The word “vape” was recently named Oxford Dictionaries’ Word of the Year for 2014. But many people who heard the news may wonder “What is vaping?” The concept may actually be more familiar for most people than they think, especially if they’re familiar with the alternatives to smoking tobacco cigarettes.
So what is vaping? Vaping is the act of puffing on an electronic cigarette, sometimes known as an “e cig” or a vapor cigarette. It is very similar to smoking a tobacco cigarette — which in vaping circles is known as an analog cigarette. Vaping is about more than a tobacco-free lifestyle. It’s also a growing subculture that gets together to advance vaping technology.
Many people may wonder how to use ecigs, too, though, especially given that these electronic devices take a lot more work and maintenance than simply lighting them and smoking. E cigs and vapor cigarettes, which tend to be more complicated than the former, come in several different varieties that can sometimes allow users to customize their vaping experience. Most e cigs are operated by the push of a button; there are automatic models out there that don’t require this mechanism, though. The e cig holds an e liquid inside its cartridge that gets heated thanks to the atomizer — a combination known as a cartomizer.
From the cartomizer, which is powered by a battery, the e cig then heats up to produce a vapor, which exits through the end of the e cig. E cigs don’t burn out, but they do eventually run out of e liquid. Rechargeable e cig and vapor cig models can be refilled with more e liquid; the disposable e cigs, however, are recycled or otherwise discarded once they are empty. Although it may sound pricey to have to pay for new e liquid and cartridges, these devices can cost significantly less in the long run when compared with a heavy cigarette smoking habit. Many newer vapor cigarettes are also made to last longer so users get the most bang for their buck.
Do you have more questions about using an e cig for the first time? Be sure to leave a comment below.
