It is a known fact that smoking cigarettes comes with various health risks, such as heart or lung disease or even cancer. However, as nicotine is one of the most addictive substances out there, one may find it really difficult to quit smoking just like that. Doing so can lead to nicotine cravings, which often impose unnecessary stress or anxiety.
The most common way of overcoming smoking addiction is nicotine replacement therapy, during which a doctor prescribes specific replacements such as pills, nasal sprays, or chewing gums. But this method can be a little drastic, especially if you incorporated smoking in your daily routine or work breaks and the action itself plays a somewhat significant part in your daily life.
On top of that, some people simply like the taste of cigarettes but want to give up smoking them because of health concerns. One cigarette alternative is still getting more and more popular in overcoming nicotine addiction — vaping. Thanks to a wide variety of vape kits and juices, everyone can find a set that fits their needs. However, the question is: does giving up smoking with a vape work?
Vaping Allows You To Limit Nicotine Intake
The most significant advantage of vaping is that it allows you to control your nicotine intake. You can pick from various juices with different amounts of nicotine in them, meaning you can gradually lower the nicotine intake as you go on with vaping.
The estimated average amount of nicotine in one cigarette is 12 mg; many tobacco e liquids offer smaller amounts, allowing you to negate the withdrawal symptoms. However, you should be cautious with how much you vape.
A cigarette lasts for approximately five minutes, but you can vape as long as you want until your e-liquid or battery runs off, especially considering that vaping generally puts less stress on your lungs than smoking. It can lead to excessive vaping, which may cause nicotine intoxication and damage your overall health.
Furthermore, some vape liquids you can find on the market exceed the nicotine amount found in traditional cigarettes. Remember about that, as it can be a setback to your efforts of giving up smoking.
Vaping Is Safer Than Smoking Cigarettes
This point might be a bit controversial. Some say that the difference between vaping and smoking is minuscule as both vapor and cigarette smoke contain unhealthy or even toxic chemicals. Although it is valid to some extent, the general consensus is that the amount of potentially harmful substances is much lower in vape juices than traditional, organic cigarettes.
On top of that, when smoking, you inhale various gases from the burning tobacco, but when you vape, you only inhale the vapor. It means that vaping does not involve combustion, making it safer than smoking. You can also avoid secondhand smoke, which is a significant plus both to your house as well as those around you.
Vaping Allows You To Keep Your Routine
As mentioned before, smoking is not only about the nicotine intake but also the act of smoking itself. For some people, it is something they do every day, even multiple times a day. Oftentimes, it becomes a sort of routine, whether it is a quick cigarette break after a meal, on the way to work, or during breaks.
Vaping allows you to keep your routine, but with a healthier alternative. It doesn’t matter where you vape, as vaping restrictions are much less strict compared to smoking — you can vape at home, in front of your office, and even in bars, restaurants, and other public places (that, of course, depends on the local laws).
Vaping Should Be a Part of the Long-term Plan
While converting to vaping, you should remember that your main goal is to quit smoking entirely. Vaping can indeed be a fun alternative to conventional smoking with virtually limitless customization options and juice combinations. Nevertheless, if you want to be over with nicotine addiction, you should slowly work towards quitting vaping in the near future.
Many people want to keep on vaping for the taste or habit, which is understandable, given the fact that there are e liquids with zero nicotine. However, if you really want to lead a healthier lifestyle, it would be a good idea to get rid of the vape kit not long after your nicotine intake reaches 0 mg. In the end, smoke-free life includes vapor-free life, too.
Vaping Works Best When Mixed With Other Methods
Nicotine-free vape juices can be an answer to getting over nicotine addiction, but they don’t necessarily help get rid of smoking habits. To quit smoking effectively, you should avoid triggers and develop a healthy alternative such as exercise or meditation.
Avoiding Triggers
Many people consider smoking tobacco as a form of self-medication. In other words, if you have issues with your mood, you may light up a cigarette to relieve stress and calm down. It is common, especially among those prone to depression and anxiety.
Although it may sound easier said than done, getting rid of stressors that trigger smoking urges can be the most effective way of getting over the addiction.
Developing a Healthy Habit
Another way of fighting smoking urges is developing a healthy habit that would replace smoking. Going for a jog or meditating are good examples. Alternatively, if you don’t want to do extensive physical activity, it could be reading a book or trying out a new hobby.
What’s important is that you can detach yourself from the situation and focus on something else. For instance, going for a short walk can be an excellent replacement for a cigarette!
Concluding Thoughts
When you think about the measures one can take to give up smoking, it’s quite evident that vaping is one of the more attractive alternatives. Not only does it allow you to lower your nicotine levels gradually, but it also helps you keep a part of your habit until you develop new, healthier ones.
Keep in mind that although vaping seems like a great alternative to conventional cigarettes, it should not be treated as a long-term solution. Instead, you should consider switching to vaping a step towards your new, smoke-free lifestyle. If you combine it with other methods and stay focused on your goal, you will find out that giving up smoking might be more manageable than you think!
