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Electronic Cigarette Components

Electronic cigarettes are often advertised as a safer, smokeless alternative to regular cigarettes, which traditionally take the form of tobacco rolled in paper. Electronic cigarettes use a liquid and a vaporizer to deliver a dosage of nicotine to the lungs. Despite the marketing efforts behind e-cigarettes, established authorities such as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration remain skeptical. They are seeking to regulate the industry.

  1. Inhaler

    • An electronic cigarette's inhaler is what a smoker puts in his mouth. This could be compared to the filter of a traditional cigarette. In most e-cigarettes, in fact, this part is designed to look like a filter. The inhaler is typically khaki or white, with a decorative band or alternate color to set it off from the rest of the electronic cigarette.

    Liquid Container and Atomizer

    • Both the liquid container and atomizer are located within the cigarette. The liquid container contains the substance that will be vaporized and inhaled. The substance does not have to contain nicotine. The liquid container connects to the electronic cigarette's atomizer, which draws in the liquid and produces a vapor. To work, the vaporizer needs a source of power. It has a screw end that attaches it to the long, battery portion of the electronic cigarette.

    Battery and Logic Board

    • A battery represents most most of the bulk of an electronic cigarette. This part looks like the long paper tube of a traditional cigarette. The battery compartment usually contains a lithium-ion battery and a tiny logic board. The logic board governs all the electronic cigarette's functions. This includes managing and recharging the cigarette's power source and maintaining the functionality of the atomizer.

    Indicator Light and Power Source Connection

    • The indicator light is largely decorative in function. Each time a smoker draws on the electronic cigarette, the indicator light becomes active, usually displaying a red light. This is meant to simulate the red, lit tip of a traditional cigarette. Once the smoker stops inhaling, the light switches off. Also, the indicator light features a round hole at the center. This is meant for power sources, such as a USB cord or an AC wall outlet adapter.

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