With the recent decision of the United Kingdom government to consider prescribing e-cigarettes through the NHS to people who wish to quit smoking, there's never been more interest in vaping.
And while vaping may seem confusing and complicated to the newcomer, it's easier than getting stuck in the mud, really.
So here's everything you need to know before you get started -- and nothing you don't need to know. No arcane terminology, no scientific formulae, just a solid, well-rounded overview that will help you make that first dive into vaping -- all the while protecting your health and the health of your loved ones.
What is an e-cigarette, exactly?
An e-cigarette, e-cig, or vape is a simple device that uses a battery or batteries to heat e-liquid (or e-juice, or vape liquid, or e-liquid) into steam, which is inhaled. So think of it as something like a cigarette powered by electricity -- hence the term "e-cigarette."
The liquid may contain nicotine in various strengths (more on that later) or may be nicotine-free. Some enthusiasts simply want to enjoy the many flavours of e-juice on offer. Others prefer juices that contain nicotine, either as a means to quit smoking, or simply as a safer alternative to tobacco smoking.
Vapes may contain built-in batteries that cannot be recharged (disposables), built-in batteries that can be recharged thousands of times, or may require separate, rechargeable batteries. They may contain a set amount of e-juice (disposables), or use pods containing e-juice which are disposed of when empty, or use refillable pods or tanks. More about that later!
Is vaping safer than smoking?
That's the number-one question, so let's dive right in.
While no truly long-term studies have been done on the safety of vaping (it's only been around since the early 2000s) scientists have demonstrated that e-juice contains far fewer harmful chemicals than cigarette smoke, and gathered enough evidence to suggest strongly that vaping is better for you than smoking.
And Public Health England has announced a goal to make cigarette smoking "obsolete" by the end of the decade, "with smokers quitting or moving to reduced risk nicotine delivery systems, such as vaping products."
Certainly, with the NHS considering prescribing e-cigarettes to former smokers, authorities believe vaping is safer than smoking (though not without lesser health risks). But what about e-cig users' personal experiences?
I bought my first e-cig to stop smoking back in 2011. I've vaped for 10 years, and I had smoked 15 years before that. I feel healthier as a vaper in my 40s than I did as a smoker in my 20s, and that tells me all I need to know about whether vaping is better for you than smoking -- it most definitely is!
Which e-cigarette is right for me?
That's probably the number-two question for anyone considering vaping, and a big part of why vaping can seem a daunting prospect to newcomers. In the nearly 20 years vapes have been out, manufacturers have come out with thousands of vaping solutions, meaning there are countless options for vapers.
But it's pretty easy to cut through the jungle of options out there by asking a number of questions, which we'll explore in the following section. For each one, I'll include a "deeper dive" link to more information. Let's go!
How much money do I want to spend?
Most people who start vaping worry that they might not get on with it, so they try to spend as little as possible on their first vape. Unfortunately, this is where many people go exactly wrong!
Cheap vapes are abundant, but you do get what you pay for, and you might find vaping with a bargain-basement e-cigarette unsatisfying. That disappointing experience could put you off vaping entirely!
Instead of spending as little as possible, a beginning vaper should visit a reputable vape shop and simply have a chat with a knowledgeable member of staff about what they're looking for from vaping.
Barring that, there's a simple rule of thumb for purchasing your first vape -- the more you spend upfront, the less you'll spend in the long run. High-quality e-cigarettes might cost more, but they're built to last for years. My UWELL Nunchuku, which I bought in Texas, is still going strong six years after purchase! That doesn't mean you should bankrupt yourself with your first e-cig purchase, but definitely give yourself the chance to see what vaping can offer by treating yourself to a decent device.
How much effort do I want to put into this?
This is the question that pushes many people away from vaping entirely -- the thought of faffing about with coils, juice, batteries, etc. can just seem like too much work. Again, this is where a chat with staff at a reputable vape shop can be invaluable.
The truth is, vaping can be as simple as unwrapping a disposable vape and puffing away. A step above that would be a pod device such as the Smok Novo X, which you literally charge, fill up with liquid, and go.
Even the most "complicated" vapes are pretty simple to use. For example, the top-of-the-line Aegis X Zeus kit from geek vape only requires the user to prime and insert a coil into the tank, fill the tank with juice, insert charged batteries, and select a wattage setting appropriate for the coil in order to get a true luxury vaping experience.
What kind of vaping experience am I after?
The answer to this question is unique to every individual -- and it's the reason there are so many different vaping products on the market. The way to answer this question for yourself is to decide how much flavour matters to you, how much nicotine you want, how often you can vape, and how much of a "throat hit" you want.
In a nutshell, lower-wattage devices such as pod systems and pens vaporise thinner liquids to deliver an experience more similar to smoking a cigarette, whereas higher-wattage devices, typically in the mod-and-tank configuration, vaporise thicker liquids at higher temperatures to deliver intense flavours and big, impressive clouds of vapour.
Nicotine strengths are typically 3 mg, 6 mg, 12 mg, and 18 mg for traditional nicotine and 5 mg, 10 mg and 20 mg for nicotine salts (more on that in the deep dive!). Lower strengths are typically favoured by vapers looking for big clouds and rich flavours, where higher strengths are helpful for those trying to quit smoking, those using lower-power devices such as pod or pen systems, and those who only get to vape at home and during breaks at work.
Dive deeper on e-juice types and nicotine strength!
Conclusion
There's probably no substitute for a knowledgable staff member at a vape shop, or at least a friend experienced in vaping who's used many different kinds of mods and juices. But if you can't find anyone like that, I'm here as your own personal agony aunt, as much as possible at least! Hit me up at tex@thejuicewarehouse.co.uk, or follow me on Instagram, where my handle is tex_vapes.
