Hey there guys and gals,  here are some terms and definitions that might help you understand a little more about electronic cigarettes.

 

 
Analog (Analogue) – The name given to traditional tobacco cigarettes by those who now use an electronic cigarette. If the e-cig is the electronic version…..the tobacco version is the analog

 
Atomizer – The atomizer is contained in a metal housing that screws into the battery. When the mouthpiece is removed, it looks like a silver loop of metal. The atomizer is what turns the liquid into a vapor. Atomizers are used on a multitude of products from perfume bottles, inhalers for medications, cooking sprays, squirt bottles etc.

Battery – The battery is what provides power to the atomizer when the user inhales on the mouthpiece. It is general lithium ion, ranges in size and has an LED light on the end that glows when it is activated, ie. when it is inhaled upon. Manual switched batteries have a button to activate rather than activation upon inhalation.

Cartomizer – A combination of disposable atomizer and cartridge. It is not considered to be refillable, although some users do manage to do so.

Cartridge – The cartridge is a small piece that sits within the mouthpiece that contains the wick. This is the area where one will put the eLiquid that will be turned into vapor via the activation of the atomizer.

Electronic Cigarette – The Electronic Cigarette is a new product available thanks to recent technology. This "E-Cigarette” is a revolutionary device that acts much the same way an ordinary tobacco cigarette would, but rather than producing smoke from combustion, it produces vapor from vaporization of the E-Liquid. This is also why many e-smokers referred to their Electronic Cigarettes as Personal Vaporizers (PV).

Electronic Cigarette Association (ECA) – An industry group formed in early 2009. It is made up of suppliers and manufacturers who combined resources to help keep the e-cigarette as a legal option for smokers in the USA.

E-Cigarette (E Cigarette, ECigarette) – Another term or variation for the Electronic Cigarette.

E-Cig (E Cig, ECig) – A truncated version of the words Electronic Cigarette and E-Cigarette.

E-Liquid (E Liquid, ELiquid, eLiquid) – E-Liquid is the substance used to saturate the wick and will be heated by the atomizer for vaporization into an inhalable vapor. There are many different types of E-Liquid available on the market. All contain similar ingredients but the most commonly found ingredients in the E-Liquid are Propylene Glycol, Glycerine, natural and artificial flavors, tobacco essential oil, tobacco absolute, citric acid, lemon, vinegar and water.

E-Smoke (E Smoke, ESmoke) – E-Smoke is a term used for the action of smoking the electronic cigarette. E-Smoke is also known as a "Vapor” as the action of electronic smoking is actually caused by a vaporization process. As the vapor produced is not caused by combustion and does not burn, it is technically not smoke.

E-Smoking(E Smoking, ESmoking) – E-Smoking is a truncated term for Electronic Smoking.
Mod – A design variation of a normally manufactured battery, atomizer, or cartridge. Mods are generally done by avid e-smokers looking to increase vapor production, battery life, or ease of use.

Mouthpiece – The mouthpiece is what looks like a cigarette butt or a cigarillo tip. This piece houses the cartridge which houses the wick. This piece, when attached to the atomizer, allows the user to make connection with their mouth.

Nicotine Level – The nicotine level is the amount of nicotine present in a cartridge or bottle of e-liquid. It is usually measured in mg/ml.

Personal Vaporizer (PV) – Personal Vaporizer is another term for electronic cigarette. The electronic cigarette uses an atomizer to vaporize the liquid needed to create a vapor for inhalation and exhalation.

Propylene Glycol (PG) – Propylene Glycol is used as a base carrier for the nicotine and flavoring. Propylene Glycol has been deemed generally safe to be used in medical products as well as food products for general consumption. Some people have reported having an allergic reaction to PG. These people also find that they have issues with certain brands of toothpaste, lotions, soaps, and medicines containing PG. If you have issues with PG, it is suggested you look into using a product with a Vegetable Glycerin base.

Smoke Juice – Smoke Juice is an interchangeable word for E-Liquid.

Throat Hit – Throat hit is the sensation that is felt in the back of the throat when the inhalation is taken from the mouth down the throat. There are several factors in throat hit and throat hit, like taste, is totally subjective. Some of the factors to throat hit are nicotine level, purity or quality of the E-Liquid, personal smoking habits or techniques, and the proper usage and care of your hardware. The factor that varies throat hit the most is in the nicotine level. E-Liquids containing more nicotine usually give a greater throat hit.

Vaping – An alternative word for eSmoking. As the electronic cigarette utilizes vaporization instead of combustion and creates a vapor instead of smoke, many electronic cigarette users have coined themselves as "Vapers” or participating in "Vaping” vs. "Smoking”.

Vapor (Vapour) – Vapor is what is produced by the atomizer when the E-Liquid is turned from a liquid to a gas. The vapor produced by the electronic cigarette is similar to that of a fog machine used in theatrical performances and parades with one exception: As reputable manufacturers/suppliers use Food Grade, High Quality Propylene Glycol as their base, the fog or vapor produced by the electronic cigarette is generally purer than that of a fog machine.

Vaporizer (Vapouriser) – A Vaporizer turns a liquid into a gas or a vapor. This is also another term used for Electronic Cigarette, E-Cig, PV, etc.

Vegetable Glycerin (VG) – Vegetable Glycerin is an alternative to Propylene Glycol and is sometimes used as the majority base in the E-Liquid. Vegetable Glycerin comes from the production of palm or coconut oils and is suitable to be used in sweeteners and in skin care products.

Wick – The wick is poly batting that looks like cotton and is stuffed into the cartridge which is housed in the mouthpiece. The wick is what holds the e-Liquid that is to be vaporized by the atomizer.