The US CDC admits that e-cigarettes have the potential to benefit adult smokers who want to quit.
The FDA also agreed that a complete switch from tobacco to e-cigs "would have a huge public health impact".
Even the UK's very own Public Health England reported e-cigs to be 95% less harmful than smoked tobacco.
That said, vaping may be the next best move for you if you want to finally quit smoking tobacco. The gradual cessation may help make it easier to kick the habit.
But before investing in any e-cig, you should first learn the basics of vaping for beginners. While it's not that complicated, there are jargons and terms that you should know about.
Don't worry though, as this post will walk you through the ABCs of vaping.
Ready to jump on the bandwagon and reduce, even eliminate your tobacco smoking habits? Then keep reading this ultimate guide to vaping so you can start off on the right foot!
Vaping for Beginners: The ABC of Vaporizers
Let's start off this beginner’s guide to vaping by covering the basic anatomy of a vaporizer. This way, you can avoid feeling confused with jargons and terminologies.
The Mouthpiece
This is where you place your mouth to huff, puff, and produce those clouds. You'll often hear more advanced vapers refer to this part as the "drip tip". It's customizable, as you can choose the size and shape you're most comfortable with.
Also, some drip tips generate more vapors, while others are easier to draw smoke from.
The Atomizer
This is the part that heats up the e-liquid to produce the inhalable vapor. It contains the wick, which soaks up the vape juice, and the heating coil (or coils), which is what heats the vape juice.
Many coils are customizable, giving you the flexibility to adjust their heating temperature. Some vapers do this to control the amount of vapor that their device can produce.
The Vape Juice Cartridge
This is the small storage container that holds the vape juice or e-liquid. In vape pens and mods, these are refillable containers.
The Tank
The tank contains and protects the atomizer and the vape juice cartridge. High-quality tanks are durable and they come in various capacities, shapes, and designs.
The Battery
This is where the atomizer and its coils draw power from. Higher-quality and bigger capacity batteries require fewer re-charges in between.
Most reusable vaporizers now come with a convenient USB recharging port. You'll still find some that make use of direct wall plugs though.
A Sneak Peek into the Types of Vaporizers
Vaping devices usually fall under one of three types: disposables, vape pens, or mods. Most people who are new to vaping either go for a disposable or a vape pen. Keep in mind that your final choice will affect your first vaping experience (and its cost) though.
That said, let's have a quick peek into the pros and cons of each device.
Cig-a-Likes/Disposables
Cig-a-likes offer newbie vapers a quick look into what they can expect from vaping. These are disposable, ready-to-use devices, so they're also the least expensive. You simply puff, inhale, and exhale, and you'll have your first vaping experience.
If you're not ready to invest a lot on your first device, a cig-a-like or disposable e-cig may be a good option. Make sure to pick one of the highly-rated disposables though, so you can get a great first experience.
Vape Pens
Vape pens are bulkier and heavier than cig-a-likes, as they’re rechargeable devices. Most of their parts, like the battery, atomizer, and mouthpiece, are changeable.
Since they're a bit more complicated, most of their users are intermediate vapers. Their reusability also makes them a little pricier than disposables.
However, they're still a good choice for beginner vapers who want a better first experience. Plus, they're easy to get used to, so it won't take long before you can master the art and science behind them. And since they're reusable, they're very cost-effective.
Box Mods/Vape Mods
Box mods, or vape mods, are the trickiest vaping devices, which is why most of its users are the most advanced vapers. They do, however, produce the most amount of power and incredible amounts of vapor. They also have greater battery capacity, so you only have to deal with fewer recharging times.
High-quality box mods are also highly-customizable with various atomizers. Moreover, they can hold bigger tanks, which means they can carry more of your preferred e-juice.
Breaking down the Jargon: Ohm vs. Sub-Ohm Vaporizers
“Ohm” and “sub-ohm” are among the vaping basics to keep in mind as you shop for your first device. In the vaping world, "ohm" refers to the resistance of atomizer coils. It's a measurement of the current that the coil allows to pass through itself.
The lower the coil resistance, the more current that will pass through it. This then makes the coil hotter, which in turn, creates more vapor.
Before, vaporizers had a usual ohm range of between 1.5 ohms to 3 ohms. While these already produced a good amount of vapor, some vapers wanted even more.
This then gave rise to the "sub-ohm" variant of vaporizers. For simplicity's sake, "sub-ohm" refers to coils with a resistance that's lower than 1 ohm.
Sub-ohm vaporizers, aside from producing more vapor, also intensify e-juice flavors. They also have increased airflow and often create warmer vapors. If bigger clouds and more flavorful vapor appeal to you, consider sub-ohm vaping.
Deciding on the Right E-Liquid Nicotine Content
To enjoy the benefits of vaping, you need to completely commit to quit tobacco smoking. This is why you should choose the right amount of nicotine content in your e-liquids.
One way to determine nicotine level is to factor in your current smoking habits. Tobacco cigarettes contain an average nicotine level of 10 mg. As for vape juices, they range from 0 to 24 mg/ml or more.
If you smoke more than one pack a day, it may be best to start with an e-juice containing 18 mg/ml of nicotine. If you smoke half a pack a day, go for an e-liquid with a nicotine range of between 6 and 12 mg/ml. For light smokers, it's best to stick to a nicotine range of below 6 mg/ml.
While you want to reduce your nicotine intake, a sudden stop can cause unwanted symptoms. These withdrawal symptoms include headaches, nausea, irritability, stomach cramps, and even anxiety.
A gradual reduction from what you're accustomed to may be safer and more effective.
Make Your First Vaping Experience a Pleasurable One
So long as you follow this guide to vaping for beginners, you're likely to have a great first experience. What's important is to choose high-quality vaporizers, even if you'll choose a disposable. The better the quality of the device is, the more pleasurable your vaping experience will be.
Ready to start shopping for your first ever vaporizer? Then be sure to check out our extensive collection of starter kits! They're a great choice for newcomers to the vaping world.