E-Cig FAQs

An electronic cigarette (eCig) is simply a device that houses a rechargeable lithium ion battery which powers a heating element. The heating element vaporizes “eliquid” (also known as “eJuice”), that the user then inhales. The inhaled vapor closely resembles the feel and appearance of smoke, with none of the staining or unpleasant smells caused by combustion.

It really is very similar to a regular (or “analog”) cigarette without all of the deadly chemicals, tar and second hand smoke. You’re also not going to start any fires with an electronic cigarette!

Although most commonly known as electronic cigarettes or eCigs, many people call these devices “personal vaporizers”, “personal inhalers” and even “technofoggers”! I really like that last one.

Batteries come in all shapes and sizes. From the size of a cigarette, to the larger “eGo” style batteries, all the way up to the massive and long lasting 18650 battery style devices, commonly called “mods”. The size of the battery is generally related to the mAh (milliamps hour) rating of the battery. Milliamps hour is important, because it is the easiest way to distinguish the strength or capacity of a battery. The higher the mAh, the longer the battery will last between charges. Think of the gas tank on a car. Voltage would be the gas being used, and mAh would be the size of the tank. The larger the gas tank (mAh), the longer the car will run. When it runs empty, it’s time to refill (recharge) the tank.

Some devices feature variable voltage and/or variable wattage options. In a nutshell, VV and VW settings allow the user to manually adjust the output voltage or wattage being provided to the heating element. The advantage to these features is that it allows the individual to set his or her device to their optimum level, and provides a greater range of control over throat hit and vapor production.

When the user activates the battery, it provides the electrical power that is needed by the atomizer to generate enough heat to produce vapor.

Way back in the dark ages of “vaping” (around 2003), the only real options for heating elements were either dripping ejuice directly on an exposed atomizer, or an atomizer/cartridge setup, where a small tank filled with an absorbent material and eliquid was placed on top of the atomizer. Now we have dozens of options of varying ease of use or difficulty, with multiple benefits and/or drawbacks. The important thing to remember is that the basic function of any heating element is to vaporize liquid, so that the user can then inhale it.

Ultimately, the type of device that you choose is up to you. With so many options out there, you are able to consider what will work best for your lifestyle and personal preference.

Now for the fun part! The single most important part when it comes to vaping is the eJuice. If a person doesn’t like the taste of what they’re vaping, they aren’t going to use their device, plain and simple.

It seems like it should be really basic, you buy some eJuice, and you either like it or you don’t, right? There’s a lot more to that delicious eLiquid sitting in your tank than you might think. At Vape Escapes, we use an average ratio of 60% vegetable glycerin to 40% propylene glycol as the base for our liquids. We are unable to create 100% VG eJuice containing nicotine, because our nicotine is PG based. The PG and VG that is used by Vape Escapes is USP (United States Pharmacopeia) grade and kosher to ensure maximum safety without toxicity risk.

We also use USA made (PG based) pharmaceutical grade nicotine that meets the EU 6.0 standards and is 99.86% pure.

The only other ingredients in our eJuices are U.S. Food grade flavorings. We do not use any alcohol, vitamin supplements, artificial colorings or additives in our juice. Pink Spot Vapors creates flavors using only the best ingredients available in the United States.

Finding your favorite eJuices is one of the greatest joys of vaping. Since taste is 100% subjective, try lots of different flavors, and share them with your friends! Smoking has always been a social activity, and there’s no reason why vaping shouldn’t be also. In fact, a quick Google search may turn up a local “vape club” in or around your hometown.

Our products contain US Pharmaceutical Grade Vegetable Glycerin (VG) and US Pharmaceutical Grade Propylene Glycol (PG). Upon request, it may also include USP Grade Nicotine, which is USA made, meets EU6.0 standards and is 99.86% pure. The flavorings are food grade and we take every precaution to get flavorings that do not contain food coloring but cannot always guarantee this.

Even though some of our specialty blends are based on your favorite cocktails, none of our eLiquids contain Alcohol.

Here is a description of each ingredient:

USP Grade vegetable glycerin (VG) is made from vegetable oil. USP VG is a commonly used additive in food and soft drinks.VG helps make the vapor rich.

Propylene glycol (PG) is a commonly used ingredient in salad dressings, soft drinks, cake mixes and food colorings. PG makes the e-cig taste better.

Food grade flavorings are high-quality flavorings that make the vapor taste great.

Pharmaceutical grade nicotine is pure nicotine, without the contaminants of tobacco cigarettes.

E-juice flavors are subjective. What is sweet to one, may not be to another. Everyone’s taste buds are different; this is just part of the experience. And the same flavor may taste different at different points in time. There are a lot of variables to this, but this is especially true for individuals who stop smoking.

Also note that most freshly-made e-juices (such as ours) improve after a week or two of “steeping.” This is especially true for darker flavors such as chocolate and tobacco, but some fruit flavors will do this too.  You can begin vaping any e-Juice right away, but be aware that a flavor that seems ”pretty good” or “moderate” today will likely be awesome or robust in a few weeks.  

Before vaping for the first time, many people think they want to stick to tobacco or tobacco menthol flavors, since that’s what they’re accustomed to. But the truth is, when anxious smokers say “Oh, this cigarette tastes so good,” they’re not really talking about the actual taste – they’re talking about the nicotine fix and what that puff of smoke does for them. Tobacco smoke in and of itself does not taste good, and that’s why many people smoke menthols – to mask the taste. Very few people find they want to use only tobacco or menthol flavors, and there doesn’t seem to be any trend of menthol smokers preferring menthol or mint flavors. The large majority of vapers actually find the taste of tobacco (menthol or otherwise) down-right disgusting once they start vaping.

Unless you SERIOUSLY adore the taste of tobacco smoke, you’ll definitely want to try some of our other flavors.  Some tobacco flavors are pleasant on occasion, especially for pipe or cigar smokers.  Some might be more like actual tobacco than tobacco smoke, which can be very enjoyable for some, but an unexpected experience for others.

We do sell a few basic tobacco flavors, but most of our tobacco juices are blended with other flavors to enhance them. But with SO many different flavors to choose from, why restrict yourself to the tobacco smoke mindset? Be adventurous… Come on in to sample our delicious fruit, sweets, beverage or signature flavors for yourself!

We offer the following nicotine strengths and define them as: 0mg (no nicotine), 6mg (extra low), 12mg (low), 18mg (medium), and 24mg (high).

Studies have found that vapers actually receive less nicotine per inhale than do traditional tobacco smokers, and they absorb nicotine at a different rate.  Most people don’t notice the difference, though, because we vape differently than we smoke. Smoking involves an entire cigarette in a short period of time, then that is repeated throughout the day. Vaping, however, usually spreads the draws more equally over the course of the day, and we absorb nicotine steadily rather than in short, repeated bursts.

The nicotine strength in e-juice is measured by milligrams per milliliter. So in other words, 12mg e-juice contains 12 milligrams of nicotine per 1 milliliter. (Consider that a 12 milliliter bottle of 12 milligram strength e-Juice would contain a total of 144 milligrams of nicotine, and you can see why extreme caution is in order – again – KEEP AWAY FROM CHILDREN AND PETS!)

In general, one milliliter of e-juice is comparable to one pack of tobacco cigarettes. Traditional cigarettes  deliver anywhere from 0.8 and 1.2mg of nicotine (lights and ultra lights being lowest), but  there are so many variables, an ultra-light smoker may use a strength higher than a full flavor smoker, or go through more eJuice. Please recognize this is a general estimate comparison, and that style, habits and equipment have as much if not more influence on your strength preferences.

Heavy smokers (especially heavy, full-flavored smokers) often start with 18-24mg. Light tobacco smokers or those who smoke fewer cigarettes per day (say 1/2 pack), often start with  12-18mg. It’s not uncommon for vapers to use different strengths at different times of the day. The most important thing is to listen to your body. Many vapers find they need less nicotine than they expected. The best thing is to use this information as a guideline, then do some trial and error. We recommend new vapers start with at least two, if not three different strengths. It’s unlikely any would go to waste. Even if a particular strength is too strong, you can easily dilute it down with a lower strength.

Store e-Juices in a cool (not cold), dark environment. Avoid storing in the refrigerator, as cold temperatures tend to breakdown chemicals and cause them to separate. Likewise, avoid heat and direct sunlight, as these tend to breakdown flavor molecules and e-Juices will begin to taste bland. Shelf life is considered to be two-years.  Our e-Juices include the date of production on the label.

Vaping, while much safer than smoking, is still in its infancy, and as the user base increases, the amount of people who are oblivious to the existence of electronic cigarettes decreases. However, vaping is still not a familiar term to many who are not in the know. When someone who doesn’t smoke sees a person vaping, they may assume it is smoking. They are not fully aware of what it is they are seeing – between general ignorance and misinformation in the news, many of those who look at vaping see it in the same light as they would with someone smoking a cigarette.

Unfortunately, we can not simply just fault someone who picks up an electronic cigarette with the basic knowledge that it’s not as harmful. Some electronic cigarette companies still market their devices as the “legal way to smoke everywhere” – This however is not the case.  Many states require electronic cigarettes to follow the same rules as tobacco cigarettes, banning them indoors at public establishments. Even in states where vaping indoors may not be banned, many establishments will not stand to see someone vaping in their place of business; legal or not you may be asked to leave.

I ask that my fellow vapers be courteous to those around them who are not smokers or vapers. Treat your electronic cigarette like you would the traditional analogs you once smoked. Be mindful of those around you, and your surroundings. Don’t use your device in a movie theater, or on a plane or in any place you are in close proximity to those around you who might find what you’re doing harmful to their well-being or may be considered illegal. Be mindful of the laws where you live or where you may be going. Do your best to educate those around you whenever and however you can, because we can’t completely rely on media outlets to provide people with honest and accurate information.

In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration has agreed not to contest the court ruling that classifies electronic cigarettes as tobacco products. Manufacturers and distributors of the e-cig were relieved that the legal battle over its regulation for over three years has been put to rest. It is a more favorable verdict instead of having e-cigs become strictly regulated when classified as a medical device. Not all states prohibit the use of e-cigs in places where tobacco use is restricted. In Iowa, for example, allow vaping indoors although some would have to contend with envious tobacco smokers who had to take a drag outdoors.

Recently, places where tobacco smoking had been prohibited had been infiltrated by e-cigs. However, some states have passed some laws that limit the places where vaping can take effect. Smoking indoors or inside the airplane has been restricting vaping for various reasons. Sales to minors have also been prohibited as well the health claims that e-cigs are healthier alternative to real cigars.

Although vaping has been banned on all airlines and all flights, many airports will allow you to vape in the airport while waiting for your flight. Just remember to be courteous to the other travelers waiting in the airport.

Speaking of air travel – TSA and most airlines will allow you to fly with your juice and devices but here are some tips to remember:

• All ejuice bottles still need to adhere to the TSA rules for liquids. Your ejuice needs to be less than 3oz per bottle (1oz += 29ml)
• All ejuice bottles should be placed in the TSA approved plastic bags for security checkpoints.
• All external batteries (18350’s -26650’s) should be placed in plastic battery boxes (for safety reasons) when traveling.
• Just before you are about to board your plane – you should empty your tank of any remaining liquid. The pressure in the plane and altitude will cause your tank to leak and you will have a mess to deal with after your flight.

Vape Escapes eJuice should be kept in a secure location that is inaccessible to children and pets at all times. Some eJuice may contain nicotine which can be poisonous or lethal if ingested or inhaled in large amounts. Please note also that small amounts of nicotine can be poisonous or lethal if ingested by children or pets. If such unintended ingestion occurs, especially by children or pets, please contact your local poison control center or seek medical attention immediately. We appreciate your business and your responsibility in this matter.

Thank you and happy vaping!

We’re happy to answer them and help in any way possible! You can call 480-488-VAPE(8273) or email us at info@VapeEscapes.com.