E-liquid, also known as e-juice or vape juice, comprises four main ingredients: propylene glycol, vegetable glycerin, flavorings, and nicotine. Propylene glycol and vegetable glycerin are both recognized as safe food additives; they are used in the production of a wide variety of food and drinks, including cakes, ice cream, toothpaste, and medicines.
The e-cigarette flavorings are not toxic or poisonous in any way. They’re made using approved food-grade flavorings, and they are used in ways and formulations that will not harm you when you inhale them.
There are some health concerns about e-liquid, but these are important to understand. These concerns are not actually about the flavorings themselves – they’re about other ingredients used in e-cigarettes which can be dangerous if your device isn’t properly maintained.
For instance, some studies have shown that Propylene Glycol can cause damage to the lungs when it’s heated into an aerosol inside a device and then inhaled. This damage can build up over time, so it’s important to understand how your device works and how to look after it so this doesn’t happen.
E-cigarettes contain Diacetyl and Acetoin chemicals which create the flavors. Both chemicals have also been linked to causing popcorn lung – a disease where airways become scarred and constricted, potentially leading to respiratory failure and death.
People that have asthma or suffer from other respiratory conditions should avoid using e-cigarettes to avoid worsening the situation to limit the effects of juice. The first step you should take is to purchase your e-juice from a reputable source. Purchasing from reputable companies increases the likelihood that your e-juice was manufactured under FDA regulations and complies with the Food and Drug Administration’s Good Manufacturing Practices.