in an electronic cigarette of the sort having a housing , a power section , and an atomizer , at least a portion of a first flow stream passes through the atomizer . a mixing valve within the housing has a first input that receives the first flow stream , and a second input receiving a second flow stream that avoids the atomizing element , and an output connected in fluid continuity to the opening in the proximal end , wherein the output conducts a mixture of the first flow stream and the second flow stream . the apparatus further includes a regulating element for the mixing valve in order to control a composition of the mixture .