how to inhale a vape
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How to Inhale a Vape
Two styles: mouth to lung (cigarette like, best for beginners) and direct to lung (a bigger inhale). How to inhale comfortably, step by step.
If you are new to vaping, you may wonder how to inhale a vape, since it can feel different from smoking. There are two main styles, mouth to lung, which is the cigarette like draw most ex smokers prefer, and direct to lung, a bigger, airier inhale. For most beginners and switching smokers, the gentle mouth to lung style is the place to start. This guide explains both and how to inhale comfortably, alongside our guide on vapour tricks.
Quick answer
There are two main styles. Mouth to lung, where you draw vapour into your mouth then inhale it, gives a cigarette like draw and suits most beginners and switching smokers. Direct to lung is a bigger, airier inhale straight to the lungs. Start gentle, with a device suited to the style you choose.
The two main styles
Vaping inhales come in two broad styles. Mouth to lung, or MTL, means drawing the vapour into your mouth first, then breathing it into your lungs, much like a cigarette, giving a tighter, gentler draw. Direct to lung, or DTL, means inhaling the vapour straight into your lungs in one bigger, airier breath, which produces more vapour and suits more advanced setups.
Mouth to lung versus direct to lung
| Style | Feels like | Suits |
|---|---|---|
| Mouth to lung (MTL) | A cigarette like, tighter draw | Beginners, switching smokers |
| Direct to lung (DTL) | A bigger, airier inhale | More experienced vapers |
| Vapour | MTL less, DTL more | Depends on preference |
| Device | MTL pods and pens | DTL higher power devices |
| Start here | MTL for most beginners | Yes |
How to inhale, step by step
For most beginners, the mouth to lung style is easiest and most cigarette like. Take a slow, gentle draw, let the vapour gather in your mouth, then breathe it into your lungs and exhale. Avoid sharp, hard draws to begin with. If you are using a direct to lung device, you inhale straight to the lungs in one smooth breath, but most switching smokers find mouth to lung the comfortable place to start.
Most beginners do best with a gentle mouth to lung draw, the cigarette like style. Sip the vapour into your mouth, then breathe it in. Start slow and gentle.
Mouth to lung, step by step
- Take a slow, gentle draw on the device
- Let the vapour gather in your mouth for a moment
- Breathe the vapour into your lungs
- Exhale gently
- Start gentle and find a rhythm that suits you
Myths and facts
| Myth | The reality |
|---|---|
| You must inhale hard to vape | No, a slow, gentle draw works best, especially when starting out. |
| There is only one way to inhale | There are two main styles, mouth to lung and direct to lung. |
| Direct to lung is best for beginners | Most beginners and switching smokers find mouth to lung easier. |
| The device does not matter for inhaling | Devices are designed for MTL or DTL, so match the device to the style. |
Frequently asked questions
How do I inhale a vape?
For most beginners, use a mouth to lung draw: sip the vapour into your mouth, then breathe it into your lungs and exhale. Start gentle.
What is mouth to lung?
Drawing vapour into your mouth first, then inhaling it, giving a cigarette like draw that suits beginners and switching smokers.
What is direct to lung?
Inhaling vapour straight into your lungs in one bigger breath, producing more vapour, suited to more advanced devices.
Which should a beginner use?
Mouth to lung is usually the easier, more cigarette like place to start.
Why does my draw feel harsh?
Try a gentler draw, a lower nicotine strength, or check the device suits the style; our team can help.
The bottom line
To inhale a vape, most beginners and switching smokers do best with a gentle mouth to lung draw, sipping the vapour into the mouth, then breathing it into the lungs and exhaling, which feels much like a cigarette. Direct to lung, a bigger inhale straight to the lungs, suits more experienced vapers and higher power devices. Start slow and gentle, match the device to the style, and our team can help you find what suits you.
More help and related reading
If this guide raised other questions, the Help and Guidance library has plain English answers to many more. The closely related pages below are worth a look, and you can always return to the main hub to browse every topic we cover. If you are unsure about your device or how to use it, our team is always happy to help.
- How to ghost vape
- How long do vape coils last?
- How much nicotine is in a vape?
- Browse the full Help and Guidance library
Key things to remember
- Two styles: mouth to lung and direct to lung
- Mouth to lung is the cigarette like draw
- Most beginners and switching smokers start with MTL
- Direct to lung is a bigger, airier inhale
- Start gentle and match the device to the style
Getting comfortable as a beginner
If you are switching from smoking, mouth to lung will feel the most familiar, since it mirrors the draw of a cigarette. Start with slow, gentle puffs rather than hard ones, and give yourself a little time to find a rhythm. A device designed for mouth to lung, with a tighter draw and a sensible nicotine strength, makes this much easier.
If a draw feels harsh or makes you cough, it often means the draw is too hard, the nicotine strength is too high, or the device is set up for direct to lung. Easing off, adjusting the strength, or choosing the right device usually sorts it, and our team can help you get set up.
Troubleshooting your inhale
| Issue | Try |
|---|---|
| Harsh draw | A gentler puff or lower strength |
| Coughing | Slow down; check the device style |
| Too little vapour | Check the device suits the style |
| Not satisfying | Adjust nicotine strength |
| Unsure | Ask our team |
A few more questions
Can I switch between MTL and DTL?
Yes, though devices are usually designed for one style, so the right device for each gives the best experience.
Do and don’t
Do
- Start with gentle mouth to lung draws
- Match the device to the inhale style
- Choose a sensible nicotine strength
- Take your time to find a rhythm
Try not to
- Take hard, sharp draws when starting out
- Use a direct to lung device as a nervous beginner
- Pick too high a strength and risk a harsh hit
- Worry if it takes a little practice
Why the right setup matters
A surprising amount of how an inhale feels comes down to the device and strength rather than technique. A mouth to lung device has a tighter draw that naturally suits the cigarette like style, while a direct to lung device has an airy draw built for big lung inhales, and using the wrong one for your style feels off. The nicotine strength matters too, as too high can feel harsh.
So if vaping feels uncomfortable, it is often the setup, not you. The right device for your chosen style, with a suitable strength, makes inhaling feel natural, and that is exactly the kind of thing our team can help you get right.
Matching setup to style
| Style | Device | Strength |
|---|---|---|
| Mouth to lung | Pod or pen, tighter draw | Often higher nic salt |
| Direct to lung | Higher power, airy draw | Usually lower strength |
| Beginner | Mouth to lung | Sensible, not too high |
| Switching smoker | Mouth to lung | Enough to manage cravings |
| Unsure | Ask our team | Ask our team |
More questions answered
Why do I cough when I vape?
Often the draw is too hard, the strength too high, or the device is set up for a different style; easing off usually helps.
Is mouth to lung better for quitting smoking?
For many switching smokers, yes, the cigarette like draw and suitable strength make the transition more comfortable.
A quick word on safety and the law
Vaping and nicotine products are intended for adult smokers and existing vapers as a less harmful alternative to cigarettes. They contain nicotine unless stated otherwise, which is addictive, and they are not suitable for non smokers, pregnant women or anyone under 18. By law you must be 18 or over to buy vaping products in the UK, and we age verify every order. If you want to stop using nicotine altogether, your local stop smoking service offers free, tailored support.
UK public health bodies advise that vaping is substantially less harmful than smoking, but it is not risk free, and if you do not smoke the advice is not to start.
This guide is general information, not personal medical advice. If a symptom is severe, persistent or worrying, please speak to a GP, pharmacist or dentist.
Need a hand?
Browse our full library of plain English vaping guides, or get in touch with the team if you have a question we have not answered yet.