Vegan-Friendly E-Liquids – A Brief Guide

Veganism has its grounds in ethics, environmental activism, and animal welfare. It stands against the exploitation and abuse of animals that is rampant in our society. The misuse of animal products and byproducts has resulted in a lot of destruction including deforestation, ocean pollution, and GHS emissions. But one of the greatest threats that are looming in the background is climate change which is further propelled by the consumption of animal products/byproducts.

The Practice of Veganism:

In the face of all the dangers that are caused by animal exploitation, it’s imperative for us to quit or restrict our consumption of animal products/byproducts. Now a day, more and more people are adopting a vegan lifestyle that seeks to exclude all forms of cruelty and exploitation against animals for food, clothing, or any other human use. We have the plant-based substitute for almost everything including food, beauty products, clothing, etc. Now the question arises, are there any animal by-products used in the manufacturing of e-liquids?

Animal exploitation is still practiced in our society, and people who practice veganism have to be extremely cautious and vigilant before using any product in their day-to-day lives. Now, there sure are many vegans who vape or are contemplating switching to vaping. But does vaping e-liquids allow them to uphold their values and practices? In this article, we will try to answer these questions.

The Components of E-Liquid:

E-liquids are mostly composed of four ingredients namely PG, VG, nicotine, and artificial or organic flavours.

- PG

PG is a food additive that is found in a variety of food and cosmetic products. It has long been used in the manufacturing sector, especially in the food industry as an anti-caking, anti-oxidant, and thickener. PG is vegan-friendly, as it’s a synthetic chemical derived from petroleum. Although it can also be manufactured from glycerol, this type of manufacturing is not common. The PG used in e-liquids is completely safe to use for those who practice veganism.

- VG

VG is derived from plant oils such as palm oil or coconut oil. Although VG can also be derived from animal fat, the one that is used in food and related items is plant-based. VG has many purposes and it is used in a variety of cosmetic products such as lotions, creams, makeup, and even toothpaste too. The VG used in e-liquids is 100% safe to use for those who practice veganism.

- Nicotine

Nicotine as we all know is extracted from tobacco and it is found in a variety of nightshade plants including potato, tomato, and aubergine. Tobacco itself is just a psychoactive plant that grows on the ground, much like other plants. The difference however lies in the nicotine-delivering system you choose. Tobacco, when smoked via cigarettes, isn’t vegan friendly, because it has a long history of animal testing and also contains products like bees’ wax, castoreum, and milk solids.

- Flavourings and Colour

The flavours and colors used in the manufacturing of e-liquids may vary from brand to brand. But the flavours mostly comprise of essential oil, oleoresin, essence or extractive, protein hydrolysate, distillate, or any product of roasting, heating, or enzymolysis that contains the flavouring constituents derived from a spice, fruit or fruit juice, vegetable or vegetable juice, herb, bark, bud, root, leaf, or similar plant material. Some vanilla-flavoured e-liquids may also contain castoreum, hence you must make remain cautious in their use.

Manufacturing Process of E-Liquids:

The manufacturing process of e-liquids is strictly regulated in most cases and now more and more e-liquid manufacturers are following strict compliances of their respective countries. Unlike tobacco products, which have a wicked and cruel history of animal testing, e-liquids aren’t tested on animals. Most brands have an entire lab testing panel and their manufacturing process and ingredients are well-documented and disclosed on their websites. After passing lab tests and quality control, e-liquids are assembled in a laboratory much like any other substance made in professional lab settings by professional chemists. As for nicotine, it is synthesized from other substances and is processed in the laboratory.

Conclusion:

Although vaping is generally considered vegan-friendly, and there are many e-liquid brands and vape shops that focus on the vegan niche and strive hard to make their products as sustainable and environmentally friendly as possible, still you need to be cautious. When buying e-liquids, you should go through the ingredient list and, if possible, the website of the e-liquid to acquire more knowledge about their manufacturing process. So the next time you shop for vape products, make sure to ask the right questions and look for the right information. A few more ingredients to look for when buying e-liquids include:

- Your e-liquid should be Non-GMO

- Your e-liquid should be gluten Free.

- There should be fewer or no artificial sweeteners

- It should be free from preservatives

- It shouldn’t have artificial color