In 2019, there was a surge of vape illnesses, some of which resulted in death. The media blamed vaping as the evil culprit, and many inaccurate opinions were formed about what vape juice is and the dangers of vaping as a whole.
Due to this vaping epidemic, the FDA came down hard on vape manufacturers to implement strict rules on what ingredients are in vape juice.
The FDA still allows vape juice to be bought and sold but has changed the composition of vape juice for safer vaping experiences throughout the country.
Let’s take a closer look at what’s in your vape juice, the importance of these vape juice ingredients, and what vape juice ingredients to avoid.
Importance of Quality Vape Juice Ingredients
Whether you’re just now entering the vaping game or you’re a seasoned cloud-chaser, choosing a premium vape juice should be of utmost importance. In the following paragraphs, we’ll break down the most common vape juice ingredients and explain the importance of each.
What’s in Your Vape Juice?
While vape juice is by no means food, vape juice is created using food-grade ingredients. You may already be familiar with some of these ingredients, and some may be new to you.
Propylene Glycol (PG)
Propylene Glycol, or PG, is one of the two main ingredients in vape juice. PG is both colorless and odorless and is responsible for the throat hit that satisfies your nicotine cravings. PG is also necessary for flavor delivery and is usually the lesser number in the VG/PG ratio. PG is also the main ingredient for huge puffy clouds, but you may have to sacrifice flavor if you go with a high PG vape juice.
Vegetable Glycerin (VG)
Vegetable Glycerin, abbreviated to VG, is derived from vegetable oils. It is used as a thickening agent and helps soften the harshness of the throat hit. VG has a faint sweetness and is often higher in the VG/PG ratio. For users using sub-ohm devices, it’s best to stick with high VG e-liquids for a sweeter flavor and a more enjoyable vaping session. Keep in mind that since VG is sweeter and thicker, there is a greater risk of clogging your coils and shortening the lifespan of your preferred coil.
Food Grade Flavorings
What sets apart your favorite e-liquid from your fellow vaper? The flavor, of course! Some would argue that an essential part of an e-liquid is the vape flavoring ingredients. These flavors range from succulent fruits to fresh-baked desserts, while icy menthols and earthy tobaccos are crafted for simpler palates.
These flavors can be blended to make unique flavor combinations that make your mouth water, all while satisfying your specific flavor craving. Even if you’ve already established your flavor preferences, don’t be afraid to try something new and exciting to keep your taste buds guessing.
Nicotine or Tobacco-Free Nicotine
One of the most significant changes that the FDA made in vape juice was the elimination of tobacco-derived nicotine. Traditional nicotine is harvested from tobacco and is added to vape juice to deliver a satisfying throat hit. Nicotine strengths are widely varied, but the most common nicotine content is 0mg, 3mg, and 6mg for freebase nicotine, and 25mg, 35mg, and 50mg for nicotine salts.
To circumvent this ruling, vape companies incorporated tobacco-free nicotine into their vape juice, derived from vegetables of the nightshade family. Tomatoes, eggplants, potatoes, and other vegetables naturally contain small amounts of nicotine, carefully extracted and used in TFN (tobacco-free nicotine) and synthetic nicotine e-liquids.
Many users report that the throat hit from e-liquids that contain TFN and synthetic nicotine is smoother and less overpowering. This allows the user to enjoy the full flavor of the e-liquid without launching into fits of coughing or experiencing a sharp throat hit with each puff.
Potentially Unsafe Ingredients
When people began to get seriously ill from harmful additives in their e-liquid, they developed a severe lung illness dubbed EVALI. The term EVALI is an acronym that stands for “e-cigarette or vaping use-associated lung injury” and was previously called VAPI, short for “vaping associated pulmonary illness.”
Vitamin E acetate was the first chemical associated with this deadly disease. Still, as more research is conducted in the vaping world, we may learn about other vape juice ingredients to avoid.
Vitamin E Acetate
While Vitamin E acetate isn’t dangerous when consumed in foods, it can be hazardous when vaporized and inhaled. Vitamin E acetate is not traditionally used in e-liquids for this very reason. Still, you should always scan the ingredients list in your e-liquid before buying a new e-liquid. You should also check each bottle of e-liquid you currently have to confirm this dangerous additive is not listed.
You should never add any ingredient to your vape juice, whether it be vitamin E, THC, or liquid nicotine. Vape manufacturers have carefully curated their vape juices to be ready for consumption as is. If you are unhappy with the flavor you currently have, consider giving it to a fellow vaper or throwing it out completely.
Vape juice ingredients should not be tampered with, no matter how experienced you are. If you prefer to curate your vape juice from scratch, be mindful only to use high-quality vape juice ingredients that come from premium companies.
How to Choose the Right Vape
Vaping has been a beneficial tool for smoker cessation amongst users who have been trying to decrease their nicotine consumption, either gradually or outright.
Choosing the right vape to take into consideration your flavor and nicotine strength preferences only after you have verified that your vape does not contain any of the harmful ingredients listed discussed above. Never buy a black market or from a company that doesn’t list their vape juice ingredients.
Here at Dollar Juice Club, we pride ourselves on using the finest ingredients at some of the lowest prices on the market, perfect for users on a budget or looking to stock up. Check out our exquisite collection of ripe fruits, creamy desserts, satisfying tobaccos, icy menthols, and so much more!