Vape Glossary A to Z: All the Important Terms Explained Simply

When you start vaping, you quickly run into abbreviations: MTL, mAh, PG/VG, coil. It sounds like technical jargon, but it's far simpler than it looks. This glossary explains the terms you'll come across in shops, on packaging and in our guides, briefly and without the jargon. You don't have to read it from start to finish: just jump to the letter you're interested in. For more depth, follow the linked guide.

A

Aroma. The flavouring in the e-liquid. Broadly there are four families: fruit, ice/menthol, dessert/sweet and tobacco. Which one suits you is shown in the guide to vape flavours and types.

B

Battery. The energy store of your vape. Disposable devices have a built-in battery that runs empty along with the liquid. Pod systems and hybrid systems recharge it via USB-C. More on charging in the vape charging guide. Lithium batteries never belong in household waste and must not be pierced.

C

CBD vape. A vape with cannabidiol (CBD) instead of, or in addition to, nicotine. CBD is not intoxicating, and the THC content stays below the legal limit. What is permitted and what to look out for is covered in the CBD vape guide. You'll find the products in the CBD vapes category.

Coil. The small heating element with cotton wicking that vaporises the liquid. It wears out and needs replacing now and then on refillable devices, otherwise the taste turns burnt. How to do it is shown in changing the coil. If it already tastes scorched, vape tastes burnt helps.

D

Disposable. A pre-filled vape with no charging and no refilling: open it, vape, dispose, done. The classic is the ELFBAR 600. Handy to get started, but pricier and less sustainable in the long run than a reusable device, see disposable vs reusable. You'll find the models under disposable vapes.

DL (Direct Lung). With DL you draw the vapour straight into your lungs, like a shisha. It produces big clouds and suits powerful devices and low nicotine strengths. Its counterpart is MTL. Differences and what suits you: MTL vs DL.

E

E-liquid. The liquid that gets vaporised. It consists of PG/VG, flavouring and usually nicotine. You fill it into refillable pods or buy ready-made prefilled pods. Everything about it is in the e-liquid guide; to buy, head to the liquids category.

F

Freebase nicotine. The "classic" form of nicotine. At higher doses it hits the throat harder, so it suits lower strengths and larger devices. The gentler counterpart is nicotine salt. Which strength makes sense and when is covered in the nicotine strengths guide.

H

Hybrid system. A device with a rechargeable battery and an interchangeable, pre-filled cartridge (no loose liquid). Examples are the LOST MARY BM6000 or the LUX 7000. Cheaper per draw than a disposable, but almost as simple. You'll find the devices under hybrid systems.

M

mAh (milliamp-hours). The unit of measurement for battery capacity. The higher the figure, the longer the battery lasts between charges, e.g. 650 mAh on small devices. A higher mAh figure says nothing about vapour volume, only about run time.

MTL (Mouth to Lung). You draw the vapour into your mouth first and then into your lungs, just like with a cigarette. A tighter, more defined draw, ideal for switchers and pod systems. Its counterpart is DL. Comparison: MTL vs DL.

N

Nicotine-free (0 mg). Liquid or vape entirely without nicotine, just flavour and vapour. For everyone who likes the ritual and the taste but doesn't want nicotine, or who has lowered their strength. Everything about it is on the nicotine-free vapes overview and in the nicotine-free vapes category.

Nicotine salt. A form of nicotine that stays smooth on the throat even at high strength (up to 20 mg/ml) and takes effect quickly. Perfect for pods and for people switching from smoking. The harsher counterpart is freebase. Details: nicotine strengths guide.

Nicotine strength (mg/ml). Indicates how much nicotine is in each millilitre of liquid. In Switzerland a maximum of 20 mg/ml is permitted. Heavy smokers usually start at 20 mg, lighter ones at 10 mg. Nicotine is highly addictive. How to lower the strength later is covered in the nicotine strengths guide.

O

Ohm (Ω). The electrical resistance of the coil. A higher ohm value (e.g. 1.0 Ω) gives a tight MTL draw, a lower value more vapour for DL. When swapping pods, it's worth checking the right ohm value so the draw feels the same.

P

PG/VG. The two carrier substances in the liquid: propylene glycol (PG) provides flavour and a stronger throat hit, vegetable glycerine (VG) more vapour and a smoother draw. 50/50 is the standard mix for pods. More in the e-liquid guide.

Pod / pod system. The pod is the interchangeable container holding the liquid and usually an integrated coil. A pod system is a compact, rechargeable device you insert these pods into, e.g. ELFA Pro, ELFX or SKE Crystal Plus. Small, discreet, MTL. Everything about it is in the pod system guide, devices under pod systems, refills under pods & refill containers.

Priming. The short wait after filling or after a coil change: 3 to 5 minutes so the cotton soaks through. Vape straight away and you risk a burnt coil. Step by step in the guide to filling a pod correctly.

Puff / draw. A single draw on the vape. On disposable devices, manufacturers often state a "puff count" (e.g. 600 puffs) as a rough estimate of lifespan. How many draws are realistic depends heavily on how you draw.

T

TabPG / 18+. The Swiss Tobacco Products Act (TabPG) governs sale and advertising. For you it mainly means: vapes are only available from age 18, and anyone who has never smoked should not start. More background: vape laws in Switzerland.

Tank. The liquid container on refillable devices, usually made of glass or plastic. On pod systems the pod takes on this role. You can see the level through the window, and you refill it with loose e-liquid.

U

USB-C. The charging port common on rechargeable vapes today. Charge it ideally with a normal phone charger, and not overnight unattended. Tips in the vape charging guide.

W

Watt (W). The power at which the coil is heated. More watts means more vapour and more intense flavour, but also faster liquid and battery consumption. Many pods regulate the power automatically, so you don't have to set anything.

Still unsure what suits you?

If you're just starting out, the guide how an e-cigarette works helps you see the parts in context. A good, simple place to begin is a compact pod system like the ELFBAR ELFA Pro or the SKE Crystal Plus. Everything in stock in Switzerland, free shipping from CHF 29.

In brief

• MTL = tight draw like a cigarette, DL = big clouds into the lungs.
• Nicotine salt comes on gently (good for pods), freebase hits harder.
• PG/VG 50/50 and max 20 mg/ml are the standard values for Switzerland.
• Priming (wait 3 to 5 min) prevents burnt coils.

Nicotine (up to 20 mg/ml in many products) is highly addictive. For adults aged 18 and over only. Not medical advice. As of: May 2026.