Deciding to quit smoking is a step in the right direction. But just stopping is extremely difficult for most people. A lot of people who smoke therefore find that vaping is a great substitute that helps alleviate abstinence. But there are obviously also people who don’t smoke who have found the charm of vaping.
But if you want to start vaping, there are more things that can go wrong. Even though manufacturers have done everything to make vapes easier and more efficient in recent years, it is still difficult to choose the right one in the beginning and to use it properly if you are a novice.
Unfortunately, this often leads to frustration, which eventually leads to giving up and going back to regular cigarettes. But this does not have to happen. If you want to quit cigarettes in favor of vaping, it is important to be aware of the following common mistakes for beginners.
Choosing the wrong device
The first mistake you should avoid is choosing the wrong e-cigarette from the beginning. There are many different vapes in all kinds of different shapes on the market today. Some are extremely easy to use whilst others are incredibly complicated.
Many new users can easily handle e-cigarettes up to intermediate level, but there is a learning curve. Since starter kits are often cheap and don’t have the best quality, it is best to start with a kit up to intermediate level.
Although beginner kits can look and feel simple, they are fantastic and can have many useful features. Most importantly, they are easy to use. Thanks to this, you get to experience the features without having to worry about learning to control them, or, use them incorrectly.
That said, there are many different types of e-cigarettes that suit different tastes. Make sure you buy a high-quality vape from a reputable company.
Let’s look closer at the most common types of vapes and what they have to offer.
Starter kit
Starter kits are often both simple and effective. Most can work with a single push of a button. Some models light up when you inhale, meaning that no button is needed.
Unlike more advanced vapes, these new e-cigarettes use refillable pods. When your e-juice or e-liquid runs out, just refill it and put it back in place. The coils are built into the pods.
Another thing to keep in mind is that these vapes are, in general, very small and discreet. Their cloud production is minimal and they charge in no time.
Intermediate units
If you have passed the start phase or think you can handle a little more challenge, then there are lots of great products out there.
These vapes are basically pen-style vapes on steroids. Also known as “tube mods”, they are thicker and more powerful than the beginner kit. In many (if not most) cases, the subunits are very capable.
Without becoming too technical, these devices are known for their low electrical resistance. This means more power to the coil, leading to better taste and larger smoke clouds. While this can be a lot of fun, it will make it difficult to vape discreetly.
Another thing to keep in mind is that, unlike pod-mods, pen / tube mods need to be cleaned and you need to change the coils more often than with a pod vape. The batteries last longer, but the charging time also takes a while – from two to four hours, depending on the battery.
The nicotine content is also quite limited. In fact, if you use regular e-juice with a nicotine content above 6 mg, there is a good chance that it will be very itchy in the throat.
Box Mods
Box-mods are the most advanced vaping devices. Within them, there are several different categories – conventional boxmods , squonking, PWM, Serial, and the list goes on. For the sake of simplicity, we will stick to the simplest alternative, which is factory-built box mods.
What sets these e-cigarettes apart from the rest is the level of complexity and control. These have great features if you are an advanced user. But if you’ve never touched a device, you’ll probably spend hours on Google looking for help. It is important that you get good help in the store so that you can dare to experiment more with flavors.
Mix flavors
Many people think it’s fun to mix flavors – and we do not say that it is not. But the result can get terrible very quickly. Mixing two flavors may sound good in theory, but it can create a disgusting taste that you never want to touch again.
Another problem is a problem called “flavor ghost”. This happens when you change flavors without switching to a new coil or rinsing your tank. Some flavors are not as intense, but heavier ones can really stay and affect the taste of your vaping experience.
If you are planning to change flavors, it is best to wait until you have used your coil and give your tank a quick rinse. Alternatively, you can always buy more than one tank and devote them to a particular taste.
Choosing the wrong nicotine level
When you are new to vaping, it is easy to miss the amount of nicotine you need. There are guidelines, but nothing is set in stone. You may find the need to experiment a bit, but also to use common sense.
If you only smoke a handful of cigarettes a day, 3mg will suffice for an intermediate and 6mg for a pod system. If you are used to smoking a pack of cigarettes a day, 6mg is a good choice if you use an intermediate, and 12mg for pod systems. Increase or decrease only as needed until you find the right balance.
Forget to charge
There is a common myth that it is best to let a battery drain all the way before charging it. This is simply not true. In fact, it will put more strain on your battery and cause it to not last as long.
While not conserving your battery is not a major concern, it is also inconvenient to wait until your vape runs out of power in the middle of the day. Do yourself a favor and charge your device regularly. Otherwise, you’ll end up with a vape that is out of power when you want to use it the most.
Not being respectful
While this certainly does not apply to most vapers, it does ruin a few things for the rest of us.
It is no secret that steam is safer than smoking and there is no evidence that passive steam is harmful. But that does not change the fact that it is annoying. If you plan to vape, always keep your distance from those around you.
Another thing that some of us fall for is good old-fashioned preaching. It’s great that you quit smoking and found something better, but that does not mean that everyone else is as interested as you. Some people let the vaping get to their heads and start lecturing smokers. Alternatively, they can also brag about it to non-smokers and anyone who wants to listen.
Nobody likes this kind of preaching where you tell them what to do. Do not discuss vaping unless someone asks about it. But even then, this is not an open invitation to speak. Telling someone about what vaping is and why you like it should not take forever to explain.
