How a device works
A small battery heats a coil wrapped in an absorbent wick. The wick holds e-liquid, the coil turns it into vapour, and you inhale it. There is no combustion and no smoke — the visible cloud is vaporised liquid, mostly propylene glycol and vegetable glycerine, plus flavouring and, in most products, nicotine.
Disposables are draw-activated, which means there is no button. You inhale and it works.
Before you buy: the rules
You must be 18 or over. That rule applies in every Australian state and territory, online and in person, and it is enforced. Australian vaping regulation has also tightened significantly since 2024, so check the Department of Health and TGA consumer pages for the current position — our laws guide explains the layers.
What to buy first
One mid-size rechargeable device and one flavour you already like the taste of in other contexts. Fruit and mint profiles are the easiest starting point; heavy dessert and tobacco blends divide opinion sharply.
Do not buy six devices to 'stock up' before you know whether you like it or which strength suits you.
How strong to go
Nicotine strength matters more than anything else in how a first vape feels. Too strong and it is harsh and makes you light-headed; too weak and you keep reaching for it. If you are switching from cigarettes, a nicotine-salt product usually feels smoother than the number suggests. Our nicotine strength guide has the detail.
What the first week feels like
Expect to over-use it at first — a device with no ash, no smell and no packet is easy to reach for absent-mindedly. A slight cough or dry mouth in the first days is common; drink more water than usual.
If you feel nauseous, dizzy or shaky, that is a sign the strength is too high for you. Stop, wait, and drop to a lower strength next time.
Etiquette and where you can use it
Treat it as you would a cigarette. Most Australian jurisdictions apply smoke-free laws to vaping, so enclosed public places, workplaces, public transport and areas around schools and hospitals are off limits, and many councils add beaches and outdoor dining. If you could not smoke there, do not vape there.