Electronic cigarettes primarily all work the same way; a battery sends power to a coil that is wicked, usually with cotton, which holds “e-juice”. When the battery is engaged and the coil heats up, any “juice” or liquid that is held inside the cotton is immediately turned to “smoke-like” vapor.
Unlike traditional cigarettes, which can contain literally THOUSANDS of harmful chemicals and additives, most e-juice is manufactured using only a very few ingredients;
PG (Propylene Glycol) - The PG used in e-juice for electronic cigarettes and vaporizers is most commonly Food Grade Kosher Propylene Glycol. Various forms of PG can be found in MANY different products consumed on a daily basis including fast food, cosmetics, food colorings, cake mixes, salad dressings, soft drinks and can even be found in use as a carrying agent for certain medications including inhalables. When used as an ingredient in e-juice, PG is responsible for “throat hit” and “chest hit”. Most commonly, the more PG being used, the more “stiff” the hit. Propylene Glycol should NOT be confused with Ethyl-Glycol, which one of the main ingredients in toxic anti-freeze.
VG (Vegetable Glycerin) - Most commonly derived from plant oils, VG can be found as a sweetener in foods, though is often used as a moisturizing agent in many cosmetic products. When in e-juice for use in an electronic cigarette or vaporizer, VG is the ingredient that creates clouds of vapor as well as adds “smoothness” to each draw.
NIC (Liquid Nicotine) - In a pure (100%) form, liquid nicotine is 1000 milligrams per milliliter of fluid. Pure liquid nicotine is EXTREMELY dangerous and can be fatal if swallowed or if absorbed through the skin. Pure liquid nicotine must be diluted to a level that is safe for use in electronic cigarettes and vaporizers. Most commonly, ejuice is mixed to contain a level nicotine that is enjoyable to the user, usually between 24mg/ml down to 0mg/ml.
Flavorings - The ingredients used to flavor most e-juices are water-soluble food flavorings. These are the same food flavorings that are used to flavor everything from Betty Crocker cake mixes to Snickers candy bars. These flavorings are most commonly based in propylene glycol. It is VERY IMPORTANT to note that not all water soluble food flavorings are “safe” for use in electronic cigarettes and vaporizers. Some flavorings can contain ingredients such as diacetyl, which is harmful.
So… you do the math. If you’re going to inhale something into your lungs, would you rather that it has FOUR ingriedients, or THOUSANDS of chemicals and additives and cancer causing agents? We’ll keep vaping.