According to Wikipedia (the source for all things knowable):
“An electronic cigarette, or e-cigarette, is an electrical device that simulates the act of tobacco smoking by producing an inhaled mist bearing the physical sensation, appearance, and often the flavor and nicotine content of inhaled tobacco smoke; though without its odor, and intended to omit its health risks. The device uses heat (or in some cases, ultrasonics) to vaporize a propylene glycol- or glycerin-based liquid solution into an aerosol mist, similar to the way a nebulizer or humidifier vaporizes solutions for inhalation.”
-http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electronic_cigarette
But Roger, what does all that mean?
It means that an ecig is basically a little metal or plastic tube that heats up (“vaporizes”) a small amount of liquid (aka “e-liquid” “e-juice,” or “nicotine solution”) so that the liquid can be inhaled. Duh.
It’s basically just a little cyber-cigarette. The beauty of the device is that you can smoke it indoors because it only produces a mist that, when you exhale, quickly evaporates into the air.
E-liquid comes in a variety of flavors, from those that try to mimic traditional tobacco and menthol flavors, to chocolate, vanilla, peach, apple (one of my favorites), and about a billion others. Some solutions even try to mimic name brands (just google your favorite name brand cigarette and I’m sure you will find a store that sells them).
A breakdown of the ecig
Disassembled eCig - Showing e-liquid container etc.
The electronic cigarette is made up of only a few parts. When assembled, it looks like a normal cigarette (notice the assembled version on top). When taken apart, you can see that what looks like the filter portion of a normal cigarette is actually the container for the e-juice. You just put the e-juice in the little blue container.
The brass-colored part in the middle is the atomizer. Basically this is just a heating source that warms up the e-liquid to a particular temperature so that the liquid turns into a mist.
The part that would contain the tobacco in a normal cigarette contains the battery and usually a little red light at the end which glows when you inhale. I think the red light is a little cheeseball but people seem to think it makes them look cool so whatever.
…and that’s pretty much it. Disposable ecigs don’t need to be recharged and can just be tossed after use. Regular ecigs will need to be recharged after a few uses.
Heath risks
What is an eCig?
I would be remiss if I didn’t state that smoking ecigs does contain health risks. The FDA showed that a number of e-liquids which were marketed as nicotine-free actually had nicotine in them. Nicotine is a known carcinogen and could pose health risks, especially to those to are pregnant or nursing.
The long term effects of smoking electronic cigarettes versus regular cigarettes are not well know, so smoking, any type of smoking, should be a thoughtful and considered act.
Questions?
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Cheers!
The Freecigarettereviews Team (purveyors of fine e cigarette reviews)