Switch to vaping for 2025

As we approach the new year it’s time to start thinking about new year’s resolutions, and for many quitting smoking will be high on their list of priorities. Making the switch to vaping allows you to manage your nicotine cravings, and gives you a greater chance at a successful quit attempt. There are now 4.7 million adult vapers in Britain, 56% of which are now ex-smokers and 37% are current smokers working to reduce their cigarette intake or quit altogether.

Reasons to make the switch
Smoking is the leading cause of preventable disease and death, known to cause many forms of cancer as well as other life-altering diseases. Information from the NHS identifies smoking as the cause of 70% of all cases of lung cancer, as cigarette smoke contains countless harmful substances including at least 70 known carcinogens, as revealed by Cancer Research UK.

The British Heart Foundation advises that smoking cigarettes can also cause an increase in blood clots and fatty build-up within the arteries, making the risk of heart attack up to four times greater and the risk of stroke up to two times greater for smokers. If you would like to learn more about this we outline the many harms of smoking in our blog post 'The effects of smoking on the body'.

E-cigarettes were designed to offer an alternative to smoking that allows users to keep their nicotine cravings at bay during a quit smoking attempt, while cutting out the harmful chemicals found in cigarette smoke.

The Office for Health Improvement and Disparities has found e-cigarettes to be at least 95% less harmful than smoking and research by many sources including Cochrane and London South Bank University, have identified vaping to be more effective as a stop smoking aid than nicotine replacement therapy options like nicotine patches and gum, giving you a greater chance of successfully kicking the habit.

Vaping is now the most popular smoking cessation tool available in the UK, having already helped an estimated 2.2 million current vapers to successfully quit smoking, and many others to decrease their cigarette use substantially.

Take a look at the video below to see more of the benefits of quitting smoking.

Tips & advice
Better Health offer a variety of resources to help you quit this January, and combining a stop smoking aid like an e-cig with support from your local stop smoking services will give you the greatest chance at a successful quit attempt. Here is a list of top tips to help you succeed:

· Pick a date for your quit attempt and add it to your calendar
· Make a list of your reasons for quitting
· If you smoke at certain times of the day, change up your routine
· Tell your friends and loved ones that you are quitting
· If this is not your first quit attempt, remember what worked before
· Have a plan for times when you are tempted to smoke
· Make a list of your smoking triggers and ways to avoid them
· Keeping busy can help keep cravings at bay
· Exercise away the urge!

Research has found that if you can abstain from smoking for 28 days, you are five times more likely to successfully quit for good, so if you can remain smoke-free for January you are setting yourself up for a great chance of success!

Choosing your starter kit
Starter kits are designed with new users in mind, replicating the feel of smoking a cigarette for an experience that is comfortable and familiar to those making the switch from smoking. Let’s take a look at the different types of starter kits to help you find the right kit to suit you.

Simple and easy to use
Prefilled pod kits are one of the easiest types of starter vape kit to use, as they utilise pods that come already filled with e-liquid in a variety of flavours, so you do not have to worry about refilling your pods or changing your coil. As a new vaper, it can be daunting having to learn how to use a new electronic device, so this type of starter kit helps minimise the learning curve by making maintenance on the device incredibly straight-forward.

The DOJO Blast 6000 is a type of vape kit commonly referred to as a reusable big puff vape. This is because it can hold more than 2ml of vape juice at a time, and can therefore offer a higher puff count between pod changes than standard prefilled pod kits.

The DOJO Blast comes with a 2ml prefilled pod along with a 10ml refill container, for a total of 12ml of 20 mg/ml vape juice, and can offer up to 6,000 puffs per pod change. The refill container connects onto the prefilled pod to keep it continuously filling until both are empty. Once they are empty they can simply be removed, disposed of, and replaced with a fresh pod and refill.

Each DOJO Blast 6000 comes with a prefilled pod and refill container in a flavour that corresponds to the colour of the device, and once this is empty the DOJO Blast replacement pods are available in a choice of 15 flavours. Each one comes with both the 2ml pod and the 10ml refill container, and this also means you can choose to carry on with your favourite flavour or to mix it up with every new pod to try something new.

The IVG Air 4 in 1 is another type of big puff prefilled pod kit which can hold four prefilled pods at a time, allowing for 8ml of 20 mg/ml vape juice from every pod change. Each pod can also offer up to 6000 puffs, for a total puff count of 2,400 from four pods. Not only does this allow you to keep vaping for longer before you need to swap out the pod, but it also allows you to use multiple different flavours and switch between them at will.

Each IVG Air 4 in 1 kit comes with four prefilled pods in a mix of complimentary flavours. Once these pods have been used up, replacement IVG Air pods come in packs of two so you can choose whether to use four pods of the same flavour or to mix and match different flavoured pods.

Flexible and versatile
A hybrid pod kit can be used with both prefilled and refillable pods, giving you the option to choose between the simplicity of prefilled pods, or the freedom to refill your device with any compatible vape liquid in whichever flavour or nicotine strength you prefer.

The CUE 2.0 pod kit features a compact design with an 850 mAh built-in rechargeable battery and is draw activated, so there is no need for pushing buttons, just inhale through the mouthpiece to vape.

The CUE 2.0 is compatible not only with a range of prefilled pods, but also with a refillable pod, giving the user the ability to opt for simplicity without the need for refilling, or to choose any compatible vape juice in their preferred flavour and strength. The CUE 2.0 also offers their patented side airflow, which by-passes the battery and electronics within the device.

Economical and refillable
Refillable pod kits are one of the most popular types of starter kit as they combine the ease of a disposable pod with the freedom to choose the exact flavour and nicotine strength you prefer. They also offer a more economical option than prefilled pod kits, as the pods can be refilled multiple times before they will need to be disposed of, so they need to be replaced less frequently and produce less plastic waste.

All of these refillable pod kits can be paired with your choice of 50/50 or high PG vape juice.

The SMOK Novo GT pod kit is a very user-friendly device that combines ease of use with the ability to adjust your vaping experience to suit your preferences.

The device is compatible with the SMOK Novo, Novo 2, and Novo M pods, and comes with two different coils, so you can select the one that feels most comfortable to you. The Novo GT is also both button and draw activated, so you can choose your preferred way to vape.

With a 1300 mAh built-in battery, and USB Type-C charging, the battery offers plenty of power to get you through the day and is easy to charge whenever needed.

The OXVA Xlim Pro 2 is a very sleek and stylish little pod kit that is great for on-the-go use. The pods have a top-filling design to help minimise the possibility of leaking, so even if you are storing it in your pocket or bag when not in use, you can rest assured that all the e-liquid is going to stay exactly where it’s supposed to be.

The Xlim Pro 2 has an integrated 1300 mAh built-in battery and offers an adjustable power output of 5 - 30W, with phenomenal flavour payoff and great pod longevity.

The HD bright colour screen makes it easy to keep track of your settings and remaining battery power, even as the days are getting darker.

Another fantastic refillable pod kit comes from Vaporesso with their LUXE X2 kit. This vape is on the more powerful end, ideal if you're looking for a kit that you can keep using for a while without having to upgrade when you want something a bit more versatile.

The LUXE X2 has a built-in 2000 mAh battery and offers variable wattage with a range of 5 - 40W. The precision airflow allows you to choose the exact settings that match your preferences and feel most comfortable for you.

This kit is compatible with the range of LUXE X pods, giving you a choice of different options which all feature the COREX 2.0 technology for optimal flavour and longevity, and a robust leakproof design.

Convenient and ideal for giving vaping a try
If you've never tried vaping before and are unsure if it will be the right tool for you, a disposable vape kit may be a good place to start. This affordable vaping option allows you to dip your toe and see how vaping could work for you, without the need to invest in a full vape kit.

Disposables also offer a great alternative if you are heading to an event, night out, or on a trip and want to be able to manage your nicotine cravings on the go but would rather leave your full vape set up at home.

The PIXL 6000 is a range of big puff disposable vapes, which unlike standard 2ml disposables, come with a total of 12ml of 20 mg/ml vape juice to allow them to offer up to 6,000 puffs per device.

The device has an integrated 2ml prefilled pod but also comes with a 10ml refill container which can be attached to the device to keep the internal tank topped up. This additional 10ml of vape juice allows a single PIXL 6000 vape to last approximately as long as six standard 2ml disposables, helping you generate less waste and not have to replace your vape so frequently.

Another feature that helps this vape last so much longer is that it has a rechargeable battery, so you can top up the power whenever it gets low. It is easy to tell when you need to think about charging as the remaining battery percentage is displayed on a small screen on the front of the device, and the USB-C fast charging means it'll be ready to go again in a breeze.

It is important to bear in mind that when used all the time disposable vapes can quickly add up in cost and result in a lot of vape waste as they need to be disposed of and replaced when the e-liquid runs out. There is also a ban on disposable vapes coming into effect from 1st June 2025, so it is a good idea to consider a reusable vape kit ahead of the ban.

Alternatives to vape kits
There are a couple of different options if you are looking for an alternative nicotine source, but are not sure that vaping is going to be right for you, or are looking for something that can go alongside a vape kit to help you effectively manage your nicotine cravings.

The Ploom X Advanced device is a heat-not-burn device, which uses tobacco sticks to create a vapour instead of a smoke. This means that you can still enjoy an authentic tobacco flavour, but without the need for combustion, cutting out some of the nasty substances that are produced in tobacco smoke.

The device utilises state-of-the-art HeatFlow™ technology with an optimised airflow design for a smooth and consistent vapour, plus it is easy to clean and maintain the device between uses. The Ploom X Advanced kit can offer 20 uses before needing to be charged, and reaches a full charge in less than 90 minutes.

The EVO tobacco sticks which are designed specifically for use with the device are available in a variety of different tobacco blends, so you can find the exact one that best suits your flavour preferences. They even offer flavoured tobacco sticks which incorporate menthol or fruity notes!

Nicotine pouches are a great option if you do not always have the time to stop for a vape break, and offer a quick and discreet way to manage your nicotine cravings.

ZYN nicotine pouches are inspired by Swedish snus but do not contain any tobacco, you simply need to pop one under your upper lip and it will slowly release nicotine for up to one hour. Then just take it out and either dispose of it, or store it in the built-in waste compartment of the ZYN can.

The pouches are available in a choice of different flavours, like cool mint, citrus, and chilli guava, and are also available in a choice of different nicotine strengths.