The media, who aren’t often very informed, often use the term vaping and e-cigs interchangeably, which has led to a lot of confusion among those who use neither.
The truth is E-cigs and vaping are both classified as vaping. They’re the same, but they’re very different, especially when it comes down to how creative you can get with their use.
OVERVIEW OF VAPING
Vaping is the simple act of inhaling and exhaling vapor from an electronic cigarette or similar device, for example a vaporizer or vape pen. The actual device used for vaping is a small battery -powered device that heats e-liquid into an inhalable vapor, similar to how steam is formed. E-liquids come in a variety of flavors and nicotine levels, including nicotine-free.
WHAT IS AN E-CIG?
Electronic cigarettes are often referred to as “cigalikes” because they were created to imitate the look and feel of a traditional (combustible) cigarette. E-cigs provide a simple setup with minimum parts. They use a rechargeable or disposable battery, combined with disposable e-liquid cartridges, which means that there’s no tank to fill.
When engaged by pressing the power button on the device, or in some cases simply by inhaling, the battery heats an element in the device called the cartomizer. This is a small component that contains a heating coil wrapped in polyfill. The polyfill wrapping soaks up the e-liquid, which is then heated until it turns into vapor for inhalation. All this takes place in just a few seconds.
There’s typically no modifying e-cigs. You can buy brands, just like you buy tobacco brands. Users often find a brand and stick to it, expecting the same flavor and taste consistently.
WHAT IS A VAPE?
A vaporizer works in much the same way as an e-cig. A rechargeable battery heats a small element that in turn vaporizes the e-liquid in the device. Unlike e-cigs though, most vaporizers use a tank to hold the e-liquid rather than a cartridge. As the tank gets low, or if you want to change flavors, you simply add additional e-liquid of your preferred flavor and nicotine strength to the tank.
Vape users like the broad range of options available and the variety of devices and liquids available. Generally a little larger than an e-cig, vaporizers also tend to offer longer battery life. Some even have capsules you can switch out. No need to finish one before switching to the next.
Vaping is becoming a way to smoke Marijuana, without having to inhale the tar. A few of the recent health concerns with vaping have involved individuals vaping THC, the psycho active substance in marijuana.