If you're new to vaping, you may have asked or wondered about these commonly asked questions about vaping.

Is vaping bad for you?

There is no evidence to suggest vaping is bad for you when used as a harm reduction tool. However, if you don’t already smoke tobacco or consume nicotine, vaping is not for you and you should not start.

Is vaping safe?

The act of vaping means you are inhaling a “substance” into your lungs. The best thing for your lungs is fresh air. Vaping is “less safe” for you than breathing fresh air but should be looked at based on relative risks compared to other alternatives along a harm reduction spectrum.  

Is vaping better than smoking?

Vaping nicotine available for sale in New Zealand is a significantly safer alternative to smoking combustible cigarettes. Public Health England is at the forefront of vaping health evidence and maintains that vaping nicotine is 95% less harmful than tobacco.

Does vaping make you high?

Vaping nicotine should not make you high. A vaping substance is commonly referred to as eLiquid. The ingredients that make up eliquid consist of

• Pharmaceutical Nicotine
• Food Grade Flavourings
• Propylene glycol and/or vegetable glycerin

None of these ingredients are intoxicating substances so will not make you “high”. Occasionally some vapers experience a “head rush”. This is usually due to consuming excessive nicotine. If you ever experience a head rush, replace the eliquid or pod you’re using with a lower nicotine strength, and ask your usual specialist vape retailer for advice.  

How to charge a vape?

Most pod vapes and AIO vape devices come with a charging cable included in the box. The 2 most commonly used cables in pod vapes are Mini USB and Type C fast chargers.

Some tips when charging a pod vape include

• Remove pod cartridges from the device when charging
• Use a laptop or computer USB port where possible (instead of the mains)
• Avoid overcharging

Vape Mods usually come with replaceable 18650 batteries and are charged in a specialised battery charger. Be careful when using 18650 batteries to ensure you don’t overcharge them and immediately replace the battery wraps when they show signs of wear and tear to prevent any shorting in your device.  

Does vaping count as smoking for health insurance?

Insurance companies by nature are the most risk adverse industries when gathering data for insurance premiums. There is no fixed rule but most insurance companies treat your status as a “Smoker” if you have vaped or consumed any nicotine replacement products in the past 12 months.

Is it safe to vape while breastfeeding?

Health organisations advise that you do not vape when breastfeeding to minimise risks. While vaping has significantly fewer toxins than tobacco, nicotine from vaping products will be in your system. Nicotine is not suitable for young people (especially infants).  

Can you get COVID from vaping?

No. COVID-19 is a virus and is not present in vaping substances. There is no fact based evidence to suggest that vaping is a cause of transmission. However, when out in public please continue to be respectful of others when vaping.

How to charge a vape battery without a charger?

Battery safety in vaping is crucial. Do not look for “Hacks” to charge your vape battery with methods other than a certified electrical charger.

Does vape juice contain sugar?

Vape juice manufactured and sold by reputable vape businesses in New Zealand do not contain sugar. Under the New Zealand regulations for vaping substance standards, sugar will be listed as a prohibited substance. Vape juice can, however, contain small traces of flavour sweeteners such as sucralose which enhance flavours. These are commonly used in vape eliquids around the world.

How long do vape coils last?

The amount of time a vape coil lasts largely depends on the circumstances. In most pod vape devices, a coil usually lasts a minimum of 1-2 weeks with high frequency usage.

How often should I vape?

You should vape as often as you need to in a way that means you can avoid smoking a cigarette. When you first make the switch to vaping, try to vape at a similar frequency to how you smoked tobacco. If you find yourself vaping more often than you were smoking, consider dropping down a nicotine level to ensure you don’t increase your dependency on nicotine.

How to blow vape rings?

Blowing vape rings is much easier on a SubOhm vape mod rather than a pod vape. What works for most people is

1. Half inhale
2. Keep your tongue down
3. Make an “O” shape with your lips
4. Exhale the vapour in a short “huff” motion.

What vape flavors cause popcorn lung?

Popcorn lung was a health problem in a popcorn factory (unrelated to vaping) which resulted in factory workers inhaling diacetyl which was present in buttery flavourings used in the production of popcorn.  In the early days of vaping, this concern was raised for eliquids containing buttery eliquid flavourings. Diacetyl is present in tobacco cigarettes and traces can also exist in vaping substances (at considerably lower amounts to combustible tobacco). There are no reported cases of anybody getting popcorn lung as a result of vaping nicotine.

Can you vape inside?

Under the New Zealand smoke free environments and regulated products act, vaping is not permitted indoors (like smoking). Under the regulations, there is an exemption for Specialty Vape Stores, so vaping products can be demonstrated and sampled in store.

Do vapes have nicotine?

Most vaping eliquids do contain nicotine. “Zero Nic” eliquids are available in some Specialist Vape Stores.

Is vaping safe for kids?

No. Vaping nicotine is not suitable for kids or young people. Nicotine is an addictive substance and should be used with caution as an alternative to smoking tobacco.

What does sub ohm vaping mean?

Sub-ohm vaping refers to the resistance (in ohms) of the coil. A resistance of less than 1.0ohm is “sub-ohm”.

Low resistance (sub-ohm) coils generally give a higher ploom of vapour and are more suitable for Direct to Lung vaping. Higher resistance coils (0.8ohm + give a smaller ploom of vapour and are more suitable for Mouth-to-lung (MTL) vaping.  

Can you put cannabis oil in a vape?

In New Zealand cannabis oil is not “legal” so you shouldn’t. In countries like the United States where CBD and THC oils are legal for sale, you can. If you use cannabis oil, make sure it is from a reputable (legal market) supplier with no Vitamin-D Acetate (the black market THC additive that caused lung illnesses in the United States in 2019) and used in devices designed specifically for cannabis oils.

Does vaping fill your lungs with water?

No! Reputable vaping products will not fill your lungs with water.

Does vaping make you gain weight?

No! Theres no substance inside a vaping product that is scientifically proven to demonstrate that inhaling it will cause weight gain.

How much does a vape cost?

Vapes range in price depending on the type of device you buy.

As a general guide:

• Small format disposables: $10 - $15
• Large format disposables: $20 - $25
• Prefilled Pod Vape Kits: $25 - $40
• Refillable Pod Vape Kits: $40 - $55
• Vape Mods: $50 - $100+

How to make own vape juice?

Making your own vape juice (DIY) is an art. Not complicated, but success is highly dependent on getting the right combination of flavours. To make your own vape juice you will need:

• Pharmaceutical Grade Nicotine Concentrate
• Food Grade Flavour Concentrates
• Propylene Glycol
• Vegetable Glycerin

Is propylene glycol safe to vape?

Vaping is not harmless but it is significantly less harmful than smoking tobacco. Propylene Glycol is a base ingredient commonly used in vaping substances by all reputable manufacturers.  

What is a RDA vape?

RDA stands for “Rebuildable Dripping Atomizer”. This is basically a coil you make using wire and cotton wick. Unlike more common vapes, RDAs do not have a container for the eLiquid. To use, you “Drip” eliquid on to the coil and vape as needed. The key advantage of RDA vaping is you can easily swap between flavours, and some find it a “therapeutic exercise” rebuilding coils. The downside is building coils takes time and patience to get it right.

What is the best vape?

There is no “best vape” rather, what is the best vape for you! The best vape for you depends on what your needs are. If you’re currently a heavy smoker, a high MG nicotine salt Pod Vape would probably be best for you. Alternatively, if you prefer a Direct to Lung style of vape with a high focus on flavours, a larger Vape Mod with low MG nicotine eliquid would be more suitable.

Where can I buy nicotine for vaping?

You can buy vaping products that contain nicotine from all Specialist Vape Stores in New Zealand.

Are vapes allowed on planes?

In New Zealand, vapes are allowed on planes but you can only carry them on and cant charge them or use them on board. Vapes are not allowed on planes in checked in baggage.

Can you get addicted to vaping?

Vaping products can contain nicotine. Nicotine is an addictive substance. If you vape, you can get addicted. If you don’t currently vape or smoke, you should not start vaping nicotine.

Do vapes set off smoke alarms?

Vapes can set off smoke alarms. It is unlikely a Heat sensor fire alarm would be activated from vaping. Most fire alarms are triggered if it detects particles in the air (much like a cigarette or cooking)! Unless you are heavily vaping in a confined space close to a fire alarm it is unlikely you will set it off.

Do you inhale vape pens?

Vape pens are generally designed as a Mouth to Lung Vape system. This means you inhale vapour in 2 steps.

• Step 1 – From vape pen Into your mouth
• Step 2 – Mouth into your lung

Does vape juice go bad?

Vape juice is a consumable product and comes with expiry / best before dates. Generally, vape juice doesn’t go “bad” as such, flavours tend to develop over time and can become superior in taste! However, nicotine oxidation does happen over time when a nicotine vape juice containing nicotine is exposed to sunlight, or air it gradulally oxidises. In the short term, you will not notice any taste difference, however highly oxidated nicotine tends to cause an unpleasant flavour when vaped. Vape Juice usually come with a shelf life of 2-3 years from date of manufacture.

How to make colored vape clouds?

Coloured vape clouds are usually created in photoshop / video editing software. Do not try adding food colouring to your eliquid, and be very careful if you are ever offered a “coloured vape cloud” vape juice.

How to stop vape spitting?

Vapes can spit when there is excess eliquid in the chamber which you runs a risk "Flooding” your vape, diminishing flavour and causing spitback.
Some tips to reduce vape spitting:

• On Pod Vapes – make sure you fill the correct holes & not the central “chimney” where the vapour comes out.
• Don’t overfill your device
• Remove the atomizer / pod cartridge from the vape and blow into the mouthpiece to clear the excess liquid from the coil.
• Rewick coils / empty tank  

How to store vape juice?

Although most vape juice comes with child safety packaging, they need to be stored away from young people and pets in case of unintended ingestion. To preserve the life of your vape juice, try to keep it out of direct sunlight in a dark, cool place. Many vapers tend to store eliquid in a secure section of a fridge or freezer, only do this if you can ensure it will be safe from young people and unintended ingestion.

Is a vape an e cig?

A vape is an e cig. The word ‘vape’ is derived from the word “vaporiser” and is now used as a verb for the action of inhaling an electronic cigarette. When used as a noun, a ‘vape’ usually refers to an e-cigarette device.

What age are you allowed to vape?

In New Zealand the legal age for vaping is 18+ years, consistent with tobacco.

What do ohms do for vaping?

Ohms refer to the resistance in a coil. A Low ohms / low resistance vape will result in large vapour outputs and needs a high powered device to appropriately heat it. A high ohm/ resistance vape delivers less vapour, more suitable for Mouth to Lung vaping, and low powered devices.   

What happens when you quit smoking and start vaping?

Vaping is significantly less harmful than smoking because it contains at least 95% of the toxins contained in a cigarette. The first thing you will experience when you vape is your sense of taste will return.

What is a vape coil?

A vape coil is a component within an ecigarette atomizer that heats the eliquid / vape juice, making it evaporate into vapour.

What is a vape pen?

A vape pen is a cylindrical shaped vape device that is usually designed for Mouth To Lung Vaping. Vape pens are generally refillable and have a low / medium battery output.

What is mouth to lung vaping?

Mouth to Lung (MTL) vaping is a method of inhaling vapour from an e-cigarette. This method is the same way traditional cigarettes are smoked. MTL vaping consists of 2 steps. The first step involves sucking vapour into your mouth from the vape device, the second step is inhaling vapour from your mouth into your lungs aka Mouth to Lung vaping.

What vape juice makes the most smoke?

Vape juice with high concentrations of Vegetable Glycerin (VG) make the largest vape clouds. VG has a thick viscosity and is effective at carrying flavours. In contrast, Propylene Glycol (PG) is more watery, and delivers less vapour but is a more effective carrier of nicotine. Most vape juice blends have a combination of VG and PG.

What vape makes the most smoke?

High Powered, Sub-Ohm vapes have the highest vapour output.

Why is my vape leaking into my mouth?

All vapes can leak, and it isn’t a pleasant experience when they do. The reason your vape is leaking into your mouth is usually because there is excess eliquid in the heating chamber. Most of the time, this can be fixed by removing the tank / cartridge and blowing into the mouthpiece to clear the excess eliquid.  

Why is my vape tank getting hot?

A vape tank contains a coil, which heats eliquid. If your tank is getting hot; have a break from vaping on high wattage for a while. Also ensure you have switched your vape mod device off when in your pocket, this prevents accidental continuous firing and heat.  

Can i mix different tanks and batteries on vape?

In vape mods, you can mix and match, they are quite modular. Most vape mods come with a 510 connector to screw in a tank, so can be used interchangeably. Batteries can also be used between devices, but try to ensure they remain in pairs to ensure the charge levels remain consistent between them.

Can i mix vape flavors?

Yes you can mix vape flavours to create custom blends of your own. While there are many options to choose currently in New Zealand, it is always an enjoyable experience to mix and match. Remember to use caution when mixing vape juice flavours, particularly when they contain nicotine.

Can i mix vape liquid with water?

Don’t mix vape liquid with water, it will cause your vape to stop functioning correctly and will prevent effective vaporisation of the eliquid.

Can i put vape juice in my tobacco?

Don’t put your vape juice in tobacco! Vape juice is designed to be heated, not combusted.

Can i take a vape through customs?

Yes, in countries where vaping is permitted, your vape will be allowed through customs. Please check all local regulations prior to traveling if you have any doubts.  

Can vape pods explode?

Extremely unlikely. Vape pods have small batteries and high tech regulated microchips to safely mitigate against a short circuit and/or overheating. There are no reports of any reputable vape pods exploding. When you hear about “Vapes exploding” they are usually mechanical mods designed for advanced users with no inbuilt safety mechanisms.