An electronic cigarette, also known as an e-cigarette, personal vaporiser or PV, is an electronic inhaler that vaporises a liquid solution into an aerosol mist, simulating the act of tobacco smoking. Electronic cigarettes are no longer marketed as smoking cessation aids or tobacco replacement in most countries. There may be similarities between conventional and some electronic cigarettes in the physical design and the nicotine release, which may approximate the same amount of nicotine as a conventional cigarette. There are many electronic cigarettes that do not resemble conventional cigarettes at all.
Components
- Cartridge
The cartridge, a small plastic, glass or metal container with openings at each end, serves as both a liquid reservoir and mouthpiece. It allows the passage of liquid into the atomizer, and vapour from the atomizer to the user's mouth, without any leakage of liquid into the mouth.
Most models utilise a plastic sponge to keep the liquid in place, but it is common to find a refillable tank that holds the liquid, with a separate tunnel connecting to the atomizer. When the liquid is depleted, users can refill it or replace with another ready filled cartridge. Some users forgo liquid reservoirs and drip liquid directly onto the atomizer in a method known as "dripping".
A single cartridge can have the same number of puffs as 20 cigarettes.
- Atomizer
The atomizer contains a small heating coil that vaporizes the liquid, and generally consists of a simple filament and wicking metal mesh or silica wick to draw the liquid in. It is positioned in the center of the three components that make up the entire electronic cigarette cylinder: the cartridge attaches to one end, and the power unit to the other. The atomizer's filament will lose efficiency over time due to a build-up of sediment, or it "burns out" entirely, requiring replacement. In some models, the cartridge and atomizer component are integrated into what is known as a cartomizer.
- Cartomizer
The term cartomizer describes the combination of atomizer and cartridge in the same unit. A cartomizer consists of a heating element surrounded by a poly-foam soaked in the liquid. This combination is mainly used in the devices that are manufactured to look like cigarettes, and is covered by Gamucci's patent.
When the cartomizer has been used it can simply be disposed of and replaced with a new one. This is much easier than having to refill your cartridge and clean and replace the atomizer every now and then.
- Battery
Most portable power contain a lithium-ion rechargeable battery which makes up the largest component of an electronic cigarette. The battery may contain an electronic airflow sensor: activation is triggered simply by drawing breath through the device. Other models come with a power switch, which must be held during operation. A LED to announce activation may also be equipped in the front of the power unit casing.
Batteries are usually charged via an AC outlet, car charger socket or USB. Some manufacturers also offer a cigarette pack-like portable charging case (PCC), which contains a larger battery to charge smaller batteries of individual e-cigarettes.
- Liquid
Liquid for producing vapour in electronic cigarettes, known as e-juice or e-liquid, is a solution of propylene glycol (PG) and/or vegetable glycerin (VG) and/or polyethylene glycol 400 (PEG400) mixed with concentrated flavors, and optionally, a variable percentage of a liquid nicotine concentrate.
The solution is often sold in a bottle or in disposable cartridges. Many manufacturers offer dozens of flavors which resemble the taste of regular tobacco, menthol, vanilla, coffee, cola and various fruits, but nicotine concentrations vary by manufacturer. The standard notation "mg/ml" is often used in labelling, sometimes shortened to a simple "mg" (milligram).Nicotine-free solutions are also common.
Some electronic cigarette users prefer to make their own e-juice in a form known as "DIY".
Most e-liquids do not contain beta-carboline alkaloids found in tobacco along with nicotine.
- Kits
There are dozens of e-cigarette models which are sold online and in stores, all under hundreds of different brand names. Most electronic cigarette users initially purchase starter kits that contain a battery, USB charger and a selection of cartomizers (cartridges). Some kits also include a portable charging case (PCC).
- Disposables
In addition to the kits, there are disposable electronic cigarettes which were first invented and bought to market by the Gamucci brand in 2008. These feature a battery, atomizer, and cartridge all in one piece. Unlike the kits, the entire electronic cigarette is discarded when the cartridge becomes empty. Disposable electronic cigarettes are typically marketed to those new to the electronic cigarette market.
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