According to the Office for National Statistics, around 7.1 per cent of adults in the UK were regular vapers in 2023. That is roughly 3.5 million people. Most of these individuals are either former smokers using vaping as a substitute or people who have never smoked but enjoy the experience of inhaling flavoured vapour.
But what exactly is vaping? We’ll cover everything about this below, covering different types of vapes, e-liquid compatibility, and more. Let’s start.
What is Vaping?
Vaping is when someone inhales vapour created by heating a special liquid called e-liquid in an e-cigarette. When the device heats the liquid, it turns into a vapour that can be inhaled.
For example, someone might use a small pod device to vape strawberry-flavoured e-liquid instead of smoking a cigarette. Another person might use a bigger vape to produce large clouds of vapour for fun. Vaping is different from smoking because there is no burning, and it usually smells less.
How a Vape Device Works?
A vape device, also known as a vaping pen, has three main components: the battery, the coil, and the e-liquid reservoir, often called a tank or pod. The battery powers the device and heats the coil, a small piece of metal wire that sits in direct contact with the e-liquid. When the coil heats up, the liquid surrounding it vaporises, creating the mist that users inhale.
How Many Types of Vapes are There?
There are several types of vape kits, each with slightly different mechanisms. Here are the most common types:
- Vape Pens: Vaping devices that are lightweight and slim. They heat e-liquid into vapour using a cartridge or tank and a small battery. Vape pens are a good choice for novices who seek a simple, portable way to enjoy flavours or nicotine without complicated settings. Perfect for rapid, covert puffs and daily use.
- Reusable Vapes: Rechargeable vaporisers with interchangeable coils, tanks, or refilling pods that are reusable. Compared to prefilled vapes, they provide greater control, better flavour, and reduced long-term costs.
Reusable vapes are ideal for both novice and seasoned users who want a long-lasting, reasonably priced vaping setup with consistent performance, customisation, and reduced waste. - Pod Kits: Compact vape kits that use refillable or prefilled pods. Pod kits provide smooth nicotine salt hits, are portable, and are ideal for beginners.
They are perfect for travel, everyday vaping, and covert use with high-strength e-liquids because of their straightforward operation, low maintenance, and consistent flavour. - Box Mods: Powerful batteries, variable wattage, temperature control, and customizable settings are features of sophisticated vape devices that resemble tiny boxes. For big clouds and strong flavour, box mods work well with sub-ohm tanks or RTAs. They are ideal for seasoned vapers who want complete control over their vaping style, long battery life, and performance adjustment.
- Sub-Ohm Kits: High-power vape kits with low-resistance coils under 1.0 ohm that are intended for direct inhalation into the lungs. They work well with shortfill e-liquids, producing thick clouds and strong flavours. These advanced e-cigarettes are ideal for pro vapers looking for powerful vapour output, warm sensations, and fully customisable airflow.
- Mech Mods: Devices that send raw battery power straight to the coil, such as unregulated metal tubes or box-shaped devices. Because mech mods lack electronics and safety features, they are only appropriate for experienced vapers who are aware of Ohm's law. Hobbyists who appreciate extreme performance, custom builds, and total control favour them.
- Prefilled Pod Vapes: Simple vaping devices that use pre-filled cartridges or small pods filled with e-liquid. Pod vapes offer minimal setup, smooth nicotine delivery, and tight draws. With their portability, low maintenance requirements, and reliable performance with nicotine salts or regular e-liquids, they are perfect for both novices and seasoned smokers.
- Starter Kit: An easy-to-use vape kit that comes with everything you need to start vaping, usually a device, coil, tank or pod, USB cable, and basic instructions. Starter kits help new users transition from smoking to a clean, manageable vaping setup by prioritising simplicity, easy use, and smooth nicotine delivery.
- Vape Mod: A customisable vaping device with a long battery life, power adjustment capabilities, and compatibility with different tanks or pods. Intermediate to experienced users who desire improved performance, control over vapour output, and customised vaping settings for flavour, cloud production, and overall experience are well-suited for vape mods.
- Squonk Mods: Specialised vape mods with an integrated squeezable bottle that supplies e-liquid straight to an RDA that feeds from the bottom. For enthusiasts who prefer rebuildable setups, Squonk mods are convenient because they stop continuous dripping. They provide lengthy vaping sessions, rich flavour, and manual control over saturation without the need for additional e-liquid bottles.
- Big Puff: These long-lasting devices have an integrated battery and are pre-filled with e-liquid. You'll need to swap out the pods once the liquid runs out.
The Heart of Vape
An important element in vaping is the coil itself. Coils are made from metals like Kanthal, stainless steel, or nickel, and their thickness and resistance determine how hot they get and how much vapour they produce. Low-resistance coils tend to heat up faster and create more clouds. However, higher-resistance coils provide a gentler experience closer to a traditional cigarette draw.
What Happens When Someone Takes a Puff?
When a user inhales from a vape, the battery powers the coil, heating it. The e-liquid around the coil instantly vaporises, and the user draws it into their mouth and lungs. Exhaling produces the visible cloud.
The sensation in the mouth and throat is sometimes compared to smoking, though it is generally smoother because there is no smoke or tar.
Nicotine, if present, is absorbed through the lining of the lungs and enters the bloodstream. This is why vaping can satisfy cravings in a similar way to smoking. However, the delivery of nicotine is different and often considered less harsh on the throat.
The concentration of nicotine in e-liquids varies, usually measured in milligrams per millilitre. Many beginners start with a lower strength, gradually adjusting according to preference and tolerance.
What’s Inside the E-Liquid?
E-liquids are made from four main ingredients. Propylene glycol is thin and carries flavour well. Vegetable glycerine is thicker and produces more vapour. Nicotine is optional and comes in a variety of strengths. Flavourings are added to create everything from classic tobacco to fruit blends.
The combination of these ingredients determines the vaping experience. Some liquids are designed to produce large clouds, while others focus on delivering a strong taste. VG-heavy liquids tend to feel smoother and thicker, creating more visible vapour. PG-heavy liquids offer more throat hit, which can feel closer to smoking a cigarette.
Is Vaping Legal in the UK?
The Tobacco and Related Products Regulations in the UK regulate vaping. Electronic cigarettes and liquids must meet strict safety standards, including childproof caps and accurate nicotine labelling. The law also sets limits on e-liquid bottle sizes, nicotine concentration, and advertising practices.
It is illegal to sell e-liquids with more than 20mg of nicotine per millilitre or in bottles larger than 10ml containing nicotine. Non-nicotine liquids can be sold in larger quantities. These rules are designed to make vaping safer and more consistent nationwide.
Studies in the UK suggest that vaping is significantly less harmful than smoking. Public Health England reports that it is around 95 per cent less risky than cigarettes, mainly because it eliminates tar and many other harmful by-products of combustion. That does not mean vaping is risk-free, but it provides an alternative for people trying to quit smoking.
Summing Up
It’s important to know what exactly a vape is and how it works to choose the right device, especially if you’re vaping for the first time. Understand device types, e-liquid composition, and proper technique to get the most out of it.
You can start with big puffs, as these are the simplest forms of vapes that require no set-up and even refills. Simply attach the pod and start vaping. In the coming weeks or months, you can gradually move to vape pods or sub-ohm devices, depending on which type of draws you want to enjoy.
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