E-Cig Use in California: Let’s be Unbiased, Shall We?

California E-Cig RegulationsThe popularity of electronic cigarettes has grown exponentially lately, and as a result, there is more talk than ever in the media regarding them. News on their effectiveness, what’s in them, how they are used, and who is using them are constant headlines, fueled by last week’s major focus on them on the subject of formaldehyde, it seems like right now everyone is talking about e-cigs.

Following the New England Journal of Medicine piece, (a biased and erroneous article) stating that electronic cigarette produce more formaldehyde than traditional cigarettes, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) issued a statement this week stating that all residents of California should abstain from using the products. Citing that formaldehyde, nicotine, and other toxins and chemicals are the foundation of this statement, they feel e-cigarettes are not a valid option to traditional smoking, and they are a public health risk.

Members of the electronic cigarette community are outraged, as it seems this is just another notch on the belt of California’s ongoing propaganda against smoking and electronic smoking. It is astounding that an entire state is willing to take a stand on the usage of a product millions have embraced, citing a lack of scientific evidence, without having any actual scientific evidence to back up their claims! It is immensely unfortunate that such a broad, biased statement could be implemented to the whole state of California’s residents, and not based on scientific research and factual information. Caution is understandable, but fear mongering and attempting to make “concerned” claims runs more along the lines of propaganda, and less about the actual, factual e-cigarette research.

Yes, they do highlight the fact that e-cigarettes contain nicotine, but what they do not focus on is that users have the option to have nicotine-free liquid, as well as the ability to choose the level they desire. Instead, the head of the CPDH, Ron Chapman, states the nicotine in e-cigarettes is as addictive as the nicotine in traditional cigarettes, and that is sufficient basis for users to abstain.

We are all for regulations that serve a purpose and make sense, such as in the case of age restrictions, and adults taking measures to keep their products out of the hands of minors, however on matters of public health, it is imperative to the public to be served accurate information. The future of vaping will surely be met many more times with cases such as this one, and as difficult as it is to face such harsh admonishing, we’ve come too far and made too much progress to back down.

Big Pharma Concerned About Electronic Cigarettes


Here at EverSmoke, we don’t promote our electronic cigarettes as a way to help quit smoking.  Nevertheless, we are pleased when someone considers us as an alternative to traditional cigarettes. But not everyone is happy about this…

Recently, a story emerged about how big pharma is getting very concerned over the fact that so many people are using electronic smoking alternatives instead of the traditional patches and gum to cease the habit.

An article on a popular e-cigarette blog states that Andrew Witty, a GlaxoSmithKline Representative, recently mentioned that his company was considering another type of smoking alternative to compete with electronic cigarettes. At one point, the company discussed inventing their own version of an electronic cigarette, but the idea was tabled for now until they are able to see what the future holds.

“Even with an abundance of evidence to suggest that e-cigs are the best avenue for smokers that want to quit,” Witty says electronic smoking remains too controversial, so GlaxoSmithKline will continue to offer traditional smoking cessation alternatives such as nicotine patches and gum.

However, many electronic cigarette manufacturers paint an entirely different picture of big pharma’s involvement in the growing electronic smoking movement than Witty suggests.

According to some, the real foe of electronic cigarettes isn’t Big Tobacco, but Big Pharma itself. As the Washington Examiner reported:

“No industry spends more on lobbying in the U.S. than the drug industry, and drugmakers’ agendas are often bigger government. Big Pharma’s shadow hangs over the rule-making [of e-cigs].”

Again, we at EverSmoke don’t promote our products as a way to kick the habit, but we do welcome you to consider our electronic cigarettes as an alternative to traditional cigarettes.

If you are looking for a change, check out our blog post titled Vape Your Way to Better Shape!  Also, feel free to browse our knowledge center for more info about the harmful effects of smoking, including 5 ways smoking affects your body.

E-Cigs are NOT Tobacco Products!

vapor-vs-smokeIt is always puzzling how lobbyists and lawmakers attempt to classify electronic cigarette as tobacco cigarettes. With so many cities around the US grouping e-cigarette use in with tobacco use, and prohibiting usage in many of the same places, vapers feel unfairly targeted.

Sure, there are similarities, but they are absolutely, inherently different. They were designed to serve as “alternatives” and have stayed true to that premise throughout all of the countless innovations and reinventions that have occurred.

Need to know exactly how e-cigs and traditional cigs differ? Keep reading!

-There is No Tobacco: They work with a liquid nicotine solution, flavor, and 0 tobacco! Yes, nicotine is derived from tobacco, but there is no actual tobacco whatsoever involved in e-cigarettes. The devices are either filled with liquid, or a cartridge filled with liquid is attached; no tobacco gets used in the process, in any way!

-E-Cigs are Reusable Devices: No tobacco means there’s no tobacco to roll into a paper cigarette. While basic e-cigs look like the real thing, they are made of aluminum and plastic! Entirely different!

-Vapor Isn’t Smoke: they look similar, wafting through the air in a viscous, alluring manner, but they’re totally different. Polar opposites, even. Smoke is a product of burning matter; vapor is the gaseous form of water. Vapor has no smell, it dissipates, and does not leave behind resinous tar like tobacco smoke does.

-Battery Powered, Not Fire-Powered: E-Cigarettes, regardless of which style or variety, are powered by battery. Traditional cigarettes are powered by fire. There’s a huge difference there! Further proof you won’t be subjected to combustion!

-No Crazy Additives in E-Cigs: Most e-cigarette brands are straightforward about what’s in them. E-Liquid typically consists of a few necessary ingredients, such as water, PG (propylene glycol), VG (vegetable glycerin), nicotine, and flavorings. Unlike traditional cigarettes, that contain thousands of different chemicals, many of which are known carcinogens and toxins.

And those are just some of the basics, regarding the vast differences between electronic smoking and traditional tobacco smoking. While it is unfortunate that many still try to group them into the same category, there are inherent differences, and no matter how much an e-cigarette simulates the original, it will never be a tobacco cigarette.

Update on the Debate Over Taxing Tobacco Products


Over the last 15 years, states have been increasing taxes on the tobacco industry. In fact, the taxes on tobacco products have been raised five times more often than taxes on alcohol. According to the National Association of State Budget Officers (NASBO), between 2000 and the beginning of 2015, taxes on tobacco products have risen 111 times and cut four times. By comparison, taxes on alcohol were raised 23 times and cut 8 times.

Clear inequality exists between the two taxes at a state level as well. Over this 15-year period, a total of 45 states have increased their tobacco taxes at least once; however, only 16 have raised taxes on alcohol.

The sheer number of tax increases may have less to do with tobacco than most would think, though. Brian Sigritz of NASBO says most of these increases are correlated with the recessions that the U.S. has experienced in recent years. In 2003, tobacco products saw tax increases across 19 states. Another fifteen states raised tobacco taxes in 2004, and 16 states jacked up rates in 2010. The largest increases came in 2003 and 2010, during the country’s worst economic troubles.

Connecticut, New York, Rhode Island and Vermont are the most frequent tax increasers; each has 6 since 2000.

While the large number of tax increases means that tobacco prices have been on a steady rise, a significant portion of the taxes have gone to worthwhile causes. An 80-cent increase in Arizona in 2008 has raised $130 million for early childhood education. In addition, President Obama proposed a tax increase in 2013 to fund a universal pre-kindergarten education program.

And proposals for tax increases continue to mount. There are plans to increase Missouri’s current tax of 17 cents (the current lowest in the nation) to around 67 cents per pack. New Jersey is looking to add a tax on e-cigarettes to increase its state revenue. Tobacco taxes have gotten so high in New York that it’s estimated over half of all cigarettes smoked in the state have been illegally brought in from other states.

What does this mean for e-cigarettes?

Many government officials (at both the state and federal level) are aiming to classify e-cigarettes as tobacco products and tax them accordingly. However, until policymakers and voters reach a firm decision about whether to tax e-cigarettes, those who make the switch from tobacco cigarettes can stand to save some money.

More information can be found by reading our article Taxing Smokeless Cigarettes. You can also learn more about the world of vaping by checking out our blog and knowledge center.

The Truth About Formaldehyde and E-Cigarettes

anastas-formaldehyde-toxic-300_tcm18-164951This week, a news story broke across all major news outlets reporting that according to a new study, e-cigarettes produce more formaldehyde than traditional cigarettes.

What was not reported in the study was that the device used to vaporize the liquid was used incorrectly, and the aerosols produced we’re not true formaldehyde. When you consider that this was a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine and written by scientists, it is rather unfortunate that the whole truth was not reported and facts were omitted. It was a classic case of misreporting in favor of a biased viewpoint, creating great media sensationalism.

After the study was published, Dr. Konstantinos Farsalinos, who is one of the international leaders of electronic cigarette research, published a counter piece analyzing the  NEJM report, dissecting the research and comparing it to how a vaporizer and e-liquid would actually be used, and what the user would be more likely to encounter.

What he found was that the vaporizer used in the study, (which was an unnamed brand and model)  was used at several different settings. When used at normal settings, the device produced no formaldehyde hemiacetyls during vaporization. For example, the voltage was at 3.3, creating 6-7 watts, with a puff time of 4 seconds.

When the settings were turned up to their highest, 5 volts and 14-16 watts, at 4 seconds, the device vaporized the solution and produced 15 times more formaldehyde (hemiacetals) than traditional cigarettes. However at such a high voltage and wattage, the atomizer would absolutely be overheating and absolutely capable of producing formaldehyde hemiacetyl compounds.

It must be noted that formaldehyde hemiacetyls are not true formaldehyde; they are a combination of formaldehyde and alcohols, and there is no evidence to prove they have the same effect, or any toxic or carcinogenic properties.

To vapers, those who use vaporizer devices, the highest settings would never really be used because consuming liquids vaporized at such a high degree would taste entirely awful! In fact, there is a commonly known term for this and it’s called the dry puff phenomenon. Therefore, under the premises documented in this study, it is unlikely the majority of e-cigarette users are going to experience or encounter these elevated levels of formaldehyde. Similarly to the way most people would not be inclined to consume severely overcooked meat, (which contains carcinogens) most vapers would have no interest in vaping with overheated atomizers.

So, if you vape and were alarmed by these headlines, examine at your particular usage. If you use a variable voltage device, check your habits. If you find yourself dry puffing or using it at the highest available setting, you may have to readjust your habits. Otherwise, vape on and try to take such misreporting with a grain of salt!

Vape Your Way to Better Shape! Part 1

Get in Shape with VapingLooking to get into better shape? In an indirect way, vaping can help! If you’re a smoker, you probably know all too well the pitfalls that come with being having decreased breathing ability and attempting to exercise. Simply, smoking has a terrible effect on the body, inside and out. Here are some ways just using your vape instead of smoking can help you along with your fitness goals!

  1. Vaping, as it does not contain smoke or tobacco, nor does it produce combustion or tar, will not have the same effect on your body, so you won’t have to worry about the smoke being a negative factor in your ability to get your blood flowing .

  2. More control options. Smoking cigarettes, you are probably accustomed to smoking through whole cigarettes at a time in favor of not wasting them. With vaping, you can take 2 puffs and call it done, without that same waste factor. This means you can place more limitations on yourself without creating an uncomfortable situation. Which means you can more consciously limit your nicotine intake without going crazy.

  3. Good riddance to the toxins. Cigarettes contain way too many (thousands!) toxins, and just by vaping, you are doing your body a favor by not including them.

  4. Taste more, eat better. Smoking causes you to lose tasting capacity because smoke and tar damage your senses of taste and smell. When vaping, you can recover much of those lost sensations and allow yourself the pleasure of eating healthier foods, and being able to taste them. Eating the rainbow is ideal, and now you’ll actually be able to taste it! (And no, we aren’t talking about indulging wildly in your fave colorful candies!)

  5. Speaking of candy, instead of indulging in the no-good, empty-calorie, chemical-loaded treats, get down with some of our fantastic flavored e-cig cartridges! Bet you won’t be able to use just one flavor!

Better shape means a better quality of life, which means you have more time and energy to do the things you love; like vaping! So take care of your body, and it will take care of you. Vaping can be an awesome way to alter your lifestyle, so take advantage of the many benefits it avails!

Commonly Asked Questions

EverSmoke FAQWe get a lot of questions, so here are some answers! Especially for beginners, the world of vaping can seem to be a vast mystery of alternative smoking excitement: The products! The cartridges! That elusive vapor! Those gorgeous sleek batteries! The ability to use them everywhere! But with all of that allure, there’s the reality of using them, and therefore the questions. So here is a quickie FAQ covering the basics and some of our most commonly asked questions.

Q: What’s this e-cigarette thing everyone is using these days?

A: It’s an electronic cigarette, an alternative to the traditional tobacco kind, but requires no fire, and has no tobacco inside. Instead, it is powered by a battery and uses a liquid nicotine solution to deliver vaporized hits. Recreating the feeling of smoking all the way.

Q: Are e-cigs safe?

A: Yes, completely. As long as you follow the directions from the manufacturer, and don’t do anything foolish that shouldn’t be done with an electronic device, all will be good.

Q: My e-cig isn’t producing vapor anymore; why is this?

A: It’s probably old and needs to be replaced.

Q: It’s not old; I just put it on. What do I do?

A: It may be screwed on too tight. Cartridges should be screwed on firmly, but not too tightly. That will stop the vapor from being produced.

Q: How long do cartridges last?

A: They last based on volume, and they are about equivalent to a pack of traditional cigarettes depending on how you use them.

Q: Will my battery let me know when it needs to be charged?

A: Why of course! It will stop producing vapor, the end light will flash to indicate low battery, and it may have no power left.

Q: Can I really use it anywhere I want?

A: Generally yes. Sometimes in some public places you may run into issues, but for the most part you’ll be fine. If in doubt, ask.

Q: Can I return it if I don’t like it?

A: Yes! We offer a 30-day money back guarantee, so if you don’t like it, you’ve got that option. However, before you decide you don’t like it, give it an honest try, and explore all the different learning resources we offer! If our Learning Center does not offer the info you’re looking for, give us a call or shoot an email; we’re here to help you enjoy your EverSmoke e-cigs!

Taste the Rainbow

A Rainbow of Vape FlavorsTraditional cigarettes do so much to destroy the body. They can destroy your health in every possible way, destroy your organs, your respiratory system, your heart, and riddle the body with terminal cancer. All really serious things. Yet, they also hold the potential to cause more subtle damage that can affect your short term health and daily enjoyment of things. Prime example: your ability to taste.

Electronic smoking offers countless flavor possibilities, between e-cigarette cartridge offerings and e-liquids. Traditional smoking gave the benefit of maybe 3 flavors to choose from: tobacco, menthol, and clove. It really did not offer much variety, and smokers were confined to relatively narrow choices. Fast forward to the present, many smokers are overjoyed with the options they now have and can enjoy at their leisure, both between being able to actually taste and that they have endless flavor choices.

Regular cigarettes affect the senses of taste and smell drastically. Tobacco cigarettes, in part due to their toxic tar, actual burning of the taste buds from the heat of the smoke, and build up of chemicals can lay waste to your taste buds. Smokers are quite familiar with how their ability to taste gets fully compromised from smoking, and most are quite surprised how their taste buds recover when they quit smoking or turn to electronic cigarettes. It turns into an “a-ha! kinda moment” when they first taste something, and they remember what it once was to actually enjoy the flavor of things!

Another factor that comes into play when you compare traditional cigarettes and electronic, and how they affect the taste buds is that e-cigarettes do not give off a smell, which leaves your taste buds open and free to experience taste in its entirety. The sense of smell, if you are not aware, is responsible for a huge amount of the the sense of taste; making them intrinsically connected. And, in the broad scope of things, why would you want to miss out on tasting things? Sure nicotine and the feeling of smoking are great and all, but being able to experience the gastronomic pleasures of cheeseburgers, sushi, pizza, enchiladas, and dark chocolate mochas really are worth the minimal effort it takes to switch to vaping.

Also to your benefit, in that case, is having so many more flavors to choose from when you are smoking. It’s a win-win situation! Get ready to taste the rainbow!

Cartridges: Why They’re Amazing

img_eversmoke_cartE-cigarette cartridges: you can’t vape without them! At least when using e-cigs! Here is the rundown on cartridges, what you can expect, and what they do for you!

When it comes to vaping, there are those who prefer liquids and those who prefer cartridges. While they essentially do the same thing, the vehicle in which you get your nicotine and vapor from is different. Not trying to say one is better than the other, however at this moment we are discussing why cartridges are amazing.

When using liquids, you have to use devices that are refillable and you constantly have to refill as you use. With cartridges, every time you vape through one, you replace it. Cartridges come pre-filled and are built with atomizers inside. Because atomizers do not have a long life, having a new one in each cartridge is beneficial and pretty much a requirement.

Using prefilled cartridges also allows you to save time, as opposed to having to continuously refill your liquids by hand, which can get messy and can be time-consuming. With e-cigarette cartridges you simply open them, connect them, and get busy vaping.

Each cartridge is designed to last the equivalent of at least one package of cigarettes. In terms of cost they are significantly less expensive to use than traditional cigarettes, as cartridges cost typically just over $2 each.

When storing your cartridges, you should keep them in a cool dark place away from light and heat. An ideal storage location is in the refrigerator which will help keep your cartridges as fresh as possible, for as long as possible.

Another significant benefit of using cartridges is that when purchasing, you typically purchase in bulk so you never have to deal with running out. EverSmoke carries cartridges in packages of 15, 30, and 45. The more you buy, the more you save. Also to your advantage is signing up for the EverSmoke Home Delivery Program, which entitles you to scheduled deliveries of your cartridges at a 20% discount.

Electronic cigarette cartridges are a convenient, satisfying, and very simple to use way to enjoy vaping. While they are not your only option, they are an exceptionally enjoyable one. For more information on e-cig cartridges, or to have a look at our product offerings, check out EverSmoke cartridges here!

Rise of Vapor Cigarettes on American School Campuses

Since 1975, The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) has conducted an annual study monitoring the usage of drugs among teens. Fortunately in 2014, a decrease was seen in prescription drugs, opiod and alcohol use. There was also a decrease in traditional cigarette smoking and a rise in vapor cigarette usage, or e-smoking.

This was actually the first year that vapor cigarettes were included in the study and many believe the decrease in other drugs is due to the rise of e-cig usage. The survey included 41,000 students at 377 different public and private middle and high schools.

There continues to be disagreements as to whether or not vapor cigarettes are safer than traditional smoking. However, it has been proven that traditional smoking is no doubt bad for your health. You can read more on this in our knowledge center article titled 5 Ways Smoking Damages Your Body.

Many believe that teens have quit traditional smoking to switch to the better alternative of vaporcigarettes. Some argue however, teens that never would have smoked have taken up vaping and would not have otherwise.

The NIDA Deputy Director, Wilson Compton, states that “About 8% overall of 8th graders report use of these electronic cigarettes over the past month. About half of those had never used another kind of cigarette before. So this is perhaps a concerning exposure to nicotine at quite a young age.”

As far as the high school, 16% of 10th graders and 17% of 12th graders have used vapor cigarettes within the past month. Those percentages are higher than the rate of traditional smoking in the past years.

At Eversmoke, we do not promote e-smoking among teens and only sell our products to adults. We do believe our product is a better alternative over traditional smoking. E-smoking is on the rise all around and so much so that it was selected as the word of the year by Oxford Dictionaries.

We invite you to continue browsing our e-smoking blog and knowledge center to learn more about vapor cigarettes, or check out our e-smoking and traditional smoking comparison for some other interesting facts.