What is vaping?

These days, adults who would otherwise continue to smoke, have many different nicotine products to choose from, that are better alternatives than continued smoking. The best choice for all smokers is to quit tobacco and nicotine use altogether. But for those who don’t, there are smoke-free alternatives to cigarettes emerging in the market.

One of the most well-known options out there today is e-cigarette or vaping - but with it also come many questions on an experience that could seem quite different to adult smokers who have never tried vaping. Let’s break it down to the basics.

What is vaping?

Vaping refers to the act of using a vape device (sometimes also referred to as an “e-cigarette”). Vape devices are battery-powered, electronic devices, and they work by heating e-liquids, many of which contain nicotine, in order to generate an aerosol (also sometimes called “vapour”) that is inhaled by the user. The important thing to note though, is that this vapour is not cigarette smoke. Cigarettes produce smoke because they burn tobacco, but with vapes, the vapour is produced because the e-liquid evaporates when it is heated.

What is a vape device?

There are many different types of vape devices, and while they can differ in size, power, customization options, and even their ability to be reusable or disposable, they often work based on similar principles and with similar components. Vapes work primarily through heating and vaporizing e-liquids. They achieve this by drawing the liquid from a tank or a pod system and putting it in contact with a battery-powered heating element. When the liquid is evaporated, the vapour is drawn from the device through a mouthpiece.

Different types of vape devices include:

Cigalikes (or ‘cig-a-likes’), are designed to look like a cigarette, often including a light at the tip to replicate the glowing lit end of a cigarette.

Pod vapes, which work with a closed vape pod or refillable vape pods containing the e-liquid.

Vape pens, which are small and thin, and have a refillable tank and replaceable coils.

Box mods, which are large devices with multiple changeable elements that allow for advanced customization.

Disposable vapes (link to First Steps page), which do not require refill. In this type of device, you don’t need to replace any parts of the vape, such as the battery