Guide
How Does an E-Cigarette Work? Structure, Technology and Terms Explained Simply
Eliane Weber · iVape editorial team, products & e-liquids focus
February 18, 2026 · Updated July 21, 2026 · 5 min read
An e-cigarette burns nothing, it vaporises. Instead of burning tobacco, it heats a liquid e-liquid into vapour that you inhale. No fire, no tar, no ash. As simple as the principle is, a look at the technology helps.
The four components
- Battery: supplies the power, usually rechargeable via USB-C.
- Coil (heating element): a heating wire with cotton that heats the liquid. It's the wear part you replace now and then.
- Pod or tank: the reservoir for the liquid.
- E-liquid: the fluid made of PG/VG, flavour and (optionally) nicotine.
When you press the button or draw (with auto-draw), the coil briefly heats the liquid, it vaporises and you breathe in the vapour. That's it.
MTL and DL: two draw types
- MTL (mouth-to-lung): first draw into the mouth, then inhale, just like a cigarette. Tighter draw, ideal for beginners and pod systems.
- DL (direct lung): straight into the lungs, airy draw, lots of vapour, for high-powered devices.
Anyone coming from cigarettes almost always wants MTL.
What types are there?
- Disposable vape: everything built in, thrown away after use, but soon banned in Switzerland.
- Pod system: battery + pod, rechargeable and refillable, the recommendation for most people.
- Mod/tank: larger devices for advanced users.
The Best E-Cigarette Switzerland comparison helps you choose.
Nicotine: yes, no, how much?
In Switzerland a maximum of 20 mg/ml is allowed. People switching from cigarettes usually take 20 mg nicotine salt; but there is also a full range completely without nicotine. How to pick the strength is covered in the e-liquid guide.
Terms in brief
- Throat hit: the light scratch in the throat when you draw.
- Priming: breaking in a new coil (wait 3 to 5 minutes).
- mg/ml: nicotine content per millilitre of liquid.
In short
- E-cigarette = battery + coil + liquid, it vaporises instead of burning.
- MTL draws like a cigarette, DL makes more vapour.
- For most people a pod system is the best choice, from a Swiss warehouse, free shipping from CHF 29.
As of February 2026. Sold to over-18s only. Not medical advice.
Frequently asked questions
- How does an e-cigarette work?
- An e-cigarette burns nothing, it vaporises. A battery powers a coil (a heating wire with cotton) that briefly heats the e-liquid held in the pod or tank. The resulting vapour is inhaled, with no fire, tar or ash.
- What parts does an e-cigarette consist of?
- Four components: the battery (usually rechargeable via USB-C), the coil as the wear part you replace now and then, the pod or tank as the reservoir, and the e-liquid made of PG/VG, flavour and optionally nicotine.
- What do MTL and DL mean in vaping?
- MTL (mouth-to-lung): first draw into the mouth, then inhale, just like a cigarette. The draw is tighter and ideal for beginners and pod systems. DL (direct lung): straight into the lungs, an airy draw with lots of vapour, for high-powered devices. Anyone coming from cigarettes almost always wants MTL.
- How much nicotine can an e-liquid contain in Switzerland?
- In Switzerland a maximum of 20 mg/ml is allowed. People switching from cigarettes usually take 20 mg nicotine salt, but there is also a full range completely without nicotine.
- What types of e-cigarettes are there?
- Disposable vapes (everything built in, thrown away after use, soon banned in Switzerland), pod systems (battery plus pod, rechargeable and refillable) and mod/tank devices for advanced users. For most people a pod system is the best choice.
