An electronic cigarette comprises: a ceramic heating element comprising a current conducting heating member on and/or in a body of ceramic material which is impenetrable to the liquid； a liquid delivery member to deliver liquid from a liquid storage to the heating element； a battery； and an electric circuit for electrically connecting the heating element to the battery. The body of ceramic material is to contact, or to be in close proximity to the liquid delivery member, to heat the liquid delivered by the liquid delivery member to vaporize the liquid when the ceramic heating element produces heat. A separating structure allows for moving the body of ceramic material and the liquid delivery member away from each other to a distance at which the liquid delivered by the liquid delivery member is not vaporized when the ceramic heating element produces heat, for cleaning the body of ceramic material.
