The warning here is as with many things, make sure you know what you are getting. Nicotine, PG, VG, and flavoring are mostly what you get in e-liquid. But it all comes down to the details.

Read the label on your e-liquid. Then dig a little deeper. Be sure you e-liquid of choice comes from a reputable manufacturer. They are not all created equally.