Is an atomizer an electronic cigarette?

From the definition and use, the atomizer is a type of medical device. Its main function is to convert liquid drugs into tiny aerosol particles. Through inhalation, the drugs can directly act on the respiratory tract and lungs, thereby moistening the airway, diluting sputum, relieving cough and asthma. Whether it is a large medical atomizer commonly seen in hospitals or a small household atomizer used for home treatment, its design purpose is to assist in medical treatment and help patients relieve the symptoms of respiratory-related diseases, such as colds, coughs, asthma, bronchial pneumonia and other diseases in children and adults.

According to the mandatory national standards for electronic cigarettes, electronic cigarettes are defined as "electronic transmission systems for generating aerosols for people to inhale, etc." The original design of electronic cigarettes was intended to be a substitute for traditional cigarettes. It is expected that by heating the smoke liquid containing nicotine (nicotine), flavors and other ingredients to generate aerosols, users can satisfy their dependence on nicotine to a certain extent, while reducing the harmful substances such as tar and carbon monoxide produced by the combustion of traditional cigarettes. However, with the development of technology, electronic cigarette products that do not contain nicotine have also appeared on the market.

In terms of appearance and working principle, the two have certain similarities, and both have devices that convert liquid into inhalable aerosols. However, upon closer inspection, medical nebulizers usually have a simple appearance, mostly in simple colors such as white or light blue, and the overall design focuses on practicality and stability to facilitate medical staff to operate or patients to use at home. Its working principles mainly include ultrasonic atomization, compression atomization and vibrating mesh atomization. For example, ultrasonic atomizers use ultrasonic sound energy to make the drug liquid vibrate violently into countless fine aerosol particles; compression atomizers use high-speed movement of compressed gas to collide and crack the drug into tiny aerosol particles. In contrast, the appearance design of e-cigarettes is more diverse, often pursuing fashion, portability, bright colors, and small and exquisite shapes, which are more in line with the characteristics of consumer electronic products. It is mainly powered by batteries, and the heating element heats up and evaporates the smoke oil to produce an atomization effect.

It cannot be generalized to judge whether an atomizer belongs to an e-cigarette. In China, it is necessary to combine "product name", "efficacy claims", "degree of induction and misleading to consumers", "possible harm to the human body", "impact and damage to the tobacco monopoly system" and other factors for comprehensive judgment. If the atomizer product is very similar to an e-cigarette in shape, or claims to be non-addictive or even have an "assistant smoking cessation effect", it will mislead and induce consumers, especially minors; although the product does not contain nicotine, the ingredients are still harmful to human health; if the product is allowed to be traded on the market, it will cause serious damage to the tobacco monopoly system, infringe on the national tax interests, and hinder the orderly implementation of the national tobacco control work. Such atomizers are very likely to be classified as e-cigarettes. For example, the herbal atomizers that were once popular on the market, although they claim to be nicotine-free, have a variety of flavors, and their appearance and usage are exactly the same as e-cigarettes. Some are also sold under the guise of medical device registration or filing. The China National Tobacco Monopoly Administration clearly stated in the "Reply on the Applicable Legal Issues of New E-cigarette Products" specially issued in 2024 that products that do not contain nicotine ingredients and are fully or partially atomized into aerosols for people to inhale, suck, chew or nasal inhalation, etc., are managed in accordance with the regulations on e-cigarettes. This type of herbal atomizer is an e-cigarette.

At the regulatory level, medical atomizers, as medical devices, are subject to strict medical device regulations. There are clear regulations from production, sales to use. Manufacturers must have medical device production qualifications, and products must go through a strict registration and approval process to ensure their safety and effectiveness. The supervision of e-cigarettes is based on the "Electronic Cigarette Management Measures" and other relevant regulations. Manufacturers must obtain relevant qualifications, and sellers must obtain tobacco monopoly licenses. They must not be sold on information network platforms other than the prescribed e-cigarette transaction management platform. At the same time, e-cigarettes are limited to tobacco flavors, and other flavored e-cigarettes are prohibited from sale.

There are many misunderstandings about atomizers and e-cigarettes among the public. Some people think that any product that can produce aerosols for people to inhale is an e-cigarette, ignoring the medical use of medical atomizers; some people think that some atomizers are completely harmless because they claim to be "nicotine-free", and they do not realize that non-nicotine ingredients may also have adverse effects on the human body. In fact, even if it does not contain nicotine, the flavors and additives in e-cigarettes may also produce harmful substances during the heating and atomization process. Medical atomizers are safe and effective only when used under the guidance of a doctor and in the correct dosage and method.

Atomizers are not completely equivalent to e-cigarettes. Only some atomizer products that meet specific conditions, are misleading, and potentially harmful will be identified as e-cigarettes. Consumers should be cautious when facing various atomizer products, carefully identify the true attributes and uses of the products, and avoid health risks caused by confusion. At the same time, relevant departments also need to continue to strengthen supervision, clarify product boundaries, regulate market order, and effectively protect public health.