cloud-chasing

Electronic cigarettes gained popularity in the US in 2007. Using the devices for "cloud-chasing" began in the West Coast of the US. The exact origins of the activity are unclear, but most competitive e-cigarette users say that it started around 2012.{{cite news|url=http://www.laweekly.com/arts/cloud-chasing-competitive-vapers-make-smoke-into-sculptures-7539686|title=Cloud Chasing Competitive Vapers Make Smoke Into Sculptures|author=Disha Raychaudhuri|work=LA Weekly|date=October 28, 2016}} This activity appears to be the natural by-product of the growth of the vaping culture.{{cite news|url=http://www.dailydot.com/unclick/actually-vaping-is-cool/|title=I went to a vape conference to mock it—then the vapers changed my mind|author=Jené Gutierrez|work=The Daily Dot|date=August 30, 2015}} "When automotive manufacturers first started out, they were not thinking about a sport to be called Formula One. You always have groups of people who are looking for excitement," Hon Lik said in respect to cloud-chasing in 2015.{{cite news|url=http://in.reuters.com/article/ecigarettes-inventor-idINKBN0OP21J20150609|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151227184750/http://in.reuters.com/article/ecigarettes-inventor-idINKBN0OP21J20150609|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 27, 2015|title=Interview: E-cigs a 'consumer-driven' revolution born from a bad dream|author=Martinne Geller|publisher=Reuters|date=June 9, 2015}}

{{main|Vaping-associated pulmonary injury#Possible causes}}

Glycerin was long thought to be a safe option. However, the carcinogen formaldehyde is known as a product of propylene glycol and glycerol vapor degradation.{{cite journal |last1=Lestari |first1=Kusuma S. |last2=Humairo |first2=Mika Vernicia |last3=Agustina |first3=Ukik |title=Formaldehyde Vapor Concentration in Electronic Cigarettes and Health Complaints of Electronic Cigarettes Smokers in Indonesia |journal=Journal of Environmental and Public Health |date=July 11, 2018 |volume=2018 |pages=1–6 |doi=10.1155/2018/9013430 |pmid=30105059 |pmc=6076960 |issn=1687-9805|doi-access=free }}

Social media does have a role in cloud-chasing. The traffic through social media can be significant.{{cite news|url=http://insidepulse.com/2017/06/09/the-rising-popularity-of-the-sport-of-cloud-chasing/|title=The Rising Popularity of the Sport of Cloud Chasing|author=Phil Oscarson|publisher=Inside Pulse|date=June 9, 2017}} It was well publicized around 2014, when sites such as Mashable, Gizmodo, The Guardian, and HuffPost ran featured articles on the activity. In 2015, competitive vaping began increasing in popularity internationally, spreading from the US and Canada to Indonesia. Vaping contests are arranged in many vape trade shows internationally.{{cite news|url=http://www.vapingpost.com/2016/05/17/cloud-tricks-among-youngs-a-new-socialization-of-vaping/|title=Cloud tricks among youngs: A new socialization of vaping|author=Simon Rosselat|publisher=Vaping Post|date=May 17, 2016}} Most cloud-chasers are male.{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/men/thinking-man/11555417/Vaping-its-like-smoking-only-more-manly.html|title=Vaping: it's like smoking, only more manly|author=Andrew Shanahan|work=The Daily Telegraph|date=April 23, 2015}} Most who compete in contests are men.{{cite news|url=http://www.dailydot.com/unclick/competitive-vaping-sport/|title=Of course vaping is now a professional sport|author=Jené Gutierrez|work=The Daily Dot|date=December 11, 2015}} Many cloud-chasers are young teens.{{cite news|url=http://newsok.com/article/5457539|title=Teens and e-cigarettes: cool or calamity?|author=Lois M. Collins|work=The Oklahoman|agency=Deseret Digital Media|date=November 1, 2015}} In 2015, the competitions were becoming a routine event at local vape shops. Many vape shops organize cloud-chasing events.{{cite journal|last1=Sussman|first1=Steve|last2=Allem|first2=Jon-Patrick|last3=Garcia|first3=Jocelyn|last4=Unger|first4=Jennifer B.|last5=Cruz|first5=Tess Boley|last6=Garcia|first6=Robert|last7=Baezconde-Garbanati|first7=Lourdes|title=Who walks into vape shops in Southern California?: a naturalistic observation of customers|journal=Tobacco Induced Diseases|volume=14|issue=1|pages=18|year=2016|issn=1617-9625|doi=10.1186/s12971-016-0082-y|pmc=4880826|pmid=27231480 |doi-access=free }} Some vape shops believe it is overdoing it to organize cloud-chasing competitions at vape shops. Some vape shops lets minors watch cloud-chasing competitions even though they are not allowed to compete in the contests. Cloud-chasing contests appear to be intended to bring in new shoppers and increase e-cigarette business.{{cite news|url=http://www.santafenewmexican.com/life/teen/though-unregulated-e-cigarette-culture-grows/article_f096a530-40f6-52d7-882e-bc4ec57be1aa.html|title=Though unregulated, e-cigarette culture grows|author=Eliza Harrison|work=The Santa Fe New Mexican|date=June 11, 2015}} Contests have also been held at local strip malls,{{cite news|url=http://www.hngn.com/articles/86688/20150423/e-cigarette-vaping-become-competitive-sport.htm|title=E-Cigarette Vaping Has Become a Competitive Sport|publisher=Headlines & Global News|date=April 23, 2015}} such as in Texas{{cite news|url=http://www.texasstandard.org/stories/hidden-in-the-haze-of-cloud-chasing-a-spirit-of-healthy-competition/|title=Hidden in the Haze of 'Cloud Chasing,' a Spirit of Healthy Competition|author=Jimmy Maas|publisher=Texas Standard|date=May 13, 2016}} and New Jersey.{{cite news|url=http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2015/04/competitive_vaping_yeah_thats_a_thing_now_and_its_come_to_nj.html|title=Competitive vaping? Yeah, that's a thing now, and it's come to N.J.|author=Craig McCarthy|publisher=NJ.com|date=April 22, 2015}} Since 2015, almost half of vaping trade show organizations promote contests such as cloud-chasing.{{cite journal|last1=Williams|first1=Rebecca S|title=VapeCons: E-cigarette user conventions|journal=Journal of Public Health Policy|volume=36|issue=4|year=2015|pages=440–451|issn=0197-5897|doi=10.1057/jphp.2015.31|pmc=4641520|pmid=26424201}}

File:Vaping-Vape Cloud-E-Cigs (26113473285).jpg

Vapers who enjoy blowing large plumes of vapor are known as cloud-chasers.{{cite news|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2014/10/the-right-to-vape/381145/|title=The Right to Vape|work=The Atlantic|author=Leah Sottile|date=October 8, 2014}} Cloud-chasing is a recreational activity and a hobby. It is popular with many e-cigarette users.{{cite news|url=https://spinfuel.com/sub-plus-ohm-vaping/|title=Sub-Ohm – Plus-Ohm Vaping|author=Team Spinfuel|publisher=Spinfuel eMagazine|date=May 10, 2016}} There are extensive gatherings of e-cigarette users, known as "vape meets", where participants exchange devices and flavors.{{cite news|url=https://www.thrillist.com/entertainment/nation/tenthingsyoudidntknowaboutvaping|title=10 Things You Didn't Know About Vaping|author=John Marshall|publisher=Group Nine Media|date=October 30, 2014}} Where there are vape meets, e-cigarette users exhibit their customized mod devices.{{cite book|author=Barney Shaw|title=The Smell of Fresh Rain: The Unexpected Pleasures of our Most Elusive Sense|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ndwnDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT113|date=September 7, 2017|publisher=Icon Books Limited|isbn=978-1-78578-114-8|pages=113–}} Vape meets are organized by people and businesses.{{cite news|url=http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Growing-Number-of-Youth-Smoking-Vaporizers-Alarms-Health-Officials-225916671.html|title=Growing Use of Vaporizers Alarms Health Officials|author=Stephanie Chuang|publisher=KNTV|date=October 1, 2013}} There are large, tiny, local, and national vape meets.{{cite news|url=https://spinfuel.com/malice-doll-national-vapers-club/|title=Malice Doll of the National Vapers Club|author=David Desrosiers|publisher=Spinfuel eMagazine|date=February 27, 2014}} Many vape meets include cloud-chasing contests and vaping tricks. Some cloud-chasers demonstrate their skill where anybody can notice. They use devices designed to produce larger amounts of vapor. There are hundreds of YouTube videos showing people engaging in blowing clouds of vapor using e-cigarettes.{{cite news|url=https://www.sudbury.com/local-news/after-the-smoke-clears-inside-vaping-culture-259597|title=After the smoke clears: Inside vaping culture|work=Sudbury.com|publisher=Laurentian Publishing|author=Matt Durnan|date=December 23, 2015}} YouTube is flooded with advice for creating large clouds of vapor.{{cite news|url=http://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/news-columns-blogs/josh-shaffer/article22619763.html|title=Raleigh vapers to duel for the biggest cloud|work=The News & Observer|author=Josh Shaffer|date=May 29, 2015}}

Others have been known as "flavor aficionados" who seek the ideal e-liquid and can determine a liquid by its aroma.{{cite news|url=http://www.grandhaventribune.com/Nation/2017/04/09/Is-vaping-hazardous-to-your-health-The-debate-rages.html|title=Is vaping hazardous to your health? The debate rages|work=Grand Haven Tribune|author=John Pacenti|date=April 9, 2017|access-date=June 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190212130742/https://www.grandhaventribune.com/Nation/2017/04/09/Is-vaping-hazardous-to-your-health-The-debate-rages.html|archive-date=February 12, 2019|url-status=dead}} As e-cigarette use has increased, it has attracted many flavor aficionados in the US.{{cite news|url=http://www.ocregister.com/2015/09/15/the-vape-debate-is-it-good-or-bad-for-orange-county-to-be-the-silicon-valley-of-vaping/|title=The vape debate: Is it good or bad for Orange County to be the 'Silicon Valley' of vaping?|author=Lauren A. Williams|work=Orange County Register|date=September 15, 2015}} It is frequent to notice flavor aficionados put a small amount of e-liquid on their hand for a speedy taste test. They assert to be capable of determining the difference between "gourmet" e-liquid and commercially promoted e-liquid. Some flavor aficionados are okay with large clouds coupled with full flavor, while others think it is foolish.{{cite news|url=http://vaping360.com/vapers/|title=Stereotypical vapers: 10 types of vapers you probably know|author=Raymond Padilla|publisher=Vaping360|date=October 21, 2016}}

File:Smoke Screen (16582794210).jpg

Some cloud-chasers known as "professional vapers" take part in cloud-blowing contests in what is a called a "cloud competition",{{cite news|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/08/05/cloud-chasing-vaping-competition_n_5652528.html|title=This Man Is An Athlete In The Sport Of 'Cloud Chasing'|author=Dominique Mosbergen|work=HuffPost|date=August 5, 2014}} competing against one another to exhale the largest and most interesting clouds of vapor, sometimes in shapes{{cite news|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/jess-melia/competitive-vaping_b_11405304.html|title=Yes, There is Such a Thing as Competitive Vaping|author=Jess Malia|work=HuffPost United Kingdom|date=August 12, 2016}} such as rings, balls, streams, or ripples,{{cite news|url=http://www.free-times.com/cover/the-great-vape-debate-081716|title=The Great Vape Debate|author=Eva Moore|work=Free Times|agency=Evening Post Industries|date=August 17, 2016|access-date=August 26, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821104630/http://www.free-times.com/cover/the-great-vape-debate-081716|archive-date=August 21, 2016|url-status=dead}} or doing tricks like the French inhale. The French inhale is exhaling the vapor out of the mouth and inhaling it into the nose at the same time, forming a cloud over the upper lip.{{cite news|url=http://www.loudountimes.com/news/article/blowing_off_steam_loudoun_vape_culture_emerges_around_e_cig_businesses543|title=Blowing off steam: Loudoun vape culture emerges around e-cig businesses|author=Anna Harris|work=Loudoun Times-Mirror|agency=Virginia News Group newspaper|date=July 23, 2015}} Men and women participate in cloud competitions.{{cite news|url=http://klaq.com/dope-or-dumb-competitive-vaping-is-apparently-a-thing/|title=Dope Or Dumb- Competitive Vaping Is Apparently A Thing|author=Lisa Sanchez|publisher=KLAQ El Paso|date=May 3, 2016}} Many teenagers participate in cloud competitions.{{cite news|url=http://www.techtimes.com/articles/50313/20150503/what-lures-teens-into-using-e-cigarettes-smoke-tricks-here-are-some-examples-and-tutorials-videos.htm|title=What Lures Teens Into Using E-Cigarettes? Flavors And Smoke Tricks|author=Ted Ranosa|publisher=Tech Times|date=May 3, 2015}} Competitive vaping is attracting spectators, known as "cloud-gazers".{{cite news|url=http://www.cinfotech.net/vaping-competitions-heat-up-with-the-help-of-sponsors-and-large-cash-prizes/|title=Vaping Competitions Heat Up with the Help of Sponsors and Large Cash Prizes|author=Info Tec Staff|publisher=Info Tech|date=April 27, 2015}}

Two major cloud competitions in the US are the International Cloud Championships in California, and the World Series of Vape, in Las Vegas.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/society/shortcuts/2015/apr/22/cloud-chasing-competitive-sport-blowing-vape-clouds|title=Daft vapers: the competitive world of e-cigarette smoking|author=Gavin Haynes|work=The Guardian|date=April 22, 2015}} The World Series of Cloud Chasing contest took place in the UK in 2016.{{cite news|url=https://www.newsreview.com/reno/planet-of-the-vapes/content?oid=20614940|title=Planet of the vapes|author=Jeri Chadwell-Singley|work=News & Review|publisher=Chico Community Publishing, Inc.|date=April 14, 2016}} The Vape Capitol Cloud Championships is one of the largest cloud contests in the US. There are also competitions in New Jersey, Illinois, New Mexico, and at the Vaporium in New York. The Vape Olympics is an annual event that began 2015.{{cite news|url=http://flagpole.com/blogs/culture-briefs/posts/we-went-to-the-vape-olympics-so-you-didn-t-have-to|title=We Went to the Vape Olympics So You Didn't Have To|author=Maria Lewczyk|publisher=flagpole|date=September 8, 2016}} The Canadian Cloud Circuit began in Ontario, Canada in 2015.{{cite news|url=http://torontoist.com/2016/08/toronto-vaping-darryl-mccoy/|title=We Went to Toronto's Vape Olympics, Which Might Be the Last of its Kind in Ontario|author=Erik Mclaren|work=Torontoist|date=August 25, 2016}} VapeShow Prague took place in the Czech Republic in 2017.{{cite news|url=http://www.slavorum.org/czechs-are-going-crazy-for-vaping-at-awesome-vapeshow-in-prague/|title=Czechs Are Going Crazy For Vaping At Awesome 'VapeShow' In Prague|author=Wilk Vatroslawski|publisher=Slavorum|year=2017}} Some consider it to be a sport{{cite news|url=http://pix11.com/2015/04/29/cloud-chasing-the-world-of-competitive-vaping/|title=Cloud chasing: The world of competitive 'vaping'|author=Ayana Harry|publisher=WPIX|date=April 29, 2015}} and it has gotten more formal over time.{{cite news|url=http://www.broowaha.com/articles/28998/-vaping-has-a-sport-and-its-called-cloud-chasing|title=Vaping Has a Sport, and It's Called "Cloud Chasing"|author=herbertp343|publisher=BrooWaha|date=April 20, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170627071339/http://www.broowaha.com/articles/28998/-vaping-has-a-sport-and-its-called-cloud-chasing|archive-date=June 27, 2017|url-status=dead}} Competitors can win prize money typically in the range of $250 to $2,000.{{cite news|url=http://digg.com/2015/competitive-vaping|title=Competitive Vaping Is The Latest Extreme Sport And Other Facts|author=Samantha Dupler|publisher=Digg|date=April 23, 2015|access-date=June 20, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150620090933/http://digg.com/2015/competitive-vaping|archive-date=June 20, 2015|url-status=dead}} The World Vaping Championship has a total prize purse of $100,000.{{cite news|url=http://www.lep.co.uk/news/morecambe-shop-sees-e-cigs-as-a-social-phenomenon-1-7915415|title=Morecambe shop sees e-cigs as a social phenomenon|work=Lancashire Evening Post|date=May 17, 2016}} Some regional contests offer cash winnings. E-cigarette companies will frequently pay e-cigarette users who have demonstrated themselves makers of amazing clouds. Tournaments are commonly sponsored by e-cigarette companies.{{cite news|url=http://usa.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2015-10/13/content_22168370.htm|title=Tougher controls urged for e-cigarettes|author=Shan Juan, Wang Xiaodong|work=China Daily|date=October 13, 2015}} Some competitors are sponsored by e-cigarette companies. This counteracts travel and equipment expenses. There are also teams. Some sponsors are organizing teams. A Competitive Vaping League is being developed. Several vape shops in Dallas, North Carolina, Los Angeles, Canada, and Indonesia are beginning to host competitions in order to promote new e-liquid flavors.

There are rules and judges. A list of rules are explained on a number of websites.{{cite news|url=http://www.uatrav.com/the_companion/article_5c57f356-ca0f-11e5-a75f-8368bdc2289b.html|title=Northwest Arkansas Vaping Scene Gains Popularity|author=Lauren Randall|publisher=The Arkansas Traveler|date=February 3, 2016}} Vapers compete by standing back-to-back when blowing the cloud of vapor. The clouds of vapor are evaluated on "girth, length, and overall size density". The person who exhales the larger cloud of vapor moves on to the next meeting.{{cite news|url=http://mashable.com/2014/08/02/x-games-vaping/#c9XVWUofhOq0|title=Behind the Scenes at the 'X Games' of Vaping|author=Eric Larson|publisher=Mashable|date=August 2, 2014}} The cloud of vapor is measured using a yardstick{{cite news|url=http://www.medpagetoday.com/PrimaryCare/Smoking/51422|title=Are E-Cigs a Gateway to Smoking?|author=Joyce Frieden|publisher=MedPage Today|date=May 8, 2015}} or by a ruler on the wall next to the competitor. In Plano, Texas in 2015, the cloud of vapor reached about 5 feet. The cloud was measured at 6 feet from another vaper. The judge Matt Maynard said, "There is a skill to being able to keep a ball of vapor together without it dissipating."

File:E-Cigarette-Electronic Cigarette-E-Cigs-E-Liquid-Vaping-Cloud Chasing (16162730679).jpg designed for cloud-chasing.|alt=A customized mod e-cigarette device designed for cloud-chasing.]]

Cloud-chasing integrates technique, air flow, and using the appropriate technology. A handful of later-generation e-cigarettes are designed to create large plumes of vapor. The devices are customized.{{cite news|url=http://www.dailyoffbeat.com/articles/1443/20140806/vaping-vaping-competition-vapers-vegetable-glycerol-liquid-nicotine-x-games-of-vaping-cloud-chasing-chris-wilson.htm|title=Vaping Becomes A Sport With Professional Vapers Puffing Giant Cloud Smoke|author=Cathy Cabrera|publisher=Daily OffBeat|date=August 6, 2014|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150612124341/http://www.dailyoffbeat.com/articles/1443/20140806/vaping-vaping-competition-vapers-vegetable-glycerol-liquid-nicotine-x-games-of-vaping-cloud-chasing-chris-wilson.htm|archivedate=June 12, 2015}} Users experiment with numerous component combinations.{{cite news|url=http://get-a-wingman.com/e-cigarettes-and-vaping-a-healthier-alternative-to-smoking/|title=E-Cigarettes and Vaping, a Healthier Alternative to Smoking?|work=Wingman Magazine|publisher=Red Snapper Publishing GmbH|year=2016}} A growing subclass of e-cigarette enthusiasts called cloud-chasers assemble their atomizers in such a way that can produce extremely large amounts of vapor by using heating coils with a resistance of less than 1 ohm (Ω).{{cite news|title=The Cloud Chasers|url=http://vapenewsmagazine.com/february-2014/vapeview-the-cloud-chasers|publisher=Vape Magazine|author=Mary Plass|date=January 29, 2014}}

E-cigarette blogs recommend various configurations of batteries and various kinds of e-liquid to generate the largest vapor or do the greatest tricks. Vapers on Reddit, vaping forums, and blogs have indicated there is a risk associated with modifying an e-cigarette to generate more vapor.{{cite news|url=http://vapenewsmagazine.com/august-2015/vaping-loud-by-chasing-clouds|title=Vaping Loud by Chasing Clouds|author=Anthony J. Ottomanelli II|publisher=Vape Magazine|date=September 2, 2015}}{{cite news |last1=Donald |first1=Mark |title=Tvape’s survey |url=https://tvape.com/blog/smoking-vs-vaporizing-consumer-survey-report/ |access-date=11 April 2024}} By using a coil with very low resistance, the batteries used can be stressed beyond the margins of what could be considered safe use. This could present a risk of dangerous battery failures.{{cite news|url=https://www.engadget.com/2014/05/23/vaporizers-explainer/|title=What you need to know about vaporizers|author=Sean Cooper|publisher=Engadget|date=May 23, 2014}} If an unregulated mod is not set up correctly the battery could overheat. "Unless you are an expert in electrical engineering it's probably better to stick to regulated mods," according to reporter Alex Cranz.{{cite news|url=https://gizmodo.com/gizmodos-ultimate-guide-to-vaping-1771859332|title=Gizmodo's Ultimate Guide to Vaping|author=Alex Cranz|publisher=Gizmodo|date=May 23, 2016}} A higher resistance above 0.1 ohms is recommended for onlookers and user safety.

Cloud-chasers are not always interested in the nicotine released from the vapor. Most cloud-chasers do not use nicotine.{{cite news|url=http://www.azcentral.com/story/money/business/2014/04/01/e-cigarette-smokers-are-chasing-clouds-lm-biz/7158733/|title=E-cigarette smokers are chasing clouds|author=Laurie Merrill|publisher=AZCentral|date=April 16, 2014}} Many choose mixtures that are made without propylene glycol and nicotine, but use higher amounts of glycerin to produce larger plumes of vapor.{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/retailandconsumer/11583974/Are-you-a-vanilla-custard-cloud-chaser.html|title=Are you a vanilla custard cloud chaser?|author=Rebecca Burn-Callander|work=The Daily Telegraph|date=May 5, 2015}} Dripping, where the liquid is dripped directly onto the atomizer, seems to be the preferred option among vapers who take part in smoke tricks, including cloud-chasing.{{cite news|url=http://www.medpagetoday.com/Pulmonology/Smoking/62919|title=Survey: 'Dripping' Common Among Teen E-Cig Users|author=Salynn Boyles|publisher=MedPage Today|date=February 6, 2017}}{{cite news |title=VNSN Quake Pro 14000 |url=https://buyvapes.co.uk/products/vnsn-quake-pro-14000 |access-date=24 August 2024}} Youth state that they do not use e-liquids containing nicotine while doing vaping tricks. Professor Fiona Measham, who led a smoking-related research project stated, "Among some more experienced vapers who prioritise competency in 'cloud chasing' skills, nicotine is actively avoided as it could disrupt their vaping 'performances', particularly given the quantities consumed". Vape shops in the US have held classes to teach users how to build an e-cigarette that can generate large clouds of vapor.

The majority of vapers go for sub ohm tanks or rebuildable atomizers for producing more vapor.{{citation needed|date=August 2020}} Cig-a-likes generate considerably less vapor compared to customized mods. Customized mods generate considerably more vapor compared to basic 'eGo' type devices.{{cite news|url=https://www.gizmodo.co.uk/2016/07/best-box-mods/|title=The Best Box Mods: Next-Level Vaping Beyond E Cigs|author=Jack Tomlin|publisher=Gizmodo|date=July 7, 2016}} A higher power setting by using a variable voltage device increases vapor volume.{{cite news|url=https://vapeandjuice.co.uk/blogs/vape-advice/what-is-sub-ohm-vaping|title=What Is Sub Ohm Vaping|author=David Mason|publisher=Vape and Juice|date=September 5, 2020}} Increasing airflow over the coil increasing vapor output.{{citation needed|date=August 2020}} This requires an atomizer with an adjustable airflow.{{citation needed|date=August 2020}} For vapers using sub ohm tanks or rebuildables with plenty of airflow, inhaling kind of quickly gets better results from the airflow.{{citation needed|date=August 2020}} When the airflow is opened too much it creates thin and weak vapor.{{citation needed|date=August 2020}} The way the vaper inhales can affect the vapor being created.{{citation needed|date=August 2020}} Before exhaling cloud-chasers inhale directly into the lungs as opposed to mouth-to-lung inhaling by most vapers.{{cite news|url=http://www.vapingpost.com/2016/09/21/expert-advice-operating-ecigs-at-high-power-poses-a-threat-to-health-too/|title=Expert advice: Power vapers should be careful with high power|author=Jérôme Harlay|publisher=Vaping Post|date=September 21, 2016}}

As vaping comes under increased scrutiny, some members of the vaping community have voiced their concerns about cloud-chasing, claiming the practice gives vapers a bad reputation when doing it in public. Long-term vapers maintain that some vaping newbies are making the industry's image look bad by exhaling large clouds in public. Some vapers are concerned that the vaping competitions bring a stigma to vaping by making the activity appear more comparable to gaming activities. Some vapers believe that cloud-chasers are partly responsible for the negative media attention.{{cite news|url=http://www.newsweek.com/veteran-e-cigarette-users-fret-cloud-chasers-give-them-bad-name-238978|title=Veteran E-Cigarette Users Fret 'Cloud Chasers' Give Them a Bad Name|author=Victoria Bekiempis|work=Newsweek|agency=Reuters|date=April 1, 2015}} Many vapers believe that cloud-chasers gives vaping a negative reputation, resulting in increased public opinion for regulation.{{cite book|author1=Barry J. Babin|author2=Eric Harris|title=CB7|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RkV-BAAAQBAJ&pg=PT152|date=January 12, 2015|publisher=Cengage Learning|isbn=978-1-305-53397-4|page=139}} Selena Rockwell, working for the Council on Alcohol & Drug Abuse said "That's very concerning because it turns it more into a game."{{cite news|url=https://www.noozhawk.com/article/health_e-cigarette_use_vaping_by_teenagers_a_growing_concern_20160228|title=As Vaping Use Grows Among Teens, Public Health Groups Try to Clear the Air on Dangers|author=Janene Scully|publisher=Noozhawk|date=February 28, 2016}} Cheryl Richter, the financial secretary of the National Vapers Club said that "it gives vaping a bad name, and we don't need negative publicity." Though, cloud-chasers dismiss the naysayers.{{cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/take-a-deep-breath-if-you-want-to-try-competitive-vaping-1429646394|title=Take a Deep Breath if You Want to Try Competitive Vaping|last=Mickle|first=Tripp|work=The Wall Street Journal|date=April 22, 2015}}

Some restaurants and bars have banned e-cigarette use. Others permit e-cigarette use but do not allow cloud-chasing.{{cite news|url=http://guardianlv.com/2014/04/cloud-chasers-extreme-vapers/|title=Cloud Chasers: Extreme Vapers|publisher=Liberty Voice|author=Beth Balen|date=April 2, 2014}} Many vapers openly condemn the activity, saying that those who attempt to blow the large amount of vapor indoors will lead to those who are still doubtful about vaping to support restricting their use. In 2016 the US Department of Transportation prohibited vaping, including cloud-chasing, on commercial flights.{{cite news|url=https://www.inverse.com/article/12307-u-s-department-of-transportation-bans-vaping-on-all-commercial-flights|title= U.S. Department of Transportation Bans Vaping on All Commercial Flights|author=Peter Rugg|work=Inverse|date=March 3, 2016}}

File:Vaping the 777 E-Hookah-E-Shisha (16268860991).jpg

File:The Dragon (19388697256).jpg

The exhaling methods used to produce smoke rings while smoking can be employed to produce rings of aerosol while vaping.{{cite journal|last1=Soneji|first1=Samir|last2=Barrington-Trimis|first2=Jessica L.|last3=Wills|first3=Thomas A.|last4=Leventhal|first4=Adam M.|last5=Unger|first5=Jennifer B.|last6=Gibson|first6=Laura A.|last7=Yang|first7=JaeWon|last8=Primack|first8=Brian A.|last9=Andrews|first9=Judy A.|last10=Miech|first10=Richard A.|last11=Spindle|first11=Tory R.|last12=Dick|first12=Danielle M.|last13=Eissenberg|first13=Thomas|last14=Hornik|first14=Robert C.|last15=Dang|first15=Rui|last16=Sargent|first16=James D.|title=Association Between Initial Use of e-Cigarettes and Subsequent Cigarette Smoking Among Adolescents and Young Adults|journal=JAMA Pediatrics|volume=171|issue=8|pages=788–797|year=2017|issn=2168-6203|doi=10.1001/jamapediatrics.2017.1488|pmid=28654986|pmc=5656237}} Men and women use e-cigarettes to take part in various vape tricks.{{cite news|title=VGOD Trick Tank Review|url=https://spinfuel.com/vgod-trick-tank-review/|author=Team Spinfuel|publisher=Spinfuel eMagazine|date=August 27, 2016}}{{rp|M}}{{cite news|title=Vape Vixen – Amy Hanks: Vape Enthusiast And Friend To The Community|url=http://vapenewsmagazine.com/august-2016/vape-vixen-amy-hanks-vape-enthusiast-and-friend-to-the-community|author=Chris Mellides|publisher=Vape News Magazine|date=August 26, 2016}}{{rp|W}} Teenagers use e-cigarettes to take part in tricks like blowing O's,{{cite news|url=https://www.usnews.com/education/blogs/high-school-notes/2014/05/26/teen-e-cigarette-use-a-growing-concern-for-parents-school-officials|title=Teen E-Cigarette Use a Growing Concern for Parents, School Officials|author=Alexandra Pannoni|work=U.S. News & World Report|date=May 26, 2014}} smoke rings,{{cite news|url=http://www.eastbaytimes.com/2014/02/07/bay-area-school-districts-rewrite-tobacco-policies-to-counter-teen-e-cigarette-use/|title=Bay Area school districts rewrite tobacco policies to counter teen e-cigarette use|author=Bay Area News Group|work=Contra Costa Times|date=February 7, 2014}} tornado-like funnels, the dragon, and various other vape tricks.{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-ecigarettes-teens-tricks-insight-idUSKBN0NM49020150501|title=As youth vaping rises, teens cite the allure of tricks|author=Jilian Mincer|publisher=Reuters|date=May 1, 2015}} Several young adults said that one of the reasons they vape is for doing tricks.{{cite journal|last1=Wagoner|first1=Kimberly G.|last2=Cornacchione|first2=Jennifer|last3=Wiseman|first3=Kimberly D.|last4=Teal|first4=Randall|last5=Moracco|first5=Kathryn E.|last6=Sutfin|first6=Erin L.|title=E-cigarettes, Hookah Pens and Vapes: Adolescent and Young Adult Perceptions of Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems: Table 1.|journal=Nicotine & Tobacco Research|volume=18|issue=10|year=2016|pages=2006–2012|issn=1462-2203|doi=10.1093/ntr/ntw095|pmc=5016844|pmid=27029821}} Doing tricks is one of the main reasons teens said they vape.{{cite news|url=http://www.drugfree.org/news-service/vaping-tricks-increase-teens-attraction-e-cigarettes/|title=Vaping Tricks Increase Teens' Attraction to E-Cigarettes|author=Join Together Staff|publisher=Partnership for Drug-Free Kids|date=May 7, 2015}} The dragon is exhaling vapor out of the nose and mouth at the same time. Other tricks include the double lasso,{{cite news|url=http://www.gq.com/story/vape-god|title=How the Internet Birthed a Young Vape God|author=Chris Gayomali|work=GQ|date=April 12, 2017}} jellyfish,{{citation needed|date=March 2021}} and the "Push the O" move. The double lasso begins with exhaling an O shape around a foot in diameter. Then a smaller, quicker O up to a size of a doughnut goes through the original O, followed by a smaller O is blown through the first two O's. The jellyfish is blowing smoke rings within smoke rings.{{citation needed|date=March 2021}} The "Push the O" move is exhaling a smoke ring and pushing it aside with their hands. E-cigarette users also form "vortexes" by tapping their devices to form sparkles.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/society/2016/may/14/vaping-not-nicotine-tricks-young-vapers|title=It's not nicotine, it's the smoke tricks young vapers love|author1=Jamie Doward|author2=Harriet Agerholm|work=The Guardian|date=May 14, 2016}} Another vaping trick is called "a waterfall". This trick involves exhaling the vapor out of the mouth and then inhaling it in through the nose.{{cite journal|last1=Lee|first1=Alexander|last2=Hart|first2=Joy|last3=Sears|first3=Clara|last4=Walker|first4=Kandi|last5=Siu|first5=Allison|last6=Smith|first6=Courteney|title=A picture is worth a thousand words: Electronic cigarette content on Instagram and Pinterest|journal=Tobacco Prevention & Cessation|volume=3|issue=July|year=2017|issn=2459-3087|doi=10.18332/tpc/74709|pmc=5555611|pmid=28815224}} Most vaping tricks are carried out using devices with large batteries.{{cite journal|last1=Pepper|first1=Jessica K.|last2=Lee|first2=Youn Ok|last3=Watson|first3=Kimberly A.|last4=Kim|first4=Annice E.|last5=Nonnemaker|first5=James M.|last6=Farrelly|first6=Matthew C.|title=Risk Factors for Youth E-Cigarette "Vape Trick" Behavior|journal=Journal of Adolescent Health|volume=61|issue=5|pages=599–605|year=2017|issn=1054-139X|doi=10.1016/j.jadohealth.2017.05.010|pmid=28712592}}

Vaping tricks performed by tricksters are publicized via social media, vape meets, and other places.{{cite news|url=https://www.vapingpost.com/2016/10/06/popularity-of-subohm-kits-drags-juice-sales-to-low-nicotine-strength/|title=Popularity of subohm kits drags juice sales to low nicotine strength|author=Jérôme Harlay|publisher=Vaping Post|date=October 6, 2016}} There are a number of YouTube videos showing people engaging in vape tricks using e-cigarettes. Social media sites like Instagram can be used for showing off vape tricks.{{cite news|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/the-mash/vape-culture-attracts-tee_b_8215340.html|title=Vape Culture Attracts Teens, Poses Harmful Risks|author=The Mash|work=HuffPost|date=September 29, 2015}} One of the more alluring features about vaping was cloud-chasing among Instagram users.{{cite news|url=http://theconversation.com/is-juul-making-it-easy-for-kids-to-vape-in-school-new-study-suggests-yes-98987|title=Is Juul making it easy for kids to vape in school? New study suggests yes|author=Jon-Patrick Allem|work=The Conversation|date=June 29, 2018}} Teenagers are being taught vaping tricks from one another. Students put videos on social media that show them performing tricks using e-cigarettes.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/24/health/fda-e-cigarettes-minors-juul.html|title=F.D.A. Cracks Down on 'Juuling' Among Teenagers|work=The New York Times|author=Kate Zernike |date=April 24, 2018}} Adolescents eagerly check out e-cigarettes on social media and YouTube where they find out about vaping tricks, among other things.{{cite journal|last1=Modesto-Lowe|first1=Vania|last2=Alvarado|first2=Camille|title=E-cigs . . . Are They Cool? Talking to Teens About E-Cigarettes|journal=Clinical Pediatrics|volume=56|issue=10|year=2017|pages=947–952|issn=0009-9228|doi=10.1177/0009922817705188|pmid=28443340|s2cid=44423931}} The increase in popularity with vape tricks is attributed to many e-cigarette users in Southern California who posted their tricks on social media online.

There are vaping tricks competitions. The participants are known as "vaping tricksters".{{cite news|title=Watch the UK's most impressive VAPER show off his skills|url=http://www.expressandstar.com/news/local-news/2016/05/16/watch-the-uks-most-impressive-vaper-show-off-his-skills/terry-dickens-in-action/|publisher=Express & Star|date=May 16, 2016}} There are several different types of trickster; the most common names being the Bender, the Runner, and the Spammer. Benders stay put in one place and use their body parts to transform the vape they exhale into various shapes. Runners typically do not stay put, and move in the direction of the vapor to form various shapes. Spammers specialize in creating multiple O's. The League of Clouds event is an online vaping trick contest that took place in 2016. The contestants at a place they prefer were livestreaming their actions on camera at a specified time, while judges at different places made their ruling online. In April 2017 Austin Lawrence, also known as "The Vape God",{{cite news|url=http://www.avclub.com/article/get-know-worlds-greatest-vaper-253688|title=Get to know the world's greatest vaper|author=Clayton Purdom|work=The A.V. Club|agency=The Onion|date=April 13, 2017}} created "some of the most insane and complicated smoke rings ever captured on film", according to Maxim.{{cite news|url=http://www.maxim.com/news/vape-god-2017-4|title=How This 21 Year Old Became Instagram's Millennial 'Vape God' and Started Smoking Up With Drake|author=Thomas Freeman|work=Maxim|date=April 14, 2017}} Titus Edwards is known in the vaping community as Vape King for his vaping cloud skills, according to FLUX. His signature maneuver is the jellyfish.{{cite news|url=https://www.fluxmagazine.com/coolest-vape-tricksters/|title=A history of the coolest vape tricksters|author=Alexa Wang|work=FLUX|date=May 8, 2019}} Vaping tricksters have been sponsored by e-liquid brands.

{{reflist|group=note}}

{{reflist}}

{{Electronic cigarettes}}

Category:Aerosols

Category:Electronic cigarettes