What is an e-cigarette?

An e-cigarette, also known as a Personal Vaporizer, is a safer alternative to tobacco smoking.

Tobacco smoke contains more than 4000 different chemicals (43 of which are known carcinogens). 

E-cigs contain two carrier components (sometimes only one), nicotine, and flavouring (believe me ... there are some WILD flavours out there).

One of the main components is Propylene Glycol (PG). With many people, the first thing that pops into their mind is antifreeze. No. That's Diethylene Glycol, and is highly poisonous. Iit is found in MANY of the products you use daily, from mouthwash, toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, inhalers, and even personal lubricants. It has been used in the movie and theatre industries in their fog machines for many decades and is considered by the FDA as GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe). It's also found in food products.

The other component is Vegetable Glycerin (VG), or just Glycerin.  Glycerin is used in medical, pharmaceutical, and personal care products. It is found in cough syrup and expectorants, toothpaste, mouthwash, skin care products, shaving cream, hair care products, soaps and personal lubricants. As you can see, both PG and VG are used in many of the same things.

The third major component in all of this, is nicotine.

NICOTINE ?!?!?!?!?!?! 

But, but, but, nicotine is as dangerous as (insert your favourite drug here), isn't it?

The answer ... no, it isn't. Yes, nicotine is a toxic chemical ... in large, concentrated quantities. It was used as an insecticide for many, many years. However, in the amounts that you find in cigarettes (and in PV's), nicotine is a mild stimulant, and is no more harmful than caffeine. Nicotine is found naturally, in the Nightshade family of plants. In with this family are such vegetables as tomatoes, and eggplant. Tobacco, of course, has the highest amount of nicotine.

Now to round all of this up into a nice, tasty little package, are flavours. All kinds of flavours. Coffee, beer, Rum, Pina Colada, Strawberry, Watermelon, Blueberry, Apple, Peach, etc.. Not to mention, of course, tobacco, cigar, and pipe tobacco flavours.

Next ... E-cig components ... bats, and atty's, and carts, Oh My !

Stay tuned ...