European nations are becoming increasingly serious about cracking down on smoking and vaping, especially among young people. Belgium has become the first country in the European Union to outright ban the sale of disposable vapes starting this month. At the same time, Italy’s Milan also ushered in the new year by implementing a ban on outdoor smoking in public spaces.

As reported by The Guardian, Belgian health minister Frank Vandenbroucke didn’t mince words when announcing the prohibition last year, calling disposable e-cigarettes an “extremely harmful” product designed to hook a new generation on nicotine. He cited the waste from the non-reusable vapes as being packed with “hazardous chemicals” that damage the environment.

  • @draneceusrex
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    44 days ago

    At least in the US, when I go to the vape store, I buy juice that is highly diluted. Unless you are a DIYer (very small % of the market), you aren’t mixing the nicotine yourself… nicotine is addictive as fuck, but it’s not very dangerous by itself. It’s all the other shit you take in when you inhale that will kill you.

      • @[email protected]
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        43 days ago

        I brew my own juice and tbf, as long as I don’t drink from the bottle labeled “PURE ASS NICOTINE” (which would hurt) or chug an entire bottle of juice (which, while flavorful, isn’t something one above the age of 6 would accidentally do), I’ll be fine.

        I think I can manage that, I manage not to accidentally drink the bleach or take all the tylenol every day too, it’s really easy if you’re careful.

        • @[email protected]
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          33 days ago

          If you’re handling highly concentrated solutions of nicotine, normal lab safety procedures should keep you safe. Wear gloves, be careful, take your time, no rush, clean everything carefully etc. You know, the usual chemical safety stuff.

    • @x00z
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      13 days ago

      In Belgium you can only buy 10ml bottles of juice with nicotine. The 50ml bottles require a booster and come in 60ml bottles so you can add the booster yourself.

      There’s some very weird rules.

    • @Usernameblankface
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      24 days ago

      I don’t understand why inhaling a vapor or smoke is the preferred delivery method. I know there are patches, I’d assume pills exist,

      • @[email protected]
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        64 days ago

        Habit. A huge part of my addiction is simply the act of taking a break and inhaling some vapour. I smoked for 6 years and now have vaped for 8 years. Sure the patch or other alternatives will get me my nicotine but they dont satisfy the need to have something in my hand and inhale.

        Yes it’s not a good habit but that’s my business.

      • @[email protected]
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        23 days ago

        To add to what he said, route of ingestion affects how different drugs metabolize in your system, and smoking happens to be the ROI that jives best with nicotine.

    • @makyo
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      24 days ago

      Yes and last I checked it was pretty difficult to buy undiluted nicotine at all