Vaping For Smokers:
If you’re a smoker and thinking about switching to vaping, it’s a smart move! Vaping can potentially be a less harmful alternative to traditional cigarettes and may even help you quit smoking for good. However, making the switch can come with its own set of challenges. Here’s a detailed guide to help you navigate vaping as a smoker and make the transition as smooth as possible.

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1. Why Vaping?
Benefits of Switching from Smoking to Vaping
- Less harmful chemicals: Cigarettes contain thousands of harmful chemicals, many of which are toxic or carcinogenic. Vaping generally contains fewer harmful substances, although it’s not completely risk-free.
- No tar or ash: Vaping doesn’t involve combustion, so you avoid the tar and ash that come from burning tobacco.
- Customizable nicotine levels: Vaping allows you to gradually reduce your nicotine intake, which can be helpful for those looking to quit smoking over time.
- Reduced smell: Vaping doesn’t leave the lingering smell of tobacco smoke on your clothes, hair, or in your home.
2. Key Steps to Transition from Smoking to Vaping
1. Understand Nicotine Strengths
As a heavy smoker, you likely have a high nicotine tolerance, so it’s important to choose the right nicotine strength in your vape juice.
Nicotine Levels in Vape Juice:
- 0mg: No nicotine, for those who want to quit nicotine entirely.
- 3mg: Low nicotine, for light smokers or those reducing nicotine levels.
- 6mg: Moderate nicotine, ideal for those who were heavy smokers but want a lower dose.
- 12mg and higher: Higher nicotine levels, better suited for those who were smoking a pack or more per day.
Tip: Start with a higher nicotine concentration (like 12mg or 18mg) and then gradually lower it as you feel comfortable.
2. Choose the Right Device for Heavy Smokers
As a heavy smoker, you’ll likely want a vaping device that offers a stronger throat hit and longer battery life. Here are your best options:
- Pod Systems: Compact, easy to use, and give a good nicotine hit, especially with higher nicotine salts. These are great for beginners or those looking for convenience.
- Example: JUUL or SMOK Nord.
- Mouth-to-Lung (MTL) Devices: MTL devices closely replicate the smoking experience by mimicking how you inhale from a cigarette. They offer a stronger throat hit and are generally better for heavy smokers.
- Example: Aspire Nautilus or Innokin Endura.
- Sub-Ohm Tanks: For those who want bigger vapor clouds and stronger flavors, sub-ohm tanks use lower nicotine levels (3–6mg) but create larger vapor production. However, they may not be the best option for heavy smokers who need a higher nicotine concentration at first.
- Example: SMOK TFV8 or Vaporesso NRG.
Key Considerations:
- Throat hit: Look for devices that offer a satisfying throat hit, which mimics the feeling of smoking. MTL devices or those using nicotine salts are great for this.
- Battery life: Heavy smokers typically go through more vape juice, so choose a device with a longer battery life (especially if you’re using it a lot).
- Ease of use: If you’re new to vaping, consider simpler, beginner-friendly devices, like pod systems.
3. Choose the Right Vape Juice (E-Liquid)
As a smoker, it’s important to choose the right vape juice to ensure you get a satisfying experience. Here’s what to consider:
Nicotine Type:
- Nicotine Salts: If you want a more traditional, smoother throat hit that’s closer to the sensation of smoking, choose nicotine salt e-liquids. Nicotine salts are absorbed faster, giving you a quicker nicotine hit.
- Freebase Nicotine: More common in standard vape juices, freebase nicotine provides a stronger throat hit but may feel harsher for beginners.
Flavor:
- Tobacco flavors: If you miss the taste of tobacco, try e-liquids with tobacco flavors.
- Menthol or Mint: If you’ve been smoking menthol cigarettes, you might prefer mint or menthol-flavored e-liquids.
- Sweet and Fruity: Many vapers enjoy fruity or dessert flavors, but if you’re transitioning from smoking, it might take a while to get used to the variety.
4. Use a Gradual Reduction Approach
One of the best things about vaping is that you can gradually reduce your nicotine intake over time. As you get used to vaping, you can begin lowering the nicotine levels in your e-liquids. For example:
- Start with 18mg nicotine strength if you’re a heavy smoker.
- After a few weeks, reduce to 12mg.
- Then, gradually drop to 6mg or 3mg over time, depending on how you feel.
This tapering off approach allows you to adjust slowly and avoid the cravings that can come from sudden nicotine withdrawal.
5. Stay Consistent and Patient
The transition from smoking to vaping can be challenging. Here’s how to make the process easier:
- Consistency is key: Vape regularly to satisfy your cravings. You might need to vape more frequently than you smoked initially, but that’s okay during the transition.
- Patience: Vaping isn’t a magic fix—it might take a few days or weeks to fully adjust. Don’t get discouraged if you feel cravings or urges to smoke.
- Track progress: Keep track of how often you’re vaping, how much nicotine you’re using, and how you’re feeling. Over time, you’ll see the progress as you start reducing nicotine and smoking less.
6. Monitor and Adjust Your Vaping Routine
You might find that certain times of day (like after meals or during stress) trigger your cravings. Here are some things you can do to make the switch smoother:
- Keep your device with you at all times, especially during high-craving times.
- Stay hydrated, as vaping can lead to dry mouth.
- Adjust flavors based on how you’re feeling. If you find yourself missing cigarettes, try stronger tobacco flavors or even menthol.
7. Consider Support
Quitting smoking is tough. If you find yourself struggling with cravings or anxiety, consider joining an online support group, or even using nicotine patches or gum alongside vaping to help with withdrawal symptoms. Talking to a doctor or a support specialist can also help you set goals and manage the process.
8. Vaping Tips for Smokers:
- Be mindful of your nicotine strength: Heavy smokers need more nicotine, so choose e-liquids with higher nicotine content at first.
- Choose an MTL or pod system: These devices mimic the smoking experience more closely than sub-ohm setups.
- Gradually lower your nicotine: Over time, reduce your nicotine levels to get closer to quitting smoking entirely.
- Don’t rush the process: It may take time to fully transition from smoking to vaping. Be patient and give your body time to adjust.
Switching from smoking to vaping is a positive step toward better health, but it’s not always an easy transition. Stick with it, experiment with different devices and nicotine strengths, and most importantly, stay committed to reducing or quitting smoking altogether.