A recent survey of electronic cigarette users yields some interesting numbers:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/sr.aspx?sm=HrpzL8PN5cP366RWhWvCTjggiZM_2b8yQJHfwE9UXRNhE_3d

Over 50% of users were aged between 30 and 50.

In a survey of over 1,100 survey respondents, as of 4/29/2010:

• 82.5% of electronic cigarette users reported they are over the age of 30 years old and only 2.1% are 18-21 years old
• Over 50% of users were aged between 30 and 50.
• 21.5% smoked about a pack a day before trying electronic cigarettes.
• 84.4% stated that they smoked cigarettes for over 10 years before switching to electronic cigarettes
• 75.2% report that they have ceased smoking traditional cigarettes completely.
• 83.1% report they use electronic cigarettes as an alternative to tobacco cigarettes and not as a way to treat nicotine addiction
• 56% of these older adult respondents report that they “regularly,” “often” or “always” use non-tobacco flavors such as chocolate and strawberry
• 91.4% report “better lung function/easier breathing” and
• 80.2% report “increased lung capacity”
• 89.6% stated they would be “very likely” or “likely” to “ buy electronic cigarette supplies directly from China or the black market,” should electronic cigarettes become unavailable in the U.S. and
• 72.1% stated they would be “likely” or “very likely” to return to smoking cigarettes.
• Only 7.6% reported that they would attempt to quit smoking using an NRT or through complete abstinence i.e. cold turkey

(Source: CASAA Electronic Cigarette User Survey)

Your atomizer (the part of your eCigarette that heats up) is a sensitive part of your vaping experience and should be cared for.

Opinions vary widely about how and how often to clean an atomizer, but here’s what the experts at Vape Gourmet have found:

1. Clean your atomizer by blowing it out at least once a day.  Remove the battery and cartridge.  Wipe off any excess eLiquid.  Place the battery end (the part with the threaded brass connector) in a tissue – a paper towel works well for this.  Blow hard through the cartridge end.  Excess eLiquid in the coil area will expel into the tissue.  Do this a few times till no more comes out.
2. Once a week or so, thoroughly clean your atomizer.  This can be done by boiling it in water for a few minutes.  Leave it in the pan to cool and remove it.  Follow the instructions above to blow out the water.

Some people have had good results using vodka, dish soap in hot water, high pressure hoses, hydrogen peroxide, denture cleaners, etc.  Here at Vape Gourmet, we suggest plain old boiling in water.

If your atomizer becomes difficult to draw through, it may be too late.  This is a sign you need to get a new one and clean it more often.  Results will vary, depending on your vaping habits.  For some, the atomizer needs to be boiled almost daily.  For others, atomizers can last a month or more.  No matter what though, over time, your atomizer will slowly lose its effectiveness and will need to be replaced.  That’s why they make spares.

Happy Vaping!