E-cigarettes (also called e-cigs or personal vaporizers) are the newest form of nicotine delivery. E-cigarettes deliver nicotine without combustion by utilizing a
n atomizer, which heats liquid nicotine and turns it into vapor. The vapor
, instead of smoke
, gets inhaled and exhaled. This is seen as significantly healthier than inhaling smoke, which also contains Carbon Monoxide and Tar, along with over 4000 chemicals, over 60 of which are carcinogens. E-cig
ar
ettes contain around 12 chemicals.
The
batteries
The battery is usually of lithium-ion, and will last var
ying hours, based on
usage, size, and model. Some
batteries contain a
n automatic switch that turns them on, while others have a manual switch.
There are various different types of automatic switches. The most popular is a
n air activated switch, which turns the battery on when the presence of air is detected. Another popular switch type is a sound switch, which activ
ates to the sound of air being sucked through the device. Automatic switch activated
batteries usually have a cut off of around 6-8 seconds. This is to prevent the atomizer in the e-cigarette from overheating.
Many people prefer a manual switch, which is activated by a button on the battery. These allow contin
uous puffs of the e-cigarette without being cut-off. Manual switch e-cigarettes are said to prolong battery life, because they are not being fals
ely activ
ated by the automatic switch.
Batteries are equipped with LED lights that glow when the switch is activ
ated. These LED lights come in many different colors, including blue, purple, and even amber.
There are many different ways to charge a
n e-cigarette. Typical wall plugs are provided with most kits, and USB and car chargers are usually
available separately. If you sit at the computer a lot, there is a USB pass-through device, which allows you to run your e-cigarette off of a usb port, while you use it. For users who are on the go, there is what is called a Personal Charging Case (PCC), which you charge, and it will then charge batteries up to 4 or 5 times.
The Atomizer
The atomizer is the heating element of the e-cigarette. Its purpose is to vaporize the nicotine.
The Cartridge (Mouthpiece)
The cartridge is located in the mouthpiece. Cartridges are pre-filled at the factory (although you can buy empty ones to fill yourself), with many flavors of nicotine. These flavors range from traditional tobacco flavors, to more exotic flavors such as coffee and even rum. The cartridges are packed with a filler, usually poly fiber, which is used to absorb the nicotine, to keep it from escaping the cartridge.
Mouthpieces come in different tip types. The most of popular two are flat tipped, and round tipped.
The Nicotine
Like stated above, the nicotine is contained in the cartridge, and comes pre-filled from the factory. Most people consider the pre-filled cartridges
abysmal, and more expensive then filling your own. Suppliers sell nicotine (termed e-juice) by the bottle, which allow the user to fill their own cartridges with nicotine.
Whether pre-filled cartridges, or by the bottle, nicotine is
available in many flavors and strengths. The flavors include candy flavors, fruit flavors, alcoholic flavors, and traditional tobacco flavors. The strengths are varied from no nicotine, all the way up to 36Mg nicotine.
The nicotine is
actually a blend, and includes a base such as propylene glycol or glycerin. These are common food
additives, and are used to cut the nicotine. Other chemicals in the blend vary on flavor and manufact
urer, but most of the consens
us is that there are only around 12 chemicals found in most e-juice.
