1. If you heard about electronic cigarettes through a mall kiosk or an advertisement, you probably think they’re more expensive than they really are.
Many of the best electronic cigarette sellers are small companies that take a little searching to find. They won’t find you. If you’re paying more than $40-$80 for a “starter kit” (usually 2 batteries, 1 atomizer, a charger, and five cartridges–pre-filled or with a small bottle of liquid), then you are paying too much.

2. You want one that looks like a cigarette now, but you might not in the future.
All beginning e-smokers want to get an electronic cigarette that looks and feels exactly like the cigarette they’re used to. If that helps you stick with it, then that’s great. But keep in mind that these smaller electronic cigarettes have a shorter battery life and cartridges that last about half as long. Plus there are many other reasons to go for a electronic cigarette that looks nothing like the real thing.

3. Electronic cigarettes won’t taste like your old cigarettes.
Just as beginners want something that looks close to what they’re used to, they usually want something that tastes like what they’re used to. You might find a liquid nicotine flavor that reminds you of your old brand, but it will never taste exactly the same. This is probably a good thing! What you were tasting was a mix of thousands of harmful chemicals.

4. Something might go wrong with your first kit.
This is a relatively new technology. Your battery may not charge, or your atomizer may stop working a week after you get it. And you might go back to regular cigarettes, thinking this whole electronic cigarette business is too much trouble. Don’t let it happen! Even if you just want to try electronic cigarettes to see if you like them, you should probably have at least one extra atomizer with your first order. You’ve got to give it a few days to figure out if this is for you.

5. Electronic cigarettes come with their own words.
E-cig? Juice? Carts? Atomizers? Throat hit? Get familiar with the terms before you buy.

6. If you buy from different companies, the parts might not fit each other.
All the suppliers, whether in the US or Europe, are getting their electronic cigarettes from China. There are some well known electronic cigarette manufacturers. But there are also tons who make generic knock-offs. Some companies will tell you exactly what you’re getting, some won’t and will use the wrong model number on their product descriptions. When you’re starting out, it’s probably better to buy all your parts from one company just so you can make sure they fit.

7. If you buy overseas, there’s a chance your shipment may not get to you.
The FDA is considering banning the sale of electronic cigarettes. There’s a chance, however small, that your overseas shipment will get seized by customs. The best solution? Order from companies in the US, or, if you order from overseas, make your order small. Most Chinese companies don’t take responsibility for seized packages.

8. This is not a way to start smoking. It’s also not a way to stop.
Electronic cigarettes are an alternative way to smoke. Lots of people use them to stop smoking, and someday I bet research will show it’s one of the best ways to stop smoking. But until some peer-reviewed research is out there, you should only think about electronic cigarettes as a different way to smoke.

If you don’t smoke, this isn’t a way to start.