Quitting smoking can be a daunting task, especially for those of us who are heavy smokers, but making the switch to vaping can make it much easier, helping you manage your cravings and replace the habit with a less harmful alternative.
We’re going to take a look at the best vape for heavy smokers, along with some advice on making the switch and choosing the right vape liquid, to help give you the best chance at success.
The journey from smoking to vaping
The Office for Health Improvement & Disparities (OHID) have identified vaping as being at least 95% less harmful than smoking, and this is mainly due to the fact that they do not produce many of the incredibly harmful chemicals which are released in cigarette smoke, such as tar, carbon monoxide, and arsenic.
They can however contain nicotine, which can help you manage cravings and avoid withdrawal symptoms as you make the transition from smoking to vaping. Not only that, but e-liquids are available in a range of different strengths so that you can match the nicotine level in your vape juice to the nicotine intake your body is used to from smoking, giving you the best chance at successfully managing cravings.
This ability to control your nicotine intake, along with the fact that they replicate the feel and action of smoking, makes e-cigarettes a very effective way to quit smoking. In fact, they have been found in the Cochrane review to be twice as effective as nicotine replacement therapies like patches and gum at supporting a successful quit attempt.
The first step in making the switch from smoking to vaping is of course choosing your vape device and e-liquid, as choosing the right ones to suit you will help ensure you keep picking up your vape instead of returning to smoking. Read on to find our recommendations for the best vape for heavy smoker and high nicotine dependence, along with information on choosing the right nicotine strength.
Choosing the right e-liquid
An important part of your first vaping device is the e-liquid you put inside it, as this is what will create the vapour and dictate how much nicotine is in a vape. For those who are a heavy smoker, a high nicotine strength is usually recommended to ensure your nicotine cravings are sufficiently met and avoid any nasty withdrawal symptoms.
As a general rule we use the following to help find the right starting place for choosing a nicotine strength:
- Light smokers, social smokers and non-daily smokers should try starting with a 3 mg/ml e-liquid.
- Those who usually smoke 5 – 10 cigarettes a day should try starting with a 6 mg/ml e-liquid.
- Moderate smokers, between 10 – 20 cigarettes a day, should try starting with a 10 or 12 mg/ml e-liquid.
- Heavy smokers, those who smoker 20+ a day, should try starting with a high strength e-liquid, an 18 or 20 mg/ml.
From here, you can increase or lower you strength if you feel that you need to, and experiment with different flavours to find the ones you love.
Best vape kits for heavy smokers
Those who were heavy smokers will usually find they use their device more than those who were lighter smokers, and this is definitely a consideration when choosing your starter kit. You also need to take into account your personal circumstances, such as how long you are usually out of the house and how often you will be able to charge it. For this reason, our recommendations include a variety of different devices which can offer heavy smokers the best chance at success.
Best vape for simplicity
For many the prospect of making the switch from smoking to vaping can be daunting, and for some a big part of this is the need to learn how to use a new electronic device. If you are looking for a simple device that is easy to use, a prefilled pod kit like the SKE Crystal Plus may be a great place for you to start.
These devices are one of the most straight-forward type of pod vape kits, with minimal maintenance and limited room for error. This is because they utilise pods which come prefilled with e-liquid, which can be used until empty and then disposed of and replaced.
This means that you do not need to worry about refilling the pod or changing the coil, just remember to always keep a spare pod with you and you are good to go. The fact that they come prefilled with vape juice can also make them less daunting in that they offer less choice than refillable kits, so rather than choosing from any compatible e-liquid, you can just choose between the flavours available for your chosen device.
The SKE Crystal Plus pods are available in a choice of 15 different flavours, giving you plenty of choice without being overwhelming, and they are all available in a 20 mg/ml nicotine strength only, which is perfect for heavy smokers.
The Crystal Plus has a very small and discreet size, which is ideal for when you are on the go as it is very pocket friendly and light-weight. However, this small size does mean that the battery is not as big as those found in refillable vape kits, and will not last as long between charges, which is something to consider if your daily routine does not leave much room for charging breaks.
If however you have the time to charge throughout the day if needed, this device could be a great option. As how long to charge a vape depends largely on the size of the battery, the SKE Crystal Plus charges quickly, especially as it offers fast charging via a USB Type-C charger cable.
Best vape for nicotine delivery
If you like the idea of a pod vape kit, but would prefer to be able to choose your own e-liquid, a refillable vape kit like the Vaporesso LUXE Q2 SE could be a fantastic option.
The pod for this device has a built-in coil, which means you do not need to worry about removing and changing the coil periodically. Instead, you can repeatedly refill the pod until the vapour starts to taste a little burnt, at which point you just replace it with a fresh pod.
The Q2 SE is compatible with any 50/50 or high PG e-liquid, and can be used with any nicotine strength. Thanks to the integrated AXON chipset, the ramp up time for this device is almost instantaneous, giving you quick and effective nicotine delivery. If you really want to satisfy your nicotine cravings quickly, we recommend pairing this pod vape kit with a nic salt e-liquid, as this form of nicotine absorbs within seconds, for fast relief from cravings.
Another reason this device is so excellent for nicotine delivery is that the pods incorporate a mesh coil, which has a wider surface area than standard coils, offering more even heat distribution which can vaporise more e-liquid at a time. They also have the added benefit of fantastic flavour payoff and longevity, giving you the best possible vaping experience.
Best vape for throat hit
Many smokers associate smoking with the feeling of a ‘throat hit’, and may be looking to replicate this when they make the transition to vaping. If you’re looking for the best throat hit vape, we highly recommend the Innokin Endura T20-S.
This device is a more classic vape kit, with a refillable tank and changeable coils, and like most starter vape kits it has been designed to accurately replicate the feel of smoking a cigarette. It has a tight draw, similar to hand-rolled cigarettes, which can help to enhance the throat hit for a really satisfying inhale.
The Prism S coils which are used with the T20-S also help to offer that throat feel that many are looking for, as well as offering excellent flavour and longevity. The top fill design of the device makes it easy to top up your vape juice on the go, and the tri-colour LED light even lets you keep track of your remaining battery life.
If you really want to optimise the throat hit, you could try pairing this device with freebase nicotine e-liquids, like Ohm Brew CORE or Vampire Vape, as this offers much more of a throat feel than nicotine salts.
Best vape for adjustable airflow
The Vaporesso XROS 3 Mini is another great pod vape kit that can be a fantastic place to start if you are new to vaping. It can be paired with e-liquids of any nicotine strength, so even if you are a heavy smoker you can get a satisfying vapour and manage your cravings effectively.
A great benefit to this device is that it offers adjustable airflow, but if you are new to vaping you may find yourself wondering what does airflow do on a vape? The airflow dictates how much air can flow through the coil, and how tight or loose the inhale feels. A good way to think of it is to consider the difference between simply breathing in through your mouth, and sucking in air through a straw.
A more restricted and closed off airflow will produce a vapour that requires more pull, but feels more dense and often more flavourful on the inhale. Whereas a more open airflow offers an inhale that comes easier, and feels more light. Different vapers will have different preferences when it comes to airflow, and a device like the XROS 3 Mini allows you to manually select the airflow setting that best suits your preference. This little feature allows you to personalise your vaping experience, while still being simple and approachable.
Another thing we love about the XROS 3 Mini is that the pods have SSS anti-leaking technology, so you can store your pod kit in your bag or pocket when not in use, and not have to worry about the e-liquid leaking out.
Best vape for battery life
If you’re usually out of the house often, and what you’re really looking for is a vape kit that can keep up with you during a long day, the Innokin T18 II could be a fantastic option to consider.
This device actually incorporates many other excellent features, with adjustable airflow and three different power settings to choose from, but the battery life is where it really shines.
With a 1300 mAh built-in battery, this device not only offers plenty of power but is also designed to last for a full day of vaping. This is especially handy if you are a heavy smoker who is likely to use your vape more frequently, as the T18 II can keep up with you while you are on the go.
But this bigger battery does not mean that this vape kit is bulky, in fact it has a slim, pen style design that fits easily in a pocket or bag, and even comes with a magnetic cover which can protect the mouthpiece from dust and lint when it is not in use.
If you are interested in finding out more about any of the vape kits mentioned in this post, why not pop in to your local Evapo store and speak to a member of our team? You can find lots more information about making the switch to vaping in our switching made simple guide, or reach out to our Customer Service team with any questions or to get advice throughout your vaping journey.
Sources
gov.uk 29/09/2022
cochranelibrary.com 14/09/2021
