So, you are looking for the best vapes to quit smoking - well, you have come to the right place.
As you have already made the conscious choice to quit now or in the future - or, even if you are simply considering your options - the likelihood is that you are already aware of the health risks of smoking tobacco products, such as cancer, heart disease, heart attack, lung issues, and strokes.
However, did you know that quitting smoking cold turkey can also have its own risks? For example, quitting without adequate support and nicotine replacement therapies can lead to withdrawal symptoms - both physically and mentally - which can then lead to a reduced chance of success.
Instead, it is important to find the nicotine replacement products that work best for you. Many turn to nicotine patches, gum, and so on - but these products also come with their own disadvantages and side effects.
On the other hand, vaping can help you to replicate the feeling of smoking, dulling your physical cravings, as well as giving you adequate nicotine. It is important to remember that quitting smoking not only affects the brain but leaves your hands empty too, which is why vapes can be a fantastic alternative.
So, without further ado, let us take a look at everything you need to know about the best vapes to quit smoking.
What are vapes?
Electronic cigarettes, often shortened to e-cigarettes or e-cigs, are electrical devices that heat flavoured e-liquids, producing vapour - hence being known colloquially as ‘vapes’. The vapour is then inhaled and then exhaled like you would a traditional tobacco cigarette.
If you are new to the world of vaping, let us take a look at some of the key aspects of these devices, allowing you to truly understand what vapes actually are.
What are the different flavours?
In short, vapes are available in all kinds of flavours - you name it, you can get it - that’s the beauty of vaping! Pre-filled vapes are available in a wide array of flavours - plus, with a refillable device, you can simply swap out your e-liquid for a new flavour whenever you please.
From fruits like blueberry, strawberry and watermelon, to drinks like coffee, slush and soda, you can select whatever flavour tickles your fancy.
Here at the specialist vape retailers TABlites, you can even get e-liquids that taste like your favourite desserts. Some of our favourites include:
So, when did vapes become popular?
The original electronic cigarette was invented by Hon Lik, a Chinese pharmacist, in 2003. In its conception, it was always destined to be a direct alternative to smoking tobacco cigarettes.
Since then, e-cigs have boomed in popularity - and it's on a steady increase. Statista estimated worldwide sales of vapes at 12.03 billion GBP in 2017, which rose to 20 billion GBP by 2022, and is predicted to rise further to 24.71 billion GBP by 2027.
Who uses them?
Everyone and anyone can use vapes - however, we recommend that only those looking to slowly wean themselves off nicotine pick up the habit, as nicotine is an addictive chemical. Also, legally, you must be at least 18 in the UK to purchase vapes or e-cigarettes.
Much like nicotine patches, lozenges, inhalators, gum, and so on, vapes can be used as a nicotine replacement in order to cut down or completely quit smoking cigarettes, roll ups, pipes, cigars, and other nicotine products.
Nicotine patches often have large leaps in nicotine strengths - and, when you get to ‘Step 3’, they simply stop. However, with vapes, you can also get nicotine-free e-liquids to bridge the gap between ending your nicotine replacement therapy and going without, going down in small increments every time.
How much do vapes typically cost?
Vaping is significantly cheaper than smoking traditional cigarettes, even if you opt for disposable vapes. We will cover the exact costs a little later on, in the ‘Best Vapes for Quitting Smoking’ section.
Even better, here at TABlites, we aim to make vaping as accessible as possible, boasting a huge host of tasty multi-buy deals. We also offer some vape starter kits too (but more on those later).
How do you use a vape?
Depending on the type and model, the vape is either draw-activated or operated via a button. Draw-activated vapes are exactly how they sound - simply suck in the vapour and the device will respond.
Other devices will require being turned on, and holding the button as you draw in order to heat the liquid and produce vapour.
Which vape is best for me?
When it comes to swapping out cigs for a vape, the first thing to consider is what vape might be best for you. In order to do so, let us take a look at some of the vapes available to you from TABlites.
Each type of vape will provide you with a unique vaping experience. In addition, the vaping experience will also depend on:
- Power of the vape device
- Wattage
- Vaping method
- Type of e-liquid chosen
- Amount of nicotine in your chosen e-liquid
Disposable vapes
Disposable vapes are small devices that are single use and should be recycled after use. In other words, they cannot be recharged or refilled. Instead, they come pre-charged and pre-filled, and so can be used straight out of the packet.
Disposable vapes contain a battery, tank, and coil. Like the battery and e-liquid, the coil does not need to be changed either. The coil itself is of high resistance, and the device is draw-activated, giving you more of a restricted draw akin to that of a tobacco cigarette.
Vape pens
When you picture a vape in your head, you are more than likely thinking of a vape pen. The pen style firstly originated as a cig-a-like design, but have developed to be a little bigger to house a bigger battery and e-liquid tank.
That said, vape pens are still small and compact. They are known for their ease of use, and so are very beginner friendly and perfect for on-the-go.
Starter vape kits
Put simply, starter vape kits are bundles of everything you need to get started. Once you have chosen your desired type of vape, you can purchase it along with an e-liquid, charger, battery, and so on.
Once you have all this, it is easy to top up what you need as and when it is required.
Sub-ohm kits (cloud machines)
Sub-ohm kits require a different style of vaping than those above. Whereas pens and disposable vapes are typically Mouth to Lung (MTL), in which you suck in the vapour like smoking, sub-ohm kits are Direct to Lung (DTL).
DTL bypasses the mouth and deeply inhales the vapour straight into the lungs. Technically, this is possible due to a coil with resistance under one ohm, hence ‘sub-ohm’.
Sub-ohm kits are typically more likely to be used to create large clouds and a huge amount of flavour, which is sometimes referred to as ‘cloud chasing’.
Pod kits
Sometimes known as ‘pod mods’, pods are comparable to a cig-a-like due to its shape and low wattage, but use nic salt e-liquids. For this reason, some might find the hit the most similar to smoking a traditional cigarette.
You can either get closed pods, which are disposable and come pre-filled, or open pod beginner vape kits which can be manually filled with the nic salt of your choice.
Whatever you choose, TABlites has you covered
Here at TABlites, we offer a wide range of different vapes for those looking to quit smoking, including disposable vapes, vape pens, starter kits, sub-ohm kits, pods, and all the accessories you might require. Just browse through our online store, or pop into one of our stores across the North West.
For more detailed advice on the best vapes for you, you can also find a list of our recommendations of the best vapes to quit smoking a little further down.
How safe are vapes?
With any kind of electronic device - and especially with one as new as e-cigarettes - the main concern is obviously going to be whether it is safe. This is furthered by the involvement of nicotine in the equation, with people considering the best vapes to quit smoking and wondering how safe vapes actually are.
So, without further ado, let us take a look at the safety of vaping, weighing up the pros and cons, plus some top tips for reducing any risk factors that might arise.
What are the potential health benefits?
Many medical experts assert that vaping is less harmful to the lungs than traditional cigarettes. However, it is important to note, as published by Harvard Health Publishing, that there is a lot we don’t know about vaping in the long term and how this might affect the lungs.
That said, here are some of the health benefits of switching from tobacco cigarettes to electronic cigarettes.
Does not contain carcinogens
E-liquids are made from propylene glycol (PG), vegetable glycerine (VG), nicotine and flavourings, and the smoke is produced from heating said liquids, as opposed to lighting combustible cigarettes.
On the other hand, a tobacco cigarette contains numerous different chemicals, including tar, arsenic, formaldehyde, chromium, benzene, and even the radioactive polonium-21 - it goes without saying that a radioactive substance in itself will be harmful to human health.
In fact, according to Cancer Research UK, burning a cigarette releases over 5,000 harmful chemicals, many of which are carcinogens and lung irritants.
Thus, one health benefit of swapping to vaping is that it does not contain carcinogens and so is not a contributing factor towards lung cancer.
Vapour poses little-to-no risk to others
As these chemicals are in the smoke produced, as well as in the tobacco products themselves, this means it is not only at risk of harming the smoker but also those around them too, known as ‘secondhand smoke’. Second-hand smoke is also dangerous to human health.
However, the vapour from e-cigarettes does not contain such toxic chemicals. This means there are little-to-no health effects for those who are regularly exposed to secondhand vaping.
95% safer than cigarette smoking, according to Public Health England
Public Health England has claimed that using a vape is at least 95% safer than smoking cigarettes. This is because it contains fewer chemicals that harm physical health or lung function, nor does it contribute to lung disease.
For transparency’s sake, there have been rumours that vaping does, however, result in a lung injury called ‘popcorn lung’. This condition is caused by diacetyl - which, you will be relieved to hear, is banned in the UK.
Thanks to it being so much safer than smoking, even the NHS cites vaping as an effective smoking cessation technique, even though it is not prescribed by its doctors.
What are the potential health risks?
Though vaping is much safer than smoking, most e-liquids contain nicotine. Of course, if you are quitting smoking, this is a positive, as it can thus be a form of nicotine replacement therapy to quench sudden nicotine cravings.
However, it is important to note that nicotine is itself an addictive chemical. This means that it is essential to get the nicotine level right, especially if you are also using other nicotine replacement products like a nicotine patch, nicotine inhaler, nicotine nasal spray, or nicotine lozenges.
As a general rule of thumb, social smokers should stick to a low nicotine content - or a nicotine-free - vape, whereas heavy smokers will likely start on a higher nicotine concentration. If not, you might find you are not getting enough, or too much, nicotine.
Instead of giving you the right dose of nicotine to satiate the nicotine addictions, this can then cause potential side effects that affect physical and mental health alike, such as anxiety, a fast heart rate, and nausea, to name a few.
Vaping too much can also cause some mouth irritation. Signs that your vape is too strong, or you are using it too often, include a dry mouth, sore throat, or a tight mouth.
In order to ensure you mitigate these risks, the best vapes to quit smoking will have an adjustable airflow and nicotine content, so you can slowly wean yourself off it over time.
Staying safe with vapes: Top tips
- Though there is no research to say that vapes are harmful when pregnant, there is no research to say that it isn’t harmful either, so it is best to err on the side of caution. That said, it is still less harmful than smoking during pregnancy.
- Always keep vaping products and e-liquids away from children.
- If you feel your vape becoming hotter than usual, or fear it is overheating, it's time to get a new one.
- Ensure that the lids of any e-liquids are tightly closed when not being used.
- Understand that vapes are not completely risk-free, so if you are not a cigarette smoker, it's not recommended to pick vaping up as a habit. However, if you are a smoker, it is much safer than regular cigarettes.
Best vapes for quitting smoking
Now that you know what vapes are, what different types of vapes are available, their benefits, and safety information, it is time to take a look at the best vapes for quitting smoking from TABlites.
Best disposable vapes for quitting smoking
Prefilled vapes are fantastic for people who are looking to quit smoking, as they come prefilled and precharged - they can be used straight out of the packet. This also makes them a great starter product for those who have never vaped before.
Prefilled vapes are also the most similar to traditional cigarettes in terms of their shape, size and design. In fact, most of these vapes forgo a button completely and, instead, are draw-activated, making the experience more akin to smoking a lit cigarette - just without the hassle of fiddling with a lighter. This is why they are sometimes known as cig-a-likes.
Best flavours of prefilled vapes for quitting smoking
Most quitters will want to replicate their smoking experience as truthfully as possible with a different product. Thus, our favourite vapes for quitting smoking are:
However, our These ranges are always growing with new flavours being released regularly. As these devices are "pen" shaped, its appearance is more comparable to that of a traditional cigarette and so can feel more authentic for ex-smokers’ physical cravings.
Best vape kits for quitting smoking
When starting out vaping, it is always best to grab a vape starter kit. This will have everything you need to begin your vaping journey in one affordable package, and consists of beginner-friendly models, without the need to worry about fancy modifications and settings. Look for electronic devices that don’t need coil changes and have integrated batteries, for example.
Our top starter kits for beginners who are looking to use the product to quit smoking are:
- The compact and lightweight Aspire PockeX AIO Kit
- The convenient and user-friendly Aspire Gotek X (especially good for those already trying out disposable vapes)
- The reliable and slim Vaporesso XROS 3 kit
Best vape kits for heavy smokers
If you are a heavy smoker, the vape that might work best for you will probably differ from someone who smokes only a few a day. For example, a heavy smoker will likely need a vape that has a larger battery capacity and battery life (look for and compare mAh battery power), plus adjustable airflow control to really get that throat hit.
For this reason, pod devices with rechargeable batteries might work best - even better if the battery can be switched out for a spare when you run out of power on the go.
Our top vape kit recommendations for heavy smokers are:
- Voopoo Vinci 3 Pod Kit with a 5-50W adjustable power range
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Oxva Xlim Pro Kit which has auto-draw and button-activation features, a max power output of 30W, and a 1000mAh battery.
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Geekvape Sonder Q offers a maximum power output of 20W and caters for both MTL (mouth to lung) and RDL (restricted direct lung) vapers.
Best e-liquids for quitting smoking
If you are looking to replace cigarettes with something that accurately replicates the habit in order to dull cravings, we recommend opting for a tobacco-flavoured e-liquid.
We have a wide variety of tobacco-flavoured e-liquids on offer, including our own Tobacco, USA Mix and Silver Blend, which are also on 3 for £9.99 and available in a range of nicotine strengths.
For more adventurous tobacco flavours, you might also check out Cream Tobacco and Rum Tobacco by Simple Essentials, Caramel Tobacco by Doozy Vape Co, or Vanilla Cuban by Nasty Juice.
That said, many smokers love (or, loved, shall we say) menthol cigarettes. If this is you - or you simply want a fresh hit of mint to differentiate from real tobacco - then you might consider menthol tobacco vapes.
Our top picks are Menthol Tobacco by Nasty Juice, Fresh Menthol Mojito Bar Juice 5000, Tobacco 100% Menthol by Riot Squad, or check out our range of menthol, peppermint and spearmint flavours.
If you would prefer a range which is similar to disposable vapes but in a liquid you can use in your new pod kit try the delicious flavours of Bar Juice 5000.
Choose TABlites to help you in your journey to be smoke-free
As you can see, vaping can give you a much-needed helping hand when looking for a sustainable way to quit smoking. At TABlites, you can even benefit from comprehensive kits, multi-buy deals, and free delivery on orders over £20 to make this switch even more cost effective in the long run.
Browse the products that TABlites has to offer today - either online or in store at your local specialist vape retailers - or get in touch for more helpful information, advice, and guidance on the best vapes to quit smoking for you personally.