One of the issues that has some people asking for more regulations when it comes to vaping is the fact that a small group of people are using vaporizers to consume marijuana/THC, as opposed to nicotine. Not surprisingly, the issue isn’t really being touted as a health concern, but a concern that when someone is vaping marijuana and not smoking it, it’s harder to catch them. Opponents are suggesting that electronic cigarettes will be used as a cover for marijuana, which is obviously illegal in the majority of the United States. Of course there are health concerns thrown in for good measure to make it look like this is all about health. In order to help avoid e cigarettes being lumped in with illegal products in the face of society and pending legislation it is important for the community at large to understand the differences between vaping e juice and vaping marijuana. The are separate practices which should not be confused for one another.

Temperature

The general consensus is that the best temperature zone to vape marijuana is between 240-370 degrees Fahrenheit. The best temperature for nicotine is between 257-302 degrees Fahrenheit. If you go any lower, you are going to release more aroma and less of the components that you are seeking to take in. While the temperatures are relatively close in terms of reaching the optimal level of heat, there is a notable difference. In other words, if someone does try to vape marijuana from an e-cigarette, they aren’t going to get the full effect that they are looking for because e-cigarettes are optimized for vaping nicotine. It is important to point out that these are in fact completely different devices from the beginning.

Vape Pens

Vape pens are vapor products that look like e-cigs, but aren’t. They are used for vaping marijuana. Different versions of these devices allow marijuana users to vaporize dried herbs or a THC infused wax. Anyone who is truly worried about marijuana use, and feels that they need to involve electronic cigarettes, is best advised to learn the signs of marijuana and accept that the product itself, and its effects fail to equate to using an electronic cigarette or traditional personal vaporizer.

Signs of Marijuana Use

Knowing how to differentiate those vaping marijuana and those vaping e cig juice will put you on the right path understanding the fundamental differences in the two activities.

*Marijuana proponents use vape pens, otherwise known as the “G Pen”.

*When vaping in public marijuana users often try to hide use of vape pen.

*An aroma of marijuana will waft through the air when someone is partaking in the (largely) illegal version of vaping. It’s hard to mistake the smell of marijuana for “Traditional Tobacco” or “Cherry Jubilee”.

*For a quick rundown on the signs of marijuana use check out this overview from the National Institute of Drug Abuse.

While we are not here to condone, encourage, or otherwise address the use of marijuana, we aren’t here to judge it either. Many states are in the process of changing their marijuana laws, and to be honest marijuana might just be legal in your state soon, if it isn’t already. E cigarette users are sure to be mistaken for marijuana users, and vice versa, in the very near future. It is important to highlight the differences between the substances, their effects and the overall lifestyle that is associated with each.

There are plenty of people who will tell you that e cigarettes are an effective aid for those who want to stop smoking cigarettes. Others will argue that they do not work at all. Let’s take a look at your options and make a decision that is based on actual facts.

E cigarettes are one of the very few smoking cessation aids that are not currently regulated by the FDA. The pattern seems to be for the FDA to approve smoking cessation aids and initially make them available by prescription only. Then they wait a few years and see that people are actually smart enough to manage their own quitting process without the intervention of a doctor. The aid then becomes approved for over the counter sales. This is what happened with the patch, gum, and lozenges – all of which can now be purchased OTC, even if they do come with warning labels that might suggest you avoid things like eating a nicotine patch or snorting a lozenge. This seems a bit like overkill, but when you consider the warnings that come on a shampoo bottle, warnings on tobacco replacement products really aren’t such a bad idea.

Generally speaking the FDA likes to regulate everything that people use to stop smoking. Oddly enough, part of the reason they do this is because nicotine is addictive. Yet many warnings have been removed from nicotine replacement products. Why? Because the FDA concluded that there was no risk of addiction to the products, even though they contain nicotine. Today they want to regulate e cigarettes, in part because they contain nicotine. It’s enough to make you dizzy.

How effective are these products effective though? The American Cancer Society estimates that only between 4% and 7% of smokers are able to quit on any given attempt without a cessation aid of some sort.  Take a look at some of the products below and their success rates.

Over the Counter Options

Of all of the over the counter products approved by the FDA for use as smoking cessation aids the highest rate of success comes from using a combination of several distinct products. The patch, gum, and lozenges are all included in this group. By using various combinations, smokers realized a 20% success rate after one year in one study. Using one product, smokers only experienced a 7.5% success rate.

As of now, e cigarettes are not approved as a smoking cessation aids because they are not regulated by the FDA. However, studies have shown up to a 20% success rate when electronic cigarettes are used to quit smoking. To be fair other studies have shown quitting rates closer to 9%.

Prescription Options

Chantix and Zyban are both approved by the FDA as smoking cessation aids that do not contain nicotine. When they are taken as directed, these products are effective for those who have made up their minds to stop smoking. Chantix themselves claims a 44% success rate for smokers in their study after 3 months of treatment. The numbers for Zyban are less clear as multiple sources report differing success rates. However, the side effects from either can sometimes be more uncomfortable than most people want to deal with. Side effects from nausea to insomnia to depression have been associated with either one or both of these prescription options.

Nicotrol is a smoking cessation aid that can be inhaled a nasal spray or an orally. It requires a prescription and is approved by the FDA as a smoking cessation aid. Studies have shown an increased chance of success over a matter of weeks, but long term studies have not been done to determine the final rate of success. Inhalers have however been found to be effective when used together with the patch, gum or lozenges.

To date, e cigarettes have among the highest rate of success when used to stop smoking. Smokers should note that chances of success always increase when more than one method is used at a time. It is possible to overdose on nicotine, so even though studies have shown increased chances of success when using a combination of aids that contain nicotine, this can be a dangerous route. If you are using more than one nicotine or nicotine replacement aid please be conscious of how much you are taking in. Follow all instructions from your doctor and the manufacturer. You might also try combining e cigarettes with therapy or other, non-medicinal methods. We are looking forward to more research and figures on the effectiveness of e cigarettes as quitting aids. Like us, many vapers out there can share their personal success stories.

With all the controversy surrounding electronic cigarettes right now, some employers aren’t sure whether to allow it in the workplace or not. If there is a smoking area in or around the workplace, then vapers may be welcome in those areas. Yet some vapers may not want to join the crowd that is smoking tobacco cigarettes, especially if they use vaping as a method to quit smoking. Now, if electronic cigarettes are included in indoor smoking bans in your hometown then obviously you will have to step outside. If not then you might just be able to talk to management and get a vapor policy put into place. Below are some steps that you can take in order to try and make vaping possible in your workplace.

Work is Work

Don’t set yourself up to look bad in the eyes of administration for pushing to be allowed to vape while working. The only thing you should be doing while working is just that, working. If you push to vape while you are working you are probably going to lose the respect of your boss and as a result, may not realize any success in your efforts to get an electronic cigarette policy pushed through.

Collect Opinions

One thing that management is going to want to avoid is conflict between employees. You can do a simple survey and ask what your co-workers think. It’s best to keep it simple and offer yes or no questions for them to answer. Some examples are below. Use the ones that are applicable to your workplace.

Do you think e-cigs should follow the same guidelines as tobacco cigarettes here?

Would you prefer if e-cigs were used away from people who don’t smoke at all?

Would it bother you if someone used an e-cig while sitting next to you?

Offer Suggestions

*There is nothing more irritating than a whiny employee. Don’t complain about current policies or lack thereof. Instead, offer a realistic solution to the problem, presented in a professional manner. If your employer doesn’t want you to vape complaining about it is the equivalent of stomping your feet while shouting “not fair”.

*Realize that some people are leery of vaping. You aren’t going to change their minds, so work with what you have to come up with a solution.

*Try talking to Human Resources or reviewing your employee manual for rules and verbiage that may help you to convince management that vaping is acceptable in the workplace.

*Suggest a specific area away from the regular break room if you get the idea that vaping at your desk or work station will get vetoed by management.

*Some employers may fear that you are using your e-cig to ingest something other than vapor and nicotine. If this is the case, offer to succumb to random drug testing.

*Keep in mind that state and local laws apply. Most current laws include age restrictions. If this is the case and minors work there, you may have to create a sign to label an area for those who are 18 and over.

Create a Solid Proposal

*Put something in writing for your boss to consider. Start out with a brief introduction to vaping, noting that it only looks like smoke while it’s really only vapor. Ask for an area to vape in and include a policy draft (learn more below) so that your boss can see all the work has already been done for him or her.

*Discuss the benefits of vaping. Your boss might be particularly interested to know that e-cigarettes are often used when people want to quit smoking. This may have an impact on the insurance plan your boss has to pay for and may even be the start of a stop smoking campaign for the company.

*Finally, thank your boss for taking the time to read your proposal and policy. Suggest a timeline to implement the policy, giving your boss at least a few days to consider it.

Draft a Policy

Your policy needs to have strict wording so that your boss takes it seriously. It needs to include the times when vaping is allowed as well as where it can be done. Vapers should be responsible for keeping the area clean. Note that vaping can be done ONLY during designated times and only in the designated areas. Include a sign that prevents minors from being in the area if minors work in your workplace. Even if minors are allowed to vape in your area, it’s probably only a matter of time until they can’t and certainly not a good idea. Putting a full plan together will show your boss that your proposal has been thought threw and considers all employees, not just those who vape.

Hopefully this helps you get approval to vape at work. It is a privilege that every vaper wants, but not every vaper has. Seeking opinions from coworkers, presenting the facts and coming up with a fair policy are key to convincing management to let you vape. Now t’s time to get out there and work on your right to vape on the job!

Some people get into vaping in order to quit smoking. Others just enjoy vaping, period. And then there are those who take it to a whole other level. As electronic cigarettes become more popular expect to see more intricate designs as well as a dedication to branded and hi-end vapor products. This trend has lead many vapers to build some respectable electronic cigarettes collections. Whether you occasionally vape as a way to quit smoking tobacco cigarettes or you are exploring different flavors and tools, you can’t help but appreciate the beauty of some of these awesome e-cig collections.

It isn’t unusual for someone to start vaping with something as simple as a disposable electronic cigarette and then move on to a more advanced device. Like anything else, it depends on how interested you are as well as how much you want to spend. With all the different options in the form of e-cigs as well as flavoring and nicotine levels, it isn’t hard to build a diverse collection of e-cigs. Some people do it so they have variety. Others do it because they like to collect things, period. And let’s face it, e-cigs aren’t the worst thing a person could collect. Or have we all forgotten the Beanie Baby obsession? In the spirit of great collections let’s take a look at some of the most impressive e cig repertoires from around the web.

The Girly Girl

With all of the color and customization options out there for e cigs you can build a collection around any theme that you like. This vaper has put together a collection of batteries, tanks, mouth pieces and attachments that allow her to show her feminine side.

The Variety Lover

E pipes are not the most common devices out there, but that didn’t stop this vaper. They have a well rounded collection here that features personal vaporizers of all sorts and finishes, a box mod, and one of the most extensive e pipe collections that we have seen. It’s safe to say that this collector can get the exact vape that they want at any given time.

Neat and Tidy

This collection is for those of you out there who appreciate organization. From a custom wood e cigarette display case to separate spaces to store tanks, juices and e cigs this collection takes the cake in the neat and tidy category. On top of that it’s a very well rounded collection with a variety of different vapes to choose from.

The More Than Avid Collector

This vaper has a collection that puts most to shame. Their assortment of personal vaporizers and mods is beyond extensive, and quite eye-catching. It may even be safe to say that this is more than one collection, but it’s impressive nonetheless.

E Cig Maintenance

Even if you don’t plan to have a large collection to maintain it’s important to keep up on the maintenance of your e-cigarettes. Doing so will extend their life span and keep them in prime working condition. It will also ensure that your liquids taste as they should. As you can imagine, cleanliness is the most important part of maintaining your e-cigarette.

If you use an e cig with a disposable cartridge, you don’t have to worry about cleaning the cartridge or filler materials, but you still need to maintain the rest of the e cig. Best practices involve cleaning it on a daily basis, but you can also clean it when you change cartridges. One of the best ways to do this is with an alcohol pad. Simply disassemble the e cigarette and gently wipe down all of the exposed pieces. You might also insert a toothpick into the openings to keep them free of buildup that may occur over time.

Maintaining an e cigarette with a refillable cartridge is the same as those with a disposable one, but you will need to clean the inside of the tank and replace the wicking material as well. If alcohol pads are unavailable, try gently wiping the surfaces down with cloth that has had warm water wrung out of it.

It seems that with the growth of social causes, and quite frankly social media there is now a “day” for everything. While I let National Cupcake Day (yes, this is actually a real thing) pass me by I did take pause when I saw that today is National Running Day. To be completely honest I am not a huge running aficionado. I take to a treadmill or a neighborhood sidewalk a few evenings a week as a means to keep my heart healthy, but I have never run a marathon, nor do I consider myself to be a true “Runner.” Still, when my Twitter feed updated me to that fact that today is National Running Day I decided to do some looking around.

I started with an article from Runner’s World reporting on how groups across the nation are celebrating, and then bounced around to a couple of other sites. I was somewhat surprised myself how vapor kept coming to mind as I read more and more. You see, when I first started running I was a pack a day smoker. In fact, when I got to a point where I could run two miles non-stop (again this is a milestone for me, not a “Runner”) I would even ask myself “How bad can smoking be if I can still do this?” I actually sold myself, and tried to sell others, on this very argument. I did so for quite some time to be perfectly honest.

Then the day came when I decided to give electronic cigarettes a try. I picked up a cig-a-like from a local service station and began vaping. I lapsed back to tobacco a few times in the first couple of months, but ultimately stuck with vapor. Once I was fully smoke free I began noticing changes. Among the most noticeable of the changes was how I felt while on my evening run. The last half mile was not nearly as difficult as it had been just a few months earlier. I hadn’t increased my speed or made any other significant changes. All I had done was switch to vapor from tobacco smoke. Just like that, in a matter of less than two months I could actually feel the difference while I exercised.

While I and the rest of the team here at CigaretteReviews fully acknowledge that the medical jury is not yet in on electronic cigarettes and the health effects of the vapor that they produce, it’s hard to ignore how I feel. Not a temporary change in mood or a sense of accomplishment, but an actual change in the way that I feel when I run. I’m no doctor, but I do feel that my body has told me that I have made a better choice. I stand by this choice and am happy to have made the lifestyle change. Today, National Running Day or not, I will once again be reminded of this when I set out on a jog here in a few hours. So maybe I have found a “day” that makes sense to me. The only other day that might mean more to me would be National Vapor Day, if and when that becomes a reality.

Tobacco has always been a source of conflict for insurance companies and the people who purchase their plans. For one thing, policyholders as well as providers have to meet the challenge of defining the term “smoker”. Those who smoke cigarettes know that they pay a higher premium than those who don’t smoke cigarettes, and with good cause. But what about people like those who smoke e cigs or even cigars?

Who Is a Smoker?

Cigar smokers often receive the same premium bills that non-smokers receive, yet they smoke tobacco. And now we have e cigarettes. Right now the FDA has a plan in motion that can settle the issue for many insurance companies. They want to be able to define what falls into the “tobacco” category, regardless of whether there is any tobacco use involved or not. Should their proposal pass, vapers everywhere can expect to pay higher premiums across the board than non-smokers, even though they don’t smoke tobacco.

Whether or not you get charged as a smoker depends largely on the company you work for or the insurance company you go with. Prudential does not consider vapers to be smokers. Highmark Health Services does not charge more if you are a vaper, but you don’t get the non-smoker discount either. The UPMC Health Plan doesn’t even ask if you smoke e-cigarettes. Walmart and UPS both charge participants as tobaccos smokers if they don’t smoke tobacco, but do use vapor products.

Issues with Vapers and Insurance

Because there is still an ongoing debate about the health effects of e cigs vapers shouldn’t expect a discount any time soon. Though there is little question that they are healthier than tobacco cigarettes, it seems that the comparison model is not what law makers are after. Should laws pass that allow the FDA to set their own definition of tobacco products, it will be game over for the vapers, and the insurance companies will rake in the premiums. Since the insurance companies and the government often seem to be one in the same, there is no better time for vapers to make their voice heard and distinguish between the two bodies.

Other than revenues, insurance companies do have an interesting quandry. Currently, some insurance companies set a time limit that determines whether you are to be considered a smoker or not. For example, some consider you a non-smoker if you quit yesterday while others insist on a five year period of non-smoking. Then the issue at hand is how insurance companies can tell the difference. If and when vapers are tested for cigarette use, nicotine is the chemical that is being tested. This means that a vaper can test positive as a smoker even if they quit smoking cigarettes ten years ago. Interestingly enough, nicotine isn’t even the main concern of the insurance companies.

What to Do

When filling out an insurance application, ask for a clear definition of “smoker” in writing. Otherwise, you may have issues in the future. If you say that you aren’t a smoker and you have health issues later on and test positive for nicotine, your insurance company may be able to deny your claim and charge you with fraud. Whatever you do, don’t lie on your application. Simply learn the definitions that the insurance company uses and apply them to your situation.

Vaper’s Concerns

As someone who used to smoke, I am amazed that such highly educated people can’t see the difference between smoking tobacco and vaping. There is no doubt in my mind that insurance companies and politicians alike will continue to seek higher premiums as they “wait” on clearer definitions. The reality is that they are just trying to find a way to get back the money they are losing from the people who quit smoking tobacco. The real irony is that someone who uses vapor products but has never smoked a tobacco cigarette in their life may experience the same premiums as a two pack a day smoker.

A recent study has been done which provided the conclusion that vapor from e cigarettes caused MRSA to be more resistant to treatment. The very name of this pathogen indicates that it is one known for its amazing resistance to treatment. Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a specific strain of Staphylococcus Aureus that is highly resistant to almost every treatment method available. In other words, if there was a medical issue to be studied with the intention of proving that e cigarettes made it worse, no other pathogen would have been more likely to present the intended results. MRSA is highly reactive to any intended threat and becomes more virulent when a threat is sensed. That is the very thing that makes it so difficult to treat.

What is MRSA?

MRSA is a bacteria that can be found in about 2% of the population. Many people have MRSA and have no idea that they carry it. Consider MRSA to be a sort of “turbo” for any other illness. People who suffer from MRSA do so in conjunction with some other illness or infection. For example, if you have MRSA and you get a small cut that would normally heal in a week, there is a chance that it will never heal. If you have pneumonia, you can expect it to take much longer to respond to treatment and in some cases, it never will. MRSA enhances any medical issue at hand.

E Cigs Do Not Cause MRSA

There is a difference between causing a disease and being a catalyst that makes the pathogen more resistant. In the case of e cigarettes, the thought is that when MRSA comes into contact with vapor, it sees it as a threat and “beefs up” its defenses. You will not contract MRSA from vapors, but if you have MRSA, vaping may make it more resistant to treatment. In this particular study, tobacco cigarette smoke makes MRSA even more resistant than vaping does, so vaping is still the better alternative when it comes to tobacco cigarettes and vapor. To be exact, 30% more mice died from pneumonia in this study when exposed to cigarette smoke as opposed to vapor from e-cigarettes.

Keep in mind that one of the requirements to be considered a living organism is the ability to respond to stimuli. In the case of MRSA, it has an amazing ability to respond to stimuli in such a way as to avoid bonding with the chemicals that might kill it, displaying another trait of a living thing, which is the desire to perpetuate the survival of the species.

Why Vapers are at Risk

While cigarette smoke causes more resistance than vaping does, vaperers in general are at a higher risk of developing issues from MRSA based on the simple fact that MRSA colonizes on the skin, in the throat, and in the nose. If smoking or vaping causes more resistance and userers naturally get the vapor or smoke in their nose or throat, then the chances of having to deal with MRSA are increased significantly. We do know this to be a fact, so yes there is arguably some danger.

Preventing MRSA

Whether you vape or not, you should take care to prevent MRSA. People who are infected with it are under no obligation to tell you that they are infected with it. MRSA can be contracted through a simple touch, so it’s important to take the same precautions that you take to avoid the common cold. Keep in mind that people who have MRSA may show no signs of being infected, so you need to treat your contact with anyone as if they do have it. You can follow the steps below to decrease your risk of contracting MRSA as a vaper.

*Clean your e-cigarette with rubbing alcohol if someone touches it. Also take the time to clean your vape, it’s mouthpiece and the inside of your tank with rubbing alcohol in between refills.

*Wash your hands before eating as well as before and after touching your face or other part of your body.

*Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze, but also if someone near you coughs or sneezes.

*Avoid touching items in public areas.

*Do not rely on hand sanitizer. To be effective it has to get warm as you rub it in and should be massaged in for about the same amount of time it takes to wash your hands. Instead, just wash your hands

There is no clearly proven way to prevent MRSA from taking hold with a 100% success rate, but good hygiene goes a long way toward doing so

Smoking is a lot like dieting. Many people find it next to impossible to just “cut back” or “diet” without going back to the same habits again at some point. Usually when you do go back, it gets worse as if you are somehow trying to make up for all that you missed when you cut back. The only way to be effective in a long term situation in either case is to make a commitment to change your lifestyle. Viewing e cigs a lifestyle choice makes breaking the smoking habit more permanent. Any time you make a change in your lifestyle you have to focus on the positive aspects if you want the change to last. While we still need to see more scientific studies to form a truly educated opinion, we can point out some positives that will be easy to focus on. If you do make the jump to vapor, you will quickly find that the latest adjustment to your lifestyle does have a good number of advantages.

Better Health

No matter what your stance is on vapor products, you have to agree that drawing smoke into your lungs is not healthy. When it comes to cigarettes, nicotine isn’t even the main problem. The main problem is all the other chemicals and carcinogens that are in the smoke itself. Keep in mind that there are additives in the tobacco to keep it burning once it’s lit as well as additives to stop it from burning after a certain amount of time. Even if you use all natural tobacco, you’re still breathing smoke and tar in with the nicotine. The difference with vapor products is that there is no actual smoke to breathe in. What you breathe in is vapor – a completely different substance. Again, we want to see more research. Most doctors however, including many of those that are anti-vapor, do assert that vapor is better from a health standpoint than is smoke.

Reduced Mess

Look at your tables, your desk, the surfaces near where you smoke. There is likely to be at least an ash or two, if not a layer of yellowish tar. At the very least you have an item in your house or yard that is meant to hold ashes and cigarette butts on a regular basis. When you think about that and the fact that you’re actually a clean person, it seems kind of ironic.

E cigarettes don’t require an ashtray. Their vapor does not leave a stale smell in your home or car. You don’t have to wash tar off your walls or watch it drip down them. Your furniture or car’s interior does not get coated with a sticky residue. You don’t have to wonder if your children smell like smoke when they go to school. In the meantime you still get all of the same pleasure from an e cigarette that you got from smoking a tobacco cigarette.

Improve Your Social Life

You avoid going to places where you can’t smoke. You get twitchy when you sit too long without a cigarette. More and more places are going smoke free every day, and we all know about how nonsmokers feel about being around smoke or people who reek of it. You will actually get to meet people and date without worrying about whether they like kissing an ashtray, or being embarrassed because you have to step outside and have a cigarette before you completely fall apart. While many states are changing laws about when and where you can vape, the social benefits will become apparent very quickly.

Save Money

Cigarettes are expensive, but that doesn’t even matter. Even if they cost a dollar a pack and you compared the ultimate cost to the most expensive e cigarette on the market, the e cigarette would still be cheaper. Why? Because lung cancer is expensive. So are all the health problems that come from inhaling the smoke from tobacco. In fact, poor eating habits can occur from smoking just because you can’t appreciate how good healthy food can taste. Poor eating habits lead to expensive medical bills. These factors, while they are true might not resound enough with those of us out there who look at direct short term costs. Outstandingly vaping the equivalent of a pack a day is still less expensive on a day to day basis than smoking is.

Making e cigarettes a lifestyle choice is going to open a whole new world. If you just considered the benefits to your sense of smell alone it would be enough, but there are far more benefits. Just remember, you have to make the conscious choice to make the switch. Vapor must truly become a part of your new and improved lifestyle.