E-juice or Vape Juice

E-juice, vape juice, e-liquid, vape liquid, smokejuice, flavour or juice are all terms describing the liquid solution used in vaping to provide the aerosol mist or fog resembling smoke that is exhaled by the vape user.

E-juice typically contains a mixture of Vegetable Glycerin (VG) and Propylene Glycol (PG) usually with flavour and at times with nicotine blended in. Be aware of the Australian Laws surrounding the possession and use of nicotine in vapes.

The most common ratio of the mixture is 50% VG to 50% PG although many change this ratio to suit individual tastes or outcomes. The higher percentage of VG results in the production of more vapour when exhaled but this often results in less flavour. Extreme ratios such as 85% VG to 15% PG produce massive clouds but much less flavour.

Vegetable Glycerin (VG) is one of the base materials used in e-juice. VG is derived from naturally occurring plant oils and is widely used in the food industry as it has a sweet taste and has fewer calories than sugar. It is also used in cough syrups and toothpaste.

Propylene Glycol (PG) has been used in the health industry for many years as carrier of medications in medical asthma inhalants. It is also found in a wide range of food products, food flavourings, and air disinfectants and is also used to make the fog so common at concerts and stage productions.  

Flavours for e-juice are virtually unlimited. There are many thousand different flavours of e-juice on the market. Most smokers converting to vaping usually commence using tobacco flavoured vape juice to replicate their past smoking experience but tend to eventually experiment with many of the other taste sensations available.

Nicotine is probably one of the more important ingredients in e-juice for the cigarette smoker who is wishing to eventually quit or is looking for a safer alternative. Unfortunately under Australian Law it is illegal possess or use nicotine in vaping products as it is classified as a poison unless the vaper possesses a permit or prescription to do so. A prescription from an Australian Registered Medical Practitioner would allow the vaper to import up to 3 months’ supply of nicotine e-juice from overseas. Play it safe and seek a prescription from your Doctor to avoid the chance of being penalised for nicotine possession. It is worth noting that the UK Royal Society for Public Health state that nicotine is ‘no more harmful to health than caffeine’.

Note – The laws on vaping and nicotine vary in different States and Territories so always check with the local authorities to avoid the possibility of being penalised.

For more on the laws on vaping and nicotine in different Australian States and Territories go to https://www.racgp.org.au/afp/2015/june/e-cigarettes-and-the-law-in-australia