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Vapour: Electric e-cigarette explained simply

Vaping guide: function, variants and purchase criteria of modern e-cigarettes. Practical tips on liquids, watts and coils for beginners and professionals from Switzerland.

A vape is an electronic cigarette that turns e-liquid into vapour – without combustion, without ash, and without traditional tobacco smoke. If you’re considering vaping for the first time in Switzerland, or want to switch from a starter kit to a more powerful setup, you’ll soon come across terms like pod, sub-ohm, coil or mg/ml. This guide breaks down the basics: you’ll learn how a vape is constructed, which models suit which types of user, and what to look out for when buying to ensure the device and e-liquid are truly compatible.

In Swiss usage, the term ‘vape’ refers to an e-cigarette – that is, a battery-powered device that heats a liquid via a heating coil and atomises it into an aerosol. You do not inhale smoke, but fine vapour droplets made up of propylene glycol (PG), vegetable glycerine (VG), flavourings and, depending on the product, nicotine or nicotine salt.

An electronic vape consists of four core components: a battery (usually 500–3000 mAh), control electronics with or without wattage control, a vaporiser head with a heating coil, and a tank or pod cartridge for the liquid. The term should be distinguished from the shisha, which uses charcoal and tobacco, and from the classic tobacco heater, which heats real tobacco to around 300 °C instead of vaporising a liquid. Depending on the model, an e-cigarette operates between 8 and 100 watts and only produces vapour at around 180–230 °C at the coil.

When you press the fire button (or take a draw on the mouthpiece if it’s draw-activated), the battery supplies power to the coil. This heats up, vaporises the liquid stored in the wick, and you inhale the resulting vapour. The higher the power and the larger the coil surface area, the more vapour is produced.

Pod systems for beginners

Pods are compact, have fixed or replaceable cartridges and usually work with nicotine salt e-liquids (10–20 mg/ml). The draw is tight, similar to a cigarette – ideal if you’re switching from smoking.

Disposable vaping for occasional users

Disposable devices come pre-charged and pre-filled, last for several hundred puffs depending on the model, and are then disposed of. Handy for on the go, but not the best choice for the environment.

Mods with atomisers for advanced users

Here, you control the wattage, temperature and airflow yourself. Sub-ohm atomisers (under 1.0 ohms) deliver dense clouds of vapour and a more intense flavour, but require short-fill e-liquids with a high VG content.

Buying a vape in Switzerland is straightforward – yet it’s worth taking a close look at the details before you commit:

Draw style (MTL or DTL): Mouth-to-Lung feels like a cigarette, Direct-to-Lung is similar to deep inhalation. Both systems require different coils and e-liquids.
Battery capacity: 1000–1500 mAh is sufficient for occasional users; frequent vapers should opt for 2000 mAh or above, or replaceable batteries (18650, 21700).
Coil availability: Check whether replacement coils will be available in the long term. A cheap device with rare coils will quickly become a nuisance.
E-liquid compatibility: Pods work best with 50/50 blends or nicotine salt, whilst sub-ohm tanks require VG-heavy short-fills. Incorrect combinations lead to burning or leaking.
Nicotine strength: In Switzerland, strengths up to 20 mg/ml are freely available. Switchers often start with 10–18 mg/ml nicotine salt and reduce the strength later.
Build quality and warranty: Look for clean threads, leak-proof tanks and a retailer offering local support – available exclusively to adults aged 18 and over.

A common mistake is jumping straight to a high-performance device. A pod with 12–25 watts is perfectly adequate for beginners; more expensive setups only make sense once you know what draw and vapour volume you prefer.

Is a vape the same as an e-cigarette?

Yes. ‘Vape’, ‘e-cigarette’ and ‘vaporiser’ all refer to the same device. The term ‘vaporiser’ is particularly common in everyday Swiss usage and emphasises the function of vaporisation over combustion.

How long does a coil last?

A coil lasts around 7 to 21 days, depending on usage, e-liquid and power settings. Sweet flavours and high wattage shorten the lifespan, whilst neutral e-liquids and moderate power settings extend it.

What nicotine strength is suitable for those switching from traditional cigarettes?

Heavy smokers usually choose 18–20 mg/ml nicotine salt, whilst occasional smokers can manage with 9–12 mg/ml. Important: the e-liquid and device must be compatible – sub-ohm vaping with 20 mg is too intense.

How do I look after my vape?

Rinse the tank briefly with warm water every few refills, keep the contacts dry, replace the coil in good time and do not let the battery run completely flat. This keeps the flavour and performance consistent.

A vape is no substitute for professional advice or your own experience, but it does offer you a flexible alternative to traditional smoking – provided the device, coil and e-liquid are compatible. Take your time when making your first purchase: choose between pods, disposables and mod devices, adjust the nicotine strength to suit your usage habits, and make sure to factor in replacement coils straight away. In our selection of e-cigarettes, you’ll find starter pods, sub-ohm setups and compatible e-liquids, allowing you to take your time testing out the different vaping styles.