Glossary

Glossary see also Abbreviations

Find out what the words most often used in vaping terminology really mean

Aerosol

E-cigarettes allow users to inhale a nicotine vapour, created by heating an e-liquid. An aerosol is the visible vapour that is formed/exhaled

Atomiser

Typically contains the wick and the coil all within one single unit

Closed System

A type of vaping device where a pod or cartridge which already contains e-liquid is attached to the battery. Once the pod or cartridge is empty, it can be disposed of

Coil

A small piece of wire that is used as a heating element to produce a vapour from the e-liquid

E-liquid

The solution which evaporates to create vapour for inhalation. E-liquids come in a variety of strengths and flavours, and are commonly made up of a combination of propylene glycol (PG), vegetable glycerine (VG), flavouring, and in many cases nicotine

Flavours

An ingredient added to the base e-liquid (propylene glycol (PG), and vegetable glycerine (VG) to add a specific flavour used in the production of many e-liquids - they add taste to the vapour inhaled

Mg/ml

Milligrams or millilitres - the measurement used to determine the strength of nicotine present in an e-liquid

Nicotine

A chemical compound which is found in tobacco plants and used in the production of many e-liquids. Nicotine is addictive. It is also found in other plants in the nightshade family

Ohms

The unit of measurement used for electrical resistance. A lower ohm reading for the atomiser coil means hotter and thicker vapour, whilst a higher ohm reading means cooler vapour

Open System

A type of vaping device which allows the user to pour e-liquid directly into the device's tank ready for inhalation

PG (Propylene Glycol)

One of two substances commonly used as a base ingredient in e-liquid production

Pods

Pre-filled e-liquid cartridges that can be used with closed systems

Smoke

Smoke is a visible suspension of particles in the air produced by combustion of a cigarette

Tobacco

A breed of plant of the nightshade family whose leaves contain nicotine

Vape

An electronic device made up of an atomiser, battery, and cartridge or tank that enables the user to inhale vapour, created by the heating of a liquid solution known as e-liquid. Other names for devices include e-cigarette, pod vape, box mod

Vapour

The substance created by the heating of e-liquid, which is inhaled by a user of a vaping device

VG (Vegetable Glycerol or Glycerine)

One of two substances used as a base ingredient in e-liquid production

Wattage

The amount of energy consumed by the atomiser coil. In general, the higher the wattage, the more vapour is produced

Wick

Wick is the absorbent material – typically cotton or glass fibre – in certain devices that carries e-liquid from the tank to the coil where it is heated and turned into a vapour