FAQ

FAQ: questions on vaping, electronic cigarettes, e-liquidsTo explore the different questions of this FAQ, simply select the theme you’re interested by and explore the different subjects offered. To read the question, and the detailed answer, you’ll just need to click on the + located on the left of each question.

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E-cigarette and tobacco (2)

You can use an electronic cigarette as a tobacco cessation device without any frustration. It will enable you to keep the same gesture and nicotine content as when you were smoking. Many vapers have now completely stopped smoking thanks to the e-cig.

You can use an electronic cigarette as a tobacco cessation device without any frustration. It will enable you to keep the same gesture and nicotine content as when you were smoking. Many vapers have now completely stopped smoking thanks to the e-cig.

The first thing to know is that you don’t need to stop smoking before you start vaping. The first month for instance, you can try vaping while you’re still smoking. But if you can, stop smoking as soon as possible. Products that are included in tobacco cigarettes will irritate your throat a couple of weeks after you’ve stopped smoking. This means that you will cough even though you’ve switched to vaping. But once your throat has healed, the coughing fits will disappear.

The first step is the choice of the model and most particularly the flavor. You’ll need to find the e-liquid that will suit you best. Everyone’s different so you’ll most probably need to try several juices before finding the one that’s right for you. The main goals for you will be to recreate the « throat hit », this tingling feeling in the throat, and to avoid nicotine withdrawal symptoms. I’m sure you’ll want to avoid feeling anxious, impatient or depressed, so you should definitely spend some time making sure you’re comfortable with your e-liquid. Generally speaking, it’s better to start with a tobacco or menthol flavor because it’s closer to tobacco cigarettes.

If you’re not satisfied, you can try a higher nicotine content or a different flavor. This can totally change your perception of vaping.

You should also favor atomizers with indirect inhaling, because the feelings will be similar to smoking.

What impact on your health?

After a few days, you’ll be able to feel the benefits. You’ll recover your sense of smell and your taste will also come back.

After one month, vaping generally replaces tobacco products. From that point onwards, you can lower the nicotine content but don’t hurry too much. The goal is to stay away from smoking and to avoid frustrations.

And most particularly, plan some back-up material, such as e-liquids bottles and batteries. If your equipment breaks down, you’ll most certainly buy a cigarette pack. And it’s always better if you have two e-cigarettes, just in case something goes wrong.

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Vaping means inhaling vapor coming from an electronic cigarette. Smoking means inhaling smoke coming from a burnt tobacco-substance.

Let’s start by simple definitions of both vaping and smoking.

Vaping means inhaling vapor coming from an electronic cigarette. Smoking means inhaling smoke coming from a burnt tobacco-substance.

When compared with smoking, vaping will simply vaporize an e-liquid. These e-liquids are generally made of food components, such as vegetable glycerin, propylene glycol or aromas, which are not harmful for your health. Nicotine, which can be included in the composition of e-liquids, in an addictive product but with an e-cigarette, you’ll be able to choose the nicotine content based on your needs to avoid withdrawal symptoms and cravings.

We actually have on the one side a combustion taking place and on the other side the production of an aerosol generally called vapor. The e-cigarette vapor is made of gas particles that were created after the vaporization of the liquid. For e-liquids with a high propylene glycol content, 95% of these particles disappear in the air in the following minute. There are no carcinogenic components, carbon monoxiyde or solid particles in vapor, contrary to cigarette smoke.

Tobacco products also contain numerous addictive products. Once they are burnt, these products are toxic. Tobacco use led to 100 million deaths in the world. Carcinogenic components lead to tobacco-based cancers. Carbon monoxide and fine particles will increase cardio-vascular risks. And the solid particles of cigarette smoke tend to enter the body, lungs and bronchial tubes, even if you’re not smoking. On the contrary, risks linked to passive vaping are 100 times less important. Electronic cigarettes would thus enable to reduce the risks of major diseases.

Other differences

If you start vaping, you’ll be able to get rid of the cold tobacco smell, the coughing fits, the lack of sense of smell or taste. There is no burning, no tar, no nasty smell, only lightly flavored vapor. And you’ll keep the same gesture. The nicotine content will make tobacco use cessation easier. Vapers will be able to recover in a few weeks (and sometimes even in a few days) their breath, their appetite, their taste. Their complexion will become less grey and chronic respiratory infections will decrease.

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E-liquid (4)

When you start vaping, it’s important that you spend some time choosing your first e-liquid. The starting point will be what you like or what you need.

When you start vaping, it’s important that you spend some time choosing your first e-liquid.

The starting point of your choice will be what you like or what you need. Have you recently stopped smoking? Do you need a high nicotine content? Perhaps you’re looking for some specific flavors? Or you really want to make large vapor clouds? And maybe you really love raspberry flavors? All these questions will enable you to decide which e-liquid to choose. They actually rely on three main elements: the nicotine content, the PG (propylene glycol) / VG (vegetable glycerin) ratio and the aromas.

Nicotine content

If you used to smoke several cigarette packs a day, you’ll choose high nicotine contents, from 12 to 18mg/ml.
If you’re looking to reproduce the « throat hit », you’ll also need to choose high nicotine content.
Finally, if you don’t really know what to choose and you used to be an average smoker, start by a 12mg/ml nicotine content and adjust it based on your feelings.

The PG/VG content

If you’re looking for round and sweet e-liquids that enable you to make large vapor clouds, we suggest you to pick a high VG juice.
If you’re looking for more subtle e-liquids, you’ll probably prefer high PG juices.
Finally, if you’re clueless, the best is to take the most common ratio: 50% PG and 50% VG.

Flavors

In a world of infinite tastes, e-liquid manufacturers have been really creative! And you’ll most probably find the liquid that perfectly suits your taste. You’ll be able to choose between tobacco, menthol, fruity or dessert flavors. And what’s really important is that you find what’s best for you. The best way to do this will probably be to taste different juices.

Our last piece of advice: pay attention to the quality of the products. Even if regulations have really driven quality up, it’s always better to check the composition. Try to avoid as much as possible everything that is not a usual / classical ingredient. Any other element than propylene glycol, vegetable glycerin, flavors, water and alcohol should be avoided.

 

Category: E-liquid

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E-liquids are available with different nicotine content, from 0 to 20 mg/ml. E-liquids without nicotine do not present more risks than other e-liquids. They are therefore less harmful than traditional tobacco cigarettes. And they’re also available in many different flavors, just as any other e-liquid. 

E-liquids are available with different nicotine content, from 0 to 20 mg/ml. E-liquids without nicotine do not present more risks than other e-liquids. They are therefore less harmful than traditional tobacco cigarettes. And they’re also available in many different flavors, just as any other e-liquid.

If you want to try an e-liquid without nicotine and you’re already a vaper, you just need to pick your usual brand and e-liquid with a 0 nicotine content.

If you are a smoker and have just started vaping, we don’t advise you to try e-liquids without nicotine. Don’t be afraid of nicotine if you vape normally. It will enable your brain to experience past feelings, close to those of smoking, by favoring the throat hit. With this hit, nicotine will enable you to maximize your chances of definitely stopping to smoke. On the contrary, if you go directly to a nicotine content equal to 0, you’ll most certainly experience cravings that could bring you back to tobacco use. Nicotine is a key element in tobacco cessation because it’s a major influencer in the perception of vaping.

Some former smokers who have switched to vaping are looking to stop vaping. They are therefore little by little decreasing the nicotine content of their juices, until they reach 0.

 

Last attention point

When you are vaping liquids without nicotine, you may not feel the hit, which is strongly linked to nicotine. To recreate artificially the hit, you can vape menthol liquids. Or use a more powerful e-cigarette with a warmer vapor.

Category: E-liquid

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E-liquids are e-cigarettes’ consumables. You’ll need e-liquid to be able to vape. E-liquids are generally available in rechargeable 10ml bottles (for the UE) with different aromas and nicotine content.

E-liquids are e-cigarettes’ consumables. You’ll need e-liquid to be able to vape. E-liquids are generally available in rechargeable 10ml bottles (for the UE) with different aromas and nicotine content.

E-liquids are made of 6 main components: vegetable glycerin, propylene glycol, aromas, nicotine, water and alcohol. However, water and alcohol are not mandatory and their use is becoming more and more limited.

The base

80 to 90% of the e-liquid is made of 2 elements: vegetable glycerin (VG) and propylene glycol (PG). The split between those ingredients can change. VG and PG are food components that have the specificity of converting into vapor at a very low temperature. Vegetable glycerin is a thick liquid that will make the blend viscous. The more VG there is in the e-liquid, the bigger the vapor cloud. E-liquids with a high VG content will feel softer and rounder. But the e-liquid will be more viscous and therefore the devices will tend to clog more easily. Propylene Glycol will intensify the aroma taste and will increase the ‘hit’, sensation that is usually sought after by former smokers. The vapor generated by PG is fine and light.

Aromas

Food aromas generally represent 3 to 15% of the composition. Those aromas will bring savor to the e-liquid. The aromas can be synthetic or natural or possibly a combination of those two.

Nicotine

Nicotine is obtained through the extraction of tobacco leaves and their transformation in a liquid form. It is an alkaloid that will have a stimulant effect when used in low dose but is quickly eliminated. The use of nicotine in e-liquids is strictly supervised. The ‘hit’ is proportional to the nicotine content. Therefore, a higher nicotine content will create a better hit. The nicotine content in e-liquids is generally between 0 and 20mg/ml.

Alcohol and water

Ethyl alcohol may be used to homogenize and liquefy the blend. It will also intensify the action of propylene glycol and therefore improve the flavors of the product. We can also use demineralized water to fluidize the blend. Generally, water plus alcohol combined doesn’t exceed 5%.

Other components

We can find other components in e-liquids, such as diacetyl, propionyl acetyl, acetoine, formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, acroleine, etc. We do not recommend the use of such components.

Please also note that e-liquids have a ‘best before’ date. You’ll be able to keep your e-liquids for a 12-month period if it’s stored in a dark and cool place with a perfectly sealed cap. If you notice that the best before date is in the past, it’s not dangerous to vape the e-liquid. But flavors will certainly have faded a little bit.

Category: E-liquid

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You may have heard about the PG/VG ratio. This is simply the way these propylene glycol and vegetable glycerin share the base, which is 90% of the e-liquid.

Propylene glycol (PG) and vegetable glycerin (VG) are the two main components of an e-liquid. They constitute the base, 90% of the composition of an e-liquid.

You may have heard about the PG/VG ratio? This is simply the way these two components share the 90% we’ve just talked about. Generally speaking, we say that an e-liquid is xx% PG and yy% VG.

High VG juice

An e-liquid that has a high VG content will enable you to make large vapor clouds. Cloud chasers and tricks performers use it all around the world. Those are generally liquids that are sweeter, with a rounder taste. They can even somewhat hide the flavors when the VG is extremely high. VG is also a viscous liquid. The more VG you’ll have in your juice, the quicker your material will clog.

High PG juice

On the contrary, an e-liquid with a high PG content will have a finer vapor cloud that will dissipate quickly. But it will be a true flavor enhancer and will sublimate the aromas. It’s more liquid than VG and will not clog your material as much as the VG. The PG will also increase the throat hit, which is mainly brought by nicotine.

What’s actually really interesting is that the PG/VG ratio varies according to the country. In France for instance, the standard is around 70 to 80% PG. In the US, the UK or in China, consumers have very different habits and PG is usually lower than 50% and we even have 100% VG juices. But whatever your liking may be, don’t worry! E-liquid manufacturers generally have wide ranges of products with different compositions, flavors and PG/VG ratios.

Category: E-liquid

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Electronic cigarette (5)

Let’s explore the different kind of e-cigarettes on the market: cigalike, cylindrical e-cigarette, box mod, mechanical box, etc.

Cigalike

A cigalike is a first generation e-cigarette. It looks very similarly to a traditional cigarette: light and thin with often an orange mouthpiece that looks like a cigarette filter, a white battery and a LED that lightens when the user takes a puff. Cigalikes usually include a disposable or a reusable battery as well as a cartridge and an atomizer merged in one single element: the cartomizer. An average vaper will need one to two disposable cigalikes per day. These first-generation e-cigs are less efficient than more recent devices but they really look like a cigarette, which can be appealing to some of us. For beginners, it can actually be important to have a device that looks like a cigarette.

Simple e-cigarette

Simple e-cigarettes are rechargeable devices, often cylindrical but with little technical complexity. There are no buttons and no screen. Technicity has been reduced to favor a great simplicity. But this product is rechargeable and the e-liquid tank is quite sufficient. You’ll find in this family the ego Aio, the eGo One, the Endura T18 or the PockeX.

Electronical mod

Mods are modular e-cigarettes that are often square (hence the name Mod Box), even if we can find some that are cylindrical. They have a screen with all the useful information, different buttons and are designed to be compatible with most atomizers.

Electronical mods are secured to protect both the battery and the user.

There are two main types of electronical mods: those with an integrated battery and those with a replaceable battery (that you can recharge with an exterior charger).

 

  • Replaceable batteries are interesting because you can replace them. Besides they have interesting power potential. Almost all mods that offer a hundred watts or more work with replaceable batteries. The main drawback is the weight of the battery. It also requires a large compartment.
  • Integrated batteries are easy to recharge, rather light and small. The problem is that once the battery is dead, you cannot change it and you’ll have to get rid of your vaping device.

Mechanical mod

Mechanical mods do not have any kind of electronics. They are rather made for expert vapers because of their complexity.

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The atomizer is the element that hosts the coil, which, thanks to the power of the current delivered by the battery, will heat the e-liquid up and will trigger the evaporation. There are different types of atomizers: standard atomizers such as cartomizers or clearomizers and rebuildable atomizers.

The atomizer is the element that hosts the coil, which, thanks to the power of the current delivered by the battery, will heat the e-liquid up and will trigger the evaporation. There are different types of atomizers: standard atomizers such as cartomizers or clearomizers and rebuildable atomizers.

Cartomizers

A cartomizer is made of the tank (also called cartridge) and the atomizer. Its principle is quite simple: you put e-liquid on the wick (generally made of cotton), which is in contact with the coil. The atomizer will be directly inserted in the tank. Cartomizers are today a well-mastered technology where there are not a lot of innovations anymore. This is because it’s the oldest atomizing system.

Clearomizers

Clearomizers are made of a tank and a ready-made coil. Contrary to the cartomizer, the clearomizer is partly or fully see-through. The principle is also different. The e-liquid is brought to the coil through wicks that are soaked with e-liquids.

You have clearomizers with top coils (GS Air – Joyetech) for a warmer vapor and with bottom coils (TFV8 – Smoketech) for a colder vapor.

Rebuildable atomizers

Rebuildable atomizers are quite similar to clearomizers because they vaporize the e-liquid. The only difference is that the coil is hand-made with resistive wire (kanthal, SS316, Nichrome, Ni200…) and fiber (cotton). Experienced vapers will try to build the coil that will enable them to reach the best experience. They will optimize the power settings to improve their performance and the flavors.

Drippers

A dripper is a rebuildable atomizer with no tank. The principle is similar because you have to build your own coil(s). But you need to put e-liquid directly on the cotton wicks. The main advantage of drippers is that flavors are enhanced. Besides, you can also change flavors more easily to discover new tastes. Drippers are privileged by vapers who design their own juices (DIY).

 

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Electronic cigarettes require some basic vaping technique, contrary to tobacco cigarettes. Here below our advice to vape easily and with great satisfaction.

Electronic cigarettes require some basic technique, contrary to tobacco cigarettes. Here below our advice to vape easily and with great satisfaction.

The first example that comes in mind is that when we start vaping, the inhaling technique will be quite different than smoking. With cigarettes, you’ll be inhaling through short and intense inhales. For e-cigarettes, it’s the contrary, inhales will be longer and softer (3 to 4 seconds).

If you’re a beginner, don’t worry. Many vaping devices trigger automatically and the battery activates as soon as you start inhaling. Other devices will require you to keep your finger on the trigger button during the whole inhale.

Then, you have two different vaping techniques. And the one you choose will strongly depend on your previous habits and preferences.

Indirect inhaling

You’ll first inhale the vapor in your mouth then move it towards your lungs. This is the closest technique to traditional cigarettes. You’ll need to inhale a little bit stronger because the airflow is tighter. You’ll have a lesser vapor production and power. But you’ll use the battery less and increase your autonomy.

Direct inhaling

The second technique: direct inhaling. You simply inhale the vapor directly into your lungs, as with a hookah. The airflow will be lighter and you’ll inhale more easily. But since you’ll make more vapor, you’ll use the battery quicker and you’ll have a lesser autonomy.

Our last recommendation for you to avoid being frustrated is to inhale slowly. Also think about taking a break between each puffs so that the coil can get soaked with e-liquid.

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You’ll usually find one or several buttons on your e-cigarette. But what are they used for? Here we focus mainly on the fire and the power settings buttons.

You’ll usually find one or several buttons on your e-cigarette. But what are they used for?

Fire button

The fire button is the button you’ll find on almost all electronic cigarettes. It’s usually located on the battery. This is the button that enables you to start your electronic cigarette. To start, you’ll need to push it 5 times in a row. If you want to switch it off, it’s easy, you need to repeat the same operation and push 5 times the button in a row. Pay attention to the little LED: if it starts flashing, it’s because you need to recharge your battery.

The fire button is often the only button you’ll find on standard electronic cigarettes. But if you have a mod-type e-cigarette, things get a little bit more complicated and you often have several buttons and a screen!

Power settings

These buttons are mainly used to set the power delivered by the mod. They also enable to navigate through the menu or to activate some functions such as the locking of the battery. By modulating the power or the voltage, you’ll be able to influence the vapor production, the flavor restitution and the hit. It will lead to totally different feelings.

And some e-cigarettes don’t have any button at all. Cigalikes for instance are activated by the inhale. They use an electronic depression detector, which, once it identifies the inhale, triggers the power.

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You’ve probably already heard a lot about an e-cigarette but let’s go over the basics! We call it by many different names: e-cig, e-cigarette, vaping device, vape or electronic cigarette.

You’ve probably already heard a lot about an e-cigarette but let’s go over the basics!

We call it by many different names: e-cig, e-cigarette, vaping device, vape or electronic cigarette. It’s an electronic device that aims at reproducing the tobacco product experience all the while protecting its users from any toxic components. For e-cigs, you won’t be needing a lighter, they work with a battery. They can look very different: they can look like a traditional cigarette, their shape can be round or square, they can be very discreet or on the contrary absolutely gigantic. It all depends on what the user wants to achieve. The more functionalities he / she wants with important power settings and a frequent use, the bigger the product.

Elements of an e-cigarette

  • the battery that will supply the e-cig with energy. In e-cigs, we usually find lithium-ion batteries.
  • the base, which is the link between the battery and the atomizer.
  • the atomizer, where you can find the coil. It’s a consumable made of a steel cylinder that contains a heating resistance coil.
  • the tank, which contains the e-liquid. Its size and capacity depend on the model.
  • the mouthpiece which will be in contact with the mouth.

The electronic cigarette works in a very simple way. Vapers will inhale vapor through the mouthpiece then will exhale through the nose or the mouth. This vapor is created through vaporization. The battery sends a current flow that heats the coil which in turns bring the e-liquid to turn into vapor, all in just a few seconds. The liquid which is often called e-liquid or e-juice, will contain the flavors and the nicotine.

Electronic cigarettes enable vapers to experience feelings close to smoking: vapor instead of smoke, nicotine and throat hit all the while avoiding tar and other carcinogenic elements.

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Laws & Regulations (1)

The TPD is a 2014 European Directive. It stands for Tobacco Products Directive. The TPD aims at regulating more closely the sale and advertising of tobacco products or tobacco-related products. Electronic cigarettes, e-liquids and other vaping products are included in the TPD. 

The TPD is a 2014 European Directive. It stands for Tobacco Products Directive. The TPD aims at regulating more closely the sale and advertising of tobacco products or tobacco-related products. Electronic cigarettes, e-liquids and other vaping products are included in the TPD.

This directive offers a certain number of recommendations in terms of packaging, product composition, labeling, sales restrictions (to minors, on the Internet, for pregnant women) or use restrictions (where to vape / where not to vape).

European countries then need to adapt and transpose the directive into their own national legislation and their own Parliament or Congress has to vote the law. This national adaptation means that the TPD will be slightly different from one country to another. Indeed, some recommendations are mandatory and need to be implemented as such. On the contrary, some recommendations are simple suggestions and countries may choose to implement them or not.

National differences

In Belgium for instance, cross-country sales are forbidden. They are legal in France. In the UK, there are no additional taxes on e-liquids that contain nicotine. In Italy, there will be a taxation of 3.85€ for each 10ml bottle sold.

We however find a lot of similarities whatever the country: the composition of e-liquids is more controlled with some toxic additives being banned. The nicotine content is limited and the maximal content is also limited. You’ll find on all products the instructions for use, the contraindications, the health and safety warnings and adverse effects.

Category: Laws & Regulations

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Technical advice (7)

The atomizer head or coil is an element that needs to be regularly replaced. But don’t worry, it’s easy to perform and everyone can do it. 

The atomizer head or coil is an element that needs to be regularly replaced. But don’t worry, it’s easy to perform and everyone can do it.

If you’re a regular vaper, it’s important to know how to replace your coil when it’s not working perfectly anymore. The first thing to check is whether your coil can be replaced. If you have a disposable e-cigarette, you won’t be able to change it. But if you have a reusable e-cigarette, you’ll be able to keep your e-cigarette and change your coil.

The life expectancy of a coil is hard to assess because it depends a lot on your frequency of use. On average, and with no guarantee whatsoever, you’ll need to change your coil every 30ml of e-liquid or every 15 to 30 days. The higher the power settings, the more often you’ll need to change your coil. And if you use high VG liquids, you’ll also need to change it more regularly because VG will clog your material.

How do I know if I need to change my coil?

If you feel that your e-liquid tastes funny, that it has a sour, or even burnt taste, if you feel that the vapor production is going down, if you have e-liquids leaks or if you don’t hear your coil crackle anymore when you press the fire button, this is most likely because you need to change your coil.

Once you’ve determined the need for a change, you’ll need to choose the coil based on the model you’re using. Coils are not interchangeable and you need to make sure that the coil you purchase is compatible with your model.

How do I change my coil?

You’ll need to identify how to open your atomizer. Some models require to open the top lid, some require to unscrew the ring at the bottom of the tank. Once you access the coil, unscrew it and replace it with the new one. Make sure that the screw thread is aligned to be able to screw the new coil. If you don’t manage to screw the coil totally, remove it and make sure there’s nothing blocking. Screw tightly but not too much: don’t forget you’ll need to unscrew it to replace it in the future! Put the lid or the ring back on.

Before using your coil for the first time, we suggest you to prime it with e-liquid. If you don’t do this, you might heat your coil against dry cotton, which will burn it and will create a nasty taste. To prime your coil, fill the tank with liquid and close the air supplies. Without starting your e-cigarette, inhale through the mouthpiece 5 to 6 times. This will pump the liquid in your coil. You can also put a few drops of e-liquid directly on the coil. But make sure first that it’s possible to put liquid directly on the cotton.

Our final recommendation: if you want to increase the life expectancy of your coils, clean thoroughly your e-cigarette before filling.

Category: Technical advice

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If you have a rechargeable atomizer, you’ll have to learn how to fill it in with e-liquids. Here’s our advice for filling without hassle. 

If you have a rechargeable atomizer, you’ll have to learn how to fill it with e-liquids. Here’s our advice for filling without hassle.

When you fill in your e-cigarette, pay attention to the liquid. Even if it’s not toxic when it turns into vapor, it’s better to avoid any contact between the skin, the eyes, the mouth and the e-liquid. And do not taste it, it’s really not good!

Cartomizer

If you have a rechargeable cigalike with a cartomizer, you’ll be able to fill the cartridge again. It’s not too complicated. Take the cartridge cap away with a pin or a paper clip, fill in the little plastic top with liquid and insert the cartridge inside the plastic top. Repeat this operation two or three times. Then you can close the cartridge. You can also slowly pour the liquid from the top opening. You should then let the cartridge rest vertically for 5 minutes before starting to vape.

Clearomizer

Clearomizers offer either top or bottom filling. Most recent models have top filling. For top filling, unscrew the lid, and pour the liquid in the lateral holes. Do not pour in the central hole, this might drown the coil!

For bottom filling, unscrew the atomizer base, atomizer held upside down to avoid spilling e-liquids before filling.

Do not fill till the top. The volume of these models is generally important and the e-liquid quantity will be superior to the tanks. Finally, don’t forget to check that the coil is correctly screwed before starting to vape.

 

Category: Technical advice

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Former smokers who start vaping will most certainly be looking for their old sensations, and especially the hit. The hit or throat hit is the contraction of the pharynx/larynx consecutive to inhalation.

Former smokers who start vaping will most certainly be looking for their old sensations, and especially the hit. The hit or throat hit is the contraction of the pharynx/larynx consecutive to inhalation. It is caused by the nicotine that can be found in tobacco products. The good news is that vaping enables you to recreate this hit.

Nicotine content

The first key element will be the nicotine content of your e-liquid. The higher the nicotine content, the easier it will be to feel the hit.

Vaping material

Apart from the nicotine content, the vaping material plays an important role. The higher the voltage, the more the coil will heat up. This will create a more important vapor cloud, which will be warmer, and that triggers the hit. Thus, if you use a more complex e-cig with voltage or power settings, you’ll be able to increase the hit.

PG

You can also rely on the propylene glycol (PG) content. It is an irritating product that is good for the hit, while on the contrary vegetable glycerin (VG) mitigate it. You should therefore favor high PG juices.

Flavors

Some flavors, such as mint or coffee encourage the hit feeling. Some vapers even manage to recreate the hit without any nicotine, but simply by using high-menthol concentrations.

Drippers

Finally, some vapers also use drippers. They are expert vapers who master vaping material and techniques. With this technique, you have more vapor, more heat and a better restitution of the flavors. A dripper is an atomizer with no tank and a homemade coil. This small combustion chamber either encourages flavors or vapor. As for the hit, it will be triggered by a warmer vapor. Dripper users even tend to reduce the nicotine content after experiencing an important hit.

Category: Technical advice

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You’ve decided to start vaping and buy your first e-cigarette, congrats! But since there are a lot of different models, you might panic and not know which one to choose. 

You’ve decided to start vaping and buy your first e-cigarette, congrats! But since there are a lot of different models, you might panic and not know which one to choose.

Let’s start by the easiest piece of advice: what you shouldn’t buy! You should avoid first generation e-cigarettes, such as cigalikes. You might find their design appealing, because it’s very similar to the traditional tobacco cigarettes, but you’ll be disappointed by the product. Cigalikes don’t produce a lot of vapor, they don’t enhance flavors that much and the nicotine content is generally low. You won’t be able to feel the throat hit. And the autonomy of their batteries is not very convincing.

On the contrary, do not buy an extremely technical product: you might get discouraged by a powerful e-cig with too many settings.

And finally, what we would suggest to start vaping is a simple, rechargeable e-cigarette: the starter kit all-in-one. It will enable you to vape all day long without having to recharge your battery. Charging times are short, user guides are very clear and the e-liquid filling is easy. And their price is often very interesting!

So we believe you should consider a basic standard model such as a rechargeable cylindrical e-cigarette.  It should be perfect for most of you. The only drawback is that its simplicity is both its greatest asset and weakness at the same time. These models don’t have settings and will not be able to fulfill your expectations if you move towards a more technical vaping technique. You’ll then need to purchase an electronic mod if you want more polyvalence. These modular devices are generally equipped with screens, and give a lot of information such as the autonomy of the battery, the power, the value of the resistance, the number of puffs, etc. Mods will therefore enable you to adjust your power settings and your vaping technique.

 

Actually, when you’ll have to choose your first e-cigarette, what really matters is what you’ll be doing with it. Do you like high tech and complex products? Or perhaps you want something that looks exactly like a cigarette? Do you want to completely switch to vaping?

A short summary…

Cigalikes resemble the most traditional tobacco cigarettes. Mods and boxes are more technical products with fine power settings. Finally, we suggest you to buy a rechargeable e-cigarette. It’s perfect for a daily use but it remains simple and easy to understand.

Category: Technical advice

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Cleaning your e-cigarette is not really complicated. First step: make sure that your e-cig can be disassembled. Some devices are disposable and cannot be dismounted. So you’ll not be able to clean. Then, follow these steps, which are globally the same for any e-cigarette model.

Cleaning your e-cigarette is not really complicated. First step: make sure that your e-cig can be disassembled. Some devices are disposable and cannot be dismounted. So you’ll not be able to clean. Then, follow these steps, which are globally the same for any e-cigarette model:

  • Unscrew the drip tip or any part that will enable you to access the e-liquid.
  • Empty the e-liquid.
  • If your vaping device can be totally dismounted, dismount it completely. Otherwise, simply unscrew the atomizer head.
  • Clean the different elements in clear and warm water. Make sure everything is correctly rinsed and that the elements are clean. Do not use any soap, alcohol or other product. Water will be your best friend when cleaning your e-cigarette!
  • Lightly shake the elements to remove most of the water, let the elements dry on paper for a few moments then wipe them dry with a clean cloth.
  • Fill in with e-liquid, screw the atomizer head and replace all the other elements.

Some other recommendations

Between two different flavors, you can perform a quick cleaning. This will enable you to get rid of the former flavor to enjoy your new aroma from the first puff!

If you can, clean your e-cigarette once a week. This will increase the life expectancy of the different elements.

Ideally, after a major cleaning of your e-cigarette, let the elements rest a whole night before reassembling them. You’ll avoid any trace of humidity.

And if you change your coil, do so after cleaning your e-cigarette.

Category: Technical advice

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When we talk about your mod, we also talk about your battery. There are two different types of electronical mods: mods with an integrated battery and mods with a replaceable battery. What’s the difference between them? 

When we talk about your mod, we also talk about your battery. There are two different types of electronical mods: mods with an integrated battery and mods with a replaceable battery. What’s the difference between them?

Integrated batteries have a fixed lifetime, of around 300 charge – discharge cycles. Once the mod doesn’t hold the charge any longer, it’s better to throw it away. We strongly encourage you NOT to change your integrated battery.

For replaceable batteries, if you see the mod doesn’t hold the charge, all you need to do is buy a new battery. For mods that work with 2 or 3 batteries, it’s better to use the same batteries together. Once one of the batteries is dead and you want to change it, you’ll also have to replace the other ones. E-cigarette batteries are manufactured to last around 300 charge – discharge cycles. If you charge your e-cigarette daily, this amounts to around 10 months of use.

When we talk about battery change, we thus talk about replaceable batteries and not integrated ones.

 

Changing your battery – User guide

Your battery is obviously not going to last forever. The life expectancy of your battery will depend on your habits and use, but it’s very rare to have batteries that last less than 6 months. It’s quite easy to notice when your battery is dying. It doesn’t hold the charge anymore and doesn’t fully respond to your needs. If you’ve purchased a mod with replaceable batteries, you can compare the autonomy of your battery with another one. When one clearly holds longer than the other, it’s that you need to change it. If both batteries don’t charge correctly, you may have a charger problem.

Once you’ve decided to change your battery, pay attention to the screw thread and the compatibility of your new material. Take a battery that is compatible with your device and follow the guidelines.

 

Some advice to increase the life expectancy of your batteries

  • Don’t leave your batteries in the sun, in the heat or in humid places.
  • Avoid putting your batteries in your pocket with metallic objects.
  • Clean your e-cigarette regularly, including your battery and the connecting part between the battery and the clearomizer. Remove all dirt and humidity that could create contact failures and damage your battery.
  • Don’t wait for your battery do be completely discharged before charging it again. When it’s almost discharged, the effort required from the battery will be more important. This will use it prematurely and the battery will lose autonomy.
  • Avoid over-charging your battery, this might create an overwork and lower the life expectancy
  • If you’re not using your e-cigarette for a long time, unscrew the clearomizer from the battery to save some charge.
Category: Technical advice

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V’aper’s tongue is a temporary, partial or total loss of taste. It also includes the sudden disgust you may have for an e-liquid that you liked in the past.

You’ve probably experienced in the past this vaper’s tongue phenomenon, even without being able to name it as such.

Short definition

It’s a temporary, partial or total loss of taste. Vaper’s tongue also includes the sudden disgust you may have for an e-liquid that you liked in the past.
If you vape all day long liquids that have lots of flavors, you will saturate your taste buds.
How can we define taste? Taste mainly comes from the tong and its taste buds. Human beings have between 2.000 and 10.000 taste buds that detect 5 different tastes: sweet, salty, sour, bitter and umami flavors. The sense of smell also contributes to the taste.

What are the causes of vaper’s tongue?
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Several reasons exist. The most common reason is that you’ve been vaping the same liquid for a long time. You can also have damaged taste buds, which happens to smokers (and dual users) and to those of us who love spicy or sour food.
Other causes include dehydration, blocked nose due to a cold or an allergy. Finally, according to some vapers, a clogged atomizer could also lead to vaper’s tongue.

How can you get rid of the symptoms?

  1. Change your e-liquid. It’s the most simple and most efficient solution.
  2. Use temporarily liquids that have more flavors.
  3. Drink a lot of water to clean your taste buds and hydrate yourself.
  4. Reset your taste buds with coffee. This technique is used by perfumers and sommeliers: sniffing fresh coffee beans allows to reset your taste.
  5. Bite into a lemon. It will be tangy but efficient if you don’t like coffee.
  6. Brush your teeth. And you’ll have a nice menthol taste!
  7. Use a clean atomizer with a coil in good condition.
  8. You can also use a dripper if you want to regularly change flavors!
Category: Technical advice

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Vaping safety (1)

You may have heard or read some scary things about dangerous e-cigarettes that have exploded. You may be worried about it. You perhaps even think that vaping is dangerous and that e-cigarettes do explode. But what do we really know about that?

You may have heard or read some scary things about dangerous e-cigarettes that have exploded. You may be worried about it. And you perhaps even think that vaping is dangerous and that e-cigarettes do explode. But what do we really know about that?

E-cigarettes contain lithium batteries. And of course, batteries and electric devices can be risky. But e-cigarettes are not more dangerous than all the electric equipment that surrounds us. A kettle, a cellphone, a hair dryer also pose a risk. If we look at the figures, the risk that an e-cigarette explodes while you’re using it is 0.0000001 %. This means that, when considering the number of accidents that have been declared, your chances of seeing your e-cig explode when using it is the same as being killed by the fall of an ATM (13 deaths per year in the US).

Accidents can take place when the battery is over-charged, when it has been ill-conceived or when the protective coating is inadequate. We therefore advise you to avoid over-charging your battery.

An accident can also take place when the battery is under-charged. But don’t worry, high-quality batteries are protected against over-charging and under-charging.

Finally, the risk of explosion is the greatest when you have an unprotected replaceable e-cigarette battery that touches metallic objects such as coins or keys. Actually, an electrical current circulates between those elements. This can happen quite easily when you put your e-cig in your pocket where you also have metallic objects. This unprotected battery will act like any battery. If the tips touch a conductive material, the battery will send current through this material. This electrical arc leads to an over-heating of the battery. Which in turns triggers the lithium degassing and the explosion.

But there are no risks at all if your battery is protected. It can touch metallic elements but will not be able to send current through the conductive material.

Our advice

In France, e-cigarettes must be equipped with a system that blocks the vaporization after 10 seconds. During your daily use, we strongly advise you not to carry your e-cigarette, and most particularly your battery without any protection. You can use a protective case for instance. Keep the battery far from metallic objects and charge your battery with your original charger.

Category: Vaping safety

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