Beginner’s Guide to E-Cigarettes: The Most Common Questions New Users Ask

Soul-searching questions from e-cigarette beginners

Are e-cigarettes harmful?

Are e-cigarettes legal?

Are e-cigarettes expensive?

Can e-cigarettes help quit smoking?

Is it safe to buy e-cigarettes online?

1. What is an e-cigarette?

Answer: An e-cigarette, also known as a vaporizer, produces vapor by supplying power to a heating element, which vaporizes e-liquid to create a smoke-like effect similar to burning tobacco.

2. What is the principle behind e-cigarettes?

Answer: E-cigarettes primarily vaporize e-liquids, which typically contain PG, VG, nicotine, and various food-grade additives, including food coloring, sweeteners, and flavorings.

3. Are e-cigarettes harmful?

Answer: This is a common question among newcomers. To put it simply, compared to the nearly thousand harmful chemicals produced by burning traditional cigarettes (including carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, benzene, and tar) and the solid particulate matter released during combustion, the components of e-cigarettes are simpler. PG and VG are food-grade additives allowed in the food industry, and while nicotine can be addictive, its harm is significantly less than that of other chemicals found in traditional cigarettes. Currently, there is no medical evidence linking nicotine to cancer. Therefore, there are also claims about medical nicotine and nicotine replacement therapies for quitting smoking.

4. Are e-cigarettes legal?

Answer: E-cigarettes are legal in China, allowing for public sale. The Electronic Cigarette Industry Committee of the China Electronic Commerce Association was officially established in 2017.

5. Can e-cigarettes help quit smoking?

Answer: E-cigarettes can help you quit smoking cigarettes, but they do not help you quit nicotine. Their function is to allow you to consume nicotine while avoiding some of the health risks associated with traditional cigarettes and secondhand smoke. Quitting nicotine with e-cigarettes offers more choices, such as flavors and nicotine levels, but willpower remains the most important factor.

6. Are e-cigarettes expensive?

The main expenses for a pod system are the device and the pods. The device is a one-time investment, with an average market price starting at 99, and it's advisable to buy a good one since it is a controllable cost that lasts a lifetime. However, there’s no need to only focus on foreign brands; China is the most technologically advanced country in the e-cigarette industry, so you know what I mean. The average price of pods ranges from 20 to 40, with e-liquid capacity between 1.5 to 2ml. If you consume an average of one pack of cigarettes a day, a 2ml pod can last approximately 2 to 7 days, which is equivalent to 5 to 10 yuan for cigarettes, making it quite economical.