An electronic cigarette charging system includes a rechargeable electronic cigarette (173) having first and second electrical contacts (183), a cradle (175) that is connectable to a battery charger and a receiving element adapted to receive the end of the electronic cigarette (173). The receiving element has electrically conductive first and second contacts (181), which have first and second contact surfaces for contacting the first and second electrical con- tacts (183) of the electronic cigarette (175), respectively to thereby establish an electrical connection with the battery charger.