Electronic cigarette: What is it and how does it work?

The electronic cigarette was invented in 2004 in China by pharmacist Hon Lik, after his father died of lung cancer.

The electronic cigarette is battery-operated and has replaceable coils pre-filled with nicotine or not.

It converts the e-liquid into vapor that is then inhaled by the vaper. It is available in various flavors, such as mint, fruit, sweets, coffee, tea, herbs, caramel cream, vanilla ice cream, coffee with cream, praline, honey tea, lemon with mint, bubble gum, etc.

There is a wide range of designs, from those that look like regular cigarettes to those that look like cigars. The basic parts of the device include the atomizer, battery, coil, and e-liquid.

There are two types of electronic cigarette devices: open-type devices and closed-type devices.

In open-type devices, the e-liquid is placed in the device's container, which is opened in order to be filled with the consumable e-liquids. There, it comes into contact with the resistance, which heats it so that it vaporizes.

Users who choose open-type e-cigarettes usually prefer to have more customization options (e.g. larger battery) or larger vapor clouds.

Closed-type devices operate with hermetically sealed capsules that contain the refill liquid. The capsule is placed in the device, which in turn heats the refill liquid that is vaporized.

Closed-type electronic cigarettes known as pods are suitable for novice users in the field of vaping, as they do not require maintenance (e.g. battery replacement) or cleaning. Furthermore, because the capsules with the refill liquids are sealed, any leaks are avoided.

Are electronic cigarettes safe?

There is a wider consensus that e-cigarettes are less harmful than smoking and according to many health organizations , the absence of ingredients found in conventional cigarettes from e-cigarettes such as (tar , carbon monoxide , hydrocyanic acid , arsenic , lead , mercury , etc.), makes it a safer alternative way to quit smoking for existing smokers.