Preconceived ideas regarding e-liquids

We’ve recently told you about the main preconceived ideas with e-cigarettes and health. Today we are going to take a look at e-liquids more specifically.

E-liquids are less natural than tobacco

It could be considered true, as propylene glycol and vegetal glycerin don’t grow on trees. However, considering the products added by the tobacco companies to traditional cigarettes, it’s totally incorrect to claim that traditional cigarettes are natural. And, if by natural we mean less harmful, wrong again. Tobacco may be a plant, but it’s consumed by combustion, and it’s during combustion that tar, and carbon monoxide are released. There’s no such substance in vaping because there’s no combustion. This statement is therefore not really meaningful, it comes from the preconceived idea that natural is healthy. As previously mentioned, it’s not the plant or nicotine that’s harmful, but the combustion.

We don’t know what e-liquids contain

That’s not true. E-liquids are made with one or more of the following elements :

  • Propylege glycol (PG) : substance used in many culinary preparations, cosmetics, inhalers, etc. Not to be mistaken with ethylene glycol, a highly toxic anti-frost product !
  • Vegetal Glycerin (VG): studies have shown it harmless for humans
  • Natural or synthetic aromas : initially coming from the food industry, then adapted to e-liquids by excluding potentially toxic substances
  • Nicotine (or not), authorized up to 20mg/ml

It is however important to check the origin of each e-liquid component, as some suppliers are less reliable than others. Some distributors commit to only offering high quality products, from renown vendors, with certified and controlled e-liquids, with a guaranteed traceability.

E-liquids are dangerous and contain products that can cause cancer

Wrong again. No study has, to this date, managed to demonstrate any kind of risk linked to e-liquids, even less that they could be carcinogenic Studies on propylene glycol have existed since 1947, as it’s used in many daily consumed products (cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, foodstuff). Vegetal glycerin has also not shown any kind of dangerous health effects. However, some people have been found to have allergies or irritations related to the base components of liquids. The risks could therefore be in products that are added to this PG/VG base, such as certain flavours or additives (for example: oil, sucralose, diacetyl...). It’s therefore important to only buy quality products.

E-cigs are a gateway to smoking

This is not true ! E-cig detractors are claiming that certain e-liquids flavours (sweet, fruity, energy drinks) target young people. Sure, these flavours may seem attractive to them, but it’s important to point out that 99% of vapers are ex-smokers and that they simply enjoy vaping pleasant and varied flavours. This variety prevents a certain form of lassitude and can avoid falling back into smoking. Many studies show that e-cigarettes are not a gateway to traditional cigarettes. Indeed, many young people have tried e-cigs, but extremely few young non-smokers use this product. It’s mainly seen as a way to quit smoking. It’s important to underline that actually, e-cigarettes could be the reason why less and less youngsters are smoking tobacco.