Introduction to Vape 101

January 30 2026, by Nick Kim, 8 min reading time

Vaping 101: Guide to the World of Vaporizers

Whether you're curious about vaping, considering it as an alternative to smoking, or just want to understand the buzz, this guide breaks down the essentials—from how it works to why it matters.

What Is Vaping?

Vaping is the act of inhaling vapor produced by an electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) or similar device. Unlike traditional smoking, vaping doesn’t burn tobacco. Instead, it heats a liquid (called e-liquid or vape juice) that contains nicotine, food-grade flavourings, food-grade vegetable glycerin, and food-grade propylene glycol.

A Brief History of Vaping

🧪 Early Concepts & Precursors

In the 1960s, American inventor Herbert A. Gilbert patented a device that resembled a smokeless cigarette. It used heated, flavored air instead of burning tobacco. Although it was never commercialized, Gilbert’s design laid the groundwork for future innovations.
Throughout the late 20th century, several prototypes emerged, but none gained traction due to technological limitations and lack of public interest.

📈 Global Expansion & Cultural Shift

By the early 2010s, vaping had exploded in popularity across North America and Europe. Vape shops began appearing in major cities, and online communities formed around device customization, cloud chasing, and flavor reviews.
The rise of social media helped fuel the trend, turning vaping into a lifestyle and subculture—especially among younger adults.

🛠️ Technological Evolution

Devices evolved rapidly from simple fixed wattage, single coil vapes to advanced box mods and pod systems. Innovations in coil design, battery life, and e-liquid formulation made vaping more efficient, customizable, and accessible.
The introduction of nicotine salts in the mid-2010s allowed for smoother delivery of higher nicotine concentrations, revolutionizing the experience for ex-smokers and casual users alike.
In recent years, disposable vapes have exploded in popularity due to their ease of use, portability, and zero commitment. With no need to refill, recharge, or replace coils, they’ve become the go-to option for casual users and newcomers looking for a hassle-free experience.

Anatomy of a Vape Device

Component	Function
Battery	Powers the device
Coil / Atomizer	Heats the e-liquid to produce vapor
Pod / Tank	Holds the e-liquid

“In most refillable pod system vapes, the coil and pod are fused into a single refillable unit, where the coil lasts about 1–4 weeks depending on usage and user behaviour. These pod-style systems are the most widely used on the market thanks to their lower maintenance and user friendliness when compared to tank-style systems where removal/installation of coils can get messy.”

Types of Vaping Devices

Device Type	Description	Ideal For
Disposable Vapes	Pre-filled, pre-charged, single-use devices with built-in batteries. Depending on the size and brand, it can last from 1 day to 2 weeks.	Beginners or casual users who want zero maintenance.
Pre-filled Pod Systems	Compact devices with sealed pods containing e-liquid. Pods are replaced when empty.	Users who want convenience and the least amount of maintenance, with no refilling or coil changes required.
Pod Systems	Refillable units with empty pods that have built-in coil. Usually has adjustable wattage, whether by display screen or by using different resistance pods.	Everyday users who want some control over vapor production and flavour, and value cost savings of refilling your own e-liquid.
Box Mod Tank Systems	Larger, customizable setups with a separate tank, coil, and battery with adjustable wattage.	Advanced users who want control over vapor production and flavour, a bigger battery life, and better vaporization for freebase liquid (due to higher power).

“Disposable vapes are the most popular devices on the market today thanks to their ease of use, portability, and no upkeep. Most are draw activated, making them intuitive even for first time users. If the user is comfortable doing maintenance on their device, then a refillable pod system would save money over time.”

🛠️ Troubleshooting & Best Practices

For help with common issues like burnt coils, leaking pods, or weak hits—and to learn how to get the most out of your device—check out our guide:

Vaping vs. Smoking vs. Heated Tobacco (IQOS)

Feature	Vaping	Smoking	Heated Tobacco (IQOS)
Combustion	No	Yes	No
Odor	Minimal	Strong, lingering	Mild tobacco scent
Nicotine Levels	Adjustable (via e-liquid strength)	Fixed (per cigarette)	Fixed (per tobacco stick)
Delivery Method	Vaporized liquid	Burned tobacco	Heated tobacco
Health Risks	Ongoing research, but current studies show 95% less harmful chemicals than tobacco smoke.	Well-documented for links to cancer and toxicity.	Reduced exposure, still under study
Device Type	Electronic with e-liquid	Traditional cigarette	Electronic with tobacco sticks
Regulation	Increasingly regulated	Heavily regulated	Same regulations as tobacco
User Experience	Customizable, less lingering smell, variety of flavours	Familiar, ritualistic, heavy smell	Tobacco taste, no ash, less smell

“Comparing all the inhalation methods of nicotine, you can see that Vaping and IQOS are a great alternative to traditional cigarette smoking, leaving no ash, no residue, and with much less smell.”

What is a Coil / Atomizer?

A coil is simply a thin metal piece that is wrapped around a wicking material, usually cotton.
The cotton absorbs the E-Liquid, while the metal around it gets hot, vaporizing the liquid into aerosol.
After multiple uses, eventually the heating and cooling cycle takes a toll on the coil, making it less effective and the cotton inside slowly deteriorates. This is why the coil should be changed out regularly.
It is very important to let the juice saturate the coil fully before using. Otherwise, the coil won't be wet and the cotton inside will burn out.

What’s Inside E-Liquid?

Vegetable Glycerin (VG): Food grade, thick liquid derived from plant oils. Slightly sweet and produces more vapor.
Propylene Glycol (PG): Food grade, flavourless liquid that carries flavour and produces less vapor.
Nicotine: Available in various strengths (0.1, 3, 6, 10, 12, 18, 20 mg are the usual ranges available in Canada).
Flavourings: Food grade flavourings ranging from fruity, minty, tobacco, and other sweet profiles.

“Generally, a higher VG ratio juice will have a slightly more throat hit (less smooth), a higher nic concentration will give more throat hit, but above all, if you want a stronger throat hit, freebase juice will have a more pronounced hit on your throat, which ex-smokers generally tend to gravitate towards when looking for an inhale that they can feel. But ex-smokers are used to higher nicotine, so a 20mg salt nicotine is a great place to start.”

Freebase Nicotine vs. Nicotine Salts

🔍 Quick Comparison

Feature	Freebase Nicotine	Nicotine Salts
Throat Hit	Stronger	Smoother, even at high strengths
Absorption Speed	Moderate	Fast (~40% quicker absorption)
Device Power Recommendation	High power (35W+)	Low power (5–35W)
Nicotine Strengths	Lower (3–6 mg)	Higher (10–20 mg)
Flavor Impact	Less intense flavours, but more true to taste	More flavorful but less accurate due to nicotine interference

“Freebase nicotine juice is ideal for those who want a punchier throat hit, looking to lower their nicotine strength, or want a more subtle flavour in comparison to salt nicotine juice. Meanwhile salt nicotine juice caters to users seeking smooth delivery, high nicotine strength, and a more flavourful profile.”

🧃 E-liquid Juice Recommendations

For curated picks and suggestions based on flavour profile, sweetness profile, nicotine type, and throat hit, check out our constantly updated blog:

🇨🇦 Vaping Laws in Canada

Legal for adults 19 or over (BC; other provinces may vary)
Heavy advertising restrictions apply on both retail and online levels
Flavoured e-liquids can only be sold at vape specialty stores
Tobacco and mint flavours are the only permitted types at convenience stores and gas stations
Public vaping is often restricted in indoor spaces and near building entrances
Minors are not allowed to browse or enter vape stores—even when accompanied by an adult
Anyone that looks under 30 should be ID'd before entrance to the main area
In BC, Canada you must bring 2 pieces of ID (one with photo) to enter vape shops

Beyond Vaping: Your Journey, Your Goals

Vaping is a safer alternative to smoking—but it’s not the final destination. By eliminating combustion, you’re already reducing harm. Whether you're transitioning away from cigarettes or planning to quit nicotine altogether, we’re here to support that journey every step of the way.

🎯 Our goal is harm reduction. Your goal might be quitting. Let’s work toward both. From choosing the right device to adjusting nicotine levels, we’ll help you make informed, personalized decisions.