08 Jul How To Quit Vaping

Making the transition from smoking to vaping (e-cigarettes) is a very positive step!

Vaping is much less harmful to your health than smoking (in fact, research shows that it is 95% less harmful than a cigarette!). However, after a while, some people wish to discontinue the use of e-cigarettes and are not sure how to go about it.  It may be that your e-cigarette seems to have replaced smoking and you are not sure how to stop.

Here are some things to try:

Reduce the nicotine percentage

Whatever percentage you are using, gradually step it down over the course of several weeks. This will reduce your dependency on nicotine slowly so that it will be manageable.

Be disciplined

Set yourself a limit on how often you use your e-cigarette. For example, if you find you are holding it all the time, manage this by putting it down, and allow yourself to pick it up and use at set intervals, e.g. every 5 minutes. Then extend to 10 minutes, then 15 minutes and so on. Whatever your frequency of use, try the same method; this can be incredibly helpful.

Try nicotine replacement therapy

This could help with reducing the use of your e-cigarette and prevent withdrawal from nicotine. Gum or lozenges can support this and are sold in pharmacies and supermarkets. It is preferable not to use an inhalator as this will help prevent the risk of this replacing your e-cigarette.

Replace your e-cigarette

When you quit smoking, you replaced your cigarette with an e-cigarette. It may help to find something to replace your e-cigarette with. Some people find that doing something with their hands helps replace the use of an e-cigarette.

Keep busy

Again, we know that keeping busy will help, so try to find things to do once you begin cutting down your e-cigarette.

Set a quit date

Once you are ready set a time and day that you will stop vaping. This will give you a clear marker of your time as a vaper and then as a non-vaper. It will also give you something to work towards and ensure that you feel in control.

We hope that helps and congratulations on being smoke free!

Breathing in secondhand smoke increases your risk of getting the same health conditions as smokers. If someone you live with smokes tobacco, ask them to get in touch here. Our specialist advisors can support them with behaviour change and nicotine replacement therapy to help them become smokefree.