Smoking – it’s something we all know we should not do and yet every year people still start smoking for whatever reason, doing irreparable damage to their body. Really, in this day and age, no one should be smoking because it’s not just bad for them, it’s bad for the people around them too. That’s where vaping could be an important solution.
A new study has suggested that almost 900,000 smokers in England have used e-cigarettes in order to break their habit. Researchers at University College London have estimated that 891,000 people used one of the devices when trying to stop smoking in 2014. This was opposed to using prescription medicine or receiving behavioural support.
It’s popularity has most definitely surged over the past few years and I have a number of friends who have successfully ditched their cigarettes for vaping. But before I knew people who had taken up vaping with Vape Club I had no idea what it was all about.
Despite its popularity, a lot of confusion still surrounds vaping. In short, an electronic cigarette, or e-cigarette, simulates the effects of smoking by converting a solution – or eliquid – into vapour. The vapour is a substitute for the smoke you’d inhale when smoking a traditional cigarette. There are two parts to most liquids – VG and PG which stand for vegetable glycerine (used in many industries including the food industry) and propylene glycol (used in tons of stuff).
There are many reasons people wish to quit smoking, and improving overall health is high on the list. There are numerous other benefits to going smoke-free.
Here are just a few changes you’ll experience once you give up smoking:
• Immediately after quitting smoking, heart rate and blood pressure, which is abnormally high while smoking, begin to return to normal.
• Within a few weeks, circulation improves, you don’t produce as much phlegm, and you don’t cough or wheeze as often.
• Food tastes better, and your sense of smell returns to normal
• Everyday activities no longer leave you out of breath.
• Your clothes and hair will smell better
• Stained teeth will get whiter
• Your breath will smell better
• You’ll save yourself a lot of money. The average smoker spends an astonishing £27.54 a week and £90,000 over their lifetime on cigarettes. If that’s not a reason to celebrate, what is?
• Your sex life will improve (wait… forget what I just said above – this is the reason to celebrate! )
So if you’re struggling to give up smoking, how exactly do you go about it?
• Make a deal with friends to quit at the same time. You may discover they want to quit too.
• Smokers often hate other people quitting, so be prepared for a few put-downs. It’s a good idea to have something ready to say when you’re offered a cigarette. Here are a few reasons (but I’m sure you can think of better ones):
“Smoking costs me £xxx a year. I’m giving up so I can buy myself a new laptop/driving lessons/a holiday.”
• Worried about weight gain while you’re quitting? Load up with low-calorie snacks, such as apple chips, carrot sticks, sugar-free mints or popcorn, to get you through the cravings.
• The first few days are the hardest to cope with, but your withdrawal symptoms should decrease after the first four weeks
If vaping is an option you’ve been considering to help you kick your habit, take a look at Vapemate. They apparently offer the biggest selection of UK-made eliquids in the world – as well as electronic cigarettes, vape kits, vaping accessories and more. Offering wild e liquid flavours from pear drops to chocolate orange, rum and cola to pimms!
Good luck and think of how great you’ll feel once you’ve quit!
