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| About E Cigarettes |
Read About Electronic Cigarette (The Science)  An electronic cigarette, e-cigarette or vapor cigarette is a battery-powered device that provides inhaled doses of nicotine or non-nicotine vaporized solution. It is an alternative to smoked tobacco products such as cigarettes, cigars, or pipes. In addition to nicotine delivery, the vapor also provides a flavor and physical sensation similar to that of inhaled tobacco smoke, although there is no tobacco, combustion or smoke present. Most electronic cigarettes are designed to resemble cigarettes, cigars, or pipes, but some look more like ballpoint pens or screwdrivers. Most electronic cigarettes are reusable with replaceable and/or refillable parts, but disposable electronic cigarettes have also been developed. While electronic cigarettes take many forms, they usually consist of the same three components: a mouthpiece, a heating element, and a unit containing a rechargeable battery and various electronic circuits. Mouthpiece ("cartridge") The mouthpiece is usually a small disposable plastic piece, which can either house a removable smaller plastic container (a "cartridge") holding an absorbent material saturated with a flavored liquid nicotine solution, or be the "cartridge" itself. The amount of nicotine depends on the solution selected. The mouthpiece is constructed so that the vapor created in the heating element can flow past the solution container and reach the user's mouth. When the liquid in the cartridge has been depleted, it can either be refilled by the user or replaced with another pre-filled cartridge. There are also replaceable mouthpieces which are nicotine cartridge and heating element in one. Such units, usually called "cartomizers", can come empty or factory-filled, and can hold much more solution than regular cartridges. They also cut the e-cigarette's number of replaceable parts down to Another alternative to using cartridges is the direct dripping method using 'drip tips'. By removing the absorbent material, one is able to simply remove the plastic mouthpiece and drip several drops of e-liquid directly onto the atomizer bridge. To further ease dripping, some manufacturers have created special mouthpieces made of stainless steel or plastic that are intended only for dripping and do not require removal at each refilling.[citation needed] Heating element ("atomizer") The heating element serves to vaporize the solution so it can be inhaled. This component is referred to in the industry as an "atomizer". Atomizers last about 36 months on average and replacing these is one of the recurring expenses associated with electronic cigarettes. [edit] Battery and electronics An electronic cigarette battery connected to a USB charger. Most electronic cigarettes use a lithium-ion rechargeable battery to power the heating element. Battery life varies depending on the battery type and size, frequency of use, and operating environment. The battery unit is generally the largest component of an electronic cigarette, and although it contains more than just the battery, it's generally referred to in the industry simply as the "battery".[citation needed] A PCC for electronic cigarettes. Some electronic cigarettes have an electronic airflow sensor automatically that activates the heating element when the user inhales, while other 'manual' models require the user to depress a button to activate the heating element while inhaling. Many users[weasel words] prefer the manual variety, as they feel this gives them better control of the vapor process. Many also feel that this more mechanical approach makes such e-cigarettes more reliable. The battery unit also contains various electronic circuitry, such as a timed cutoff switch to prevent overheating and a colored LED to signal activation of the device and also to mimic the glow of a cigarette's end tip. To recharge the batteries, many different types of battery chargers, such as AC outlet, car, and USB chargers, are available. The industry also offers personal charging case units (dubbed "PCCs"), which is a box of the same size as a packet of traditional cigarettes containing a rechargeable battery (which the user charges up at home), some e-cigarettes, and spare cartridges or cartomizers Nicotine and non-nicotine solutions Nicotine solutions sold separately for use in refillable cartridges are sometimes referred to as "e-liquid" or "e-juice", and commonly contain some amount of flavoring, with hundreds of different flavors available. They consist of nicotine dissolved in propylene glycol (PG) and/or vegetable glycerin (VG); both PG and VG are common food additives. PG has been used as a water-based chemical additive in asthma inhalers and nebulizers since the 1950s, with no serious side effects known. PG, because of its water-retaining properties, is the compound of choice for delivering atomized medication. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) includes propylene glycol on its list of substances Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS), and it meets the requirements of acceptable compounds within Title 21 of the Code of Federal Regulations. Considering PG has been widely used for many years without serious side effects, the substance can reasonably said to be of negligible concern. Solutions are also available in differing nicotine concentrations, to suit user preferences. Concentrations range from zero nicotine, low and midrange doses (68 mg/ml and 1014 mg/ml respectively), to high and extra-high doses (1618 mg/ml and 2436 mg/ml respectively). The concentration ratings are often printed on the e-liquid bottle or cartridge, although the standard notation "mg/ml" often gets abbreviated to just "mg" http://www.e-cig.org |
