Nicotine-containing tobacco has been used for centuries in many forms, including pipe tobacco, cigars, snuff, chewing tobacco, and hand-rolled tobacco products. For much of history, tobacco was consumed through burning or oral use, with methods varying by region and culture.

During the late 1800s, the invention of automated cigarette rolling machines dramatically increased cigarette production and accessibility. Cigarettes quickly became the dominant nicotine product throughout the 20th century due to mass manufacturing, portability, and widespread commercial distribution.

Smokeless tobacco products such as chewing tobacco, moist snuff, and dip also remained popular, particularly in certain regions of the United States. These products delivered nicotine without combustion and continued evolving alongside cigarette manufacturing.

In the early 2000s, modern electronic cigarettes began appearing commercially as an alternative to combustible tobacco products. Early devices, commonly called “cigalikes,” were designed to visually resemble traditional cigarettes and used small batteries with prefilled cartridges containing nicotine e-liquid.

As vaping technology advanced, larger refillable devices became popular. Clearomizers, tank systems, and mechanical or “rebuildable” mods allowed users greater control over airflow, coil resistance, vapor production, and flavor delivery. During this period, hobbyist vaping culture expanded significantly, with users building custom coils and experimenting with different VG/PG ratios and power levels.

By the mid-to-late 2010s, pod systems introduced a smaller and more simplified approach to vaping. These devices commonly paired lower power output with higher-strength nicotine salt formulations, allowing compact devices to deliver nicotine more efficiently while maintaining a smoother inhale experience.

Disposable vape devices later expanded rapidly due to their convenience, portability, and ease of use. Modern vapor products now range from advanced rebuildable systems and refillable sub-ohm devices to compact pod systems and single-use disposables, offering a wide variety of nicotine strengths, formulations, vapor production styles, and user experiences.

Early Tobacco History

Pre-1500s

Indigenous Tobacco Use
Indigenous peoples throughout the Americas use tobacco ceremonially, medicinally, and recreationally long before European contact.

1492

European Introduction to Tobacco
Christopher Columbus and European explorers encounter tobacco use in the Americas, helping introduce tobacco to Europe.

1600s

Global Tobacco Expansion
Tobacco cultivation and trade rapidly spread across Europe and the American colonies.

Industrial Tobacco Era

1760

Commercial Cigarette Development BeginsEarly paper-wrapped tobacco products become more common in parts of Europe.

1820s–1850s

Chewing Tobacco & Snuff PopularitySmokeless tobacco products such as chewing tobacco and snuff grow significantly in popularity.

1880

Cigarette Rolling Machine InventedJames Bonsack patents the automated cigarette rolling machine, dramatically increasing cigarette production and lowering manufacturing costs.

Early 1900s

Mass Cigarette CommercializationFactory-produced cigarettes become the dominant tobacco product worldwide.

1950s–1960s

Major Health Research on SmokingLarge-scale medical studies begin strongly linking cigarette smoking to lung cancer and other health conditions.

1964

U.S. Surgeon General Report on SmokingThe Surgeon General officially declares cigarette smoking a major health risk, becoming one of the most influential public health announcements related to tobacco.

Early Nicotine Alternatives

1984

Nicotine Gum ApprovedNicotine replacement therapy products such as nicotine gum become commercially available.

1990s

Nicotine Patches & Replacement Products ExpandNicotine replacement therapies continue growing as smoking alternatives.

Birth of Modern Vaping

2003

Modern E-Cigarette InventedChinese pharmacist Hon Lik develops the first commercially successful modern electronic cigarette after seeking an alternative to combustible smoking.

2006–2007

E-Cigarettes Enter U.S. & European MarketsEarly “cigalike” devices become available internationally. These devices were designed to resemble traditional cigarettes.

Late 2000s

Cartomizers & Refillable Devices EmergeUsers begin adopting refillable tanks and larger battery systems for improved vapor production and customization.

The Rebuildable & Sub-Ohm Era

2010–2012

Variable Voltage & Variable Wattage DevicesAdvanced personal vaporizers allow users to control power output and customize their vape experience.

2012–2014

Mechanical Mods & Rebuildables RiseRebuildable atomizers (RBAs), RDAs, and mechanical mods become popular among hobbyist users seeking larger vapor production and customizable coil builds.

2014

Sub-Ohm Tanks Become MainstreamMass-produced sub-ohm tanks help popularize high-VG e-liquids and cloud-focused vaping.

Nicotine Salt & Pod System Era

2015

Nicotine Salt Products Gain AttentionNicotine salt formulations become more widely used in compact devices due to smoother inhalation at higher nicotine strengths.

2015–2017

Pod Systems Rapidly ExpandSmall pod-based devices become increasingly popular due to portability and simplicity.

2017

Disposable Vape Market Growth BeginsSingle-use disposable vape devices begin appearing more frequently in retail markets.

Modern Vape Industry

2018–2020

Disposable Vapes Become MainstreamHigh-capacity disposable devices rapidly expand in popularity due to convenience and ease of use.

2000s

Wide Product DiversificationThe vapor industry expands into:Pod systemsDisposable devicesRebuildable systemsSynthetic nicotine productsHemp-derived cannabinoid vaping productsAdvanced temperature control and smart devices

What is the difference in Free Base & Salt Nic?

Free Base

Freebase nicotine is the traditional form of nicotine historically used in most early e-liquid products. Nicotine itself is a naturally occurring alkaloid found in tobacco plants. In its “freebase” form, the nicotine has been chemically adjusted to a more pure, volatile state by removing protonation from the molecule, increasing its potency and absorption potential when vaporized.

Because freebase nicotine has a higher pH level, it generally creates a stronger throat sensation at higher concentrations. For this reason, freebase nicotine is most commonly used in lower nicotine strengths and paired with higher VG ratios such as 70VG / 30PG or 80VG / 20PG. These combinations are frequently associated with larger vapor production, smoother airflow, and higher-power devices designed for direct-to-lung inhalation styles.

0mg

Non-Nicotine, For the flavor & Chill expierence

3mg-6mg

For Light & Moderate Smokers, For sub-ohm, cloud set ups

12mg-18mg

For Heavy Smokers, & strong throat hits

Salt Nicotine

Nicotine salts were introduced to the vapor industry as an alternative formulation designed to improve nicotine delivery at higher strengths while reducing harshness during inhalation. Nicotine salts more closely resemble the naturally occurring state of nicotine found within the tobacco leaf.

To create nicotine salts, freebase nicotine is combined with specific acids — commonly benzoic acid — which lowers the pH of the solution. This chemical adjustment reduces alkalinity, allowing higher nicotine concentrations to feel smoother during use.

Because of their smoother inhale and faster nicotine absorption characteristics, nicotine salts are commonly used in higher nicotine concentrations and paired with balanced VG / PG ratios such as 50VG / 50PG. These thinner formulations are typically intended for lower-power or pod-style devices where efficient wicking and nicotine delivery are important.

20mg-50mg

Cigarette replacement, smooth hit, only in low-power pod systems

Coils, and Temp (Watts)

Type of coils

Mesh Coils

Made using a thin strip of perforated metal rather than a traditional wire wrap.Known for:Large heating surface areaStrong flavor productionEven heatingEfficient vapor productionCommon in modern sub-ohm tanks and disposablesMesh coils became extremely popular in the late 2010s and are now widely used across the vape industry.

Round Wire Coils

The most basic and traditional coil style made from a single strand of wire.Known for:SimplicityFaster ramp-up timeLower power requirementsCommon use in beginner and low-power devices

Ceramic Coils

Use ceramic material as part of the wicking or heating structure.
Known for:Smooth heating characteristicsLongevity in some applicationsUsed in select vape and oil-cartridge products

Rebuildable Coils

RBA (Rebuildable Atomizer):

A broad category of atomizers designed for users to build and install their own coils and wicking material instead of using prebuilt coil heads. RBAs give full control over resistance, coil type, and performance characteristics.

RDA (Rebuildable Dripping Atomizer):

A type of rebuildable atomizer where e-liquid is manually dripped directly onto the coil and wick rather than stored in a tank. RDAs are known for strong flavor, fast heat response, and high customization, but require frequent re-dripping.

RTA (Rebuildable Tank Atomizer):

A rebuildable atomizer that combines a custom coil deck with a built-in tank reservoir that continuously feeds e-liquid to the wick. RTAs offer the customization of rebuildables with the convenience of holding more liquid for longer use.

As vaping technology evolved, a segment of advanced users began building and installing custom coils in (RBAs), including RDAs and RTAs.Instead of relying on factory-made coil heads, rebuildable systems allow users to directly control key performance variables, including:

Coil material (e.g., Kanthal, stainless steel, nickel, etc.)
Coil geometry (single, dual, fused, mesh-style builds)
Electrical resistance (Ω)
Surface area and heat distribution
Airflow interaction and vapor cooling dynamics

This flexibility led to the development of a “coil building” subculture during the 2010s, particularly within enthusiast communities focused on performance tuning, cloud production, and custom vape optimization.Over time, improvements in manufacturing—especially mesh coil technology and precision-wrapped factory coils—shifted much of the market toward prebuilt coil heads. These offered greater consistency, safety standardization, and ease of use, while still preserving performance characteristics once reserved for custom builds.

Pod Systems

A compact vaping device that uses a small “pod” instead of a traditional tank. The pod contains the coil and e-liquid reservoir in a single unit (either refillable or prefilled), designed for simplicity and portability with minimal user adjustment.

Closed Pod

A pod system that uses factory-sealed pods that are discarded once empty. These prioritize convenience and consistency, with no refilling or coil handling required by the user.

Open Pod

A pod system where the user can refill the pod with their own e-liquid. These systems offer more flexibility in nicotine strength and flavor choice while still maintaining a simple, low-maintenance design.

Pod Mod:

A larger, more powerful version of a pod system that bridges the gap between pods and traditional box mods. Pod mods often allow adjustable wattage, airflow control, and use higher-performance coils while still using a pod-style tank system.

Disposable Devices

A single-use vaping device that comes pre-filled with e-liquid and a pre-charged battery, designed to be used until the liquid or battery is depleted and then discarded. Disposables require no refilling, charging (in most cases), or coil replacement, making them the most simplified form of vaping hardware.

Rechargeable

A type of disposable device that includes a built-in charging port (typically USB-C) to allow the battery to be recharged while the pre-filled e-liquid is still usable. This extends device lifespan but the unit is still discarded once the liquid is finished.

Draw-Activated

A disposable device that activates automatically when the user inhales, without any buttons or settings. This design simplifies operation and removes the need for manual firing controls.

High-Capacity

A newer generation of disposables that contain significantly larger e-liquid volumes and higher battery capacities than early models. These often use mesh coil technology to improve flavor consistency and vapor production throughout the device’s lifespan.

Coil Resistance

Coil resistance is the electrical opposition to current flow through the coil wire.Measured in ohms (Ω)Determined by:Wire material (Kanthal, NiChrome, Stainless Steel)Wire thickness (thicker wire = lower resistance)Coil length and surface area (more wire = higher resistance)
Resistance does not create heat by itself—it controls how easily electricity can flow into the coil.

Ohm’s Law (Power (W) = V² ÷ R )

What Are Ohms (Ω)?

=Restriction

Ohms measure resistance in your coil.
Lower ohms = less resistance = more power drawn = bigger clouds and warmer vapor.
Higher ohms = more resistance = less power used = cooler vapor and more subtle flavor.

What Are Watts (W)?

=Heat energy produced

Watts measure the power sent from your vape device to the coil.
Higher watts = hotter coils = more vapor, stronger throat hit.
Lower watts = cooler coils = smoother hit, better for flavor.

Voltage (V)

=Pressure

Voltage is the electrical “pressure” pushing current through the coil.
Comes from the battery or regulated device
Higher voltage = more force pushing electrons through the coil
Voltage is what drives the system. Resistance is what limits it.

What About Coil Temperature

Wattage applied
Coil mass (bigger coils take longer to heat)
Airflow (more airflow = more cooling)
Wick saturation (liquid absorbs heat during vaporization)
There is no fixed “temperature per resistance.” Temperature is an outcome, not a setting.

Hight Resistance

( > 1.0 Ω )

More common in older devices and some pod systems.
Run at lower wattagesProduce less vaporCooler, smoother drawOften tighter airflow (MTL – mouth-to-lung)Better for higher nicotine (like salts 20–50mg in pods)
Why:Higher resistance limits current flow → less heat → slower, more controlled vapor production.

Low Resistance (Sub-ohm)

( < 1.0 Ω )

These are what most modern “cloud” tanks and many pod-mod hybrids use.
Run at higher wattagesProduce more heatCreate larger vapor cloudsTypically use more airflow (DL – direct lung inhale)Often better for low-nicotine liquid (like 0–6mg freebase)
Why they behave this way:Lower resistance = more current draw = more power converted into heat → faster and hotter vaporization.

Coil to Match the Smoker

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