A Beginner’s Guide to Vaping
Vaping is the action or practice of inhaling and exhaling vapour that contains nicotine and flavouring, the vapour is produced by a device that is specifically made for vaping. Vaping is commonly used as a healthier alternative to smoking, although, it does still contain nicotine, it has far fewer harmful chemicals that are present in cigarettes.
Using an e-cigarette, which is known as vaping works by heating a liquid (called an e-liquid) that typically contains nicotine, propylene glycol, vegetable glycerine, and flavours. There are many vaping devices available in the market, such as disposables, and refillable vapes.
Please continue reading to learn more about vaping and what vaping product might be the best fit for you and your requirements.
Is Vaping harmful
Vaping is far less harmful, due to the absence of tar and carbon monoxide, two of smoking’s most harmful components. Compared to smoking, vaping is significantly less dangerous, especially when it comes to second hand smoke. When you smoke cigarettes, it produces smoke that realises these harmful chemicals. Vaping, on the other hand, realises a vapour that contains nicotine, you do not burn anything when vaping and therefore, do not release these harmful chemicals.
TPD regulations
The MHRA is the responsible authority for the notification scheme for e-cigarettes and refill containers, in Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The MHRA implemented the majority of the provisions under Part 6 of the Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016 (TRPR).
The TPRP has guidelines in place that regulate the quality and safety requirements for all e-cigarettes and e-liquids, as well as tobacco and associated product standards. These regulations control and regulate the use of e-cigarettes and e-liquids. The requirements in place ensure that e-cigarette tanks do not exceed a capacity of no more than 2ml, the volume of nicotine-containing e-liquid volume for one sale must be 10ml and no more, e-liquid must adhere to a nicotine strength of no more than 20mg, e-liquid must not contain certain ingredients such as colourings, taurine and caffeine and lastly, all e-cigarettes and e-liquids must be notified and published by the MHRA before they can be sold. A safe vaping experience is accomplished by adhering to all these regulations.
What is nicotine
Disposable e-cigarettes and e-liquids typically contain nicotine. Vaping, which enables you to inhale the nicotine in a vapour rather than smoke is believed to be a healthier option because it results in less nicotine entering the bloodstream.
Nicotine is a substance that is found in tobacco products and some e-liquids. Nicotine originated from Nicotiana, which is commonly known as the tobacco plant. Nicotine is an addictive substance; therefore, the effects of nicotine should be known before using the substance. Nicotine is particularly addictive because after entering the bloodstream it travels to the brain, where it triggers the production of dopamine which leaves a pleasurable feeling. Although, nicotine is addictive, is it not responsible for the harmful effects of smoking.
The benefits of vaping
- Smoking can implement many health issues, as smokers are far more likely to develop heart disease, stroke and cancer. Smoking can lead to harmful and detrimental effects on your body, as smoking causes around 70% of lung cancer cases as stated by the NHS.
- The harmful effects of smoking can be reversed, and it is never too late, as after 10 to 15 years of abstaining from tobacco, your risk of developing lung cancer will become equivalent to that of someone who has never smoked.
- Vaping is far less harmful than smoking, as the UK Government reported that the current estimate is that e-cigarettes are around 95% less harmful than smoking. Thus, vaping is considered an effective tool to quit smoking.
- E-cigarettes do not burn tobacco and do not produce tar or carbon monoxide, two of the most damaging elements in tobacco smoke. Therefore, it is evident that switching to vaping is a healthier choice, particularly over time.
Evidence is emerging to support that some of the highest successful quit rates are now seen among smokers who use an e-cigarette. According to the NHS, those who use e-cigarettes to stop smoking can have a success rate that is up to twice that of those who use patches or gum as a nicotine replacement. Since e-cigarettes offer a comparable hand-to-mouth experience to traditional cigarettes, using one can help you control your nicotine cravings and give you the same physical enjoyment.
Financial Savings
An extreme benefit to vaping is the financial aspect, it can save you a lot of money. Here at VPZ, it has been calculated that switching from cigarettes to our very own AEQ 2.0 can result in amazing annual savings of £4,732! Smoking is undoubtedly an expensive habit, as the cost of cigarettes is continuously increasing, for that reason quitting can result in significant financial savings.
What types of vape kits are there?
When you first look to start vaping, it might be difficult to distinguish between the various types of vape kits available. The type of vape kits available are Cigalike, Pod kits and Vape mods.
Cigalike
Cigarette-style vape kits are exactly what they sound like; they have characteristics that are quite similar to those of a regular cigarette and have a similar effect. These kinds of devices are perfect for people who want to quit smoking but don't want the transition to be too drastic. A Cigalike device is a mouth-to-lung device that resembles the appearance of a cigarette.
Pod kit
A pod kit vape is a very simple and discreet device. Each kit is made up of a pod and a battery. The pod is removable and requires to be filled with an e-liquid that is suitable for the device. The battery is then used to heat and vaporise the liquid.
A pod kit is suitable for anyone at any stage of their smoke-free journey. These kits are perfect for taking on the go as although compact, they perform excellently. The only things you'll need in addition to your kit are replacement pods suitable for your chosen device and e-liquid in your preferred nicotine strength.
Vape mod
Vape mods are bigger and more advanced devices. In essence, the device's bottom part, which houses the device, is the vape mod. If you purchase a mod on its own you require to purchase the tank separately. Our very own Limax vape mod is to be paired with a Limax tank. These two devices together will create a great and powerful vaping experience.
A vape mod kit is significantly bigger and more powerful than a typical pod kit. These kits are ideal for people who wish to stop smoking but require a powerful device.
The difference between MTL & DTL vape kits
Mouth to Lung (MTL) vape kits simply describes the inhalation of electronic cigarettes that utilise mouth-to-lung-to vape tanks. MTL devices have a very comparable experience to a conventional cigarette, as it has the motion drawing vapour into the mouth to the lung.
Direct to Lung (DTL) vape kits, on the other hand, prioritise flavour and cloud over nicotine hits. With DTL vaping, you smoothly inhale the vapour to your lungs, as though you are "breathing" the vapour in, and then exhale a spectacular cloud. DTL vape kits are often used by very experienced vapers.
What type of vape kit is right for me?
Finding the right vape kit for you has many factors that depend on this, including the size, ease of use, battery life and environmental impact.
Size
Depending on what you’re looking for, the size of the vape kit is an important factor, whether you are looking for something more discreet or a bigger device with strong battery life.
A vape pen device may be an excellent choice if you're searching for a compact, discrete device that fits perfectly in your hand. Our very own AEQ 2.0 is a portable, pocket-sized gadget that is ideal for use everywhere.
A larger device is possibly more appropriate for you if you are considering a device with more power and battery life capacity. For instance, a vape mod device is potentially a good fit for you, our very own Innokin LiMAX Mod is perfect if you are looking for a device with compact yet with great power, this device should be paired with the Limax tank.
Ease of use
Depending on your preferences for ease of use, if you want something that requires little to no adjustments then a disposable vape that doesn't require you to do anything, the product is ready to use as soon as you purchase it, may be perfect for you.
If you would like something still simple to use but a little more advanced, our very own AEQ 2.0, is perfect for smokers looking to make the switch or to move away from disposables. This device requires you to top up your e-liquid and change the coils from time to time, but with its slim and compact design, it is very simple to use.
Battery life
The battery contains the electronics and power needed to heat your coil. The Battery capacity is denoted as milliampere-hour (mAh). The power output of the mod is shown as Watts (W) or Volts (V).
Depending on the desired battery life, the higher the watts or volts, the more power your vape produces and how much power is delivered through the device.
Cost
Depending on the cost aspect of vaping, disposables are a pricier alternative as it requires them to be thrown away after each use.
If you are looking for a cheap option for vaping, then disposables are not the recommended device. If you are searching for a cheaper way to vape; in this case, a refillable device is far more cost-effective, especially if you want to vape daily.
Environmental impact
Although being a much healthier alternative to cigarettes, vapes, particularly disposable vapes are harmful to the environment. Disposables intended for single-use nature have become a major contributor to plastic and battery waste.
A pod device or a vape kit is much more ideal if you're searching for a product that generates far less waste because they don't require to be disposed of; instead, they just need to be regularly topped out with e-liquid and a new coil inserted every so often.
Disposable or refillable
A disposable device is a small, non-chargeable device. This device comes pre-charged and pre-filled. Thus, it does not come with the requirement to change coils or refill the liquid. The battery and liquid in these devices have a limited number of puffs, and once they have been used, they must be thrown away. Due to its expense and environmental impact, a disposable device may not be as practical if you consider yourself to be a daily smoker.
A refillable device comes empty and needs to have liquid continuously added to it. These devices are sold without e-liquid. You buy the device separately from the e-juice, and you fill your pods. If you consider yourself a daily smoker, a refilling device would be a better choice because it is significantly more cost-effective, especially in the run long.
How to start vaping?
What is E-liquid?
E-liquid is a liquid that contains nicotine and flavouring that is used in vaping devices. Each e-liquid will contain a blend of VG and PG, which will be made up into a blend that is up to 100% complete.
VG and PG ratios
E-liquids contain Propylene glycol (PG) and Vegetable glycerine (VG). These components make up the ‘base’ of vape juice. Typically when purchasing an e-liquid you will see the ratios as a percentage, for example, 50% PG/50% VG.
What PG and VG levels to use will be largely dependent on what device and coils you use. For instance, if you plan on using a mouth-to-lung coil, then an e-liquid that is 50% PG or higher will work best. Liquids that have an even split 50%PG/50%VG are generally suitable for almost any type of mouth-to-lung device and are a good middle ground.
If you use a sub-ohm coil, it is recommended to use an e-liquid that is 60% VG or higher. For example, a liquid ratio to use in DTL vape devices may be 20% PG / 80% VG, a high VG is the best blend suited for sub-ohm devices.
Strengths of liquid
E-liquid can come in strengths of 20mg, 18mg, 12mg, 10mg, 6mg, 5mg, 3mg and 0mg. The higher the number, the higher the nicotine strength. Choosing the right nicotine strength is key to a successful vaping experience, as new vapers must begin using the proper strength of liquid; failing to do so could lead to a failed attempt at quitting. It is important to consider your smoking habits and daily cigarette intake when choosing the e-liquid nicotine strength for yourself.
0mg is the nicotine-free option, this is ideal for social smokers that may have the odd cigarette when they're out. This gives the feel of smoking with the production of vapour but without nicotine.
3mg is the lowest level of nicotine that is available in an e-liquid. This low dose is recommended for light smokers who may only smoke one or two cigarettes daily. 3mg can also be used for those in their final stages of quitting smoking, and wanting an extremely low nicotine intake.
5mg and 6mg nicotine, are considered a lower nicotine strength, but will still give a nicotine hit. This is recommended for those who smoke around 10 cigarettes daily but still want to satisfy their nicotine cravings.
10mg and 12mg is the ideal place to start for the average smoker that typically gets through up to a pack a day. To avoid cravings and provide a satisfying nicotine hit, this strength is recommended.
18 and 20mg is a high level of nicotine that is recommended for heavy smokers. When it is freebase, this nicotine dosage can be rough on the throat. Therefore, it is recommended to use nicotine salt with 18mg or 20mg for a smoother hit.
Flavours and how to find what’s right for you
Everyone has different flavour palettes, and therefore, all have different flavour preferences. Here at VPZ, we offer a large selection of liquid flavours including Tobacco, Fruit, Ice, sweet, Menthol, dessert and many other unique flavours.
If you have tried disposables previously, if you like the sweet flavours, we would recommend our elf juice 10ml which comes in various sweet and delicious flavours. If you wish for a similar experience to cigarettes, our tobacco range has a wide variety. Or if you want a minty, cooling sensation, our menthol options deliver just that.
10mls are e-liquids that are ready-to-use vape juices, these already contain the preferred nicotine strength and flavour, all that needs to be done is the liquid to be added to the device.
The nicotine rush from nic salts is strong and forceful without being too harsh on the throat. Nic salts were developed to eliminate the unpleasant rough sensation on the back of your throat while still producing a high amount of nicotine. The highest nicotine content permitted by the TPD is found in Nic Salt-based e-liquids based.
What are vape coils?
Vape Coils are the component of your vaping device that creates vapour, A coil's resistance is measured in OHM, while all coils are designed to vaporise e-liquid, they perform differently. The type of coils that you can get is mouth-to-lung coils, sub-ohm coils and Restricted-direct-to-lung.
Mouth-to-lung coils, get the same name as the vaping style. This style is very popular with new vapours as it has the same effect as a cigarette. Additionally, mouth-to-lung coils intensify e-liquids, resulting in a stronger-tasting vaping experience.
A sub-ohm coil will always have a resistance of less than 1.0 Ohm; the lower the resistance, the more power it uses and the faster the e-liquid heats up. These coils, which let you adopt a direct-to-lung vaping method, are also known as DTL coils.
A Restricted-direct-to-lung (RDL) essentially gives you the best of both worlds, because it combines MTL and sub-ohm coil features. With RDL coils, you can experience flavour comparable to DL and throat hit similar to MTL.
What are the strengths?
Vape coil strengths generally depend on the vaping experience you want to achieve. Your coil will have an 'ohm' specification on it, this refers to the unit of resistance. Essentially, the lower the resistance the more electricity will run through it and the higher the resistance the less electricity will run through it.
Depending on what strength to get will depend on what you're looking for. A lower ohm resistance will result in warmer vapour and more vapour however, it will use the e-liquid up more quickly.
A higher ohm resistance will use less e-liquid than a lower ohm level, generate cooler vapour, and cause the battery to drain more slowly. However, it will also result in less vapour being produced.
What does adjustable OHM do?
Adjustable ohm allows you to adjust the airflow until it is right for you. As a general explanation. Less airflow makes a better or mouth-to-lung vaping and more airflow makes a better direct-to-lung vaping experience.
How do they work
Simply put, coils are responsible for heating the e-liquid in your device and turning it into vapour. When you press the power button and inhale, your coil heats up and vaporises e-liquid, which then combines with air to form a vapour.
The exact duration of how long a vape coil lasts differs for everyone, although, an estimated time coils are to last is 7 to 21 days, this does have a lot to do with your smoking habits and how you care for your device.
How do you know what kits go with what coils?
What coil to purchase depends on what kind of device you are getting, whether it is an MTL, DTL or RDL device.
If you have a device that is recommended for MTL vaping, coils can range from 0.6Ohm-2.8Ohm. If you are using a DTL device, the coils are recommended to be below 1 ohm, for example, this can be 0.15 ohm and 0.5 ohm.
When purchasing a device on the VPZ website, there will be information in the description regarding what coil to use. If you are purchasing an item in-store, please ask for assistance and our team can guide you in the right direction.
How to store vape kits?
Vapes should not be left in heated, confined spaces like a car during hot seasons; they should instead be stored in a dry place and kept away from heat sources, especially in the summer. Vapes should also be kept out of sight and out of the reach of any children or pets.
To prevent e-liquid leaks, it is advised that vapes be placed upright when not in use. When not in use, vapes should be switched off; it's crucial to develop this habit as it could go off in your pocket or bag. If you do not turn your device off, the repeated firing could burn out your coil and consume e-liquid, which would result in the products being consumed more quickly.
How to look after your vape kit battery?
It is crucial to look after your vape kit battery, not only to ensure it performs better but to also last longer. To take good care of your battery, be sure to clean it frequently, avoid overcharging it by leaving it charging all night, keep the battery away from hot environments, and turn it off when not in use.
How to dispose of single-use devices safely
Here at VPZ, we offer the service to bring your used single-use disposable vape and we will handle the disposables of it. However, if you do not wish to bring it to the store there are other safe options to dispose of your vape you can take your disposables to a local recycling centre.
If you are considering making the life-changing switch from smoking to vaping, VPZ is here for your every step of the way. Embarking on the journey to quitting smoking and transitioning into vaping can feel daunting, with the variations in devices, e-liquids types, and nicotine strengths available. However, with the guidance and support provided by our knowledgeable staff, we are here to make this journey as smooth as possible. Visit one of our VPZ stores for assistance or advice on how to start vaping. Assistance can be provided in selecting the appropriate device and e-liquid for you.