How an electronic cigarette works

Since electronic cigarettes, or e-cigarettes, first appeared on the market, their popularity and use has exploded, especially among teenagers and young adults. Once described as a public health crisis by many health groups, vaporizing with electronic cigarettes is now considered a "safer" way to smoke. The workings of an electronic cigarette are not difficult to explain.

What is an electronic cigarette?

Electronic cigarettes are battery-powered devices that people use to heat the e-liquid. The latter is transformed into a vapor and can then be inhaled. They are also known as e-cigarettes or vapes and are shaped like a cigarette or a pen but do not contain tobacco. When e-cigarettes are used, the nicotine solution turns into a mist that can be inhaled into the lungs.

The components

Each e-cigarette is composed of three main components: the battery, a cartridge containing liquid nicotine and a vaporization chamber. All of these components are available in different types and sizes, and you will often see two (if not all three) combined into one device. The battery: this is the most critical part of the e-cigarette and responsible for activating the device to charge the atomizer inside the cartridge. Generally, e-cigarettes use lithium-ion or lithium-polymer batteries but small vaporizers have a built-in battery. The tank: it is also one of its most important parts. It contains the e-liquid and is also equipped with a coil that will need to be replaced about every week. Tanks are available in all sizes, some containing only 2 ml of ejuice and some containing more than 5 ml of ejuice. The atomizer: The spray chamber, also known as the atomizer, is responsible for vaporizing the nicotine liquid inside the cartridge. The wick carries the liquid to the coil which, heated by the battery, vaporizes it.

So, how does it work?

To activate an e-cigarette, the user must first press the activation button. He must then put the device in his mouth and then begin to inhale. This gesture causes a flow of air that signals the sensor built into the battery to activate the vaporization chamber. The vaporization chamber then converts the liquid nicotine in the cartridge into a vapor, which is then inhaled by the user. On exhalation and contact with moisture from the outside air, the vapour condenses and produces a thick visible mist. Once the vaporizer stops inhaling or if the battery charge is low, the indicator light goes out.