Have you ever been at a bar and seen a person puff on something that looks like it belongs in a computer? No, they’re not a robot. They’re just smoking a JUUL. So, what is JUULing? Well, it’s a form of electronic vaping. It’s the most popular electronic cigarette in America. Due to its fruity flavors and easy access, JUULs are one of the most widespread products on the market. In twelve months, JUUL sold $1.29 billion in vape kits.
What Is JUULing?
JUULs are trendy and sleek looking e-cigarettes. An e-cigarette is a battery-operated device. JUULs are smoked through computer-looking vape mods.
E-cigarettes do not contain tobacco smoke, but they do possess nicotine. Nicotine is the addictive drug commonly found in cigarettes. It eases a person’s mind, lowers stress, and helps people feel more relaxed.
Traditional cigarette smoking has reached its lowest level ever in American history. On the contrary, the e-cigarette market is booming and growing faster than ever.
JUUL’s History
The first JUULs were released at the beginning of 2017. By the end of the year, JUULs had become the most popular brand of e-cigarettes.
JUULing was created and manufactured by Pax Labs. The company is based out of San Francisco, California. It was founded by Adam Bowen and James Monsees.
Pax Labs originally designed and distributed vaporizers. However, its leaders had a dream to create a trendy and more fulfilling e-cigarette.
Being smokers themselves, they wanted to build an alternative cigarette that delivered the same buzz as traditional smoking sticks. This lead to the creation of JUULs.
Pax Labs’ original mission was to eliminate traditional smoking through a better e-cigarette. This would reduce tobacco smoke and lessen the prevalence of second-hand smoking.
It was intended for and marketed to current smokers. The company claims it was never meant to be such a big hit among minors.
Altria Group Inc took up a 35% stake in the company in December 2018. This is the same company that owns Marlboro cigarettes. Altria is worth $38 billion.
E-cigarette usage among high schoolers is up 80%. Middle schoolers have increased their e-cigarette usage by 50%. The FDA points to JUULing as the main reason for this.
JUUL’s Appearance
JUULs look like a flash drive. They’re battery-powered and can be charged using a USB port. People juice up their JUULs using their cellphone ports or even through their laptops.
JUUL devices heat a liquid pod. This creates a flavored puff of vapor.
JUULing produces less smoke than cigarettes and other forms of vaping. This makes it a discreet activity.
JUUL Flavors
Most JUUL e-juices have fruity and tropical flavors similar to other vaping devices. Juul pods are made by combining:
• Glycerol
• Propylene gycol
• Oils and flavor extracts
• Nicotine
• Benzoic acid
Each JUUL pod contains about 200 puffs. Some of their delicious flavors include:
• Mint
• Menthol
• Cucumber mango
• Creme
• Bubble gum
• Creme brulee
• Fruit medley
• Classic tobacco (to most resemble a traditional cigarette)
A typical JUUL Starter Kit contains the JUUL device, a charging deck, and one to two different JUUL pods.
JUULs are available online and through authorized stores. It’s encouraged to only purchase JUUL products from certified vendors.
The Popularity of JUULing
JUULs are the most popular types of e-cigarettes.
After all, they reached $1 billion in sales in 2018. That’s five times more than the company’s 2017 sales. JUULs take up 75% of the e-cigarette market.
Who’s Buying JUULs?
JUUL is intended for users 21 and older. However, most states in America following smoking laws. This means they can sell JUUL products to anyone 18 and up.
JUULs can be bought across the world. They are currently sold in:
• America
• Canada
• United Kingdom
• Italy
• Germany
• Switzerland
• France
• Spain
• Russia
• Israel
JUULs are small and easy to carry around. Their lack of smoke allows people to puff on JUULs unknowingly on the street, in bars, or in the bathrooms stalls.
JUULing in Young Generations
Since JUULs come in such delicious and fruity flavors, younger generations of Americans are drawn to them.
Teens report JUULs are much easier to get away with than cigarettes. They look like computer devices, so teachers don’t recognize them as smoking tools.
JUULs create minimal smoke, making it easy to sneak a puff during the day. It’s not uncommon to find teens JUULing in the bathroom during school hours.
The creators of JUUL claim the product was not designed for kids to hide them in schools. It was made to not resemble a cigarette. People looking to quit smoking don’t want to be reminded of cigarettes when they use their JUULs.
Some kids use JUULing to show off smoke tricks. JUULing together has become a popular social activity for 15 to 24-year-olds.
The CDC stated middle and high school students were the most prominent JUUL users in 2016. They chose JUULs due to its flavors, price, and because other family and friends were JUULing. Many young people reported that JUULs are the easiest tobacco product for them to get their hands on.
The nicotine levels in JUULs make them addictive. People enjoy the buzz they feel after puffins on their delicious JUUL pod.
Young people believe JUULing is less harmful to their bodies than traditional smoking. It’s important to note that this is not true.
While JUULs do not contain tobacco, they contain just as much nicotine as cigarettes. Young users should be aware of the effects nicotine may have on their bodies.
JUULing and Vaping: Understand the Difference
JUULs are a type of vaping. They are inserted into a vaporizer and puffed. However, they are not the same as vaping.
What Is Vaping?
A vaporizer is an electronic device that turns liquid into vapor. Vaporizers include a battery, cartridge, and an atomizer to emit its juice. It’s lighter on the lungs than traditional cigarettes.
Vaping devices use a variety of e-liquids to puff smoke. You can vape anything from green tea to energy drinks. The most common vaping ingredients are waxy concentrates and dry herbs.
People vape marijuana in states where it’s legal. They claim vaping weed offers a crisper taste then smoking it. It’s popular among those with chronic pain, migraines, and people recovering from chemotherapy.
Multipurpose vaporizers allow a user to enjoy different vaping materials by switching categories.
Vaping is 95% safer than smoking. They can help people stop smoking traditional cigarettes. This does not apply to JUULs.
Vaping is a relaxing hobby. It’s something people enjoy together or alone. It relieves stress, helps people sleep at night, and calms nerves.
Vaping is popular to do in groups as a social activity. Vaping communities promote vaping products, t-shirts, and hats. People who enjoy the activity are happy to support it and its benefits.
Cloud chasing is a competitive vaping sport. People use strong vape mods to produce a large and thick vapor cloud. The mods have low resistance coils and they use special e-liquids to create the monster puffs.
Vaping vs JUULing
Vaping is a broad category.
Electronic cigarettes and JUULs are forms of vaping. People use vaporizers to puff tiny clouds from flavored JUUL pods. E-cigarettes and JUULs contain nicotine.
When you vape using an e-cigarette or JUUL, the nicotine is delivered through liquid e-juice. It turns into vapor as you use the device.
Not all vaping devices require nicotine, but JUULs and e-cigarettes do. Most e-juice in JUULs contain the same amount of nicotine as a regular cigarette.
Some people may turn to JUULs as an alternative to smoking. They don’t contain tobacco, but still, contain nicotine. Nicotine is also present in hookah, which may be puffed through a vaporizer.
The nicotine is located in the JUUL’s e-liquid. This makes them more addictive.
JUULs contain a higher amount of nicotine per puff than most other e-cigarettes. One JUUL pod contains as much nicotine as a pack of regular cigarettes.
The key takeaway is vaping applies to a variety of substances. JUULs are a brand of e-cigarettes and contain nicotine. They are one specific form of vaping.
Vaping may lead to e-cigarette and JUUL use. It’s important to note JUUL use can lead to nicotine addiction.
If you want to reduce tobacco smoke, switching to vaping and JUULs are viable options.
Stay in the JUUL Loop
If there’s one thing for sure, it’s that JUULing is too popular and widespread to go away any time soon.
Now that you understand what JUULing is and how it differs from normal vaping, keep up with its news. JUULs and the e-cigarette industry are booming and new developments are discovered every day.
Ready to read more on topics varying from travel to lifestyle news and tips? Make sure to browse our website and stay tuned!
Featured image courtesy of Sarah Johnson.
