Before You Start Vaping

So you’ve made the big decision to move on to vaping in your path to quit smoking. Great news! But hold your horses; there are a few things you should know before you start. Here are 5 important factors to keep in mind that just might help you give up for good.

1. Get a device that works for you

Choosing your first e-cigarette can be overwhelming, as there are so many options. For most first time vapers it helps to start with a ‘pen’ device. The good thing about pens is that they are relatively simple to use, cheap to purchase and easy to maintain. If you’re giving up smoking, you will probably be looking for something that mimics the act of smoking, and while the general feel of a pen may be similar, a lot of first-time vapers will revert to smoking because they do not get a satisfying ‘hit’ or nicotine intake from a pen device. This is where box mods are helpful. Box mods are generally more powerful and have more features than pens, allowing you to adjust temperature and voltage. We recommend you look for a regulated device which has safety features to prevent dangerous configurations.

2. Find the right Nicotine strength

E–Liquid comes in several different nicotine strengths. For some people, making the move from smoking to vaping can feel like you are not getting the right nicotine intake you would usually get from cigarettes. This is usually down to the nicotine levels in your e-liquid. 10ml e-liquid normally comes in 3mg, 6mg and 12mg strengths. Too low and you may find yourself smoking to compensate for the lack of nicotine, too high and it could be too intense or harsh. We recommend nicotine salts for the vaping newbie as they make your liquid smoother and more flavourful while delivering a more intense nicotine hit, making them perfect for a transitioning smoker looking for a strong e-liquid. Nicotine salt liquid can be added to 60ml or 120ml shortfills to make up your desired final strength. Nicotine Salts are great because they are absorbed rapidly by the lungs, which provides instant satisfaction.

3. Picking the right flavor

The best thing about vaping (in our opinion) is flavour! There are literally thousands of flavours out there to choose from. If you are new to vaping, you may prefer to go for the familiar taste of tobacco or menthol e-liquids, offering a fix for cravings without all the chemicals in cigarette smoke. Single flavours are also extremely popular and can range from desserts to fruits and everything in between. The important thing to remember is to keep an open mind and try as many as you can until you find your all day vape. You may even want to create your own flavors with concentrates or mix e-liquid in larger quantities than standard 10mls or Short Fills. E-liquids come in varying qualities and price so look out for something that sounds appealing to you. Click here to view the full DarkStar range by flavor profile!

4. Device Maintenance

 There are a few things you need to do to make sure that your e cigarette continues to work properly and safely. For instance, you should change your coil regularly as the cotton inside will eventually start to burn (which gives could give you a nasty burnt taste). It is important to prime your coils when you replace them by soaking the cotton with e-liquid, then once you have done that to fill your tank and leave to rest for 5 minutes. Keeping the level of liquid up in your tank will also help prevent quick burnout and maintain flavour. Making sure your device is working safely is vital. Remember to keep all your contact points clean and follow battery safety protocol.

5. Vaping Etiquette

People who do not smoke or vape are not always sympathetic to your cause of giving up smoking. It can be a social minefield but its mostly down to common sense. The best rule to follow in any public place is don’t vape where you wouldn’t smoke, unless you have permission. Some pubs and bars will allow it. Look around you first before vaping. While you might love cloud chasing, others may not appreciate it, so it’s best to be considerate just in case!

We hope you enjoyed reading the 5 things to know before you start vaping. To keep up with more DarkStar news, reviews, offers and competitions, join our online community!