With VApril just around the corner this is the perfect time to take the plunge and make the switch from smoking to vaping.
What is VApril?
VApril is an annual campaign that runs the length of April with the aim of educating the public about the benefits of vaping as a smoking alternative, and supporting smokers in making the switch to vaping.
This year will be the 7th campaign, and over the years VApril has established itself as the largest vaping education campaign in the world, continuing to grow every year.
The campaign is organized by the UK Vaping Industry Association (UKVIA), and although the main focus of their vaping awareness campaign is to assist smokers in making the switch to vaping, they are also working to educate current vapers on moving from single-use vapes to reusable and refillable devices, ahead of the disposable vape ban. They are also including information in this year’s campaign about how to recognise illegal and non-compliant vaping products, and how to responsibly dispose of vaping products..
As a founding member of UKVIA we take great pride in supporting the annual VApril campaign here at Evapo, and supporting those who are making the switch from smoking to vaping. You can head over to vapril.org to access the huge range of resources and expert advice available during the campaign.
Why make the switch to vaping?
Quitting smoking isn’t easy, but making the switch to an e-cigarette can greatly improve your chances of a successful quit. In fact, the recent Cochrane review found e-cigarettes to be twice as effective as nicotine replacement therapies (NRT) like nicotine patches and gum at assisting with smoking cessation.
Not only are e-cigarettes an effective alternative to smoking, but the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities have found vaping to be at least 95% less harmful than smoking. This is because e-cigarettes do not produce the countless harmful toxins that cigarettes release upon combustion, like carbon monoxide and arsenic. This allows you to manage your nicotine cravings during a quit attempt with a much cleaner nicotine source.
Vaping also helps to address the physical act of smoking. Unlike gum or patches, an e-cigarette replicates the feel and act of smoking, as the user needs to inhale the vapour. We have all seen the stereotypical depiction of a smoker who is trying to quit and is constantly chewing on pens and fidgeting with their hands, and for many people this is a real part of the struggle of quitting smoking. Having a device that replicates the act of smoking, and can be used during those times that you would usually take a cigarette break, can make a real difference in the chances of a successful quit.
Which starter vape kit should I use?
There are a few different types of starter vape kit to choose from, each with their own merits that make them suitable for different types of user.
Prefilled pod systems
If you are thinking about making the switch to vaping but are a little wary about having to learn how to use a new device, a prefilled pod vape kit may be the perfect option to get you started. They are some of the most user-friendly types of vape kit, and make it really easy to get to grips with using an e-cigarette.
Prefilled pod kits, like the Elf Bar ELFA PRO, have an extremely small, compact design which makes them easy to carry with you wherever you go. The device can be recharged whenever needed, which is easy to do via USB cable, so you can even charge them through a computer or games console. Because they contain a relatively small battery, they are quick to charge making it easy to ensure your device is always ready when you need it.
As the name suggests, the pods for these devices come prefilled with e-liquid so you do not have to worry about refilling your pod or carrying spare e-liquid. The pod simply clicks in and out of place, and when a pod is empty it can be disposed of and replaced with a new one. Pods for these devices are available in a wide variety of flavours, and some like the Vuse Pro are even available in a choice of different nicotine strengths.
Prefilled pod kits are also a great option if you are transitioning from disposable vapes to a reusable vape kit. They have a similar design to disposable vapes, for example, the Lost Mary Tappo has a very similar design to the Lost Mary disposable vapes, and they are even filled with the same e-liquid. Because they are draw activated and very simple to use, prefilled pod kits work in much the same way as disposables, but instead of disposing of the whole device you only need to throw away the pod. Not only can this save you a lot of money in the long run compared to continuing to use disposables, but it also produces less vape waste.
We have lots more information on switching from disposable vapes to a reusable vape kit in our blog post ‘Alternative to disposable vapes’.
Refillable pod systems
If you like the simplicity of a pod vape kit but would prefer to be able to choose your own e-liquid flavour and strength, a refillable pod system like the Vaporesso XROS 3 Mini may be a better fit.
These devices maintain the compact style that pod systems are known for, but allow you to repeatedly refill the pod with your chosen compatible e-liquid, giving you more freedom to choose.
Where you are limited with prefilled pod kits to the flavours and strengths available within your chosen brand’s range, refillable pod kits like the VOOPOO Argus Z and Vaporesso Eco Nano can be filled with any 50/50 or high PG e-liquid. This gives you more control over the nicotine strength and flavour, and gives you more room to experiment with different flavours and brands of e-liquid.
If you are looking to move from disposable vapes to a refillable vape kit, these pod kits are a fantastic option, especially if you pair them with bar salts. Bar salts, like the Double Brew range, are available in all of the most popular disposable vape flavours, and are designed to offer a similar vaping experience. Some, like the ELFLIQ vape juice range, are actually even the exact same e-liquid which can be found in disposables, in this case the Elf Bar range. This means you can enjoy all the flavours you know and love, with the same formula that you are used to.
Check out our blog post ‘Which e-liquids taste like disposable vapes?’ to find our recommendations for which bar salts taste most like all of the top disposable vape flavours.
Tank style starter kits
Tank style starter kits like the Innokin T18 II and Aspire PockeX are a more traditional type of vape kit, and utilise a tank in place of a plastic pod. These devices tend to be slightly more powerful than most pod starter kits as they contain larger batteries, which make them a great option if you are usually out of the house for most of the day and may not always have access to a place to recharge your device.
These types of starter kit have removeable coils which will need to be changed whenever they start to taste burnt, and can be used with any 50/50 or high PG e-liquid. They have been designed specifically to replicate the feel of smoking a cigarette by controlling the amount of air that can flow through the coil, helping them feel familiar and comfortable while you make the switch. Some devices even have adjustable airflow which lets you choose your own airflow setting that feels most comfortable and familiar to you.
Which e-liquid do I need?
Choosing the right e-liquid for you is largely down to personal preference, but also depends on your previous smoking habits.
Finding the right nicotine strength
Choosing the right nicotine strength to suit your needs is a crucial part of your stop smoking journey. E-liquids are available in a variety of nicotine strengths so that you can match your e-liquid to your previous nicotine intake and manage your nicotine cravings without any nasty withdrawal symptoms.
As a general rule, we use the following guide to help new vapers choose the nicotine strength they start with:
- Light smokers who only smoke a couple of cigarettes a day, social smokers and non-daily smokers would be best suited to a 3 mg/ml e-liquid, as this is the lowest strength. If you are an infrequent smoker and are using your e-cigarette more to address the physical habit of smoking and not nicotine cravings you may even want to consider a nicotine free e-liquid.
- Those who smoke between 5 – 10 cigarettes a day would likely find a 6 mg/ml e-liquid best suits their needs.
- Moderate smokers, between 10 – 20 cigarettes a day, are recommended a 10 or 12 mg/ml e-liquid.
- Heavy smokers, those who smoker 20+ a day, would be best to start off using a high strength e-liquid, an 18 or 20 mg/ml.
However, there may be a certain amount of trial and error in finding the best fit for your needs. Once you have started using your e-liquid there is still room to move up or down a strength if you feel it is not satisfying your nicotine cravings sufficiently or is a bit too strong.
Choosing a flavour
When choosing your first e-liquid it is easy to assume you should start with a tobacco flavour, and this is certainly the best option for some vapers. However, many people quickly realise that they were not smoking for the taste and choose to branch out to different flavours like menthols, fruits, or desserts.
There are a huge variety of flavours available, and generally it’s a good idea to start out with flavours you already know you love. For example, if you love cola flavoured things then chances are you will enjoy a cola flavoured e-liquid, and you can never go wrong with your favourite fruit!
It’s a good idea to experiment with different flavours and to change it up from time to time as this will make you more inclined to continue picking up your vape kit in favour of returning to smoking, and make it a more enjoyable experience.
Spotting illicit vape products
If you are concerned about accidentally purchasing a vape that is not genuine or non-compliant, there are a few things we recommend to look out for.
Authenticity
Most vape kits, disposable vapes, coils, and other vaping products will have some form of authenticity that will allow you to check that the product is genuine. This will often be in the form of number or QR code that can be scanned or entered into the manufacturer's website.
Nicotine strength
The highest nicotine strength allowed by law in the UK is 20 mg/ml, so any products claiming to exceed this strength should be avoided. Products with a nicotine strength higher than 20 mg/ml, or 2%, are not compliant and have therefore likely not been subject to the necessary quality and safety checks, meaning they could contain ingredients that are not sanctioned for use in vape juice in the UK.
Tank size and e-liquid capacity
Vape kits in the UK are limited to a 2ml tank size at the point of sale, so any vape kits advertised as having a tank with a capacity of more than 2ml is non-compliant. Similarly, disposable vapes which contain nicotine are limited to a 2ml e-liquid capacity. A standard disposable vape with 2ml of e-liquid will usually offer around 600 puffs, so if you see nicotine-containing disposable vapes claiming to contain more vape juice or very high puff counts, they are likely not compliant.
There are disposable vapes available with more than 2ml of e-liquid, for example, nicotine-free disposable vapes are not limited to 2ml of e-liquid and so can offer much higher puff counts. However, nicotine-containing disposable vapes that come with more e-liquid will usually have a refill container or multiple built pods which allow for this higher liquid capacity.
Shop with trusted retailers
Our best advice to ensure that you are not purchasing fake or illicit vaping products is to only shop with reputable retailers. Responsible businesses will ensure that all of the products they sell are genuine and compliant with TPD and TRPR regulations.
If you are thinking about making the switch this VApril why not pop in to your local Evapo store or reach out to our friendly Customer Service team for advice and support.
