More and more people are taking up vaping to help with their transition away from smoking cigarettes - e-cigarettes can be an instrumental, NHS-recommended tool in this endeavour.
But just how effective are they?
Over the past few years, thousands of UK smokers have been successful when quitting smoking, thanks to the help of e-cigarettes. Here, we look at what you need to know when thinking about quitting with the help of an e-cigarette or vape.
Here at RED Box Vape, we know how challenging it can be to quit smoking cigarettes for good. If you’re committed to making the switch to vaping and want to buy E-Liquid online, take a look at our extensive collection of liquids and vape kits today!
Are E-Cigarettes Better For You Than Cigarettes?
Several official UK regulatory bodies have confirmed that e-cigarettes are far less harmful than traditional cigarettes.
According to Public Health England and The Royal College of Physicians, they are a staggering 95% less harmful than cigarettes! The main reason behind this figure is the fact e-cigarettes don’t contain tobacco.
When smoking a normal cigarette, you’re burning and ingesting tobacco, then inhaling dangerous smoke. So, while you’re getting your nicotine hit, you’re also consuming tar, carbon monoxide, and a whole host of other hazardous chemicals.
However, when using an e-cigarette, you inhale nicotine in vapour form. This allows you to feel the effects of nicotine without needing to inhale tobacco smoke.
Nicotine
Some may be wondering about the presence of nicotine in both vapes and cigarettes. It’s common to question whether e-cigarettes are all that beneficial if they still contain nicotine.
As the NHS is quick to point out, while nicotine is addictive, alone it’s relatively harmless - it is all the other chemicals found in tobacco that cause major health problems.
The important thing to note is that e-cigarettes do not contain tar or carbon monoxide, making them a far healthier vehicle for nicotine than tobacco smoke.
Are There Risks With E-Cigarettes?
Even with their less dangerous status, there are still chemicals in vape liquid. However, harmful chemical levels are far lower than those found in cigarettes.
Additionally, e-cigarette products are strictly regulated in the UK. The risk of harm is far lower than the dangers of smoking cigarettes, making vaping a much better alternative and valuable tool for those looking to quit.
E-cigarettes aren’t only a better option for you but also for the people around you. Second-hand smoke has been found to be incredibly harmful, while research shows that e-cigarette vapour doesn’t pose a risk to others.
The Benefits of Using E-Cigarettes to Quit Smoking
It’s no secret that cigarettes are just plain bad for us. The latest statistics report that around 77,800 people die each year in the UK due to smoking-related illnesses.
In light of this number, many are seeing the benefits of switching to vaping - below, we outline the most significant ones.
Satisfies Nicotine Cravings Safely
Even with all the scary stats out there, quitting is hard. Nicotine is highly addictive.
With the massive reduction in harmful chemicals and customisable nicotine strengths that e-cigarettes can offer, vaping offers a far safer way to satisfy your nicotine cravings.
Replicates the Smoking Experience
Any long-time smoker will know that smoking can be closely connected to our lifestyle and identity; it is deeply integrated into our daily routines and social life. Failure to quit does not always purely come down to a reliance on nicotine - many will have trouble giving up the social aspect as well.
Studies have found that e-cigarettes are far more effective in helping people give up cigarettes for good. This is due to the fact that they offer more than just the nicotine hit.
With an e-cigarette, you can still satisfy the social, psychological, and lifestyle elements of smoking while avoiding the toxic chemicals in tobacco.
Other stop-smoking products like nicotine patches, gum or tablets are designed to manage nicotine cravings but offer nothing in the way of catering to the habitual smoking experience.
Reduced Cost
Another benefit of switching to e-cigarettes that will interest many smokers is the reduced cost. Aside from the reasonable upfront cost of a vape device, you’ll just have to buy E-Liquids which are far cheaper than a pack of cigarettes and will last much longer.
The average vaper will save around £3,000 a year after making the switch!
For a more in-depth breakdown of the savings you could make with vaping over smoking, check out our blog below.
Getting Started With Vaping
The journey of quitting cigarettes is different for everyone, but trading your pack of smokes for an e-cigarette is a great place for anyone to start.
There are several different kinds of e-cigarettes available, and the system you choose will depend on the kind of cigarette smoker you are.
Light smokers might start with a vape pen or pod system, while heavier smokers might go a bit further and choose a mod system.
When choosing your E-Liquids, it’s important to start with the right nicotine level to suit the kind of intake you’re used to - how many cigarettes you normally have will be the basis for the kind of strength that is most appropriate for you.
Find out the E-Liquid strength that’s right for you with our handy graphic below:
Ultimately, switching to e-cigarettes is a huge step in the right direction and an important choice for maintaining your health over the long term.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed about the world of vaping, take a look at our blog, which is full of helpful guides that cover everything you need to know. Alternatively, browse our collection of vapes and E-Liquids to get started!