E cig how does it work

E-cigarettes do not contain all of the harmful chemicals associated with smoking tobacco cigarettes, such as carbon monoxide and tar.

Manufacturers and satisfied customers say the e-cigarette is a healthier alternative to tobacco cigarettes, which cause millions of deaths every year. Some users say e-cigs have helped reduce their "smoker's cough," sharpened their senses of taste and smell, and even improved their sleep. The electronic cigarette was invented by Chinese pharmacist Hon Lik, who patented the device in and introduced it to the Chinese market the following year. Numerous companies are now selling e-cigarettes to customers around the world.

But as e-cigarette smoking -- or "vaping" as it's sometimes called -- has grown in popularity, some have concerns about its safety, including the possibility that the vapor created by the devices contains dangerous chemicals. Is the electronic cigarette a cleaner, healthier choice for smokers? Or is it a dangerous device with hidden risks? Both viewpoints have their merits, but on the next page we'll start with the basics: how the product works, and why it's popular.

Lighting a traditional cigarette causes the tobacco to burn, releasing smoke that contains nicotine. The user breathes in the smoke to deliver nicotine to the lungs. An electronic cigarette doesn't rely on this process of combustion. Instead, it heats a nicotine liquid and converts the liquid to a vapor, or mist, that the user inhales.

Depending on the e-cigarette, the user may simply inhale from the cartridge to begin the vaporization process, though some devices have a manual switch that activates the vaporizer inside. The lithium battery powers the e-cigarette and can be charged using a charger similar to those used for cell phone batteries.

The charged battery is connected to the vaporization chamber , a hollow tube that contains electronic controls and an atomizer -- the component that creates the vapor. Before the user activates the device, he or she attaches a cartridge containing nicotine liquid to the vaporization chamber.

The tip of the cartridge serves as the e-cigarette's mouthpiece. E-cigarette users inhale the way they would with a regular cigarette. This inhalation activates the atomizer to heat the liquid in the cartridge and convert the liquid to a vapor. Inhaling this vapor through the mouthpiece delivers nicotine to the lungs, and the user exhales vapor that looks much like a cloud of cigarette smoke. Fans of e-cigarettes say they enjoy many of the same sensations as tobacco smokers -- holding the device in their hand, inhaling and exhaling.

Many e-cigarettes have a light-emitting diode LED on the end that lights up when the user inhales, simulating flame. Artificial flame is the only safe kind when using an e-cigarette -- trying to light the device could cause the battery to ignite and explode. The liquid or "smoke juice" that fills the cartridges is usually propylene glycol, an additive that the FDA has approved for use in food.

Fog machines that create a smoky atmosphere at stage shows also use propylene glycol. Consumers can buy cartridges containing different amounts of nicotine, or no nicotine at all.

Manufacturers usually add flavorings to the liquid. Learn more here. Are e-cigarettes a safe alternative to smoking? Medically reviewed by Adithya Cattamanchi, M. What are they? How they work Risks 7 reasons to avoid vaping Research Takeaway An electronic cigarette is a battery-operated device that emits a vaporized solution to inhale. What are e-cigarettes? Share on Pinterest The nicotine in e-cigarettes may affect brain development in young people.

How they work. Latest news Could 'cupping' technique boost vaccine delivery? Scientists identify new cause of vascular injury in type 2 diabetes.

Adolescent depression: Could school screening help? Does vaping without nicotine have any side effects? Vaping: Is it bad for you? Can you smoke and donate blood? Related Coverage. How exercise can help you to quit smoking Are you finding it hard to quit smoking? Medically reviewed by Timothy J. Legg, Ph. The pros and cons of e-cigarettes revealed These are the conclusions of one of the largest reports to have ever been conducted on the health risks of electronic cigarettes.

Five ways to quit smoking Are you ready to quit smoking? Are there benefits to smoking lavender? The correct response is True. More than 60 percent of teens do believe that occasional use of e-cigarettes causes only little or some harm. Nicotine can harm brains as they develop—which continues until age 25 or older! When youth and young adults expose their brains to nicotine, they are vulnerable to nicotine addiction, may have trouble paying attention and concentrating, and experience mood disorders and reduced impulse control.

Nicotine may alter the way their brains function for the rest of their lives. The correct response is E. All of the above. For teens and young adults, nicotine may alter the way their brains function for the rest of their lives. Brain development begins during the growth of the fetus in the womb and continues through childhood and to about age The correct response is D.

The correct response is B. Both middle and high school students use e-cigarettes more than any other tobacco product. Young people use e-cigarettes because they are curious about them, like the flavors e-cigarettes contain, and believe e-cigarettes are safer than regular cigarettes.

Then, re-take the quiz to test your knowledge again. Share this quiz on social media and challenge your friends to see how well they know the facts. Great job! You know the key facts about e-cigarettes. Scientists are still learning more about how e-cigarettes affect health.

However, there is already enough evidence to justify efforts to prevent e-cigarette use by young people. Because most tobacco use starts during adolescence, actions to protect our nation's young people from a lifetime of nicotine addiction are critical. Working together, we can keep America's youth and young adults safe from the dangers associated with tobacco use and nicotine addiction. Get the Facts. Test Your Knowledge. The devices and brands presented in this pamphlet are intended to highlight the different e-cigarette, or vaping, product generations and substances used in these devices.

Federal regulation of e-cigarettes: Provides an overview of FDA regulations of e-cigarettes and other tobacco products. State laws and policies regarding e-cigarettes : This CDC fact sheet reports on laws pertaining to sales, use, and taxation of e-cigarettes in the 50 states and the District of Columbia. E-Cigarettes Fact Sheet.

E-cigarettes Fact Sheet. Nicotine levels in electronic cigarette refill solutions: a comparative analysis of products from the U. Int J Drug Policy. Preventive Services Task Force. Evidence Synthesis No. Can electronic cigarettes help people stop smoking, and are they safe to use for this purpose?

Prev Chronic Dis ; Bjartveit K, Tverdal A. Tobacco Control ;14 5 — Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, ; —9. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, Volume 69 issue 46 ; pages — What's this. Related CDC Sites. Social Media. Links with this icon indicate that you are leaving the CDC website. Linking to a non-federal website does not constitute an endorsement by CDC or any of its employees of the sponsors or the information and products presented on the website. You will be subject to the destination website's privacy policy when you follow the link.