Electronic Cigarette Correct Inhaling Technique
December 6, 2010
Adapting and learning how to use electronic cigarettes is the first step regular or analog smokers have to overcome. This is not a long or complicated process and the majority of users make the transition to electronic smoking without noticing a difference. It would appear the main frustrations new users encounter point to just one… learning how to inhale properly.
First time e-cigarette smokers out of habit try to inhale from the electronic cigarette using short, quick puffs in the same way they would inhale from an analog (See Glossary) cigarette. Trying to smoke the electronic cigarette in this way is incorrect and will not deliver the desired experience. To receive the full feeling, it is advised to take controlled, longer and slower puffs. The question is for how long?
Your inhalation should be slow, steady and last for at least 3-5 seconds for the best experience and sensation. Hold on to the vapour for a couple of seconds before exhaling. You can ‘take it back’ and breathe in the vapour (lung inhale) or hold the vapour in your mouth, similar to the technique used to smoke a cigar. Both methods will provide a nicotine hit, and which ever is preferred is down to the user. Several long and deep inhales will award the same effect as a regular cigarette.
An average smoker should need to inhale a maximum of 7 times from the electronic cigarette to receive the full effect. Many e-cigarette users are satisfied with just 3 to 5 puffs. Unlike a regular tobacco cigarette, you can simply inhale a couple of times at your leisure and ‘smoke’ it again later without wasting a full cartomizer.
How long you inhale for and how deep you inhale will affect the lifetime of the cartomizer. Each cartomizer delivers a maximum of 300 puffs based on an approximate 2 second inhale. However, inhaling for 3-5 seconds will provide a better smoking experience and affect, but will reduce the lifespan. New customers are likely to consume more cartomizers while adjusting to using the e-cigarette and consume fewer cartomizers once familiar.
Important Tip – Don’t chain smoke. After 3-7 draws from the electronic cigarette, put it away and use again later.
If you’re frustrated and lacking the feeling, you’re probably smoking it like an analog cigarette and need to adjust your technique. See What is the Electronic Cigarette for our main help and information pages.
VIP Cartomizers contain 0.9ml of liquid content, which is far greater than standard cartridge types of the same physical size and weight. A regular cartridge contains 0.1ml to 0.3ml, and a typical cartomizer 0.3ml to 0.5ml.
The nicotine content : 11mg, 16mg and 24mg is not consumed all at once, but over the duration of the full cartomizer.
- 11mg Nicotine content = Approx 0.27mg – 0.35mg of nicotine per e-smoke use (5-7 inhales)
- 16mg Nicotine content = Approx 0.41mg - 0.59mg of nicotine per e-smoke use (5-7 inhales)
- 24mg Nicotine content = Approx 0.61mg - 0.85mg of nicotine per e-smoke use (5-7 inhales)
For the desired results, it is appropriate for the user to choose the correct nicotine strength. Use the following as a guideline:
- 40 a day and over – 24mg nicotine
- 20 to 40 a day – 24mg nicotine
- 10 to 20 a day – 16mg nicotine and for some users 24mg
- 10 a day or less – 11 mg nicotine (also mild/lights)
