When you put an electronic cigarette between your lips and inhale, air flow is detected by a sensor, which triggers a heating element that vaporizes a nicotine solution which is stored in the mouthpiece. Most electronic cigarettes have an LED on the outer end of them that is also activated whilst inhaling - the purpose of it being to look like the lighted end of a real cigarette. The LED can be purchased in a number of different colors, but most people prefer the orange-red glow, as it is the most realistic.

Although electronic cigarettes can be made in a variety of forms and shapes, they all have the same basic components. The mouthpiece (also known as the cartridge) is a small disposable plastic cap that is attached to the end of the tube, and when they are screwed together they look like a real cigarette. Within the mouthpiece is an absorbent material saturated with a liquid nicotine solution. Suction causes air to flow through the hole in the end of the mouthpiece to bring the vapor into your mouth.

The liquid nicotine solution is vaporized by the only heated part of an electronic cigarette, which is in the cartridge. The heater works off a small lithium-ion rechargeable battery. The battery comes with the electronic cigarette, and to charge it up you can either use a wall socket or an in-car charger. The battery life is not amazing, due to the small size of the battery, but you can expect to only need to re-charge it every few days. You can buy an extended life battery if you wanted to, but it is not really necessary.

The nicotine solution used in electronic cigarettes comes in concentrations ranging from 4mg/ml to 50mg/ml. The more often you smoke now, the higher the concentration you should start off on when you make the switch to electronic cigarettes. The nicotine solution will run out over time, but you can refill it whenever you want to. Some cartridges allow you to add more nicotine solution directly into them, or you can just replace the whole cartridge. Either way, you do not need to buy a whole new electronic cigarette when the nicotine solution that it comes with it runs out.

By gradually reducing the concentration of the nicotine solution that you use in an electronic cigarette, it is not unrealistic to aim to break your nicotine addiction in a couple of months. Of course, it will depend on how much you are smoking now, but there really is no better way to do it. Will power alone is not sufficient for most people, and whilst nicotine gum and nicotine patches work to a degree, many people struggle with them because them are used to holding something in their hand, and without something (i.e. an electronic cigarette) they do not feel 'right', as it goes against the habit and behavior that they have developed over time.