What's Trending: E Cigarettes CADCA Johns Hopkins researchers find thousands of unknown chemicals in electronic cigarettes Hub Chemical Elements, Flavor Chemicals, and Nicotine in Unused and Used Electronic Cigarettes Aged 510 Years and Effects of pH Do electronic cigarettes create thirdhand chemical residue? Thirdhand Smoke Resource Center Vaping refers to the use of an electronic cigarette, or other vaping device, to breathe in an aerosol, often containing nicotine, flavouring and other chemicals. Unlike cigarette smoking, vaping doesn't burn tobacco.