With another year gone, the season of resolutions is upon us. Thousands of people across the UK right now are making the switch from smoking to vaping, and with the vast array of choices available, it can be a little overwhelming for new vapers to pick their way through the morass and find a product which works for them. Never fear, we've put together a handy guide to buying an e cigarette in 2015.
This post was originally published last year, but much of the information is still relevant so we thought it was worth sharing again.
Find hardware that works for you
This is the single biggest decision you'll make as you begin your vaping journey. The hardware you choose to use will be dictated based on your smoking habits, so it's important that you select products which are going to work for you.
If you are currently a light smoker, or prioritise size over power and capacity, a 'cigalike' style kit is probably what you're going to be looking for. These offer maximum portability in a small, discrete form factor. Designed mainly for use with cartomizers, but with mini tanks also available, these are the ideal first step for many new vapers.
If you are looking for something which offers more power or greater battery life, the larger 'vapouriser' style 510 range may be for you. Available in a range of sizes, with the added option of variable voltage in the Twist models, these batteries go longer between charges. They also operate at higher voltages, which mean greater vapour production and throat hit.
While these batteries offer more in terms of the power they can deliver, they are larger in size. If discretion is your priority, sticking to the smallest model, the 400mAh (mini), would be advisable.
Check out our article for more information on choosing a starter kit, or contact our helpful customer service team at sales@jacvapour.com. They will guide you through the process – and recommend the best starter kit for you, dependent on your existing smoking habit and your priorities.
Find an e-liquid flavour and strength that works for you
We've talked about e-liquid flavours similar to cigarette brands before on a couple of occasions, but the choice of e-liquids available is one of the biggest attractions of vaping. No longer are you stuck with just tobacco or menthol – you can vape anything from Strawberry, to Chocolate to Banana Milkshake. Like anything, this is a matter of personal preference. The tastes you enjoy will be found out from trial and error. We don't offer any wacky flavours as you can mix and match our base flavours really easily to create different flavour profiles. See our e-liquid recipes article for top tips and ideas.
Once you've found a flavour which works for you, it's time to think about what strength you'll need. This is very important – too strong a nicotine level and you may feel a little sick, too low a nicotine level and you may think that vaping doesn't work for you! Everyone is different, so it may take a little trial and error to get this just right, but we've discussed before which strength will generally suit most smokers.
See our handy guide to e-liquid strengths for further information, but remember that it's possible to mix two different strengths to get something in between if you feel that what you are using isn't quite right.
Don't be hard on yourself when you make the switch
Even once you've got the hardware and e-liquid just right, it's not unusual to relapse and have the occasional 'analogue'. That's the beauty of vaping, you are not 'giving up', you are switching to something completely different – psychologically you shouldn't feel as much pressure. Cigarettes are packed with chemicals (3-4000 on average), and while it is the nicotine itself which is the addictive element, there is a certain amount of withdrawal you'll experience when giving them up.
Don't feel disheartened if you do end up having a cigarette again. Many people use vaping as a method of cutting down the number of cigarettes they smoke, while not quitting them entirely so it's perfectly normal to give in, especially during the first few days.
What most people find, however, is that after even just a short time, trying a cigarette again is a pretty disgusting experience.
Buy quality, safe, products
As we've stated before, not all electronic cigarettes are created equally. The industry has exploded over the past few years, leading to greater and greater numbers of vendors – not all of them reputable. It's essential that you take steps to avoid disappointment with the product you choose to buy.
Look for hardware which has been tested thoroughly to ensure it meets existing consumer goods legislation. All of our products meet CE and ROHS certification standards.
You should also make sure that the e-liquids you choose to use are manufactured using the highest quality ingredients as well as pharmaceutical grade nicotine, as ours are.
For any questions at all – please email our team sales@jacvapour.com – we are quick to reply and here to help.