A complete guide helping you quit smoking with a vape.
For a smoker, the transition to vaping may seem a little overwhelming. There are hundreds of kits & liquids to choose from, many with different features. Let’s take a look at how to simplify the process and see how to quit smoking with a vape.
Step 1. Choosing your vape
One of the main benefits of using e-cigarettes to quit smoking is the lack of finality. There’s no last cigarette before having to give up on nicotine for good, and for some the transition can be seamless. Vaping isn’t just a stop smoking tool, it’s a cigarette alternative. So, you don’t have to quit if you don’t want to. Plus, vaping is 95% healthier than smoking as it doesn’t have the thousands of chemicals that are produced by tobacco smoke.
The first decision that you need to make when switching to vaping is what device you’re going to choose. There are several types that start off extremely simple and get a little more complex. Let’s take a look at them, so you can work out which is right for you.
Disposables
Disposables are a great way to start vaping. They’re made to be single use, so there’s no need to fill or charge them. Also, they’re often medium to high strengths so are perfect for smokers. Each device has the same amount of nicotine as a packet of cigarettes.
If you’d like to try vaping first, before you choose a kit and e-liquid, disposables are they way to go. While they’re a good start, and are cheaper than cigarettes, they are the most expensive way to vape.
Lost Mary BM600
| Puffs | 600 |
| Flavours | 30 |
| Price | £4.99 3 for £12 5 for £19 |
Elf Bar 600
| Puffs | 600 |
| Flavours | 36 |
| Price | £4.99 3 for £12 5 for £19 |
SKE Crystal Bar
| Puffs | 600 |
| Flavours | 46 |
| Price | £4.99 3 for £12 5 for £19 |
Pre-filled pods
Prefilled pod kits are the next step in the vaping journey. They are as simple to use as disposables, but are much more cost effective and better for the environment. Basically, you recharge the battery and purchase pods that are already filled with e-liquid. When the juice is used up, simply bin the cartridge.
One of the biggest advantages to these kits is the ability to swap flavours whenever you want. Plus, carrying around pods is a lot easier than having different disposables.
Elf Bar 4 in 1
| Battery | 1500mAh |
| Flavours | 15 |
| Price | £12.99 |
Elf Bar ELFA Pro
| Battery | 500mAh |
| Flavours | 42 |
| Price | £5.99 |
SKE Crystal Plus
| Battery | 400mAh |
| Flavours | 15 |
| Price | £7.95 |
Pod kits
Pod kits are the next step up, after prefilled. They’re available in two kinds, they either have replaceable coils or disposable pods. The ones that have coils are still quite simple to maintain, as they’re push fit. Disposable pods are the easiest, as the coil is built into them and you discard the whole thing at the end of their lifespan.
There are a huge variety of these devices and they range in simplicity, from auto-draw kits to ones that have features like adjustable power settings and airflow. Plus, these e-cigs are usually smaller and more convenient for carrying around.
GeekVape Wenax Q Pro
| Battery | 1200mAh |
| Resistance | 0.6ohm / 0.8ohm |
| Price | £21.89 |
Joyetech EVIO M Pro
| Battery | 1100mAh |
| Resistance | 0.6ohm |
| Price | £14.99 |
OXVA XLIM Pro 2
| Battery | 1300mAh |
| Resistance | 0.8ohm, 0.6ohm |
| Price | £23.99 |
Mods
Mods are basically kits with a larger battery that has a screw on tank. These devices usually have bigger batteries and more features, like adjustable power settings. So, if you’re after a vape that will last a lot longer between charges, these are the best choice.
TECC arc Mini
| Battery | 1050mAh |
| Resistance | 1.5ohm |
Price | £34.99 |
TECC arc Impact
| Battery | 2600mAh |
| Resistance | 1.2ohm |
Price | £44.99 |
GeekVape Aegis Boost 3
| Battery | 3000mAh |
| Resistance | 0.2ohm 0.6ohm |
| Price | £32.99 |
Step 2. Choosing your liquid
The next step on your journey to quit smoking with a vape, if you haven’t decided on the disposable or prefilled, is to choose an e-liquid.
Vape juice is made up for 4 main ingredients:
Propylene Glycol (PG) – This is the thinner liquid. It gives more throat hit which mimics the feel of a cigarette.
Vegetable Glycerine (VG) – VG is what makes the cloud and is thicker. So, heavy VG liquids produce more vapour but aren’t suitable for smaller kits.
Nicotine – This is what you’re addicted to. Vaping is a safer alternative to cigarettes and a great nicotine replacement therapy (NRT).
Flavouring – Exactly what it says on the tin. This is what adds the taste to your e-liquid.
There are hundreds of flavours available, but before looking at them you need to decide which type of liquid you’re going to need. There are three main kinds of nicotine and each of them feel differently when you vape, so let’s go through them.
Freebase liquids
Freebase are the most common kind of e-liquid. Basically you feel the full strength of the nicotine on your throat when you use them. So, a 1.8% will feel a lot harsher than a 0.3%. You can find freebase versions of all ratios including: high PG, 50/50 and high VG.
MyVapors
| Flavours | 10 |
| PG:VG | 60/40 |
| Price | £3.49 4 for £9.99 |
TECC Urban Chase
| Flavours | 13 |
| PG:VG | 50/50 |
| Price | £2.99 £4 for £9.99 |
TECC Titus
| Flavours | 30 |
| PG:VG | 50/50 |
| Price | £4.49 3 for £10 |
Nic Salts
Nic salts are usually 50/50 and unlike freebase liquids, they have little or no throat hit. This is perfect for new vapers who used to be heavy smokers. You can still choose a high nicotine strength, but without your vape being as harsh on your throat. Most brands of nic salt are available in either a 1% or 2% strength, with certain brands like Riot S:ALT available in 0.5%.
Double Drip Nic Salts
| Flavours | 17 |
| PG:VG | 50/50 |
| Price | £3.50 4 for £9.99 |
Dinner Lady Nic Salts
| Flavours | 10 |
| PG:VG | 50/50 |
| Price | £3.99 4 for £9.99 |
Riot S:ALT
| Flavours | 23 |
| PG:VG | 50/50 |
| Price | £3.99 4 for £9.99 |
Bar salts
Bar salts are a new variation of nic salts, meaning that they’re still smooth but they have much stronger flavour. They’re designed this way to mimic disposable vapes and are a great cost saving alternative. Each 10ml bottle contains the same amount of liquid as 5 single use kits, and costs less than one. Plus, there’s bar salts available from the biggest disposable brands such as VLTZ, Elf Bar and ELUX.
VLTZ E-liquid
| Flavours | 26 |
| PG:VG | 60/40 |
| Price | £4.99 3 for £10 |
ELFLIQ by Elf Bar
| Flavours | 34 |
| PG:VG | 50/50 |
| Price | £2.99 4 for £9.99 |
Elux Legend Nic Salts
| Flavours | 44 |
| PG:VG | 50/50 |
| Price | £2.99 4 for £9.99 |
Step 3. Set up your kit
So, you’ve got your kit and liquids, but what’s next in the journey of how to quit smoking with a vape? Well, you’re going to want to set up your device properly so that you can make the transition happen. It’s not quite as simple as just fill up your tank and go, and there are some important steps to take before you take your first puff.
Priming the coil/pod
Before the first use, you’re going to want to prime the coil or pod. Basically, this means that you add liquid to them before first use to make sure that they’re nice and saturated with liquid. If you fire up a dry coil, then it’ll burn. While this isn’t harmful, it certainly doesn’t taste good.
To prime a coil, simply remove it from the tank and add a few drops of liquid to the centre of it.
The next step, or if you’re using a disposable pod, is to fill the tank and wait 5-10 minutes just to make sure that it’s properly soaked. Once you’ve done this then you’re good to go.
Adjusting the settings
If you can adjust the settings then you’re going to want to make sure that they’re set correctly. Setting the power too low can cause the device to leak, but if it’s too high then it’ll burn the coil.
The wattage range can often be found written on the side or bottom of the coil or pod. If you’re unsure about how to change the settings on your kit, if you can, then feel free to contact us and we’ll happily help.
Charging your device
Most kits come with a little charge on them, so in most cases you can use your kit straight away. But, it’s always best practice to give your device a good charge before first use.
Always make sure you use the cable that came with your kit, and make sure that the plug or outlet isn’t too powerful. The highest you’re going to want to use is 2A, which makes most modern phone plugs and even games console USBs a bad choice.
For more information about charging your vape, then take a look at our ‘How to Safely Charge Your E-cig’.
Step 4. It’s time to vape!
You’re all set up and ready to go, so the last step in your journey to quit smoking with a vape is to start using it. But, yet again, there are a few things to consider when starting to use an e-cig.
The difference between smoke and vapour
Apart from the lack of harmful chemicals, there are more differences between smoke and vapour. Firstly, the clouds produced by your kit are heavier than smoke. This means that it may take a little while for your lungs to adjust. If you do begin to cough when you first start, it’s perfectly natural, don’t loose faith. You can help to reduce this by using a nic salt. It might actually cause a bit of a sore throat as well, just make sure that you’re drinking plenty of water and if it’s still a problem try dropping your nicotine strength.
How to vape properly
Vaping and smoking are very different in how they behave. If you draw harder on a cigarette then you’ll get more smoke, but vapes don’t work that way. So, pulling too hard on your vape results in flooding the coil, this means your device is going to be spitting and leaking.
Additional tips for new vapers
Cutting down to quit
The best method to quit smoking with a vape is to gradually cut down the nicotine of your liquid until you’re vaping 0%. The National Centre for Smoking Cessation and Training (NCSCT) recommend that you lower your strength no sooner than every 2 weeks. This helps your brain cope better with the reduction, and reduces cravings.
Keeping stocked up
Keeping stocked up is extremely important if you’re going to quit smoking with a vape. The last thing that you want is to be scrambling around vape shops looking for your coils or favourite e-liquid. Worst case scenario is that you end up back on cigarettes, and while it’s ok to slip up, it increases the likelihood that you’re going to start smoking again.
There’s one guaranteed way to make sure you’ve enough liquid and that’s buying a vape subscription. They’re available across a lot of ranges and 12 bottles (or 8 disposables) are delivered straight to your door every 2-6 weeks. Plus, this is the most cost effective way of making sure that you have enough. For more information, check out our vape subscription page.
Don’t be afraid to ask
If you’re struggling with your quit attempt, feel free to contact us. We’re happy to help with any kit issues or provide any advice that’ll help you break free from the chains of smoking.
