What Are Electronic Cigarettes?
How Do Electronic Cigarettes Work?
Most people have heard about or have seen electronic cigarettes at one point or another. But the question at hand is what is an electronic cigarette?
Electronic cigarettes are electrical devices that replace tobacco smoking by instead generating a vapor when the user inhales. It provides a dramatically similar physical sensation, impression, and more often than not, the flavor of conventional cigarettes - with or without nicotine, and without the serious health risks of tobacco smoke to boot!
Electronic cigarettes primarily use heat to vaporize a liquid solution (usually a propylene glycol- or glycerin-based) into an aerosol mist, comparable to a humidifier or nebulizer mist.
The components usually include a cartridge that stores the liquid, and a heating element that is usually battery or USB powered. The majority of these electronic cigarettes are portable with many accommodating sizes, most of which give the appearance of traditional cigarettes and are generally reusable, although some are disposable.
History Of Electronic Cigarettes
The earliest concept was brought upon by Herbert A Gilbert in 1963, but credit is due to a Chinese pharmacist named Hon Lik, who developed the modern e-cig in 2003.
Types Of Electronic Cigarettes
Three-Piece Electronic Cigarette
Three-Piece electronic cigarettes have three manually-assembled parts. The parts include the atomizer, battery and cartridge. Most seasoned electronic cigarette smokers prefer this type, since it is more customizable and modifiable to the consumer's liking, since all of the components can be separated. It doesn't mean that these e-cigs are more difficult to use, but rather require more care and maintenance. One of the more popular companies that offer the three-piece is South Beach Smoke, who also offers a two-piece. More brands that offer three-piece devices are NJOY, Smoking Everywhere, Safe Cig and blu Cigs - all with refillable cartridges, and with or without nicotine.
Two-Piece Electronic Cigarettes
Two-Piece Electronic cigarettes are what most people prefer to use. These are the preferred route for starter e-cig smokers. The two-piece consists of the battery and cartomizer, which is an atomizer that is built into the cartridge. This minimizes clogging and keeps maintenance down and more sanitary. The user does not have to worry about cleaning and changing the cartomizer, putting tiny cartridges inside the filter or having the amount of vapor affected. It's as simple as unscrewing the old cartomizer and replacing it with a fresh, brand-new one once liquid does run out. The cartomizers are refillable and can be refilled, reducing cost. The top two-piece e-cig companies are V2 Cigs, Green Smoke, EverSmoke, and South Beach Smokes - all with refillable cartomizers, and again with or without nicotine.
Disposable Electronic Cigarettes
Disposable electronic cigarettes are another type of electronic cigarettes. They are a single piece that comes with a battery, built-in atomizer and cartridge.
They come pre-charged, so the consumer can use it straight out of the package. These devices are sold for short-term use, rather than long-term.
Disposable e-cigs are thrown away once the liquid runs out or when the battery dies, unlike the previously mentioned ones, which can be refilled with the consumer's choice of e-liquid and recharged.
They come in various colors and sizes, but are mostly painted to look like a real cigarette. Disposables can last around 600-1800 hits (all depending on battery life), and are widely sold in convenience stores. The first disposable e-cig brand was Premium E-Cigarettes.
