I'm new to the DIY ejuice process but liking very much doing it. I'm getting concerned that the govt. ban hammer is about to ruin our party. So many stories in the news, so much BS being spread around. We all know they're going to do something, the only questions are when and what?
I think we'll all still be able to order PG/VG/Flavorings as they all have other legitimate uses, but not so much (that I'm aware of) for nicotine liquid. I'm thinking of making a big purchase (couple gallons or so) as a hedge against restrictions. Anybody else thinking of stocking up just in case?
Edit: Interview with nicotine researcher who speaks on long term storage
Government regulates anything that sells. As it becomes more popular look for huge taxes on ingredients, and licensing/regulation on people who buy in certain amounts. Remember, government is about separating you from your money, not looking out for your health. In short, it won't be banned, but it is going to get very expensive soon.
There have been no indications that the FDA is going to ban nicotine. There have been noises about them restricting flavored juices, and they are probably going to regulate the juice market for quality control and product safety, but other than that I don't foresee a problem getting unflavored nicotine. Remember, nicotine is used in agriculture as an important pesticide - it'd be hard to completely ban it.
There are numerous chemicals which are very difficult (or illegal) to obtain. The government can and does ban whatever it wants, while still providing routes for industrial use.
As to "no indications" - of course I could be wrong, but in my view all of the media noise we're currently hearing is the best indication that the government is getting ready to act within the next 6-12 months. The government has a lot of influence over what gets spouted in the media.
They won't ban liquid nicotine they will just tax it like every thing else and probably have people get a new license to sell nicotine. All the government wants is more money
Good enough of a reason to stock up at least a little I think.
The problem would be with getting nicotine, yes.
I panicked last summer and bought some (not much, I need to buy more already), but I'm not going to go into a massive stock up just yet.
I bought 500ml (100mg/ml) about a month ago, liked making juices so much I bought another 500ml (sort of just in case) and now I'm thinking of REALLY stocking up.
I'd guess there'll be a date set for any new laws/regs to kick in, but the buying frenzy could make it really scarce and expensive.
Still might pick some more up soon...we'll see how the wind seems to be blowing over the next few months.
What strength do you vape at? I just bought ~400ml @ 100mg/ml and did the math...my gf vapes at 6mg/ml, so I have enough to make 6 liters LOL. PG only has a shelf life of two years (according to Dow), so I expect I'll have to toss some of it before she uses it all. I haven't actually tracked how much she vapes but I don't think she goes through more than 50ml a month, figure half a liter of mix a year.
From a Canadian perspective, Health Canada isn't saying yes or much of a lot of no at the moment. Just in case I try to stock 1 year's worth (for me). If the big hammer came down and it's suddenly like trying to get heroin, I'd wean myself off with the remaining.
Already done. It's so much cheaper than buying pre-mixed there's just no reason not to. I picked up a 120ml (or 125) from 3 vendors to try them out, and realized that that's enough to make 6 liters of juice since my gf vapes at 6mg.
I only wish I could stock up on more but the shelf life is only about 2 years or less (PG, according to Dow).
People who think the feds can't/won't ban direct nicotine sales have their heads in the sand imo. They most certainly can, and I think they will, and soon. My view is that all this media noise is part of a government-sponsored propaganda campaign.
I use VG base exclusively. I read somewhere (interview with a British nicotine researcher) that nicotine base liquids can last for years in a freezer or refrigerator.
Not sure I believe the conspiracy angle as much as "the next big scare to sell news and commercials" stuff.
I do think I may get another batch, I vape 36mg so I do go through it pretty quickly.
Wow 36mg, that's the highest I've heard! VG supposedly degrades much faster, like 6-12 months. But of course I haven't tested it myself, and who knows but that the big chemical suppliers (like Dow) like to churn stuff rather than keep it around. And storing such cheap chemicals at freezing temps probably isn't worth it to them so it may increase stability a lot.
Yeah I mean you're certainly right that media has its own inertia, but I don't think it's a "conspiracy" that the government guides the media as much as it wants - I've watched it happen numerous times over the past 15 years, the Snowden and Wikileaks info documents a lot of media control, etc. At the same time, there are tons of hysterical media stories the government isn't behind, and this could be that. It just smells like government-sponsored propaganda preceding FDA/congressional action to me.
Please don't.
The same thing has happened a few times over the last decade with firearms, and it became a disaster. Ammo shelves were empty, gun prices skyrocketed... It sucked for pretty much everyone. I'd rather not see this happen with vaping.
Only difference is nobody prevented the selling of either guns or ammo, not so sure this will end up the same.
The speculation/fear mongering/ammo hoarding was still absolutely ridiculous and had a huge impact on the average recreational shooter. Hell, I'm still seeing ammo inventory posts from my friends on FB...
The fact that nothing ever came of the gun restriction concerns only makes it even worse that all of the stockpiling and whatnot was for no reason whatsoever.
It was the impetus for a lot of one box at a time shooters to actually stock up, even a little. I know some guys who had no more than 50 rounds on hand at any given moment for any of their guns, and usually 0. They would buy a box each time they went shooting and came home empty. What good is a gun in hand when there's no ammo available?
Well, as a shooter I can tell you even .22LR ammo is hard to find and cost double what it did before the "talk" started. Nothing was prevented from being sold but it became so scarce they may as well have. Thankfully I reload my own ammo so it never affected me or my wallet, I just don't shoot .22LR anymore (it's non-reloadable)
Doesn't Nicotine have a shelf life? Not sure it's something I would want to keep stored away, even if it was in the freezer.
According to this nicotine researcher it's actually very stable, especially if stored in the freezer.
Any huge tax's or bans won't pop up overnight. I'm just going to buy a lot once news of impending end is over.
I agree with the caveat that once concrete news of bans/taxes is out, supply will be harder to find and likely much more expensive.
An ear close to the ground and jumping before legislation is close to passing will be the best strategy.
I still think I'll make sure I always have a couple of liters in the freezer. YMMV