What is an electronic cigarette ?

An electronic cigarette is a device that can act as a substitute for tobacco cigarettes. Although its form has evolved over time, the principle of how it works has remained the same. At its core, there is a heating coil (resistance) that heats up the e liquid present in the clearomiser's reservoir, transforming it into vapour. The energy required to heat the coil is provided by a battery. The produced vapour can then be inhaled by the vaper.

The vaporisation mechanism is controlled by the vaper. This can be done manually (using a button called a "switch") or automatically if the device is capable of detecting the user's inhalation.

This simple operation is undoubtedly the basis of the growing success of electronic cigarettes. The sensations obtained are quite similar to those provided by traditional cigarettes. Additionally, smokers can maintain a familiar gesture they have been accustomed to for many years.

What is an electronic cigarette composed of ?

An e cigarette is composed of two fundamental elements:

• The battery, which is the bottom part of the electronic cigarette and stores energy to be later sent to the clearomiser.
• The clearomiser, which is the top part of the electronic cigarette which contains the e liquid and coil in the reservoir.

The Electronic Cigarette battery 

The battery is the device that supplies electrical energy to the coil of your e cigarette to heat it up. Over time, the shape of this battery has evolved significantly. Initially, it was cylindrical to resemble the shape of a traditional cigarette. Later, square-shaped formats called "box mods" emerged, offering more space for the battery and, consequently, better battery life.

The term "battery" is used when it is directly integrated into the electronic cigarette. However, there are models where the battery is not integrated. In these cases, they need to be paired with a large removable battery called an "accumulator" (or "mod"). In such cases, the bottom part of the e-cigarette is no longer called a battery but a "mod."

Whether directly integrated or in the form of an accumulator, a battery needs to be recharged regularly. Its capacity is expressed in milliampere-hours (mAh). The higher the number of mAh, the longer the battery will last.

A battery also has characteristics that will influence its vaping performance. The main one is the power, which determines the amount of current sent to the heating coil and, consequently, the production of vapour. Some batteries even incorporate adjustable settings to vary this power according to needs.

SEE THE BATTERY GUIDE

An electronic cigarette clearomiser

The clearomiser consists of a reservoir, a coil, and a mouthpiece (also called a "drip tip").

The reservoir, often made of transparent Pyrex, contains the e liquid. Its capacity is expressed in millilitres. It can be filled in two different ways: from the top via the "top cap" or from the bottom through the base of the clearomiser (the top-fill method is considered more convenient and widespread today).

The heating coil, on the other hand, is a consumable item and needs to be replaced regularly (approximately every two to three weeks). Located at the centre of the clearomiser, it is generally composed of a resistive wire and cotton wicks. These wicks transport the e liquid from the reservoir to the resistive wire through capillary action. When the battery activation button is pressed, the resistive wire heats up, vaporising the e-liquid.

A coil has an Ohm value that provides an indication of its use.

Value above 1 Ohm: Resistance dedicated to indirect inhalation (similar to a traditional cigarette) and providing excellent flavour reproduction. 

Value below 1 Ohm (or "sub-ohm"): Resistance dedicated to direct inhalation and offering a larger vapour production. 

However, these indications are not always verifiable. Today, the trend is indeed towards lower resistances, and even resistances dedicated to indirect inhalation can have a value below 1 ohm. What is important to remember is that the lower the resistance, the more vapour it will produce.

To function, a clearomiser also requires airflow for inhalation. This airflow can take the form of a simple air hole or a larger slot that can be adjusted with a rotating ring to control the draw. This is called an "airflow system." The width of the airflow logically influences the draw: the more closed it is, the tighter the draw; the wider it is, the more open the draw.

Let's move on to the mouthpiece, the part located at the top of the clearomiser. Its purpose is to protect your lips from the heat produced by the coil during inhalation. There are different types of drip tips, with the most common being the 510 (narrow opening) and the 810 (wide opening).

SEE THE CLEAROMISER GUIDE

What is the role of an e liquid ?

E liquid contains the flavouring that gives taste to the vapour and the nicotine that helps satisfy the craving associated with tobacco withdrawal. It is also predominantly composed of propylene glycol (PG) and vegetable glycerine (VG). The propylene glycol enhances the flavours and increases the "throat hit," which is a tingling sensation in the throat similar to that experienced with a traditional cigarette. Vegetable glycerine, on the other hand, adds roundness to the flavours and enhances vapour production.

E liquid is intended to fill the clearomiser and saturate the cotton wicks of the coil. This cotton, in contact with the resistive wire, then needs to heat up to produce vapour.

SEE THE E LIQUID GUIDE

There are a few simple rules that will help you get started with an electronic cigarette.

• Adopt the correct inhalation technique 

You don't take a puff on your electronic cigarette like you would on a traditional cigarette. Inhalations should be longer (3 to 4 seconds) and smoother. Otherwise, you may experience a harsh throat hit and cough.

• Prime the coil 

To ensure that an electronic cigarette functions properly from the start, it is crucial to prime the coil. The cotton in a new coil is dry and needs to be saturated. If this is not done, you may experience a burnt taste immediately. Therefore, you should wait for about ten minutes after filling your e liquid tank before vaping. This procedure should be repeated every time you change the coil.

• Have a stock of spare coils 

It is advisable to have several spare coils on hand. It is difficult to predict the lifespan of a coil (usually ranging between 2 and 3 weeks), so you need to be prepared when it happens. Several signs indicate a worn-out coil: altered flavours, decreased vapour production, or persistent burnt taste.

• Have two electronic cigarettes or a second battery.

If the battery of your electronic cigarette is empty, you cannot vape until it is recharged. During this time, you may be tempted to smoke. Similarly, if your battery is unusable due to, for example, a drop, you may find yourself in a difficult situation. It is highly recommended to have a second kit or a spare battery to address these situations.

• Use an e liquid compatible with your coil.

 A coil cannot be used with all e-liquids, or rather, with all PG/VG ratios. A low resistance coil (below 1 ohm), for example, often requires an e liquid with a high VG content. Conversely, a high resistance coil (above 1 ohm) will require an e liquid with a high PG content. If you do not follow these guidelines, your clearomiser may leak. To check the compatibility of your coil, simply go to its product page and consult the usage recommendations.

• What to do in case of leakage?

 A leak usually means that e liquid has entered the central tube of the clearomiser. In this case, you should wrap the clearomiser in a cloth and blow through the mouthpiece to remove the excess e liquid. If the leak persists, the problem may be due to a defective or worn-out coil. In that case, it needs to be replaced.

• What are the differences between an electronic cigarette and a traditional cigarette?

There are numerous differences between an electronic cigarette and a tobacco cigarette. First and foremost, they contain completely different substances. Their effects on health are also incomparable. Finally, there is also a clear difference in price that favours the e cigarette.

There are numerous differences between an electronic cigarette and a tobacco cigarette. First and foremost, they contain completely different substances. Their effects on health are also incomparable. Finally, there is also a clear difference in price that favours the e cigarette.

What are differences in terms of composition ?

As we mentioned earlier, the products contained in a traditional cigarette and an electronic cigarette are very different. The only similarity between the two is nicotine, which can be found in e liquid. This molecule, which contributes to the success of the e cigarette, is also present in other tobacco substitutes. It helps alleviate the craving one experiences when quitting smoking. Nicotine is not recognised as carcinogenic and does not pose a danger when inhaled. However, it remains harmful if ingested, which is why a warning symbol is present on e liquid bottles with nicotine levels above 2.5 mg/ml. Nicotine is an addictive substance that should not be consumed by non-smokers.

Apart from nicotine, the inhaled products have nothing in common between vaping and smoking. When smoking, you expose your body to over 4000 substances, some of which are highly toxic, such as carbon monoxide, tar that clogs the lungs, arsenic, cyanide, ammonia, as well as various acids (benzoic, acetic, carbonic...).

An e liquid for electronic cigarettes does not contain any of these substances. It is simply composed of a base containing propylene glycol and vegetable glycerine, flavourings, and nicotine. In France, the law requires precise labelling on all e liquids for electronic cigarettes. Most French manufacturers also comply with the AFNOR standard, which is a very strict certification that prohibits the use of potentially toxic ingredients (synthetic nicotine, non-pharmaceutical grade PG or VG, colourants, diacetyl...).

What are the differences in terms of health effects ?

Source: Le Monde.

We often hear that the electronic cigarette is just as dangerous as the traditional cigarette. However, a large number of studies tend to show that this common belief is false. In France, tobacco is the leading preventable cause of cancer, causing nearly 73,000 deaths each year. One in two smokers will die prematurely due to smoking. The main diseases related to tobacco can be divided into three categories:

• Respiratory diseases, caused by the irritants in cigarette smoke such as carbon monoxide and certain acids. 
• Smoking is also an aggravating factor for asthma. Cancer, mainly caused by tar. One in three cancers in France is due to smoking. 
• Cardiovascular risks. 

In addition, there are 5,000 deaths directly related to secondhand smoke.

Regarding vaping, the toxic substances found in traditional cigarettes (mentioned above) are not present. Unlike traditional cigarettes, e-cigarettes do not produce tar or combustion, which are responsible for the toxicity of traditional cigarettes. According to Public Health England, an agency of the UK Department of Health, vaping is thus 95% less harmful than traditional smoking.

This idea is supported by a study published in 2017 in the medical journal Annals of Internal Medicine. Conducted on former smokers who quit with the help of e-cigarettes for over 6 months, it showed a significant reduction in the concentration of toxic and carcinogenic substances in their bodies. Researchers found that the level of nitrosamines, carcinogenic substances involved in lung cancer, was reduced by 97% among exclusive vapers compared to smokers.

In France, the High Council of Public Health considers that e cigarettes can be a helpful aid to quit or reduce tobacco consumption. It specifically recommends that healthcare professionals and smokers consider e cigarettes as a risk reduction tool only when they replace tobacco consumption.

While the Ministry of Health has been cautious about vaping in the past, the Minister of Health, Agnès Buzyn, recently took a big step to destigmatize this product. In an interview with Europe 1, she stated that the government is not opposed to it and everyone should "find the right tool for quitting." She also assures that e-cigarettes are "clearly less toxic than tobacco."

What are the differences in terms of price ?

The electronic cigarette, being a technological device that requires maintenance, may seem like a significant investment. However, vaping will require a much lower budget than tobacco in the medium and long term. The price for a  pack of cigarettes keeps increasing and is expected to reach the symbolic threshold of €10 by 2020. For a smoker who consumes a pack per day, this amounts to nearly €300 per month.

On the other hand, an e-cigarette only requires replenishing e liquid supplies (approximately 3 ml per day for a beginner vaper, costing around €10 per week) and changing coils (every 15 days, at a cost of €2 each). With an average budget ranging from €30 to €50 per month, your investment in an e cigarette quickly pays off over time. To learn more about the savings you can achieve, we invite you to use our dedicated tool : 

Later on, if your consumption becomes higher (over 5 ml per day), you can make your own e-liquids for e-cigarettes. This is called DIY (Do It Yourself), which has a much lower cost and is easy to do. It is also possible to make your own coils with so-called "rebuildable" or "repairable" equipment. While this method also allows for savings, it requires some basic technical knowledge.

Firstly, it is important not to oppose the electronic cigarette to other nicotine substitutes. Anything that helps to quit smoking is useful and should be encouraged. Each person can then choose the method that suits them best based on their preferences.

However, the electronic cigarette has several advantages. It allows the user to maintain the smoking gestures, reproduce the taste of a traditional cigarette, and produce vapour. Therefore, one doesn't really have the feeling of quitting, even though they have eliminated tobacco and its harmful effects on health.

These various advantages have led more and more French people to turn to e-cigarettes. According to Santé Publique France, it has become the most commonly used substitute by smokers over the years. Nearly 28% of smokers used it to quit in 2017, compared to 18% for other nicotine substitutes.

E cigarettes and nicotine substitutes can also be complementary, especially for heavy smokers who require a significant nicotine dose. In such cases, combining them is even recommended by some doctors. This way, one can benefit from the advantages of both products to maximise their chances of quitting smoking.