What Does Vaping Mean?

21 April 2016

Dancing is to dance, eating is to eat and vaping, you guessed it, is to vape!

Simply put, vaping is the act of using a vape – a vapourising device in which the user inhales flavoured heated liquid vapour, often to simulate the effects of smoking. Confusingly, the word vape can actually be used as both a verb and a noun: to vape is the act of vaping, but people will often describe the vapourising device itself as a vape. Same as with the word vacuum!

Anyway, enough with the English lesson – what does it actually mean to vape? 

Is Vaping Smoking?

In a lot of ways, vaping resembles smoking. The device, particularly e-cigs, is usually long and thin like a cigarette. The user brings it to their mouth and lightly inhales, exhaling a smoky-looking cloud and, often, getting a nicotine fix. But is vaping actually smoking? The answer is simple: NO!

Whilst it may resemble smoking to an extent, what goes into your body when you vape is totally different. For one, it’s not smoke at all which is being inhaled – it’s harmless vapour. Secondly there’s no tobacco used in vapes, which means no toxic tar is produced. Similarly, nothing is burnt during the process of vaping, but rather the liquid is simply heated. This means no combustion, no smoke and therefore none of the same lung cancer, lung disease and breathing problem risks. (Read more about how safe vaping is.)

So What Does Vaping Liquid Contain?

The e-liquids or e-juices vapourised in your device contain varying doses of nicotine, although they are available with no nicotine whatsoever. Whilst nicotine is addictive, it’s not actually proven to be harmful when taken at small dosages. Smokers often choose to switch to vaping as it allows them to control their nicotine intake, something which can’t be done with analogue cigarettes. They may then decide to gradually lower their dose and wean themselves off.

In addition, e-liquids contain non-toxic propylene glycol (PG) and vegetable glycerine (VG), as well as flavouring. And that’s it! Not bad compared with the thousands of chemicals contained in a single cigarette.

How Does it Work?

Vaping is simple – whether your chosen device is an e-cig, vape pen or mod, it works much the same. All three devices use refillable liquid which is heated by the device, vaporised and inhaled by you.

E-cigs receive their liquid from changeable cartridges, whereas pens and mods have tanks which you refill yourself with e-juice. Whilst this has potential to be a little messier, there are a wider choice of flavours available for use with a pen or mod, as well as other benefits

The Vaping Community and Culture

Whilst initially the electronic cigarette was intended to help smokers cut down – the modern e-cig was developed by Hon Lik in response to his father’s death from lung cancer - today's vaping has developed far beyond this. Moving away from the realm of nicotine patches and gum, vaping is now, for many, more like a hobby – or even a sport. 

Cloud-chasers are vapers who enjoy blowing large plumes of vapour and customising their vapes to enhance the experience. There are even cloud-chasing competitions entered by ‘professional vapers’, such as the International Cloud Championships in California and the World Series of Vape in Las Vegas. Hon Lik himself said that cloud-chasing is to vaping what Formula One racing is to car manufacture! 

So, what does vaping mean? Sure, for some it’s just a substitute for smoking, or a fun thing to try once in a while. But there really is a whole community out there, filled with flavours and scope for experimentation, that’s just waiting to be unlocked! Get started by browsing our online store today.

See Our Trending E-Liquids!

EDGE Very Menthol E-Liquid (Pack of 5)

EDGE Very Menthol E-Liquid (Pack of 5)

£11.99
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  • Menthol flavoured e-liquid
  • Nicotine strengths: 6mg, 12mg and 18mg
  • VG: 50%, PG: 50%
  • Made in the UK
Vuse Pro ePod Chilled Mint Refill Pods (3mg)

Vuse Pro ePod Chilled Mint Refill Pods (3mg)

£6.49
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  • Refill pods for use with Vuse Pro and Vuse ePod devices
  • Supplied in a simple, fresh and cooling chilled mint flavour
  • Features nicotine salts and a strength of 3mg
  • This double pack lasts up to a massive 1900 puffs
Lost Mary Tappo Peach Ice Vape Refill Pods (Pack of 2)

Lost Mary Tappo Peach Ice Vape Refill Pods (Pack of 2)

£5.99
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  • Pack of 2 peach ice-flavoured refill pods
  • Designed for use with the Lost Mary Tappo Vapes
  • Compact and user-friendly design for ease of use
  • Latest QUAQ mesh coils enhance flavour with each puff
OK Vape Tobacco Extra-High Nicotine E-Cigarette Refills (20mg)

OK Vape Tobacco Extra-High Nicotine E-Cigarette Refills (20mg)

£6.99
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  • Tobacco-flavoured electronic cigarette refill
  • Suitable for the OK Vape Rechargeable E-Cigarette
  • Extra-high nicotine strength of 20mg
  • Each pack contains 5 refills, with bulk offers available
  • Available from £5.20 per pack!
  • FREE OK Vape Starter Kit Offer: Enter switch2ok at checkout
OK Vape Menthol High Nicotine E-Cigarette Refills (18mg)

OK Vape Menthol High Nicotine E-Cigarette Refills (18mg)

£6.99
In stock now  In stock now
  • Menthol-flavoured electronic cigarette refill
  • Suitable for the OK Vape Rechargeable E-Cigarette
  • High nicotine strength of 18mg
  • Each pack contains 5 refills, with bulk offers available
  • Available from £5.20 per pack!
  • FREE OK Vape Starter Kit Offer: Enter switch2ok at checkout
10 Motives E-Cigarette Menthol Refill Cartridges Saver Pack (40 Packs)

10 Motives E-Cigarette Menthol Refill Cartridges Saver Pack (40 Packs)

£217.99
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  • Menthol refill cartridges for the 10 Motives Rechargeable E-Cigarette
  • Each refill is a nicotine equivalent of up to 25 cigarettes
  • Available in 11mg and 16mg nicotine strengths
  • Saver pack containing 40 packs (160 refills in total)
Blu 2.0 Golden Tobacco Liquidpods (18mg)

Blu 2.0 Golden Tobacco Liquidpods (18mg)

£6.99
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  • Provides a consistent vapour in a rich golden tobacco flavour
  • Ceramic pod technology for a smooth vaping experience
  • Now provides roughly 25% more puffs per pod
  • Magnetic lock for fast and secure refills
EDGE GO E-Cigarette Device

EDGE GO E-Cigarette Device

£10.99
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  • E-cigarette device for use with EDGE GO pods
  • Sleek and slender device is discreet to use
  • Buttonless design for easy activation
  • Petite 10.5cm length perfect for on-the-go use
EDGE British Tobacco E-Liquid (Pack of 5)

EDGE British Tobacco E-Liquid (Pack of 5)

£11.99
In stock now  In stock now
  • Tobacco flavoured e-liquid
  • Nicotine strengths: 6mg, 12mg and 18mg
  • VG: 50%, PG: 50%
  • Made in the UK
OK Vape Menthol Medium Nicotine E-Cigarette Refills (12mg)

OK Vape Menthol Medium Nicotine E-Cigarette Refills (12mg)

£6.99
In stock now  In stock now
  • Menthol-flavoured electronic cigarette refill
  • Suitable for the OK Vape Rechargeable E-Cigarette
  • Medium nicotine strength of 12mg
  • Each pack contains 5 refills, with bulk offers available
  • Available from £5.20 per pack!
  • FREE OK Vape Starter Kit Offer: Enter switch2ok at checkout
Lost Mary BM600 Pineapple Ice Disposable Vape (20mg)

Lost Mary BM600 Pineapple Ice Disposable Vape (20mg)

£4.95
In stock now  In stock now
  • Disposable vape device in a tasty pineapple flavour
  • Provides 600 puffs per vape, roughly the same as 20 cigarettes
  • Bright and colourful design in a conveniently compact case
  • Mix and match 10 of any flavour to reduce price to £3.80 per device
EDGE Heizen E-Liquid (Pack of 5)

EDGE Heizen E-Liquid (Pack of 5)

£11.99
In stock now  In stock now
  • Fruit and menthol flavoured e-liquid
  • Nicotine strengths: 6mg, 12mg and 18mg
  • VG: 50%, PG: 50%
  • Made in the UK