Vaping 101

For centuries, many civilisations across the world have indulged in tobacco use. Some countries have even built their economies on it.

Tobacco is a popular social drug and only recently have we seen a reduction of smoking in public spaces. While it may be less visible because of new laws, it hasn’t gone away. Even discouraging packaging hasn’t hampered the public’s taste for cigarettes. Statistics say that smoking rates have generally declined in developed countries, however, developing countries’ citizens continue to indulge in the habit.

But unlike ages ago, cigarettes have moved with the times and tobacco can be smoked through other mediums. One of those being e-cigarettes, commonly known as vapes. Vaping has gained popularity among young adults who puff away in areas where smoking is allowed.

A vape device works by heating a flavoured liquid to generate an aerosol known as a vapour that the smoker inhales. Thus, smoking e-cigarettes is referred to as vaping. The flavoured liquid in the vape is called e-liquid and is usually made of nicotine, propylene glycol, glycerine and flavourings, though not all e-liquids contain nicotine. While vaping is not as unhealthy as traditional smoking, it is not without health risks.

Namibian retailers such as The Vape Stop Namibia and Namibia Vapes continue to endorse the popular product. Namibia Vapes seem to know quite a lot as they explain the history of the vape along with its evolution on their website, namibiavapes.com.

“You might be thinking to yourself, ‘whatever, vaping is just a fad, it’s just too new and hasn’t been tested – it’s not here to stay’. Well, you can think what you want, but they aren’t going anywhere. Sure, e-cigs have changed over the years, but for the better. As technology gets more and more advanced, the technology utilised in e-cigs will continue to improve as well – there’s no stopping it,” the website states.

According to Namibia Vapes, the first e-cigarette’s patent was filed in 1963 by Herbert A Gilbert. Gilbert said it was kind of obvious that inhaling burnt stuff was gross, thus he created a smoking alternative that didn’t rely on the need for combustion.

This form of smoking seems to be in direct competition with the ever infamous hubbly bubbly for the amount of smoke it generates, though it doesn’t sit well with most hookah smokers.

Lizé Ennes thinks vapes are too complicated to use and prefers to smoke hookah. “One of my friends has a vape, but he lost the box he got it in. Until this day, we still don’t know it works,” she said.

Ennes also mentioned that the tip of the vape heats up and she doesn’t like the feeling.

Twice Tsamaseb agrees with her. “It’s not user friendly. I see people smoke it, but I prefer to just stick to what I know,” he said.

But to each their own.

And as Namibia Vapes expressed, there’s something for everyone out there. “Regardless of your lifestyle or expectations of your vaping experience, there’s bound to be a set-up that’s just right for you. If you want something that’s easy to carry and doesn’t require any maintenance, there’s something for you.”

If e-cigarettes or vapes are what you’re into, visit The Vape Stop Namibia on Instagram or Namibia Vapes’ website.

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