Key takeaways
- Vapes differ from cigarettes in usage.
- Puffs in a vape aren't equal to the number of smoked cigarettes
- Legal pharmacy vapes are cessation tools.
- Pharmacy vapes follow strict manufacturing standards.
- Vaping's effectiveness surpasses traditional NRT products.
Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) is the first line solution to help smokers alleviate the urge to light a cigarette. But, sometimes, this stop-smoking solution doesn’t work as effectively as expected.
Fortunately, a second-line solution exists, nicotine vaping products (NVPs) from pharmacies. These are made with high standards and not your usual run-of-the-mill vape sold in groceries, convenience stores, and even toy shops.
Recently, you might have read from news sources that vapes can match or exceed the satisfaction you can get from a pack of cigarettes
So, at this point, we know you might be asking yourself, “How many packs of cigarettes are in a vape?” Let’s explore that and clear things up.
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How Many Packs of Cigarettes Are in a Vape?
Is a single vape device or cartridge equal to a pack of cigarettes?
The answer: not really. Comparing both is like comparing apples to oranges.
When you light a cigarette, you need to finish it or toss out the burnt and unburnt tobacco if you really need to throw it away.
NVPs are different because there’s nothing to finish. Your entire pack of cigarettes is in a single device ready to use at any time.
News articles may sensationalise the idea of vapes by claiming they have the same number of puffs as 20 cigarettes.
While it may be true or not, it only means pharmacy vapes can last as much as 20 cigarettes (and for much cheaper at $12.50 rather than $40 per pack).
That’s a large savings if you think about it.
What is a Nicotine Vaping Product (NVP) and how does it work?
NVPs, also called vape or electronic cigarettes, can replicate the sensation of smoking but uses/produces vapour instead of smoke for its users.
The vaporization (or atomisation) of specially-formulated electronic cigarette liquids do not create the same level of harm as the combustion and burning of substances and chemicals as with smoking.
Every NVP will have the following:
- A battery
- A heating element (also known as a coil)
- A tank or cartrige filled with electronic cigarette liquid (which contains nocitine).
Vapes might come in all sorts of shapes and sizes, but at the end of the day, they all share the same basic components.
When you switch on your NVP, the battery powers the heating element, which then heats the liquid and turns it into vapour for you to inhale.
It’s a clever way of delivering nicotine without the dangerous smoke, but understanding how it works is a crucial first step if you’re thinking about making the switch from smoking.
The difference between illegal and legal vapes
Have you ever wondered why there are both legal and illegal NVPs (nicotine vaping products) and what sets them apart? It’s important to know these differences before you start using them as part of your smoking cessation journey.
Recently, there have been reports about children as young as five getting hold of illegal vapes, and these unregulated products have been turning up in local convenience stores.
Unfortunately, these shops often continue to sell these risky items despite the safety concerns.
One possible reason for this issue is that the availability of trusted, pharmacy-approved options isn’t always highlighted in the news. As a result, many people might not be aware that there are safer, regulated alternatives.
Pharmacy-issued NVPs are designed specifically for responsible adult smokers looking to quit and are a much safer choice.
Now, let’s learn more about the differences between illegal and legal vapes, and figure out how to spot them.
About Illicit NVPs
Illicit NVPs (such as those in convenience stores and tobacconists) are imported under the radar, just like illicit tobacco and drugs, and are made as cheaply as possible for maximum profits. Remember: if it’s not sold in a pharmacy, it’s illegal.
Illict NVPs are not designed to help you stop smoking – the companies that make them want to get as many people as possible addicted, and keep them addicted. It’s the reason why they have colourful packages and candy-like flavours – to entice a brand-new generation of nicotine addicts.
Also, many of these may also state that they’re ‘nicotine-free’, which is a fabrication. Tests have shown that they may actually still contain it.
Fortunately, these illegal NVPs will soon become a thing of the past. Illegal vaping products imported from overseas and sold without a prescription are now banned, with large numbers of these now being seized at the border and inside illicit retail locations.
About Pharmacy NVPs
NVP products sold in pharmacies are made under stringent pharmaceutical standards on the manufacturing process and ingredients, are toxicologically assessed for inhalation, are locally insured, and are specifically designed to help you stop smoking.
With strict standards and a focus on smoking cessation, NVPs sold in pharmacies function as vaping was intended to be – a tool to help stop smoking. Currently, pharmacy vapes are a second-line solution to nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) lozenges, gums, and inhalers.
There is also strong evidence that these perform far better than NRT products. The latest Cochrane Review found high-certainty evidence that NVPs are more effective than NRT in helping people stop smoking
Summary
In the end, comparing vaping to smoking is similar to comparing apples and oranges – they’re vastly different, and the best way to maximise a vape is to use it for smoking cessation whenever you feel the urge to smoke.
You’re probably here because you want to learn more about how many packs of cigarettes are in a vape. You’re in the right place.
Smokefree Clinic gives you access to many medically reviewed and trustworthy resources that can inform and aid you in your path to wellness, so have a look around!
If you’re ready to get started, Smokefree can connect you to Australian healthcare professionals who excel in helping patients quit smoking for good.
Link Reference:
- https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/health/health-problems/aussie-kindergarteners-caught-in-vaping-trend-principal-claims/news-story/ee3b6b89457c9e6e089b535abe89170b
- https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=7726&context=etd
- https://news.sky.com/story/australia-to-ban-recreational-vaping-in-crackdown-on-e-cigarettes-12871092
- https://www.cochrane.org/news/latest-cochrane-review-finds-high-certainty-evidence-nicotine-e-cigarettes-are-more-effective