How E Cigs Work
What is an e-cigarette?
An E Cigarette – What Is It?
An E cigarette is an electronic cigarette which is also known to be called an e cig, electric ciggie, or indeed a smokeless cigarette.
The e-cig is an electronic tool that is used in the same way as a standard cigarette, yet it uses an oil and nicotine solution which, when the electric ciggie is switched on, produces a smoke-free vapour.
Using an electronic cigarette is an alternative to smoking standard cigarettes, and it looks, tastes and feels like a real cigarette, however smoke is not inhaled – you take in what is more like the steam in your shower rather than inhaling damaging smoke, making it a great alternative.
The idea behind an e-cig is that it is modelled on a standard cigarette that uses tobacco. It has the same shape, it’s the same size and the use is exactly the same too.
The e-cigarette makes use of a cartridge which houses a battery and liquid, or e liquid, as well as an atomiser.
Batteries
Batteries in your e-ciggie are lithium-ion and can be recharged. The battery attaches to the cigarette shape, but is designed to look like it is the burning part of the cig.
At one end of the battery, you will find an LED indicator - a light that glows when you take a drag. It blinks or stops when the battery is low and in need of a recharge.
Atomiser
The atomiser is the smallest part of the e-ciggie. It is a metal coil that heats up the e liquid so that it vapourises. It doesn’t burn but heats it slightly so that it can be inhaled.
Parts can be purchased separately so that the three part design of the e-cigarette can be maintained easily.
Other creations include two part designs which have new atomisers in every e liquid cartridge. Because atomisers do wear out over time, the two piece design is a little more popular as you don’t have to be concerned about the atomiser section wearing out prior to the cartridge running out of e liquid. The cartridge can often be re-filled a couple of times before the atomiser wears out, so they offer better value for money. You can search for these using the term ‘cartomiser’ – this is the cartridge on a two part e-cig that contains the e liquid.
E Liguid
E liquids are available in differing concentrations of nicotine. Measured in milligrams, you can purchase up to 12mg of concentrated nicotine solution – some offer more.
Different flavours of e liquid are available too. Choose from a minty flavour or traditional tobacco, with lots more on the menu.
How it Works
An e cigarette is put together using a battery, charge it and it is ready to use. The ciggie switches on when you take a drag – the air sparks it up using an intelligent chip that senses the air flow and issues a signal to the light and the atomiser.
The atomiser activates and heats up the e liquid, turning it into vapour that you can inhale.
You can relax and smoke the e-cigarette just like a normal cigarette, but without the guilt and without taking in the harmful chemicals associated with a standard ciggie.
There is no scent, just a little taste, and no ‘real’ smoke yet the cigarette looks and feels like a real one.