What is Vapour? E-Cigarette Vapour, Explained

An enjoyable activity for many people, vapers often want to know what’s vaping made from before starting. In this blog, we’ll therefore talk about vape vapour, what vapes are made from and whether their vapours can stain your clothes, furnishings and home.

Vapour is the substance produced by e-cigarettes to be inhaled. It is created when the liquid inside the e-cigarette (known as e-liquid) is heated. After inhaling, the vapour is then exhaled by the person using the e-cigarette. Here we take an in depth look at how vapour is formed and what it is made of.

What Is In E-Cigarette Vapour?

E-cigarette vapour is created when e-liquid is heated by the coil inside the clearomiser or cartridge. Once heated, the liquid turns into vapour which can then be inhaled through the mouthpiece by the person using the e-cig (also known as the vaper). After being inhaled into the lungs, the vapour is then exhaled through the mouth or nose.

Similar in appearance to a small puff of cloud (hence the term “cloud chasing” which refers to the use of e-cigarettes in competitions), e-cigarette vapour is mostly comprised of small droplets of water which evaporate a few seconds after being released into the air.

You’ll notice the recognisable water vapour from vapes once it’s released as these clouds. Not everywhere allows vaping or vapours within their premises, so it’s always best to read our Where can I vape? guides when going to the pub, travelling to key events and staying in hotels.

Does Vapour Smell?

E-cigarette vapour will typically carry the same smell as the flavour which you are vaping. However, e-cigarette vapour will not leave a smell behind after it evaporates as the particles which make up the vapour do not latch on to objects in the same way as other substances.

This means you can vape inside without needing to worry about the smell lingering on your clothes or furniture. Discover our blog Vaping Inside? Here’s How It Affects Your Surroundings for tips on how to minimise staining on your home’s interior walls.

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WHAT IS VAPOUR MADE OF?

If you’re new to vaping, you may well be wondering ‘What are vapes made from?’. The other ingredients found in e-cigarette vapour are largely the same as those found in e-liquid, namely propylene glycol (PG), vegetable glycerine (VG), water, flavourings and nicotine.

Most people wonder what exactly is PG and VG and why it’s added to our e-cigarettes? You can find out more about these two ingredients with our The Meaning of PG and VG guide.

For more information on the ingredients in e-liquid, check out our blog on what is e-liquid and how it gets made.

HOW LONG DOES VAPOUR LAST FOR?

E-cigarette vapour will hang in the air for a few seconds before it starts to evaporate, although the amount of time it stays in the air will partly depend on the weather. On more humid days, you may find that the vapour may last for slightly longer before dissipating.

The ingredients in your e-liquid will also make a difference; a higher percentage of PG in your e-liquid creates thinner clouds of vape, meaning that it will evaporate more quickly, and likewise more VG in your e-liquid will mean it takes longer to disappear.

WHAT'S THE PROCESS BEHIND CREATING VAPOURS?

If you are looking to get very technical about the vapour produced by e-cigarettes, it’s actually an aerosol, as this is the scientific name for any substance which binds together in the air before breaking apart.

However, the term vapour (and moreover vaping which refers to the entire industry) has become widespread since its inception over 10 years ago, so we aren’t about to start bucking this trend now!

You and others will recognise the water vapour from vapes as it’s released into the air as clouds.

QUALITY VAPING PRODUCTS, FROM BLU

When you buy from blu, you know you’re buying quality. We only use the highest quality ingredients in our e-liquids, and our vape devices are tested with strict requirements to ensure a pleasant vaping experience. Have a browse through our pods and e-liquids range and find a flavour that you love, today.