Tips on Using Your New Electronic Cigarette

June 23, 2011 by  
Filed under Electronic Cigarette Info

Your new electronic cigarette is not a complicated device but with anything new there is always going to be a bit of a learning curve. Here are some tips on the best way to maximize your electronic smoking experience so you can save both time and money.

Tips for new electronic smokers:

1. Get extra batteries and atomizers. These are the two things that are most likely to need replacing. A quick word of caution: It’s a good idea to make sure you like your particular electronic cigarette model first before buying all the extras. Once you know for sure you’re satisfied with it, get the extra hardware… you’ll definitely get good use out of them!

2. Get a car charger and a USB passthrough. These will allow you to “vape” while driving or at your computer without the need to drain your batteries. Again, make sure you’re satisfied with your model before buying the extras.

3. Start off with a lower nicotine dose. Electronic cigarette cartridges typically come in several different doses: High, medium, low and none. When you first get your e-cigarette you’re going to want to be experimenting with it a lot, trying new flavors, etc. If you’re not careful you’ll end up absorbing more nicotine than you’re used to… and possibly increasing your addiction to it. Start off low and increase your dose after the novelty wears off if you feel like it.

4. Take long, slow puffs. A long, slow, steady puff will give you the most vapor volume. Short, hard puffs will tend to flood the atomizer causing reduced vapor production (you may even get liquid in your mouth).

5. Switch atomizers frequently. Atomizers tend to get clogged easily and when this happens the vapor volume is greatly reduced. Switch out your atomizer daily for best performance and be sure to clean them frequently. (This tip only applies to three-part ecigs where the atomizer is a separate unit. Some newer two-piece models have a built in atomizer in each individual cartridge).

Follow these tips and you will have a head start on being able to fully enjoy your new electronic cigarette as soon as possible. If you’re unsure about something be sure to check out some of the ecigarette forums online. These can be an excellent resource for answering nearly any question you can think of.

Congratulations on choosing a healthier smoking alternative… happy vaping!

Green Smoke Electronic Cigarette Review

June 23, 2011 by  
Filed under Electronic Cigarette Info, Featured

The Green Smoke electronic cigarette is quickly becoming a favorite among “vaping” enthusiasts and for good reason: It has distinct design differences that give the user the most realistic and satisfying smoking experience… and without the hassles typically associated with other ecigarette models.

Most companies are selling electronic cigarettes in a 3-piece design:

1. Battery
2. Atomizer
3. Nicotine cartridge

The Green Smoke design consists of only 2 pieces:

1. Battery
2. Atomizer & cartridge combined

Why does this make such a HUGE difference?

With the 3-piece design the atomizer gets used over and over. This leads to a dirty, clogged atomizer that becomes much less efficient over time. A clean atomizer is essential for getting maximum vapor volume. The more quality vapor you can get with each draw is very important for a satisfying and realistic “smoking” experience. Reusable atomizer found in 3-piece designs need to be replaced frequently… a hidden cost not mentioned in the sales material. Some products even have the additional headache of having to drop liquid nicotine solution into the filter.

The 2-piece design as found in the Green Smoke model eliminates the problems associated with the reusable atomizer. Because the atomizer is built into the nicotine cartridge, you get a fresh atomizer every time you change cartridges (one cartridge is about the equivalent of 20-30 tobacco cigarettes). This is why Green Smoke has the highest smoke volume industry. No other models even come close.

It’s very common for many people to initially try a cheap 3-piece design only to be disappointed. These are the same people that go on to say electronic smoking doesn’t work well. It’s worth it to spend a few extra dollars and get a 2-piece design that you will be happy with.

Not all e-cigarettes are created equal. It’s important to educate yourself on the differences so you don’t end up going through a lot of unnecessary (and expensive) trial and error. Green Smoke offers a technologically advanced device that will give you the most realistic and satisfying smoking experience in the industry. The highest smoke volume, convenience of use, reliability, cleanliness and an extended battery life all add up to make Green Smoke a wise electronic cigarette choice.

Electronic Cigarettes and the FDA

June 23, 2011 by  
Filed under Electronic Cigarette Info

Electronic cigarettes, the FDA, anti-freeze and teenagers… how are these four connected?

Apparently the FDA found small traces of diethylene glycol, an ingredient used in antifreeze, in one sample of electronic cigarette solution they analyzed. They are also concerned that teenagers will get addicted to electronic smoking. How serious are these issues? Are e-cigarettes harmful devices that should be banned? Lets get the facts straight and put all this information into perspective.

Diethylene glycol may be a toxic ingredient but exactly how toxic is it?

1. It is has one-tenth the toxicity of aspirin.
2. It has one-fortieth the toxicity of nicotine (the primary ingredient in electronic cigarette vapor).

Diethylene glycol is also found in everyday consumable products like:

- Toothpaste
- Mouthwash
- Cough syrup
- Wine
- Dog food
- And many others…

You have to wonder why the FDA is focusing so much on the minute traces of diethylene glycol found in one sample when clearly this is a very common ingredient many of us are ingesting regularly.

That’s not to say that diethylene glycol is totally harmless and we shouldn’t have any concerns about it. But when the FDA starts focusing on words like ‘diethylene glycol’ and ‘anti-freeze’ it sure does sound scary. However, a little bit of education on the facts puts it back in perspective doesn’t it? By the way, water is another ingredient found in anti-freeze!

The FDA tends to give the impression that they have regulatory control over nicotine. That is not always the case. They regulate smoking cessation products and claims. That’s why electronic cigarettes are marketed as a smoking alternative and not as a means to quit smoking.

Another “concern” expressed by the FDA is that electronic cigarettes target underage kids. Here is an FDA quote from one of their reports:

“These products are marketed and sold to young people and are readily available online and in shopping malls. They are also available in different flavors, such as chocolate and mint, which may appeal to young people”.

There is absolutely zero evidence that e-cigarettes target teenagers. Just the opposite… the marketing is focused on adults who already smoke and are searching for a healthier alternative they can use in public places. And here is some breaking news: Adults like to shop in malls and enjoy a variety of flavor choices too! Besides, the initial cost of entry for a top of the line electronic cigarette is not practical for most teenagers.

I encourage you to do your own due diligence and research the electronic cigarette to see if this is something that will benefit you. Look at all sides of the story and try to get unbiased information. Right now the FDA appears to be biased against electronic smoking for some reason. Do they have a hidden agenda? Who knows… but I think I detect trace elements of BS in the FDA reports!

Can Electronic Cigarettes Help You Quit Smoking

June 23, 2011 by  
Filed under Electronic Cigarette Info

Can electronic cigarettes help you quit smoking ? Probably. But the companies who sell these devices are not in a position to tell you that. Because the FDA has not approved electronic cigarettes, they are not being sold as smoking cessation devices, but rather as a healthier “smoking alternative” for people who want smoke in public places.

E-cigarettes are an alternative nicotine delivery system. Common sense would dictate that they could be effectively used as part of an overall smoking cessation program, similar to the way nicotine gum, patches and inhalers are.

And here is an interesting fact about electronic cigarette nicotine cartridges: They come in several different nicotine levels – high, medium, low, and zero nicotine. Conceivably a person could slowly wean themselves from their nicotine addiction by progressively lowering their intake levels. It’s important to note that even a cartridge with a “high” nicotine level still delivers considerably less nicotine per inhale than a traditional cigarette.

So how many smokers successfully quit using the electronic cigarette? It’s too soon to say for sure and no organized studies have been performed to date. However, if one were to go to the numerous “vaping” forums they would see many testimonials of people who have kicked the habit for good using these devices. Some of these success stories are from people who have smoked over a pack a day for decades.

Until in-depth clinical studies are done, we are going to have to rely on anecdotal testimonials and our own reasonable judgement. Do your research and educate yourself on the facts. Then you will be well equipped to make and intelligent adult decision if this is something that can help you quit smoking.

Here’s the bottom line: No device, even one as promising as the e-cigarette, is going to be a “silver bullet” that can make a smoker quit overnight. Successfully quiting forever starts with a strong conviction to quit. If a person truly wants to quit then the electronic cigarette may prove to be a very helpful tool in realizing that goal.

But let’s face it… many smokers DON”T want to quit! They just enjoy smoking too much. For this group, electronic smoking can be a much healthier alternative… hopefully one that will keep them alive a lot longer.

10 Electronic Cigarette FAQs

June 23, 2011 by  
Filed under Electronic Cigarette Info

The electronic cigarette is quickly rising in popularity as more smokers become aware of this healthier smoking alternative. For the first time an alternative nicotine delivery system is available that closely simulates a real smoking experience. Many people believe this will lead to countless smoker’s lives being saved. The e-cigarette is looking very promising and is already revolutionizing the way many people smoke… permanently.

However, because it’s a relatively new device that is just coming into public awareness, there is a lot of misinformation surrounding the electronic cigarette. Is it safe? Can it help you quit smoking? Is there a danger of more kids getting addicted to nicotine? These are all sensible questions that need to be addressed in order for you to make an intelligent decision whether this is something you could benefit from.

The following are a list of 10 FAQs about the electronic cigarette:

1. How close to the real thing is it? Very similar… enough to satisfy the most hardcore smokers. There are many reports of smokers with 1-2 pack a day habits completely switching over to e-cigarettes permanently. The vapor tastes, feels and looks like tobacco smoke. It delivers that instant nicotine satisfaction that smokers crave.

2. Is it safe? Tobacco smoke has over 4,000 toxic chemicals. Electronic smoking has none of these because there is no actual smoke involved. Smoke is the real health hazard. E-cigarettes deliver nicotine by inhaling a vaporized water/nicotine solution without having to worry about tar, carbon monoxide, etc.

A report by the Royal College of Physicians states that nicotine by itself has not been proven to cause any long term ill health effects. Electronic cigarette vapor has about 20 ingredients (including nicotine) all of which are considered safe as long as the proper instructions are followed.

3. Can it help me quit smoking? Electronic cigarettes are NOT marketed as smoking cessation devices. They are meant to be used by smokers who are seeking an alternative that can be used anywhere. That being said, common sense dictates that it definitely has potential to be an integral part of a sensible stop-smoking program (similar to how nicotine gum and patches are used).

4. Is it approved by the FDA? The e-cigarette is a nicotine delivery device and doesn’t fall under the jurisdiction of the FDA right now.

5. Why are certain groups so opposed to it? This is a complicated question. Certain groups may have the public’s best interests in mind and just want more clinical studies to be done. Others have a financial interest in trying to figure out the best way to capitalize on what is probably going to be a billion dollar industry soon.

6. Can it be used anywhere? Technically, yes. There is no burning tobacco so no second hand smoke is produced. Although it is totally acceptable in most public places, there are certain areas like restaurants that may not like the appearance of it. In these cases simply check with the staff first.

7. Does it target kids? Absolutely not! There is a lot of misinformation regarding this topic. Some anti-groups are claiming that because a variety of flavors like fruit, vanilla, chocolate, etc. are available this is going to appeal to kids. That’s like saying because nicotine gum comes in a variety of flavors like mint or fruit it’s catering to a younger crowd. Adults enjoy a variety of flavor choices too! The bottom line is the initial cost for an electronic cigarette starter kit (usually around $100 or so) is not practical for most kids. The market is adult smokers looking for a healthier alternative smoking choice.

8. What is the best e-cigarette? This is where you need to use a bit of discrimination. There has been a lot of cheap designs coming out of China that are wrought with mechanical problems. Luckily there are a handful of high-quality manufacturers out there. A little bit of research will help you decide. Just remember that sometimes it’s worth spending a few more dollars one time to ensure you get a high quality device that is capable of giving you an enjoyable and problem-free smoking experience.

9. How much does it cost? A quality starter kit (including rechargeable battery, charger and 5 nicotine cartridges) will run you around $100 – $150. A package of 5 cartridges will run you around $10 – $15. I cartridge is about the equivalent of 1 – 1.5 packs of cigarettes. Do the math. That’s the equivalent of paying around $2 – $3 per pack of cigarettes.

10. Where can I buy one? Because it’s still fairly new, not many stores are carrying these yet. The best deals can be found online. Go to (www.yoursite.com) to check out some of the best electronic cigarettes available today.