Basic FAQ about Vaping

Questions.. Decisions... What shall we do?!?

New to vaping, have tons of questions?

An introduction into vaping can be a big and confusing process. When I first heard of these so called mechanical devices, my brain was overloaded with questions! What was so impressive about a device that produced water vapor? At first glance, I didn’t think much of mods, but as I learned more about them, I became intrigued! Although,  I have never in my life been a tobacco smoker, I was a disadvantage when I tried to understand the ideology behind vaping. So I engaged in numerous discussions with experienced vapers, gathering as much information as I could via internet (although there wasn't nearly as much info back then as there is now), finally purchasing a mod and taking on a vaping life.

And I haven't looked back since....that was years ago. 4 years to be exact, that I have worked in the retail vaping industry and in that time span I have had to answer all sorts of newbie questions (yes I said newbie). Not to pin point newbies, but that is where all the questions begin-with being new. =) I’m not here to bore you with all of them because yes, they can be quite boring, so I’ll mention some of the most informative questions newbie vapers like to ask.

 Q: What is an e-cig?

          An E-cigarette is a battery powered device which is used as a vaporizer to simulate smoking and to receive the same sensation without the harmful toxins found in traditional tobacco products.

Q: Will vaping help me quit smoking or does it work?

        There is ongoing controversy regarding the effectiveness of E-cigs to a smoker's health. Despite studies that perpetuate vaping as the smoking alternative, the politics involved denounce the relevancy of these arguments. I, on the other hand, believe that it works and that solely is my opinion . I have had customers come to me and say they started vaping for fun, as a hobby, still smoking cigarettes on a daily basis and over time have unconsciously weaned themselves off of cigarettes. I believe that if you are truly dedicated to quitting the analogs, vaping would be the most effective way to achieve that goal....slowly but surely.

Q: Which kit is right for me?

          Most stores would probably start you off with a simple ego kit that is easy to use and maintain. But if you feel that you are set and are convinced that you will stick with vaping what I recommend is, as they say “Go big or go home”. Meaning you should consider getting a more advanced device so you're not constantly spending money to upgrade. This is supposed to be more enjoyable than a task. Do what fits you!

Q: What type of e-juice should I start with?

          Most beginner vapers are trying to quit smoking so what I recommend to keep the vaper enticed and motivated is to start off with a cigarette/tobacco tasting flavor and then manipulate it however you want your flavor to taste from there.You could also visit a local vape shop and sample the flavors they have in stock, because at the end of the day it is all about YOUR preferences-what you like. 

Q: What is PG and VG?

          PG and VG are two components or ingredients that makes up the mixture of e-juice. PG (Propylene Glycol) is uniquely thin and gives a harsher throat hit on the inhale and some people say it hints more flavor. VG (Vegetable Glycerin) is a much thicker fluid which produces more visible vapor on the exhale. The vaping industry is leaning more on the VG side nowadays, in regards to flavors. Max VG Juice lines are showing up everywhere..so don't be afraid to become a Cloud Chaser!

Q: How do I know which nicotine level to start off with?

          It really varies on how much you smoke cigarettes. The more cigarettes you smoke, the higher your nicotine strength. Some start off at 12mg and work their way down. Others start at 18mg.  I suggest you sample different strengths to gauge your tolerance. Final E-juice comes in a variety of strengths (3mg, 6mg,12mg,18mg, 24 mg,) and the list goes on.    

Now if you are ready to branch out and make your own juice please hit us up for all of your DIY juice, concentrated flavors, bottles, glassware, and safety garments needs. Let our experts help you create your own unique flavor. If you have more questions for your vaping needs we can also help you there! Remember to let this be an enjoyable adventure...so have fun and vape on my comrades!

   By: A. Vapebella-Operations Specialist at RTS Vapes

Some of my Favorite Concentrated Flavors

              Today we are going to talk about concentrated flavors and some of my favorites. As we all know, each flavor is going to differ from manufacturer to manufacturer. However, what some people do not know (or sometimes understand) is that a flavor from the same manufacturer will differ from batch to batch as well. Maybe they added a little less citric acid and a little more sucralose to a particular batch of your favorite lemon flavor. If you receive that specific batch then the normal lemon flavor with a bite that you are used will be more subtle and a little sweeter than usual. These changes are not always a result of error in manufacturing the flavor, but the manufacturer changing the recipe. All of these factors will play a part in the same flavor from batch to batch having a different smell, taste, and/or color.

              

               When it comes to color, this can be largely impacted by the manufacturers’ use of synthetic chemical that may naturally exist in the fruit, spice, etc. or their use of synthetic chemicals that simply mimic those flavors or natural extracts directly from the flavor that they are trying to develop. For example, most artificial (synthetic) strawberry flavors are typically a light pink to clear, but a natural extract from real strawberries has a deep red color (unless they filter the color out through a charcoal filtering or similar process).

                Now that we have cover some things related to concentrated flavor consistency, let’s talk about some of my favorite flavors. My favorite types of flavors are:

1. Peanut Butter

2. Bananas

3. Strawberry

4. Custards

5. Cereals

Hands down the best peanut butter flavor out there is Capella’s Peanut Butter if you are looking for the flavor to really stand out in your e-liquid. If you are looking for something a little more subtle then check out the peanut butter from The Flavor Apprentice (TFA).

For banana flavors, the first one that I tried was the Banana Cream from TFA and I never tried another one because I was hooked.

When it comes to strawberry flavors it really depends on what I’m looking for in my e-liquid. If I’m going for something sweet I go straight for the Sweet Strawberry from Capella, for something creamy I go for the Strawberries and Cream from TFA, and if I looking for a nice subtle flavor I use Strawberry (Ripe) from TFA.

I thought once upon a time that I would never find a vanilla custard as good as the one from Capella until TFA released theirs. It’s hard for me to really say one of them is better than the other because they are very comparable. I will say that I prefer the smell of the Vanilla Custard from TFA more.

Lastly, when it comes to cereal type flavors I believe there are only four worth mentioning. The Berry Crunch and Fruit Circles from TFA, and Apple Jacks and Captain Crunch from Flavor West.

I will leave you with this, remember that no two flavors or batches will be exactly the same and when it comes to finding a great (insert here) flavor is to try all the different options from each manufacturer because flavor are 100% subject to personal opinion.

By: Joshua Sheffield, Chemist/MIT

The Birth of a VG Queen

Greetings Vape World,

This is my first ever blog post, so allow me to introduce myself.

I am Monique: A baby vaptriss, 3 weeks old.

My first and only mod being a generous gift from RTS: a 50 W istick E-leaf with an aspire sub ohm tank.  As I opened the box to set her up (yes I gave my mod a gender lol) a surge of excitement filled my being. This was the Genesis of something beautiful….

For 27 years, my only experience with analogs accompanied a social setting and a couple of strong drinks that dragged me outside to bum a cig from one my friends. Upon inhale I could feel the toxins coursing my veins, making my blood cold and my head light. Even in the fresh air, the pungent smell of cancer sticks lingered on my hands as I continued in celebratory fashion to turn up. The next morning would always remind me that compromising with carcinogens was psychologically repulsive. Feeling as incongruous on the inside as I smelt on the outside. But how else could I sate my unbeknownst oral fixation within reason? I was in need of an alternative….but what?

I was aware of e-cigs like Blue and Vuse, but never felt inclined to purchase one myself. So life went on in this want/hate cycle until I was employed at RTS Vapes. Hence my conception into the vape world. The moment I saw our CEO, Randy, vape in a production meeting, I knew I had found what I had been missing.

Having an awesome opportunity to learn about vape culture via blogs and forums, hearing testimonials from customers and colleagues about how vaping has benefited their lives, viewing tutorials on different mods, rebuilds, cloud tricks, DIY E-liquids and vape shows. The more exposed that I became to vaping, the more I love and appreciate it as a worthy adversary to smoking. 

Submitted by Monique Miller, Executive Assistant

Base Basics

Are you a newbie to the DIY e-liquid community? Have you ever struggled with deciding what Propylene Glycol (PG) / Vegetable Glycerin (VG) ratio to choose? Well you’re in luck because that is what we’re going to talk about in this post.

            

One of the hardest thing to decide on when making e-juice, is deciding what PG/VG ratio to use. There are many things to consider when making this decision such as your preference on throat hit, how well you want the flavor to carry, and what type of device you are rocking. Let’s talk first about how PG and VG will affect your e-juice.

PG has three effects on your e-juice; it carries flavors extremely well because it is the carrier of almost every concentrated flavor on the market. It decreases vapor production and enhances throat hit which can be seen as a positive or negative depending on your preference. Lastly, it makes e-juice thinner due to its low viscosity.

VG has the opposite effect of PG. It does not carry flavors as well as PG, increases vapor production, it has little to no throat hit, and it has a thickness similar to that of honey.

The type of mod you are using will also help determine what PG/VG ratio to use. If you are using an EGO pen, you probably want to start with a 50/50, PG/VG mixture so that the liquid will wick well enough to not get a dry hit. Then you want to consider your preferences such as throat hit. If you want a harder throat hit then you can go up to a 60/40 or 70/30, PG/VG ratio, if you want a slightly less throat hit then you could use a 40/60, PG/VG ratio (I would not advise using a higher VG percentage than that in a pen).

   

If you are using a box or mech mod with a dripper and your coils are built to sub-Ohm then you will want to use an 20/80, PG/VG mixture or a max VG (meaning the only PG in the e-liquid comes from the concentrated flavors used). There is some room to increase the PG content for your preferences, but remember that with a setup like that even a small increase in PG will have a substantial effect in the throat hit you receive.

   

If you swap out the dripper for a tank or a sub-Ohm tank, there is a larger range to play with from a 60/40, PG/VG mixture up to a max VG e-juice. You just have to consider your preferences and adjust PG and VG until you find a ratio that meets your needs for flavor, vapor density, and throat hit.

Lastly, a couple things to remember when deciding on your mixture. Concentrated flavors count towards your PG percentage. So if you are wanting to make an e-liquid at 20/80, PG/VG and your flavors add up to 25% you need to increase your PG to make a 25/75 mixture. This also goes for the nicotine that you are using to make your e-liquid. If you are making a max VG e-juice then your nicotine must be VG based in order to truly be a max VG juice.

I hope this information helps you on your way to finding that perfect PG/VG ratio for yourself. Please post any questions or comments below.

Joshua Sheffield, Chemist

Vape In Style

Vape In Style

   Today’s modern vaporizers are all about fashion and making a statement; whether it’s a bold statement or a simple one. I personally like the smaller mods that fit perfectly in my hand for ease of carrying around and it’s not such a hassle. So here are the steps I tend to take to Vape in Style!

   First, I like to select the type and size of mod I would like. Whether it’s a digital wattage mod (which allows you to choose what level of voltage or wattage you would like it to be), mechanical mod (where gives out one certain voltage depending on what amp the battery you insert is), and then we have your average stick battery which can range from 1100 or 1300mah, so it is a lot to choose from to suit anyone taste.

   Second, I of course pick a great color that suits and fit me in that particular mod. (Most of the time I try to pick a mod that comes in multiple colors because I am just a colorful chick.)

   Thirdly, if that mod doesn’t come with a tank I try to get a neutral color such as stainless or a black top piece to suit the mod. Tanks also come in various options such as Clearomizers, cartomizers, RDA’s, or my favorite sub ohm tanks J.

   And lastly, my favorite part, choosing your drip tip for your tank. There are so many options for drip tips to different textures, colors, shapes, and material. I tend to stay with an acrylic material because I don’t like the metal feeling on my teeth and then of course I try to match it as best as possible to my mod.

   You can also get all sorts of skins for your mod to even go a step further into customizing and to make it even more personal. Here is a picture of my vape and how I vape in style!

This is a picture of the eleaf 30w with a mini sub tank and a cherry vape drip tip. I can’t wait to receive my blue band seals to switch out in the tank!

    So you have this pretty big mouth piece that’s definitely a conversation starter. And it is pretty obviously that I am partial to the color blue. Flaunt your style and let your personality show through your vape.

If you post a picture of your style we will definitely send you a coupon for your next order, how about that! Show us what you’re working with! I cannot wait to see all the styles!

Submitted by: April, Operations Specialist 

Vaping Trivia

You may be surprised to learn how early the concepts of vaping started and how far it has come since then.  This quiz will test your general knowledge about vaping and the history of vaping itself. 

The first person to comment below with all of the correct answers will receive a store credit for $10.00 off of their next order with RTS Vapes.

1.      In 1963, ­­­­_________________ patented a device he described as "a smokeless non-tobacco cigarette" that could "provide a safe and harmless means for and method of smoking by replacing burning tobacco and paper with heated, moist, flavored air."  Though it was a great idea, the devices never took off and became popular.

2.      Some years later in, ­­­­______ (year), a Chinese pharmacist named Hon Lik invented the first nicotine-based digital cigarette.

3.      True or False?  Vegetable Glycerin can only be manufactured with a soy base.

4.      ­­­­___________ is the flavored liquid that will be heated to produce the vapor you inhale. There are hundreds of flavors to choose from

5.      True or False?  When vaping, nicotine is optional.

6.      What is the part of the ecig that delivers eLiquid to the coil? Typically made of silica, mesh, cotton and sometime ceramic.

7.      What is the metal piece that attaches to the battery? It also houses the wick and coil, and is the part that is responsible for heating eLiquid to the point of vaporization.

8.      Electronic cigarettes were not able to be purchased in the United States until what year?

9.        True or False?  Smokers of the electronic cigarettes refer to themselves as “vapers”.

10.    A ______ is where the liquid is stored. It attaches to the battery and uses a wick system to carry the juice to the coil.

11.  A ________ is where you inhale from. It attaches to the top of the tank.

12.  True or False?  Propylene Glycol makes the perfect base for vapers who love a thicker and higher density vapor cloud. It is easier on your throat which means it delivers less throat hit.

Bonus Question

13. Who is the best distributor of Do-It-Yourself E-Liquid supplies? J

Thank you in advance to all those who have participated in this trivia contest.  We hope that you learned something new about vaping and the history of the electronic cigarette.  Best of luck and vape on!

Submitted by:

Kelsie Davis, Customer Service Representative 

Vaping Glossary

Vaping Glossary

       The Vaping Industry is such an exciting and relatively new field that is unlike anything before it. We are a community of people with a specific interest, knowledge, and lingo. I know that when I was introduced to vaping the terminology was like another language to me. Words like atomizer, dripper, coil, and mod had me feeling like my head was in the clouds (pun intended). However, after working in the industry and vaping for over a year I have become more confident in my vape knowledge. Those of you who are new to vaping, you are the inspiration for this post. The following is a glossary of terms that are commonly used in the industry.

A

Adjustable Airflow: This refers to the part on your tank that allows for more or less air to be received while vaping. Adjusting this piece results in more or less vapor. Additionally, the more air you allow the cooler the vapor will feel.

All Day Vape: The eJuice that is your go to. You can vape it all day and not get tired of it.

Amperage (Amps): A measurement of electrical current that is delivered through the system.

Analog: A term used to reference traditional cigarettes.

Atomizer (Atty): This is the metal piece that attaches to the battery. It also houses the wick and coil. It is the part that is responsible for heating eLiquid to the point of vaporization.

Automatic: A type of electronic cigarette that does not require a button to active that heating element. This type of ecig is activated when the vaper draws on the mouthpiece.

B

Battery: Provides power to active the heating element. There are two types: Manual, which requires a button to active whereas Automatic batteries are activated upon inhalation.

Box Mod: Any APV or PV that is box shaped and comes in a variety of wattage selections. (10-100+ watts).

Brick and Mortar: Any physical store that provides eLiquid, eCig and eCig accessories

Bridge: Metal piece in anatomizer that wicks the eLiquid from the cartridge.

BT: Slang or abbreviated term referencing big tobacco companies.

C

Cartridge: Plastic or metal piece that contains absorbent material that holds eJuice.

Cartomizer: A device which holds eLiquids and is typically made of poly-fill surrounding a type of absorbent material. They are a combination of disposable cartridges and atomizers. There are single and double coil cartomizers. Double coil cartos produce more vapor.

CASSA:  Consumer Advocacy for Smoke-Free Alternatives Association is nonprofit organization that campaigns for the rights of eCigarette users.

Cig-A-Like: Any PV that has the look of an analog cigarette.

Clearomizer: A clear version of a cartomizer which allows the user to see the amount of eLiquid they have in the device

Clouds:  The vapor that is exhaled after hitting an eCigarette

Coil:  The part of an eCig that is made from metal wire and vaporizes the eLiquid by creating an electrical circuit

Coil Winder: A tool used to make your own coils

Connection: The connection that allows you to connect your atomizer, clearomizer, or cartomizer

Custom Build: Any device that was handmade from parts that were not originally made for vaping purposes

Cut-off: Safety feature that interrupts a drag if it is too long. This prevents the atomizer from overheating

D

Dewick: Removing a wick from an atomizer

Disposables: eCigarettes that are designed to be used and then discarded

DIY: Term used to reference “Do-It-Yourself” which applies to those who make their own eJuice

Doubler: A double-strength flavor that increases the flavor in mixes that are 50/50 based or max VG which can decrease the amount of flavor produced in a final eJuice

Drip: To drip eLiquid directly into the atomizer chamber. This results in a lot of flavor and vapor

Dry Hit: An unpleasant sensation and taste that happens when the wick is not saturated with eJuice

E

eCig Accessories: Products that enhance your vaping experience such as batteries, cases, chargers, etc

eLiquid: The solution that is vaporized which consists of Vegetable Glycerin, Propylene Glycol, and/or Liquid Nicotine, and flavor concentrates.

F

Filler Material: The absorbent material inside a cartridge that holds liquid inside the cartridge and insures that flooding does not occur

Flooding: Occurs when there is too much eLiquid in the atomizer

G

Goose Neck: A long flexible extension for you PV

H

Heat Steeping: The process of accelerating the steeping process by placing eLiquid in hot water or any hot environment

High Resistance: An atomizer/cartomizer with a higher Ohm rating which results in the ability to apply a higher voltage to the coil

HV: High Voltage device which means it operates above the standard 3.7 volts

J

Juice: Or eJuice/eLiquid

K

Knuckle Head: A short adjustable mouth piece that can be placed at any desired angle

L

Leaking: Occurs when eJuice leaks out of the atomizer and potentially onto the battery which can cause damage to the device

Low Resistance: A device with a low Ohm rating

M

mA: A measurement (1/1000th of an Amp) that is typically used to reference the output of a charger

Macro Coil: Large coils that increase vapor production

mAh: An abbreviation for Millampere per hour which refers to the energy that a battery can hold before being recharged

Manual: An eCig that operates when a button is activated

Manual Shut-off: A feature that allows the user to shut off their device usually by click the button a certain number of times which allows for safer transport

Mechanical Mod: A device that does not have wiring. Simply a battery with a connection for the tank of your choosing

Mg Strength: Refers to the amount of nicotine in an eLiquid. Measured as mg/ml

Milliliters: The amount of liquid in a given bottle

N

Nicotine Liquid: Liquid form of nicotine use in eJuice

No Resistance Wire: Conductive wire used in RBAs to complete a circuit. This wire does not heat up

O

Ohm: The measurement of electrical resistance. The lower the number the lower the resistance which means faster heating

Organic Cotton: Absorbent cotton used in devices. The organic cottons tend to last longer than alternatives

P

Passthrough: A device that plugs into a USB port which allows the user to vape while charging and eliminates battery life concerns

Pen Style: A style of eCig that resembles a ballpoint pen

Personal Vaporizer (PV): Another term for Electronic Cigarette

Propylene Glycol: A major component in eJuice

Priming: The process of preparing a fresh wick by dropping eLiquid directly onto the absorbent material in an effort to avoid a dry hit

R

Rayon: A synthetic alternative to cotton, ceramic, and stainless steel wicks

RBA: Rebuildable atomizer

RDA: Rebuildable dripping atomizer

RDTA: Rebuildable dripping tank atomizer

RTA: Rebuildable tank atomizer

Resistance: References the measurement of ohms which allows you to conclude the proper amount of voltage to apply in an effort to result in the best wattage possible

S

Sensor: The device of an eCig that detects when a user has taken a drag

Silica: Material with a very high melting point that is used for building wicks

Standard Resistance: For a cartomizer the standard resistance is about 3.0 ohm and 2.5 ohm for an atomizer

Starter Kit: A vaper’s beginner kit. Usually includes battery, charger, atomizer, and cartridges

Steeping: The process of letting your eLiquid sit in order to develop maximize flavor. This practice is typically more used for high VG percentage

Sub-Ohming: Advanced vaping practice which increases the battery power and reducing the ohms of the coil to achieve massive cloud output

T

Tank: A special cartridge that holds more liquid than most cartomizers or some atomizers which can contain a filler

Throat Hit:  The sensation that a vaper experiences when vapor hits their throat. Those who enjoy this sensation are typically mimicking the feeling of hitting a traditional cigarette

Topper: Any device that attaches to a battery

U

USB Charger: A battery charger that is compatible with any USB port

V

Vaper: The given name that refers to a user of electronic cigarettes

Vaper’s Tongue: Vaping so much that your mouth becomes dry or vaping one flavor so much that your taste buds become desensitized to the taste

Vegetable Glycerin: Common ingredient in eJuice which is usually soy or palm based

Voltage: Amount of energy that creates wattage when paired with resistance

Variable Voltage (VV): Any PV, APV, or Mod that allows the user to control the voltage output of the device

Variable Wattage (VW): Any device that allows the user to control the wattage output

W

Wattage: The amount of heat that the atomizer coil uses to vaporize the eLiquid

Wick: The part of the ecig that delivers eLiquid to the coil. Wicks are typically made of silica, mesh, cotton and sometime ceramic.

       So there you have it! Who knew there were so many terms exclusive to the vape industry? I hope that this glossary has proven to be a useful tool and has helped build your knowledge of the vape lingo. Vaping can seem a little overwhelming but you just have to dive in. There are so many resources and knowledgeable people in this field. Please feel free to like, comment, and share some vaping terms that I may not have included


Written by: Bethany Stinar, Sales Representative

The Unwarranted Fearmongering That Surrounds E-Cigarette Use

*RTS Vapes does not offer any medical advice. This is an opinion based post

Just the other day I was looking for some e-cigarette studies to read, and first search result from Google was a recently updated post from the American Lung Association®. The title of this post “American Lung Association Statement on E-Cigarettes”, I was intrigued. I began reading and the more I read, the more aggravated I became. While some of the statements cannot be refuted, the lack of any data being provided and zero references given immediately turned me off to the post. So I resumed my hunt for a peer-reviewed, scholarly work (the only kind recognized in the scientific community). The next article I came across was a review article in the Journal for Therapeutic Advances in Drug Safety titled “Safety evaluation and risk assessment of electronic cigarettes as tobacco cigarette substitutes: a systematic review” written by Konstantinos E. Farsalinos and Riccardo Polosa. This is a very thorough review published in April 2014 that goes into length about the article selection process for articles that were included in the review. It has everything that a good article should from analytical data to over one hundred references. In this post I will touch on just a few of the points from the review regarding the safety of e-cigarette use.

In 2013 the World Health Organization stated that there are nearly 6 million deaths annually as a direct result of tobacco cigarette use, with a predicted death toll of 1 billion in the 21^st century. A 1992 report from the EPA revealed that a conventional cigarette contains more than 4000 chemicals and carcinogens present in the smoke emitted. Then in 1993 a study by Pryor and Stone revealed that each puff from a cigarette contained more than 1 x 10¹⁵ free radicals. If you are having trouble visualizing what that number looks like, let me help: 1,000,000,000,000,000. One fallacy that is being promoted by Big Tobacco and physicians is that nicotine is a carcinogen. According to the World Health Organization – International Agency for Research on Cancer in 2004, nicotine is not classified as a carcinogen and does not promote lung disease. Nicotine intake through Nicotine Replacement Therapies (NRTs) has been demonized in the eye of the public by the media, even though it has been shown that nicotine intake may have beneficial effects in treating some disorders. Studies that have shown this beneficial effect are:

Disease Studied	Author(s)	Year the Study was Published
Parkinson’s	Nielsen et al.	2013
Depression	McClernon et al.	2006
Dementia	Sahakian et. al.	1989
ulcerative Colitis	Guslandi	1999

Another public fear is that electronic cigarette users will overdose on nicotine. This very unlikely for vapers since three different studies by Farsalinos et al. 2013, Nides et al. 2014, and Dawkins and Corcoran 2013 have all shown that the amount consumed and actually absorbed is quite low. In 2013 a study done by Etter et al. tested 20 e-liquids and found that the actual nicotine levels were off by about 20 % above and below the labeled amount. I believe the root of this problem goes back to some nicotine suppliers not testing the strength of the nicotine that they are selling to the customer to ensure accuracy and quality. That is why here at RTS Vapes we test every batch of flavorless liquid nicotine before the product is bottled to ensure that it meets the US Standard for Weights and Measures. With that said, this goes back to the studies mentioned before that it is unlikely to overdose because vapers much like smokers self-titrate their nicotine intake. For example I vape all day at 3 mg/mL, but if someone gives me a bottle that is 6 mg/mL I notice that I do not pick up my mod as much throughout the day.

Going back to the post that sparked this blog post, they talk about tobacco-specific nitrosamines (TSNAs), formaldehyde, and benzene trying to scare the public without even giving a reference. A study done by Cahn and Siegel in 2011 reported that the amount of TSNAs were similar to those found in pharmaceutical NRTs. The best study done on TSNAs in e-liquids was performed by Kim and Shin in 2013. They evaluated 105 liquids and found that on average the liquids contained 12.00 ηg/mL. The daily exposure to these chemicals by smokers (with an average of 15 cigarettes per day) is estimated to be up to 1800 times higher when compared to e-cigarette users.

There is so much more information in the article that I cannot relay in a blog post, so please give the article a read and post in the comments below with your thoughts or questions.

By: Joshua Sheffield, Chemist at RTS Vapes

*RTS Vapes does not offer any medical advice. This is an opinion based post

Vaping Etiquette

     Finally! It’s Friday, I’m off work, and I am walking into one of my favorite Happy Hour location to meet up with some friends for a drink. I love this bar because they have great food, drinks, and most of all they are Vaping friendly. I know their policy because I asked on one of my first visits. So there I am, listening to one of my friends talk about their week at work as I take a pull from my gold colored xPro M36. Suddenly, I hear, “Um excuse me!” I turn to the woman to my left who is clearly irritated. Once she has my full attention she says to me “Don’t you know you can’t smoke in here?!” At first, I am caught off guard but my mind quickly recovers and is coming up with many responses to this woman’s rhetorical question.  I decide to take the high road and simply say “I apologize if my vapor bothered you. This bar does not have a ban on indoor vaping but I will respect your space and I’ll vape outside”. This encounter from my weekend provoked a lot of thought about the perception of public vaping.

     Just a few weeks before this exchange I was at another watering hole and I was vaping outside while some of my friends were smoking analogs. A group of nearby smokers started inquiring about my mod, eJuice, and general vaping questions. I informed them that I worked in the industry and actually made my eJuice myself using the products that we sell at RTS Vapes. They asked for my business cards and a few have since contacted me to place an order. I found it perplexing that I had two completely different reactions about my public vaping. However, the more I thought about it I began realizing that there really is an etiquette that should be practiced when vaping.

     I think one of the main reasons I had varied responses was because in the first situation I was vaping indoors. I believe that one should always ask both the establishment and those nearby if they mind if you vape. Although the establishment may not have an issue with vaping indoors it is polite to take an individual’s concerns into consideration especially while in a restaurant or bar. You see, your Fruit Fusion Fantasy eLiquid may taste and smell great to you but the person next to you who is enjoying a Ribeye may not find the two to be a pleasurable combination. 

     Another polite gesture is to be conscientious of where and how you blow your clouds. A public place is generally not a stage for an impromptu cloud competition. Try to take small drags off your ecig to reduce the amount of vapor that is exhaled. Also, when you are in a crowded place or talking to someone direct your cloud downwards or to the side to avoid blowing vapor in someone’s face.

     Be polite but be informative. If someone addresses your vaping as harmful or concerning this is your opportunity to share your knowledge about the benefits of vaping. This industry is still very new but research so far has indicated that there are not health risks associated with second hand vapor or even first hand for that matter. Ultimately there are enough naysayers who already have their opinions about the industry. By being respectful and practicing vape etiquette we are able to show those who may be opposed that Vapers are an informed, polite community who are dedicated to a healthy alternative to smoking. 

By: Bethany Stinar, Sales Representative

Trade Show Trailblazing

Trade Show Trailblazing

For a little over a year I have been fortunate enough to be a part of a booming and exciting industry. The variety of products, the energy, and the success of a young generation in a new industry are a few of the reasons why I love my job. I have had the opportunity to experience events that bring all of these factors under one roof. The experience, knowledge, connections and opportunity that come from traveling to tradeshows for the vaping community has been invaluable.

This year my sales team and I have traveled to Las Vegas, Miami, Chicago, Houston, Chattanooga, Phoenix, and Winston-Salem for industry tradeshows. Each show has had its own unique atmosphere. Houston and Chattanooga had car shows in the same venue which was unexpected but it brought group of people to the shows which may not have come on their own. Every show has a number of giveaways which is a great way for companies to get their name out there to people who may not have previously known about them or purchased their products. There was a “cloud competition” at every show which provides an interactive way to get everyone at the show involved and excited. These venues are packed with aisles upon aisles of vendor booths. Each booth is different from the one before it. Seeing the hard work, dedication, money, and creativity that each company pours into these events is evident as you make your way through the crowd. Also, seeing an entire convention center filled with vapor clouds is quite the sight.

As the Customer Service Representative my favorite aspect has always been getting to meet our existing customers. Because we are an online vendor our methods of communication are limited to phone and email. Getting to meet customers face to face that I have spoken to numerous times was truly a once in a lifetime experience. When we met with these customers we were able to see first-hand how our company has helped their business grow as well as where we may be able to do more business with them. Many of us even met up after the shows for dinner to talk about how to gain more business from each other. Another amazing experience was being at the shows and being approached by people who said “RTS Vapes! I love you guys” or “I order from you all the time”. Being recognized at these events speaks volumes for our company.

I was able to fine tune my sales abilities and build my confidence at this year’s trade shows. Traveling with experienced sales people was certainly to my advantage. At the first few shows I was in the background watching the senior sales staff as they gained new customers and by the last show I was taking the reins on many potential customers. After each show we began following up with our leads and there is no doubt that our presence at these trade shows was not only an amazing experience but beneficial for the company.

Thanks to the company and industry I work with I have been given life skills and unforgettable opportunities that I will carry with me wherever I go. If your company has been on the fence about what you will gain from attending trade shows I hope that this entry has provided some insight into how invaluable the experience is. For a more personal look into RTS Vapes’ tradeshow travels follow us on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, LinkedIn, Google+ and Instagram! 

Using Quality RTS Vapes Products in Creating a Two-Flavor Vape Juice

One of the best things about vaping and e-cigarettes, according to an informative RTS Vapes review, is the ability to mix your own e-juice. You can come up with a flavor that hits your throat sharply, or perhaps a fruity one, or simply one that closely mimics the sensation of smoking. You can experiment with various flavors and in the process create a simple two flavor e-juice.

Imagine savoring two flavors at once, like the sweet and tangy essences of strawberries and apples swirling around your palate. Though this might seem complicated, mixing your own two-flavor juice can be easy enough with the right ingredients.

What You Need

In mixing your own two-flavor juice, you’ll need the usual ingredients, namely propylene glycol (PG), vegetable glycerin (VG), and 100mg nicotine base. Identify the two flavors you want to combine, say a strawberry and an apple flavor base. For highly-satisfying results, use nothing less than quality RTS Vapes products.

Don’t forget to use safety tools and gear when making your own vape juice, such as nitrile gloves and safety glasses; and the necessary measuring equipment, including a 10ml dropper bottle, a beaker, a measuring cylinder, and syringes (for more accurate measurements).

What to Do

Before actually mixing your ingredients, use an e-juice calculator (you can find a lot of them online) to determine the exact measurements you’ll need. You’ll have to enter the base strength of your nicotine (100mg), then your preferred nicotine strength (say 18mg) and the amount of juice you plan on making, for example 10ml. You will also be asked to input the percentages for flavors, then set the PG/VG ratio (you can play it safe and opt for 50/50). The calculator will then generate the ideal measurements for you to follow.

Combine the two flavors, PG, and VG in a measuring bottle. Fill 3/4 of the measuring cup with water then place it on the microwave until it boils. Take the water out of the microwave, place a dropper on the measuring bottle with the flavor mixture, then leave the bottle on the measuring cup with the hot water for about 10 minutes. This will change the VG’s thickness for better mixing with other ingredients. When the 10 minutes have lapsed, pour out the hot water, take the measuring bottle with the flavor mixture, and let it cool for another 10 minutes. You may then proceed to add the nicotine.

Cover and shake the bottle, then let it stand for another 10 minutes. Do this repeatedly for an hour to ensure the ingredients are mixed well before trying it with your vape. You can add more of the flavors to suit your taste.

My First Day as a Vaper

My First Day as a Vaper:

By: Bethany Stinar, RTS Vapes Sr. Customer Service Representative

                As the title suggests, this blog is about my first day as a vaper but let me begin by telling you about my life as a smoker. Not even a year ago I was smoking nearly a pack a day. Despite being only 25 years old my nasty habit left me feeling more than twice my age. Walking up a flight of stairs was a chore that left me out of breath. My car, clothes, hair and skin smelled like an ashtray. Anytime I was under the weather it took me twice as long to recover because of smoking cigarettes. Of course I wanted to quit and even succeeded for about 4 months. Ultimately stress took me back to the habit and I couldn’t find anything to help me quit for good until July of 2014.
                At the end of June I was offered a job here with RTS Vapes as the Customer Service Representative. Although I had some customer service experience my knowledge of the vaping industry was pretty much nonexistent. However, I was up for a change of pace and a challenge and I gladly accepted the job. After working with RTS for about a week I was learning more and more about vaping and I had even heard many customer testimonials about how vaping helped them quit. However, I was still set in my ways as a smoker. I was on one of my routine smoke breaks when one of my coworkers, an avid vaper, stepped out for some fresh air. We made some small talk and then he asked when I was going to purchase an ecig and start vaping. I replied honestly by stating that I hadn’t really thought about it. “What are your lunch plans today?” he asked. He immediately answered his own question by stating, “We are going to the vape shop to get you an ecig.”
                We walked into the store and I while I felt like a lost puppy, my coworker resembled a kid in a candy store. He was asking about items in the case in verbiage that sounded like Spanish to me at the time. Terms like “wattage”, “sub-ohm”, and “variable voltage” flew right over my head. My coworker must have sensed that I was feeling like I was in over my head because he told the shop employee that we were here to get me started with something simple. The man behind the counter recommended the eGo Starter Kit. My coworker agreed that it was a good product to start with. When we returned to the office he instructed me on how to fill my tank and adjust the voltage. I took my first hit off my eGo and that was it. It was a sensation that I did not expect. There was the hit in the back of my throat that gave me the sensation of smoking a cigarette without the smell. The taste, the smell, the vapor! Finally! I had found the resolution for my 7 year addiction.
                I would be lying if I told you that I quit cigarettes that same day. The first few weeks were a challenge. But nearly a pack a day turned into less than half. And then as the weeks went by I was able to get down to just 2 or 3 cigarettes a day. And now, 10 months later, I have completely kicked the habit. I have since added multiple mods to my collection and have even started making my own eJuice. I have also been able to reduce my nicotine level from 12 mg to 6mg.  I am extremely thankful for what the vaping industry has done for my personal and professional life. I get paid to be surrounded by the best support system in the world. My first day as a vaper is one that I will always remember. 

The Facts on E-Juice Suppliers

By Dillon Haraburd, RTS Vapes Director of Operations

           Strolling through a convenience store in 2015, the average person is almost guaranteed to witness at least a handful of individuals blowing massive clouds of vapor from electronic cigarette devices. This is a common scene today, but compared to a few years ago this is a drastic adjustment. As the e-cigarette and the e-cigarette community have evolved and prospered over the past few years, new products, flavors, e-juices and companies have come barging into the market head first. This massive influx in products and new companies has allowed electronic cigarette users of all experience levels the ability to become overwhelmed exploring countless websites, catalogs, trade shows and other forms of advertising in the pursuit of new mods, e-juices, and accessories. Just trying to keep up with the latest trends, devices, and e-juices can become a monumental task for any consumer, but one rarely stops to contemplate the origin of these new products.

The electronic cigarette industry, ECI for short, has ballooned at such a great pace, it is easy to understand why so many new companies are coming into the market. E-cigarettes, and especially e-juices, have such great margins of potential profit; the industry is inevitably attracting individuals more passionate about dollar bills rather than the quality of their products.  For an experienced e-cigarette user, spotting cheaper end mods and builds is not a very hard task to accomplish, but what will surprise even the most experienced vapor is the origin of the raw materials used to manufacture e-liquids.

While comparing and contrasting the differences between bottles of e-juice from separate manufacturers, it would be difficult for an individual to make the distinction between which is of higher and lower quality. The main reason for this is because once the raw materials are diluted down to a safe level for vaping, the variance between a high quality and low quality product is extremely hard to distinguish.

                The three main components that make up e-juice can be put into three basic categories; the first category being nicotine, second the base (Propylene Glycol or Vegetable Glycerin), and third being the concentrated flavoring. Of course, there are other chemicals and recipes out there that call for additional additives besides what I have listed above, but in my opinion these three categories cover the vast majority of e-juice suppliers.

                Propylene Glycol and Vegetable Glycerin come in a variety of grades. These different grades classify the liquid as either United States Pharmaceutical Grade (USP) or Food Grade (FG). While common knowledge would lead us to believe that since e-juice is going into our body, that Food Grade PG and VG is sufficient for E-Juice. This notion is INCORRECT! Because the Vegetable Glycerin and/or Propylene Glycol is being inhaled into the lungs, and not just ingested through the GI tract, the only classification that is safe for vaping is the United States Pharmaceutical Grade, or USP Grade. A great multitude of E-Juice suppliers and retail stores are resorting to using the Food Grade bases mainly because of the drastic difference in cost. For example, a 55 gallon drum of USP Grade Propylene Glycol can cost upwards of $800.00, while Food Grade Propylene Glycol can cost as little as $500.00. The best way to tell if your e-juice supplier or vendor is using USP Grade Vegetable Glycerin and Propylene Glycol is to ask them. A supplier using USP Grade will be happy to provide you with documentation showing that their VG and PG meets the USP standard.

                Concentrated Food Flavorings are what give E-Juice it great flavor. These concentrated flavors can be sourced from all over the world including Italy, China, Spain, Poland, and the USA. These flavors range in potency, price, and chemical composition depending upon the manufacturer. What is important to know is that some of the Concentrated Food Flavorings produced are safe to ingest, or eat, but NOT safe to inhale, or vape. Chemicals such as diacetyl are found in a great number of Concentrated Food Flavorings because the compounds give a distinctive buttery note that some people enjoy. These chemicals are regulated by the FDA and are safe to eat, but can cause a disease known as “Popcorn Lung” when inhaled, leading to shortness of breath and prolonged coughing. The disease is currently irreversible with modern day medicine. Unfortunately because of the great competition in the E-Juice industry, getting an E-Juice company to disclose the exact flavors it uses in its E-Juice recipes is nearly impossible. The good news is larger, more established E-Juice manufactures have taken the initiative to ban all flavors containing any harmful chemicals such as the one listed above. Just remember that if you are unsure about the E-Juice you are about to purchase, and the vendor will not disclose if the e-juice contains any harmful chemicals, do not purchase that particular e-juice. Instead, go to a more established, reliable retailer who is willing to disclose the Concentrated Flavoring in their E-Juice recipes.

                Liquid nicotine is the third major component used when making any E-Juice recipe. Since the beginning of the e-juice market, finding quality nicotine has been a serious challenge for e-juice suppliers. Good, pure, high quality pure liquid nicotine, or 999 mg, has a slight yellowish tint to it, and a slight odor. Unfortunately, Pure Liquid Nicotine also has an extremely short shelf life, and when exposed to oxygen, sunlight or heat it can turn dark brown in color and become impossible to use for vaping in just a few days’ time. Because pure liquid nicotine producers know that an e-juice company cannot use product that is not of high quality, some manufacturers are resorting to adding unsafe chemicals to their pure liquid nicotine to make the liquid appear clear and not turn brown and pungent over a short period of time. To ensure the company you purchase your e-juice from is only using pure liquid nicotine that is completely safe and free of these chemicals, do not hesitate to ask for a Chemical Analysis of the liquid nicotine. A Chemical Analysis will show the exact chemical make-up of the liquid nicotine. Also, be sure to check that the date of the Chemical Analysis is recent to ensure that the company is not just showing you a generic form.

                Overall, the vast majority of large e-juice producers are using high quality chemicals and following safe manufacturing procedures. Unfortunately, there are still companies in the e-juice market who are solely in it for the money, and will continue to use the absolute cheapest materials they can find in order to maximize profits. Just remember that ALL good e-juice suppliers will not hesitate to provide you with any documentation pertaining to the chemicals that make up their e-juice. Lastly, do not forget to do your own research, and do not always believe what a supplier is telling you without getting some form of documentation to back it up.