What's in e-cigarettes?
Electronic cigarettes, also known in the scientific community as e-cigarettes or “e-cigarettes” or even “ electronic nicotine delivery systems” (ENDS), consist of several key components that work together to produce a vapor for inhalation. Inside an e-cigarette, you’ll find a battery, a heating element (coil), and a reservoir filled with e-liquid or e-liquid. E-liquid typically consists of a mixture of propylene glycol (PG), vegetable glycerin (VG), nicotine (to address nicotine cravings), and flavorings (1). When the device is turned on, the battery powers the coil, which heats the e-liquid to produce vapor. The user then inhales this vapor, delivering nicotine and flavorings without the burning of a traditional cigarette.
Electronic cigarette definition
An electronic nicotine delivery system , also known as a vaporizer or e-cigarette, is an electronic device used to heat an electronic liquid (often called e-liquid or vape liquid ) into an aerosol that the user then inhales. Unlike traditional cigarettes , vapes do not burn tobacco. Instead, they use a heating element to turn a liquid (which typically contains a mixture of nicotine (the addictive chemical in tobacco ), flavorings, and other chemicals ) into vapor. This process is called "vaping." Nicotine vaping products come in a variety of forms, including pen-like devices, conversion kits, and cartridge systems, offering users an alternative to cigarettes with different nicotine levels and flavors.
What components does an e-cigarette device consist of?
E-cigarette devices consist of several key components that work together to produce vapor, or " vape mist ." The main components include a battery that powers the device; an atomizer or coil, a heating element that turns e-liquid into vapor ; and a reservoir or pre-filled e-cigarette cartridge that holds the e-liquid. Some devices also come with a mouthpiece for inhaling the vapor and a sensor or button to activate the heating process. Advanced e-cigarette devices may include additional components, such as adjustable airflow controls and display screens for monitoring settings. Together, these components allow the user to heat the e-liquid and inhale the resulting vapor.
How do e-cigarettes work step by step?
How e-cigarettes work is simple. First, when a user activates the device (either by pressing a button or inhaling in sensor-activated e-cigarettes), a battery powers the atomizer or coil, which is the heating element . Next, the coil heats up rapidly, heating the e-liquid stored in a reservoir or cartridge . As the e-liquid heats, it turns into vapor. The user then inhales this vapor through a mouthpiece. The process mimics the feeling of smoking, but without the burning of tobacco, which avoids the production of harmful chemicals like tar and carbon monoxide. In more advanced devices, users can adjust settings like temperature and airflow to customize the smoking experience, such as increasing the amount of vapor produced or increasing or decreasing the density of the vapor.
What chemicals are in e-cigarette liquid ?
E-liquids , also known as e-liquids, typically contain a combination of four main chemicals: propylene glycol (PG), vegetable glycerin (VG), nicotine, and flavorings. Propylene glycol is a synthetic liquid that helps carry flavor and provides a throat tingling sensation similar to smoking. Vegetable glycerin is a thicker, sweeter liquid that produces clouds of vapor when heated. Nicotine, the addictive substance in traditional cigarettes , can be found in a variety of concentrations, but some e-liquids are nicotine-free. Flavorings are food-grade additives used to create flavors ranging from fruit to dessert. In some cases, e-liquids may also contain other chemicals, including preservatives or sweeteners, and can form trace amounts of potentially harmful substances such as acetaldehyde or formaldehyde during the heating process. Higher-powered e-cigarettes, such as those designed for sub-ohm use, produce more volatile compounds, but a 2015 study found no formaldehyde detected in low-voltage e-cigarettes (less than 3.3V), suggesting that low-powered e-cigarettes may be safer than high-powered devices(2).
Does e-cigarette liquid contain harmful ingredients ?
Yes, e-cigarette liquids may contain harmful ingredients . While the main ingredients— propylene glycol (PG), vegetable glycerin (VG), nicotine, and flavorings—are generally considered safe as foods and drugs, the heating process of e-cigarettes can lead to the formation of potentially harmful substances . For example, when e-cigarette liquids are heated, small amounts of formaldehyde and acetaldehyde—two toxic chemicals —are sometimes produced (many of the compounds produced are orders of magnitude lower than those found in cigarette smoke )(3).
Some flavorings, especially those containing diacetyl, can cause lung problems when inhaled, such as " popcorn lung ," although diacetyl in e-cigarettes has not yet caused this particular problem identified when flavoring popcorn in popcorn factories (hence the name " popcorn lung "). In addition, nicotine itself is highly addictive and can have a variety of health effects , including increased heart rate and blood pressure. While e-cigarettes are generally considered less harmful than smoking traditional cigarettes , it is not completely risk-free, as inhaling these chemicals still poses risks to health .
Most of the damage caused by e-cigarettes occurs in places like the United States , where there is a lack of e-cigarette regulation and guidance. A phenomenon called EVALI, which stands for "electronic vaping and vaping-associated lung injury," has been linked to the chemical vitamin E acetate , which is used to add other chemicals to e-cigarette liquids, such as "THC," the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana. All EVALI cases evaluated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have had vitamin E acetate in the fluid from lung samples.
In the UK, e-liquids are regulated by the Tobacco and Related Products Regulations (TRPR) and the UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) (4) and the EU Tobacco Products Directive (TPD), which set high standards for safety and the exclusion of chemicals known to be harmful when inhaled, such as diacetyl. Therefore, avoid adding chemicals to e-liquids in the UK, which are strictly regulated, to avoid adverse effects .
How many cigarettes are in one e-cigarette?
Comparing the equivalent quantity of an e-cigarette to a cigarette can be difficult because each e-cigarette delivers nicotine differently and the strength of nicotine in the e-liquid varies . But a rough estimate that is often used is that one disposable e-cigarette or e-cigarette refill is roughly equivalent to about 20 to 40 cigarettes, depending on the nicotine content of the e-liquid and the user's vaping habits. This estimate is based on comparing the total nicotine delivered by the e-cigarette to the nicotine in a pack of cigarettes. For example, a typical e-cigarette refill, pre-filled cartridge , or disposable e-cigarette might contain about 20 to 40 mg of nicotine, which may be comparable to the amount of nicotine absorbed from a pack of cigarettes, but individual usage patterns and nicotine absorption can vary greatly.
Can vaping help me quit smoking?
E-cigarettes have been promoted as a potential smoking cessation aid, and some studies have shown that they are effective for many people – in fact, the largest evidence review to date, conducted by the Cochrane Library , found “high-certainty” evidence that e-cigarettes are more effective for quitting smoking than traditional nicotine replacement therapy products (such as nicotine patches and nicotine gum)! (5) The concept of e-cigarettes as a smoking cessation tool is that they provide nicotine while offering a similar sensory experience to smoking, without the potential risks associated with combustible cigarettes . By choosing e-liquids with gradually decreasing nicotine levels, e-cigarettes allow users to gradually reduce their nicotine intake. However, the effectiveness of e-cigarettes for quitting smoking varies greatly between individuals. While some smokers successfully use e-cigarettes to address nicotine cravings when quitting, others may continue to use both cigarettes and e-cigarettes, or become dependent on e-cigarettes. It is worth consulting a healthcare provider for personalized advice and exploring all available smoking cessation options.
E-cigarette type
There are many different types of e-cigarette products , each catering to different preferences and experience levels. Vape pens are designed to resemble traditional cigarettes and come with pre-filled cartridges, making them an easy, beginner-friendly option. Vape pens are slightly larger and come with refillable tanks or cartridges, offering greater flexibility and longer battery life. Pod systems are compact and user-friendly, using pre-filled or refillable pods for easy maintenance and portability. Box mods or e-cigarette mods are more advanced devices with customizable settings, including adjustable wattage and temperature controls, allowing for a more personalized smoking experience. Finally, drippers or RDAs (Rebuildable Drip Atomizers) are favored by experienced smokers who prefer to manually drip e-liquid onto the coil for a richer flavor and vapor production. Each e-cigarette offers unique features to suit different needs and preferences.
Best Cigalike in the UK
One of the best vaping products in the UK is the SMOKO e-cigarette, which is known for its ease of use and satisfying nicotine delivery. The SMOKO e-cigarette features a sleek, cigarette-like design and comes with pre-filled, disposable cartridges that are available in a variety of flavors and nicotine strengths . Another top choice is the 10 Motives vaping e-cigarette, which also offers a cigarette-like experience in a compact package with user-friendly, pre-filled cartridges. Both products have been praised for their simplicity, reliability, and effectiveness in providing a smooth smoking experience, however 10Motives has ceased production of vaping e-cigarettes, so while their e-cigarette refills still appear to be available, the 10Motives vaping e-cigarette starter kit is no longer available. If you are a smoker looking to quit using a vaping e-cigarette , the SMOKO vaping e- cigarette starter kit is your best choice!
How many chemicals are contained in disposable e-cigarettes ?
Disposable e- cigarettes typically contain several chemicals, primarily propylene glycol (PG), vegetable glycerin (VG), nicotine, flavorings, and may contain artificial sweeteners. Propylene glycol and vegetable glycerin are the main base liquids that carry nicotine and flavorings. Nicotine comes in various concentrations, providing a similar addictive component to traditional cigarettes , but disposable e-cigarettes typically contain nicotine salts instead of freebase nicotine. Nicotine salt e-liquids use nicotine in the form of salts found in the tobacco plant, with freebase nicotine being the purest form of nicotine. Liquid nicotine in salt form provides a smoother inhalation compared to freebase nicotine liquids, which are known to produce throat irritation when inhaled. Many smokers who switch to this liquid find that the sensation of throat irritation is close to smoking. To enhance the flavor of the vapor, people add a variety of flavorings, from fruity to dessert flavors, but it is worth noting that the flavoring content in nicotine salt e-liquids is typically 3 to 4 times that of freebase nicotine liquids, which may mean that the amount of volatile compounds formed during the e-cigarette process is 3 to 4 times that of freebase nicotine liquids (6). In addition, disposable e-cigarettes may contain small amounts of other chemicals, such as preservatives or sweeteners, as well as potentially harmful chemical byproducts formed during the heating process. While the specific amounts of chemicals may vary by brand and formulation, the core ingredients of most disposable e- cigarettes remain consistent.
What's in E-cigarettes? E-cigarettes Explained - Conclusion
At its core, the process is simple: a nicotine-containing liquid is heated into an inhalable aerosol, but variations in power output, heating element type and airflow are just a few of the factors that affect the overall vaping experience – from producing a small, unnoticeable amount of vapour to the large plumes of smoke produced by ‘cloud-chasing’ e-cigarettes. These variations in vaping devices have resulted in a wide variety of e-cigarettes on the market. The elimination of combustion is a big factor in why vaping is 95% less harmful than smoking, according to Public Health England – even though , according to Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) , 40% of UK smokers mistakenly believe vaping is as harmful or worse than smoking!