Yes, it is very possible to become addicted to smoking e-cigarettes. E-cigarettes usually contain nicotine, which is a known addictive substance. Medical studies have shown that nicotine affects the dopamine system in the brain, which can lead to addictive behaviour. In addition, the portability of e-cigarettes and the wide range of flavours available can encourage users to use them more frequently, increasing the likelihood of addiction.

Analysis of electronic cigarette components
Main components
E-cigarette liquids are usually made up of the following main ingredients:
Propylene Glycol: This is a colourless, odourless liquid that is commonly used as the base ingredient in e-cigarette liquids. Propylene glycol is rapidly absorbed when inhaled, but the health effects of long-term exposure are unknown.
Vegetable Glycerin: Also used as a base ingredient in e-cigarette liquids, this is colourless and odourless like propylene glycol. Vegetable glycerin is often used to produce more smoke.
Food-grade flavourings: These are mainly used to tweak the flavour of e-cigarettes, such as menthol and strawberry, but are still a safety risk when inhaled at high temperatures.
Nicotine: Not all e-cigarettes contain nicotine, but most products on the market have varying concentrations.
Water: Used to dilute the other ingredients.
By understanding these key ingredients, users can have a clearer idea of whether they should choose an e-cigarette and how to assess its potential health risks.

Does it contain nicotine
Whether or not an e-cigarette contains nicotine depends largely on the type of e-liquid the user purchases. There are nicotine-free e-liquids on the market, but most products offer different concentrations of nicotine for users to choose from. Nicotine is an extremely addictive substance and long-term inhalation may lead to addiction and even affect cardiovascular health.
Generally, the nicotine concentration of e-cigarettes is clearly labelled on the product packaging or instructions, usually in milligrams per millilitre (mg/mL). Some e-cigarette products also use nicotine salts, a more rapidly absorbed form of nicotine that may increase the risk of addiction.
Nicotine and Addiction
What is nicotine?
Nicotine is an organic compound that occurs naturally in the tobacco plant. It is also the most important active ingredient in tobacco products and most e-cigarettes. Nicotine is a stimulant that quickly crosses the blood-brain barrier and affects neurotransmitters in the brain, including dopamine. Dopamine is a pleasure hormone associated with reward and pleasure. As a result, nicotine produces a short-lived feeling of pleasure, which is one of the reasons why many people smoke or use e-cigarettes.
The mechanism of nicotine addiction
Nicotine is highly addictive, mainly because it affects the balance of neurotransmitters in the brain. When nicotine enters the body, it stimulates nerve cells to release dopamine. The large release of dopamine causes a person to feel happy and satisfied, a feeling that is usually short-lived. When dopamine levels drop, people may feel anxious, irritable or uncomfortable, which prompts them to seek nicotine again to maintain dopamine levels. This creates a vicious cycle in which people gradually become addicted to nicotine.
Nicotine dependence is also related to the pharmacokinetics of nicotine. Nicotine has a relatively short half-life in the body, usually 1 to 2 hours. This means that people need to smoke or use e-cigarettes regularly to maintain nicotine levels in the body. This further increases the likelihood of addiction.

Comparison between electronic cigarettes and traditional cigarettes
Comparison of nicotine content
Traditional cigarettes usually contain more nicotine because tobacco naturally contains nicotine. However, the nicotine content of e-cigarettes is adjustable, allowing users to choose different concentrations of e-liquid depending on their needs. Some e-cigarettes even offer ‘salt nicotine,’ a type of nicotine that is more easily absorbed by the body and may increase the risk of addiction.
In terms of quantity, a conventional cigarette typically contains about 8 to 20 mg of nicotine, but the amount of nicotine actually consumed by the smoker is usually only 1 to 2 mg. In contrast, the nicotine content of e-cigarette liquids is usually stated on the package and ranges from 0 mg/ml to 59 mg/ml. Because e-cigarettes allow for more precise control of nicotine intake, they are theoretically more likely to result in a nicotine overdose.

Usage habits and risk of addiction
Traditional cigarettes usually need to be lit and smoked within a certain period of time. This process is relatively long, limiting the likelihood of repeated smoking within a short period of time. However, e-cigarettes are more likely to be smoked more frequently by users due to their portability and simplicity of use, thus increasing the risk of addiction.
In addition, as e-cigarettes do not produce smoke and distinct odour, people are more likely to use them indoors or in public places, which also increases nicotine intake and risk of addiction.
A point worth noting is that many people mistakenly believe that e-cigarettes are relatively safer or ‘cleaner’, which may lower their vigilance and increase the likelihood of addiction. In fact, both e-cigarettes and traditional cigarettes contain nicotine, and both can lead to addiction and other health problems.
Analysis of the population using e-cigarettes
The current situation of teenagers using electronic cigarettes
In recent years, the use of e-cigarettes by adolescents has shown a significant upward trend. On the one hand, e-cigarettes usually come in a variety of flavours such as juice, menthol and candy, which attracts teenagers to try them. On the other hand, the marketing strategies of e-cigarettes also tend to target teenagers, such as using social media for advertisement and combining with pop culture elements.
Compared with adults, teenagers’ brains are still in the developmental stage and are more susceptible to the effects of nicotine. Prolonged or heavy use of e-cigarettes will adversely affect their cognitive and emotional development. Hence, the use of e-cigarettes by adolescents has become an increasingly serious public health problem.

The Motivation of Adults to Use Electronic Cigarettes
Adults use e-cigarettes for a variety of reasons. Some use e-cigarettes as a way to quit smoking. They believe that e-cigarettes may be ‘safer’ than traditional cigarettes and therefore can be used as a transition tool to gradually reduce their dependence on nicotine. However, studies have shown that while e-cigarettes may be free of the toxic substances produced by burning tobacco, they still contain other harmful ingredients such as formaldehyde and other dangerous chemicals.
Social factors influence another segment of the population. The portability and sleekness of e-cigarettes have made them increasingly popular in certain social situations, such as parties or gatherings.

Medical Research and Evidence
Research on the addictive properties of e-cigarettes
E-cigarettes contain nicotine, a known addictive substance. While some believe that e-cigarettes can be used as a tool to quit smoking, many medical studies have shown that e-cigarettes themselves can be addictive. Some preliminary studies have also found that due to the increasing portability and social acceptance of e-cigarettes, users may smoke more frequently, increasing the risk of addiction. Further neuroscience research has also revealed how nicotine affects the dopamine system in the brain, leading to addictive behaviour.

Health risks associated with long-term use
The health effects of long-term use of e-cigarettes are not yet fully understood, but more and more research is beginning to focus on the issue. Some studies suggest that in addition to nicotine, e-cigarettes may contain other harmful substances such as formaldehyde, propylene glycol and toxic metal particles. These ingredients may have adverse effects on the lungs, cardiovascular system and reproductive system.
It is worth noting that because e-cigarettes are relatively new, many studies on their long-term health effects are still ongoing. However, even in the short term, e-cigarettes have been linked to a variety of health problems, including breathing difficulties, oral problems and cardiac arrhythmias.