If you are a current smoker and you're thinking of making the switch to vaping then this guide is perfect for you. 

I will talk about the basics of vaping, the health risks and benefits of smoking vs vaping, cost savings, and hopefully guide you through the process on how to get started on your vaping journey. 

There will be helpful advice on the best place to start and discuss the options that are open to you as a new vaper. So, let's explore the Beginners Guide to Vaping.

Stuck with where to start? You’re not alone, I have been vaping for 10+ years and I possess a wealth of vaping knowledge in that time but, we all had to start from somewhere. 

So, let’s explore the intricacies of vaping together, and hopefully, by the end of this guide - you will feel more confident in your choice to switch to vaping and what the best avenue is for you to take.

Vaping has become one of the best and easiest ways for people to make the switch from smoking tobacco products.

Not only can vaping save you a lot of money (considering the high cost of tobacco products these days) but it can also offer many health benefits compared to smoking.

Vaping has also been proven to be much less harmful than traditional tobacco smoking. We will explore the positives of vaping further into this guide.

With vaping you will still be able to satisfy your nicotine cravings, just in a much less harmful manner without any nasty chemicals and other carcinogens that are associated with tobacco smoking. For those looking for alternatives, products like snus can also provide nicotine without the smoke, but it’s important to consider the differences.

Throughout this guide we will explore the vast array of options out there for new vapers broken down into concise sections that are easily digestible.

We’ll cover the various benefits to vaping and explore the extensive range of vape products including; starter kits, disposables, and pod kits.

Is vaping safe? That’s probably the first question any new or potential vape user has and through this guide I will try to answer that question with honesty and science backed evidence from Public Health England (PHE).

In 2015 Public Health England (PHE) performed extensive studies on vaping and has further updated the study and it’s findings in 2021/22 and they concluded that whilst vaping isn’t 100% safe it is thought to be around 95% safer than smoking tobacco products. Here’s a link to the study for you to see for yourself.

Nicotine vaping in England: 2022 evidence update - GOV.UK

Vape juice or e-juice/e-liquid are the commonly used names given to the liquid that is used in vaping and typically only has four main components such as; Propylene Glycol (PG), Vegetable Glycerin (VG), Nicotine, and flavourings.

The ratios can vary depending on the type of e-liquid you require, I will expand on that later in the guide. Whereas smoking tobacco can contain around 7,000 chemicals! At least 250 of those chemicals are known to be harmful and more than 70 of them are known to cause cancer.

One thing I didn’t know before I started vaping and what almost made me give up was the fact it made me cough when DL (direct-lung) vaping and I couldn’t understand why until I did some research and found that because of smoking it had killed the tiny hairs in the trachea's inner layer, you have small, hair-like structures called cilia. Cilia move in rhythm to push mucus out of your trachea so that you either expel or swallow it. So, when I switched to vaping, those hairs or cilia started to grow back and it was that, that was making me cough but after about a week it stopped and I’ve had no problems since. I just thought this would be helpful advice if you have a similar experience that I did in the beginning as it’s not something that’s usually mentioned as most of us are seasoned vapers, especially the reviewers on YouTube.

Smoking tobacco products is demonstrably very bad for your health, we all should know by now the reasons why and not only do you have tar to contend with but around 7,000 chemicals including more than 70 known carcinogens that are present in every cigarette and loose tobacco product.

 “Tobacco is responsible for 80,000 preventable deaths in the UK each year and is a major cause of ill health (including cancer, stroke and heart failure) and disability.” -   Creating a smoke free generation and tackling youth vaping consultation: government response 12/02/24

 “It’s important to remember that all forms of tobacco cause cancer. This includes cigarettes, cigars, pipes, shisha and smokeless tobacco” -  Cancer Research UK 07/6/23

There are many known health risks involved in smoking tobacco products including;

• Many forms of cancer

• Respiratory issues and infections

• Cardiovascular disease

• Reproductive issues

• Heart disease

• Stroke

• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

Cancer: Smoking is the leading cause of many types of cancer such as; lung, throat, mouth, oesophagus, bladder, pancreas, kidney, and cervix. As you can see it’s not just relegated to oral cancers as many would suspect.

Respiratory Issues: Smoking causes an incredible amount of damage to the lungs and airways which can lead to a wealth of respiratory concerns such as emphysema and chronic bronchitis. It’s especially bad if you already suffer from a respiratory condition like asthma, you are at a much greater risk of developing conditions such as pneumonia and bronchitis.

Cardiovascular Disease: Smoking exponentially increases your risk of cardiovascular diseases such as heart attack, stroke, peripheral heart disease, and aortic aneurysm. Smoking also damages your blood vessels, it reduces circulation and contributes to plaque buildup in your arteries.

Reproductive Issues: Smoking can have an adverse effect on your ability to reproduce in both men and women. Smoking can cause erectile dysfunction in men and it can have a devastating effect for women that continue to smoke whilst pregnant, complications include; miscarriage, premature birth, low birth weight, and birth defects.

Secondhand Smoke: Smoking not only seriously harms you but also the people around you, for nonsmokers there is an increased risk of heart disease, lung cancer, and other respiratory issues, especially in children and people with preexisting medical conditions.

Addiction: We all know that smoking is highly addictive, the nicotine content of a cigarette is what keeps you going back time and time again. Addiction can lead to dependency and withdrawal symptoms especially when attempting to quit smoking. The addictive nature of smoking is why many people struggle to give up smoking and this is where vaping has helped so many people in their quest to be free of cigarettes and other tobacco products.

Financial Strain: Smoking has increasingly become an expensive habit and is heavily taxed. This can put a lot of strain on struggling families and individuals on low income both in terms of the cost of tobacco and cigarettes but other potential associated health complications as a result of smoking.

Social Stigma: In many societies around the world smoking has been increasingly stigmatised due to the plethora of associated health risks including passive smoking. Some smokers may feel ostracised and feel discriminated against.

The dangers of smoking are extensive and not only does it have an impact on the smoker but everyone around them. Quitting smoking is the most important thing a smoker has to do in order to improve your health and those around you. You will not only feel much better, live longer, and lower your risk of several major health conditions, but also save you a lot of money in the process.

Thankfully, in recent years advertising tobacco products has been banned on TV and via other advertising methods; billboards, and sports sponsorship etc. right down the plain packaging that’s found in shops today. We have all seen the smoking cessation Ads and on literature in doctors surgeries and pharmacies.

In this section we will explore the wide range of starter kits, pods, and disposables that are available to new and existing vapers.

I will try to explain the subtle differences of each of them in easy to read chunks, and hopefully by the end you will feel more confident in selecting the right path for you to become smoke free.

To start with you may feel overwhelmed by the sheer mountain of choice on offer as a new vaper but, fear not, there is something for everyone. 

It's one of the many reasons why I love vaping but it can also be a daunting task when you’re not sure where to go. I’m confident that you will find something that suits your needs.

If you require more information, you can view our dedicated article on the best vaping pens, kits and devices for your budget here. 

One of the first things you will need to figure out when you make the switch to vaping is the type of vaping you prefer. 

There are three main ways to vape but, there are a lot of devices, pods, tanks, and rebuildable atomisers that allow you to customise the airflow to find your sweet spot, here are the three main and commonly used terms when describing the inhalation of e-liquid vapour:

• Direct Lung (DL) - Direct lung vaping involves inhaling the vapour directly into your lungs as the name suggests. Imagine taking a long slow breath in. DL & MTL are the two most common forms of vaping.

• Restrictive Direct Lung (RDL) - This offers a tighter or restricted ‘draw’ but is still direct to lung vaping

• Mouth-to-lung (MTL) - This involves drawing the vapour into your mouth first before inhaling, very similar to cigarette smoking or imagine drinking from a straw, you take the liquid into your mouth and then swallow. MTL is often seen to be a good starting point for new vapers. The majority of disposable vapes are set up with MTL in mind.

So, once you have chosen the style of vaping you prefer, it’s now time to choose the right vape device for you.

I have already mentioned that there is a vast array of vaping hardware that’s available today. I won’t list specific makes and models because like any other technology the landscape changes on an almost weekly basis so what I might recommend today might not be available to purchase tomorrow.

Some have built-in batteries, particularly in disposables and pod kits that require you to charge the device via a suitable USB cable, and some have removable batteries that require you to charge your battery(s) externally with an appropriate battery charger.

For a first time vaper I would recommend buying a simple pod kit, anything from the likes of; Vaporesso, Voopoo, SMOK, Aspire, and OXVA.

This is not an exhaustive list of brands but they are some of the most popular choices for new and experienced vapers.

You can view our best pod vape kits in 2024 in our dedicated article. 

Pod kits generally offer a built-in battery solution that would be ideal for new vapers and many include a variety of different options such as supplying two different pods that suit DL/RDL and MTL vaping styles. These pod kits are the best option for new vapers as it allows you to try the main ways to vape without the need to buy two or more separate devices.

There are two main different pod kits available on the market; 

• Pre-filled pods (usually found in supermarkets and corner stores) - these pods do not have a removable coil and instead you have to buy packs of pre-filled pods 
  
  
• Pod kits - that come with empty pods with removable coils that allow the user to use their own preferred e-liquid. 

The second option is by far the best solution as it gives the user the flexibility to tailor their vaping experience to their liking and is much more cost effective and less wasteful.

There are two main components to pod kits, the battery/main body of the pod kit (which is often referred to as a “mod”.) and the pod itself which in the case of the ones you would purchase from Ecigone typically have a pre-installed coil that can either be removable or built-in.

• Battery/Body (Mod): The battery or mod component of the pod kit is generally a lightweight section of the device that houses the internal battery and all of the circuitry necessary to the pods functions which typically include; wattage (power) output of the pod, battery level indicator, resistance of the installed coil, and puff counter.

• POD: This section contains the pre-installed coil and in the case of removable coil pods this allows you to change to coil either once it’s reached the end of it’s life or if you want to switch from DL vaping to MLT or just experiment with the different coil types that are available to your chosen pod kit. Many manufacturers offer a wide array of coil types for your device so you can be sure to find one that suits your needs. The pod will also have a mechanism for filling the pod with your chosen e-liquid, this is typically in the form of a rubber bung on the side or bottom of the pod to allow for easy refilling.

Pod kits are the number one choice for new vapers and it's easy to understand why, they are usually cost effective and certainly very user-friendly and offer a great first step into the world of vaping. 

Many pods offer a draw-activated firing mechanism, meaning you simply raise the device to your mouth and inhale. Others offer a single fire button on the device that you hold down as you inhale, and some devices offer both means of inhaling vapour.

As I have mentioned above in the starter kit section, your first step is to find what you think will work for you in terms of vaping style, fortunately a lot of pod kits cater to all styles of vaping so it’s very important that you do some research to see what suits you. 

\YouTube is a great resource of information, there are many vape reviewers on YouTube these days and you will most likely find a review for the device you are interested in before buying. For anything else contact the team at Ecigone for further advice.

Disposable vapes, also known as disposable vape pens or e-cigarettes are single use vapes that have a built-in non-rechargeable battery and are pre-filled with e-liquid which usually contains around 20mg/2% nicotine (depending on the store you buy from). 

Legally speaking 20mg/2% is the maximum dosage allowed for sale in the UK - which was set by the UK Government in 2016 and is known as the TRPR regulations. 

Here’s a breakdown of how disposables generally work:

• Pre-Filled E-liquid: Inside the disposable vape is a coil that’s wrapped in cotton that has been soaked in a particular e-liquid. This liquid can contain Propylene Glycol (PG), Vegetable Glycerin (VG), Nicotine, and flavourings.

• Non-Refillable: As the name suggests most disposables on the market do not allow the user to add more e-liquid to the device making it a single-use device so that when either the battery or the flavour runs out it’s time to dispose of the device and purchase a new one.

• Activation: Most disposable vapes are draw-activated, this means all you have to do is raise the device to your mouth and inhale, the device will then activate and begin to produce vapour which you then inhale. Some disposables may have a single button that you have to hold down as you inhale.

• Flavour Options: There are a plethora of different flavours on the market at the moment, ranging from fruits, drink flavours to desserts and other bakery associated flavours. This is one of the reasons disposable vapes are a popular option for new vapers.

• Portability and Convenience: Disposable vapes are very convenient especially for on-the-go users due to their compact size and they require zero maintenance over a more traditional vaping setup. They are often picked by vapers that are looking for a hassle-free vaping experience without the need to refill or charge.

However, while disposable vapes are certainly convenient devices they do create a lot of waste which is often referred to as e-waste especially when not disposed of properly. 

For a more sustainable way to vape - it is recommended that you switch to a refillable pod/starter kit, not only will it be cheaper in the long-run it will also be much better for the environment.

There’s currently a lot of talks ongoing with governments around the world regarding disposable vapes not just from an environmental aspect but also due to the surge in teen vaping in recent years which could see the blanket ban on disposable vapes in the UK following on from similar bans in the US and Australia. 

I personally believe that vaping of any kind should be confined to properly licensed vape shops such as Ecigone and in medical settings such as pharmacies and GP Surgeries.

E-liquid, which is also known as vape juice or e-juice is the liquid that is used in vaping and it’s what creates the vapour associated with vaping. 

It can come in many forms, differing flavours and nicotine strengths, it is commonly ordered as a zero nicotine product that the user has to add nicotine to it. In this next section I will explain the ins and outs of all things e-liquid.

Let’s break down what’s in your typical e-liquid:

• Propylene Glycol (PG): PG is an odourless and colourless liquid that is commonly used as a base in e-liquid. Because we can’t just vape flavour concentrates we need a base layer to carry the flavour and to produce the vapour that we inhale

• Vegetable Glycerin (VG): VG is very similar to PG, although VG is a much thicker liquid and acts as a similar base layer that carries the flavour, it is also slightly sweet and in most shop bought e-liquids they will contain a mix of both PG and VG. Generally the higher the concentration of VG the more vapour is produced

• Flavourings: As the name suggests there are many types of flavourings used in vaping, they are mostly derived from the food industry and are safe to inhale if diluted correctly. These flavourings can range from traditional tobacco and menthol flavours to fruits, desserts, sweets, and many more.

• Nicotine: Nicotine is an optional component of e-liquid but as a new vaper you will want to add nicotine to your e-liquid to satisfy your nicotine cravings when switching from smoking. The amount of nicotine can vary depending on your particular needs, most short fill bottles will be zero nicotine labelled as; 0mg/mL and you will have to purchase and add the nicotine yourself to your desired strength. I will go into all the different types of e-liquid bottles and the nicotine mixing process in the next section.

So, now we have gone over the basics that makeup what’s in e-liquid. I will explain the various bottle sizes that e-liquid commonly comes in and how to add and mix nicotine to the correct strengths based on the size of the bottle.

Check out our best recommended e-liquids and vape juices for 2024 here. 

Firstly, there are two main forms of nicotine; freebase nicotine which is usually suspended in a PG and VG base as a 50/50 ratio, but can also be purchased with just VG and then there’s salt nicotine or nicotine salts which despite its name isn’t salty in taste.

Nicotine salts are made from nicotine extracted from the tobacco leaf and bonded with benzoic acid. The salts vaporise at a lower temperature and with a lower pH level than freebase nicotine (the nicotine used in most standard e-liquids). You may also find that salt nicotine is less harsh on your throat than freebase nicotine, so if you find freebase nicotine e-liquid too harsh it would be a good idea to try a salt nicotine e-liquid.

Some people have an allergy to PG so that’s the reason why both e-liquid and nicotine come in various makeups. Also, some people prefer a higher VG concentration in the pursuit of producing more vapour or clouds as it’s commonly referred to.

Let's talk bottle sizes, most corner shops and supermarkets currently sell 10ml bottles of e-liquid usually pre-mixed with nicotine at a maximum strength of 20mg/2% and they are available with freebase and salt nicotine variants. 

Some retailers (outside of specific vape shops) sell 50ml bottles of e-juice almost exclusively as a zero nicotine product that you would have to purchase the desired nicotine separately.

 Most vape shops either online or in a brick and mortar stores will carry various sized bottles of e-liquid including 10ml, 30ml, 50ml, 100ml, and in some cases all the way up to 250ml (although this is usually in the form of DIY mixing that’s available online mostly).

In the below diagram you will see the correct levels of nicotine to add when mixing your own nicotine e-liquid. 

Nicotine that is sold in brick and mortar and online vape shops are usually sold in 10ml bottles, freebase nicotine is normally sold in an 18mg nicotine concentration while salt nicotine is sold in a 20mg concentration and they come in varying PG/VG solutions depending on what you choose. 

Typically they will come in 50/50, and 70/30 solutions. The first number is always the VG content of the nicotine shot.

While the below diagram shows you the amount of nicotine required based on the size of bottle a general rule of thumb is 1x 10ml bottle of nicotine per 50ml of e-liquid and that goes for freebase and salt nicotine variants.

Now that you have decided on the type of e-liquid you want to buy, let's talk about the viscosity or thickness of the e-liquid you want to vape. As a new vaper you are likely to want to start off with an MTL device as your first step into vaping, and as MTL devices usually contain smaller coils with a heavily restricted draw a thick e-liquid will not work in this case as the liquid is just too thick for the cotton surrounding the coil to cope with.

For MTL devices we would always recommend you buy a 50/50 e-liquid, this will be much thinner or runny than standard e-liquid as PG is much less viscous than VG and will be able to keep up with the coil to prevent a dry or burnt taste which is generally caused by either the e-liquid level is too low or the e-liquid is too thick for the coil in use.

Moving on from MTL and heading into DL and RDL vaping, 70/30 or 80/20 e-liquids are generally considered the standard concentrations for this type of vaping.

Regardless of the PG & VG levels their amount will always be 100% as you can see from the examples above.

So to recap if you want to MTL vape a 50/50 e-liquid is the best option and 70/30 and 80/20 is more suited to RTA’s (rebuildable tank atomizer), RDA’s (rebuildable dripping atomizer) and stock coil tanks that use pre-made coils.

So far I have talked about the type of e-liquid you will typically use and the various forms of nicotine but one of the most important things you need to consider when you start vaping is the actual strength of nicotine you need. 

While everyone is different and it depends a lot on the amount of tobacco you use on a daily basis as a general ‘rule of thumb’ it’s advisable to start on a high dosage of nicotine when you are starting out.

I started out on 24mg, that was before the TRPR regulations came into force in 2016 and since then the maximum allowed nicotine level has been set at 20mg. 

20mg e-liquid is usually sold in the form of 10ml salt nicotine bottles, which I would recommend starting off on either those 10ml salt nicotine e-liquids or a 12mg freebase e-liquid which will be available in larger bottles.

Once you are comfortable with the nicotine level it’s now down to you and your vaping journey, you can choose to stay on a high nicotine e-liquid or in the case of many people (me included) you can then reduce your nicotine intake gradually. 

As I stated earlier I started on 24mg nicotine and now I’m down to just 3mg and I’ve been vaping happily at that level for some years now.

Not all of us want to keep vaping forever and vaping is a much better option for not only inhaling dangerous chemicals but lowering your nicotine intake with a view to quit smoking and vaping altogether. 

Even the NHS promotes vaping as a great avenue for quitting smoking as many people (again, me included) find it extremely hard to go ‘cold turkey’ and that the patches and gums aren’t working. 

Vaping replaces those traditional smoking cessation methods and allows you to quell your nicotine cravings while at the same time be around 95% better for your health than smoking alone. 

One of many things that vaping offers over smoking is it puts you in control, you control the nicotine level, something that’s impossible with tobacco products.