As the price of paper cigarettes and heated cigarettes continue to rise, many people want to switch to electronic cigarettes to enjoy the bliss of price-conscious smoking. However, some may not know which e-cigarette to choose, whether it is a popular vape or a product sold at convenience stores.

In this issue, we have compiled a list of e-cigarette advantages and how to choose the right one so that you can find the perfect product for you. Let us explain.

Are electronic cigarettes harmful to health?

Since e-cigarettes do not heat tobacco leaves, they do not produce nicotine or tar. Therefore, most people believe that they are harmless. Although the fact that no nicotine or tar is produced by e-cigarettes compared to cigarettes and heated cigarettes may seem like an advantage, it is a bit misleading to say that there is no harm.

According to the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, because e-cigarettes heat liquid, the vegetable glycerin in the liquid may cause health problems such as breathing difficulties, shortness of breath, and chest pain.

As an actual example, the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (MHLW) has taken up the situation of e-cigarettes in the U.S. and published examples of health hazards caused by e-cigarettes. However, all of the ingredients are in violation of the Marijuana Control Law or the Narcotics and Psychotropics Control Law in Japan, and cannot be purchased in Japan. Compared to paper cigarettes and heated cigarettes, the possibility of health hazards is low, given the absence of nicotine, tar, and secondhand smoke.

E-cigarette situation overseas and in Japan

If you are interested in purchasing an e-cigarette, you need to know about the e-cigarette situation overseas and in Japan. This is because there are differences in the e-cigarettes available in Japan and other countries, and there are also restrictions on the purchase of nicotine-containing liquids. By understanding the situation in Japan and other countries, you will be able to enjoy e-cigarettes more freely.

E-cigarettes overseas contain nicotine

Overseas, the sale and transfer of nicotine-containing liquids and e-cigarettes that use them is permitted. Since the law is different from Japan's Pharmaceutical Affairs Law, purchasing nicotine-containing liquids is not a crime. Therefore, it is possible to purchase nicotine-containing e-cigarettes.

Of course, some countries do not sell nicotine-containing liquids, so those who want to buy nicotine-containing liquids should check before doing so. Also, keep in mind that if you go abroad on a business trip or vacation and make a purchase, you will need to file a customs declaration when you bring it into Japan.

E-cigarettes in Japan are nicotine-free

In Japan, only liquids that do not produce nicotine and tar are sold.

This is because the Pharmaceutical Affairs Law and the Poisonous and Deleterious Substances Control Law prohibit the sale or transfer of liquids containing nicotine. Some people may think that cigarettes are the same in the sense that they contain nicotine. However, cigarettes can be sold because they are recognized as selling tobacco leaves, not nicotine.

Because of this situation, if one wants to purchase nicotine-containing liquid, one must either import it personally or go abroad to buy it. Because of the restrictions on import quantities and the time and effort involved in purchasing the liquid yourself from the vape manufacturer, many people use specialized mail-order sites to easily obtain the liquid.

How to Choose an E-Cigarette

If you have a clear idea of what you yourself are choosing, you will be able to select the right product for you.

Choose flavors with your favorite aroma.

There are countless types of flavors to choose from, so let's break them down into broad categories.

• Fruit flavors (apple, pineapple, etc.)
• Sweets (tiramisu, cheesecake, etc.)
• Menthol flavors
• Tobacco type
• Drinks (melon soda, milk coffee, etc.)
• Food type (pizza, stir-fried meat and vegetables, etc.)

Those who want to take a break and relax with sweet flavors should choose fruit or sweets. Menthol or tobacco flavors for those who want to quit smoking or reduce smoking. For those who want to feel refreshed, we recommend coffee or energy drink flavors.

How about food flavors for those who want something a little different? You can enjoy flavors such as pizza or stir-fried meat and vegetables with your smoke that you would never be able to enjoy with paper cigarettes or heated cigarettes.

It would be a good idea to purchase several liquids so that you can smoke different flavors according to your mood.

Select a battery based on how long it lasts.

The battery capacity from different vape manufacturers is expressed in mAh (milliampere-hour). The "h" in mAh means hours, and the larger the mAh, the longer the battery will last.

Since battery capacity varies greatly from e-cigarette to e-cigarette, it is best to choose one based on how often you smoke. Although it is impossible to give an exact time because it depends on usage and environment, a 1000mAh e-cigarette can often go more than two days without recharging.

Choosing by the amount of smoke

The amount of smoke an e-cigarette produces depends on the output wattage, which is the amount of power consumed to heat the coil; the higher the wattage, the more liquid can be vaporized.

For this reason, e-cigarettes that produce a large amount of smoke, known as "smoke bombers," often have a high wattage. Furthermore, if you choose one with an airflow that allows you to adjust the amount of smoke, you can enjoy the amount of smoke you want.

Those who want to enjoy performance with an explosive e-cigarette should also check the amount of smoke.