About E-Cigarettes

Whether it is the dramatic increase of youth use or the potential of quitting smoking, many people want to learn more about e-cigarettes. To learn more about youth and e-cigarettes, visit: Youth and E-Cigarettes.

E-cigarettes are battery powered devices that heat e-liquid (usually containing nicotine, an addictive and dangerous drug)¹ into an aerosol, which is then inhaled. The aerosol is sometimes mistakenly called “vapor,” but is not simply “water vapor.” While the standard term is “e-cigarettes,” these products are also known by other names, like “e-cigs,” “vapes,” “vape pens,” “mods,” or “tank systems.” They are also called by their brand names, like the commonly-known Juul. Using an e-cigarette can be referred to as “vaping” or “Juuling.”

E-Cigarettes and Your Health

It is important to know that e-cigarettes are not harmless. The long-term health effects of e-cigarettes are still unknown, but we do know that some of the ingredients in e-cigarette aerosol could be harmful to your lungs. E-cigarette aerosol can contain harmful substances like cancer-causing chemicals, propylene glycol, diacetyl, and heavy metals such as nickel, tin, and lead.^2,3,4 Using e-cigarettes can also increase your odds of developing respiratory disease by 95%.^5,6

Types of E-Cigarettes

There have been many forms of e-cigarettes since they first launched on the market. The most popular e-cigarette brand today is Juul,⁷ a device shaped like a USB flash drive – which makes it easy to conceal. Juul delivers high levels of nicotine.^8,9,10 Juul’s nicotine liquid refills are called “JUULpods,” which contain as much nicotine as a pack of cigarettes.¹¹

However, youth are rapidly switching from Juul to flavored disposable e-cigarettes. Some of the most popular brands include Puff Bars, Stig, Smok, POSH and HQD.¹²

1st Generation E-Cigarettes

• Called “disposable e-cigarettes” or “cigalikes”
• Designed to be used once and then thrown away
• Mimic the look and feel of traditional cigarettes

2nd Generation E-Cigarettes

• Called “pens”
• Rechargeable, designed to be used multiple times
• E-liquid comes in prefilled or refillable cartridges

3rd Generation E-Cigarettes

• Called “tanks” or “mods”
• Rechargeable, designed to be used multiple times
• Modifiable and customizable

4th Generation E-Cigarettes

• Called “pod mods”
• “Pods” or “cartridges” hold the e-liquid, and can be prefilled or refillable.
• Typically use nicotine salts, rather than freebase nicotine
• Often contain higher amounts of nicotine than previous generations

Quitting and E-Cigarettes

According to the U.S. Surgeon General, there is not enough evidence to say that e-cigarettes can help people quit.¹³ E-cigarettes are not currently approved by the FDA as a quit smoking aid. FDA approval ensures that the products are safe and effective and that their benefits outweigh any known associated risks.

“…the potential benefit of e-cigarettes for cessation among adult smokers cannot come at the expense of escalating rates of use of these products by youth.”

United States Surgeon General Jerome M. Adams, MD, MPH

Tobacco Free Florida Can Help You Quit

Creating a quit plan and using proven-effective resources, like Tobacco Free Florida, can significantly increase your chances of quitting smoking for good.¹⁴ Tobacco Free Florida offers free tools and services to help people quit nicotine, including e-cigarettes.

Youth aged 11-13 can access Phone Quit, and Youth aged 13-17 can access Phone Quit and Web Quit.
Learn more about Tobacco Free Florida’s free and proven-effective resources here.