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Chapters

0:00 Introduction
0:36 What is vaping
0:58 How does vaping work
1:30 health and safety risks





An electronic cigarette[notes 1][1] is an electronic device that simulates tobacco smoking. It consists of an atomizer, a power source such as a battery, and a container such as a cartridge or tank. Instead of smoke, the user inhales vapor.[2] As such, using an e-cigarette is often called "vaping".[3] The atomizer is a heating element that vaporizes a liquid solution called e-liquid,[4] which quickly cools into an aerosol of tiny droplets, vapor and air.[5] E-cigarettes are activated by taking a puff or pressing a button.[3][6] Some look like traditional cigarettes,[3][7] and most versions are reusable.[8]

The vapor is primarily composed of propylene glycol and/or glycerin, usually with nicotine and flavoring. Its exact composition varies, and depends on several things including user behavior.[notes 2]

Vaping is likely significantly less harmful than smoking tobacco.[9] The life expectancy of tobaco smokers is at least 10 years shorter than for nonsmokers.[10] E-cigarette vapor contains fewer toxins, in lower amounts, than cigarette smoke.[9] Nicotine is addictive, but by itself is not greatly harmful.[11][12][13][14] For people trying to quit smoking with medical help, e-cigarettes have a higher quit rate than normal nicotine replacement therapy.[15] For others, e-cigarettes do not raise quit rates.[16][17] An electronic cigarette consists of an atomizer, a power source such as a battery, and a container for the e-liquid such as a cartridge or tank.

E-cigarettes have evolved over time, and the different designs are classified in generations. First-generation e-cigarettes, which tend to look like traditional cigarettes, are called "cigalikes".[18][19] Second-generation devices are larger and look less like traditional cigarettes.[20] Third-generation devices include mechanical mods and variable voltage devices.[18] The fourth-generation includes sub-ohm tanks (meaning that they have electrical resistance of less than 1 ohm) and temperature control devices.[21] There are also pod mod devices that use protonated nicotine, rather than free-base nicotine found in earlier generations,[22] providing higher nicotine yields through the production of aerosolized protonated nicotine.[23][24]

The mixture used in vapor products such as e-cigarettes is called e-liquid.[25] E-liquid formulations vary widely.[19][26] A typical e-liquid comprises propylene glycol and glycerin (95%), and flavorings, nicotine, and other additives (5%).[27][28] The flavorings may be natural, artificial,[26] or organic.[29] Over 80 chemicals such as formaldehyde and metallic nanoparticles have been found in the e-liquid.[30] There are many e-liquid manufacturers,[31] and more than 15,000 flavors.[32]

In the US, under Food and Drug Administration (FDA) rules, e-liquids must comply with manufacturing standards.[33] Industry standards are published by the American E-liquid Manufacturing Standards Association (AEMSA).[34] EU standards are in the EU Tobacco Products Directive.[35]
Use
Popularity
Main article: Usage of electronic cigarettes
Estimated trends in the global number of vapers

Since their entrance to the market around 2003, e-cigarette use has risen rapidly.[36][37][38] In 2011 there were about 7 million adult e-cigarette users globally, rising to 68 million in 2020 compared with 1.1 billion cigarette smokers.[39] There was a further rise to 82 million in 2021. The rise was thought to be due to targeted marketing, their lower cost compared to cigarettes, and that e-cigarettes are safer than tobacco.[40]

E-cigarette use is highest in China, the US, and Europe, with China having the most e-cigarette users.[6][41]