This JAMA Patient Page describes e-cigarettes and the potential health effects of vaping.

An electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) is a battery-operated device that heats liquid nicotine, flavoring, and other additives to create an aerosol. Although e-cigarettes do not contain tobacco, for regulatory purposes, they are considered “tobacco products” by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). E-cigarettes can go by different names, including vapes, vape pens or sticks, e-hookahs, hookah sticks, mods, and personal vaporizers. Collectively, these devices are known as electronic nicotine delivery systems. E-cigarette use is often referred to as “vaping” and the aerosol created from their use referred to as “vapor.” E-cigarettes come in many colors, shapes, and sizes and can look like USB flash drives, pens, highlighters, or toys. They may include flavorings such as candy, fruit, mint, and menthol. The liquid in e-cigarettes is sometimes called e-juice, e-liquid, vape juice, or vape liquid. E-cigarettes may be disposable, be refillable with e-liquid, or have a prefilled cartridge or pod for reuse. Some e-cigarettes can also be used to deliver cannabis and other drugs...

[Audio: A vaping cessation text message program for adolescents]