Everything You Need to Know About Switching to Vaping

In this post we discuss everything you need to know about switching to vaping from cigarettes. Possible problems you may encounter, pricing (always important), where to look for reviews and much more.

Updated: 12th March 2020

Is Vaping More Expensive Than Smoking?

No, vaping is cheaper than smoking.

When you start vaping, the initial outlay will cost more than a packet of cigarettes. A standard e-cig starter kit can cost anywhere between £19.99 and £34.99. Then it is always advisable to buy some spare coils and some e-liquid. But the cost of this can be recouped by not vaping for four days!

It is then up to you how much you want to spend after that. Many find that the starter kit is enough for them, so their weekly outlay is the e-liquid and some vaping accessories every few weeks. Others, once they get into the swing of vaping go on to upgrade their vape kit.

It is not uncommon for people that enjoy vaping to start to build up a collection of vape kits.

Getting the set up correct right at the start will save you money, so we suggest you pop into a store and get a hands-on demonstration, plus valuable face to face advice.

How Hard is it to Switch to Vaping?

Different people take to vaping in different ways and timelines. Some take one puff, and that's it, they toss the cigarettes and vape from then on and never look back.

Others take a while to get used to it, as it is not as simple as smoking a tobacco cigarette. The tobacco cigarette is the ultimate in simple design, all brands look the same and it is a case of light up and smoke.

Vaping requires a little more maintenance. There is e-liquid to use and refill, there may be coils to change and there is a slightly different technique when inhaling.

You need to make sure that you get the right strength of nicotine for you, depending upon how much you smoke, and you need to get the flavour right. Tobacco or menthol e-liquid are often the first flavour of choice, but once you get used to vaping, you may go for something more exotic.

Some people deliberately avoid tobacco flavours as they want to move away from smoking as quickly as possible.

The choice is yours.

Vaping is more involved than smoking, but almost everyone gets used to it extremely quickly. As already mentioned, we would advise that for your first purchase you either visit a vape store, where staff can guide you to the right e-cigarette and e-liquid for you. plus show you how to care for your e-cig.

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Side Effects of Switching to Vaping?

There are a few things to consider when switching to vaping.

Dry mouth – E-liquid contains Propylene Glycol and Vegetable Glycerin, which are hygroscopic. This means that they absorb water. They will take the water from your mouth and add it to the vapor you breathe out. As a result, you may experience a dry mouth. This sounds dramatic, but simply increasing the amount of water you drink until you are used to vaping usually helps.

Coughing – Almost all smokers cough when they first make the switch to vaping. Vapour can feel ‘thicker’ when you first start vaping, this slight change in sensation can trigger a cough. Also some smokers can take a day or two getting used to the change in inhalation technique. But don’t worry, any cough will pass for most people within a day or two.

What Will my Family and Friends Think About Me Switching?

This will depend upon how much attention they pay to the media.

Vaping has had an inordinate amount of bad press. Sadly, not for the right reason.

E-cigarettes are what is called a disruptive technology. This means they upset the status quo which used to be NRT on one side, and smoking on the other. There were two distinct camps. Introduce vaping, and you have a product that looks like smoking, mimics many of the same actions, but is on a safety par with NRT, and helps many get off the cigarettes.

One would have thought that e-cigarettes would be welcomed with open arms, but as this is a disruptive technology, it is upsetting many livelihoods and incomes.

As such, there have been those viciously opposed to them, on the main for dogma, not because of the science. We know this because when the science is done well and responsibly, we find out that vaping is indeed much less harmful than smoking. Many of the scare stories published regarding toxic chemicals in vaping have in fact been debunked.

We always do our best to bring you all the facts, the good and the bad, but as with anything, the onus is on you to do your research.

E-cigarettes are less harmful than smoking, so much so public health bodies back vaping as a harm reduction strategy.

What About Dual Use?

Dual use is when you both smoke and vape, you aren’t fully switching to vaping. Obviously, it is better to give up smoking entirely, but many don't want to, or find it hard. What we do know is that one cigarette less smoked is of some benefit to you.

Taking Your E-cigarette on a Plane?

You cannot vape on a plane. Airlines take this very seriously. The last thing you want is an extremely early end to your holiday or a massive fine.

How Easy is it to Quit Vaping?

It is quite easy to quit vaping, if this is your goal. Vaping does not have the same amount of ingredients as tobacco cigarettes, and anecdotally, a lot of people find it less addictive than smoking. Those that want to give up vaping usually lower the amount of nicotine they use in steps, and then quit all together.

Vaping Versus Smoking?

Despite the incredible amount of negative press that vaping receives, reports show that vaping is at least 95% less harmful than smoking. There has been shown to be no risk of 'second hand' vapor.

What of the Short and Long Term Health Effects of Vaping?

We cannot tell you that your health will improve, but what we can tell you is that hundreds of thousands of people have switched from tobacco to vaping. Almost all have reported an improvement in wellbeing in some way or the other. If you jump onto some of the vaping forums, another great source of information, you can read their stories for yourself.

What you need to bear in mind is that the research is showing it is less harmful than smoking and is a harm reduction tool.

Reviews of E-cigarettes.

The best place to research which e-cigarette is right for you is a review site - of which there are hundreds - both written reviews and those on YouTube. The number of devices now available is daunting, so before you hit the review sites, Answer these questions first:

How much do you currently smoke? This is important to work out the level of nicotine you may need in your e-liquid. The heavier the smoker, generally the higher the nicotine level needed to start.

What is your budget? Self-explanatory, but bear in mind the amount of e liquid you may need, plus any accessories you may want.

How technical do you want to go? This is important. The less tech, then the simpler the device.

Are you wanting to switch completely to vaping? Again, this will inform the type of device you go for

This is everything you need to know about switching to vaping. If you have any more questions please let us know in the comment below.