The e-cigarette and vaping industry has become a multi-million pound industry with more and more people dropping their cigarettes and picking up electronic ones. E-cigarette companies have successfully managed to market their products with the use of eye catching, delicious-looking vape juices and sleek device designs which are stylish and functional. But what exactly is contained in these colourful little vials? And more importantly, are the ingredients safe? It would be a little naive of us if we were not concerned with the nutritional value- if any- in vape juices. After all, these products are heavily touted as being significantly safer than cigarettes and tobacco. It’s always a smart idea to be informed about whatever it is you’re putting in your body whether you’re inhaling or ingesting. When it comes to vape juices or e-juice, you might be wondering what is contained in these colourful liquids. The ingredients list for vape juice is pretty straightforward. Many of the chemicals used to flavour e-cigarettes are the same ones that are added to our foods. This means that to some extent, the FDA have determined that they are safe to consume. Let’s take a look at what you’re inhaling in every time you vape.
Water
Most e-juices on sale contain H20 , the most basic and natural ingredient there is.
Vegetable Glycerine
Vegetable Glycerine is a base ingredient used in e-juices. This clear, odourless plant oil derives from soy, palm oil, or coconut oil. Vegetable Glycerine has a number of valuable applications that include foods, cosmetic products and as a stand in for alcohol in herbal and botanical extracts. It is of course also used in the production of e-liquids. Vegetable Glycerine acts as a carrier for the flavours and nicotine in vape juices. It is considered 100% organic and safe for consumption. It has thicker properties and usually produces more vapour, but doesn’t really deliver a strong throat hit when your vaping. For this reason, many e-cig manufactures prefer to combine propylene glycol and vegetable glycerine for a more enjoyable experience.
Propylene Glycol
Propylene Glycol is a tasteless, odourless, colourless alcohol that’s used in antifreeze. It is also used in self-care products such as shampoo, hair conditioner and styling products and it widely used because of its somewhat low cost and versatile nature. It’s generally considered safe for topical use and consumption although it has been known to trigger allergies and inflame the eyes and airways. It can also cause headaches, drowsiness and dizziness.
Nicotine
Nicotine is contained in e-juices and is the addictive ingredient found in cigarettes and e-cigarettes. It stimulates the central nervous system and raises your heart rate, respiration and blood pressure. In its inhaled form, nicotine is fairly safe- providing you’re not a child or a developing foetus. However in its liquid form nicotine is highly toxic and cause agitation, seizures, confusion, and nausea if it makes contact with the skin. Nicotine has had a bad reputation because of its association with cigarettes and its negative side-effects but the fact remains the same: Nicotine does not cause cancer. Cigarette smoke contains more than 4,000 chemicals and sizeable amounts are cancer-causing carcinogens and the cause of most diseases related to smoking.
Flavouring
Banana nut bread, peppermint frost and English toffee: these are just some of the names given the colourful e-juices that ultimately make out vaping experiences tasty. Many manufactures don’t actually reveal the exact ingredients in their e-liquids and there is no regulated oversight into what is included in the flavourings. E-cigarettes industries claim that the ingredients they use in the flavourings are food-grade safe and for a time, we just had to take their word for it. This has all changed since the revised Tobacco Products Directive regulations kicked into action which states that e-cig manufactures must now declare all ingredients for the products they wish to sell.