An e-cigarette or vape device is a piece of hardware used to vaporise e-liquid into a vapour. Usually containing nicotine inhaling the vapour allows the vaper to intake a dose of nicotine.

Consisting of a battery and tank, the electrical current travels to the coil or atomiser contained inside the tank, this then heats up the liquid to vaporise it into the vapor that is inhaled. This process is not the same as combustible tobacco which burns leaves to create a smoke that is inhaled.