How Vapes Can Help You Cut Back Nicotine

By Your Health Magazine

Your Health Magazine

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How Vapes Can Help You Cut Back Nicotine

In recent years, e-cigarettes and vapes have become a popular stop-smoking aid. They are far less harmful than traditional alternatives and have been found to help some people quit smoking for good. While they cannot be viewed as risk-free, they are an effective harm-reduction tool designed for adults to kick the habit for good. 

To offer yourself the best chance of success, it is strongly recommended to consult with a stop smoking counselor, healthcare professional, or mental health specialist who can help you build a comprehensive and proactive action plan, including creating a support system, breaking habits and routines, and utilizing nicotine-free ALT vapes to say goodbye to smoking once and for all. 

What is a Vape?

Vapes are electronic devices that let you inhale a nicotine liquid in the form of an aerosol or vapor instead of smoke. This is achieved by heating the flavored e-liquid, which typically contains flavorings, nicotine, propylene glycol, and vegetable glycerine. 

These liquids come in different nicotine strengths, allowing users to better control the amount of nicotine they consume. This is particularly important when using vaping to quit smoking to guarantee you are getting just enough nicotine to help with cravings and other debilitating withdrawal symptoms. 

Vaping vs. Smoking

Smoking traditional cigarettes releases thousands of harmful and toxic chemicals, including nicotine, tar, and carbon monoxide when they burn, many of which are dangerous carcinogens. They can also lead to other serious illnesses, including heart disease, stroke, and lung disease. 

In comparison, vaping includes heating a flavored liquid, which usually contains nicotine, heavy metals, and volatile compounds, to create an aerosol. While vaping exposes users to fewer toxins and is a safer option compared to traditional cigarettes, it should not be viewed as a long-term switch, but rather a transition tool to quit smoking for good. 

Routines & Rituals

Alongside the addictive nature of nicotine, many people struggle to overcome the routines and rituals they commonly associate with smoking. Switching to vaping can help you gradually let go of these routines while immediately reducing the dangerous health risks of cigarettes. 

Some users report that vaping satiates the familiar hand-to-mouth motion associated with smoking, as well as providing similar sensations, like a throat hit, which is a term used to describe the ‘kick’ felt in the back of the throat when inhaling. 

Choosing the right Vape

When purchasing a vape and e-liquid, ensure they come from a trusted, accredited source, such as a specialist vape shop. If you are just starting, you may find it easiest to use a closed device with sealed and prefilled pods, which will help you limit your consumption to a predetermined amount. 

When establishing the nicotine strength, you will need something strong enough to adequately manage your withdrawal symptoms and cravings in the beginning. It is best to consult with your healthcare provider, a stop smoking service, or a counselor who can help you assess your needs and guide you to make a more informed decision. Over time, as you become less dependent on nicotine, you will need to adjust and lower the strength of your e-liquid. 

Making the Transition

When first transitioning from smoking to vaping, it is important to identify the times, environments, and situations when you most commonly turn to smoking and use your vape device instead. 

Keep your vape accessible in places you would normally keep your cigarettes, such as your work bag, handbag, backpack, or coffee table. This will make the switch easier as you will naturally find yourself turning to your vape as opposed to a cigarette. Aim to completely replace traditional smoking methods with vaping as soon as possible, and track your progress daily to stay motivated. 

Setting Boundaries

Vaping can be an extremely useful tool to help you quit smoking, but it is crucial to use it mindfully and intentionally. The best way to ensure you remain responsible with your usage is to set yourself boundaries, like limiting when and where you are allowed to vape. 

This can help prevent it from becoming a new, long-term habit or leading to new routines or behaviors that will be difficult to break. Avoid using your vape in places or routines that you used to smoke, like at your local bar or alongside your morning coffee. These boundaries will help you stay focused on your end goal and make it easier to limit, reduce, and ultimately eliminate smoking of any kind. 

Side Effects

It is important to remember that vapes are not harm-free. Common side effects of vaping include shortness of breath, headaches, coughing, and dryness and irritation of the throat and mouth. Should you experience any of these side effects, it is crucial to consult with your counselor or healthcare professional to discuss your options before you stop using a vape as your quitting tool. 

Side effects are typically easy to manage and often require minor changes to the type of vapes you are using or the strength of the nicotine to rectify. It is very rare to have a serious reaction to vaping. However, if you think you are experiencing a severe adverse effect, contact your healthcare professional immediately or go to the nearest emergency room.