The importance of giving up smoking, and how to do it
If there’s one constant piece of health advice you’re likely to hear, it’s not to smoke. And yet, according to reports from 2019 14.4% of the adult population in the UK still do. It’s one of life’s great mysteries as to why so many of us still smoke, but the good news is that if you want to quit, we’ve got a solution.
A lot of the team at e-liquids.com have been heavy smokers in the past, but many of us have managed to quit thanks to the alternative route offered by e-liquids. The fact that there are now half as many vapers as smokers in the UK says it all—e-liquids are the future.
Of course, not all vapers were smokers, but it seems likely if you’re looking into vaping that you’ll have smoked at some point. As such, over the course of this blog we’re going to run through the negative impacts of smoking, and then address how switching to vaping could potentially change your life.
Why you should quit smoking
If you feel that you’re already accepted the negative role smoking has in your life, and are ready to learn about the alternative, then you can move onto the next section. Still, we find that it helps to face the toll of smoking head on so you can bear it in mind each time you get a craving.
In the UK alone in 2017 there were 77,800 deaths attributable to smoking. That’s a hard fact to face, but think about it for a second. That means there was a direct undeniable causation link; realistically the number is far higher given the negative toll smoking has over the years, to your lungs, to your skin, and to every process in your body.
You know this already, no doubt, but it’s important to think about that figure. It’s not just a statistic, it’s a sad truth. Giving up smoking is far from an easy feat, but with the right tools in hand, and the understanding that it is possible, we can all bring that number down.
What are e-liquids?
Wait! It’s not all doom and gloom here. The fact is that e-liquids represent a great new step forward for you. Over 50% of current vapers have completely given up smoking, with the rest having either moderately or vastly cut down. But what are e-liquids?
E-liquids are much simpler formulations than tobacco, with far less chemical nasties. They’re basically just nicotine, water vapour, and a blend of two compounds known as PG (Propylene Glycol) and VG (Vegetable Glycerine), both of which are FDA-approved and common ingredients in food. These last two lead to the thicker vapour.
Nicotine is the primary addictive substance taken in when smoking, which is why e-liquids reduce everything down to just that. That means no tar, no hydrogen cyanide, or any of the 7,000 other chemicals you inhale in each cigarette. Sounds good right?
E-liquids: the best alternative to smoking
The lack of horrible chemicals is one of the major reasons for making the switch from smoking to vapour, but it doesn’t stop there! Here’s five great reasons to bear in mind so you know exactly why you should buy e-liquids.
1. No smell
This might seem like a frivolous one to start with, but it’s a biggie! A lot of smokers don’t actually realise how strong the smell is, and how much it sticks to you and your clothing. Thankfully, vaping is odourless.
That means no bad breath, no clothes constantly smelling of smoke, no upturned noses when you come back into the office from a smoke break, and no ruined furniture. You might even notice your own sense of smell coming back!
2. Cheaper
For a lot of smokers, buying cigarettes is something they do without thinking, but it can often amount to £20+ a week, even if you’re a lighter smoker. Thankfully vaping generally works out much, much cheaper.
That doesn’t mean it’s free of course, but on average someone who vapes will spend £500+ less a year on their habit (though everyone differs). There’s a lot you could do with that sort of cash!
3. Physical appearance
People often consider the impact smoking has on their health and lifespan, but don’t stop and recognise the far more present impacts it has on their appearance. Looking after yourself and quitting smoking can have many benefits.
Whether it’s yellow skin on your fingers, an increased chance of blackened teeth, or even thinning hair, smoking has tangible effects on nearly every aspect of how you look. That’s why vaping can also be a big boost to confidence.
4. Friends & family
Another aspect to consider is the impact of smoking on those close to you. Not only does passive smoking put their own health at risk, but people naturally worry about anyone who smokes and the impact it might have on them.
Vaping shows those around you that you’re putting an emphasis on your own path towards quitting smoking. There’s also much lower risks associated with second-hand vapour inhalation, especially since it dissipates faster. Plus, they won’t have to smell you coming from a mile away!
5. Less chemicals!
We started off with this one, but we really have to emphasise it again—vaping contains so many less harmful chemicals! Even if vaping carries some minor health risks due to the dangers of nicotine, it’s still many magnitudes better for you than smoking.
To put your mind at rest we’d recommend doing your own research, and tracking down studies on why smoking is demonstrably more harmful than vaping. The best solution is to always quit outright, but for those looking for a hobby, vape liquids are a very viable alternative to smoking.
Buying e-liquids
Taking that first step from deciding you want to vape to actually buying e-liquids can be tricky. That’s why we’re here to help. Looking for vape hardware? We’d recommend the best mouth-to-lung device in the game. Looking for e-liquids? Let’s break that down for you quickly.
The core options you have are 10ml e-liquids, shortfills, and nic salts. As a beginner, we’d always recommend 10mls as the best entry point, since they’re easy to get on board with, and cheap to sample. After that, why not read our blog on what a shortfills is, or what nic salts are? We’re here to help.