What’s the Deal With Vape?

As popular as these nifty little devices are, many people still have no clue what vape really is. A vape consists of a few main parts, starting with the mod or the piece of the vape pen where a user can control all the settings such as wattage and resistance, which in turn change the amount of power the vape is producing.

The next piece of the vape pen are the batteries,  which are very self-explanatory, but they are placed in the mod to give it power. Finally, the tank on a vape pen has a few smaller pieces, such as the atomizer that has the cotton and coils that absorb the juice and then heat it up changing it to a vapor.

Another thing needed to make a vape work is fuel for the tank,  or in this case something called E-juice. The “juice” for vape is made up of a few ingredients such as a PG (propylene glycol) or VG (vegetable glycerin) base, nicotine (if wanted), water, and flavorings. Through this combination, it creates a liquid that can be heated up and turned to a vapor. This vapor is also flavored depending on what kind is purchased  

Now that this idea is evolving and gaining popularity, retailers are creating new and different flavors, giving buyers an extensive variety. The last choice with juice is either nicotine or no nicotine in the juice. Often people who are using vapes to quit cigarettes will start with a high amount of nicotine in their juice and slowly lower it to eventually none.

Vapes  are a great alternative to smoking cigarettes, causing many people to switch over. Vape Ranks says upcoming quarter sales for the tobacco industry are going to be about 4.5% down and they believe this decline is due to the rising popularity of vaping. Vape Ranks News says the overall growth in the US, “…could reach $1 billion in sales in 2013, more than double the $300 – $500 million registered in 2012. According to the Wells Fargo Research, 100% of the surveyed tobacco resellers and wholesalers, representing over 45,000 U.S. convenience stores, are now selling electronic cigarettes, and 98% of them reported growing sales in the first quarter of this year by an average of 30%.”

An anonymous RMHS senior said, “Well, I vape and I personally do it because I used to smoke cigarettes and this has helped me get away from that. I also enjoy that it has a good smell and flavor.” He went on to say, “I certainly don’t think it’s good for me, but I do believe that it is better for me than cigarettes.”  

People assume that e-cigarettes are a healthier alternative to smoking, but there are still risks. New animal data suggests vaping may pose immune system risks and possibly behavioral and reproductive risks for the children of women who vape during pregnancy, showing that vapes are not just a magical, harmless alternative.

This new fad that seems to be going nowhere but up. While vaping hasn’t been around for too long and doesn’t have very much long term research on it, it does appear to be better for the consumer than cigarettes, due to the lack of extra added chemicals. In addition, it is clearly is helping people kick the cigarette habit.