What are e-cigarette cloud chasers? Why are there fewer and fewer cloud chasers?

Cloud chasers refer to users of electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) such as e-cigarettes who generate large amounts of vapor. In the early days of the e-cigarette industry, before smaller devices became popular, users often sought after larger and more impressive vapor clouds, which were considered fashionable and unique.

The popularity of cloud chasing e-cigarette devices, also known as "vapes" abroad and "steam cigarettes" in China, first emerged overseas. These devices typically consist of a host and atomizer, with the host containing a battery and circuit board, and the atomizer containing a heating element that vaporizes the e-liquid. Although e-cigarettes come in various shapes, such as round, square, and flat, their structure and principles are basically the same.

How can you generate bigger vapor clouds with e-cigarettes?

E-liquid selection: Choosing e-liquids with high concentrations of vegetable glycerin (VG) can produce larger vapor clouds. Among common e-liquids, brands with 100% pure VG, 80% VG, or 70% VG tend to produce better cloud chasing effects.

Resistance and current: Under a fixed voltage, the lower the resistance of the atomizer, the greater the current. The higher the current, the more heat the heating element generates, which can create larger vapor clouds (assuming that the e-liquid can be conducted to the heating element at a sufficient rate).

Airflow: Larger airflow through the heating element can carry away more vapor and allow the heating element to vaporize more e-liquid, resulting in larger vapor clouds.

Choosing open-type e-cigarette devices: Open-type devices such as drip atomizers are the most commonly used devices for cloud chasing. 

Why are there fewer and fewer cloud chasers?

Here are some possible reasons for this trend:

1. Strengthened laws and regulations: Countries have tightened regulations on the sale and use of electronic cigarettes. For example, some countries prohibit the sale of e-cigarettes to minors, or restrict e-cigarette advertising and promotion. The implementation of these regulations may lead some people to reduce or stop using e-cigarettes.

2. Changes in flavor: Cloud chasers mostly need to DIY their own e-cigarette devices and e-liquids, and mix different flavors of e-cigarettes. However, due to limited personal skills and materials, many players begin to feel that the flavor is monotonous and insufficient to meet their needs.

3. Entry of e-cigarette companies: Traditional tobacco companies have entered the e-cigarette market, and new e-cigarette companies are constantly emerging and launching their own e-cigarette products. This means that competition is intensifying, market share is being divided, and the number of cloud chasers is decreasing.

4. Restrictions on social media: Currently, social media platforms have banned e-cigarette-related advertising and promotion, making it difficult for e-cigarette companies to attract new users and maintain contact with existing users.

In summary, due to multiple factors such as strengthened laws and regulations, changes in flavor, the entry of tobacco companies, and restrictions on social media, the number of cloud chasers is gradually decreasing. As early as a few years ago, online platforms were prohibited from selling all e-cigarette-related products. This makes it difficult for cloud chasers to obtain the supplies they need, while pod vapes are becoming more popular due to their convenience, simplicity, and wider availability, which has led to the market shifting towards them.