Electronic cigarettes/ e-cigarettes/vapes or electronic nicotine delivery systems are battery-powered devices used to deliver nicotine flavored substance to users in the form of vapor and not smoke. Health research gives these vapor devices a higher rating that the traditional tobacco cigarettes. E-cigarettes can be manufactured in many designs to resemble pens, memory sticks, traditional cigarettes, cigars, and pipes. Currently, there are more than 250 e-cig brands in the market.

How does the electronic cigarette function?

An e-cigarette is usually made up of 3 different components namely:

• A heating device/ vaporizer
• Power source(battery)
• A cartridge which holds the liquid solution/e-liquid that contains the nicotine, flavorings, and other chemicals.

Using the e-cigarette is quite easy; puffing activates the battery-powered vaporizer this vaporizes the liquid solution in the cartridge what results is an aerosol which the user inhales. E-cigarette vaping is designed to resemble the act of tobacco smoking; the inhaled vapor is appealingly flavored and produces a feeling just like tobacco smoking.

Contents of the e-liquid

The e-liquid contains a chemical combination of nicotine, flavorings, propylene glycol and propylene glycerin.

Benefits of electronic cigarettes

Lifestyle appeal

The stylish designs that e-cigarettes have make their use more appealing. Vaping which produces an aerosol that is less hazardous to users and the environment gives a lifestyle appeal that traditional cigarettes failed to achieve.

Fewer health hazards

Few health concerns are associated with using e-cigs and further research on these devices is still on-going. Users say that the vapor produced while inhaling is smooth and it neither irritates the throat nor does it lead to eventual teeth discoloration. Using the vape in public is safer because it poses no threat of passive smoking and keeps the environment safe from smoke pollution.

Appealing vape flavors

The tobacco smoke is very irritable and non- tobacco smokers often wonder how the users put up with this smell. The smoke is made up of heavy components like tar that are usually harmful to the lungs. The e-cig flavors give off an appealing odor. This odor is attractive and has led any non-smokers to try this product just to get a taste of the feeling. Using a vape keeps your breath in check, and you wouldn’t have to chew on some peppermint or brush your teeth regularly just to ward off the awful tobacco smell.