While one term might mean something different to a legal age (18+) adult smoker, e-cigarettes and vapes are essentially the same thing. These are devices that heat e-liquid to produce a vapor and offer legal age (18+) adult smokers a smoke-free alternative to cigarettes. This process of heating an e-liquid is also known as vaporization. Vapes come in a variety of forms – from disposable and rechargeable devices to more complex devices and box or mod vaporizers.
The Basics of E-Cigarettes vs Vapes
In short, the terms ‘vape’ or ‘e-cigarette’ relate to an electronic or battery-operated device that heats e-liquid to produce vapor. Generally, a combination of a device with a rechargeable or non-rechargeable lithium battery, vapes usually come either with a tank or with pre-filled “caps” or “pods” that are sold separately. Tank style vapes usually require the tank to be filled with an e-liquid, which is then heated by power from the battery. In wick and coil vapes, when activated, an internal procedure powers up to heat the e-liquid. The e-liquid usually contains ingredients such as vegetable glycerin, propylene glycol, flavorings, and nicotine to produce vapor. Nicotine can be natural, which is extracted from tobacco, and it can also be synthetic or man-made.
Different Vape Styles
While e-cigarettes and vapes are essentially the same thing, there are different types of these devices like vape mods, vape pens, pod systems, and cigalikes – which is an early form of e-cigarette that was designed to look and feel like a cigarette.
Another difference between vapes and e-cigarettes is the battery. The battery size typically depends on the style of device. Generally, the larger the battery, the longer the battery life. In larger mod style vapes, rechargeable batteries can usually be removed to carry out the charging process, or the battery can be replaced altogether once it’s been used. Some of the smaller, disposable pen style devices typically include the battery into the system and may or may not be rechargeable, based on the exact brand and product.
For more information, explore our related article: Smoke-Free Alternatives to Smoking Cigarettes
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IQOS Smoke-Free E-Cigarettes, Vapes and More
IQOS is a provider of smoke-free alternatives that do not require knowledge of complex tanks and systems. Though, it is important to note that IQOS products are not risk-free and they provide nicotine, which is addictive.
One of the products in the IQOS range is IQOS heated tobacco. Unlike cigarettes, IQOS does not burn tobacco and so does not produce smoke. IQOS devices use the specifically designed HEETSTM tobacco stick that is slotted inside the device. HEETSTM can be found in a variety of flavors, intensities and aromas.
Important information: IQOS is not risk-free and provides nicotine, which is addictive.
There are many advancements to vapes and e-cigarettes, and innovations on how they look and function have come a long way since their creation. For those with more questions about smoke-free devices, including vapes, read our FAQ page where we answer the most common questions for legal age (18+) adult smokers.
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Important Information: This product is not risk free and provides nicotine, which is addictive. Only for use by adults who would otherwise continue to smoke or use other nicotine products.
IQOS are only for adult smokers who otherwise wish to continue to use tobacco or nicotine containing products.
This article is for general information and educational purposes. Some of the information in this article is based on external, third-party sources and we make no representations or warranties of any kind regarding the accuracy, validity or completeness of such information.
