Introduction
Our Vaping Beginners Guide provides easy to understand advice on how to transition successfully transition to vaping and e-cigarettes. Getting started with vaping can be a little daunting. After all, it’s a major lifestyle change that requires commitment, determination, and a change of habit. Everyone has their own personal circumstances as to why they may want to quit smoking and make the switch to e-cigarettes. For example, some people want to make the change for health reasons whilst others maybe switching for financial reasons. Whatever the reason, we’ve complied some detailed tips so you can make the switch with ease.
Top Tips for New Starters
Visit a Reputable Vape Shop
The internet is full of unqualified advice about vaping and how to switch to vaping and what you should get. The reality is that most of this advice is inaccurate and misleading. A reputable vape store should be able to give the advice you need to make a successful switch to vaping. There is no such thing as “one solution fits all”. People have different habits; preferences and some smokers consume more cigarettes than others. This will all influence the type of device you require, the style of e-cigarette and the nature and strength of your e-liquid. If you get any of these wrong, vaping may not work for you, or you may not have a pleasant experience.
In addition to the above, a vape shop can offer practical advice and show you how to setup and maintain your e-cigarette. They can show you how to fill your device, how to correctly install and prime a coil and how to maintain your vape. Whilst we do have lots of advice over our website to help our users, nothing beats visiting a traditional B&M store.
Mindset is Key
When making any lifestyle changes, your determination and commitment is key. Only purchase an e-cigarette if you are ready to give up smoking. If you’ve been forced to switch to vaping but you don’t really want to, there is a good chance vaping will not work for you. Some people are simply not ready or don’t want to quit traditional cigarettes. A good way to change this mindset is by focusing on the negatives of your smoking habits. For example, every you smoke a cigarette, think the following:
- Smoking is one of the biggest causes of preventable deaths and illnesses worldwide
- Smoking not only affects your health but the people around you via second-hand smoke
- Cigarettes are pretty much cancer sticks due to their carcinogenic chemicals
- Cigarettes place a heavy burden on your finances
- Quitting cigarettes will increase your life expectancy & improve your health
Don’t wait until the point you are forced to quit cigarettes, the earlier you give up smoking, the better.
Vaping is Cheaper than Cigarettes
This factor is key, especially now as inflation tears through our bank balances. If you smoke 20 cigarettes a day, that is approximately £13 a day, depending on which brand you smoke. That equates too £4745 a year. On the flip side, once your start vaping and assuming you go for a stop smoking starter kit, your weekly cost should be around £12 after you have purchased the kit. That is £624 a year. On average, a starter kit approx. £25. This makes your annual vaping cost £649 and represents a saving of £4096. A huge cost saving that can be used to offset inflationary pressures or for things like holidays.
To keep control of your e-cigarette costs, keep everything relatively basic and effective. The only time vaping can become a little more expensive is when you move into the world of hobbyist vaping. For example, buying the latest cloud chasing devices every week or purchasing mechanical mods.
Don’t Skip on Coil Changes
Once you purchase your first e-cigarette, you’ll become familiar with coils or replaceable pods. Some users get tempted to make these perishable items last longer than they can. Whilst this make seem like its saving you a little extra, you could potentially damage your device if the e-liquid leaks into your mod which will end up costing you more. If you are a regular vaper, we recommend only keeping a coil in your tank or pod for 2 weeks maximum. If before this 2-week period, you experience leaking, spit back, discolouration of e-liquid or a burning taste, change your coil. Additionally, some internet forums say you can re-wick these coils or place them in a dishwasher. We strongly recommend that you ignore this advice.
Use Nicotine Salts
Salt Nicotine has been around for a while now and has a fantastic success rate for converting people to vaping from smoking. Nicotine salts create a more natural nicotine experience that is close to that of cigarettes. Unlike their counterparts, freebase nicotine, salt nicotine is faster acting, smoother on the throat and dilutes your flavour less. Medium to heavy smokers should use salt nicotine to assist in their transition from smoking to vaping. Our useful guide below can help you choose the correct nicotine strength.
The guide above can be used as an indicator of what strength should be used but other factors still play a role.
Flavour Choice
Flavour is subjective and everyone has their own preference. When first selecting a flavour, simply choose one that appeals to you the most. There is no right or wrong answer here. Overtime you will begin to get a better understanding of what type of flavours you prefer and which ones you like avoid. There are thousands of flavours to choose from and most people chop and change what they vape on weakly basis. On the other hand, you may find a certain flavour or brand you like to stick to. Whatever works for you is the best solution here.
If you find that you are still struggling with flavours after a long period of time, speak with a vape expert who may be able to advise on a more suitable profile or brand.
Mouth to Lung Vaping
Mouth to Lung or MTL vaping is recommended for all new starters. This style of vaping allows you to draw a vape like the way you draw a cigarette and therefore makes for a smoother transition. Sub-Ohm vaping requires you to draw directly into your lungs like a shisha pipe. This style of vaping also limits your nicotine strength to 6mg, meaning DTL could be less suitable for new starters.
If you are a light smoker, sub-ohm vaping maybe ok for you if you are willing to accept a new style of draw. Sub-Ohm vaping creates bigger clouds and better flavour.
Conclusion
A successful transition into the world of e-cigarettes is the result of the correct advice, appropriate setup, and determination. If these factors are met, you have the best chance of giving up traditional cigarettes. Never be afraid to ask questions and raise any concerns, vaping is a fairly big move and it’s the responsibility of your vape shop to act as a stop smoking service. If you are unsure about vaping, there are other products available such as nicotine gum and nicotine pouches. However, none of these are comparable to vaping in terms of success rate.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Vape Should a Beginner Start With?
There are plenty of starter kits and pod systems to choose from. A refillable pod system is usually one of the best choices as you don’t need to worry about coil changes, and it is easier to use. We would recommend devices like the VooPoo Argus Pod System, Aspire Favostix, OXVA Xlim & the Vaporesso XROS.
How Many Puffs of a Vape is Equal to a Cigarette?
This question is a hard one and depends on a variety of factors, including, the strength of your e-liquid, the strength of your cigarettes, how long you draw on your e-cigarette and the power of your device. The best way to equate e-cigarettes to cigarettes is by using our nicotine guide.
Is Vaping Healthier Than Smoking?
Vaping is backed by agencies such as the NHS and Public Health England. It is believed that vaping is up to 95% healthier than traditional cigarettes. In addition to this, there has no recorded death from the use of a regulated e-cigarette in the UK. The UK has some of the strictest regulations in relation to nicotine containing e-liquids, cartridges, and containers.
Is it OK to Vape without Nicotine?
Yes. Vaping without nicotine is perfectly fine. We wouldn’t recommend people to start vaping if they don’t already smoke but smokers can abstain from nicotine with e-cigarettes if they reduced their nicotine strength or if they believe they are more addicted to the habit.
Our Vaping Beginners Guide Will Be Periodically Updated to Reflect New Developments, Advice & Research. (Last Updated 29/08/22)