What exactly does vaping mean? And what is involved?
No combustion
When an electronic cigarette is used, there is no combustion but evaporation. Instead of tobacco being burned, e-liquid is heated to its evaporation temperature. With this method, fewer/no harmful substances are released which are found when smoking cigarettes. For example, tar, formaldehyde and carbon monoxide.
How does e-smoking work
An electronic cigarette usually consists of a battery, a clearomizer, a coil and a mouthpiece. The clearomizer is filled with an e-liquid with a flavour and, if desired, nicotine. By pressing the fire button on the battery, the coil is heated, which then converts the e-liquid into an aerosol that can be vaped.
Coil
Inside the clearomizer there is a so-called coil, also known as an atomizer. The coil/atomizer is a heating coil with a wick material (usually cotton). The coil wears out during usage and should be replaced once every 1-3 weeks with average use.
E-liquid
E-liquid, the liquid that we vape, consists of propylene glycol (PG), vegetable glycerin (VG), flavourings and optionally nicotine. E-liquids come in many different flavours and with different nicotine levels. In addition, there may also be differences in the ratio of PG and VG.
Safety
Every (potential) vaper has probably seen one pass by, a message about an exploding battery. Batteries from electronic cigarettes do not explode, provided you treat them properly. Never put loose batteries unprotected in your pocket with items like keys or coins etc. A short circuit may occur due to friction between other metal parts in your pocket. Transport your loose battery in a designated case. Read our article about how to handle batteries.
Health
The e-cigarette is not a medicine, and not smoking or vaping is always better, but the e-cigarette can certainly be used as an aid to quit smoking. With an e-cigarette you maintain the activity of smoking and consuming nicotine. This does not happen, for example, with other nicotine substitutes such as plasters and chewing gum.
Cheaper
The use of an e-cigarette is generally a lot cheaper than regular smoking. The purchase price of a machine is often a barrier, but if you compare the use of liquids and coils to normal cigarette smoking, with normal usage, it will soon end up being cheaper.
Right choice of e-cigarette
People who smoke all have their own preferences and e-cigaretes come in different shapes and sizes. There are models for light smokers that are very simple to use, to more complex models for the advanced vaper. Check our article on: Which e-cigarette should I buy?
Get used to it
An e-cigarette feels different than a normal cigarette when inhaling. Give yourself time to get used to using an e-cigarette and the vapor.
