Definition: e-cigarette

(Electronic-CIGARETTE) A cigarette-shaped canister filled with liquid nicotine in various potencies. A vapor is inhaled, giving the person the satisfaction of a tobacco cigarette. The user's inhalation triggers the unit to heat and atomize the liquid into a vapor. Available in rechargeable and disposable varieties, a light glows when the unit is vaporizing.

Although many people use them to help quit or cut down on smoking, e-cigarettes are designed as a tobacco substitute, and vendors naturally want perpetual customers. For regular users, their advantage is twofold: vendors claim e-cigs are healthier because there is no smoke or tar; however, some of the chemicals in the liquid are controversial. Secondly, people are able to use them in many venues where cigarettes are prohibited. Called "vaping" (for vaporizing), the exhaled vapor aromas are mild, pleasing and nowhere near as unsavory to non-smokers as cigarette smoke.

The Liquid Content
Called "e-liquid," "e-juice" or "smoke juice," the liquid in an e-cigarette cartridge contains propylene glycol (PG) or vegetable glycerin (VG), both used as food additives, along with flavoring and nicotine. The propylene glycol is thinner than the vegetable glycerin and tends to keep the heating element cleaner; however, some people can be allergic to it. The vegetable glycerin causes fewer reactions, creates thicker plumes of vapor and provides a weaker throat hit. Some brands use a mixture of the two. See e-joint.

The blu Brand

Available in various flavors, glycerin-based blu brand cartridges last about as long as a pack of regular cigarettes. The batteries are rated at a thousand recharges and the tip glows blue when vaporizing.

A JUUL E-Cig

With the charging adapter attached at the bottom, the popular JUUL unit looks more like a strange USB drive than an e-cigarette. At the top, the nicotine cartridge is inserted.