2016年1月13日星期三

What effect can vaping have on your insurance premiums?



Smokers have historically had higher insurance premiums than non-smokers. This fact did not change when the Affordable Care Act rolled out last year. The average smoker will pay up to double what a non-smoker will dole out for health insurance starting this year with the enactment of the “tobacco surcharge.”
Since most people feel that e-cigarettes are a better alternative to smoking tobacco cigarettes, it comes as a surprise to some vapers that many life and health insurance companies continue to classify the two products as the same when calculating premiums.
According to a survey conducted by Munich American Reassurance Company in 2014, most insurance spokespeople (roughly 9 out of 10) felt that e-cigarettes and tobacco cigarettes should be labeled the same.
This number may be so high in large part due to the fact that e-cigarettes are still relatively new. Many insurers are still unsure how to proceed with e-cigarettes since they’ve only been around since 2007 and there isn’t much information about the effects of long-term usage.
The controversial nature of e-cigarettes is causing insurance companies to classify e-cigarettes the way they are already accustomed to doing. In addition, e-cigarettes still being unregulated makes it easy for insurance companies to label vaping the same as smoking tobacco cigarettes.
More information about FDA regulations can be found on our knowledge center.
Until we have more information about e-cigarettes, these policies are unlikely to change much. This is because it’s safer for them to stay in the “grey” area rather than take a chance in favor of e-cigarettes.
However, e-cigarette users can benefit from the Affordable Care Act’s insurance consideration factors. Insurance companies can only inquire about your age, location, family size and whether you use tobacco before selling you a plan. Since e-cigarettes do not contain tobacco, vapers can truthfully answer that they do not use tobacco products.
More information about e-cigarettes can be found on our blog as well. And of course, as always, visit our site to purchase Starbuzz e-cigarette starter kits.

2016年1月10日星期日

Electronic cigarettes and Research: Where We Stand



One of the biggest topics when it comes to electronic cigarette debates is research. The FDA says enough research has not been done, and consumers are always curious about advancements. Here is a look at what currently know in regards to medical research.
1. Medical research. Thus far, the majority of the research on electronic cigarettes has been focusing on their effects on health, especially in regards to their risks and benefits. These have been done by a number of institutions, including government, universities, and those sponsored by the industry itself.
2. Toxicology and carcinogens. Another major area of focus when it comes to e-cigarettes is the subject of carcinogens. Enormous amounts of research have been done on cigarettes and their carcinogenic properties, and people want to know where e-cigarettes lie in the matter. Studies have been done to test the chemical composition of electronic cigarettes, and the results of toxic findings ranged from 9 to 450 times less than those from cigarette smoke, and with some toxic levels that were comparable to the trace amounts that were produced by the inhaler.
3. Lungs and heart. The effects of e-cigarettes on the heart and lungs have had a decent amount of scientific research coverage, as traditional tobacco cigarettes do the most damage to the these areas. Interestingly, when using vapor, the smokers experienced just a slight increase in blood pressure, and very little increase in heart rate. By comparison, however, after smoking a tobacco cigarette, the smoker’s heart rate and blood pressure would soar.
Electronic cigarettes have gotten big, so big in fact that people want more thorough research, and it will most certainly be needed to aid in legislative efforts. Research is essentially a great thing, as the more we know, the better products we can develop.

2016年1月5日星期二

How vaping can help reduce stress?



Think electronic cigarettes are just a means of ditching tobacco? Think again! They can be a very positive, enjoyable thing, and even provide the ability to help you unwind and relax at the end of a long day. Here’s how e-cigarettes can play a role in helping you to relieve some stress!
1. Flavor. Crave something delicious, perhaps sweet, whenever the going gets tough? You aren’t the only one. Reach for your e-cig with a vanilla, peach, coffee, or cherry flavored cartridge instead of the sugary sweets; same pleasure, no calories or sugar crash!
2. Nicotine. Most smokers will agree, the feeling of nicotine is sensational. It’s one of the intrinsic parts of smoking that make it worthwhile. Hence with vaping, you get to enjoy the same pleasure minus the harm from tobacco. Nicotine from vaping feels amazing, and may be just the thing you need to relax at the end of a hard day.
3. Pleasure. There is just something soothing and comforting about the art of smoking. It feels good. Bringing that e-cig to your mouth, inhaling, feeling the vapor hit your throat, and then exhaling feels amazing. So when you’re in a slump, give it a go!
4. Gives yourself something to do. Stress and boredom don’t work well together, so by giving you something positive and enjoyable to focus on, even for just a few minutes, vaping can really help take the edge off and make things a little less dull.
5. Food pairings. If you turn to food when you’re not in your best state, keep in mind all of the delicious food and vapor pairings that are available. Because the two can enhance each other, we suggest enjoying them together to up your satisfaction and enjoyment.
6. You’ve got more options with e-cigs. Enjoy them indoors in your home, on your couch, in your favorite chair, in bed while you chill and binge-watch your favorite series on TV… you’ve got many more places to chill with them, so take advantage! You don’t have to head outside, and you can get cozy and unwind in peace!
Life is stressful, there’s no getting around it. However, if you vape, allow your e-cigs to fill in some of those unpleasant gaps! Enjoy them whenever you want or need to, especially when life calls for some chill time!