The Ultimate Vaping Starter Guide

 

Quitting smoking can be very difficult and many smokers fail several times before they eventually kick the habit. Recent studies found that vaping can be “twice as effective at helping smokers give up tobacco compared with other alternatives such as nicotine patches or gum”.

Switching to vaping may be a somewhat daunting process, as you’re delving into the unknown with a multitude of information to process. You’re likely to have a range of different questions. Will it work? What is MTL? How Much PG/VG do I need? What do all of these technical terms mean?

Here at Vape Shop we want to break down all of the jargon that’s synonymous with vaping and give you a gulf of information that’s simple and easy to digest. From e-liquids to the plethora of devices out there, this guide will cover everything that you need to know about vaping.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• WHAT IS VAPING?
• CHOOSING YOUR FIRST VAPE KIT
• HOW DO VAPE KITS WORK?
• WHAT ARE VAPE COILS?
• WHAT ARE E-LIQUIDS?

WHAT IS VAPING?

Vaping is defined as the action or practice of inhaling and exhaling the vapour produced by an electronic cigarette or similar device. However, here at Vape Shop, we know that it’s much, much more than that. Vaping is a lifestyle; a choice for smokers who have decided to live a healthier lifestyle. To us, vaping means leaving cigarettes and all of their toxic chemicals behind and making a change for the better. The vaping industry has come a long way over the last few years and with the plethora of devices available on the market, it can be a daunting step to make the switch to E-cigarettes. We intend to make that leap a little bit easier with this step-by-step guide into the foundations of vaping.

WHY MAKE THE SWITCH FROM SMOKING TO VAPING?

There are around 600 active ingredients in cigarettes. When burned, cigarettes create over 7,000 chemicals. At least 69 of these chemicals are known to be carcinogenic, and many are toxic. While e-cigs do contain nicotine, they have far less harmful chemicals than a traditional cigarette and are a much healthier option to satiate a nicotine craving. Over the past few years, health bodies such as Public Health England have been advocates of the vaping industry, stating that e-cigarettes are “95% less harmful to health than smoking”. They also state that “former smokers who have now switched to using e-cigarettes or NRT have significantly lower levels of toxins compared to regular smokers”.

VAPING IS CHEAPER THAN SMOKING

With cigarette prices only getting higher, now is the perfect time to save some money, whilst leading a healthier lifestyle.

According to a recent poll, smokers who have switched to vaping ‘save around £346.32 a year after ditching the habit’. A 10ml bottle of e-juice vaped using a device like the Vaptio Tyro Starter Kit will usually last longer than a packet of cigarettes, with prices starting from only £3.29.

IT TASTES BETTER TOO!

When talking about vibrant flavours, cigarettes are not even in the same league as E-liquids. There are a plethora of options to choose from with hundreds of different flavour profiles available. While the vaping industry grows, there are new vape juice flavours being created constantly, so you’ll never run out of new ones to try.

Popular flavours include fruit, desserts, menthol, and tobacco. We recommend starting with our most popular range of flavours, Wizmix, which has over 35 flavours to choose from.

CHOOSING YOUR FIRST VAPE KIT

So, now let’s move on to the devices that you use to vape. These are typically referred to as e-cigarettes, e-cigs or vape kits and they come in a variety of shapes and sizes. The term e-cigarette is very generic and can refer to a multitude of devices. First impressions are important and we want you and your vape to start off on the right track. There are so many different vaping devices on the market that it can be difficult to know which one to pick when you’re starting out.

Picking your first vape kit is essential, as it will shape your view of vaping forever. We are here to help you make that choice and will outline which vape kit is the one for you. Below, we are going to break down the different types of e-cigarettes that are available to you.

CIG-A-LIKES

Cig-A-Like devices, as the name suggests, look and hit like a traditional cigarette. They are designed to mimic the sensations of smoking, as a means of easing smokers into the world of e-cigarettes.

These were among the very first e-cigarette devices on the market, gaining popularity from their compact and discreet nature.

POD DEVICES

Pod devices are small and portable e-cigarettes, typically pre-filled with e-liquid. These e-cigs are usually equipped with cartridges like the JUUL Replacement Pods. Pod devices are an ideal choice for new vapers, as they are usually sleek, stylish and completely hassle-free, as you won't have to replace coils and fill them up with vape juice.

MOUTH-TO-LUNG DEVICES

Mouth-to-lung (MTL for short) devices provide a tighter draw and are ideal for those who are new to vaping. Most of these devices have refillable tanks/pods that you can fill with your favourite e-liquids.

Your options know no bounds when it comes to MTL Vape Kits.

SUB-OHM DEVICES

These devices are designed with seasoned vapers in mind, due to the wider variety of settings available.

Now I’m sure you’ve been walking down the high street and seen a huge cloud of vapour appear out of nowhere, well that was most likely a from a sub-ohm vaper.

Sub-ohm devices are notably larger than most other kits and when you vape them, you inhale directly into your lungs (similar to smoking shisha).

DISPOSABLE E-CIGARETTES

Also known as Puff Bars, these are vape kits that are designed to be disposed of once they have been finished. They usually come pre-filled with vape juice, removing the messy process of filling an e-liquid tank. Disposable E-cigarettes are designed to be very easy to use. All kits are fully charged and pre-filled with e-liquid, and can be used straight from the get go. You just have to remove the device from its packaging, draw on the mouthpiece and you're there. Take a few slow draws on the device and it will activate. The battery will begin heating the e-liquid and generate tasty vapour. These kits are a great starting point for those new to vaping, thanks to their likeness to cigarettes and user-friendly designs.

HOW DO VAPE KITS WORK?

Most electronic cigarettes consist of 2 main components: a battery and a tank, and work in the same way.

WHAT ARE VAPE COILS?

The lifespan of a coil depends on how often you use your kit, so it’s always handy to have replacement coils kicking around, just in case! Coils tend to be compatible with specific kits or tanks, so you must buy the right coils for your e-cig. They are available in various resistances that are measured in ohms. Generally speaking, coils with higher resistances such as 1.2, 1.6 and 1.8ohms are better for MTL vaping. Coils with a resistance below 1.0ohms are known as sub-ohm coils and they are ideal if want to take bigger draws or produce thicker clouds.

WHAT ARE E-LIQUIDS?

E-liquid (also known as e-juice and vape juice) is the substance inserted into an electronic cigarette pod, tank or capsule that gives the e-cig vapour its flavour. E-liquids are an essential product for each and every vaper. They are available in a wide range of flavours, sizes, nicotine strengths and consistency. E-liquids produce vapour once they have been exhaled and, unlike tobacco smoke, the vapour has a fragrant scent. E-liquids are made up primarily of four ingredients:

WHAT IS PROPYLENE GLYCOL (PG)?

Propylene Glycol (PG) is a mixing agent and an ingredient in various everyday products, such as body creams, makeup and various food products. PG is a non-toxic substance and is entirely safe for consumption. In E-liquids, it carries the flavour of the vape juice, similar to how it's used in food products. PG is also used to provide a ‘throat hit’, which is intended to emulate the sensation of smoking a cigarette. If you're seeking a bolder flavour with a harsher throat hit, then we recommend an E-liquid with a higher amount of PG.

WHAT IS VEGETABLE GLYCERINE (VG)?

Vegetable Glycerin (VG) is a natural mixing agent that gives the e-liquid its thick consistency. The amount of VG within an e-liquid controls how much vapour you can produce. It is considered a safe substance for consumption and is used in common foods such as baked goods, grains, cheese and processed vegetables. If you're finding a particular vape juice to be too harsh, then we'd recommend a higher VG e-juice for a smoother throat hit.

WHAT IS NICOTINE?

Nicotine is a naturally occurring substance found in tobacco, as well as in plants and a number of foods, including aubergines (eggplant), potatoes and tomatoes. Nicotine is the ingredient that makes e-liquids such an effective substitute for smoking, as vapers can satisfy their cravings without consuming all the harmful chemicals contained in rolling tobacco or cigarettes. Vape juices are available in a variety of nicotine strengths, so you are given the option of choosing the amount of nicotine you want to vape based on your personal preferences. Nicotine also contributes to a strong throat hit, so if that’s important to you, then you should consider using an e-liquid with high nicotine strength.

E-LIQUID FLAVOURS

One of the main attractions of vaping is the vast array of delicious e-liquid flavours available. Vape juice is flavoured with food-grade additives, all of which are perfectly safe for consumption. For more information on the ingredients of e-liquids, we suggest you take a look at our What is PG and VG guide!

THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF E-LIQUID

HIGH PG E-LIQUID

For unbeatable flavour and an immensely satisfying throat hit, high PG e-liquids are the way to go. Often referred to as ‘starter’ e-liquids, high-PG juices have been around since the beginning and remain a popular choice for vapers.

A great starting point for new vapers, these vape juices provide an inhale that simulates the feeling of smoking a cigarette.

50/50 PG/VG E-LIQUID

50/50 e-liquids offer the best of both worlds. A perfect ratio of PG for maximum flavour and satisfying throat hit, and VG for thick, smooth clouds; these juices strike an ideal balance.

Suitable for use with most vape kits, 50/50 vape juices are a great choice for both new starters and seasoned vapers alike.

HIGH VG E-LIQUID

High VG e-juice usually comes in the form of Short Fills. These e-liquids offer strong flavour with dense clouds, providing an ultra-satisfying vape.

Also known as sub-ohm liquids, these e-juices are ideal for sub-ohm vape kits and tanks. High VG e-liquid is often nicotine-free, so you'll have to mix in some nic shots to give it that extra kick.

NICOTINE SALT E-LIQUID

Nicotine salts (or nic salts) have exploded in popularity within the vaping community in recent years.

Nicotine Salts are designed to be absorbed into your system faster than freebase liquids, offering a much smoother throat hit.

CHOOSING THE RIGHT NICOTINE STRENGTH

How many cigarettes you consume per day can be used as a good starting point for determining the ideal nicotine strength of your e-liquid. Heavy smokers (15+ cigarettes a day) usually find that 12-18mg are adequate concentrations to start with. Moderate smokers find that 6-12mg e-liquids are ideal, but it depends on the individual. Experiment with different strengths to find an e-juice that suits your preferences.

Sub-ohm vapers typically stick with 3-6mg strength, as these devices produce thicker clouds with higher nicotine content per puff. To help you MTL vapers decide which nicotine strength you should buy, we have especially created a WizMix Nicotine Tester Pack. With this pack, you can choose from one of three selected WizMix flavours, and we will send you a bottle in each of the five nicotine strengths. You can then sample each strength and experiment until you work out which one is for you. For the Sub-ohm vapers, have a look at our WizMaxx Nicotine Tester Pack.