This means we could be vaping some tobacco industry product and not know it. Indeed I've heard that Phillip-Morris, the same company that owns Marlboro also owns Blu. The thought here is that these Tobacco companies are not to be trusted and could easily be putting bad things into their ejuice or maybe using hazardous materials in their products. I'm wondering if anyone knows of specific brand names or products that should be avoided. Thx.
Blu is owned by Lorrilard, and Marlboro (unrelated company) is marketing their own brand
something Ten, I think. The ones I've tried from the BT companies, I would recommend avoiding, but because they don't perform very well, rather than any concern over dangerous additives or configurations.
I think that the basis of your question is unfair. Not that the BT companies deserve our pity or anything, but it does seem like your question is based on the assumption that the BT companies are these nefarious entities bent on wholesale murder by poisoning. Granted, their track record is not good, but I don't think that anyone has any evidence that they've ever done any of this out of pure evil.
Looking at this issue without prejudice, I would say that the BT e-cig products should be avoided because they are ineffective, and they are ineffective because they are
too safe. Their products, as a whole, use low-power, low-capacity batteries, high-resistance atomizers, and very simple juices. For example, one of the reasons that Blu cartomizers are so ineffective at getting people off cigarettes is that they are 100% VG. When trying to mass-market an e-juice, this is the safe approach since it eliminates the risk with PG-intolerant users. Unfortunately, 100% VG juice doesn't produce very much throat hit, especially in low-powered, high-resistance devices.
While we all laud the "self-policing" of the advanced e-cig market, I think this market represents the much riskier product-set. Little to no testing is actually performed on ejuices to ensure chemical stability, propensity to allergic reactions etc. Additionally, the more advanced devices, which happen to be the same ones we find effective replacements for cigarettes, also require some care and caution to use properly and safely. Improper use of the more effective products could result in injury or property damage.
I doubt you could get a Blu/Vuse battery to blow up on you if you tried, and likewise doubt you could poison yourself with their pre-loaded cartridges. On the other hand, a sub-ohm mech mod being fed DIY juice could possibly poison or injure the user.
I think the BT companies will continue to take the safe route that renders their e-cig entries essentially ineffective. The advanced/refillable market is the only effective alternative to tobacco, but carriers more risk.