7 Ingredients to Avoid in Vape Juice

What Is It?

Diacetyl is a chemical compound used to create buttery or creamy flavors in e-liquids, especially those that mimic custard, dessert, or caramel flavors. It was originally used in the food industry to enhance artificial butter flavors, but its safety has been questioned after long-term exposure led to severe lung disease in factory workers.

Health Risks:

• Popcorn Lung (Bronchiolitis Obliterans): A serious lung disease that causes scarring of the tiny air sacs (alveoli), leading to chronic breathing issues.
• Chronic coughing and shortness of breath: Studies have shown that diacetyl exposure damages lung tissue, leading to long-term respiratory problems.
• Increased inflammation in the airways: Long-term exposure to diacetyl and other volatile flavoring agents triggers inflammation, which can worsen conditions like asthma and bronchitis.

How to Avoid It:

• Avoid e-liquids that use creamy, buttery, or caramel flavorings, as they are more likely to contain diacetyl.
• Check lab reports from manufacturers to ensure diacetyl-free formulations.
• Opt for naturally extracted flavors, like Black Note’s tobacco e-liquids, which are made without synthetic additives.

What Are They?

Sucralose and saccharin are commonly used sweeteners in e-liquids to enhance flavor intensity. While they are widely used in the food industry, research has shown that when heated to high temperatures, these sweeteners can break down into harmful byproducts.

Health Risks:

• Coil Gunk Buildup: Artificial sweeteners coat the coils, causing faster coil degradation and burnt hits.
• Formation of Toxic Compounds: Studies suggest that sucralose degrades into potentially toxic chlorinated compounds when heated, increasing health risks.
• Increased risk of throat irritation and coughing: The breakdown of sweeteners creates harsher vapor, which can irritate the throat and lungs over time.

How to Avoid It:

• Choose e-liquids that use natural flavor extracts instead of artificial sweeteners.
• Look for e-liquids that specify “No Added Sweeteners” or “Naturally Extracted.”
• Black Note’s e-liquids are free from artificial sweeteners, making them a more natural choice for vapers.

What Is It?

Vitamin E Acetate is an oil-based thickening agent that was commonly used in illicit THC vape cartridges. It gained attention after being linked to the 2019 outbreak of vaping-related lung illness (EVALI) in the United States.

Health Risks:

• Severe lung inflammation: Vitamin E Acetate coats the lungs, preventing normal gas exchange.
• Difficulty breathing and chest pain: Many patients diagnosed with EVALI reported shortness of breath, fatigue, and chest discomfort.
• Potential for long-term lung damage: Even after recovery, many EVALI patients experience reduced lung function.

How to Avoid It:

• Stick to well-known nicotine e-liquids that do not contain Vitamin E Acetate.
• Do not purchase vape products from unregulated sources, particularly THC vape cartridges.
• Buy e-liquids from reputable manufacturers that provide lab testing results.

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Why It’s Harmful:

VOCs are toxic chemicals found in industrial solvents and cigarette smoke. Some low-quality e-liquids contain trace amounts of VOCs, which are harmful when inhaled.

Health Risks:

• Dizziness, headaches, and nausea
• Lung irritation and damage over time
• Potential long-term carcinogenic effects

How to Avoid It:

• Buy e-liquids from trusted brands that provide lab test results.
• Avoid cheap, unregulated vape juices, especially those from overseas manufacturers with unclear ingredient lists.

What Are They?

Some cheap vape devices and coils contain heavy metals that can leach into the vapor over time, leading to chronic exposure.

Health Risks:

• Neurological damage and cognitive impairment from lead exposure.
• Lung tissue damage and respiratory diseases from inhaling nickel and cadmium.
• Potential for long-term toxicity, as heavy metals accumulate in the body.

How to Avoid It:

• Use high-quality vape devices from reputable brands.
• Avoid cheap, disposable vapes, which are more likely to contain low-quality coils.

What Are They?

These are toxic chemicals that form when e-liquid overheats or burns at high wattages.

Health Risks:

• Lung irritation and chronic coughing
• Higher risk of respiratory diseases
• Potential carcinogenic effects

How to Avoid It:

• Do not overheat your vape device—follow recommended wattage settings.
• Use high-quality e-liquids that are tested for harmful byproducts.

Why It’s Harmful:

TSNAs are cancer-causing chemicals found in tobacco-derived nicotine. Some cheap, mass-produced vape juices contain high levels of TSNAs, increasing the risk of long-term health issues.

Health Risks:

• Increased risk of lung and throat cancer
• DNA damage and cellular mutation
• Higher likelihood of nicotine addiction

How to Avoid It:

• Choose high-purity nicotine e-liquids from reputable brands.
• Use naturally extracted tobacco e-liquids like Black Note, which are made using a cold maceration process that removes TSNAs.

Black Note e-liquids are crafted with pure, naturally extracted tobacco, ensuring a cleaner, smoother vape experience.

✔ Free from diacetyl, sweeteners, and artificial additives
✔ No synthetic chemicals, providing a more natural flavor
✔ Cold maceration process removes harmful byproducts

Diacetyl is the ingredient on this list people ask about most. Our diacetyl-free vape juice guide covers how to check any bottle for it.

Now that you know the 7 vape juice ingredients to avoid, the question is what to look for instead. The answer is simple: an e-liquid that does not contain any of the substances above, on a label short enough to read in full.

That is how we make Black Note. Our tobacco flavor is naturally extracted from real tobacco leaves, never mixed in a lab, and every bottle holds five ingredients: natural tobacco extract, tobacco-derived nicotine, vegetable glycerin, propylene glycol, and purified water. No artificial flavors, no sweeteners, no synthetic nicotine, no diacetyl, no acetyl propionyl, no acetoin. You can read the whole list in a breath, which is the point. See the tobacco blends.