Vapes work by heating a solution (e-liquid) that typically contains propylene glycol, vegetable glycerine, flavourings and nicotine. This creates a vapor, which is inhaled.

Vapes come in different shapes and sizes, including:

• Vape bars: these are shaped like a highlighter pen and are usually disposable, but sometimes rechargeable and refillable with e-liquid capsules
• Compact pod devices: these are shaped like a flash drive or pebble and can be disposable, rechargeable and refillable with e-liquid capsules
• Vape pens: these devices contain a ‘tank’ that you can fill with an e-liquid of your choice with a replaceable coil and rechargeable battery
• Cigalikes: these are designed to look like cigarettes and can be disposable or rechargeable. E-liquids come in different nicotine strengths ranging from 0 mg/ml to 20 mg/ml and come in different flavours.

There are also more sophisticated customisable devices with variable power, but these are used more by people who have been vaping for a long time.

Vapes

Also called:

• e-cigarettes
• e-cigs
• e-hookah
• e-liquids
• puff bars
• vape pens
• vape pods
• vape sticks

  How does it make you feel?

  When you vape, the nicotine in the vape is what gives you the buzz. This feeling comes from a release of adrenaline which stimulates the body and causes your blood pressure and heart rate to increase, making you breathe faster. Nicotine also activates areas of your brain that are involved in producing feelings of pleasure and reward. If you haven’t vaped nicotine before, you might feel one or more of the following effects:

  • dizziness
  • headache
  • racing heart
  • nausea/possible vomiting
  • stomach cramps
  • weakness

  People who use nicotine regularly build up a tolerance to the immediate short-term effects so after a while you might feel:

  • mild stimulation
  • increased ability to concentrate
  • relaxation
  • temporary reduction in the urge to vape

  Some of the side effects to vaping are:

  • coughing
  • dry mouth and throat
  • shortness of breath
  • mouth and throat irritation
  • headaches