The Evolution of Vaping Devices
E-cigarette, or vaping, products can be used to deliver nicotine, cannabis (THC, CBD), flavorings, chemicals, and other substances. They are known by many different names and come in many shapes, sizes and device types. Devices may be referred to as:
- E-cigs
- Vapes
- Vape pens, dab pens, and dab rigs
- Tanks
- Mods
- Pod-Mods
- Electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS)
Use of e-cigarette, or vaping, products is sometimes referred to as “vaping” or “juuling.” E-cigarette, or vaping, products used for dabbing are sometimes called “dab” pens.
1st Generation
Disposable E-Cigarettes
The 1 generation vape device is a type of e-cigarette designed to be used one time, only, these devices are not rechargeable or refillable, they are discarded when it runs out of charge or e-liquid. These kind of electronic cigarettes are designed to mimic the look and feel of combustible cigarettes. These are sometimes referred to as “cigalikes”
2nd Generation
E-Cigarettes with Prefilled or Refillable Cartridge
Then it comes to 2nd generation – a type of rechargeable e-cigarette, or vaping product designed to be used multiple times. The e-liquid comes in prefilled or refillable cartridges. Substances may include nicotine, cannabis (THC, CBD), flavoring, solvents, or other substances. The cartridge is attached to a battery pen—which contains the battery. Cartridge and battery pen are typically purchased separately. They can be bought in starter packs.
3rd Generation
Tanks or Mods
This is a type of rechargeable e-cigarette, or vaping product designed to be used multiple times. They are modifiable devices (“mods”), allowing users to customize the substances in the device.
Sub-Ohm Tank
Sub-ohm tank contains low resistance coils. It is designed to create a large cloud (aerosol) with a stronger delivery or hit of nicotine or other substances.
4th Generation
Pod Mods
Pod Mod is an e-cigarette, or vaping device with a prefilled or refillable “pod” or pod cartridge with a modifiable system (“Pod-Mods”). These are other examples of fourth generation devices. Pod Mods come in many shapes, sizes, and colors. There are compatible prefilled pod cartridges that contain nicotine, THC, or CBD with or without flavoring.
Pod Mods typically use nicotine salts rather than the freebase nicotine used in most other e-cigarette, or vaping, products. Nicotine salts, which have a lower pH than free base nicotine, allow particularly high levels of nicotine to be inhaled more easily and with less irritation to the throat than freebase nicotine.
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