Vaping is a great way to kick your tobacco habit as it offers nicotine without any other harmful chemicals, because of this vaping is seen as a healthier alternative to cigarettes. Vape devices allow you to vape e-liquid which is typically a mixture of propylene glycol, vegetable glycerine, flavourings, and nicotine. Simply put, vapour is created when e-liquid is heated by the coil inside the pod or tank. Once heated the e-liquid turns into vapour which is then inhaled through the mouthpiece into the lungs and exhaled through the mouth or nose. 

Vaping offers a variety of different devices, e-liquid flavours and nicotine strengths, so you will be sure to find a vaping style that works for you. I had a chat with Liam, our store manager, to find out how he made the switch from smoking over to vaping. Liam is an ex-smoker of ten years, he started vaping two years ago and he hasn’t picked up a packet of cigarettes since. Read below for some great tips and info on how you or a loved one can make the switch to a healthier lifestyle.

Interview with Liam (our store manager and ex-smoker) 

How would vaping help me quit smoking cigarettes?

Vaping offers a way to quit cigarettes while still getting the desired nicotine with none of the toxins caused by smoking and it tastes way better! You’re also not having to quit the physical and social habit of smoking which can be just as hard as quitting nicotine.

What are the differences between smoking and vaping?

Smoking and vaping both deliver nicotine. One of the main differences is that cigarettes deliver nicotine by burning tobacco which creates thousands of harmful toxins. Vaping delivers nicotine by heating up a nicotine e-liquid. Vaping e-liquid is a lot less harmful due to the e-liquid not containing any of the other toxins which are found in tobacco. Nicotine at small levels is practically harmless, it’s all the other toxins created by burning tobacco that is seriously harmful to your health. Public health England states that using nicotine vapour products are over 95% less harmful than smoking tobacco.

Unlike smoking traditional tobacco vaping won’t make your clothes and breath stink and it’s much more pleasant for those around you. There is also no evidence that second hand vapour from e-cigarettes can cause harm to others unlike cigarettes. You can quit smoking and reward yourself with the unlimited choice of flavoured e-liquid. I quit using a berry crumble flavoured e-liquid and now enjoy all sorts of flavours. I can’t imagine going back to the awful taste of burnt tobacco.

What device would be best for someone looking to make the switch?

The great thing about using vaping as a tool to quit smoking is that there are different kinds of devices to suit different people. The closest sensation to smoking a cigarette is a mouth-to-lung vape device. Mouth-to-lung devices are great when used with a higher strength nicotine e-liquid as the device has low power output. I quit smoking using a small “pod” style device as they have a restricted amount of airflow and feel very similar to a cigarette on the inhale. A small pod device such as the Caliburn G, is simple, works with high nicotine e-liquids, is discrete and uncomplicated to use. Although that is the type of device that worked for me there are plenty of options out there.

Another great mouth-to-lung device is the Geekvape Aegis Boos Plus, this is an AIO (all in one) or mod pod. AIO’s are similar to pod vapes but they are usually a little bigger and they give you the ability to adjust power output and airflow, this is a good option for someone that wants a little more control over their vaping style.

Some people prefer to quit cigarettes with a larger sub-ohm tank and mod setup. They are a great option for someone looking to lower their nicotine intake straight away and still receive a satisfying experience from a more powerful device. A sub-ohm tank and mod setup works great with low to mid strength e-liquid, the device can be used at higher powers so you get a lot more vapour at one time. A setup like this gives you the flexibility to switch out tanks, adjust the power output, airflow, and switch out different coils. The ability to play around with these options and different settings can help take your mind off of cigarette cravings. Although most people will move on to this more advanced stage of vaping from a simpler device, there are no set rules. Come into VAPELAB and i’ll be happy to find the perfect device for you!

When you quit smoking, what e-liquid strength did you start off with and has that decreased? 

I started off using 30 milligram nicotine salt e-liquid in a small low powered device. I now use only 3mg nicotine in higher powered setups. The ability to lower my nicotine consumption has been excellent and I can still enjoy all the other aspects of vaping. For someone looking to quit a daily cigarette habit, I would recommend starting on a nicotine salt liquid with a strength somewhere between 25mg-50mg depending on how strong their addiction is. That doesn’t mean someone can’t quit tobacco using a lower strength liquid, somewhere between 3mg-12mg, as the sensation received by vaping higher nicotine liquids can be substituted by using a higher powered device that still gives you the “throat hit” that smokers desire.

What is the price difference between smoking and vaping? Have you noticed any savings in your bank since you made the switch?

Aside from the initial setup cost, vaping costs much less than smoking. Twenty cigarettes per day can add up to about $9,000 a year- whereas vaping can cost around $900 a year. This leaves me with extra cash I didn’t have before that I can use to treat myself and my family and has given me the ability to save for a holiday.

Have you noticed any positive effects in terms of your health and wellbeing since you quit smoking and made the move to vaping?

It was incredible how quickly I noticed my health improvements after switching from smoking to vaping. I no longer wake up with a cough or a heavy chest. I don’t get puffed out going up stairs or hills. I can even blow up a whole bag of balloons without feeling like I’m going to pass out. Aside from feeling healthier I’m much happier in knowing I’m not affecting my family's health by smoking cigarettes around them.

Have more questions about making the switch to vaping? Come see Liam at our 33 Ghuznee street, Wellington store!