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The Smoker’s Guide to Vaping: Everything You Need to Know Before You Switch

Image showing the Article Title: The Smokers Guide to Vaping
Image depicting a person holding cigarettes in one hand and a vape in the other.

Introduction

There are many reasons why you, as a smoker, may be thinking of switching to vaping, including fears over health, the growing cost of tobacco products, and convenience of use.
Many smokers choose vaping because it is a proven tool for quitting. It is twice as effective as other cessation methods, such as gum or patches.
In this guide, we will cover the benefits of vaping, how to get started, and the best options available, including kits and e-liquids.

Image depicting a person contemplating if vaping is safer than vaping

Is Vaping Safer Than Smoking?

Public Health England has stated for many years that vaping is 95% less harmful than smoking and endorses vaping as a viable cessation method.

One of the reasons for this is that vaping doesn't burn tobacco, eliminating many of the harmful chemicals and byproducts such as tar and carbon monoxide, which are the two biggest killers associated with smoking.

Despite this, there are many myths surrounding vaping which prevail and are one of the main reasons that many adults feel that vaping is unsafe. These include popcorn lung and the use of ingredients considered to be dangerous. We have recently released a blog where we debunk all of the common myths and misconceptions.

Image of a person breaking a cigarette

Can Vaping Help Me Quit?

As mentioned previously, vaping is considered to be one of the preferred and most successful cessation methods. One of the reasons for this is that vaping allows you to tailor nicotine levels to match your smoking habits. E-liquid, which is used in place of tobacco, is available in nicotine strengths from 0mg to 20mg, allowing you to find a strength that satisfies your nicotine cravings, the main reason why many people fail when trying to quit smoking.

"After 30 years of smoking and many unsuccessful attempts to quit, I eventually managed what seemed at first to be impossible by switching to vaping," says author Gavin Hardy.

A person viewing an online cost calculator on a computer screen

How Much Does Vaping Cost Compared to Smoking?

For many, the cost savings will be a big factor when considering vaping. Vaping is considerably cheaper than smoking, with the cost difference over a year being enough to pay for a luxury family holiday or a small car.

As an example, based on prices at the time of writing this piece, a smoker of 20 cigarettes per day could save up to £4200 over a year when switching to vaping and using a vape kit and 10ml e-liquids. To see how this breaks down, we have produced a simple savings calculator for you to use on our website.

For example, a 10ml bottle of e-liquid costing £3.99 is the equivalent of 100 cigarettes costing approximately £65, based on the average price of £12.85 per pack of 20.

Ready to Quit Smoking? Start Your Journey with the Right Vape Kit

Switching to vaping doesn’t have to be confusing. Our starter kits are designed for smokers making the move — easy to use, affordable, and built around nicotine strengths that fit your needs.

What Vape Device is Best for Beginners?

With so many different vape devices available, it's hard to know where to start. To make it easier, we will begin by narrowing it down to the various types of vape kits suitable for first-time vapers.
"Vape Starter Kit" is a term many of you will have encountered. These can be split into three groups: disposables or prefilled devices, refillable pod systems, and vape pens or kits.

Shop Vape Starter Kits online at Vampire Vape

An image depicting disposable and prefilled vapes

Disposables & Prefilled Vapes

Disposables and Prefilled Devices - Exploded in popularity from 2.3% to 30% vape use in 2024, disposables were a quick and easy way to get into vaping. These devices were single-use vapes prefilled with 10mg or 20mg of nicotine salts (a popular strength for ex-smokers) and available in a range of fruity and sweet flavours. They came pre-charged and ready to vape straight out of the box. 

With disposable vapes banned in June 2025, prefilled pod devices have become more popular with new vapers.

View our range of prefilled vape kits online at Vampire Vape

An image depicting refillable pod kits

Refillable Pod Vapes

Pod Kits - A regular favourite with new and existing vapers for its simplicity and easy setup. Available with a choice of prefilled or refillable pods, pod systems are rechargeable and are either button or draw-activated.

Designed to be used with a range of e-liquid types and nicotine strengths from 0mg to 20mg, and adjustable airflow, they are suitable for all vaping styles including MTL (mouth to lung) which mimics a cigarette inhale making them very popular with people switching from smoking.

View our full range of refillable pod vapes online at Vampire Vape

Image depicting vape pens

Pen Style Vapes

Vape Pens - A cylindrical-shaped device, like a pen, was the original design of vape kits, which is still popular today. The slim round shape is similar to that of a cigarette, which many people find helps with the transition from smoking to vaping. Vape pen devices are rechargeable and have refillable pods or traditional vape tanks. These can be used with different types and strengths of e-liquids and have fixed or adjustable airflow. Vape pens are typically designed for first-time vapers, with most having a fixed airflo, which is restricted for MTL (mouth-to-lung) vaping.

View our range of vape pens online at Vampire Vape

Image depicting the Avomi Cliq pod system vape

Vape Bundles

Vape starter bundles - the best way to find your first vape. Vampire Vape offers a choice of the best starter kits, including vape kits, pod kits, and vape pens, bundled with free e-liquids and nic salts at reduced prices. With a choice of more than 40 kits, Vampire Vape has the best range of vape starter kit deals to suit any preference. Consisting of vape kits from top brands and award-winning e-liquids made in the UK, these vape bundles deliver excellent performance and value for money.

Image depicting a bottle of e-liquid highlighting the nicotine strength

What's the Best Nicotine Strength for Me?

Nicotine, depending on the type of e-liquid, comes in different forms.

Freebase nicotine - The purest form of nicotine, similar to that found in cigarette tobacco, which produces a harsher throat hit when inhaled, is available in 0mg, 3mg, 6mg, 12mg, and 18mg strengths.

Nicotine Salts - Known as 'nic salts', are derived from the salts that occur when the nicotine is extracted from the tobacco leaf. It proved popular because it is absorbed quicker and has a smoother throat hit and because they were used in disposable devices, which were the first choice for many vapers making the switch to vaping. Nicotine salts are typically available in 10mg and 20mg strengths, though some manufacturers produce 5mg strength e-liquids.

To answer the question of which strength is best, here's a quick guide on choosing the right nicotine level:

  • 20mg Nic Salts / 18mg Freebase - Heavy smokers offering a strong throat hit.
  • 10mg Nic Salts / 8mg - 12mg Freebase - Moderate smokers.
  • 5mg Nic Salts / 3mg-6mg Freebase - Light smokers or vapers wanting to cut down on nicotine strength.
  • 0mg - Nicotine-free vaping or sub-Ohm vaping for experienced vapers.

What's the Closest E-liquid to Tobacco?

When comparing e-liquids, you need to consider flavour and the VG/PG balance. The majority of e-liquids best suited to new vapers or ex-smokers looking to switch have an equal blend of 50% VG to 50% PG or a 40% VG to 50% PG blend, as this is ideal for restricted MTL (mouth-to-lung) vape devices. VG (Vegetable Glycerine) and PG (Propylene Glycol) are two of the main ingredients in e-liquids used to deliver nicotine, as they easily convert from a liquid to a vapour and are safe to use.

We have found that the most popular flavours with smokers looking to switch are, not surprisingly, tobacco flavours. This is why you will find many different tobacco flavours that mimic different cigarette brands. Some will also be blended with other flavours like coffee or mint.

At the end of the day, it will come down to personal taste. Our recommendation for the closest would be one of the many tobacco flavours like Vampire Vape's Smooth Western V2, or for a stronger flavour, Vampire Vape's Tobacco 1961. If you'd prefer something sweeter, like a fruity taste, we'd recommend Vampire Vape's Heisenberg or Pinkman, both award-winning flavours.

Nicotine salts are generally much sweeter with a wider range of fruit and menthol blends. These were made popular through the use of disposables.

"My personal preference is for a mint tobacco or cafe tobacco flavour", says author Gavin Hardy.

Popular E-liquid Flavours for Ex-Smokers

Shop all the best e-liquid flavours

Vampire Vape Smooth Western V2

Smooth Western is a traditional smooth tobacco flavoured e-liquid. With it’s strong classic flavour.

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Vampire Vape Tobacco 1961

Tobacco 1961 is a traditional earthy tobacco e-liquid with subtle hints of roasted nuts.

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Vampire Vape Vanilla Tobacco

Vanilla tobacco is a sweet blend of classic, rich vanilla with warm creamy notes.

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Vampire Vape Menthol Tobacco

Menthol Tobacco is a traditional tobacco flavouring with a cooling, menthol aftertaste!

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Vampire Vape Heisenberg

This award-winning e-liquid is a fruity sensation of mixed red berries topped off with a cool menthol breeze.

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Vampire Vape Pinkman

Pinkman vape juice has a deliciously sweet flavour jam-packed full of a wide variety of mixed fruits.

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Some Popular Nic Salt Flavours

Shop all the best Nic Salt flavours

Vampire Vape Sweet Tobbaco

Nic Salt Sweet Tobacco is a rich and traditional flavoured tobacco liquid with a sweet caramel undertone.

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Bar Salts Blue Razz Lemonade

A super sweet fruity treat that’s the ideal mix for anyone looking for some flawlessly balanced bliss!

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Bar Salts Cheery Raspberry Strawberry Ice

A fruity ice blast of some of the most delectable summer fruits out there!

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Choosing the best vape starter kit video

Choosing the Best Vape Starter Kit

In this video, we explore how to choose the best starter kit for first-time vapers.

Best e-liquids for starter kits video

The Best E-liquids for Starters

In this video, we take a look at the best e-liquids for smokers looking to switch to vaping.

Final Thoughts: Should You Make the Switch?

Taking into account the many benefits, like the fact that you're more likely to succeed in your goal through vaping than any other cessation method. The cost savings speak for themselves.

It has always been said that when attempting a task, you are more likely to succeed when you reward yourself. What could be better than a luxury family holiday at the end of your first year of not smoking?

With the choice of vape kits, e-liquid strengths and flavours, vaping offers a much wider choice, making it more likely that you will succeed.

Make the Switch today

Visit our online store and find your perfect starter kit or bundle, including e-liquids.

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