Comprehensive Vaping Terms Glossary: Vaping Terms

Vaping has become an increasingly popular alternative to traditional smoking, offering many smokers a way to reduce their exposure to harmful chemicals found in cigarettes. Unlike combustible tobacco, e-cigs use a vaporized liquid—commonly referred to as vape juice—that delivers nicotine without the tar and other carcinogens associated with burning tobacco. For those looking to quit smoking, vaping can be an effective step-down, providing a similar hand-to-mouth action and nicotine hit while allowing greater control over nicotine intake. However, as with any new trend, there’s a learning curve, and understanding the various terminology, devices, and options available can be overwhelming for beginners. To fully navigate the world of vaping, it’s important to familiarize yourself with the key terms and concepts that will help you make informed choices. 

#A

Advanced personal vaporizer (APV): An APV is a type of e-cigarette that offers customizable features, such as adjustable wattage, temperature control, and replaceable batteries, allowing users more control over their vaping experience.

Adjustable Airflow: This feature in vaping devices allows users to control the amount of air that flows through the atomizer, affecting vapor production, throat hit, and flavor intensity. 

Amps (Ampere): This unit of measurement for electric current indicates the flow of electrical charge through a circuit and is crucial for determining the power output and safety limits of vaping devices, particularly regarding battery performance. 

Analog (slang): In vaping slang, “analog” refers to a traditional cigarette, distinguishing it from electronic alternatives like e-cigs. 

Atomizer: This component of a vaping device heats the e-liquid to produce vapor. It typically consists of a coil and a wick. 

Atomizer Head: An atomizer head is a replaceable part of a vaping device that contains the coil and wick. When heated, it is responsible for vaporizing the e-liquid. 

#B

Battery: A battery for an e-cig is the power source that supplies energy to the device, enabling the heating element to vaporize the e-liquid.

BCC (Bottom Coil Clearomizer): A BCC is a type of tank-style vaping device where the coil is located at the bottom of the tank, allowing for better wicking and improved vapor production. 

BDC (Bottom Dual Coil Clearomizer: A BDC is a type of clearomizer that features two coils at the bottom of the tank, providing enhanced vapor production and flavor by allowing for a more efficient and even heating of the e-liquid. 

BVC (Bottom Vertical Coil Clearomizer): A BVC is a type of clearomizer that uses a vertically oriented coil at the bottom of the tank, which improves wicking and airflow for better flavor and vapor production. 

Blanks: This term refers to an empty cartridge or tank that can be re-filled with e-liquid. 

Box Mods: A type of vaping device characterized by their rectangular, box-like shape, offering advanced features such as adjustable wattage, temperature control, and larger battery capacity. 

Breathing E-liquids: This technique involves leaving e-liquid to sit for a period of time after it has been mixed with air. This process improves the flavor and consistency. 

Bridges: Small components in older atomizers that help wick e-liquid from the tank to the coil are referred to as bridges.

Burning Coil: When the heating element of a vaping device overheats, it can sometimes result in a burning taste, which is referred to as a burning coil.

#C

Cartomizer: A cartomizer can be one of two things. It’s a term that’s used to describe a type of vaping device that combines an atomizer and a tank in one unit. It’s also a term that’s used by the Logic vape brand Power Series lineup for their refill option

Cartridge: A cartridge is a pre-filled, disposable container that holds e-liquid and attaches to a vaping device. An example of this is the Logic vape brand Pro lineup.

Cigalike: When an e-cigarette is designed to resemble a traditional cigarette, it’s known as a cigalike. 

Coil/Heating Coil: A coil, or heating coil, is the component in a vaping device that heats up when the device is powered, vaporizing the e-liquid. 

Cloud Chasing: This practice involves trying to produce large, dense vapor clouds while vaping.

#D

Disposable E-cigarette: A pre-fulled, single-use vaping device is known as a disposable e-cigarette.

Dripping: This vaping technique involves having e-liquid directly applied to the coil of a rebuildable atomizer, allowing for more flavor and vapor production. 

Dry Puff: Occurring when the wick of a vaping device is not adequately saturated leading to a burnt taste.

Drip Tip: The mouthpiece of a vaping device through which the user inhales vapor. 

Dual-Threaded: When a vaping device has two types of threading, allowing for compatibility with different tanks.

Dry Burn: The process of briefly heating an atomizer coil without e-liquid to burn off any built-up residue or to clean the coil.

Dry Hit: When the coil is not properly saturated with e-liquid, causing a harsh, burnt taste when inhaled.

Dry Smoking: While not a commonly used term, it refers to traditional smoking and is used to describe sufficient moisture in the tobacco.

#E

E-Juice/E-Liquid: Typically composed of nicotine, flavors, and a base of propylene glycol (PG) and vegetable glycerin (VG), e-juice or e-liquid is the liquid-form of the vapor you inhale. 

Electronic Cigarette Starter Kit: A complete package that includes all the essential components needed to begin vaping. 

E-NIC (Electronic Nicotine Inhaler): A device that’s designated to deliver nicotine through inhalation, similar to an e-cig, but it typically features a controlled nicotine dosage.

E-Vapor: The aerosol produced by an e-cig when the e-liquid is heated is called e-vapor.

END: (Electronic Nicotine Device): Any device that delivers nicotine through vaporization is known as an END.

#F

Flavor Cartridge: A pre-filled, disposable tank that contains e-liquid and is compatible with particular vape units.

First Generation E-cigarette: An early model of electronic cigarette that’s usually simple, disposable, and contains a small battery. 

Flooding: When too much e-liquid saturates the wick and coil in a vaping device, leading to leakage and a less efficient vapor production. 

Fuse: A vaping device that has a safety feature designed to protect said device from overheating.

Filler: The absorbent material inside a cartridge or tank that holds and distributes e-liquid to the coil. 

Fins: Small, protruding metal that’s found on the base of a vaping device, designed to dissipate heat and help maintain the device’s temperature during use. 

#G

Glassomizer: A type of clearomizer with a glass tank that holds e-liquid.

Goose Neck: A flexible, curved attachment that’s used in some vaping devices as the mouthpiece.

Grub Screw: A small screw used in vaping devices to secure the drip tip, atomizer, or coil in place.

#H

Han Li (or Hon Lik): The Chinese inventor who was widely credited with developing the modern e-cig in the early 2000s.

High Resistance (HR): Refers to a coil in a vaping device that has a higher electrical resistance, resulting in longer battery life.

Hit: The sensation of inhaling vapor from an e-cigarette.

Hybrid: When a device combines features of different vape systems, it’s referred to as a hybrid. 

#I

ICR (Ion Cobalt Rechargeable): Refers to a type of rechargeable battery that uses cobalt as a key component in its chemistry.

IMR (Ion Manganese Rechargeable): Refers to a type of rechargeable battery with the ability to handle higher discharge currents.

Inhaling: The act of breathing vapor produced by an e-cigarette.

#J

Japanese Cotton: Japanese cotton is a high-quality, natural cotton used in vaping to wick e-liquid to the coil.

Joules: A unit of measurement for energy.

Juice: Also known as e-liquid, juice is the liquid that when heated is inhaled by vapers.

#K

Kanthal Wire: A popular type of resistance wire made from iron-chromium-aluminum alloy that’s commonly used in vaping coils.

Kick: Referring to a strong throat hit or nicotine rush that some vapers experience when inhaling higher nicotine concentrations. 

Knuckle Head: Someone who is inexperienced in the vaping community. 

#L

LED: An LED (Light Emitting Diode) in vaping devices is a small light used to indicate the device’s power status, battery life, or to signal when the device is in use.

Liquid: Another word for vape juice or e-liquid. 

Li-Ion (Lithium Ion Batteries): Rechargeable batteries that are used in vaping devices.

Li-Po (The Lithium Polymer): A lightweight, flexible battery design that is rechargeable and high-performing. 

Low Resistance (LR): A type of coil in vaping devices with a lower resistance rating, allowing for more power to flow through. 

#M

Mod: A custom or upgraded vaping device that offers advanced features. 

Mechanical Mod: A type of vaping device that has no regulation and relies on a direct connection between the battery and the atomizer. 

Mouth to lung: A vaping style where the user inhales vapor into their mouth first before drawing it into their lungs.

mAh (Milliampere-hour): A unit of battery capacity that indicates how much charge a battery can store.

Manual Shut-Off: A feature in some vaping devices that allows the user to turn off the device by pressing a button to prevent accidental firing. 

Mouthpiece: The part of the vaping device that the user inhales from. 

#N

Noob or Noobie: Slang terms for a beginner or someone who is new to vaping.

Nic Salts: A form of nicotine used in e-liquids that provides a smoother throat hit and faster nicotine absorption. 

Nicotine (Nic): The addictive stimulant found in tobacco and e-liquids.

Nicotine Level: The concentration of nicotine in e-liquid, which is measured in milligrams per milliliter. 

Nicotine Shot: A small bottle of concentrated nicotine e-liquid that can be added to e-juice to increase its nicotine strength. 

Nickel Wire: A type of resistance wire used in temperature-controlled vaping devices, offering precise heat control. 

NRT (Nicotine Replacement Therapy): The use of nicotine-containing products as a method to help individuals quit smoking by reducing withdrawal symptoms. 

#O

OCC (Organic Cotton Coil): An OCC is a type of coil used in vaping devices that features organic cotton as the wick material. 

O-Ring: A small, circular rubber seal that’s used in vaping devices to create a leak-proof connection between parts.

Organic Cotton: A natural, chemical-free cotton material that’s used in vaping devices. 

#P

Pen-Style: A compact, cylindrical e-cig that resembles the shape of a pen.

Passthrough: A feature in some vaping device that allows the user to vape while the device is charging.

Propylene Glycol (PG): A colorless, odorless liquid used in e-liquids as a base. 

PEG (Polyethylene Glycol): A type of synthetic liquid, often used as an addictive in e-liquids, to improve the viscosity of the liquid.

PCC (Personal or Portable Charging Case): A compact, portable case designed to charge e-cig batteries on the go.

Priming: The process of saturating the wick of a coil with e-liquid before vaping to prevent dry hits.

#R

Rebuildable Atomizer (RBA): A type of atomizer that allows users to build and install their own coils and wicks.

Rebuildable Dripping Atomizer (RDA): A type of atomizer where users drip e-liquid directly onto the coils and wicks.

Regulated Mod: A type of vaping device that contains a chip to control and monitor various parameters, such as wattage, voltage, and temperature.

Resistance: The electronic opposition to current flow in the coil of a vaping device is known as resistance. 

Ruyan Cigarette: One of the first commercially successful e-cigs, considered a precursor to the modern device.

#S

Shortfill: A type of e-liquid bottle that is sold with a portion of the bottle left empty to allow vapers to add an additional nicotine shot.

Starter Kit: A vaping package designed for beginners and includes all the basic components needed to start vaping.

Stealth Vaping: The practice of vaping discreetly in places where vaping is prohibited.

Steeping: The process of allowing e-liquid to sit for a period of time to improve the flavor.

Smoke Juice: A slang term for e-liquid.

Sub-Ohming: Using coils with resistance of less than 1 ohm, which allows for higher power levels and greater vapor production.

Second Generation E-cigarette: More advanced than the first generation, featuring larger tanks and refillable cartridges. 

Stig: A disposable, pre-filled pod system marketed for convenience. 

#T

Tank: A component of a vaping device that holds the e-liquid. 

Throat Hit: The sensation felt in the throat when inhaling vapor. It’s influenced by factors like nicotine strength and PG content. 

Titanium Coil: A type of coil used in vaping devices that’s made from titanium wire. 

Topping: The practice of adding a small amount of extra e-liquid to the top of a wick or coil. 

Tobacco Products Directive (TPD): A set of European Union regulations that govern the sale and marketing of tobacco and related products.

Tube Mod: A cylindrical vaping device that houses a larger battery and features adjustable power settings. 

#U

Unprotected battery: A type of rechargeable battery used in vaping devices that lacks built-in safety features like overcharge or over-discharge protection. 

USB Charger: A cable that allows a vaping device’s battery to be recharged via standard USB port.

USB Passthrough: A feature in some vaping devices that allows the user to vape while the device is charging, connecting directly to a USB port for continuous power. 

#V

Vapors Tongue: Vaper’s tongue refers to a temporary condition where a vaper’s taste buds become less sensitive to flavors.

Vape Safe (Fuse): A safety feature in some vaping devices that prevents the battery from overheating.

Vaping: The act of inhaling and exhaling vapor produced by a vaping device. 

Vent Holes: Small openings in vaping devices that allow for a safe release of pressure. 

Vaporizer: A device used to heat e-liquid or plant material to produce vapor for inhalation.

Vapor Production: Refers to the amount of vapor that is produced by a vaping device the e-liquid is heated. 

Voltage Drop: This process occurs when the voltage supplied to a vaping device decreases as it travels through the battery or coil. 

VG (Vegetable Glycerin): A thick, sweet-tasting liquid used as one of the main ingredients in e-liquids. 

#W

Wadding: The absorbent material used in some atomizers to hold and distribute e-liquid to the coil.

Wicks: Materials made from buttons that absorb e-liquid and transfer it to the coil in a vape device.

Wire: The metal used to create coils.

Wrap: The number of times a coil is wrapped around a wick or rod to form the coil. 

Wattage: The amount of power delivered to the coil in a vaping device. 

#Z

Zero/Stealth Mode: A feature in some vaping devices that disables or limits the vapor output, making it easier to vape discreetly. 

Zero Nic: E-liquid that contains no nicotine.

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