WHAT'S IN A VAPE? VAPES EXPLAINED

What is in a Vape?

A vape, also known as an electronic cigarette or 'e-cigarette' or even 'electronic nicotine delivery system' (ENDS) in the scientific community, contains a few key components that work together to create vapour for inhalation. Inside a vape, you'll find a battery, a heating element (coil), and a reservoir that holds the e-liquid or vape juice. The e-liquid typically consists of a mixture of propylene glycol (PG), vegetable glycerine (VG), nicotine to tackle nicotine cravings, and flavourings (1). When the device is activated, the battery powers the coil, which heats the e-liquid to produce vapour. This vapour is then inhaled by the user, delivering nicotine and flavours without the combustion of traditional cigarettes.

Vape Definition

Electronic nicotine delivery systems, known as vaporizers or E-Cigarettes, is an electronic device designed for heating e-liquids—often referred to as e-juice or vape juice—into an aerosol, which users then inhale. Unlike traditional cigarettes, vapes do not burn tobacco. Instead, they use a heating element to turn the liquid, usually containing a mix of nicotine (the addictive chemical in tobacco), flavourings, and other chemicals, into a vapour. This process is called "vaping." Nicotine vaping products come in various forms, including pen-like devices, mods, and pod systems, offering users an alternative to cigarette smoking with different nicotine levels and flavours.

What are the Components of Vape Devices?

Vape devices consist of several key components that work together to produce vapour or 'e-cigarette aerosol'. The primary parts include the battery, which powers the device; the atomizer or coil, a heating element that turns the e-liquid into vapour; and the tank or prefilled E-Cigarette cartridge, which holds the e-liquid. Some devices also feature a mouthpiece for inhaling the vapour and a sensor or button that activates the heating process. Advanced vape devices may include additional components like adjustable airflow controls and display screens for monitoring settings. Together, these components allow the user to heat the e-liquid and inhale the resulting vapour.

How Does a Vape Work Step by Step?

Electronic cigarettes work through a simple process. First, when the user activates the device—either by pressing a button or inhaling on a sensor-activated vape—the battery powers the atomizer or coil, which is the heating element. Next, the coil heats up quickly, warming the e-cigarette liquid stored in the tank or cartridge. As the e-liquid heats up, it transforms into a vapour. The user then inhales this vapour through the mouthpiece. The process mimics the sensation of smoking but without the combustion of tobacco which avoids the production of nasty chemicals like tar and carbon monoxide. In more advanced devices, users can adjust settings like temperature and airflow to customise the vaping experience, like increasing the amount of vapour produced or increasing or reducing the density of the vapour.

What Chemicals are in Vape Juice?

Vape juice, also known as e-liquid, typically contains a combination of four main chemicals: propylene glycol (PG), vegetable glycerine (VG), nicotine, and flavourings. Propylene glycol is a synthetic liquid that helps carry the flavour and provides a throat hit similar to smoking. Vegetable glycerine is a thicker, sweeter liquid that creates the vapour clouds when heated. Nicotine, the addictive substance found in traditional cigarettes, can be present in various concentrations, though some e-liquids are nicotine-free. Flavourings are food-grade additives used to create a wide range of tastes, from fruits to desserts. In some cases, vape juice may also contain other chemicals, including preservatives or sweeteners, and trace amounts of potentially harmful substances like acetaldehyde or formaldehyde can form during the heating process. Higher volumes of these volatile compounds are made by more powerful electronic cigarettes, such as those designed for sub-ohm vaping, but a 2015 study found that and that no formaldehyde was detected on low voltage E-Cigarettes (less than 3.3V), indicating that low powered vapes are likely to be safer than high powered devices (2).

Are There Harmful Ingredients in Vape Juice?

Yes, there can be harmful ingredients in vape juice. While the primary components—propylene glycol (PG), vegetable glycerine (VG), nicotine, and flavourings—are generally recognized as safe for consumption in food and pharmaceuticals, the heating process in vaping can lead to the formation of potentially harmful substances. For instance, when e-liquid is heated, formaldehyde and acetaldehyde—both toxic chemicals—can sometimes be produced in small amounts (many of the compounds produced are orders of magnitude lower than than those found in cigarette smoke) (3).

Some flavourings, especially those containing diacetyl, have been linked to lung diseases like "popcorn lung" when inhaled, though the presence of diacetyl in vapes has yet to cause this particular issue that was established when flavouring popcorn in popcorn factories (hence 'popcorn lung'). Additionally, nicotine itself is highly addictive and can have various health effects, including increased heart rate and blood pressure. Though vaping is often considered less harmful than smoking traditional cigarettes, it is not entirely risk-free, as inhaling these chemicals can still pose health risks.

For the most part, damage from electronic cigarettes has occurred in places like the United States that lacked regulation and guidance on E-Cigarettes. A phenomenon called EVALI, which stands for 'E-Cigarette and Vaping Associated Lung Injury', has been associated with the chemical vitamin E acetate, where it has been used to add other chemicals to vape juice, such as the psychoactive ingredient in cannabis 'THC'. All instances of EVALI assessed by the CDC have had vitamin E acetate in the lung sample fluids.

In the UK, e-liquids are regulated by the Tobacco and Related Products Regulations (TRPR) and the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) (4), as well as the EU's Tobacco Products Directive (TPD) which set high standards for safety and the preclusion of chemicals known to be harmful when inhaled, like diacetyl. So - avoid trying to add chemicals to your well-regulated e-liquid here in the UK to avoid adverse effects.

How many cigarettes are in a vape?

Comparing the number of cigarettes equivalent to a vape can be tricky due to the differing ways each delivers nicotine and the variability of the strength of nicotine in the vape juice. However, a rough estimate often used is that one disposable vape or E-Cigarette refill can be roughly equivalent to about 20 to 40 cigarettes, depending on the nicotine content of the e-liquid and the user's vaping habits. This estimate is based on the total nicotine delivered by the vape compared to that found in a pack of cigarettes. For instance, a typical E-Cig refill, prefilled pod or disposable vape might contain around 20 to 40 milligrams of nicotine, which could be comparable to the amount of nicotine absorbed from a pack of cigarettes, though individual usage patterns and nicotine absorption can vary widely.

Will Vaping Help Me Quit Smoking?

Vaping has been promoted as a potential aid for quitting smoking, and some studies suggest it can be effective for many individuals - in fact, the largest review of evidence to-date, conducted by Cochrane Library, found 'high-certainty' evidence that E-Cigarettes are more effective for quitting smoking than traditional nicotine replacement therapy products like nicotine patches and nicotine gum! (5) The concept behind vaping as a cigarette smoking cessation tool is that it provides a similar sensory experience to smoking while delivering nicotine without the potential risks that combustible cigarettes pose. Vapes allow users to gradually reduce their nicotine intake by choosing e-liquids with progressively lower nicotine levels. However, the effectiveness of vaping for quitting smoking can vary widely among individuals. While some smokers have successfully used vaping to tackle nicotine cravings when they quit, others may continue to use both cigarettes and e-cigarettes or become dependent on vaping. It can be worth consulting with a healthcare provider for personalised advice and to explore all available smoking cessation options.

Types of Vapes

There are several types of E-Cigarette products, each catering to different preferences and levels of experience. Cigalikes are designed to resemble traditional cigarettes, offering a simple, beginner-friendly option with pre-filled cartridges. Vape pens are slightly larger and feature a refillable tank or cartridge, providing more flexibility and battery life. Pod systems are compact and user-friendly, using pre-filled or refillable pods for easy maintenance and portability. Box mods or vape mods are more advanced devices with customizable settings, including adjustable wattage and temperature control, allowing for a more tailored vaping experience. Lastly, drippers or RDA (Rebuildable Dripping Atomizers) are favored by experienced vapers who prefer to manually drip e-liquid onto coils for a more intense flavour and vapour production. Each type of electronic cigarette offers distinct features to suit varying needs and preferences.

Best Cigalike UK

In the UK, one of the best cigalikes is the SMOKO E-Cigarette, known for its ease of use and satisfying nicotine delivery. The SMOKO E-Cigarette offers a sleek, cigarette-like design with pre-filled, disposable pods that come in a variety of flavours and nicotine strengths. Another top choice was the 10 Motives cigalike vape, which also provides a cigarette-like experience with its compact size and user-friendly pre-filled cartridges. Both options are praised for their simplicity, reliability, and effectiveness in delivering a smooth vaping experience, however 10Motives have stopped producing their cigalike vape, so while their E Cig refills still appear to be available, the 10Motives cigalike E-Cig starter kit is no longer available. If you are a smoker looking to quit smoking cigarettes with a cigalike vape, the SMOKO E-Cigarette cigalike starter kit is your best bet!

How Many Chemicals are in Disposable Vapes?

Disposable vapes typically contain several chemicals, primarily propylene glycol (PG), vegetable glycerine (VG), nicotine, flavourings, and are likely to contain artificial sweeteners. Propylene glycol and vegetable glycerine are the main base liquids that carry the nicotine and flavours. Nicotine, available in various concentrations, provides the addictive component similar to traditional cigarettes, but disposable vapes typically contain nicotine salts instead of freebase nicotine. Nicotine salt e-liquid uses nicotine as it is found in the tobacco plant, in salt form, where freebase nicotine is the purest form of nicotine. Liquid nicotine in the salt form provides a smoother inhale compared with freebase nicotine liquids that are known to create a throat hit as they are inhaled. Many smokers who make the switch find that the throat hit provides a sensation close to smoking. Flavourings, which range from fruity to dessert-inspired options, are added to enhance the taste of the vapour, but it is worth noting that nic salt vape juices typically contain 3 to 4 times the amount of flavourings found in freebase nicotine liquids - which could mean 3 to 4 times the amount of volatile compounds formed in the vaping process (6). Additionally, disposable vapes may contain minor amounts of other chemicals, such as preservatives or sweeteners, and potentially harmful chemical byproducts formed during the heating process. While the exact number of chemicals can vary by brand and formulation, the core ingredients remain consistent across most disposable vapes.

What is in a Vape? Vapes Explained - Conclusion

The process, at its heart, is a simple one: heating a liquid containing nicotine into an aerosol that can be inhaled, but the variations on the power output, the type of heating element and airflow are just a few of the things that impact the overall vaping experience - from producing a small, discreet amount of vapour to big clouds for 'cloud chaser' vapers. These vaping device variations lead to the wide array of different vapes on the market. The elimination of combustion is a huge contributing factor for why vapes are 95% less harmful than smoking, according to Public Health England - even though, according to Action on Smoking and Health (ASH), 40% of UK smokers wrongly believe that vaping is as harmful or worse than smoking! (7)

If you are a smoker looking to quit, check out the SMOKO E-Cigarette cigalike starter kit! This cigarette style vape helps switchers with the familiar size and shape of an actual cigarette, the 'mouth to lung' inhale is also shared with cigarette smoking, making it one of the best choices for current smokers to make the switch to vaping. For those looking for something with a more modern design and feel, check out the SMOKO VAPE POD starter kit - it uses the same UK-made e-liquids as our E-Cigarette with a more neutral mouthpiece shape.

Make the switch today with SMOKO!

REFERENCES

(1) Comprehensive overview of common e-liquid ingredients and how they can be used to predict an e-liquid’s flavour category

(2) Hidden Formaldehyde in E-Cigarette Aerosols

(3) The Chemical Complexity of e-Cigarette Aerosols Compared With the Smoke From a Tobacco Burning Cigarette

(4) The Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016

(5) Latest Cochrane Review finds high certainty evidence that nicotine e-cigarettes are more effective than traditional nicotine-replacement therapy (NRT) in helping people quit smoking

(6) Comprehensive Dutch market data analysis shows that e-liquids with nicotine salts have both higher nicotine and flavour concentrations than those with free-base nicotine

(7) Four in ten smokers wrongly believe that vaping is as or more harmful as smoking

ABOUT THE AUTHOR 

Written by Dan Overgage