E-Cigarette – What is it in Vaping?

Definition

An E-Cigarette (electronic cigarette) is a battery-powered handheld device engineered to simulate tobacco smoking without combustion. It converts E-Liquid (also called E-Juice) into an inhalable aerosol by heating a metal coil, delivering nicotine, flavour and Hit“>throat hit while producing only vapour—no ash, tar or carbon monoxide. Designed as a less-harmful alternative for adult smokers, the e-cigarette ranges from discreet cig-a-likes to high-wattage box mods, forming the core of Australia’s vaping market.

Technical Details

Every e-cigarette contains four fundamental components: a lithium-ion battery (internal or external battery), a microprocessor or mechanical switch, an atomiser housing a resistance coil (0.1–3.0 Ω) and wicking material (Cotton“>organic cotton, ceramic or mesh), and a liquid reservoir (pod, tank or disposable reservoir). When activated—either by draw or button—current flows to the coil, raising its temperature to 150–315 °C within seconds. This heat vaporises the surrounding E-Liquid, creating 1–3 µm aerosol droplets suspended in air. Devices are categorised by power output: low-voltage cig-a-likes (3.2–3.7 V, <150 mAh), medium eGo style pens (3.3–4.8 V, 650–1300 mAh) and high-wattage mods (5–220 W, 1–3 × 18650/21700 cells). Variations include temperature-control mods, E-Shisha hook pens, and pod systems with proprietary coil architectures.

Usage & Tips

Prime new coils by saturating wicking ports with E-Liquid and waiting 5–10 min before first use to prevent dry hits. Start at the lowest recommended wattage printed on the coil, then increase gradually. Keep battery terminals clean and charge only with the supplied cable on a non-combustible surface; remove cells from external chargers once full. If vapour tastes burnt, stop immediately—replace the coil and lower wattage. Australian vapers: always buy nicotine from legal prescription channels and store devices upright to avoid leakage. When flying, carry batteries in approved cases and empty tanks to comply with cabin-pressure regulations.

History & Context

Hon Lik, a Beijing pharmacist, patented the modern e-cigarette in 2003 after his father’s smoking-related death. Early “Ruyan” devices reached Australia by 2007, spawning cottage industries in Sydney and Melbourne. Regulatory waves—TGA import bans, state liquid restrictions and the 2021 prescription model—shaped the current landscape where an estimated 1.2 million Aussians vape, pushing innovation toward discreet pod systems and high-nic salt E-Juice formats.