Author: pbusardo

I’m sure this post will get some flames, but I need to rant a little bit anyway, so here goes…

I guess I’m just a little surprised and disappointed that the Harvard report on DI/AP has taken so many people by surprise when it’s been a known issue for so long now and discussed at length in so many different forums.

THE HARVARD REPORT

The biggest thing I’m hearing is… well, we don’t watch those shows, or follow the forums and the online community, so we didn’t know.

Sorry to be harsh here, but IMHO – Ignorance is no excuse. You’re putting this stuff into your body. You don’t have the due diligence to research it and know what’s going on with it? Be adult and take some responsibility.

When I THOUGHT about vaping back in 2009 I researched the piss out of it, learning everything I could before trying it. At least what was available back then.  There is far more research and resources available for you today.

What are my own feelings on the DI/AP issue? Am I even educated on the subject enough to comment?  Maybe not, but I’m going to anyway. 🙂  I’ve also tried to gather some links to information and invite you to make up your own mind.

From a high level, it’s very simple… If it’s an avoidable risk, let’s avoid it. Might as well do it ourselves before someone tells us to.

• Do I think it’s being blown WAY out of proportion? Yes I do.

How The Media Totally Exaggerated Study On Risk Of ‘Popcorn Lung’

New Study Finds that Average Diacetyl Exposure from Vaping is 750 Times Lower than from Smoking

A new study finds diacetyl in e-cigarettes but exaggerates risks and fails to discuss about smoking

Public Panic – Researchers Push to Skew Vaping Regulation – Reg Watch

Media Bias Exposed: ‘Popcorn Lung’ Chemical 750 Times Greater In Tobacco Vs. E-Cigarettes

• Do I think vaping is far safer than smoking? Yes I do.
• Even with the DI/AP? Yes I do.

But I also think there are some legitimate concerns brought up by people who are far more intelligent than I when it comes to this topic.

For example, From Dr. Farsalinos:

If you talk about the case for tobacco cigarettes not causing popcorn lung disease, we have responded to this through our study last year. I quote:

“A recent study raised doubts about the association between DA and AP exposure and development of bronchiolitis obliterans (Pierce et al., 2014); high levels of these chemicals were found in tobacco smoke while smoking is not a risk factor for development the disease. However, cigarette smoke contains many respiratory irritants, which probably act synergistically and cause a different pattern of lung disease. The prevalence of chronic obstructive lung disease in active smokers is estimated to be 15.4% (Raherison & Girodet, 2009), by far higher than the prevalence of bronchiolitis obliterans in patients exposed to diacetyl. Moreover, it is quite common that the condition is often misdiagnosed (Kreiss et al., 2002). Finally, post-mortem examinations have shown that many smokers have histopathological features of respiratory bronchiolitis (Niewoehner et al., 1974).”

Finally, let me note that diacetyl is indeed generally recognized as safe for ingestion because the damage is coming from direct contact of diacetyl with the lung epithelium (lung surface) and not by the presence of diacetyl in blood after it is absorbed!

What does that mean? It means the DI/AP contained in cigarettes when combined with the other toxins could lead to something other than popcorn lung, which could still potentially be… popcorn lung.

What else does this mean? It means we don’t know for sure.

But just because we don’t know and some may feel it’s being blown out of proportion, brushing it off, IMHO is irresponsible given the research we have.

• Do I think vaping DI/AP is going to kill you overnight?  No I don’t.
• Do I think vaping DI/AP at the levels we do even from the biggest offenders has the potential to be of no concern at all?  Can’t answer that one.  Time and research will tell.
• Do I still think there is cause for concern?  Yes I do.

Respiratory Toxicologic Pathology of Inhaled Diacetyl in Sprague-Dawley Rats

HAZARD COMMUNICATION GUIDANCE FOR DIACETYL AND FOOD FLAVORINGS CONTAINING DIACETYL

Necrosis of Nasal and Airway Epithelium in Rats Inhaling Vapors of Artificial Butter Flavoring

Fixed Obstructive Lung Disease in Workers at a Microwave Popcorn Factory — Missouri, 2000–2002

FLAVORINGS-RELATED LUNG DISEASE

A new study verifies the lower risk-potential of e-cigarettes but identifies an avoidable risk

So is this a call to remove all AP & DI from all liquids?  No… maybe, well yes… kinda, but not really.   No because we as adults should be able to decide for ourselves what we use and how we use it, and what harm level we may want to expose ourselves to.  Yes to protect the very same people who sparked this post.  Those people who have no idea what AP & DI is.  The seventy year old grandma who goes into a vape shop and buys a super tasty flavor not knowing the contents and potential risk and not given that information by the shop owner or the liquid vendor, thinking they are being as safe as possible.   Should the industry sell these products to that person responsibly and ethically, protecting that person to the best of it’s ability?  I think so.  Maybe you can see my dilemma here.

• Do I think regulations will require it to be removed if being sold to the public no matter how we feel about it?  Absolutely.

We at least need proper testing done on the liquids and the results clearly and publicly presented, giving vapers the information they need to make up their own minds. You always have to remember, what may not be important to you may be extremely important to someone else.

It’s up to us as adults to choose the level of risk we are willing to subject ourselves to whether or not that risk is even founded… If you don’t feel comfortable using it or doing it, don’t!

Just as important, research needs to continue in using AP/DI in the way we do. Perhaps someday we’ll find out that at our exposure levels, there are no concerns at all and we can go on happily vaping our deliciously creamy & buttery AP/DI laden flavors with no worries at all, but we’re not there yet and may never be.

The same can be said for the materials we use…

• Is using kanthal any safer than using nichrome or titanium or nickel or stainless steel or greekmantium?
• Is using organic cotton any safer than using rayon or silica or hemp or mesh or ceramic?

That goes for how we vape as well…

• Is vaping at lower temperatures safer than higher temperatures?
• Is a shorter draw safer than a longer draw?
• Is vaping lower nicotine levels, but consuming more liquid safer than higher nicotine levels and less liquid?

We don’t know, but we need to, and studies need to continue using all of these materials in all of the different ways we use them.

Vaping is a very interesting game folks. It’s not like smoking (no shit Phil). I believe, at this point, we know that it’s far safer than smoking. I’ve read as much as 95% safer than smoking. With vaping, however, you also have control over how much safer than smoking it is.  I personally would love to know how that 95% number changes based on what we use and how we use it.

I truly believe we’re going to come to find out that vaping in different ways increases or decreases risks to your health. Some will be happy with “who cares, it’s all still safer than smoking”. Others will not and continue to look for the safest ways to vape. Some will accept potential risks associated with their style of vaping, others will not.

It’s similar to my current feelings on NI and TI. I continue to use the materials and I’m comfortable using them at temperatures I do. However, if research into using these materials the way we do presents a legitimate concern, I may very well re-think my ways.

But remember what I said before… “If you don’t feel comfortable doing it or using it, don’t!”

Research is needed!

Issues with vaping need to be identified. When they are identified we need to not freak out, solve the problem, learn from it, and move forward.  They need to be made public. Mainstream media blowing these issues out of proportion is something we’re going to have to get used to and deal with.

I feel worst for the smoker in this situation.   Those people who may be swayed by what they see and hear in mainstream media pushing them away from a potentially lifesaving or extending product.  We need to continually educate those people and guide them to the truth.

They are being given only one side of the story.  These mainstream news articles, when presenting the ills of vaping MUST compare them to the ills of smoking.  Doing anything less is completely irresponsible.

We have a long way to go before we get the answers everyone is looking for, but in the meantime it’s very important to understand that vaping is about harm REDUCTION not harm ELIMINATION.  Use these products at your own risk, but do your best to educate yourself on potential issues and concerns.  And always remember, that the safest way to vape is to not vape at all… but don’t smoke either! 😉

Here endeth my rant!

Vape happy everyone and have a great weekend.

Hi PBusardo. I have been a smoker for over 45 years and depending on the
day and mood, was up to almost 2 packs a day. That’s almost 50 shit sticks a day. I
told my Wife last year that I wanted to give an e-cig a try and she got me an
unovape pen for Christmas last year. At first it was great but the battery was so
small that it would die after a few short hours. Last month after the government
raised the price of cigs again, I decided enough was enough and went out and got an
evode starter kit. I was told it was an Evode2 but I discovered that I was rooked by
an overeager salesmonger. What he sold me was an Evode single coil unit but it came
with 2 batteries and 2 clearos. Thats why he called it an Evode 2. I went to another
vape shop looking to get some coils for my unit and found out that it wasn’t an
Evode2 at all. Anyways long story short: I watched your video on getting started
and I just want to say THANK YOU. You helped me get to what really matters , and
that is to get off the shit sticks. After watching some of your videos and reviews,
I bought an istick 30 and paired it with a nautilus mini. I know that there is much
better out there but for right now this rig is working great for me . I did watch
the reviews you did for both the istick and the nautilus and it helped a great deal.
When I first started out, I scoured the internet looking for info on vaping for
beginners and came across your site. I found your site more informative than most
others and your presentation very appealing. Keep up the good work. I suggest your
site to all my friends and anyone else I talk to about vaping. You have a new
follower in Calgary Alberta Canada. I give you 2 thumbs up.

Read the article HERE!

Just wanted to say that may well be a watermark video, and youre right,
the bulk of manufacturers have dropped the ball on offering devices for the
initial quitters, and we who have moved on have moved on and not noticed.

Congrats on the video, and the way you targetted it and explained it. A
video like that hasnt been done before to my knowledge or at least in that
way, and it was perfectly done.

I have been struggling on what to recommend to one of my friends, a lady,
who needs exactly what the Endura gives, ease of use in a form factor that
she wont baulk at carrying, and no need to know resistance etc

I started my vaping career on a Innokin MVP3, and if the Endura is as well
made as that then it should be a great product.

Great work, have a good weekend,

Adrian

I’m still getting emails and Facebooks about this, so I though I post it here as well.  It’s already on my Facebook…

The report…

http://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2015/12/popcorn-lung-seen-in-e-cigarette-smokers/

So this report comes out and all of a sudden I’m getting a ton of emails with all of your concerns.

With no offense meant… where the hell have you been?

This has been a well known issue for some time now and discussed numerous times by numerous people in numerous posts, shows, podcasts, videos, stories, lawsuits, etc and NOW you’re going to freak out?

A PBusardo Review – The Series B Tilt by JacVapour

In this video we add to the stocking again (it’s really straining now!), we do some happy and cranky post review follow-up on the Smok XCube Mini and the Innokin Endura, and we take a full look at the JacVapour Series-B Tilt.

Jac Vapour
CigGo
Horizone-Cig
Kanger
Smok
Innokin

Innokin email addresses:

support@innokin.com
info@innokin.com

Post Review Follow-Up:

• 12/18/15: I love getting a quality response from a vendor or a manufacturer following a potentially not so favorable review.  IMHO it says a lot about the people behind the product.  This is one such response that they’ve allowed me to share with you:

Hi Phil

Hope you are well.

Thanks for the very in depth review Phil and it’s a shame you did not like it more,
however it has given us some really useful insight which we will use in future
product development. I hope you don’t mind but I would like to respond with regard
to some of the choices we made regarding the design and would really appreciate any
further feedback you have for us. The SERIES-B was the first box mod we have
designed and therefore we are keen to learn for future development.

The design principles for the SERIES-B, were to develop a product with superior
build quality and a simple to use reliable feature set targeting the mainstream user
and in particular those wanting to upgrade from Ego style devices and obtain the
benefits of higher power, increased battery capacity and sub ohm capability in a
discreet, compact form, whilst ensuring the product’s longevity through a
replaceable 18650 battery at a reasonable price point. Our research indicated that
users in this segment want a simple package and that 40 watts of power and no temp
control would meet the majority of users needs, however we felt simple features
should not mean cheap build quality or run of the mill looks.

We could incorporate a $40 branded chip but obviously this would have significant
price implications which we feel would miss the point, however it would be really
useful to hear your views on this in terms of whether you think this would be a good
approach? I think Vaporshark have already done a really good job of this in the
higher price bracket devices.

The mod is priced at £52.99 in the UK, this takes into account the high tax rates we
pay, to put it into perspective the sub-box here is £54.99 in most stores, we also
do a price including the Samsung 25R for £59.99. The US RRP of the device is
$65-$69. At this price point we believe there are very limited, if any, other
options that offer higher build quality in terms of materials used on devices with
replaceable 18650s. I know our looks are subjective, but I do believe the finish is
at the top end and we do offer a 1 year warranty, the Vaporshark is only 6 months,
so the package also represents good value for somebody that needs a reliable
well-built device with entry level box features.

The screen being squint is unfortunate, I have never seen this before, and hopefully
you can see this on the second device we sent, also out of 20 or so we have here in
the office I can’t find an un-level screen, I can say though, if somebody found such
a fault we would instantly replace the device.

I understand your points concerning the settings memory, however we wanted to keep
the device small and all we could fit is a capacitor that allows a 6 second battery
changeover, you need to be quick and also 5 click the device off for it to work. I
agree that this it is not ideal, but we made this choice as 95% of our users are
making one or less than one battery change a day and we believe for our market the
unit being small was our primary concern.

I have also passed your concerns over the firing delay to our chip engineers, I am
not an engineer myself, but could this have anything to do with you using the
initial batch unit, this batch was predominantly made for beta testing and
reviewers, and during the beta we discovered a firing issue which was subsequently
fixed by replacing a component and a software update. I see in your review you are
using batch number 19710727, the Beta and review batch, but I know you were sent an
updated one from the corrected batch once we realised the issue, did you use the
updated one for the firing test? It would be greatly appreciated to know this if
possible.

Once again thanks very much for the review, there’s lots of useful info in there,
and we will take a lot away from it, so we can improve the device in the larger
wattage TC versions currently under design.

Regards
Robert Patrick
Retail Director
+44 7967 920583

www.jacvapour.com

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I just wanted to send a note to say thanks for what you do and how you do it. Ive
been back and forth for the past almost 2 years, vaping, then smoking, then both.
Im a long time follower and i lost my way for awhile – relying on the local vape
shops which aren’t all bad as I’m sure you know, but not everyone needs the 200
watt box mod. I watched your reviews back to the early days, and re learned how to
satisfy those cravings. I haven’t smoked in weeks now. Im back to the vaporshark
rDNA 40 with a kabuki tank for the flavor and throat hits and haven’t looked back.
Your reviews (especially the latest innokin one) finally got my dad to at least
dabble with making the switch.

Again, I just wanted to say thanks for being a guiding light for so many people out
there. Although i don’t personally know you, your honesty and genuine concern come
through in these videos. Keep it up, regardless of how bad the weather sucks around
here!

– Jason

Looks like SMOK listened to my issue with the delay on the XCube Mini! Their new firmware for the device addresses the issue:

V1.030 – IMPROVED FEATURE

1. Improved vaping delay,you can enjoy vaping instantly once you fire the button .

2. Enhanced vaping experience on TC mode with continuous vapor.

You can find the update HERE.

This will be added to the post review follow-up on the device’s review post.

Last night, I was fortunate enough to come across your You Tube video aimed
at smokers. Although, it was rather lengthy, it was also very informative. I have
been a smoker for over 50 years and have tried many different ways to quit,
unsuccessfully. Thank you for showing me a way that may work. I entered your
contest, and if fortunate to win, fine, if not , I will be looking into the purchase
of vaping supplies.

Thank you again for this info. Keep up the good work. I am now a subscriber to
your channel. Again, thank you.

Ben

Dear Pete, 😉
I’m a long time listener, but first time caller. I have to say hands down, your for
smokers video is the best vaping video I have ever had the pleasure of watching.
You covered information that took me weeks to find and longer to understand. You not
only covered great information but delivered it in most coherent way. What I found
also helpful(to smokers) was what you didn’t cover and your explanation for not
doing so.

Thank you for all of your time and hard work that you put into your research,
filming, editing, uploading, and follow ups.

Andrew