Expert warns why you shouldn’t give up vaping ‘cold turkey’
You might want to put down your mad blue for this one (or perhaps grip onto the bar a little tighter), as this is going to be hard to hear for some vapers.
With the UK looking to have a crackdown on vaping, it’s time to talk about giving up those puffs of pineapple peach.
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The government is launching an eight-week consultation, with hopes of finding a way to tighten up on the addictive devices.
Seven potential restrictions have been laid out to try and make something smokers can use to quit, while not being taken up by so many children.
With disposable vapes possibly going to be ditched, a restriction on flavours and prices to be raised, you could be thinking about just packing them in altogether.
But experts have warned that you probably shouldn’t just go cold turkey on them.
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Experts do say vaping is ‘substantially less harmful’ than smoking, but they’re still absolutely rammed with highly addictive nicotine.
And LloydsPharmacy told the Daily Record that it’s best to quit the habit by gradually cutting back, rather than just throwing any vapes in the bin.
The spokesperson explained: “Unlike smoking where it is advised you ideally quit all at once or go 'cold turkey' as it’s known, the NHS promotes quitting vaping slowly - especially if you started vaping to help you quit smoking.”
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So, it’s recommended to get yourself an e-cigarette with a lower amount of nicotine and then keep gradually reducing this. While doing this, you should cut down how often you vape.
This way, you should be less likely to relapse.
They also said that if you are tempted to relapse, to always pick e-cigs over cigarettes.
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They explained: “Of course, the ideal option is not to smoke or vape. However, vaping is substantially less harmful than smoking.
"We know vaping exposes users to fewer toxins and at lower levels than smoking cigarettes. Importantly, vapes do not produce tar or carbon monoxide, two of the most harmful substances in tobacco smoke."
Obviously, quitting vaping isn’t going to be an easy task for everyone – especially when they seem to be everywhere.
So LloydsPharmacy suggest focusing ‘on your motivators’ and ‘identify your triggers’.
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“You may have to make small changes to your routines,” they added.
If you are struggling, they advice asking for help from ‘healthcare professions’ as well as getting support from those around you. They also suggest ‘physical exercise’ to relieve any withdrawal symptoms, ‘keeping your mind busy’ and using ‘stop smoking aids’.
But above all, the key thing is not to think you’re well hard and try and do it cold turkey, especially if you want to kick the habit for good.
Jess Battison