There are three main ways to purchase a vape. Each of these methods has significant differences in product lineups, prices, and after-sales support, as well as the amount of product information available, and beginners in particular should be aware of these differences.

Home electronics retail stores and large discount stores

Vapes are sometimes sold at electronics retail stores and large discount stores. They mainly deal in small devices such as disposable and pen (stick) types, and are less likely to carry other types such as box types. The advantages of vape shops are that you can actually look at the products and make a decision, and you may be able to get a discount on your purchase. On the other hand, it is not uncommon for vape stores to have a small inventory, or to have different lineups at different stores even within the same chain.

Vape specialty stores

Vape specialty stores are characterized by the large number of vapes they sell and their lineups, which range from disposable vapes, pen vapes, and box vapes to POD vapes. However, if you want to check the actual product in person, or if you have any questions or concerns about purchasing or using a vape, we recommend visiting a physical store, even if it takes some time and effort. Online stores are also available, and detailed information on how to use the products is also available there, so even beginners can use them with ease.

Online shopping

Online retailers or vape wholesale stores offer as wide a lineup of products as vape specialty stores, but they often do not provide detailed information on their products or how to use them, so it is necessary to do some preliminary research beforehand. Also, it is necessary to be aware of the possibility of inferior or similar products being mixed in with the product. Check carefully for word-of-mouth and other information about the seller to make sure it is safe. Avoid cheap products that are much lower than the market price, as this increases the risk of such a situation.

Points to keep in mind when purchasing a POD vape

When purchasing a POD vape, it is important to be aware of the following points: "Use a reliable store that you can use for a long period of time. This is difficult to do unless you are in close proximity to a specialty store, but there are a few other points to keep in mind.

Minors are not allowed to purchase

Although they are called electronic cigarettes, vapes are not regulated by law in the same way as paper cigarettes. This is because there is no clear need to prohibit minors from purchasing and using vape products that use liquid that does not contain nicotine or tar, which are harmful to the human body. However, most retailers, including vape stores, regulate sales to minors, and it is not uncommon to be asked to verify age at the time of purchase. Although this is a form of self-imposed regulation, it is important to remember that minors are not allowed to purchase or use vape products.

There are malicious stores

As mentioned in the purchasing section, similar or inferior vape products are sometimes distributed through mail-order websites. Since major mail-order sites are not the only ones that can be relied upon, be sure to check in advance if they are authorized sellers from vape manufacturers. You can reduce such risks by checking the reviews of buyers and the online reputation of the distributor. You can also buy through flea market apps or auction sites, but in this case it is very difficult to guarantee the legitimacy of the product. Ultimately, a specialized vape store will be the most secure method, so we recommend using this method when possible.

Check the ingredient label for liquids

There are many types of liquids, and there is a wide variety of flavors alone. There is a wide range of manufacturers, both domestic and international, and even the same flavored liquid can vary in safety due to differences in ingredients and manufacturing environments. In some cases, there is no possibility that they may be more harmful to the human body than cigarettes, so when purchasing a liquid, choose one that clearly states the manufacturer and the ingredients of the liquid. As long as the liquid is taken into the body through inhalation, one of the criteria for selection is that it should be as safe as possible. In addition, nicotine-containing liquids, which are increasing in number every year, are particularly delicate to handle. Be sure to check the safety before purchasing.

Nicotine-containing liquids are imported privately.

Sales of nicotine-containing liquids are prohibited in Japan under the Pharmaceutical Affairs Law. Many people may be considering purchasing a POD-type vape in order to use nicotine-containing liquids, which are becoming more popular every year, but in that case, you will have to purchase them in the form of personal importation. Although there is a method of purchasing when traveling to legal areas, it is important to keep in mind that unless you travel abroad on a daily basis, you will have many opportunities to use personal importation. An import license is not required for personal use only, but it is prohibited to transfer or sell the liquid to others after purchase. Keep strict control of your liquids and purchase them systematically, paying attention to the import volume limit (120 ml per month).