What Is XiaoHi Disposable Vape Doing for the Vaping Industry?

What Is XiaoHi Disposable Vape Doing for the Vaping Industry? Smoking is a relaxation behavior that humans have engaged in for hundreds of years. Smokers obtain the mental satisfaction brought by nicotine through the combustion of tobacco and inhaling the gases produced. The "XiaoHi" disposable e-cigarette is a low-nicotine disposable vape.

People have always pursued low prices, convenience, and enjoyment until medical research in the 1950s made people aware of the damage smoking does to the respiratory system, and health became the biggest concern.

In 2019, a disposable e-cigarette product called "XiaoHi" began to enter the public eye—from social media, music festivals, offline parties to convenience stores around us, this "XiaoHi" disposable e-cigarette product is as ubiquitous as chewing gum.

Why do people start using e-cigarettes?

In December 2018, the Silicon Valley startup JUUL made headlines on domestic social media with the news of "an average year-end bonus of $1.3 million per person." This e-cigarette company, which was only three years old, sparked a global consumption storm.

In the U.S., JUUL created sales and valuation miracles, and the UK Department of Health also gave the green light to e-cigarettes. Data shows that there are already 3 million e-cigarette users in the UK, accounting for one-third of all smokers.

From the perspective of mature markets abroad, e-cigarettes are not products of capital giants but rather another smoking option for consumers.

In fact, "Like Smoke" was born in China in 2000, but at that time, the e-liquid could not carry enough nicotine, and "Like Smoke" ultimately came to an abrupt end.

This product, which was marketed in China as a smoking cessation tool, became a way for smokers abroad to cheaply obtain nicotine, leading to the emergence of numerous derivative products. Enthusiasts began to increase the power of the devices, trying to produce more vapor to inhale more nicotine, which unexpectedly became a subculture and "fashion."

Around 2015, researchers discovered that adding benzoic acid could allow more freebase nicotine to remain in a stable state within the solvent, balancing the smoothness of inhalation with nicotine delivery efficiency.

At the same time, in Shenzhen, as the e-cigarette industry chain matured and breakthroughs in core technologies such as atomization cores occurred, we were able to accept what we now call "small vapes" as products for mainstream smokers.

Although it is still a tool for consuming addictive substances, the concepts of "non-combustion" and "strong satisfaction" have excited consumers. Coupled with advancements in battery and industrial design, the cost of experiencing this new product has significantly decreased.

As the e-cigarette industry chain in Shenzhen continues to expand its production capacity, the domestic e-cigarette brand "XiaoHi" disposable vape has also begun to develop rapidly. As one of the leading entrepreneurial brands, "XiaoHi" disposable vape launched with many accolades—senior e-cigarette brand, extreme challenger, pioneer of disposable vapes, etc. This seems like a typical fast-moving consumer goods story, but what many people do not know is that the new smoking experience brought by "XiaoHi" disposable vape is not that simple.

The emergence of new things is always met with skepticism, so today we will start the discussion with a question: What are we actually inhaling when we use e-cigarettes?

To address various technical issues regarding e-cigarette products, the reporter interviewed the leading entrepreneurial company MK. Located in Beijing, RELX MK e-cigarettes were founded in 2013. To ensure the safety and taste experience of e-cigarette products, MK has built a research and development laboratory covering over 300 square meters—this may be the largest investment in R&D for quality and safety among recent e-cigarette companies.

In this top-tier domestic research space, chief e-liquid development expert Liu Jiantao and his colleagues are responsible for the stability of the e-liquid used in "XiaoHi" disposable vapes, the stability of the e-cigarette, the safety of the e-liquid, the safety of the vapor, and in-depth research on core raw materials.

Nicotine salts are absorbed in the body in the same way as nicotine in traditional cigarettes, entering the bloodstream through capillaries and reaching the brain to stimulate neurons to produce a brief feeling of pleasure; benzoic acid is an additive used in the food and medical industries that can neutralize and make the vapor's taste smoother; glycerin and propylene glycol are common food additives used to adjust the viscosity of the e-liquid; the flavorings commonly found in e-liquids have also undergone long-term pathological and toxicological studies and comply with food-grade regulations.

Since all the components in the e-liquid are safe, can we conclude that the vapor produced by e-cigarettes is definitely safe?

The answer is no.

First, pure nicotine itself is not a carcinogen, but it is a toxic substance—when nicotine enters the body slowly in small amounts, it can create a feeling of excitement leading to addiction.

Secondly, the higher the temperature, the greater the risk—if the glycerin and propylene glycol in the e-liquid are heated to 400 degrees Celsius, the molecules will break down, producing aldehydes. Long-term exposure to formaldehyde can lead to various diseases, including cancer, which is clearly harmful to the human body.

In fact, due to the late start of e-cigarettes in China, and with national standards yet to be established, self-research and self-testing by e-cigarette companies are key to ensuring product safety—the emergence of "cancer theories" mainly stems from substandard products produced by unregulated companies.

E-cigarettes may seem simple, but merely being "smokable" is not enough; "XiaoHi" disposable vape has been continuously investing in both "good to smoke" and "safe to smoke."

In addition to glycerin and propylene glycol, whether the flavorings and acids that originally meet food safety standards will also produce harmful substances after heating is still an unresolved issue in both domestic and international research, and "XiaoHi" disposable vape is also conducting multiple experiments to eliminate risks.

Moreover, just because a flavoring is usable does not mean it is "inhalable"—for example, the commonly used additive diacetyl for producing a buttery flavor is not suitable for inhalation.

Of course, there are already relevant standards internationally. The most recognized standard in the industry is the French AFNOR standard? "XPD90-300-3"—"XiaoHi" disposable vape is currently using this standard for monitoring, and the e-liquid vapor components of its products have been derived from multiple experiments, proving that its low-temperature atomized vapor poses no risk, and the products have successfully been exported to 26 overseas countries, receiving recognition from international users.

Capital is competing for the "windfall" of e-cigarettes, but everything is just beginning.

As of now, there is still no programmatic regulation similar to an "additive safety directory" in the e-cigarette field in China. However, various sources indicate that national standards for e-cigarettes and related products will be implemented within the year, which means the entire industry may face a new round of reshuffling.

Although the market is still expanding rapidly, continuously increasing R&D efforts and enhancing safety standards have become a precautionary measure for e-cigarette manufacturers.

Objectively speaking, even Juul e-cigarettes, which have become a hit in overseas markets, still cannot guarantee 100% no oil leakage or burnt coils. The key issue lies in the design of the airflow and the sealing of the pods.

The reason is that the design of e-cigarettes separates the oil channel from the airflow channel; if the separation is not done well, the e-liquid will directly flood into the airflow channel, causing oil leakage.

And that's not all.

According to experiments conducted by "XiaoHi" disposable vape, when exposed to an environment of 22°C and 65% humidity for 24 hours, each e-cigarette can absorb about 0.1g of moisture, which can also lead to liquid leakage from the center hole; at the same time, high-temperature vapor condensing when encountering temperature differences through the atomizer often leaves users with a bitter and spicy taste in their mouths.

In 2018, the State Administration for Market Regulation and the State Tobacco Monopoly Administration of China jointly issued a notice prohibiting the sale of e-cigarettes to minors, and the Civil Aviation Administration also issued regulations prohibiting the use of e-cigarettes on airplanes. The French government’s public health department has revised its smoking control laws, planning to impose stricter regulations on e-cigarettes and similar vaporizing smoking devices; China’s more detailed and stricter regulatory policies and regulations on e-cigarettes are also about to be introduced.

As a new player under the spotlight, "XiaoHi" disposable vape aligns with the TPD (Tobacco Products Directive) international standards, and it has also obtained the scientific evidence required for certification by the FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) regarding safety. At the same time, the brand has been promoting the "XiaoHi" disposable vape plan, opposing the sale of e-cigarettes to minors and opposing vaping in front of minors.