Vapes: Overview, Types, Advantages and Disadvantages

Vapes, or electronic cigarettes, are devices used to simulate the experience of smoking by delivering nicotine and flavourings to the user in vapour form. Smokers and tobacco users often use vapes as an alternative to traditional cigarettes and tobacco, offering a method of nicotine consumption that is 95% less harmful than smoking, according to the Public Health England (PHE) and the National Health Service (NHS).

There are two primary types of vapes: open vape systems and closed vape systems. The main difference between the two is that open vape systems, such as refillable vapes, open pod systems and box mods, are rechargeable and allow for more personalisation and customisation of the vape components. Customisable vape components include the vape pod or tank, e-liquid or vape juice flavour, nicotine strength, nicotine type (freebase or salt), and the ratio of vegetable glycerine (VG) to propylene glycol (PG). In contrast, closed vape systems, such as non-refillable pod devices, closed pod systems and disposable vapes, are not typically customisable. Instead, they are usually non-rechargeable and pre-filled with a specific flavour and nicotine strength. Closed vape systems like disposable vapes offer a more straightforward and convenient vaping experience, eliminating the need for maintenance and refills, but lack the flexibility and variety provided by refillable vapes.

Advantages of using vapes instead of traditional cigarettes or tobacco include a reduction of harmful chemicals and toxins inhaled, such as carbon monoxide and tar, reduced risk of cancer, reduced risk of heart attack, reduced risk of stroke, improved lung function, reduction in coughing, improved blood pressure and heart rate and improved sense of taste and smell. When you quit smoking and start vaping, those around you also benefit from reduced exposure to secondhand smoke. Disadvantages of using vapes are mainly vaping side effects such as dry mouth, mouth and throat irritation and sore throat.

Disposable Vapes

Disposable vapes are electronic cigarettes that are pre-charged, pre-filled and mostly non-refillable. Advantages of disposable vapes include ease of use, draw activation, no setup or maintenance requirements, small physical size and pre-determined puff count. The main disadvantages of disposable vapes are their environmental impact, low value for money and limitation of one flavour as they cannot typically be refilled with vape juice.

Shop Disposable Vapes

Disposable Vapes

Shop the UK's largest collection of disposable vapes.

Elf Bar

Shop Elf Bar 600 and Elf Bar 600 V2 for the best-selling disposable vapes.

SKE Crystal Bar

Shop SKE Crystal Bar for mesh coil technology and crystal-like design.

Lost Mary

Shop Lost Mary disposable vapes for a vibrant flavours and gradient colours.

Gold Bar Vapes

Shop Gold Bar disposable vapes for a 22 flavours with a luxury feel.

Vape Juice

Vape juice, or e-liquid, is a liquid substance used to refill electronic cigarettes and consists of four main ingredients: vegetable glycerine, propylene glycol, flavourings and typically nicotine. The ratio of vegetable glycerine to propylene glycol (the "VG/PG ratio") determines the density of the vapour that the user exhales. High VG e-liquids, such as 70 VG / 30 PG, 80 VG / 20 PG, 90 VG / 10 PG, and 100 VG / 0 PG shortfills, produce denser vapour upon exhalation than high PG vape juice, such as 50 VG / 50 PG e-liquids.

Nicotine-free e-liquids or 0mg e-liquids do not contain nicotine. Nicotine-containing e-liquids are either freebase nicotine e-liquids (TPD 10mls) or nicotine salt e-liquids (nic salts). The main difference between the two is that freebase nicotine e-liquids produce a stronger throat hit when inhaled, whereas nic salts produce a smoother throat due to their lower pH. Nic salts have a pH of around 5-6, whereas freebase nicotine solutions have a pH of 8, according to a 2022 study published by Neal L Benowitz from the Center for Tobacco Control Research and Education, University of California. The lower pH of nic salts is formulated by bonding the nicotine extracted from the tobacco leaf with an acid such as lactic acid, benzoic acid and levulinic acid. While nicotine salts are smoother, less harsh and less bitter, they do not materially impact the flavour of the e-liquid when compared to freebase nicotine e-liquids.

Flavours of e-liquids include the following 19 flavour categories: baked, candy and sweets, cereal, chocolate, dessert, drinks, food, fruit, ice and cool, lemon and lime, mint and menthol, nuts, rhubarb, snacks, sour, spices and herbs, tobacco, vanilla and yoghurt. The two most widely used vape juice flavours among vapers are fruit (29.4% of users) and tobacco (28.7% of users), according to a 2018 vaping survey conducted in Canada and the United States by the University of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada.

Shop Vape Juice

Vape Juice

Shop the over 7,000 e-liquids - the UK's biggest vape juice catalogue.

Shortfills

Shop high VG e-liquids for denser clouds and maximum flavour.

Nic Salts

Shop nic salts for a smooth throat hit in 10ml bottle sizes.

Freebase Nicotine

Shop freebase nicotine e-liquids for a strong throat hit in 10ml bottle sizes.

What Do I Need to Know Before Buying a Vape?

Buying a vape mainly involves choosing between an open vape system and a closed vape system. Open vape systems, like refillable pod vapes and sub-ohm vapes, enable you to refill your devices with a wide range of e-liquids, offering more flexibility in the context of flavours and nicotine strengths. In contrast, closed vape systems, such as pre-filled pod systems and disposable vapes, provide a more straightforward and hassle-free experience, as they come pre-filled with e-liquid and can be disposed of once used. As well as your choice of vape system, consider your preferred flavour, nicotine strength and nicotine type, battery life or puff count, and cost.

Here are five key points to consider before buying a vape:

1. Type of Vape System: Choose an open vape system for flexibility in choosing different e-liquids and the ability to refill, or a closed vape system for ease of use and convenience with disposable vapes, pre-filled pods or cartridges.
2. Flavour: Choose a flavour that matches your personal preferences, such as tobacco flavours, if you are switching from cigarettes and want a similar taste.
3. Nicotine Strength and Nicotine Type: Choose 20mg nicotine strength if you are a heavy smoker (a pack of 20 cigarettes per day), or choose 10mg if you are a moderate smoker (half a pack or 10 cigarettes per day), or choose 0mg-5mg if you are a light smoker or social smoker (one or two cigarettes per day). Choose freebase nicotine for a strong throat hit, or choose salt nicotine e-liquids for a smooth throat hit.
4. Battery Life or Puff Count: Choose an open vape system for the ability to recharge your vape, or choose a closed pod system for pre-charged vapes that range from 200-12000 puffs.
5. Cost: Choose an open pod system for a higher upfront cost but better value for money in the long term, or choose a closed pod system for a lower upfront cost but higher long-term costs due to frequent replacements.

IndeJuice Online Vape Store offers the UK's largest range of vape products, including disposable vapes, vape juice, nic salts, replacement vape pods, vape coils, vape kits, tanks and accessories. IndeJuice Vape Guides provides users with expert information on vapes and vaping, such as the health effects of vaping, vape product expertise, and beginner guides on switching from smoking to vaping.