It's an electronic cigarette. It's shaped like a cig, has a rechargeable battery that heats up liquid nicotine. This causes a vapor that is similar to smoke when you take a drag off the end. You can get the liquid in many different flavors and many different strengths including a no-nicotine. There are a million different brands/models on the market. It's called "vaping" instead of smoking, since you're inhaling vapor instead of smoke. Not sure if they'd be allowed in psych wards, but I know you can use them in restaurants, stores, etc.