A Beginner’s Guide to

E-Cigs & Vaping

Discover the art, science & joy of vaping.

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The Revolution Has Begun
I started smoking at the age of 14.

Why? Its hard to say.

I think it was a combination of wanting to fit in with the “cool kids” at school, trying to
project a “bad boy” image for the girls, and being rebellious without a cause.

I never expected it to last, but it did. By the time I knew it, I had been smoking for 20
years. At age 35, I was smoking a pack and a half or Marlboro or Dunhill every single day.

Yes, I tried to quit many times.

But it seems like every time I did quit, I relapsed and picked up smoking again, only to
smoke even more. I tried patches, gums, going cold turkey, and even considered going to
hypnotic therapy just to quit.

I failed. I guess I never really wanted to quit.

Everyone told me I had to quit. The dangers of smoking were plastered everywhere, from
the cigarette box to huge billboards. I knew it would kill me eventually, but I always
assumed I had time to quit.

So why quit now?

It wasn’t until my daughter was born that I seriously considered quitting. By this time, it
had become much harder to quit that I initially thought. I reduced my smoking down to a
single stick of cigarette a day, but could never completely let go.

That’s when I heard of electronic cigarettes, or vaping.

Can the electronic cigarette offer a realistic smoking experience? This is the first thought
that came to my mind and no doubt you're also wondering "how close to the real thing is
it?"

It was the first time I’ve ever heard the term “cigarette replacement” or “harm
reduction”. It was the first time I ever even considered choosing a safer alternative to
smoking, instead of quitting altogether. It seemed like a revolution was happening, and I
wanted to be a part of it.
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The problem is, I knew nothing about e-cigs, and all the smokers I hang out with didn’t
care.

So I forgot about it and went back to a pack a day of Dunhills, until an intern in my
company actually sat down and thought me how to “vape”. I used his Kangertech Subtank
Mini, took a puff, and coughed… lol..

Still, I was determined. So the next day I got my own Kangertech Subtank Mini, and he
thought me how to use it. This simple act of sharing from this 21-year old intern helped me
more than anything I’ve ever read in Google or any video I have watched on YouTube.

Smokers enjoy their cigarettes. If you smoke then you know what I'm talking about. For
many smokers it is a love hate relationship. You know it's bad for you but you enjoy the
sensation and the actual ritual of smoking. That's why nicotine delivery alternatives like
gum and the patch don't cut it... they don't simulate the actual smoking experience.

The sensation of the vapor is incredibly similar to real cigarette smoke. The vapor has a
warmth to it and it feels like real smoke when you inhale. You also get that immediate
nicotine sensation which is very satisfying.

When you blow out the vapor you see a cloud that looks exactly like smoke but without the
lingering smell. As a matter of fact the vapor is nearly odorless and the cloud (which is just
vaporized water and nicotine) quickly disappears without a trace. The fact that the breath,
hands, hair and clothes don't stink is a huge plus!

I know cigarette smoking is bad, but at least now there is a healthier and more cost
efficient alternative.

Within 3 days of getting my first vape starter kit, I quit smoking completely.

But I know that e-cigarettes and vaping is confusing for beginners. Too much jargon, too
much misinformation, too many choices, to many issues.

I hope that with this short guide, and through my website and YouTube channel, I can help
you quit smoking forever and start vaping.

Please do take the time and subscribe to my channel

today: www.youtube.com/geekayvapes

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Click the link above or search for “geekayvapes” on YouTube. Hit subscribe and hit the
notification bell to get notified when I publish new videos.

On my channel, I regularly review products. Some of these products may be too advanced
for you, so please read this guide to connect the dots and get your most basic questions
about e-cigs & vaping answered.

Thank you very much, and I hope you enjoy the rest of this simple ebook.

Yours truly,

Gerald Krishnan @ Geekay Vapes


www.geekayvapes.com

www.youtube.com/geekayvapes

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Electronic Cigarette Vs Vaping
What exactly is an electronic cigarette? How is it different from vaping?

Although I prefer to use the term “vaping”, I know that most smokers (outside the US at
least) prefer the term “ecig” or “electronic cigarette”. It makes them feel more
comfortable trying it out, since it sounds like something they already understand.

I started my YouTube channel and website because I wanted to help people quit smoking
and start vaping, so I will use the term e-cigs a lot in this video to make you feel more
comfortable.

In reality however, all these terms mean the same thing.

When smokers converted to using electronic cigarettes, their devices looked exactly like a
cigarette. Today the term “cigalike” is used to describe these devices. Here’s an example of
a cigalike:

You can see how much it looks like a cigarette. It also feels, tastes, and reacts like a
cigarette.

Over a short period of time, most former smokers moved on to more complex stuff. Their
devices started to look less like an actual cigarette every passing day, and they no longer
wanted to be associated with smokers.

They felt like what they were doing is NOT smoking, since an e-cig device
produces vapor, not smoke.

So they coined the term “vaping”. It is derived from the word vapour (UK) or vapor (US).

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The devices they use are called “vaporizers” or “vape pens”, and look something like
this:

Both types of devices are still very popular today, although the converted smoker (vaper)
looks down upon them. This is what you’ll probably see on most YouTube channels today:

So… electronic cigarette, e-cig or vape?

It doesn't matter which term you prefer, I’m talking about the same thing, at least in
concept. All these devices have the same components, and work in almost the same way.

Now, let move on..

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Four Components of An Electronic
Cigarette
An electronic cigarette is typically made up of three parts:

1. Mod or Battery. A “mod” refers to the device itself, which houses removable batteries
and has electronic circuits to help deliver the power from the battery to the atomizer.

• Most mods have a screen and controls for you to fine tune the amount of power you
want to use, measured in Watts (W).

• For simple vape pens of cigalikes, its just called the “battery” since everything is
built in. For these simple devices, you normally have just one LED button and no
screen.

• Most mods can be charged with a USB cable, or plugged into a separate charger.

2. Tank or cartridge. The tank is where you put your “e-juice” or “e-liquid”. The tanks
are detachable and can be operated on other mods.

• Tanks vary in diameter and height. Early tanks were called “clearomizers”,
although that term is rarely used today.

• For cigalikes, a cartridge is used. These cartridges are usually disposable, and come
with e-liquid in them.

3. Atomizer. This heats up and vaporizes a mixture of liquid nicotine, commonly

referred to as “juice”, “eliquid” or “e-juice”.

• The atomiser is usually placed inside the tank, and makes contact to your mod or
battery for power.

• At the core, there is a piece of wire that heats up and vaporises the liquid, creating
vapour. This is referred to as the “coil”.

• A “wick” (usually organic cotton) is used to help deliver the q-liquid to the
atomizer’s heating wires for efficient and constant vaporisation.

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 • For cigalikes, the atomiser is attached to the cartridge. It also contains a heating
wire and wick, although these are much smaller.

4. Driptip tip or mouthpiece - This is usually a piece of Delrin (a type pf plastic) glass
or stainless steel attached to the tank itself. The purpose of the drip tip is to prevent
your lips from touching the tank, which can get warm, and to channel the vapour in a
condensed stream.

Here’s a simple illustration that can help you understand better:

That doesn’t look like your device? Look again at what you have.

Its the same basic thing although it looks different.

Yes, there are thousands of different devices to choose from. It can be confusing to know
which one if for you, but I will explain more about that later..


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Can E-cigs Help You Quit Smoking?
Probably.

But the companies who sell these devices are not in a position to tell you that. Because of
the strict FDA regulations, no company can make the claim that e-cigs can help you quit
smoking.

Heck, they are not even allowed to call it a “safer alternative to smoking”.

The fact is that e-cigs are a new form of alternative nicotine delivery system. Common
sense would dictate that they could be effectively used as part of an overall smoking
cessation program, similar to the way nicotine gum, patches and inhalers are.

In fact, because the experience of a basic e-cig is so similar to smoking, I think its a much
better smoking cessation tool.

But, you must actually want to quit smoking for it to work!

Common sense right? If you are actually trying to quit cigarettes, then an e-cig can help
you do it. The goal is to use the e-cig as a transition, to stay on the nicotine but avoid the
tobacco.

By doing that, you also avoid the thousands of dangerous chemicals associated with
tobacco.

The nicotine in e-liquids are usually available in 24mg (strong), 12mg (medium) or
6mg (mild). Which one you start off with depends on how much you smoke
per day, whats available to you, and how much vapor your device produces.

Here’s a chart to help you out:

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!

There are even 0mg e-liquids. Yup, these e-liquids that have absolutely no nicotine in
them. These are used by people who vape for fun; they enjoy seeing the vapour but do not
need the nicotine.

“Throat hit” can be defined as that feeling you get in the back of your throat and in your
lungs when you inhale smoke (traditional) or electronic cigarette vapor. This experience is
considered to be a major component of the overall smoking experience.

The idea is to start with a higher level (24mg for example), and slowly wean yourself from
your nicotine addiction by progressively lowering your intake levels.

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It's important to note that even e-liquids with a "high" nicotine level still delivers
considerably less nicotine per inhale than a traditional cigarette.

So how many smokers successfully quit using the electronic cigarette?

It's too soon to say for sure and no organized studies have been performed to date.
However, if you go to vaping forums you would see many testimonials of people who have
kicked the habit for good using e-cigs and vape products Some of these success stories are
from people who have smoked over a pack a day for decades.

Until in-depth clinical studies are done, we are going to have to rely on anecdotal
testimonials and our own reasonable judgement. Do your research and educate yourself
on the facts. Then you will be well equipped to make and intelligent adult decision if this is
something that can help you quit smoking.

Here's the bottom line: No device, even one as promising as the e-cigarette, is going to be a
"silver bullet" that can make a smoker quit overnight. You need a strong conviction to quit.

Some people are not ready to quit. They just enjoy smoking too much. For this group,
vaping & e-cigs can be a much healthier alternative... hopefully one that will keep them
alive a lot longer.

• Did I quit smoking? Yes, within three days of getting my first e-cig, because I was
desperate to quit.

• Do I still vape? Yes, with 6mg nicotine in my liquids.

• Will I ever quit vaping and get off nicotine? One day I will, but for now vaping
is enjoyable and safer than tobacco.

• What if you cannot quit cigarettes? It doesn’t matter, every cigarette you don't
smoke because of vaping helps you live a better life. If vaping helps you get from a
pack a day to a pack every two days, you’ve just cut your health risks in half…


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Are Electronic Cigarettes Safe?
Electronic cigarettes are being marketed as a safer alternative to smoking tobacco. But just
how safe are e-cigarettes? Are there any health risks? Let's examine electric smoking and
compare it to "real" smoking so you can make an intelligent decision if this may be a wise
smoking alternative for you.

The most harmful aspect of smoking cigarettes is the 4,000 toxic chemicals that are
inhaled when you burn tobacco.

It's the actual smoke that is causing lung cancer and respiratory disease, not the nicotine.
With electronic smoking none of these 4,000 toxic chemicals are produced because there is
no smoke... nothing is actually burning.

No smoke means no tar, carbon monoxide, etc.

But what about the nicotine? E-cigarettes still deliver nicotine. How dangerous is
that?

More independent studies on the effects of nicotine by itself need to be done. Right now
the health risks are still inconclusive. Nevertheless, it's obvious that a method of delivering
nicotine that doesn't involve real smoke is going to be much safer than burning tobacco.

The FDA recently reported that traces of carcinogens where found in a sample of electronic
cigarette nicotine liquid. However, these same carcinogens are also found in nicotine
delivery alternatives like the patch and gum (which are both approved by the FDA).

Also keep in mind that many every day foods like peanut butter contain trace levels of
carcinogens.

This is not to say that we should not be concerned about it. Just keep it in perspective. It's
important to remember that the dose of a particular carcinogen is an important factor in
it's toxicity.

If carcinogens are present in e-cigarette vapor, it doesn't not appear to be in high doses.
Right now there is no evidence that these carcinogens are are even translated into the
actual electronic cigarette vapor that is inhaled.

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Are electronic cigarettes totally safe? Until more studies are done it's probably a good idea
to err on the side of caution and assume that they are not 100% safe. But when you
compare it to "real" smoking there really is no comparison.

One thing we know for sure is that tobacco smoking is incredibly dangerous, expensive and
inconvenient. E-cigarettes give smokers an alternative that appears to be much safer and
will probably save countless lives. Given a choice between the two? I think it's a no
brainer…

E-cigs or vaping is quickly rising in popularity and may change the way people smoke
forever. Are you wondering if this is something that would benefit you or a loved one?
Let's examine some of the many benefits of the electronic cigarette as a sensible and
healthier alternative to "real" smoking.

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E-Cigarette Benefits
Here are some of the benefits of an electronic cigarette:

1. Health. The most dangerous aspect of smoking is the actual smoke and the associated
tar, carcinogens and other chemicals that are inhaled into the lungs. With an e-
cigarette nothing is actually lit, so there is no smoke, tar or carcinogens. The nicotine is
vaporized into a mist that looks and feels like smoke, but isn't smoke. This is clearly a
much healthier alternative.

2. Cost. The cost of the nicotine cartridges is where you really save a lot of money. An
electronic cigarette nicotine cartridge is about the equivalent of 1 - 1.5 packs of tobacco
cigarettes. A package of 5 cartridges will cost you around $15. This comes out to about
$2-$3 per pack... this is a huge savings!

3. Convenience. You can smoke an e-cigarette anywhere because there is no smoke

being emitted. You may get some funny looks if you suddenly start "vaping" in a
restaurant or bar so you may want to get permission from management first. But
technically you can do this in any public area because there is no second-hand smoke to
be concerned with.

4. Smell. There is no lingering odor so no more worrying about stinky breath, hair,
clothes, hands, etc. You won't be offending anyone with second hand smoke and no one
can complain about the smell.

5. Peace of mind. You will have the peace of mind knowing that you're choosing a
healthier alternative. True, you're still absorbing nicotine but at least you're avoiding
the the incredibly dangerous smoke and 4,000 toxic chemicals associated with tobacco
cigarettes.

A lot of people wonder if electronic smoking can help a person quit smoking altogether.
There have not been enough clinical studies to prove this one way or another so this is still
a debatable subject.

However, other nicotine delivery alternatives like gum, patches, etc., are commonly used as
a part of many stop-smoking approaches. Common sense would suggest that the
electronic cigarette has the potential to do the same.

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E-Cigs & FDA Regulations
Electronic cigarettes, the FDA, anti-freeze and teenagers... how are these four connected?

Apparently the FDA found small traces of diethylene glycol, an ingredient used in
antifreeze, in one sample of electronic cigarette solution they analyzed.

They are also concerned that teenagers will get addicted to electronic smoking. How
serious are these issues? Are e-cigarettes harmful devices that should be banned? Lets get
the facts straight and put all this information into perspective.

Diethylene glycol may be a toxic ingredient but exactly how toxic is it?

1. It is has one-tenth the toxicity of aspirin.

2. It has one-fortieth the toxicity of nicotine (the primary ingredient in electronic

cigarette vapor).

Diethylene glycol is also found in everyday consumable products like:

- Toothpaste

- Mouthwash

- Cough syrup

- Wine

- Dog food

- And many others...

You have to wonder why the FDA is focusing so much on the minute traces of diethylene
glycol found in one sample when clearly this is a very common ingredient many of us are
ingesting regularly.

That's not to say that diethylene glycol is totally harmless and we shouldn't have any
concerns about it. But when the FDA starts focusing on words like 'diethylene glycol' and
'anti-freeze' it sure does sound scary. However, a little bit of education on the facts puts it
back in perspective doesn't it? By the way, water is another ingredient found in anti-
freeze!
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The FDA tends to give the impression that they have regulatory control over nicotine. That
is not always the case. They regulate smoking cessation products and claims. That's why
electronic cigarettes are marketed as a smoking alternative and not as a means to quit
smoking.

Another "concern" expressed by the FDA is that electronic cigarettes target underage kids.
Here is an FDA quote from one of their reports:

"These products are marketed and sold to young people and are readily available online
and in shopping malls. They are also available in different flavors, such as chocolate and
mint, which may appeal to young people".

There is absolutely zero evidence that e-cigarettes target teenagers. Just the opposite... the
marketing is focused on adults who already smoke and are searching for a healthier
alternative they can use in public places. And here is some breaking news: Adults like to
shop in malls and enjoy a variety of flavor choices too! Besides, the initial cost of entry for
a top of the line electronic cigarette is not practical for most teenagers.

I encourage you to do your own due diligence and research the electronic cigarette to see if
this is something that will benefit you. Look at all sides of the story and try to get unbiased
information. Right now the FDA appears to be biased against electronic smoking for some
reason. Do they have a hidden agenda? Who knows... but I think I detect trace elements of
BS in the FDA reports!

What is the best electronic cigarette? The fact is that most ecigarette models basically
work the same way. In a nutshell, a battery powers an atomizer which vaporizes a nicotine/
water solution that is inhaled by the user. The main differences are in overall quality/
dependability as well as special/extra features that may appeal to you depending on your
personality and needs.


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What is the Best E-Cig / Vape
Product?
This question is very difficult to answer. There are many different type of vapes out there. I
will assume that you are reading this because you are a smoker looking to switch to vaping.

With that in mind, here are the things you need to consider:

1. Overall look. Most manufacturers make their ecigarettes to look like a real cigarette.
The cartridge is brown to look like a filter, the battery is made to look like main body of
a tobacco cigarette and the end will even glow red when you inhale to add to a realistic
smoking experience. For smokers who are looking to express their individuality a bit
more, you can choose from a variety of colors or exotic designs. Some companies even
offer e-cigars and pipes.

2. Vapor volume. How much vapor you're able to get on one puff is a big deal for many
smokers. Generally speaking, more volume equals a more satisfactory and realistic
smoking experience.

3. Atomizer. The atomizer is what vaporizes the nicotine solution and contributes
greatly to overall vapor volume. The most common problem is a clogged atomizer.
You may want to consider a two-piece model where the nicotine cartridge and atomizer
are one unit. Every time you change your cartridge you also get a fresh atomizer.

4. Battery life. Are you are going to use your ecigarette frequently throughout the day?
If so, you want to make sure your battery has battery life that will last for a whole day.
You may also want to consider a battery charger for your car if you're on the road a lot.

5. Flavors. Do you want the traditional flavor of tobacco or menthol? Many companies
also offer you the choice of experimenting with vanilla, chocolate, coffee or fruit flavors.

6. Nicotine strength. The cartridges generally come in several different nicotine

strengths: High, medium, low and zero nicotine. If you're trying to wean yourself off
nicotine you may want to consider gradually cutting down on the strength levels.

Now that you know what to look for, with a little bit of research you should be able to find
the best electronic cigarette that suits your personality and needs. Just don't make the
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mistake of buying the cheapest ecigarette you find. It's worth while to spend a few extra
dollars initially to get a device that gives you the most realistic smoking experience without
the mechanical problems found in many of the cheaper models.

If you are not a smoker, and do not want to buy devices that look like cigarettes, then there
are tons of options to choose from. I suggest reading this guide on my website: http://
www.geekayvapes.com/vape-mods/

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10 Quick FAQs About Vaping & E-
Cigs
1. How close to the real thing is it? Very similar... enough to satisfy the most hardcore
smokers. There are many reports of smokers with 1-2 pack a day habits completely
switching over to e-cigarettes permanently. The vapor tastes, feels and looks like tobacco
smoke. It delivers that instant nicotine satisfaction that smokers crave.

2. Is it safe? Tobacco smoke has over 4,000 toxic chemicals. Electronic smoking has
none of these because there is no actual smoke involved. Smoke is the real health hazard.
E-cigarettes deliver nicotine by inhaling a vaporized water/nicotine solution without
having to worry about tar, carbon monoxide, etc.

A report by the Royal College of Physicians states that nicotine by itself has not been
proven to cause any long term ill health effects. Electronic cigarette vapor has about 20
ingredients (including nicotine) all of which are considered safe as long as the proper
instructions are followed.

3. Can it help me quit smoking? Electronic cigarettes are NOT marketed as smoking
cessation devices. They are meant to be used by smokers who are seeking an alternative
that can be used anywhere. That being said, common sense dictates that it definitely has
potential to be an integral part of a sensible stop-smoking program (similar to how
nicotine gum and patches are used).

4. Is it approved by the FDA? The e-cigarette is a nicotine delivery device and doesn't
fall under the jurisdiction of the FDA right now.

5. Why are certain groups so opposed to it? This is a complicated question. Certain
groups may have the public's best interests in mind and just want more clinical studies to
be done. Others have a financial interest in trying to figure out the best way to capitalize
on what is probably going to be a billion dollar industry soon.

6. Can it be used anywhere? Technically, yes. There is no burning tobacco so no

second hand smoke is produced. Although it is totally acceptable in most public places,

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there are certain areas like restaurants that may not like the appearance of it. In these
cases simply check with the staff first.

7. Does it target kids? Absolutely not! There is a lot of misinformation regarding this
topic. Some anti-groups are claiming that because a variety of flavors like fruit, vanilla,
chocolate, etc. are available this is going to appeal to kids. That's like saying because
nicotine gum comes in a variety of flavors like mint or fruit it's catering to a younger
crowd. Adults enjoy a variety of flavor choices too! The bottom line is the initial cost for
an electronic cigarette starter kit (usually around $100 or so) is not practical for most kids.
The market is adult smokers looking for a healthier alternative smoking choice.

8. What is the best e-cigarette? This is where you need to use a bit of discrimination.
There has been a lot of cheap designs coming out of China that are wrought with
mechanical problems. Luckily there are a handful of high-quality manufacturers out there.
A little bit of research will help you decide. Just remember that sometimes it's worth
spending a few more dollars one time to ensure you get a high quality device that is capable
of giving you an enjoyable and problem-free smoking experience.

9. How much does it cost? A quality starter kit (including rechargeable battery,
charger and 5 nicotine cartridges) will run you around $100 - $150. A package of 5
cartridges will run you around $10 - $15. I cartridge is about the equivalent of 1 - 1.5 packs
of cigarettes. Do the math. That's the equivalent of paying around $2 - $3 per pack of
cigarettes.

10. Where can I buy one? Because it's still fairly new, not many stores are carrying
these yet. The best deals can be found online. One good website is Gearbest (China) at
http://vape2.me/gearbest

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