What You Need to Know About Electronic Cigarettes
E-cigarettes is a widely used term. You might have noticed 'no smoking and no vaping signs' - but if you’ve never had any experience with an e-cigarette, you might be left wondering what they are and how they work. Knowing what they contain and how they transform e-liquid into vapour is essential to understanding these devices.
What Are Electronic Cigarettes?
The most recent phenomenon in e-cigarettes is the popularity of vapes and vaping. However, people often refer to them as mods, vape pens, and vaporisers, to name a few. But don’t let all of these different terms confuse you.
All e-cigarettes are battery-powered. The battery heats the e-liquid to create an aerosol called “vapour," which the user inhales and exhales. While e-cigarettes don’t contain tobacco, almost all contain nicotine, the addictive chemical in tobacco cigarettes.
A difference between e-cigarettes and tobacco products is these devices allow you to use different flavoured liquids. Aside from nicotine, these devices also contain propylene glycol, glycerin, flavourings, and other chemicals.
Scientists often can't predict the long-term effects of using e-cigarettes as their wider use has only been a recent event, so they aren’t risk-free.
What Is Vaping?
“Vaping” describes inhaling and exhaling the vapour of an e-cigarette. This is mainly because the device creates an aerosol from tiny particles when heated. While aerosols differ from vapour, people commonly call it “vapour”.
How Do Electronic Cigarettes Work?
When you turn an e-cigarette on, the battery heats the liquid known as e-liquid or e-juice. As the device heats the liquid, an aerosol forms. Vapers inhale this “vapour” into their lungs.
While these devices don’t contain tar or create carbon monoxide when used, there's still some cause for concern. It’s too early to tell what long-term effects will occur.
Anatomy of an E-Cigarette
To better understand how vapes work, it’s essential to comprehend all the parts that construct an e-cigarette.
Vape Pod
You can buy vape pods separately from e-cigarette devices. Inside the vape pod is the flavoured liquid that you inhale through the process of heating. It’s important to note that not all vape pods are the same, and some will have different nicotine levels. So, if you’re choosing a vape pod, ensure the nicotine concentration isn’t too high for your liking.
The more you vape, the stronger your inhalations, and the higher you heat the liquid, the quicker your e-liquid will deplete.
It’s crucial to note that trading standards seized over 1 million illegal vapes at Hillingdon borough council in West London. While counterfeit vapes are harmful for multiple reasons, one primary concern is that they could boast lots of toxic chemicals, so if you’re buying vape pods, be sure to buy from a reputable company.
Mouth Piece
Every e-cigarette will have a mouthpiece where you can draw and inhale the aerosol. Mouthpieces will look different depending on the style of the e-cigarette.
Heating Coil
The heating coil inside an e-cigarette is also called an atomiser. The liquid moves from the vape pod and into the atomiser every time you inhale from the vape. Here, the electrical energy from the battery power source heats the atomiser. This process turns the e-liquid into an aerosol or “vapour”, producing the mist you inhale and see on an exhale.
Power Source
Did you know that some e-cigarettes are single-use while others are rechargeable? Either way, these devices will have a battery source that powers the atomiser. More sophisticated vapes will have a quicker charge and a longer battery life, another reason to shop wisely.
Can E-Cigarettes Help People Quit Smoking?
While e-cigarettes can help people in their smoking cessation journey, it’s important to note that they don’t work for everyone. The NHS deems smoking nicotine from e-cigarettes far less harmful than tobacco cigarettes. However, it acknowledges that vaping has risks.
The Next Generation of Vaping Technology
As technology progresses in the wider world, so does e-cigarette technology. As new devices become more refined, e-cigarette companies like RELX work to improve e-cigarettes in various ways:
- Efficiency - Improving battery life so you can have enough power for 200 inhalations on 45 minutes of charge.
- Inhalation - Improving airway design and atomisers so that your overall experience has the draw resistance of smoking tobacco cigarettes while making the vapour less harsh than cigarettes.
- Style - With the variety of designs, your choice of e-cigarette should reflect you, just as a phone case does. So, with increased stylish designs, you’ll have the option of a minimalist, chic accessory.
- Flavour - With more flavours being created all the time, you’re never compromising on taste in your vaping experience.
Final Thoughts
E-cigarettes come in many shapes and sizes, and while it might seem like an overwhelming new phenomenon, most e-cigarettes have similar anatomies and use the same process to create the vapour you inhale. If you’re curious about the variety of flavours or styles of vapes, discover RELX’s collections today!
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