E-cigarettes are not just an alternative to smoking cigarettes or using other tobacco products. They can be used to quit smoking altogether, just like nicotine gum, inhalers, and patches. However, unless you have a clear plan of action and know how to avoid the pitfalls of many people making the transition, then you might fall right back to square one. Here is a complete guide on using e-cigarettes to quit smoking if you want to replace cigarettes with their healthier electronic counterparts.
Buy the Vaping Kit and the High Nicotine E-Liquids
The vaping kit will have everything you need to start vaping. You’re not after a complex, customisable device to experience a variety of flavours and styles. You just want a basic vaping system and accoutrements to work with for a while. Go ahead and have an extra battery or spare bottle of liquid since you don’t want to be caught without and slip into old habits, i.e. lighting up a cigarette.
What you truly need is the strongest, highest nicotine level e-liquid available. This is what you’re going to vape to satisfy the nicotine cravings, at least at the beginning. The higher nicotine level will deliver the hit your body expects without the nasty toxins, even though you may not be using the e-cigarette totally right. A good rule of thumb is to stick with the higher nicotine level for a month before taking the next step.
Dial the Nicotine Level Down
After you’ve gotten used to vaping, you should reach the point where you’re able to use the e-cigarette to replace traditional cigarettes entirely. The next step is dropping to a lower nicotine level while keeping your frequency of vaping constant. You’ll probably notice the difference, but it isn’t going to be nearly as hard as quitting smoking altogether. Fortunately, you’re maintaining the same habits, so you’re more likely to stick with the minor change than you would if you tossed your cigarettes and started buying patches and gum.
You will need to give yourself time to get used to the lower level. This may take a month. In fact, it may take a couple of months. It is OK to do so since e-cigarettes are safer than conventional ones. If you were using the high strength e-liquid, simply order the medium strength instead. If you’re looking for a wide variety of different e-liquids with different concentrations, you should consider visiting a reputable ecig store like greyhaze.co.uk to make sure you’re getting the best quality liquid possible with the right dosage.
Another strategy would be buying a vaporiser that lets you adjust the amount of nicotine you inhale over time, but this isn’t as simple as using lower dosage e-liquids. The simpler the process, the easier the transition will be.
Reduce the Concentration for a While
If you’re trying out medium strength e-liquids, you’re making progress breaking the nicotine addiction. However, you may find that it is difficult not to smoke more, while others crave an old-fashioned cigarette. There is a potential solution to this, and it is switching to a different e-liquid manufacturer. Different brands have a wider range of strengths than others. If “medium” of one brand isn’t enough, instead of switching back to the “strong” liquid you initially tried, try a medium-strong liquid that’s not as powerful as what you initially started with. You’ll partially meet your cravings without returning to the strongest stuff available. After you’re used to that, you can try stepping back down to the medium strength stuff. You can try to experiment with flavours at this point to see if it helps.
Start altering your habits by this point, too. If you tend to light up after meals or on break, try not to socialise with other smokers at this time. As you eliminate your triggers, you’ll be able to overcome them until you’re over them all.
Switch to the Lowest Level When You’re Ready
You’ll know you’re ready to switch to the lowest level e-liquid when you start leaving your e-cigarette at home and you’re OK with it. If you leave it at home and panic, finding yourself buying a disposable e-cigarette instead, then you are not ready yet. If you left the e-cigarette kit at home and went digging for the backup kit in your office drawer, you aren’t ready to step down the dosage yet. When you can wait until you get home to light up, you can try switching to a low nicotine level e-liquid. Embrace this change because it means your brain is breaking the addiction habit. If you can forget it for a while, you’re not reliant on it. Celebrate it, too, because this means you are very close to becoming a non-smoker.
Go to Zero Nicotine Liquids
Yes, there are zero-nicotine liquids available for e-cigarette users. If you’re able to go hours without lighting up, you’re loosening the hold nicotine has on you. Switch to the zero nicotine liquids. Continue using the vaping system as you have been so that you don’t have to break every habit. This lets you give in to the impulse to light up without feeding the need for nicotine. If you can’t fight the craving, only use the low nicotine level liquids. It is OK to take your time here since this increases the odds you’ll give it up for good. And since vaping is so much safer than cigarettes, it isn’t like taking your time is adversely impacting your health.
In fact, a study released by Public Health England in 2015 found vaping to be, at a minimum, 95% safer than smoking. This is why the UK has endorsed vaping as a smoking cessation aid.
Intentionally Leave the E-cigarette Behind
This is the final step in becoming a non-smoker. If you’re still stuck on the nicotine and you weren’t able to stick to a non-nicotine alternative, try to leave your device at home if you can.
Leave the e-cigarette at home during the day and try to go all day without it. You can choose not to pack it in your purse or bag when you leave in the morning. You can try to go on a weekend trip without the e-cigarette and nicotine-laced liquids. See how long you can go without lighting up. The day you realise you haven’t lit up in ages is the day you’re officially nicotine free. You’ll enjoy all of the health benefits and improvements in your overall quality of life when you do.
In fact, setting aside the e-cigarette for a day or weekend will let you experience these benefits and give you a reason to not give in to the urge to pull any kind of cigarette out of your drawer. When you find that you haven’t had to light up for a while, then you’ll be able to use e-cigarettes for the pure pleasure of it and not because you’re craving the nicotine. From this point on, you’ll have officially kicked your nicotine addiction and can truly consider yourself a non-smoker.
Conclusion
E-cigarettes are a good way to break your nicotine addiction. Once that’s done, you can put away your vaping device and enjoy life as a non-smoker.
