New to the forums, so yeah. Some questions, and a little background.

[East]

I originally began vapeing with cheap cartridge cigarettes, the kind you pick up at the gas station. The main reason I switched to this was to eliminate odor because I was going to be moving into a house with three females that didn't smoke. I thought it was a neat idea, but the mouth piece was clunky and uncomfortable, the flavors for menthol and regular were overwhelming. The carts were very expensive and lasted a very slim time, and I constantly found myself waiting on a charge from one of my two batteries. Needless to say, it was a total pain in the .... I eventually stopped and resumed smoking after two months of using the electronic cigarette.

Luckily, like most newbies, I hadn't been turned off completely by the idea due to cheapskate companies. I knew there were still advantages to this system of nicotine delivery, so I decided to pursue a little bit more and managed to find some general information scattered around here. I narrowly managed to avoid buying the blu-cigarette package, thinking more money meant a better alternative. Instead, I opted for the eGo Electronic Cigarette Starter Kit from Virgin Vapor after seeing a post here. I noticed in the reviews many people mentioned avoiding the carts that come with the kit, but I decided to initially stick with them anyways. Besides, how bad could they be? While they were a vast improvement over the gas station carts, they still left a dry scratchy cape and didn't seem to last very long.

A week passes, and I decide to purchase the Vision EGO (stardust) in black, along with the Vivi Nova. The vape is much much smoother on the Vision EGO and I've been very happy with its performance. I think the Vivi Nova performs better but looks really ridiculous on the end of an eGo battery, so I've opted to just use that when I'm home. Virgin Vapor offers a line of organic vape, and I've been ordering basically 100% VG, as I've heard it's healthier. I'm so glad I didn't let myself get turned off by my initial experience with the electronic cigarette. Truth be told, I feel much better in the morning and nobody is bothered by the stench of cigarettes any longer. In fact, I think I prefer to vape over smoking the real thing! Not to mention I can smoke inside my residence.

I still have a few questions though, namely

1. What constitutes an organic solution? What components of the juice are actually organic? Regulatory agencies exist to verify the organic claims of even cigarette companies like American Spirit, but how can you really tell with organic e-liquid?

2. What has your experience been with e-cigarettes, coming from regular smokes? How do you feel?

3. Are there any other online stores I might be overlooking that offer organic e-liquid?

4. Is 100% VG actually healthier? What are the disadvantages of PG and why has it been demonized to some extent? What exactly are both from a chemical standpoint?

5. Do you vape in public? How does the public react? I have yet to pull this thing out in a coffee shop or inside a public business of any sort.

Thanks so much for reading through my experience and helping out a newbie.

 

[Ivan_2068]

Hi guys, I bought my first e-cigarette today.

I am 48 and smoke since I was 16.

My father and grandfather dies on emphysema, and I have a mild asthma, so i had to get this chance.

I'm a lawyer and a music critic.

Hope this works, still have to wait 4 more hours till the battery is charged, but in the store I used one and tasted like a very smooth cigarette.

 

[Vapoor eyes er]

Hi East and welcome to ECF.

1. What constitutes an organic solution? What components of the juice are actually organic? Regulatory agencies exist to verify the organic claims of even cigarette companies like American Spirit, but how can you really tell with organic e-liquid?

We just have to trust certain Vendors and follow what other vapers have discovered as there' no regulatory agency for ELiquid at this point. Here's a Trade Assoc that was just formed recently with the intention of being self regulatory by setting ELiquid standards for its members.
American E-liquid Manufacturers

2. What has your experience been with e-cigarettes, coming from regular smokes? How do you feel?

First 2 weeks was a little rough but nothing like previous attempts to quit smoking.

4. Is 100% VG actually healthier? What are the disadvantages of PG and why has it been demonized to some extent? What exactly are both from a chemical standpoint?

PG enhances TH, lung hit and flavor. Also a carrier for the nicotine.

5. Do you vape in public? How does the public react? I have yet to pull this thing out in a coffee shop or inside a public business of any sort.

I vape everywhere in Public but if I'm on Private property I ask permission first.

I think the Vivi Nova performs better but looks really ridiculous on the end of an eGo battery, so I've opted to just use that when I'm home.

The Mini Vivi Nova (2 ml) looks much better on eGo class Pvs. There's a cone you can buy to hide the threads.

 

[East]

"Hi East and welcome to ECF.

We just have to trust certain Vendors and follow what other vapers have discovered as there' no regulatory agency for ELiquid at this point. Here's a Trade Assoc that was just formed recently with the intention of being self regulatory by setting ELiquid standards for its members.
American E-liquid Manufacturers"

Thanks for this information. I will review it, looks good.

PG enhances TH, lung hit and flavor. Also a carrier for the nicotine.

Sorry if this is a silly question, but does VG carry nicotine as well? I purchased e-liquid @ 24mg of nicotine but it's 100% VG. I'm still getting at least some throat hit with the Stardust.

The Mini Vivi Nova (2 ml) looks much better on eGo class Pvs. There's a cone you can buy to hide the threads.

Thanks, I will keep an eye out for it. Do you have a recommended vendor?

 

[East]

Hi guys, I bought my first e-cigarette today.

I am 48 and smoke since I was 16.

My father and grandfather dies on emphysema, and I have a mild asthma, so i had to get this chance.

I'm a lawyer and a music critic.

Hope this works, still have to wait 4 more hours till the battery is charged, but in the store I used one and tasted like a very smooth cigarette.

Welcome to the forum! What kind did you get?

 

[cbushey7]

Im new on the fourm also so welcome, however ive been vaping for years and can shed some light on some of your questions, keep in mind some of what i say will be my own opinion:

1. the quick answer is you cant, your best bet on "healthier" e-juice would be to find an honest and U.S. made ejuice company or website, I dont vape organic ejuice daily but do have some and use it occasionally, anyone can say there juice is organic, but there is no regulation on this and you have to take the word of the vendor, so again having a reputable vendor is the closest verfication you will be able to get for now anyways. also there is nothing really in ejuice, it is a pg or vg solution, vg being vegetable based, and the other i forget the name exactly for it, but both are 100% safe for consumption backed by the USDA, the only other thing in ejuice is the flavoring, so health wise if you are going to be careful of anything in ejuice it would be the flavoring, just because a flavoring is non-organic doesnt mean its bad for you, again you have to rely on a honest vendor. also Im not sure where you heard VG is heathier, its mainly used as an alternative to PG as some people are allergic to it and also VG is thicker than PG juice which is a concern when using certain carto/clearomizers, but those are the only 2 differences.

2. Ill just be quick on this one, I started out exactly the same as you, gas station ones, sucked, then moved to an ego after a few months then onto mods or APVs and carto-tanks which is what I use currently. every vaper has ego batterys around, they are great and inexpensive.

3. the only vendor I have used that had good organic juices is vaperite.com they are well known and pretty well trusted to the best of my knowlege, one of my favorite ejuice vendors is kickbassvapor.com and there are tons of otheres look around. also here is a good test, when you find a new website or vendor give them a call, and if a person picks up on the other side and cares enough to give you information on how there ejuice is made I would say your safe if not I would avoid them.

4. I think I answered this already neither one is unhealthy vg is thicker and PG can cause some people to have allergic reactions. the thickness or viscosity of ejuice is a concern for cartomizers and clearomizers, if a juice is to thick it may not wick well in certain devices and if it is to thin it may leak in certain ones as well.

5. well this is a interesting one, vaping is still fairly uncommon, but people do for the most part know what and ecig is, but usually only when it is in the shape of a cigarette, im sure you are probably already aware most of the ecigs "vapers" use do not look anything like traditional cigs haha, that is because they work better and longer. For example im a student at a college I drive to and for the most part I dont vape indoors just to avoid any attention because well thats just how I am, and if someone sees you blow out "smoke" as they will call it, inside, you will probably be ambushed by confused onlookers. and at first I would stand my ground and argue till I was red in the face about how there is no law against vaping indoors and if there was they can show me and I will happily stop, haha, but now ive realized that I dont have the patience to do this to every single person out there in the world, so if I am indoors and absolutely need a drag I will do it very discretely as to avoid confrontation just because well its me, but if your a vaper I can guarantee you will occasionally have people who are just plain old curious about it come ask you what the hell your smoking haha, and no matter what they say you can laugh and say well atleast im not smoking butts like you, but most of the time they are just curious and I like to give them some information about ecigs once in awhile

good luck with everyting, and dont give up vaping is nothing more than trial and error, i have spent hundreds on things ive bought and thrown right out its just the nature of something new and in development like vaping, the ebst advise I can give you is REVIEWS ARE YOUR BEST FRIEND, read them all the time on whatever it is you are considering buying because there is tons of info out there and dont fall for the super overly priced stuff which you seem to be doing a good job at already, pm me if you have any more questions about products or anything in general, good luck man and vape on,

Chuck B.

 

[cbushey7]

yes vg has nicotine just like pg its is based on what you are buying, they are just to different soultions used for the same thing, they are just slightly different in properties

 

[Vapoor eyes er]

Thanks for this information. I will review it, looks good.

Your welcome. Understand they are a Trade Org and not Consumer based. Here's the Ecig Consumer Advocacy Group- join for free:
CASAA - The Consumer Advocates for Smoke-free Alternatives Association

Sorry if this is a silly question, but does VG carry nicotine as well? I purchased e-liquid @ 24mg of nicotine but it's 100% VG. I'm still getting at least some throat hit with the Stardust.

PG and Vg are both carriers but PG is the superior carrier. PG is more an irritant and that's why it "enhances" TH.
Juice Components
Flavoring usually about 15%
PG enhances flavor, TH and lung hit- water like
VG= vapor and can mute flavor- thick
Nicotine- TH, lung hit and our need for nicotine. The MOST important ingredient in regards to TH and lung hit.
Standards in the industry are 80/ 20 or 70/ 30 PG/ VG. I vape 70/ 30 PG/ VG.

Thanks, I will keep an eye out for it. Do you have a recommended vendor?

Give me 10 mins and I be back with an edit.
From my standpoint I have faith in the quality of most ELiquid we get from Vendors. At this point my concern is about the delivery devices and the materials used in them. 90% made in China cheaply so we really have no voice in that area of vaping.

Edit:Here's the Mini Vivi Nova- good price and comes with 3 heads but you'll only be able to use 2 of them as the 2.8 is meant for higher voltage PVs
http://electronicstix.com/ViViNova2ML.html
Spare Heads
http://electronicstix.com/vivi1.8head.html
If you bought the Kgo from VV realize it's a great PV and fires at 3.7 volts. I own and LOVE it- good choice.
Off to find a cone.

 

[flintlock62]

Welcome to the forum. First, organic doesn't mean it's heathier. Secondly, there are components in e-juice that can't be made organic. This doesn't mean it's bad for you. Some people are sensitive to PG, but most people aren't.
My experience coming off analog cigs to e-cigs [vaping] has been very positive. I'm a 40 year ex-smoker, and it's the only thing I have tried that has sucessfully allowed me to kick the cigarette habit and addiction. I've tried patches, gum, Wellbutrin, cold turkey, and they were all failed attempts.
My question is, are organic American Sprit cigarettes healthy? The answer is of course, no!
How do I feel? After a little over 2 weeks in the making, I'm starting to bbreathe better.
BTW, your 1st choice for starting out vaping is a good one.
PG is used in all inhailers. Like I stated earlier, some people are sensitive to PG, but most aren't.
I've not tried 100% VG, but it's a thicker juice and some systems don't like how thick it is.

 

[kparks]

I'm new to vaping but the first juice I tried was 100% VG... I started having a lot of chest heaviness...so switched to the 70/30 and it hasn't been as bad. I just ordered some juice and am going to experiment with different ratios. Most important thing I learned is fresh made juice needs to be steeped for best flavor.

 

[djsvapour]

Interesting post East.

I can't help you a lot with some of your questions, but

1) I feel good since switching to e-cigs. Not exactly getting a great feeling/improvement as yet, but I think it'll come.

2) I am generally trying to tell as many people as possible to avoid the terrible e-cigs that are mostly available in shops and gas (petrol) stations. I got sucked into these (bought a few and tried to make them work with refilling).
It's crazy....$4 carts that last half a day, provide virtually no vapour/nicotine and are just ruining the "image" of the e-cig.

I keep coming across people wasting money on this rubbish; standing outside a bar/coffee house/restaurant etc. with a completely hopeless piece of cheap 20 cent equipment.

I use VG as much as possible. I like sweet flavours and am not fussed about the "throat hit". I'm looking to see the vapour, enjoy the taste (currently struggling to settle on anything I like) and kill the cravings from quitting analogues.

I just have to make my first vape of the day a BIG one....

 

[djsvapour]

Most important thing I learned is fresh made juice needs to be steeped for best flavor.

What does this mean in practise - Should I leave new juices in the bottle for a while?

 

[cbushey7]

letting a juice steep is just letting it sit for awhile, you only need to do this if you want stronger flavor out of it, and its not gurenteed it will happen either, letting it sit kind of ripens your juice in a way, you dont need to, I never really do, ive been vaping for 3 years and I actually think most juices taste worse if they steep, but that just my opinion, basically it will make it slightly stronger if u wait usually atleast, or around a monthish or more

 

[ishybean]

i always found the longer i steeped the juice, the worst it tasted too.. I thought i was the only one.

 

[cbushey7]

naa if u like milder not so intense flavors you prob wont like steeped juice, just a matter of preference

 

[djsvapour]

letting a juice steep is just letting it sit for awhile, you only need to do this if you want stronger flavor out of it, and its not gurenteed it will happen either, letting it sit kind of ripens your juice in a way, you dont need to, I never really do, ive been vaping for 3 years and I actually think most juices taste worse if they steep, but that just my opinion, basically it will make it slightly stronger if u wait usually atleast, or around a monthish or more

Thanks.

I guess some of my juices are going to be well steeped then! I've got about 20 bottles (10x5ml trials, 2x10ml and 8x20ml). Enough to last over 1/2 a year..

 

[juicejunky]

Off to find a cone.

Are these what you are looking for? Vision eGo Cones : GotVapes.com, E-cigarette Supplies - Atomizers Cartomizers Mods Juice and more


Vaperite.com has organic flavors that you can get 100% VG , 50/50, and 80VG/20PG/

I used to vape a lot more organic ejuice but found the flavors and so much VG clogged my atomizers faster than I felt like cleaning them. Too much VG also makes my chest feel heavy and can even induce wheezing on occasion, so I use them sparingly.

 

[East]

Im new on the fourm also so welcome, however ive been vaping for years and can shed some light on some of your questions, keep in mind some of what i say will be my own opinion:

1. the quick answer is you cant, your best bet on "healthier" e-juice would be to find an honest and U.S. made ejuice company or website, I dont vape organic ejuice daily but do have some and use it occasionally, anyone can say there juice is organic, but there is no regulation on this and you have to take the word of the vendor, so again having a reputable vendor is the closest verfication you will be able to get for now anyways. also there is nothing really in ejuice, it is a pg or vg solution, vg being vegetable based, and the other i forget the name exactly for it, but both are 100% safe for consumption backed by the USDA, the only other thing in ejuice is the flavoring, so health wise if you are going to be careful of anything in ejuice it would be the flavoring, just because a flavoring is non-organic doesnt mean its bad for you, again you have to rely on a honest vendor. also Im not sure where you heard VG is heathier, its mainly used as an alternative to PG as some people are allergic to it and also VG is thicker than PG juice which is a concern when using certain carto/clearomizers, but those are the only 2 differences.

2. Ill just be quick on this one, I started out exactly the same as you, gas station ones, sucked, then moved to an ego after a few months then onto mods or APVs and carto-tanks which is what I use currently. every vaper has ego batterys around, they are great and inexpensive.

3. the only vendor I have used that had good organic juices is vaperite.com they are well known and pretty well trusted to the best of my knowlege, one of my favorite ejuice vendors is kickbassvapor.com and there are tons of otheres look around. also here is a good test, when you find a new website or vendor give them a call, and if a person picks up on the other side and cares enough to give you information on how there ejuice is made I would say your safe if not I would avoid them.

4. I think I answered this already neither one is unhealthy vg is thicker and PG can cause some people to have allergic reactions. the thickness or viscosity of ejuice is a concern for cartomizers and clearomizers, if a juice is to thick it may not wick well in certain devices and if it is to thin it may leak in certain ones as well.

5. well this is a interesting one, vaping is still fairly uncommon, but people do for the most part know what and ecig is, but usually only when it is in the shape of a cigarette, im sure you are probably already aware most of the ecigs "vapers" use do not look anything like traditional cigs haha, that is because they work better and longer. For example im a student at a college I drive to and for the most part I dont vape indoors just to avoid any attention because well thats just how I am, and if someone sees you blow out "smoke" as they will call it, inside, you will probably be ambushed by confused onlookers. and at first I would stand my ground and argue till I was red in the face about how there is no law against vaping indoors and if there was they can show me and I will happily stop, haha, but now ive realized that I dont have the patience to do this to every single person out there in the world, so if I am indoors and absolutely need a drag I will do it very discretely as to avoid confrontation just because well its me, but if your a vaper I can guarantee you will occasionally have people who are just plain old curious about it come ask you what the hell your smoking haha, and no matter what they say you can laugh and say well atleast im not smoking butts like you, but most of the time they are just curious and I like to give them some information about ecigs once in awhile

good luck with everyting, and dont give up vaping is nothing more than trial and error, i have spent hundreds on things ive bought and thrown right out its just the nature of something new and in development like vaping, the ebst advise I can give you is REVIEWS ARE YOUR BEST FRIEND, read them all the time on whatever it is you are considering buying because there is tons of info out there and dont fall for the super overly priced stuff which you seem to be doing a good job at already, pm me if you have any more questions about products or anything in general, good luck man and vape on,

Chuck B.

Thank you for all this useful information. It's good to see another college student on here as well. What's your major?

I've noticed most reactions from people is kind of like they don't know what to say. Mostly I think they're confused about it, and a few have been worried that the vapor is unhealthy to be around, because it looks a lot like smoke.

yes vg has nicotine just like pg its is based on what you are buying, they are just to different soultions used for the same thing, they are just slightly different in properties

Thanks for clearing that up.

Your welcome. Understand they are a Trade Org and not Consumer based. Here's the Ecig Consumer Advocacy Group- join for free:
CASAA - The Consumer Advocates for Smoke-free Alternatives Association

PG and Vg are both carriers but PG is the superior carrier. PG is more an irritant and that's why it "enhances" TH.
Juice Components
Flavoring usually about 15%
PG enhances flavor, TH and lung hit- water like
VG= vapor and can mute flavor- thick
Nicotine- TH, lung hit and our need for nicotine. The MOST important ingredient in regards to TH and lung hit.
Standards in the industry are 80/ 20 or 70/ 30 PG/ VG. I vape 70/ 30 PG/ VG.

Give me 10 mins and I be back with an edit.
From my standpoint I have faith in the quality of most ELiquid we get from Vendors. At this point my concern is about the delivery devices and the materials used in them. 90% made in China cheaply so we really have no voice in that area of vaping.

Edit:Here's the Mini Vivi Nova- good price and comes with 3 heads but you'll only be able to use 2 of them as the 2.8 is meant for higher voltage PVs
ElectronicStix.Com : ViVi Nova V2.5 2.0ML Twist on Replacable Coil TANK - ViViNova2ML
Spare Heads
ElectronicStix.Com : VISION ViVi NOVA Twist-On Replaceable Coil Head 1.8ohm - vivi1.8head
If you bought the Kgo from VV realize it's a great PV and fires at 3.7 volts. I own and LOVE it- good choice.
Off to find a cone.

I'll order this gear on pay day and give it a shot. I wish I wouldn't have spent the money on the larger one, but I'm sure it will get some more practical use in the future. Virgin Vapor at least claims that the nicotine isolate is from a lab in the UK, flavoring is non-synthetic apparently. But then again, like you said, there's really no true way to verify. I may order some 70/30 and see what happens, I'm just not exactly sure how I'll react, I'm assuming the cheap ones had some PG content and didn't really mess with me much. 100% VG is working thus far.

Welcome to the forum. First, organic doesn't mean it's heathier. Secondly, there are components in e-juice that can't be made organic. This doesn't mean it's bad for you. Some people are sensitive to PG, but most people aren't.
My experience coming off analog cigs to e-cigs [vaping] has been very positive. I'm a 40 year ex-smoker, and it's the only thing I have tried that has sucessfully allowed me to kick the cigarette habit and addiction. I've tried patches, gum, Wellbutrin, cold turkey, and they were all failed attempts.
My question is, are organic American Sprit cigarettes healthy? The answer is of course, no!
How do I feel? After a little over 2 weeks in the making, I'm starting to bbreathe better.
BTW, your 1st choice for starting out vaping is a good one.
PG is used in all inhailers. Like I stated earlier, some people are sensitive to PG, but most aren't.
I've not tried 100% VG, but it's a thicker juice and some systems don't like how thick it is.

I know at least I've enjoyed the clouds of vapor coming off of the VG. It seems like way more than a traditional cigarette. BTW, congrats on coming off of smoking. Keep it that way. I know e-cigarettes aren't going to be the healthiest things around (as opposed to abandoning nicotine all together), but I'm feeling a little better already myself and they're definitely a better alternative. I feel less dehydrated at least and my skin isn't looking as bad, so those are positives to boot I suppose.

I'm new to vaping but the first juice I tried was 100% VG... I started having a lot of chest heaviness...so switched to the 70/30 and it hasn't been as bad. I just ordered some juice and am going to experiment with different ratios. Most important thing I learned is fresh made juice needs to be steeped for best flavor.

Apparently where I've been ordering pre-steeps the juices before sending them out. They don't really seem mute at all flavor wise, so that's good. I'll keep conscious and look out for any heaviness. So far, my chest feels a bit lighter than I had while smoking. Quite a bit lighter.

 

[East]

Interesting post East.

I can't help you a lot with some of your questions, but

1) I feel good since switching to e-cigs. Not exactly getting a great feeling/improvement as yet, but I think it'll come.

2) I am generally trying to tell as many people as possible to avoid the terrible e-cigs that are mostly available in shops and gas (petrol) stations. I got sucked into these (bought a few and tried to make them work with refilling).
It's crazy....$4 carts that last half a day, provide virtually no vapour/nicotine and are just ruining the "image" of the e-cig.

I keep coming across people wasting money on this rubbish; standing outside a bar/coffee house/restaurant etc. with a completely hopeless piece of cheap 20 cent equipment.

I use VG as much as possible. I like sweet flavours and am not fussed about the "throat hit". I'm looking to see the vapour, enjoy the taste (currently struggling to settle on anything I like) and kill the cravings from quitting analogues.

I just have to make my first vape of the day a BIG one....

I know exactly what you mean about the first vape of the day. It's really nice just rolling over and grabbing it and being able to vape. Before I basically slouched out of bed, stumbled down the stairs, and out the door to have my first cigarette of the day. I hated doing that, because it's like I'll pass everyone and it's just like "don't talk to me until I get my first smoke" Haha.

As far as the bar scene, I really don't think electronic cigarettes have caught on as much over here. I haven't seen one, apart from my own in the wild. Well, maybe one friend tried it out a year or so back, but that's it. At least with knowledge you can help other people who happen to vape out though.

Are these what you are looking for? Vision eGo Cones : GotVapes.com, E-cigarette Supplies - Atomizers Cartomizers Mods Juice and more


Vaperite.com has organic flavors that you can get 100% VG , 50/50, and 80VG/20PG/

I used to vape a lot more organic ejuice but found the flavors and so much VG clogged my atomizers faster than I felt like cleaning them. Too much VG also makes my chest feel heavy and can even induce wheezing on occasion, so I use them sparingly.

Cones are bookmarked. Thanks.

What do you usually vape to avoid the heavy chest?

 

[Vapoor eyes er]

Mostly I think they're confused about it, and a few have been worried that the vapor is unhealthy to be around, because it looks a lot like smoke.

Timely comment. The National Vapers Club (NVC) just released a study on the affect of second hand vaping:
IVAQS Project