As we approach the new year it’s time to start thinking about new year’s resolutions, and for many quitting smoking will be high on their list of priorities. Making the switch to vaping allows you to manage your nicotine cravings, and gives you a greater chance at a successful quit attempt. There are now 4.7 million adult vapers in Britain, 56% of which are now ex-smokers and 37% are current smokers working to reduce their cigarette intake or quit altogether.
Reasons to make the switch
Smoking is the leading cause of preventable disease and death, known to cause many forms of cancer as well as other life-altering diseases. Information from the NHS identifies smoking as the cause of 70% of all cases of lung cancer, as cigarette smoke contains countless harmful substances including at least 70 known carcinogens, as revealed by Cancer Research UK.
The British Heart Foundation advises that smoking cigarettes can also cause an increase in blood clots and fatty build-up within the arteries, making the risk of heart attack up to four times greater and the risk of stroke up to two times greater for smokers. If you would like to learn more about this we outline the many harms of smoking in our blog post 'The effects of smoking on the body'.
E-cigarettes were designed to offer an alternative to smoking that allows users to keep their nicotine cravings at bay during a quit smoking attempt, while cutting out the harmful chemicals found in cigarette smoke.
The Office for Health Improvement and Disparities has found e-cigarettes to be at least 95% less harmful than smoking and research by many sources including Cochrane and London South Bank University, have identified vaping to be more effective as a stop smoking aid than nicotine replacement therapy options like nicotine patches and gum, giving you a greater chance of successfully kicking the habit.
Take a look at the video below to see more of the benefits of quitting smoking.
Tips & advice
Better Health offer a variety of resources to help you quit this January, and combining a stop smoking aid like an e-cig with support from your local stop smoking services will give you the greatest chance at a successful quit attempt. Here is a list of top tips to help you succeed:
· Pick a date for your quit attempt and add it to your calendar
· Make a list of your reasons for quitting
· If you smoke at certain times of the day, change up your routine
· Tell your friends and loved ones that you are quitting
· If this is not your first quit attempt, remember what worked before
· Have a plan for times when you are tempted to smoke
· Make a list of your smoking triggers and ways to avoid them
· Keeping busy can help keep cravings at bay
· Exercise away the urge!
Choosing your starter kit
Starter kits are designed with new users in mind, replicating the feel of smoking a cigarette for an experience that is comfortable and familiar to those making the switch from smoking. Let’s take a look at the different types of starter kits to help you find the right kit to suit you.
Simple and easy to use
Prefilled pod kits are one of the easiest types of starter vape kit to use, as they utilise pods that come already filled with e-liquid in a variety of flavours, so you do not have to worry about refilling your pods or changing your coil. As a new vaper, it can be daunting having to learn how to use a new electronic device, so this type of starter kit helps minimise the learning curve by making maintenance on the device incredibly straight-forward.
Small and pocket-sized
The Lost Mary Tappo is a brand new device that has just hit the market, and it is an excellent alternative to their disposable vape range is you are looking for something reusable. Unlike most prefilled pod kits which have a pen style design, the Tappo has a similar design to their BM600 disposables, with a square body that fits well into the palm of your hand.
A unique thing about the Tappo device is that it is manufactured by Elf Bar, and so the Tappo pods and ELFA pods are all cross compatible, so you can choose between the Tappo pods, ELFA PRO pods, and the original ELFA pods, giving you a massive choice of flavours to choose from.
Our Lost Mary Tappo bundle includes the device plus two packs of pods for just £17.99.
Huge flavour range
The Elf Bar ELFA PRO is the new and improved version of their extremely popular ELFA pod kit, which features a new pod design that incorporates QUAQ mesh coil technology for more intense flavour and a more consistent vapour.
The ELFA PRO can be used with the ELFA PRO and original ELFA pods, as well as the Lost Mary Tappo pods, which means you have a massive range of flavours to choose from, including many of Elf Bar’s most iconic disposable vape flavours.
You simply need to insert the pod into the device and it is ready to start using straight away. Once all the e-liquid within the pod has been used up, you can remove the pod, dispose of it, and replace it with a new one, letting you continue vaping in just a few clicks.
Pick up the ELFA PRO bundle, which includes the device plus two packs of pods, for just £14.95.
An alternative to disposable vapes
The SKE Crystal Plus is a fantastic alternative if you have used disposable vapes, especially the SKE Crystal Bar. The pods are filled with the same e-liquid as their disposable vape range, so you can continue to use the same flavours but in a reusable device. The device has a similar size and shape to their disposable vapes also, making it very small and discreet, and perfect for taking with you on-the-go.
There are fifteen different flavour options to choose from within the pod range, and each pod contains 2ml of 20 mg/ml nicotine salt e-liquid, offering up to 600 puffs per pod.
Our SKE Crystal Plus bundle is currently available for £17.99, and includes the device plus two packs of pods.
Widest choice of nicotine strengths
If you are looking for a simple and straight-forward device to get you started with vaping, a prefilled pod system like the Vuse Pro is a fantastic option.
The pods for these devices have been designed specifically for use with that brand and type of device to ensure a secure fit and proper use, and the range of flavours and nicotine strengths available may differ between brands.
The Vuse Pro pods are available in a wide variety of flavour options ranging from traditional flavours like golden tobacco and chilled mint, to more adventurous flavours like tequila sunrise and watermelon ice. They also offer a variety of nicotine options from 3 mg/ml up to 18 mg/ml to help you find the right nicotine strength to match your usual smoking habits and find the right strength to manage your cravings. If you are unsure which nicotine strength would best suit your needs, take a look at our blog post ‘Which strength e-liquid should I use?’
You can pick up the Vuse Pro bundle which includes the device plus two packs of pods for £17.99.
Flexible and versatile
A hybrid pod kit can be used with both prefilled and refillable pods, giving you the option to choose between the simplicity of prefilled pods, or the freedom to refill your device with any compatible vape liquid in whichever flavour or nicotine strength you prefer.
Best of both worlds
If you like the idea of a prefilled pod kit, but would also like to have the option to choose your own e-liquids, a device like the Elf Bar Mate 500 offers you the best of both worlds with both prefilled and refillable pods.
The prefilled Elf Bar Mate pods are available in all of Elf Bar’s most popular flavours with a 20 mg/ml nic salt formula that offers fast relief from nicotine cravings and a smooth vaping experience.
Alternatively, the refillable pods can be filled with your choice of compatible e-liquid, allowing you to select from a wider range of flavours and nicotine strengths and to refill each pod multiple times before replacing it when the coil begins to taste burnt.
We offer two bundle deal options for this device so you can pick up everything you need in one place. The Elf Bar Mate 500 bundle comes with the device and two packs of pods for £17.99, or the Elf Bar Mate 500 refillable bundle had the device, a pack of refillable pods, and 30ml of e-liquid for £22.99.
Economical and refillable
Refillable pod kits are one of the most popular types of starter kit as they combine the ease of a disposable pod with the freedom to choose the exact flavour and nicotine strength you prefer. They also offer a more economical option than prefilled pod kits, as the pods can be refilled multiple times before they will need to be disposed of, so they need to be replaced less frequently and produce less plastic waste.
Personalise your vaping experience
The SMOK Novo Master pod kit is a very user-friendly device that combines ease of use with the ability to adjust your vaping experience to suit your preferences.
The device is compatible with the SMOK Novo, Novo 2, and Novo 2X pods, and comes with two different coils, so you can select the one that feels most comfortable to you. The Novo Master is also both button and draw activated, so you can choose your preferred way to vape.
With a 1000 mAh built-in battery, and USB Type-C charging, the battery offers plenty of power to get you through the day and is easy to charge whenever needed.
Grab your Novo Master + 20ml of e-liquid for only £21.40.
Great for portability
The LUXE Q2 SE is a very sleek and stylish little pod kit that is great for on-the-go use. The pods are created with Vaporesso’s SSS anti-leaking technology so even if you are storing it in your pocket or bag when not in use, you can rest assured that all the e-liquid is going to stay exactly where it’s supposed to be.
The Q2 SE has an integrated AXON chipset and 1000 mAh built-in battery, which combine with the COREX heating technology and mesh coils within the pod to offer the highest quality vaping experience, with phenomenal flavour payoff and great longevity.
For those vapers who are often out and about, the device even comes with a handy lanyard which makes it easy to keep your vape with you at all times!
Get the LUXE Q2 SE + 20ml of e-liquid for just £16.99.
Leak-proof and sturdy
Refillable pods systems, like the Vaporesso XROS 3 Mini, allow you to refill each pod multiple times so the pod will only need to be replaced when the coil within it starts to burn, which can be identified by a slightly burnt taste or by the e-liquid flavour becoming muted.
The XROS 3 pods have Vaporesso’s SSS anti-leaking design, so you can rest assured that even if the device is stores in your pocket or in the depths of your bag, the e-liquid will stay exactly where it is supposed to be. The device also allows for adjustable airflow, so you can loosen or tighter your draw to the setting that feels most comfortable for you.
We offer the XROS 3 Mini bundle, which includes the device plus 20ml of e-liquid, for £24.99.
Alternatives to vape kits
There are a couple of different options if you are looking for an alternative nicotine source, but are not sure that vaping is going to be right for you, or are looking for something that can go alongside a vape kit to help you effectively manage your nicotine cravings.
Authentic tobacco flavour
The Ploom X Advanced device is a heat-not-burn device, which uses tobacco sticks to create a vapour instead of a smoke. This means that you can still enjoy an authentic tobacco flavour, but without the need for combustion, cutting out some of the nasty substances that are produced in tobacco smoke.
The device utilises state-of-the-art HeatFlow™ technology with an optimised airflow design for a smooth and consistent vapour, plus it is easy to clean and maintain the device between uses. The Ploom X Advanced kit can offer 20 uses before needing to be charged, and reaches a full charge in less than 90 minutes.
The EVO tobacco sticks which are designed specifically for use with the device are available in a variety of different tobacco blends, so you can find the exact one that best suits your flavour preferences. They even offer flavoured tobacco sticks which incorporate menthol or fruity notes!
Discreet and convenient
Nicotine pouches are a great option if you do not always have the time to stop for a vape break, and offer a quick and discreet way to manage your nicotine cravings.
Zyn nicotine pouches are inspired by Swedish snus but do not contain any tobacco, you simply need to pop one under your upper lip and it will slowly release nicotine for up to one hour. Then just take it out and either dispose of it, or store it in the built-in waste compartment of the Zyn can.
The pouches are available in a choice of different flavours, like cool mint, citrus, and chilli guava, and are also available in a choice of different nicotine strengths.
If you are thinking about making the switch to vaping and would like advice, recommendations, or support, pop in to your local Evapo store or reach out to our Customer Service team, we will be more than happy to help!
Sources
ash.org.uk 08/2023
nhs.uk 2018
cancerresearchuk.org 19/03/2021
bhf.org.uk 09/2021
gov.uk 29/09/2022
cochranelibary.com 14/09/2021
researchgate.bet 08/2021
