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Many people are switching from smoking to vaping. For new vapers it can be a confusing and daunting process, we’re here to introduce you to the world of vaping with ease and help you with all the confusing parts you need help with!
What Is A Vape?
Let’s start off simple what actually is a vape? A vape is an electronic device that acts like a cigarette but is much safer for yourself and those around you. (If you want to know more about the benefits of vaping vs cigarettes you can check our article all about it). Vapes are battery-powered smoking devices, they have cartridges filled with a liquid that often contains nicotine, flavourings, and chemicals.
A vape will always contain key elements that make it a vape, these are:
- The battery – this is what powers your vape, it gives the energy needed to heat the vape liquid ready for you to smoke. Smaller e-cigs, such as disposables have the battery built into the device. Batteries are generally larger, replaceable, and rechargeable in more complicated devices. The battery also supplies power to the atomiser, a key component in the vape.
- Atomiser, coil, and wick are the next few components of the vape. The atomizer is a heating element that atomizes a liquid solution called e-liquid. When the battery powers the atomiser it heats the liquid, ready for you to inhale. You can inhale it usually by pressing a button on the vape. The atomiser is usually found inside the tank itself and the wick carries the e-juice from the tank to the coil for heating.
- Cartomisers, clearomisers, and tanks – these components are all subsets of the broader category of “tanks.” Your tank holds your vape juice. Cartomisers and clearomisers unscrew from your main device when you need to fill your tank. The main differences between the two are that clearomisers have transparent panes that allow you to see how much e-liquid you have left, they use silica wicks, and they are generally easier to clean and maintain.
- E-liquid also know as vape juice or oil is a key element in your vape and finding the right one for you is essential as it is the flavour you will be inhaling and having an enjoyable one is needed to make the vaping experience a positive one. This liquid is held inside the tank until it gets heated in the atomiser. For those who prefer disposable vapes, the liquid will already be inside the vape ready to use, but if you use a standard vape you will have to fill the liquid yourself and can change it at any time. You can find an endless array of flavour choices and nicotine strengths to suit your liking. In fact, you’ll probably find that one of the most fun parts of vaping is trying new e-liquids and discovering new favourite flavours. The main ingredients in e-liquid are propylene glycol (PG), vegetable glycerin (VG), food flavourings, and, usually, nicotine. You can choose to use nicotine-free e-liquids if you’re trying to get off nicotine so there are no worries about that!
Vape safety
According to cancer research evidence so far indicates that e-cigarettes are far less harmful than smoking as they don’t contain tobacco or involve combustion. There is no smoke, tar or carbon monoxide, and studies looking at key toxicants have generally found much lower levels than in cigarettes. They do contain nicotine, which is addictive but isn’t responsible for the major health harms from smoking, and they can be used without nicotine.
Vaping is much safer than smoking for the people around you too, as they aren’t inhaling second-hand smoke and the toxicants in second-hand tobacco smoke are responsible for thousands of deaths every year. E-cigarettes do not use combustion and there is no side-stream vapour keeping people around you safe from these harmful elements of smoking.
E-cigarette toxicity tests have looked at flavoured e-liquids and demonstrated relative safety compared to smoking. It’s best to research e-liquids before using them if this is something you’re worried about, but they are mostly safe and won’t cause harm to you, especially compared to smoking.
For the physical safety of you and your vape, only charge it with the one provided with your vape! You don’t want to risk the chance of a fire or other hazard, if you need a new charger buy one specified for your current vape model to stay safe. To also keep your vape safe from overheating and possibly causing a fire always keep it cool to be safe. Disposable vapes are at much less risk of this issue, it’s vapes that contain big batteries that come with this risk!
Happy vaping!
