What's in a Vape? A Clear Look at What You're Inhaling

If you've ever wondered what's inside a vape, you're not alone. Vaping has become more popular across Europe in recent years, especially as an alternative to smoking. But knowing what you're putting into your body matters. In this guide, we'll walk you through what’s inside a vape, what each part does, and what you should be aware of from a health point of view.

What Is a Vape?

A vape, also known as an e-cigarette or ENDS (Electronic Nicotine Delivery System), is a device that turns a liquid into a vapour that you inhale. Unlike cigarettes, vapes do not burn tobacco. Instead, they heat a liquid, commonly called e-liquid or vape juice.

Parts of a Vape Device

Every vape device has several components that work together:

Disposable vapes like the RandM Vape or Ghost Pro have these parts built-in and are thrown away after use. Refillable vapes allow you to replace or refill the tank and sometimes the coil.

What’s in E-Liquid?

The liquid inside a vape is called e-liquid or vape juice. It usually contains a mix of base liquids, flavourings, and optionally, nicotine.

Main Ingredients

Propylene Glycol (PG)

• A thin, odourless liquid
  
  

• Carries flavour well
  
  

• Gives a stronger throat hit
  
  

Vegetable Glycerin (VG)

• Thicker and slightly sweet
  
  

• Creates more vapour
  
  

• Makes the inhale smoother
  
  

Flavourings

• Food-grade ingredients
  
  

• Used to mimic fruits, desserts, mint, and more
  
  

• Over 7,000 flavour options exist globally
  
  

Nicotine (optional)

• An addictive substance found in tobacco
  
  

• Often used to help smokers transition off cigarettes
  
  

• Usually present in strengths from 0 mg to 20 mg in EU-regulated products

Common Composition Table

Other Substances That May Be Present

When e-liquid is heated, it turns into an aerosol, not just harmless vapour. This aerosol can include extra substances, especially if the device is overheated or if the e-liquid is of poor quality.

These may include:

• Formaldehyde – A chemical that may form at high temperatures
  
  

• Acrolein – Can damage the lungs; formed when coils burn dry
  
  

• Heavy metals – Such as lead or nickel, from worn-out coils
  
  

• Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) – Chemicals that can affect indoor air quality
  
  

• Carcinogens – Some cancer-causing chemicals have been detected, though usually at much lower levels than in cigarette smoke
  
  

These are more likely to occur in unregulated or low-quality products.

What's Not in a Vape (Compared to Smoking)

Vapes do not contain or produce:

• Tar
  
  

• Carbon monoxide
  
  

• Ash or smoke
  
  

These are all harmful by-products of burning tobacco. This is one reason why vaping is often considered less harmful than smoking.

Disposable vs. Refillable Vapes

Disposable vapes like the RandM Tornado 15000, RandM Tornado 9000 are gaining popularity due to their high puff count and ease of use. These devices typically use nicotine salts, offering a smoother throat hit at higher nicotine levels. Refillable vapes offer more control over strength, flavour, and PG/VG ratio.

Are Vapes Safe?

No vape is completely risk-free. However, many health experts agree that vaping is likely less harmful than smoking cigarettes. For example, Public Health England has stated that vaping is about 95% less harmful than smoking.

That said, the long-term health effects of vaping are still being researched. Inhaling any kind of chemical, even food-grade flavourings, may have unknown effects when heated and inhaled into the lungs.

Nicotine itself is also addictive and can impact brain development in younger users. For this reason, non-smokers and people under 18 are advised not to vape.

Important Safety Tips

• Always buy from reputable retailers that follow UK and EU safety standards
  
  

• Avoid products with unclear labelling or unknown ingredients
  
  

• Do not mix your own e-liquid unless you are experienced and understand the risks
  
  

• Replace coils regularly to prevent burning and exposure to harmful by-products
  
  

• Store e-liquids safely away from children and pets

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Do all vapes contain nicotine?

Not always. Many brands offer nicotine-free vape juice. However, some products labelled as nicotine-free have still been found to contain small amounts, so always check the brand's reputation.

Are the flavourings safe?

While flavourings are usually safe to eat, inhaling them is different. Heating them can change their chemical structure, which may affect your lungs.

Can vaping cause cancer?

Some chemicals found in vape aerosol are linked to cancer, but they are typically at much lower levels than those found in cigarettes. Long-term risks are still under study.

What’s the safest type of vape?

The safest option is to use regulated, well-reviewed products from reliable suppliers. Avoid off-brand or counterfeit vapes.

Can second-hand vapour harm others?

While second-hand vape exposure is less dangerous than cigarette smoke, it is not entirely harmless, especially for children, pregnant women, or people with asthma.

Final Thoughts

Knowing what’s in a vape is the first step toward making informed choices. Whether you're trying to quit smoking or simply exploring alternatives, understanding the ingredients and how they affect your body is key.

At Euro City Vape, we stock only high-quality, fully compliant products across Europe. Our goal is to make sure your vaping experience is both enjoyable and safe.