Electronic cigarettes, e-cigs or vapor cigarettes, are all terms are used to refer to a handheld electronic device that vaporizes a flavored e-juice, or e-liquid into vapor. The vapor is inhaled by the user as an alternative to inhaling cigarette smoke. It is in essence, an electronic nicotine delivery system. But instead of smoking, the liquid nicotine is vaporized without burning or combustion.
In summation, e-cigs, vapor cigs, all mean the same thing. An electronic device that is an alternative to smoking cigarettes. We’ll use the various terms interchangeably throughout this page.
You may also hear terms like, RDAs, squonkers, and more. But for the most part, when people talk about electronic cigarettes they are usually referring to the most basic device. The original Hon Lik invention of the e-cigarette. That is an electronic nicotine delivery device that resembles a cigarette.
E-cigarette Components and How E-cigs Work
Although they come in all shapes and sizes, as mentioned e-cigs often resemble a traditional tobacco cigarette. However, regardless of appearances, every electronic cigarette in any configuration is comprised of these basic components:
- E-cig battery – also called batt for short! The battery is typically rechargeable although some gas stations and c-stores still sell cheap disposable vapes. A rechargeable battery offers a better long-term value. Also, rechargeable batteries are better for the environment because disposable batteries add to unnecessary waste.
- Atomizer – the atomizer is the metal element that draws current from a battery. The current heats the element, which in turn heats the e-liquid to the point of vaporization. Every metal atomizer has a specific current resistance measured in Ohms. The amount of current drawn from a battery must be within the safe operating level suitable for the specific resistance. If too much current overheats an atomizer, the result can be a burnt vapor. Like any electronic device, always use e-cigarette products with the proper, matched components and as directed by the manufacturer.
- E-liquid – e-liquid is made up of PG, VG, flavoring, and nicotine. The e-liquid may be contained in a pre-filled e-cig cartridge or a vape tank. The e-liquid comes in direct contact with the atomizer. Therefore, the atomizer and e-liquid are usually contained inside the coil in a vape tank, or stored in an absorbent material in an e-cig cartridge.
What Is The Best Electronic Cigarette?
Not all vapor cigarettes are created equal. The variety in shape, size, functionality, quality, and price is simply mind-boggling. But choosing the best e-cig can be simplified if you keep a few things in mind. The most obvious rule is to buy only from proven, reputable e-cig brands.
The first thing to understand is that price does not always equate to quality. Remember, when you buy direct from the company you are avoiding the distributor and retail mark-ups. As a result, many of the e-cigs seen in stores are there because they offer the highest margins for distributors. That means cheaply made e-cigs have a way of getting around!
Adult smokers also need to be aware that many of the e-cigs sold in c-stores and gas stations are very high nicotine. In fact, the proliferation of 50mg nicotine e-cigs is believed to be the root cause for middle and high school student’s attraction to vaping. Always note the nicotine content of any electronic cigarette, vape pod, or cartridge.
Tips For Choosing The Best E-cigs
- Buy direct from a proven American e-cig brand like Mig Vapor. That may seem a self-serving tip but it is also well-founded in our opinion. Buying direct means avoiding concerns about clone and counterfeit e-cigs. It also means direct access to the company that made the e-cig, which is better for warranty and rewards programs.
- When switching from smoking to vaping, choose an easy to use device. In other words, don’t start with an expensive, complicated, imported vape mod with more buttons than a science fiction space ship! Vape shops tend to sell more expensive, complex devices. Keep it simple.
- Don’t start at 50mg of nicotine unless you are a heavy smoker.
- Look at the long-term value. While many e-cig devices are sold for a promotional, bargain rate, the long-term cost can be much more. Note how much the company charges for refill pods or refill cartridges.
Are Electronic Cigarettes Safe?
Are electronic cigarettes safe? Or is there potential harm from vaping? Are there heavy metals or adverse effects from vaping? These are all fair questions to ask. And there is a lot of misinformation out there. To be frank, the media and most public health officials don’t know anything about e-cigarettes. For example, they don’t distinguish between using a mod or vaping an e-cig. When someone gets sick from smoking illegal drug oil, media and others call it “vaping”. But it is not! Smoking oil and vaping are two very different things.
We can’t say people quit smoking with e-cigs. There are thousands of personal testimonials about that but the FDA ecigarette regulations are not yet prepared to officially declare that e-cigs help people quit smoking. In addition, the FDA has declared that e-cigarettes are tobacco products under the food drug and cosmetic act. Ecigs are nicotine products. Unless an individual is vaping a zero-nicotine e-cig.
We do know all about the risks of cigarettes. The health effects of smoking include lung diseases like lung cancer, high blood pressure, heart problems and more. Ever since the surgeon generals report of 1964, we have known that smoking kills.
Do Electronic Cigarettes Affect Your Lungs?
The Lung Association, Cancer Society, Surgeon General, and every credible scientific body recognizes the dangers of smoking. Negative health effects of smoking include lung diseases and lung cancer. But do electronic cigarettes affect your lungs? The jury is not in. A few years ago, there were reports that some e-liquids contain diacetyl. Previously, diacetyl, which is used in food production as a butter substitute, causes popcorn lung. As a result, many reported that e-cigs could be potentially harmful. But to date, no one is known to have contracted popcorn lung from vaping.
- Note that the amount of diacetyl in cigarette smoke exceeds any amounts found in e-cigs.