What is vaping?
Vaping is the act of using a vape device or vape pen that electronically heats a liquid turning it into an aerosol (vapour) that can be inhaled.
How is vaping different to smoking?
The difference between smoking and vaping is that smoking delivers nicotine by burning tobacco, while vaping delivers nicotine by heating a liquid (called an e Liquid). When you take a puff on a cigarette you exhale smoke. But when you inhale on an E-cigarette or vape pen, you’re exhaling vapour.
What is the difference between cigarette smoke and E-cigarette vapour?
Cigarette smoke contains roughly 6500 different compounds. About 150 of these are poisonous to the human body, such as carbon monoxide, benzene, arsenic and formaldehyde. All of these compounds contribute to smoking-related diseases.2
On the other hand, Vape pens and E-cigarettes create a vapour that comes from heating a simple e Liquid, consisting mainly of propylene glycol, vegetable glycerine and flavourings to around 250 degrees C. There is no combustion and zero smoke3.
The different ingredients and lower heat mean the vapour in vape pens and E-cigarettes contains far fewer compounds in much lower concentrations4. Check out our e Liquid guide to learn more about what’s in your e Liquid.
How does a vaping device work?
Inside a vaping device or vape pen is a sophisticated electronic heating element. It activates when you inhale and draw air through the vape pen. The heat vapourises the liquid formulation (generally called e Liquid) and the vapour condenses to form an aerosol that you inhale and exhale.
How does a disposable vape device work?
A disposable vape pen is a convenient vape-on-the-go option. It is pre-charged and pre-filled with e Liquid. The device is activated by unlocking the child safety lock and taking a puff.
Why has vaping become so popular?
There’s no question that sleek new vaping devices that compete with conventional cigarettes are making vaping more appealing to smokers. Rather than continuing to puff on cigarettes, many smokers find that vaping can be just as satisfying and can cost less than cigarettes. While still addictive and not risk-free, there is scientific consensus that vaping is less harmful than smoking5.
What are nicotine salts?
Nicotine salts have been a big breakthrough in e Liquid science – delivering a more intense experience that closely mimics smoking.
Nicotine occurs naturally in several varieties of plants but is strongest in the leaves of the tobacco plant where it exists as a “salt”. Vuse has recreated these nicotine salts in e Liquid form by adding a special ingredient – Benzoic acid. This organic product reacts with the nicotine to form a nicotine salt. Nicotine in “salt” form is more stable and typically delivers a smoother throat sensation than the nicotine in Freebase Nicotine e Liquids.
WHAT IS FREEBASE NICOTINE?
Freebase nicotine is a form of nicotine commonly used in the e Liquid or vape juice for e-cigarettes or vape pens. When nicotine is extracted from tobacco leaves, it converts to a “Freebase” state which means it’s nicotine in its base form. Nicotine as a Freebase is an alkaline, which can provide a harsher throat hit when vapourised, compared to Nicotine Salts.
What will you need to make the switch?
All you need is a vaping device and some e Liquid.
Firstly, choose your device. The two types of devices you may want to consider as an ex-smoker are disposable vapes and vape pens*.
Disposable vapes can be a good first vape option for ex-smokers. They come pre-filled with e Liquid making them easy to use.
Another type of device to consider is a vape pen, also called a pod vape. There are a lot of different types of vape pens out there and they’re all slightly different. The main thing to note is some are “closed system” which means you simply pop in a pre-filled flavour pod. Others are “open system” so you need to pour the e Liquid into a small, refillable tank called a clearomiser.
Once you have chosen your device, you will need to pick which flavour you want to try and what level of nicotine will work for you. It’s that simple. There are all kinds of flavours available to buy.
Your first few vapes
For adult smokers, the first few puffs of vapour will be a very new experience. There are two main types of vaping devices, ‘direct-to-lung’ (DTL), and ‘mouth-to-lung’ (MTL). The MTL device more closely mirrors the experience of smoking a cigarette. You draw the vapour into the mouth first, before inhaling and exhaling. The strength of nicotine will affect how the vapour hits the throat, so if you find it too strong, think about reducing the nicotine strength.
KEY REFERENCES:
1 Ministry of Health. 2022/23 update. Annual Update of Key Results 2022/23: New Zealand Health Survey.
2BAT: Scientific Review: Article Summary: A comprehensive evidence review of electronic cigarettes and their role in tobacco harm reduction, 2021, page 5.
3 BAT: Scientific Review: Article Summary: A comprehensive evidence review of electronic cigarettes and their role in tobacco harm reduction, 2021, page 5.
4 BAT: Scientific Review: Article Summary: A comprehensive evidence review of electronic cigarettes and their role in tobacco harm reduction, 2021, page 5.
5 Based on the weight of evidence and assuming a complete switch from cigarette smoking. These products are not risk-free and are addictive. Source: BAT: World Vape Day: BAT publishes comprehensive review highlighting 10 years of scientific evidence on vaping, May 2021.
Vape e Liquids
Vape Pens