Structure of the electronic cigarette. The electronic cigarette is a Download Scientific Diagram E Cigarettes: Patent Analysis and Technological Evolution by Copperpod IP Medium Did you know E cigarettes are targeting youth and becoming trending, recent study found E cigs may encourage conventional cigarette use in youth. Vaping is the act of inhaling a heated, aerosolized substance. It is critical to distinguish vaping from smoking. Smoking is the inhalation of a burned substance. The main difference between the two