Knowledge

You might be familiar with electronic cigarettes, but perhaps less aware of vape juice. Vape juice is the soul of electronic cigarettes, and today we will briefly introduce it. Currently, there are more than 8,000 flavors of vape juice, ranging from various fruits to coffee, bread, and toast. As long as you can think of, there is probably a corresponding vape juice.1. Ingredients of smoke oil. The ingredients of e-liquid are actually very simple, with only four types: propylene glycol (PG), vegetable glycerin (VG), nicotine, and food essence.Propylene glycol is a common drug and food additive. It is hygroscopic, slightly sweet, colorless, odorless and transparent, with good fluidity. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) defines PG as "generally safe for humans." As one of the basic components of e-cigarette oil, PG's main function is to serve as a carrier of flavors and enhance the taste of e-cigarette oil. After heating, it will produce a small amount of mist and have a certain throat hit. Vegetable glycerin, like PG, is also a raw material widely used in daily life. If you observe carefully, you will find that the ingredients marked on the packaging of many snacks include "propylene glycol and glycerol". Especially people who like to eat sweets consume a lot of VG. Because most snacks such as cakes and desserts contain VG. The main role of VG in e-liquid is to generate mist. VG will produce a large amount of mist after heating. Generally, if you want to increase the amount of smoke, you can get the desired effect by directly adding a large amount of VG. VG is highly hygroscopic and very viscous. If the fluidity of an e-liquid is very poor, it must have a higher proportion of VG. The smoke of this e-liquid is very large, but the flavor is slightly worse and the throat hit is slightly weaker. Nicotine, as we all know, is the main ingredient in tobacco and the main reason why many people smoke. In addition to easing cravings, nicotine also produces a unique throat hit that many smokers enjoy. However, since pure nicotine will be toxic when it comes into contact with the skin, it is generally dissolved in VG (vegetable glycerin) in e-cigarette oil. This can not only ensure the volatility of nicotine, but also avoid the risks caused by direct contact with the skin. At the same time, vegetable glycerin is also one of the main components of e-cigarette oil. It can help stabilize the nicotine solution, making the smoke softer and not irritating the throat. And edible flavors are the soul of e-liquid, which determines the flavor of e-liquid. Generally, e-liquids with unique flavors will have more complex flavor formulas. 2. Production process. There are generally two ways to make e-liquid, one is a measuring tool and the other is an electronic scale. The difference between them is whether the measurement unit is capacity or weight. Today I will introduce to you how to use an electronic scale to prepare e-liquid. First, add the VG solution of nicotine in a special vessel. Since nicotine is very viscous and tends to sink to the bottom during the preparation process, remember to shake it for a while before adding it.Then, add essence, PG and VG to the vessel in sequence. The proportion of the above four ingredients, except for trace amounts of nicotine, normally accounts for 10%-15% of essence. The ratio of PG and VG is adjusted according to actual needs. If there is more PG, there will be a stronger throat hit and lighter smoke. VG is just the opposite. Friends who like big smoke will choose e-liquid with more VG, while small ones will Most cigarettes will use a 5:5 ratio to take into account both the throat hit and the amount of smoke. After pouring all the four raw materials in, they are obviously divided into 4 layers because of their different specific gravity. At this time, you need to shake them to fully combine them. After shaking, it needs to rest to achieve the best effect. At this time, the e-liquid is finished! Although the production process of e-liquid is relatively simple, it is difficult to accurately control the proportion of flavors to meet different taste needs. In fact, the flavors in e-liquids are divided into top notes and base notes like perfumes. However, e-liquids with complex tastes will have a mixture of flavors with multiple ingredients, and it takes constant trial and error to find the right ratio. For example, the following fragrances are divided into seven categories: top note 1, top note 2, middle note, secondary note 1, secondary note 2, base note 1, and base note 2. 3. Precautions E-liquid preparation seems simple and requires only conventional tools, but it requires sufficient professional knowledge. In order to prepare an e-liquid with "appropriate smoke", "good entrance", "enough to hit the throat" and "not choking the nose", the ratio of PG and VG, the form of nicotine, and the selection and proportion of flavors are all crucial. Only by mastering these key elements can you prepare satisfactory e-liquid. There are many professional considerations in the preparation of e-cigarette liquid, and the entire preparation process involves the mixing of multiple ingredients and precise control of proportions. Therefore, it is not recommended to prepare your own e-liquid at home. Only by choosing professionally prepared e-liquid can you ensure your health and safety. At the same time, you should also pay attention to choosing reputable e-liquid brands and sales channels to avoid buying fake and shoddy e-liquid products. In China, there are several well-known e-liquid factories, such as IPURE, HONGFU, HENGXIN and U-GREEN, etc. VAPOKISS's factories have cooperated with these factories, so our factory can manage the step of preparing e-liquid for OEM or ODM customers. In addition to preparing e-liquid for OEM/OMD customers, we can also help these customers complete the following tasks: 1. Establish new product molds 2. Packaging design 3. Packaging plastic bag design 4.Production samples 5. Test samples 6. Quality testing before shipment of large goods 7. Transportation

Skin is the largest organ in the body. It’s responsible for maintaining our internal body temperature, protecting our internal organs, storing nutrients, and manufacturing vitamin D. CBD offers a similar level of benefit for many different skin conditions — ranging from inflammatory conditions like psoriasis or eczema to cosmetic disorders like acne or wrinkling.  1. CBD For Acne Acne is caused by an overproduction of sebum, which promotes bacterial growth inside of the pores. This leads to inflammation, swelling, and redness around the pore. CBD oil and CBD skincare products offer similar benefits against the formation of acne. CBD topicals provide a direct dose of CBD to the surface of the skin, while CBD oils are better for alleviating many of the underlying causes for acne (such as inflammation or excess oil production). The benefits of CBD oil for acne include: Reduce redness & inflammation Regulates oil production in the skin Makes sebum less-viscous Inhibits bacterial growth in the pores Evidence: CBD & Acne A study exploring the potential anti-acne effects of cannabinoids noted the most significant improvement came from the novel cannabinoid THCV (tetrahydrocannabivarin) [Oláh 2016].  CBD and CBDV also showed dramatic improvements in controlling sebum production, reducing inflammation, and activating vanilloid receptors in the skin. Each of these effects contributes to the overall anti-acne benefits of a full-spectrum CBD extract.   2. CBD For Psoriasis Psoriasis is a skin condition caused by an autoimmune disorder that causes rapid regeneration of skin cells. This leads to characteristic itchy, red, scaly patches that can form anywhere on the body. There’s no cure for this condition. Most patients experience cycles of flare-ups and remissions — each lasting several weeks or months at a time. CBD has been shown to offer three distinct benefits for managing or preventing the symptoms of psoriasis. Topical products that contain high concentrations of CBD may be useful for reducing the severity of the condition and preventing flare-ups before they occur. The benefits of CBD for psoriasis include: Regulates excessive skin cell growth Inhibits inflammation Helps manage pain associated with psoriasis Evidence: CBD & Psoriasis A study published in 2013 found a set of cannabinoid receptors located in the skin could reduce excessive skin cell growth associated with psoriasis [Ramot 2013]. Due to the ability for CBD to regulate these receptors, researchers suggested topical CBD products may be able to inhibit the formation of psoriasis patches on the skin. Another study found that CBD directly inhibits an inflammatory messenger molecule known as nuclear factor-kappa-b (NFkB) [Silva 2019] — which is considered one of the primary inflammatory mediators involved with the formation of psoriasis.    3. CBD For Eczema Eczema is an inflammatory disorder affecting the outer layers of the skin (epidermis). Rough, dry patches caused by eczema can be extremely itchy and painful. The benefits of CBD oil for eczema include: Alleviates pain and itchiness in the skin Inhibits inflammation in the skin Evidence: CBD & Eczema A clinical study consisting of 20 patients with inflammatory skin disorders (psoriasis or eczema) were given a topical CBD cream and instructed to apply it twice per day for three months [Palmieri 2019]. At the end of the study, researchers reported a significant improvement in the inflammatory status of the skin for both conditions after using CBD ointment.

Vape batteries are not like your remote-control AAs. They are much more powerful cells that need to be handled carefully. And while battery safety tips may seem like common sense to those who are in the know, new vapers are often handed a vape mod and a couple of 18650s without any advice on how to properly handle them. Read on to find out the basics of battery safety, but bear in mind that this is not a mechanical mod safety guide; for that, you will need a solid understanding of Ohm’s law and much more info than what can be covered in this beginner’s guide. But if you own a regulated vape mod that is powered by batteries such as 18650s or 21700s, this guide is for you. Keep wraps intact Always make sure that the wraps of your batteries are in pristine condition. If you notice a nick on the battery wrap, the safe thing to do is to re-wrap it. Battery wraps are cheap and very easy to put on. If you don’t have wraps, visit your local vape shop. Most shops will wrap your batteries for free and it won’t take more than a couple of minutes. Use the right batteries Some batteries are better for low wattage vaping, others are better for sub-ohm vaping, and others are not supposed to be used for vaping at all. When picking batteries for your mod, make sure that they come in the appropriate specs. Don’t just read the ratings on the wraps, as those are often misleading. Check for independent battery reviews, and always stay below your battery’s CDR (continuous discharge rating). Use battery cases Never throw batteries in pockets or bags when not in use. Get yourself some cheap plastic battery cases instead, as unprotected batteries might short circuit when they come in contact with metal objects. This may cause your battery to vent and potentially explode. Battery cases are a great solution for carrying your cells and they come in a variety of materials and designs. Watch out for counterfeits Counterfeit batteries are unfortunately a thing. Always buy batteries from reputable vendors, as those will go out of their way to make sure their batteries are authentic. Use a dedicated charger Charging your batteries directly in your mod is possible with most devices nowadays, but it’s always safer to use a dedicated battery charger. Don’t leave your batteries charging unattended Even when using a charger, having your batteries charging unattended is never a good idea—especially overnight. Although very rare, battery chargers are electronic devices and failures are not unheard of. Don’t over-drain your batteries If possible, try to not completely drain your batteries — lithium-ion batteries tend to lose more capacity the further you let them discharge. Most mods will come with some form of battery level indication. Taking your batteries out to charge before they are completely drained will prolong their life, i.e. the number of cycles you will be able to get out of them. Avoid extreme temperatures Vape batteries can tolerate low and high temperatures, but you wouldn’t want to test their limits. Higher temperatures will strain your batteries, making them age faster (or even vent), while colder temperatures take a toll on battery capacity. Make sure you store them in a cool place away from sunlight and never ever leave them stored in places like the glove compartment of your car where temperatures might exceed their safety range. Replace old batteries Batteries are only good up to a certain number of cycles (full charge to full discharge). Lithium-ion batteries will start losing capacity and strength when used extensively for long periods of time. If you sense that your battery takes less time to discharge, just replace it. Even if you haven’t noticed something out of the ordinary, replace your batteries after six months to a year, depending on how often you use them. Recycle old batteries When replacing old batteries, always recycle them instead of throwing them away. A lithium-ion cell can easily short-circuit in the trash can, which is a serious hazard risk. On top of that, recycling batteries is good for the environment. Keep an eye for battery disposal boxes and follow safety instructions when recycling your old batteries.

Following the wild success of delta 8 THC as a legal alternative to the more controlled availability of delta 9 THC, the cannabis industry has sought other less-known cannabinoids to compete in the diverse cannabis marketplace. One of the newest and most promising is hexahydrocannabinol, usually shortened to HHC. What is HHC? HHC is a THC relative long known to science, but until recently not often discussed by cannabis users. HHC is a minor cannabinoid; it occurs naturally in cannabis, but in amounts too small to make extraction cost-effective. Since commercial production of HHC is just getting off the ground, it’s still not widely known. Most cannabinoids can be converted to other cannabinoids by altering the chemistry of the molecules. Like delta 8 THC and delta 10 THC, commercial HHC is made from hemp-derived CBD in a lab through chemical processes. HHC has one major legal advantage over delta 8 and delta 10: it isn’t called THC. How is HHC produced? HHC was discovered in the 1940s by chemist Roger Adams. He created HHC by adding hydrogen to the THC molecule and altering its physical properties. The process, called hydrogenation, is first described in a 1947 patent document. Hydrogenation modifies the structure of delta 9 THC by replacing a double bond with two hydrogen atoms, which changes its molecular weight and also makes it more stable. According to Mark Scialdone, a chemist and BR Brands Chief Science Officer, hydrogenation improves “stability and resistance to thermo-oxidative breakdown”—which means HHC has a longer shelf life and is less prone to damage caused by UV light and heat. Does HHC get you high? Does it have side effects? This is kind of tricky. Although HHC isn’t technically a THC, it does produce similar effects—if you use enough of it. When it’s produced in the lab, an HHC batch is a mix of active and inactive HHC molecules. The active HHC binds well with your body’s cannabinoid receptors; the others don’t. Manufacturers haven’t yet figured out a cost-effective way to separate high-potency HHC from its low-potency twin, so commercial HHC—which is a mix of the two forms—may be something of a crapshoot for the buyer. But HHC does have noticeable effects. Reports from users generally describe the HHC high as being somewhere between delta 8 and delta 9 THC. Pretty much everything we know about HHC’s effects and side effects is anecdotal. That said, users report the same set of side effects familiar to delta 9 THC users: anxiety and paranoia, dry mouth, dry and red eyes, hunger, and insomnia. Will HHC show up in a drug test? It appears that HHC may not break down in the body in the same way as THC. Unlike the delta 8, delta 9, and delta 10 forms of THC, there is some evidence that HHC doesn’t metabolize into 11-hydroxy-THC, which is the breakdown substance many drug panels test for. But that hasn’t been studied and isn’t certain. So far, no one knows for sure that HHC won’t leave evidence of use in your blood, urine or hair. If your employer tests for drug use, we suggest you not risk your job by using HHC. Does HHC have medical benefits? HHC hasn’t been widely studied, unlike more abundant cannabinoids like delta 9 THC or CBD, but there has been some promising research. A 2011 study showed that some synthetic analogs of hexahydrocannabinol (HHC) “strongly inhibited breast cancer cell-induced angiogenesis and tumor growth.” Japanese researchers published a paper in 2007 describing HHC’s impressive pain-blocking capability in mice. But it is probably too early to say whether HHC has great promise as a therapeutic drug. Is HHC legal and will it stay legal? Congress made the hemp plant and all its derivatives federally legal in the 2018 Farm Bill—as long as the plant or anything made from it contains less than 0.3 percent delta 9 THC. Even though HHC is found naturally in the cannabis plant, commercial HHC is made by hydrogenating hemp-derived cannabinoids under pressure with a catalyst like palladium. Scientists at the National Cannabis Industry Association call the result a “semi-synthetic” cannabis compound. In May 2022, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals confirmed that delta 8 THC was legal under the Farm Bill hemp definition, and that all other compounds and derivatives of hemp are also legal, as long as they don’t contain more than the legal maximum 0.3 percent delta 9 THC. That apparently makes HHC a legal hemp product, and offers protection for manufacturers and sellers of HHC (and delta 8 and delta 10 THC, and THCP), although some attorneys note that other federal courts could reach different conclusions. However, HHC could still be banned by individual states. This is likely if HHC becomes popular enough that it threatens sales in the legal cannabis market, as we’ve seen happen with delta 8 THC. Where can HHC be found? Reportedly, only one U.S. manufacturer produces HHC and offers it wholesale. We aren’t sure that’s true, but it’s a fact that not many companies are producing it. Consequently, only a handful of companies are offering HHC at retail, and they haven’t been doing it for long. A quick Google search brought up about a dozen online retailers offering a variety of HHC products. Most sellers offer vape carts filled with HHC oil, and many have gummies. Less common but definitely available are disposable HHC vapes, tinctures for oral consumption, and concentrates for dabbing. At least one company sells “HHC flower”—which is hemp flower coated or infused with HHC. If HHC remains legally viable, and especially if it becomes less expensive to manufacture high-potency HHC, this promising cannabinoid will become more available in the diverse cannabis marketplace.

What is an electronic cigarette?An electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) is a device that uses a battery to heat a liquid nicotine solution, creating an aerosol that is inhaled. E-cigarettes are often marketed as a safer alternative to smoking tobacco cigarettes, but there is still much debate about their safety.What are the benefits of using an electronic cigarette?Some of the potential benefits of using an electronic cigarette include:Reduced exposure to harmful chemicals: E-cigarettes do not contain tar or carbon monoxide, which are two of the most harmful chemicals found in tobacco smoke.Improved oral health: E-cigarettes do not contain tar, which can stain teeth and cause gum disease.Increased sense of taste and smell: E-cigarettes can help smokers to regain their sense of taste and smell, which can be impaired by smoking.How do I choose the right electronic cigarette?When choosing an electronic cigarette, there are a few things to keep in mind:Nicotine strength: E-cigarettes come in a variety of nicotine strengths, so it is important to choose one that is right for you. If you are a heavy smoker, you may want to start with a higher nicotine strength.Battery life: E-cigarettes have a variety of battery life, so it is important to choose one that will last for the amount of time you need it to.Flavor: E-cigarettes come in a variety of flavors, so you can choose one that you enjoy.How do I use an electronic cigarette?To use an electronic cigarette, simply fill the tank with the desired amount of liquid nicotine solution, attach the atomizer, and turn on the device. When you are ready to vape, inhale from the mouthpiece.Is vaping safe?The safety of vaping is still being studied, but there is some evidence that it may be safer than smoking tobacco cigarettes. However, vaping is not without its risks, and it is important to be aware of them before you start.ConclusionE-cigarettes are a relatively new product, and there is still much that we do not know about them. However, they have the potential to be a safer alternative to smoking tobacco cigarettes. If you are considering using an electronic cigarette, it is important to do your research and talk to your doctor.

Japan's cannabis laws are about to undergo a major overhaul to promote the legalization of medical cannabis. The Japanese Cabinet approved amendments to the Cannabis Control Act and other laws on October 24, 2023. Medical products containing cannabis extracts will be allowed for domestic use if their safety and efficacy are confirmed. To prevent drug abuse, cannabis is also listed as an object of the Narcotic Control Act, and can be subject to the use crime, like other controlled drugs. The government plans to implement the amendments within one year of their publication. 1. Meet the medical needs To achieve international consistency and meet medical needs, the import, manufacture, and use of drugs made from cannabis that have been approved under the Pharmaceutical and Medical Devices Act should be allowed. (The Cannabis Control Act prohibits the use, delivery, and acceptance of use of drugs made from cannabis, so the relevant provisions of Article 4, etc., were revised.) Explanation: Allowing the import and manufacture of compliant medical cannabis-derived drugs. 2. Combat drug abuse Considering that the use crime is set up with the possession crime in other drug control regulations, for cannabis, except for the use of drugs, the use of drugs (so-called "use crime") should be prohibited. At this time, drug abuse rehabilitation support should be promoted, and measures to prevent re-abuse and social reintegration support, including drug addiction treatment, should be improved. Instead of the previous restrictions on the parts of cannabis plants, restrictions should be introduced that focus on the components. (Controlled under the Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances Control Act.) Main components in cannabis: Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC): A component that should be restricted as a narcotic drug that shows hallucinogenic effects. Cannabidiol (CBD): A component that does not have narcotic properties and can be used as a pharmaceutical raw material, food, and dietary supplement (not regulated overseas either). Explanation: Decriminalization of cannabis for medical use; no longer restricting the application of cannabis plant parts, instead using components as the restriction standard (and clarifying that the restricted component is THC, CBD is not a narcotic drug, and is fully legalized for use in medicine, food, etc.). 3. Promote the appropriate use of cannabis To ensure the safety and proper circulation of cannabis derivatives such as cannabidiol (CBD), the residual limit of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) should be set and clarified. At this time, it should be based on the principle that the business operator conducting manufacturing and sales guarantees the suitability of the limit, and at the same time, administrative supervision and guidance, including purchase surveys, should be taken. Explanation: Clarifying the allowable THC content in CBD-derived products, with limited requirements for production and sales companies, and consumption subject to administrative supervision. 4. Appropriate cultivation and management In addition to the purpose of harvesting fibers or seeds as stipulated in the existing law, the purpose of cultivation should be expanded to include production for new industrial uses (including CBD products) and pharmaceutical raw material uses under the appropriate management of the licensing system. For the cultivation of cannabis for existing uses and new industrial uses (excluding medical raw material uses), the upper limit value of THC content in cannabis should be set based on overseas cases such as 0.2%, and the suitability with the upper limit value should be ensured through seed management. The cultivation of industrial use cannabis (low THC cannabis) below the THC upper limit should adopt a reasonable cultivation management system and licensing system that is easier to cultivate than the current one. The license standard, except for the reason for disqualification, is also unified. As a cultivation management standard, it should be clarified. The cultivation of industrial use cannabis should be discussed with the appropriate licensing authority (including prefectures), and the cultivation for pharmaceutical raw material use should be based on national management. Explanation: Introducing a cultivation permit system for the purpose of industrial and medical (including CBD) applications; Controlling the pass-through varieties, limiting the THC content of industrial-use cannabis to not more than 0.2%, and medical use is not subject to this restriction; Loosening the management system and permit system for the cultivation of cannabis with a THC content of not more than 0.2%; Industrial hemp cultivation will have a clear and unified license, and medical hemp cultivation will be managed by a state agency. In conclusion, Japan's cannabis law reform will bring medical convenience and security to local people who urgently need medical cannabis to treat diseases, and also boost Japan's industrial hemp industry.

A new study by a team of researchers at MUSC Hollings Cancer Center investigated the behaviors of adult smokers related to e-cigarettes, such as vaping, use, and quitting. The study, titled "The Effect of Unguided E-cigarette Provision on Receipt, Use, and Quitting Among Adult Smokers in the United States: A Natural, Randomized, Controlled Clinical Trial," included a clinical trial of adult smokers recruited from 11 cities in the United States. The 638 participants had varying intentions to quit or continue smoking, but all had no prior history of e-cigarette use. The participants were divided into two groups, with half receiving flavored e-cigarettes and the other half not. The instructions given to the e-cigarette group were very limited, as the researchers' goal was to observe the natural uptake and use of e-cigarettes and its impact on quitting. In the e-cigarette group, about 70% of participants started using the assigned e-cigarettes. Almost all behavioral outcomes favored this group, including quit attempts and sustained quitting. It was concluded that unguided vaping may lead to quitting. Therefore, the researchers reported that e-cigarettes should be considered a feasible alternative for smokers who are unable to quit using traditional methods. "It's rare that almost all predictions turn out to be correct," said Matthew Carpenter, PhD, co-director of the Hollings Cancer Control Research Program and the study's lead author. "Here, it's one impact after another: no matter how we look at it, those who received e-cigarette products showed greater quit rates and less harm compared to those who did not receive e-cigarette products." More patients ask their primary care physicians about e-cigarettes Fortunately, according to a study published in the JAMA Network Open, more and more American smokers are asking their primary care physicians about e-cigarette products, leading to more physicians recommending these products. The study, titled "Communication About E-cigarette Use Between US Physicians and Patients," found that while most physicians still have misconceptions about the relative benefits of e-cigarette products, many physicians are prescribing them under the encouragement and pressure of patients. The study surveyed over 2,000 physicians between 2018 and 2019. Unfortunately, 60% of them mistakenly believed that e-cigarette products are as harmful as combustible tobacco products. However, physicians who believe in the harm reduction concept, have experienced the struggle to quit smoking themselves, or have been asked about e-cigarettes by patients are more likely to recommend these products. Quitting smoking through e-cigarettes Meanwhile, in the United Kingdom, it is believed that one in five smokers has quit smoking through e-cigarettes. More specifically, there are currently 4.3 million e-cigarette users in the UK, equivalent to 8.3% of adults in England, Wales, and Scotland. This was revealed by a report from Action on Smoking and Health (ASH), which described the increase in e-cigarettes as "a revolution." The number of e-cigarette users has increased from 1.7% (about 800,000 people) 10 years ago. The report also highlighted that around 2.4 million British e-cigarette users were former smokers, while 1.5 million were still smoking and 350,000 had never smoked. Numerous studies have shown the effectiveness of e-cigarette products as a smoking cessation tool, with many participants reporting that e-cigarettes helped them quit smoking. Most e-cigarette users reported using refillable tank systems. Concerns about disposables The report also highlighted the sudden increase in disposable e-cigarette use, which has jumped from 2.3% last year to 15%. Similarly, the annual ASH Youth Survey, conducted by YouGov in March and published on July 7, recently showed an increase in the number of people using e-cigarettes. teenagers vaping and experimenting with disposable e-cigarettes. The survey found that the current rate of e-cigarette use among children aged 11-17 in the UK is expected to rise from 4% in 2020 to 7% in 2022. Although the report found that the proportion of teenagers who have tried e-cigarettes has increased from 14% in 2020 to 16% in 2022. Disposable e-cigarettes are the most commonly used device type, with a worrying increase from 7% in 2020 to 8% in 2021, and reaching 52% in 2022.

Vaping is generally considered to be a healthier alternative to smoking traditional cigarettes, as it eliminates many of the harmful chemicals and byproducts that are produced during combustion. Here are a few ways in which vaping is designed to be healthier than smoking. How is vaping designed to be healthier than smoking?1. No combustion: Unlike traditional smoking, which involves burning tobacco and producing smoke, vaping involves heating e-liquids to create a vapor. This eliminates many of the harmful chemicals and byproducts that are produced during combustion, including tar and carbon monoxide.2. Reduced exposure to harmful chemicals: While e-liquids used in vaping do contain nicotine and other chemicals, they are typically formulated with fewer harmful chemicals than traditional cigarettes. Additionally, the absence of combustion means that users are not exposed to many of the carcinogenic chemicals that are found in cigarette smoke.3. Customizable nicotine levels: Vaping allows users to customize the amount of nicotine that they inhale, which can help them to gradually reduce their nicotine intake over time. This can be a helpful tool for people who are trying to quit smoking cigarettes or who want to reduce their overall nicotine consumption.4. Reduced secondhand exposure: Because vaping does not produce smoke, it is generally considered to be less harmful to bystanders than traditional smoking. While there is still some potential for secondhand exposure to e-liquid chemicals, it is typically much lower than the level of exposure that occurs with cigarette smoke.While vaping is generally considered to be a healthier alternative to smoking, it is important to note that it is not without risks or side effects. Nicotine is a addictive substance, and excessive vaping can lead to negative health outcomes such as lung damage, respiratory issues, and addiction. It's important to prioritize your health and safety when using any nicotine or cannabis products, and to use them responsibly and in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.

Recently, public health experts from the United Kingdom, the United States and Australia have pointed out in their new book "Comparative Politics of E-Cigarettes and Harm Reduction: History, Evidence and Policy" that e-cigarettes have a significant role to play in reducing harm, but not all countries support e-cigarettes on the basis of scientific evidence as the United Kingdom does, and that public health institutions in the United States, Australia and other countries have even discredited e-cigarettes for particular purposes to mislead the public's judgement.E-cigarettes are less harmful than cigarettes has become a scientific consensus in the global public health community. However, governments have always been divided on the issue of regulation. For example, the UK government will promote e-cigarettes to smokers on a regulatory basis, the US allows the sale of e-cigarettes, which need to be approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) before they can be marketed, and Australia puts e-cigarettes on sale in pharmacies as prescription drugs.In the author's view, the key reason for the different regulatory policies in the three countries is the different "service targets". The UK promotes e-cigarettes to serve smokers. The World Health Organisation's official website on smoking cessation is "Quitting tobacco", that is, quitting tobacco, because nicotine is not carcinogenic, the real harm of cigarettes originates from the combustion of tobacco produces more than 4,000 kinds of chemicals and 69 kinds of carcinogens, e-cigarettes do not contain tobacco combustion process, can reduce the harm of cigarettes by 95%, and can significantly improve smokers' quitting. E-cigarettes reduce the harm of cigarettes by 95 per cent and can significantly improve the success rate of smokers in quitting."The UK government's tobacco control policy is a real service to adult smokers." wrote Virginia Berridge, first author of the book and a leading UK public health expert. In contrast, tobacco control policies in the United States and Australia are more focused on serving minors. In order to reduce the appeal of e-cigarettes to minors, the relevant authorities have continued to exaggerate the harms of e-cigarettes, resulting in many smokers having a negative impression of e-cigarettes and missing out on harm reduction opportunities.In fact, there is no conflict between protecting minors and helping smokers. Cliff Douglas, former Vice President of Tobacco Control of the American Cancer Society, once pointed out in a public speech that the protection of adolescents and the support of adult smokers to quit smoking can and must be achieved at the same time. Cheryl Healton, a professor at New York University's School of Global Public Health, also stressed in a speech at the same time that smokers have the right to choose a harm reduction programme that suits them.But the government's position is hard to change. The book mentions that in the UK, based on the stance of serving smokers, public health organisations proactively publicise the scientific evidence on e-cigarettes. In the United States and Australia, public health agencies have organised e-cigarette "terror campaigns", and even if a few public health experts come out in support of e-cigarettes, they will be slammed with dirty water and seen as taking money from e-cigarette companies.In addition, the formulation of tobacco control policies is also related to the country's history, politics, industry interests and other factors. "There have been cases where tobacco companies have launched low-tar cigarettes, and later studies have confirmed that these products have little or no harm reduction effect. This has left many countries apprehensive about harm reduction strategies." The authors emphasise that e-cigarettes, unlike low-tar cigarettes, have a harm reduction effect that has been confirmed by extensive research.In April 2023, the UK government launched the world's first 'switch to e-cigarettes before you quit' programme, which will increase the success rate of 1 million UK smokers by giving them free e-cigarettes. The authors point out in the book that the UK is blazing a new trail of tobacco control that is more rational than other countries, which will inspire countries such as the US and Australia to look at e-cigarettes in a new light, leaving behind stereotypical ideas.

Q1: What are the current policies on the e-cigarette industry in various regions around the world? Costa Rica - allowed. Import, sales, and use are allowed and regulated as tobacco products. All transactions must verify age (only for adults aged 18 and above). Advertising is not allowed. Usage in public places is restricted. Czech Republic - allowed. Import, sales, use, and sales of e-cigarettes are unrestricted. Estonia - allowed. European Union - allowed. Imports, sales, use, and advertising are allowed. Germany - allowed. Imports, sales, and use are allowed. The highest courts of two states ruled that e-cigarettes and filled e-liquids are not medicinal products under the "Medicinal Products Act" or "Medical Device Act." Germany is one of the countries with the most lenient regulations on e-cigarettes, with only slight restrictions on advertising and no specific taxation on vaping, and no regulations on cross-border sales. Indonesia - allowed. The Indonesian government has announced that it will impose taxes of up to 57% on non-tobacco alternatives, including e-cigarettes, from the summer of 2018. Israel - allowed. Imports and sales are allowed. Italy - allowed. Imports, sales, and use are unrestricted. Sales of e-cigarettes (only for e-liquids containing nicotine) to persons under 18 years of age are prohibited. Ireland - allowed. Imports, sales, and use are allowed. South Korea - allowed. E-cigarettes are considered tobacco products here and are subject to tobacco control legislation. The tax is high, and reports show that the retail price of e-cigarettes in South Korea is the highest in the world. HNB products are popular. Latvia - allowed. E-cigarettes can be sold to persons aged 18 and above. Malta - allowed. E-cigarettes are considered tobacco products, and sales and use are allowed, but e-cigarettes fall within the scope of the "Tobacco Act." They cannot advertise, cannot be used in enclosed public places, and can only be used by adults aged 18 and above. Netherlands - allowed. Imports, sales, and use are allowed. The government attempted to ban them completely but was overturned in court: the Gravenhage Court in the Netherlands legalized the import and sale of e-cigarettes and e-liquids containing nicotine in a civil court case. Poland - allowed. Imports, sales, and use are allowed. Russia - allowed. Imports, sales, and use are allowed. Tajikistan - allowed. Sales and use of e-cigarettes are currently unrestricted. Ukraine - allowed, but with restrictions. United Kingdom - allowed. Imports, sales, advertising, and use are allowed. There are some restrictions on advertising. The UK is the only country in the world that effectively regulates e-cigarettes. The maximum nicotine content allowed in e-liquids sold in the UK is 20 mg/ml, and bottles containing more than 10 ml of liquid with a higher nicotine content must be child-resistant and tamper-evident. The capacity of atomizers sold cannot exceed 2 ml. United States - allowed. Import, sale, advertising, and use are allowed. The US FDA has strengthened its regulation of e-cigarette sales this year to control the issue of youth e-cigarette abuse and has required e-cigarette manufacturers to remove flavored e-cigarettes from physical stores. Armenia - allowed. The sale of e-cigarettes and e-liquids with and without nicotine is unregulated. In 2018, Philip Morris International (PMI) began selling its revolutionary smokeless product, iQOS, in Armenia. Bosnia and Herzegovina - allowed. Nicotine-containing cartridges are not classified as tobacco products, so their sale is unregulated. Bulgaria - allowed. The sale and use of e-cigarettes and nicotine-containing cartridges are legal. Romania - allowed. The sale and use of e-cigarettes are legal. Sweden - allowed. Selling e-cigarettes is legal for anyone, but selling liquid nicotine to minors under 18 is illegal. Switzerland - allowed. In 2018, a local Swiss company successfully challenged the illegality of liquid nicotine in federal court, immediately lifting the ban and selling liquid nicotine nationwide, following the same laws as neighboring Liechtenstein. New Zealand - allowed. E-cigarettes have been legalized. Philip Morris International's IQOS tobacco product, which uses heat-not-burn technology, has officially entered the legalization path in New Zealand. France - allowed. E-cigarettes and nicotine liquids are considered consumer products subject to general product safety regulations unless they meet medical licensing standards. The sale of e-cigarettes and cartridges with or without nicotine to minors under 18 is prohibited. Q2: What are the current policies on the e-cigarette industry in China? On November 1st, 2019, the State Administration for Market Regulation and the State Tobacco Monopoly Administration jointly issued a notice titled "Notice on Further Protecting Minors from the Harm of Electronic Cigarettes," which called for electronic cigarette producers, sellers, and individuals to promptly close electronic cigarette websites or client applications for online sales. It also urged e-commerce platforms to close e-cigarette stores and promptly remove e-cigarette products from their platforms, and called for e-cigarette producers, sellers, and individuals to withdraw e-cigarette advertisements published online. Q3: Which countries or regions currently explicitly prohibit the development of the e-cigarette industry? The following countries and regions prohibit the sale of e-cigarettes in principle (other countries have no information and are not included in the statistics): Brunei, Austria, Argentina, Mexico, Ethiopia, Greece, Brazil, Panama, Gambia, Colombia, Antigua and Barbuda, Mauritius, Oman, Uruguay, Nicaragua, Uganda, Qatar, Venezuela, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Bhutan, Cambodia, India, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Nepal, Qatar, Saudi Arabia. Note: The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government is currently seeking to legislate a comprehensive ban on the import, production, and sale of e-cigarettes. The United Arab Emirates and Bahrain have already opened up. Q4: How to prohibit the sale of e-cigarettes to minors? ①Online: Prohibit all e-cigarette products from being promoted and sold on the internet. ②Offline: Prohibit the opening of flagship stores/experience stores/agent stores related to e-cigarettes near primary and secondary school campuses; regular offline sales stores should strictly check the age of customers (whether they are adults), including but not limited to ID cards, facial recognition, AI big data monitoring, and other technical means. Q5: After the online channel is completely banned, what are the sales channels for e-cigarettes in China? The main sales channels for e-cigarettes in China are offline experience stores/specialty stores/convenience stores and other physical sales outlets (not near campuses); in addition, there are foreign markets where e-cigarettes are not explicitly banned. Q6: What is the trend forecast for e-cigarette regulation in China? As the national level has not yet included e-cigarettes in the regulatory scope of existing tobacco products, the production and circulation of e-cigarettes are still basically in a regulatory blank area. The "Notice No. 1" has to some extent filled the regulatory gaps in the online sales and advertising of e-cigarettes, but its implementation effects remain to be observed. The risks brought about by regulatory blank spaces are not only reflected in the health risks associated with the use of e-cigarettes but also in the product quality risks brought about by the uneven e-cigarette market. As China is the world's largest producer and exporter of e-cigarettes, the national level should urgently legislate for e-cigarettes and quickly introduce relevant laws and regulations to comprehensively and effectively regulate e-cigarettes, or to introduce special legislation for e-cigarettes to eliminate the current regulatory vacuum. It can be expected that the national standards for e-cigarettes will be introduced soon, and the inclusion of e-cigarettes in the strict regulatory system of tobacco products is also the general trend. As various market participants in the e-cigarette industry, it is essential to strengthen self-discipline and comply with relevant regulations to promote the healthy development of the industry. Q8: What technology directions in the electronic cigarette industry can apply for patents? There are three types of patents: invention, utility model, and design. Each type of patent protects different technology directions. Invention patents protect technical ideas, solutions, composition formulas, etc. Utility model patents protect the connection relationships of the product's mechanism and components. Design patents protect the shape and pattern designs of the product. Therefore, for companies in the electronic cigarette industry, patent layout strategies can be carried out as follows: The principle of the atomization device and the formula of the e-liquid can be applied for invention patents; The connection structure of the internal components of the e-cigarette can apply for utility model patents; The unique shape and pattern of the e-cigarette can apply for design patents. Q9: How should electronic cigarette company brands layout trademarks? According to the Nice Classification, trademarks are divided into 45 categories, each covering different industries. The common categories directly related to the electronic cigarette industry are Class 3 (0305 Flavorings for tobacco), Class 34 (3407 Electronic cigarettes and their components; 3402 Smoking pipes; 3406 Flavourings for tobacco), in addition, Class 35 advertising and sales are generally necessary for all industries, Class 9 scientific instruments are substitutes in the current uncertain stage of the electronic cigarette industry policy, and other categories need to be selected according to the company's business and expansion plans. Q10: What government funding policies can various companies in the electronic cigarette industry chain enjoy? There are currently no special funding policies specifically for the electronic cigarette industry, and companies can consider some general qualification projects. If the company has continuous research and development, purchases production equipment, participates in exhibitions, and borrows money, there are opportunities to apply for corresponding government funding in the relevant fields.