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.