Stopping Vaping
Vaping can help people to stop smoking and is much less harmful than smoking.
Feel Good Suffolk does not have a stop vaping service. Read advice on stopping vaping on this page.
When you are ready to stop vaping you can either cut down gradually, or stop in one go – whichever suits you best.
Cutting down vaping to stop
This may be best for you if you spend a lot of time with other vapers or smokers either socially, at home or during breaks at work.
Strength
Keep lowering the nicotine strength in the vape. Nicotine vape liquid strengths are 20mg, 18mg, 12mg, 6mg, 3mg and 0mg.
You can control how much nicotine you need to help with cravings and other withdrawal symptoms, such as feeling irritable and having low mood.
Stay on the lower strength for a week or two. Then go to the next lower strength. Try not to lower the nicotine strength too quickly. Only cut down when you’re ready.
Time
Increase the time between vaping. Distract yourself at a time you would vape. Over time, this will reduce your cravings.
Places
Make places where you normally vape, such as your home, car or workplace a ‘vape-free space’
Quitting vaping in one go
If you want to stop vaping and do not want to cut down first, try the following:
QuickMist Mouthspray
– Nicorette® QuickMist Mouthspray – Fresh Mint Single | NICORETTE® is recommended quick relief when you have a craving. You can also use a nicotine patch to help keep nicotine levels steady. Do not use more than two sprays per dose, or four sprays every hour, or 64 sprays per day in total.
Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT)
Nicotine patches, mouth and nasal spray, gum and lozenges, can help with nicotine cravings.
You can buy NRT from pharmacies, supermarkets and other outlets. Pharmacists can give you advice on NRT. A patch keeps the nicotine at the same level. You can use it with a spray, inhaler, gum or lozenges which gives a strong and quick hit. When you feel ready you can slowly reduce your strength of NRTs until you stop.
'Not a puff' rule
The ‘not a puff’ rule means not having a single puff on a vape from the day you stop vaping.
Other tips to help you quit
Support from friends or family can make a big difference. Let them know that you’re trying to quit and how they can help you
Team up with someone else. If you know someone else who’s trying to quit, support each other and check in regularly
Stay busy like going for a walk, doing games/puzzles or keeping your hands busy can help you manage cravings
Illegal vapes
Photo credit – Elsa-Olofsson Unsplash
Illegal vapes have become really common over the past few years, and there are a few things worth knowing – both about what makes them illegal and why they can be more risky than regulated vapes.
Why are they illegal?
A vape can be illegal for a few reasons:
– Too much nicotine (above the UK limit of 20mg/mL)
– Too much e-liquid (the UK limit is 2ml)
– Counterfeit branding (for example faked Elf / Geek bars)
– Not approved with proper packaging and warnings
– Aren’t tested and have no ingredients list
– Can have lower safety standards
How can you spot an illegal vape?
Some things to watch out for:
Packaging and warnings – Legal UK vapes must have a nicotine addition warning, an ingredient list, batch number and CE / UKCA marks
Nicotine Strength – The UK limit is 20mg/ml (usually labelled as 2%)
Clones of big brands – Counterfeits are common for Elf Bars, Lost Mary, Geek Bars, Crystal and Elux
Illegal vapes have also been linked to higher levels of lead, nickel and chromium exposure, which can harm the lungs, brain and nervous system. There is no safe level of lead exposure and the effects build up over time.
How to report underage or illegal vape sales
It is illegal to sell vapes to anyone under 18 or for adults to buy vapes for under 18s
Citizens Advice
Citizens Advice consumer helpline: 0808 223 1133
Lines are open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. Lines are closed on bank holidays.
Relay UK
If you can’t hear or speak on the phone, you can type what you want to say: 18001 then 0808 223 1133
Calls from mobiles and landlines are free.
Online reporting
Us the ‘Keep it out’ website for Anonymous Reporting | Keep It Out
Safely disposing of vapes
Putting your old vapes in to your general rubbish or recycling bin can cause bin lorry fires.
So how do you make sure that you are disposing of your vapes safely and with the environment in mind?
You can recycle your vapes at some large supermarkets or the small domestic appliances container at any of Suffolk Recycling Centre.
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