What are e-cigarettes?
Everything you need to know about e-cigarettes. E-cigarettes are electronic cigarettes that evaporate an aromatic liquid instead of burning tobacco. E-cigarettes are a relatively new product on the market: After the first attempts in the 1960s, a breakthrough came in the early 2000s, when technological advances in the evaporation of aromatic liquids made it possible to launch the first e-cigarettes.
Since then, e-cigarettes have had the same design: A battery supplies power to an evaporator with a helical heater that heats an aromatic liquid in a container and converts the liquid into steam. The vapor may subsequently be inhaled via a nozzle. The liquid is also called e-liquid and e-juice. E-cigarettes are also called vapor cigarettes, electric cigarettes and vaporizers.
Building an e-cigarette
There are four basic components of any e-cigarette needed to produce the inhalable vapor:
- Fluid reservoir: A container for the aromatic liquid which is heated and converted to steam. Also called a tank, clearomizer or cartomizer.
- Evaporator: A heater with a heating coil that heats the liquid in the liquid container. Also called a coil or atomizer.
- Battery: A battery (usually rechargeable) that is the source of energy for the evaporator and the heating coil that heats the liquid.
- Nozzle: An outlet from which the steam can be inhaled.
E-cigarettes have continuously improved over the past few years. In the past they were often heavy and unmanageable, but the new models are typically light and manageable.
E-cigarettes vs. cigarettes: what's the difference?
The difference between e-cigarettes and cigarettes is greater than the similar names immediately indicate. The difference starts with the fact that, unlike cigarettes, e-cigarettes do not involve "smoking". After all, they produce steam and not smoke.
Cigarettes burn tobacco and smoke from it is inhaled. E-cigarettes heat the liquid and the vapor from it is inhaled. This difference results in a number of characteristics of e-cigarettes versus cigarettes:
Cigarettes | E-cigarettes |
---|---|
Tobacco is burned | Liquids evaporate |
Thousands of chemical substances are formed and released during combustion | Lower concentrations of harmful substances in the vapor |
Incineration with ash | Incineration without ash |
Persistent smoke | Easily perishable steam |
True tobacco taste | Different flavors |
Read about different alternatives to cigarettes
E-cigarettes FAQ
What are e-cigarettes?
E-cigarettes are electronic cigarettes that evaporate an aromatic liquid instead of burning tobacco. E-cigarettes are sometimes also called e-cigarettes and electronic cigarettes.
How do e-cigarettes work?
A battery supplies power to an evaporator with a helical heater that heats an aromatic liquid in a container and converts the liquid into vapor. The vapor can subsequently be inhaled via a mouthpiece.
How to fill e-cigarettes?
The way e-cigarettes are filled depends on which liquid tank is used. Read the instructions for your e-cigarette device for more information.
Is there nicotine in e-cigarettes?
It is possible to buy liquids for e-cigarettes both with and without nicotine.
Are e-cigarettes a smoking cessation product?
No, e-cigarettes are not approved by the Danish Medicines Agency for the treatment of tobacco addiction. In other words, it is not an approved smoking cessation product