How To Use Vaping To Quit Smoking

More and more people are swapping analogue smoking for vaping, which instead opts for an electric cigarette and the inhalation of nicotine through vapour instead of smoke. This replicates the sensations of smoking, without the many health risks, and has worked as a quitting method for thousands of people across the UK.

Although e-cigs make for a clean and modern alternative to tobacco, making the switch does require commitment however and, arguably, making new lifestyle choices. But, over the long run vaping becomes a pastime that many people strongly prefer over smoking.

Thinking about crossing over to the vape side? This guide looks into everything you’ll need to know, including the benefits of vaping, how to switch and choosing the best vape and e-liquids for you.

If you are looking to jump straight into vaping then check out our Beginners Guide to Vaping.

PART 1

The Benefits of Switching to Vaping

If you live in the UK, you'll have heard all the good things that happen when you quit cigarettes & quit smoking altogether. This includes the benefits to your health, how much money you’ll save and the abundance of choice that vaping offers in terms of flavours and nicotine levels.

The Health Benefits

According to the NHS, when you’ve quit smoking you reduce your risk of getting cancer, lung and otherwise. You also reduce your risk for heart disease, COPD, stroke, and peripheral vascular disease.  In addition, you'll notice all those unsavoury symptoms, the smoker's cough, the wheezing, the shortness of breath, start to subside.

Some of these effects happen over time, and others can occur in as little as 20 minutes after you put that final cigarette down.

We’ve created a brief timeline for what to expect when you switch from smoking to vaping:

• After 20 minutes: Your pulse rate should increase and start returning to normal
• After 8 hours: Carbon monoxide levels in your blood will halve and your oxygen levels should regulate
• After 48 hours: All traces carbon monoxide will have left your body. As your lungs are clearing your taste and smell will improve
• After 72 hours: Your energy will increase
• After 3 months: Lung problems such as coughing or wheezing will subside
• After 1 year: Your risk of a heart attack will have halved
• After 10 years: Your risk of lung cancer will have halved

You'll save money

Along with the health advantages, some make the switch to vaping simply to save money. Smokers know how expensive cigarettes have become and vaping can be much more cost-effective than tobacco smoking. It is reported that the average smoker spends roughly £150 a month on cigarettes, whereas the average vaper spends around £25 a month.

You’ll have more choice

While providing the nicotine hit you need, vaping also comes with greater flavour and the range of eliquid flavours available online is massive. Eliquids are designed to suit many different tastes, with flavours ranging from straight tobacco to kiwi-watermelon and beyond. There is also further choice available when it comes to nicotine levels, and you can tailor this to your needs to help you wean off smoking.

PART 2

How to Switch from Smoking to Vaping

If you’re making the switch from vaping to smoking, there are a number of steps you can take to make your next shot more successful:

• Pick a relatively quiet, stress-free time to quit smoking.
• Avoid making sudden changes. Gradually introduce vaping into your routine. For example, swap one cigarette a day for a vape and gradually increase this until vaping replaces smoking
• Enlist a support network. Have your friends and family hold you accountable and ask for their patience in advance.
• Remind yourself that no matter how intense your cravings will feel, they're only temporary.
• Be sure to choose the best vape to make the transition as smooth as possible. Avoid anything too complicated until you’re used to the equipment.
• Also opt for e-liquids that suit your taste. Higher nicotine strengths are your friend during the early stages of quitting

PART 3

Choosing the Best Vape to Quit Smoking

The best vape for you will depend on how much you’re used to smoking, as this will affect the right battery and tank capacity for you. In general, starter kits are recommended as they are the simplest to use. Cig-a-likes are also often the first stop for a person quitting smoking. These resemble real cigarettes in appearance and are less expensive. But they're often unsatisfying for heavier smokers and have a limited battery life. If this is the case for you, consider something stronger.

Find out more: How E-Cigarettes Work

The Best Vape for a Heavy Smoker

If you smoke 10-20 cigarettes a day, starting with a disposable e-cigarette may not be the best choice. It won’t offer enough strength or vapour to fulfil your cravings. Consider a mod with a high battery power to keep you going all day, anything with a battery of 1200mAh+ will suffice.

The Best Vape for a Lighter Smoker

If you consider yourself a lighter smoker, you can get away with most vapes. A pod or a pen may be suited to you. These are simple e-cigs which, thanks to their weight and size, help replicate a cigarette. Our range of starter kits include pods, pens and disposables, which you can simply throw away and replace after vaping.

PART 4

Choosing the Best E-Liquids

When choosing your e-liquid, the main considerations should be the nicotine levels and the flavour. If chosen correctly this can make the leap of smoking to vaping less jarring and still satisfy your cravings.

The Best Nicotine Level for You

The higher the nicotine level, the better suited to smokers. If you’re new to quitting, consider starting with a high nicotine level of around 12mg or more. As you adapt to vaping, consider reducing this gradually to 3mg or even 0mg.

To find out more about nicotine levels, read our Beginners Guide to Vaping

The Best Flavours for You

Many people in the UK choose a tobacco flavour when first quitting to help ease the transition. But with such a huge array of flavours available, it’s easy to find a vape flavour that will suit you.  This can often be trial and error until you find your favourites. Consider fruit flavours, or something less sweet such as coffee or mint. At Vapemate,  tobacco does make our top five, but others are fruity or vanilla custard.  The most popular is Menthol.  

SUMMARY

Using Vaping to Quit Smoking

Needless to say, quitting smoking is hard. However, vaping is an effective and enjoyable method to help you on your journey. If you’re new to quitting, surround yourself with the vaping community, opt for higher nicotine levels in your e-liquids and go easy on yourself! The good news: it gets easier the longer you go.