Ultimate Guide to Vaping: Devices, E-Liquids & Tips for Beginners

At its simplest, vaping is the inhalation of an aerosol made when an electronic cigarette, also called a vape or e-cigarette, heats a specially formulated liquid via a coil. In a typical vape, a small metal heating element warms liquid held in a tank or pod and produces a vapour that is inhaled. While the output of a vape is often called "vapour", it is not simply water vapour. Depending on the liquid, the aerosol can also contain nicotine, droplets of PG and VG and droplets of the flavourings.

Most e-liquids contain propylene glycol (PG), vegetable glycerine (VG), flavourings and, where specified, nicotine. There are also zero-nicotine liquids. The ingredients and the amount of aerosol produced depend on the particular liquid, coil and power setting.

A Brief History of Electronic Cigarettes

In the 1960s, American inventor Herbert A. Gilbert filed a patent for a smokeless, non-tobacco nicotine delivery device. While this didn’t become a commercial product, the contemporary electronic cigarette is generally traced to Chinese pharmacist Hon Lik, who developed a new compact device in the early 2000s which reached the international market.

Early e-cigarettes often resembled cigarettes. Later devices featured much larger rechargeable batteries, removable tanks, swappable coils, refillable pods, and replaceable prefilled cartridges. Product development has also been driven by UK limits on liquid capacity, nicotine strength, age of sale and, since June 2025, single-use disposable vapes. 

How Does a Vape Work?

Most modern vapes work in a similar way, although certain features can vary.

• The battery supplies the power: Some devices activate when you inhale (auto draw), while others require you to press a button. A regulated device may let you select a wattage.

• The coil heats up: The coil is a resistance heating element located in an atomiser or inside the replaceable pod.

• Wicking material feeds the liquid: Cotton or another compatible wick holds e-liquid around the coil. If you fire a dry wick it will spoil and burn.

• An aerosol forms: Heat turns some of the liquid into a fine aerosol that passes through the mouthpiece as you inhale.

What makes up a vape kit?

Battery and charging port:

All vapes on the market today have a battery, this is either built on to the device or available separately; commonly listed in milliampere-hours (mAh). The figure helps compare the size of battery capacity but does not guarantee a particular number of hours between charges.

Atomiser and coil:

The atomiser is the name for the housing of the coil. A mesh coil uses a patterned metal heating surface; other coil designs use round wire. Coils eventually burn out and need to be replaced.

Wick:

All coils are based around their metal heating element and their wick. The wick is the cotton between the coil itself and the coil housing. The e-liquid soaks through the wick and supplies the coil with liquid to turn into vapoir upon activation.

Pod or tank:

This is the piece where the e-liquid goes. A refillable pod is opened through its specified filling point (usually the top or the side). A tank is either glass or plastic and is screwed on to a battery unit with coils that are replaced.

Mouthpiece:

Also known as the ‘drip tip’, the mouthpiece is simply the part that you put in your mouth to consume the vapour through. These are most commonly made from metal or a heat resistant plastic called ‘delrin’. It is recommended that you keep this as clean as possible as dust and grime can often become trapped inside and it can become unhygienic if not cleaned out on a regular basis.

Types of Vape Devices

The old distinction between "disposable" and "rechargeable" is no longer a useful guide to the current UK market. Single-use vapes have been banned from sale or supply in the UK since 1 June 2025. Today, we need to distinguish refillable kits from reusable kits.

Refillable pod kits

These consist of a rechargeable battery and a 2ml pod that you fill with e-liquid. Some pods contain a built in coil, so you replace the entire pod when it wears out. Others have a separate coil that you take out and replace.

Reusable prefilled pod kits

These kits have a rechargeable battery and replacement pods that are filled at source. Bigger puff devices combine a compliant 2ml vaping pod with a separate 10ml refill container. The empty pod or cartridge is replaced while the rechargeable battery device is retained and reused.

Vape pens

A vape pen is the more traditional type of device, normally with a cylindrical body and a tank at the top with replaceable coils. Models range from simple auto draw devices to button-operated kits. 

Box mods and advanced vape kits

A box mod is a larger battery device, commonly paired with a separate tank. Most have adjustable wattage, temperature-control functions or different coil options. They require more attention to the tank, coil resistance and supported power range than a basic fixed-output pod system. Devices that accept removable batteries also require safe external battery handling.

Cig-a-likes

Cig-a-likes imitate the size and shape of a cigarette. At one time they were the most popular types of devices due to their early adoption. They have small batteries and limited cartridge options.

Device types at a glance

For a more detailed comparison of device categories, see what is a vape kit? and the guide to choosing a vape kit.

MTL vs DTL vs RDTL: Understanding Vaping Styles

These abbreviations describe how air and aerosol are drawn through a device. They do not describe separate types of nicotine.

Mouth-to-lung (MTL)

With mouth-to-lung vaping, you first draw vapour into the mouth and then inhale. The restricted airflow on these devices is similar to the sensation of smoking a traditional cigarette (often referred to as a ‘tight draw’). MTL devices commonly use lower power and use less e-liquid per puff than large direct-to-lung systems.

MTL is frequently associated with compact pod kits and higher-resistance coils. Nicotine strength needs to be considered as well as the device's actual output and individual nicotine needs, not selected simply because a device is labelled MTL.

Direct-to-lung (DTL)

Direct-to-lung vaping involves inhaling the vapour directly into the lungs with a more open airflow (often referred to as a ‘loose draw’). Many DTL devices use lower-resistance coils and higher power, producing more vapour and using e-liquid more quickly. Because vapour output can be much greater, stronger nicotine liquids may be unsuitable for these setups.

Restricted direct-to-lung (RDTL or RDL)

RDTL is the space between the other two techniques. The inhale goes directly to the lungs, but through a more restricted airflow than full DTL. Some adjustable pod systems support both a tighter MTL draw and a more open RDTL draw, depending on the cartridge and setting.

E-Liquids Explained: PG, VG, Nicotine and Flavourings

Propylene glycol (PG)

PG is a relatively thin liquid that helps carry flavourings and produces a more noticeable throat sensation (‘throat hit’). An e-liquid with a larger PG proportion is generally thinner than a high-VG alternative. Some people can find PG-heavy liquids irritating, while others find them perfectly fine to use on a regular basis.

Vegetable glycerine (VG)

VG is thicker and sweeter and contributes to the visible vapour. Liquids containing a larger amount of VG are often used in higher power devices designed to produce a lot of vapour. A small, low-powered pod may not wick a very thick liquid effectively, causing coil damage.

Understanding PG/VG ratios

The order matters. A bottle labelled 50VG/50PG contains equal proportions of the two. A bottle labelled 70VG/30PG contains more VG and is thicker, all else being equal.

For more, see what is VG and PG? And the guide to e-liquids

Freebase nicotine versus nicotine salts

Freebase nicotine is the conventional type used in many e-liquids. It can create a more pronounced throat sensation (‘throat hit’). Nicotine salts are made differently and feel less harsh even at similar strengths to their freebase counterparts. Nicotine salt liquids are what you will find in prefilled pods.

Neither formulation is inherently risk-free. Both deliver an addictive substance, and a smoother inhale should not be confused with a lower nicotine dose. Actual nicotine delivery changes with the device, power, liquid and puffing pattern.

What do 0mg, 3mg, 10mg and 20mg mean?

The strength on a UK e-liquid label is shown in mg/ml, meaning milligrams of nicotine in each millilitre. A 10ml bottle labelled 10mg/ml contains 100mg of nicotine in total. You are not vaping 100mg: delivery and absorption are separate matters. A 20mg/ml e-liquid is commonly described as 2% nicotine.

Nicotine containing e-liquid in the UK cannot exceed 20mg/ml by law. There is no reliable formula translating a specific number of cigarettes into an exact liquid strength for every user.

Shortfills and nicotine shots

A shortfill is a bottle of nicotine-free flavoured e-liquid with room left for nicotine shots. Nicotine-containing refill bottles sold in the UK are limited to 10ml. The most common sizes of shortfill are 50ml and 100ml. These are supplied in 60ml and 120ml bottles respectively, with room left in the bottle for the user to pour nicotine shots if required to make the resulting e-liquid 3mg/ml in total.

How to Use a Vape:

Step 1: Unpack and inspect the equipment

Check the contents against the manual. Inspect for any visible damage to the device and charging port. Remove any protective seal or transport sticker as instructed.

Step 2: Charge with suitable equipment

Use the cable or charging equipment recommended by the manufacturer and a compatible power source (not exceeding 1amp). Not every kit includes a charging cable or wall adaptor. Never leave it charging unattended or overnight.

Step 3: Fill a refillable pod correctly

Open the identified filling point and add e-liquid. Do not pour liquid into the central airflow channel, this will cause leakage. Wipe away any spilled liquid before reconnecting the pod to the battery.

Step 4: Prime the coil

A new coil or pod needs time to absorb the liquid. Fill the pod or tank and set the device aside for ten minutes. Firing a dry coil can damage its wick and create a burnt taste that does not disappear after refilling.

Step 5: Fit the pod and set the controls

Push or screw the pod into position. If the device offers adjustable airflow, use the manufacturer's recommended starting position. If it offers wattage adjustment, stay within the coil's operating range.

Step 6: Take a gentle inhale

For an auto draw kit, inhale through the mouthpiece. For a button-operated kit, follow its instructions on pressing the activation button while inhaling. It is best to start gently rather than taking a long, forceful draw. 

Step 7: Switch off and store appropriately

When finished, lock or switch off a button-operated device if the manufacturer recommends it. Keep the device upright where possible, and keep it away from where children or pets can reach it.

Choosing Compatible Equipment: VapeGala Product Examples

Vaporesso XROS 6 Mini: refillable pod format

Vaporesso XROS 6 Mini is a refillable kit with a 1600mAh rechargeable battery, auto draw activation, adjustable airflow and a 2ml 0.6-ohm COREX 3.0 cartridge. Ideal for just starting out or if you are looking for a spare device. Replacement pods come in a variety of resistances.

Voopoo Argus G3: adjustable refillable pod format

Voopoo Argus G3 is a more feature packed kit with a 1500mAh battery, USB-C charging, a screen, adjustable airflow and user adjustable 5 to 30W power. An excellent choice for a main kit. Replacement pods are available in 0.4ohm/0.6ohm and 1.2ohm.

Hayati Pro Max Plus 6000: reusable prefilled format

Hayati Pro Max Plus 6000 is a rechargeable, auto draw prefilled pod kit with an 850mAh rechargeable battery, a 2ml pod, a separate 10ml refill container and a 1.2-ohm mesh coil. The kit is filled with 20mg/ml nicotine salt e-liquid and there are over 50 flavours of replacement pods available.

For further information, visit: How to choose a vape kit

Battery Safety and Charging

Most rechargeable vapes contain lithium-ion batteries. Damaged batteries or counterfeit accessories can cause fire or injury. The Office for Product Safety and Standards and UK fire services advise following the manufacturer's charging and handling directions.

Everyday charging rules

- Use the charging cable, adaptor specifications and equipment approved or recommended for your model.

- Charge on a stable, clear, non-flammable surface where you can see the device.

- Do not charge a vape under a pillow, on bedding, near loose paper or in direct sunlight.

- Never leave a vape charging overnight, while asleep or while away from the premises.

- Unplug the device when charging is complete; do not leave it permanently connected.

- Keep charging ports clean and dry. Do not connect power when the port is wet or damaged.

- Do not use swollen, punctured, leaking, unusually hot or otherwise damaged batteries or devices.

How to recycle a vape

Vape devices contain electrical components and batteries. Do not place devices or loose lithium batteries in household waste or ordinary recycling bins. Use an appropriate vape or an electrical take-back point. Also, all local recycling centres will have a dedicated place for you to dispose of them responsibly.

UK safety information: 

Office for Product Safety and Standards battery guidance

Single-use vapes ban and recycling guidance

Troubleshooting: Dry Hits, Leaking, No Vapour and Other Problems

If a device is physically damaged or behaving dangerously, stop using it. The checks below are for ordinary operating problems only, never try to take a device apart to repair it yourself.

How often should you change a vape coil?

There is no standard length of time any given coil will last. It depends on use, liquid, device power and design. Replace a coil or pod when you notice the flavour starting to change, or it shows visible damage.

Common Issues and troubleshooting

UK Vaping Rules at a Glance: October 2026

What changed with the UK disposable vape ban?

The sale and supply of single-use vapes became illegal on 1 June 2025. The ban covers all online and physical stores and includes zero-nicotine products. A device is not made compliant merely by being rechargeable. Under the rules, the device must also be refillable through a replaceable cartridge or refillable container, and if it comes with a coil it must be replaceable, directly or as part of a separate pod. This is why reusable prefilled pod devices are different from banned disposables. Their battery unit can be retained, recharged and fitted with replacement prefilled pods.

Is Vaping Less Harmful Than Smoking?

The NHS states that nicotine vaping is substantially less harmful than smoking cigarettes for adults who already smoke. Burning tobacco creates smoke containing tar, carbon monoxide and many other toxic chemicals. A nicotine vape avoids tobacco combustion and generally exposes the user to fewer of the toxins present in cigarette smoke. An adult who replaces smoking completely with vaping therefore avoids exposure to tobacco smoke.

Someone who continues smoking cigarettes while vaping is still exposed to cigarette smoke. Stopping cigarettes completely is the priority for those using vaping to quit smoking. For more information visit: 

NHS vaping to quit smoking guidance

Guide to quitting smoking

How Much Does Vaping Cost in the UK?

This depends on the equipment and how much liquid or how many prefilled replacement cartridges are used. A refillable kit usually has an initial device cost followed by e-liquid and pod or coil costs. A reusable prefilled kit generally has a device cost followed by replacement cartridge costs. 

Breakdown: cigarettes versus a refillable pod kit

This is a generic example, not a quotation of current VapeGala prices and not a promise of savings. Assume the following:

- A pack of 20 cigarettes costs £16.50.

- A refillable pod device costs £20 once.

- Two 10ml bottles of e-liquid are used each week, at an assumed all-in retail price of £7 per bottle.

- Replacement pods or coils cost £8 per month in total.

- Shipping, electricity and unexpected replacement devices are excluded.

The first-year refillable cost is £20 + (2x£7x52) + (£8x12) = £844. A person smoking 10 cigarettes a day at the assumed pack price would spend £3,011.25 in a 365-day year. At 20 cigarettes a day, the cigarette cost would be £6,022.50.

For this example, the price difference is £2,167.25 against 10 cigarettes a day, or £5,178.50 against 20 a day. Real costs may be substantially different, particularly if someone continues smoking alongside vaping or consumes more liquid. Vaping prices will soon increase due to the Vaping Products Duty as outlined in the section below.

How does the 2026 vaping duty affect cost?

Vaping Products Duty came into force on 1 October 2026 at £2.20 per 10ml of vaping liquid, including nicotine free e-liquid. The precise impact on shop prices depends on supply chains, stock and retailers, so do not simply add £2.20 to a retail price without knowing if the cost is already included. The £7 hypothetical bottle price used above is an assumed retail price, not an accurate quotation.

You can check the VapeGala Vape Cost Calculator here.

Vaping Glossary A-Z

A: Airflow. The air that moves through the device during inhalation. Airflow controls affect how tight or open the draw feels.

B: Battery. The component that supplies electrical power to the coil. Many kits use built-in rechargeable lithium-ion batteries.

C: Coil. The component that heats e-liquid. It can be changed alone or as part of an entire pod.

D: Draw activation. A sensor in the device that starts heating when you inhale, without pressing a firing button.

E: E-liquid. The liquid used in a vape, usually containing PG, VG, flavourings and nicotine only if required.

F: Freebase nicotine. One form of nicotine used in e-liquids, different to nicotine salt formulations.

G: Gurgling. A bubbling sound commonly associated with excessive liquid or condensation around a coil or airflow hole.

H: High-VG. E-liquid with a relatively high proportion of vegetable glycerine, often designed for equipment that can wick thicker liquid for more vapour.

I: Inhale activation. Another term for auto draw activation.

J: Juice. Informal term for e-liquid; not a drink or food.

K: Kit. The main vaping equipment sold together, which contains a battery, pod or tank and other accessories.

L: Liquid capacity. The volume a pod, tank or bottle holds, usually shown in millilitres (ml).

M: MTL. Mouth-to-lung inhaling, in which the vapour first enters your mouth before inhaling.

N: Nic salt. Shorthand for nicotine salt e-liquid, a liquid type often associated with lower-powered pods.

O: Ohm. The unit of electrical resistance, used to describe coils (eg 0.6/1.2). 

P: PG. Propylene glycol, a comparatively thin e-liquid base ingredient.

Q: Quick charging. A manufacturer's term for a relatively fast charging system. The permitted voltage, current and charging method still depend on the device.

R: RDTL or RDL. Restricted direct-to-lung inhaling, with an intermediate airflow between a tight MTL draw and open DTL draw.

S: Shortfill. A bottle of usually nicotine-free flavoured liquid with unused space for optional nicotine addition, usually available in 50ml and 100ml sizes.

T: Tank. The component to contain the e-liquid and usually a coil.

U: USB-C. The most common charging connector.

V: VG. Vegetable glycerine, a thicker e-liquid base ingredient associated with vapour production.

W: Wattage (W). The rate at which a device consumes power. Use the range specified for the coil.

X: XROS. A Vaporesso product family of easy to use refillable pod kits.

Y: Yield or puff-count estimate. The advertised number of draws a product may deliver under test conditions. It is not a guaranteed number.

Z: Zero-nicotine e-liquid. E-liquid labelled as containing no nicotine. It is not automatically harmless, and nicotine-free vapes are still covered by relevant safety and single-use restrictions.

Frequently Asked Questions 

1. How does a vape work?

A battery sends electricity to the coil, which in turn heats e-liquid held near the coil by a cotton wick. This forms vapour that travels through a mouthpiece when you inhale. 

2. What is the difference between MTL and DTL vaping?

MTL (mouth-to-lung) means drawing vapour into the mouth before inhaling it into the lungs. It uses a tighter airflow and is common in compact pod systems and starter kits. DTL (direct-to-lung) means inhaling directly into the lungs through a more open airflow, commonly with larger vapour output.

3. Is vaping less harmful than smoking?

The NHS considers nicotine vaping substantially less harmful than smoking for adults who already smoke because it avoids burning tobacco and reduces exposure to many toxins in cigarette smoke. It is not risk-free, and its long-term effects are not fully understood. Non-smokers and under-18s should not vape. 

4. Are disposable vapes banned in the UK?

Yes. Selling or supplying single-use vapes has been illegal UK-wide since 1 June 2025, including those without nicotine. Reusable refillable kits and prefilled pod systems remain legal.

5. What nicotine strength can I legally buy in the UK?

Nicotine e-liquid is limited to 20mg/ml. A strength printed on the bottle states the nicotine concentration in the liquid, not the amount absorbed.

6. How long should a vape coil or pod last?

There is no guaranteed lifespan. Some coils and pods need replacement sooner than others depending on the use and liquid considerations. A persistent burnt taste, poor performance or physical damage is a stronger reason to replace the specified component than a fixed number of days.

7. Why is my vape leaking or making a gurgling sound?

Common reasons include overfilling, condensation, a poorly closed fill port, a damaged seal, an unsuitable liquid or excessive liquid near the coil. Stop using a badly leaking device, wipe accessible spills, inspect the pod and replace damaged consumables. 

8. Can vaping help an adult smoker quit cigarettes?

NHS guidance recognises nicotine vaping as one option that can help adults stop smoking, although no specific consumer vape is licensed in the UK as a stop smoking medicine. If quitting smoking is your aim, vaping is proven to be a method that can work successfully.

9. Can you take a vape on an aeroplane?

Airline and aviation security rules generally require lithium-battery vaping devices to be carried in hand baggage, not checked luggage. Vaping and charging the device during a flight are prohibited. 

For detailed support with stopping cigarettes:

NHS Better Health

Guide to quitting smoking 

For technical topics, continue with the guides to: 

Choosing a vape kit

Vape devices 

E-liquids 

VG and PG