Thinking about ditching the smoke and switching to vapor? There’s so much information out there it can be a bit overwhelming, so here’s a quick overview of everything you need to know to get started!

What is an electronic cigarette?

An electronic cigarette, or e-cigarette, is a battery-powered device containing a nicotine based liquid. The battery powers a heating element (coil), heating the e juice which is then vaporized and inhaled. It is used to simulate the experience of smoking tobacco and known commonly as “vaping”.

Why use e-cigarettes?

E-cigarettes are 95% less harmful to health than tobacco, according to an expert independence evidence review, published in August 2015 by Public Health England. The same review also concludes that they can help smokers to quit. This is because the big problem with smoking isn’t the nicotine, it’s the tobacco which, when burnt, creates thousands of chemicals, carcinogens and tar. As e-cigarettes don’t contain tobacco, they are naturally far safer!

Other benefits include an improved taste and ability to smell, no more lingering smoke stench, and you’ll save money. For example, someone smoking 20 cigarettes a day could save up to two thousand dollars a year! Obviously this will depend on how much you smoke now, how you use e-cigarettes, and what type of e-cigarette you use. Which leads us to…

What types of e-cigarettes are there?

First let’s talk flavor! Since vaping has really taken off, the sky is the limit when it comes to choosing your favorite. They range from relatively tame flavors like mango or menthol, to the slightly weirder ones like bacon or birthday cake, and the really acquired taste… butter, anyone?  Of course, for a recent converter you can also ease yourself in with a familiar tobacco; all the flavor and none of the guilt.

It’s also important to choose which type of device you want to use. There are three core options: Minis (AKA “cig-a-like”); Vape Pens (Ego); and Mods.

Minis: These are designed to look the most similar to a regular cigarette. They contain 2 elements: a battery and a disposable cartomizer. The main benefit of these is that they are the easiest to use with the least maintenance. Simply charge the battery, screw on a fresh cartomizer and you’re good to go. The drawback of these is that their small size means the battery doesn’t hold a lot of charge and cannot always release enough vapor to satisfy heavy smokers.

Vape Pens: For intermediate users, vape pens are still small but have a longer life and stronger vapor production. The slight drawback of these is that they have to be manually operated by pressing a button, taking away from the authentic experience of smoking a cigarette.

Mods: The larger and more complex version, mods are usually only used by the experienced. They offer customization and much higher performance. They are the most expensive and definitely not recommended for beginners!

There is also the option of a disposable version. If you’re not ready to commit to the swap just yet, this can be a great option to “dip a toe in the water”. If learning more about vaping and e-cigarettes will help you decide, useful resources can be found at e-cigaretteuk.org.uk.

Where can you use e-cigarettes?

Almost anywhere! Unlike the restrictions of smoking a tobacco cigarette, there are almost no legal restrictions for e-cigarettes. The exception to this is that they are banned on US airlines, but in the UK some airlines actually sell them. Some pubs have banned them in case they are confused with normal cigarettes, but it’s uncommon and the decision of the owner – remember it isn’t illegal!

Still have questions? Feel free to comment below!