Vaping To Quit Smoking: How Disposable Vapes Has Helped Smokers Kick The Habit During Lockdown
The Biggest advantage of vaping and smoking is that we can unequivocally say that Vaping is better for your health. The covid-19 pandemic has caused disruptions and stresses that will make many smokers rush to their cigarette packs to get that nicotine hit. We are here to tell them that vaping is clearly a healthier alternative, and in fact, it has been proven that vaping can help quit smoking. You can also vape cheaply using flavored disposable vape pens that we will discuss later in this article.
Approximately 1.2 million Americans have registered to become members of legal marijuana dispensaries in the last year, and many studies demonstrate just how safe and effective vaporizers are at being delivery systems for administering cannabinoids.
Choosing Between Vaping Or Smoking A Cigarette
‘Vaping’ means inhaling the water vapor produced by a personal vaporizer or electronic cigarette. This is not the same as smoking a regular cigarette because they have different burns. In vaping, the ingredients are heated to produce water vapor, while with cigarettes there is a production of smoke and ash.
Is Vaping Better Than Smoking Cigarettes?
The simple answer is yes, several promising studies have shown that it is much safer to vape than to smoke tobacco.
What are the 10 best reasons to switch to vaping?
If you are on the fence about switching to vaping to help you quit smoking, below are the 10 best reasons you should.
- Better health
- No offensive second-hand smoke
- No fire or flame, therefore no smoke, ash, or butts
- Less waste
- No more yellow fingers and bad breath
- Completely odorless, vapor smell doesn’t cling to clothes and hair
- More cost-effective than cigarettes
- Discreet; can be used almost anywhere
- No social stigmas
- Many workplaces allow vaping
Want To Know What You’re Ingesting when Vaping?
Typical E-juice found in disposable vape pens consists of between two and six ingredients. There are no other additives or hidden ingredients; what you see is what you get. The ingredients can be divided into four elements:
80%-90% Vegetable glycerin (VG) base, which acts as a carrier for the flavor (and nicotine, if added), and is often mixed with propylene glycol (PG) and/or polyethylene glycol (PEG). The higher the proportion of propylene glycol in the mixture, the thicker the vapor clouds will be.
10%-20% Flavor. Either food-grade flavorings, such as those used in candy making, or essential oil essences, such as spearmint.
0%-2.4% Nicotine, depending on strength.
Distilled water is sometimes used for dilution.
Are these ingredients safe to ingest?
Vegetable Glycerin (VG)
Also known as glycerol or glycerin, this sugar alcohol compound is colorless and odorless. Although it tastes sweet, it does not feed the bacteria that can cause plaque and lead to tooth decay. Vegetable glycerin is generally considered non-toxic and can be found in many foods, beverages, pharmaceuticals, and personal care items.
Vegetable glycerin is added to frosting icing to prevent it from drying out and is commonly added as an additive to ice cream and other frozen desserts. Glycerin soap is often used by people with sensitive, easily irritated skin because its moisturizing properties prevent skin from drying out.
Propylene Glycol (PG)
Glycols, in general, are non-corrosive and have very low toxicity. This clear organic compound is colorless, nearly odorless, and tastes faintly sweet. Propylene glycol is considered safe (GRAS) by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). There is no evidence of it being a carcinogen or of being toxic.
Propylene glycol is used in many foods and pharmaceuticals. It is also used as a kind of a direct food additive in frozen foods such as ice cream and frozen desserts. It is used as a solvent in many oral, injectable and topical (cream or gel) formulations in pharmaceuticals.
A few vapers have found that propylene glycol gives them a dry throat and occasionally mild allergic reactions. If you have an adverse experience with any of these symptoms, then it is recommended that you switch to a 100% vegetable glycerin e-juice.
Polyethylene Glycol
This polyether compound has low toxicity. It is used commercially in food, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and biomedicine.
Nicotine
Arguably the most dangerous and controversial e-juice ingredient, nicotine, is a potent alkaloid found in the nightshade family of plants (Solanaceae). Nicotine constitutes approximately 0.6% – 3.0% of the dry weight of tobacco, and when extracted in its pure form, is a yellowish oily liquid.
In smaller doses, nicotine acts as a stimulant, while high amounts of 50-100mg can be harmful. It is very unlikely that a smoker or second-hand smoker would overdose on nicotine through smoking or vaping alone. However, overdose can occur through the combined use of nicotine patches and nicotine gum while also smoking cigarettes.
The nicotine density of e-liquid is rated in mg/ml (milligrams per milliliter), often shortened to mg. If you have any doubts or extra concerns, we recommend that you start with a lower density and work your way up to the one you are comfortable with. As a reference, an average of between 1mg and 3mg is absorbed when you smoke a cigarette.
Nicotine is unique, as its effect changes from stimulant to sedative/painkiller depending on dosage and length of use. First, by releasing glucose from the liver and adrenaline from the brain, it actually causes stimulation in the body.
Smokers or vapors report feelings of relaxation, sharpness, calmness, and alertness. Some smokers may actually lose weight as a consequence of nicotine, reducing appetite and raising metabolism. At any higher dose, nicotine enhances the effect of serotonin and opiate activity in the central nervous system, producing a calming, pain-killing effect.
Short-term Side Effects
Nicotine increases blood pressure and heart rate and primarily causes a light head in humans.
Fortunately, preliminary studies suggest that vaping e-juice WITH OR WITHOUT added nicotine gives smokers the same success rate as traditional nicotine replacement therapy methods like patches and gum.
Can Vape Pens Be Used To Quit Smoking?
Yes. Vape pens have an extra advantage over traditional nicotine replacement therapies in that they feel and behave like a traditional cigarette without the smoke, tar, and other harmful substances.
Being able to handle and use your vape pen just as you would use a cigarette may very well give you the extra edge you need in your battle against tobacco. You can choose an e-liquid with no nicotine, or start with one containing nicotine and gradually taper the nicotine density down.
Side Effects of Quitting “Cold Turkey”
Many people, who quit smoking “cold turkey,” that is, without the aid of any nicotine replacement therapy, report adverse physical side effects including:
- Pimples and other skin problems
- Bleeding gums
- Susceptibility to colds and touches of the flu
- Anxiety
- Constipation
- Increased coughing (usually a good sign!)
- Dizziness
- Insomnia
- Dry throat
- Side Effects of Vaping
Many people experience no side effects whatsoever when vaping, apart from the continued usage of nicotine. When side effects actually do happen, they tend to be temporary and easily resolved. The following side effects have been attributed to vaping:
- Dry skin
- Dry mouth
- Rash / burning feeling on the face
- Itchiness
- Puffy/dry eyes
- Caffeine sensitivity
Some people who have reported side effects have persisted with vaping and found that the issues often disappear after a short while without taking any extra action. Others find that they worsen, but it is rare for people to stop vaping altogether due to side effects. This makes vaping an ideal solution for adult smokers who wish to continue enjoying their nicotine habit at a reduced risk.
Nicotine is not categorized as a carcinogen, but it is still essentially a poison and can increase the smoker’s blood pressure and heart rate. Please select your nicotine-containing e-juice with caution, and rather start at a lower nicotine density and work your way up.
Several prominent celebrities have switched from smoking to vaping, including Dennis Quaid, Leonardo DiCaprio, Kevin Connolly, Trace Cyrus, and Katherine Heigl.
Heigl, who showed off her vape pen on the David Letterman show, reported that she had tried to quit smoking using the cold turkey method, the patch, the gum, and a drug called Chantix – all without success. Thanks to her vape pen, she is now proudly smoke-free and is feeling much better.
The advantages of using disposable vape pens
If you seriously want to quit smoking and are budget conscious or want to know if vaping can be the solution. It would be advisable to go with disposable vape pens and or flavored disposable e-cig for some practical reasons.
First, vape pens are the best way to introduce anyone to vaping. Since they are disposable and are one use. You don’t have to worry about refilling them and paying for any other supplies.
The pens themselves are just a few dollars and will give you all the benefits of vaping that you want. So you can use these and determine if you want to vape long term, then you can invest in the other vape supplies and finally get a fully custom experience.