How?

To begin, they found a cartridge with a nicotine strength that most closely approximated their current brand of cigarettes. Nicotine levels for the top ten best-selling cigarettes in the United States are as follows:

• Marlboro – 1.1mg
• Doral – .9mg
• Camel – 1.4mg
• Newport – 1.2mg
• Winston – 1.2mg
• Basic -  1.0mg
• GPC – 1.3mg
• Kool – 1.3mg
• Salem – 1.2mg
• Virginia Slims – 1.1mg

To determine the nicotine levels of other brands (or varieties such as Lights or 100 lengths), visit the Federal Trade Commission Report.

There really isn’t a direct correlation formula between the nicotine levels in tobacco cigarettes and electronic cigarettes, but as a point of reference, the average Marlboro Light smoker would probably start at about a 6mg electronic cigarette cartridge, where a Camel or Newport smoker might start at a 12mg cartridge.

People who have successfully quit smoking using electronic cigarettes first focused on switching to the electronic cigarette exclusively. After doing so, most reported increased senses of taste and smell, as well as generally improved health.

Once they are using the electronic cigarettes exclusively, they then gradually decreased the nicotine levels of the cartridges they were using, until they got to the point of using nicotine-free (zero-mg) cartridges.  They still enjoyed the flavor and feel of smoking, but were able to wean themselves off of nicotine.  After they stopped using electronic cigarettes with nicotine, they were still able to use nicotine-free electronic cigarette cartridges for the enjoyment of smoking, but without the encumbrance of nicotine addiction.

The post Can Electronic Cigarettes Help Smokers Quit? appeared first on Electronic Cigarette Reviews.

While a carrying case is probably the best method, a lot of people like to carry their electronic cigarette in their shirt or pants pocket.  Unfortunately, the motion of moving around throughout the day can cause the ecig to shift and sometimes the cartridge will unscrew from the battery.  Here are some ideas for safely carrying your electronic cig when you don’t want to use a dedicated carrying case:

1. Stop by an office supply store and pick up some removable clips that attach to pens or laser pointers for carrying them in your shirt pocket. These same clips will fit most electronic cigarettes.
2. Attach the e-cig to a lanyard and wear it around your neck. You can easily slip the cigarette into your shirt pocket while it is still attached to your lanyard.
3. Place the electronic cigarette in a cigar holder before placing it into your pocket. The cigar holder will likely be a little big, but it should protect the electronic cigarette should it move around or if you drop the holder.

I have a three-piece electronic cigarette.  How can I clean the atomizer?

The best method for cleaning your atomizer should be the suggestions from the manufacturer.  However, since they’re in the business of selling e-cigarettes, their suggestions would probably center around buying a new atomizer.  If you’d like to try some ideas for cleaning your current atomizer before buying a new one, here are some suggestions that other electronic cigarette users have tried:

1. Cleaning the atomizer with warm, running water and a mild detergent.  Rinse well.  Dry thoroughly with a hair dryer, then let rest for 24 hours before attempting to use.
2. Rinsing with isopropyl alcohol and dry thoroughly.
3. Scraping any buildup off of the atomizer using a needle or safety pin.

The post Tips and Tricks for Using Electronic Cigarettes appeared first on Electronic Cigarette Reviews.

• Q:  Are electronic cigarettes safer than tobacco cigarettes?

A:  Tobacco cigarette smoke contains as many as 4,000 different ingredients, including over 43 known carcinogenic toxins.  Electronic cigarettes typically contain four ingredients: water, propylene glycol (a food-safe additive approved by the F.D.A.), flavor and nicotine.

• Q:  Do electronic cigarettes contain anti-freeze?

A: A common mis-conception is that electronic cigarettes contain ethylene glycol, the main ingredient in anti-freeze.  This is often confused with propylene glycol, the food-safe additive needed for vaporization in electronic cigarettes.  Electronic cigarettes contain no ethylene glycol.

• Q:  Where can I read a study outlining the safety of electronic cigarettes:

A:  While many organizations are looking into and monitoring electronic cigarettes, there have been no studies to date that have determined that electronic cigarettes have any harmful effects to the users, other than the widely-studied effects of nicotine.

• Q:  Can I quit smoking toxic tobacco using electronic cigarettes?

A:  Many people have replaced expensive, toxic tobacco cigarettes with electronic cigarettes.  A number of these users have reported improved health benefits including improved senses of taste and smell.

• Q:  What flavors of electronic cigarette cartridges are available?

A:  Electronic cigarettes are available in a variety of flavors, including tobacco, menthol, vanilla, coffee and chocolate. Some vendors are even experimenting with other flavors such as apple and cherry.

• Q:  What is an atomizer?

A:  The atomizer is a battery-powered device found in an electronic cigarette that, when activated by inhaling on the cigarette, turns some of the liquid mixture in the cartridge into a vapor that is inhaled into the lungs just like cigarette smoke.

• Q:  Does an electronic cigarette taste just like a regular tobacco cigarette?

A:  This depends on your tastes.  For some people, a tobacco-flavored electronic cigarette tastes very similar to a tobacco cigarette, while others report minor differences in the taste.

• Q:  Does a tobacco-flavored electronic cigarette contain tobacco?

A:  No.  A tobacco-flavored electronic cigarette contains tobacco flavoring, but no actual tobacco.

• Q:  What is the difference between a two-part electronic cigarette and a three-part electronic cigarette?

A:  A three-part unit consists of a battery, an atomizer and a flavor cartridge.  Two-part units are a battery and a cartridge that contains an atomizer.  Two-part electronic cigarettes typically are a little more expensive than three-part units, because each cartridge contains a fresh atomizer.  Because atomizers can often clog up and be difficult to operate after repeated use, having a fresh atomizer with each new cartridge can significantly improve the smoking experience.

• Q:  Are electronic cigarettes more expensive than tobacco cigarettes?

A:  With ever-increasing tobacco taxes imposed by state and federal governments, electronic cigarettes are often much less expensive.  With disposable and rechargeable models available, there is an electronic cigarette option for every budget.

• Q:  I have never smoked.  Can I use electronic cigarettes?

A:  While using nicotine products are up to the discretion of every adult, it is advisable that if you have never smoked that you don’t start using nicotine products.  Fortunately, some electronic cigarette manufacturers offer versions that contain no nicotine, so you can enjoy electronic cigarettes without addictive nicotine.

• Q:  Can I quit smoking altogether using electronic cigarettes as a stop smoking aid?

A:  Electronic cigarettes are not considered to be a “stop smoking aid” as opposed to a healthier alternative to tobacco cigarettes.  While many people have switched from tobacco cigarettes to electronic cigarettes at a comfortable nicotine level and then eventually moved to lighter levels of nicotine before weaning themselves completely, electronic cigarettes are not specifically designed for quitting smoking like nicotine gums and patches.

The post Electronic Cigarette FAQs appeared first on Electronic Cigarette Reviews.

While an electronic cigarette is not a device to quit smoking per se, it has been used successfully by many tobacco cigarette smokers to quit. With cartridges available in strengths from 16 mg all the way down to nicotine-free versions, an electronic cigarette user can gradually wean themselves off of the nicotine, while still enjoying the feel and satisfaction of smoking a cigarette. And because there are none of the toxins associated with tobacco, the electronic cigarette is a much healthier alternative to tobacco cigarettes.

How does it work?

An electronic cigarette is made up of a battery (either rechargeable or disposable), a cartridge (containing a measured amount of nicotine, flavor and propylene glycol, an FDA-approved liquid used in many foods) and an atomizer (to vaporize the liquid). When the user inhales, the battery turns on and vaporizes the liquid into a water vapor, which is inhaled into the lungs. As the user exhales, the vapor will look similar to smoke, but will dissipate quickly. Because it dissipates so quickly (and contains no actual smoke), there is no second hand smoke.

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