what happens when you quit smoking and start vaping
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What Happens When You Quit Smoking and Start Vaping?
A vape manages cravings without the tar and carbon monoxide of smoke. Taste, smell and breathing often improve, though you still get nicotine.
Switching from smoking to vaping is one of the most common reasons people take up a vape, so it helps to know what to expect. In short, a vape manages your nicotine cravings while removing the tar and toxins of cigarette smoke, so many people notice their taste, smell and breathing improve over time, while still getting nicotine. This guide explains, alongside our guide on whether vaping is better than smoking.
Quick answer
When you quit smoking and switch to vaping, a vape manages your nicotine cravings without the tar and carbon monoxide of cigarettes. Many people find their taste and smell return, their cough changes and breathing eases over time, and they feel the benefits of no longer inhaling smoke. You still get nicotine, so the addiction continues, but the harmful exposure drops substantially.
The early days
In the first days and weeks, a vape with a suitable nicotine strength helps manage the cravings that make quitting smoking hard. Some people notice their usual smoker''s cough changes for a while as the airways clear, and taste and smell often start to return. Choosing a device and strength that satisfy your cravings makes it much easier to leave cigarettes behind for good.
What to expect when switching
| Timeframe | What many notice |
|---|---|
| First days | Cravings managed by the vape |
| Early weeks | Taste and smell start to return |
| Early weeks | Cough may change as airways clear |
| Over time | Breathing and circulation tend to improve |
| Throughout | Still getting nicotine, so addiction continues |
The bigger picture
The biggest change is what you are no longer exposed to. Because vaping has no burning tobacco, you avoid the tar and carbon monoxide responsible for most of smoking''s serious harm, which is why UK public health bodies regard a full switch as substantially less harmful. You are still using nicotine, so the addiction continues, and over time you may choose to reduce your strength. The key is to switch completely, not do both.
Switching from smoking to vaping manages cravings while removing the tar and carbon monoxide of smoke. Taste, smell and breathing often improve, though you still get nicotine, so switch completely for the benefit.
Myths and facts
| Myth | The reality |
|---|---|
| You get no benefit from switching | You avoid the tar and carbon monoxide of smoke, the main causes of smoking harm. |
| Switching means you are no longer addicted | You still get nicotine, so the addiction continues; you can reduce strength over time. |
| Doing both is fine | To get the benefit, switch completely rather than smoking and vaping. |
| Vaping is risk free once you switch | It is far less harmful than smoking, but not risk free. |
Frequently asked questions
What happens when you quit smoking and start vaping?
A vape manages your nicotine cravings without the tar and carbon monoxide of cigarettes, and many people find taste, smell and breathing improve over time.
Will my cough get better or worse?
Some people notice their cough changes for a while as the airways clear; this varies between people.
Am I still addicted to nicotine?
Yes, a vape still delivers nicotine, so the addiction continues; you can choose to reduce strength over time.
Is switching better than smoking?
Yes, switching completely is substantially less harmful, because it removes the smoke; it is not risk free.
Should I keep smoking as well?
No, to get the benefit you should switch completely rather than doing both.
The bottom line
When you quit smoking and start vaping, a vape with a suitable nicotine strength manages your cravings while removing the tar and carbon monoxide of cigarette smoke. Many people find their taste and smell return, their cough changes as the airways clear, and their breathing and circulation improve over time. You are still getting nicotine, so the addiction continues, but the harmful exposure drops substantially, which is why switching completely is regarded as a much less harmful step than continuing to smoke.
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 a product or your situation, our team and the official guidance are the best places to check.
- Is vaping better than smoking?
- How to stop vaping
- Is vaping bad for you?
- Browse the full Help and Guidance library
Key things to remember
- A vape manages nicotine cravings
- You avoid the tar and carbon monoxide of smoke
- Taste, smell and breathing often improve
- You still get nicotine, so addiction continues
- Switch completely for the full benefit
Settling into the switch
Settling into vaping after smoking usually comes down to getting two things right, the device and the nicotine strength. A mouth to lung pod kit gives a familiar, cigarette like draw, and a strength that genuinely manages your cravings, often higher at first for a heavier smoker, makes it far easier not to reach for a cigarette. If the vape does not satisfy, the strength may be too low.
Over the following weeks, many people find they think about cigarettes less, notice food tasting better, and feel the everyday benefits of no longer inhaling smoke. From there, some choose to gradually reduce their nicotine strength, though there is no rush.
Getting the switch right
| Factor | Tip |
|---|---|
| Device | A mouth to lung pod kit feels like a cigarette |
| Strength | High enough to manage cravings |
| If unsatisfied | The strength may be too low |
| Over time | Cravings and cough often ease |
| Later | Reduce strength if you wish |
A few more questions
How long until I feel the benefits?
It varies, but many people notice taste, smell and breathing improving within days to weeks of switching completely.
Do and don’t
Do
- Switch completely from smoking
- Choose a strength that manages cravings
- Pick a mouth to lung pod kit for a familiar draw
- Get free support if you need it
Try not to
- Keep smoking as well as vaping
- Pick too low a strength and risk relapse
- Expect zero adjustment
- Start vaping if you are a non smoker
Common worries when switching
People switching from smoking often have a few worries, and most are easily addressed. Some fear they will not get a satisfying hit, which usually means choosing a suitable strength and a mouth to lung device. Others notice a temporary cough as the airways clear, which tends to settle. A few worry vaping is no better than smoking, when in fact it removes the smoke that causes most of the harm.
The most important thing is to switch completely rather than doing both, since dual use limits the benefit. If cravings remain strong, a stop smoking service can help you fine tune your approach so the switch sticks.
Common worries addressed
| Worry | Reality |
|---|---|
| Not satisfying | Choose a suitable strength and device |
| Temporary cough | Often settles as airways clear |
| No better than smoking | Removes the smoke, the main harm |
| Still addicted | You can reduce strength over time |
| Doing both | Switch fully for the benefit |
More questions answered
Will I gain weight when I switch?
Switching to vaping keeps the nicotine and the hand to mouth habit, which some find helps; a stop smoking service can advise if you are concerned.
Can I use vaping to quit nicotine entirely?
Yes, many people reduce their strength over time; there is no rush, and support is available.
A couple more questions
Is it normal to still crave cigarettes at first?
Yes, cravings are normal early on; a suitable nicotine strength and device help, and they tend to ease over the following weeks.
Can my doctor help me switch?
Yes, free stop smoking services and GPs can advise on switching to vaping effectively, which improves your chances of success.
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 you have specific health concerns, please speak to a GP or pharmacist.
Need a hand?
Browse our range and starter kits, or get in touch if you would like help switching from smoking.