The new look at nicotine:

E-Cigarettes & VAPING

What are E-Cigarettes and Vaping Devices?

E-cigarettes, vapes, vape or hookah pens, e-pipes, and other vaping products are battery-powered devices that allow users to inhale, or vape, aerosolized liquid (e-juice). Beginning July 1, 2019, Illinois law prohibits the sale of tobacco products, including these products, to people younger than age 21.

E-cigarettes recently surpassed conventional cigarettes as the most commonly used tobacco product among youth.1 It is critical that public health officials and the general public understand the potential risks of using them.

How Do E-cigarettes and Vaping Devices Work?


  • E-cigarettes produce an aerosol by heating a liquid that usually contains nicotine, flavorings, and other chemicals that help to make the aerosol.

  • The liquid used in e-cigarettes often contains nicotine and flavorings. This liquid is sometimes called “e-juice,” “e-liquid,” “vape juice,” or “vape liquid.”

  • Users inhale e-cigarette aerosol into their lungs. Bystanders can also breathe in this aerosol when the user exhales it into the air.

  • E-cigarette devices can be used to deliver marijuana and other drugs.

Examples of E-Cigarettes and Vaping Devices