An electronic cigarette vaporiser system includes a case and a vaporiser that is stored in the case； the system includes a non-contact sensor that detects release or withdrawal of the vaporiser from the case. When withdrawal of the vaporiser is detected, then the vaporiser electronic circuitry changes state, e.g. to a ready mode, or a pre-heating mode in which an inhalation detector is activated or to a heating mode, where an atomising unit in the vaporiser is at least partly activated so that the vaporiser is fully heated when the first inhalation is taken.
