Key takeaways
- Australia has strict laws for vaping use.
- Pharmacy vapes reduces exposure to harmful cancer substances.
- Initial switch may cause short-term symptoms.
- Long-term effects are less harmful than smoking.
- Vaping, though not risk-free, aids smoking cessation.
In Australia, vaping is a second-line treatment, which means it may only be considered after other smoking cessation tools have proven unsuccessful.
There are strict laws regarding vaping in the country, and you will require a doctor’s approval and valid prescriptions to purchase and use pharmacy NVPs.
If you’re a smoker considering vapes as a smoking cessation tool, it’s important to know what happens when you quit smoking and start vaping.
If you have started looking into nicotine vaping products, you may have a few questions. What happens if you switch to vaping? Is it better to switch to vaping than to continue smoking? Will your body heal from the damage done by smoking?
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Let’s take a comprehensive look at what to expect when you switch from smoking to vaping.
Benefits of Switching from Smoking to Vaping
Research has found that people who switch from smoking to vaping experience a range of health benefits.
According to a study conducted by King’s College London, switching from smoking to vaping significantly decreases exposure to harmful substances that lead to cancer, lung disease, and cardiovascular issues.
In simple terms, this means your breathing improves, as does your heart health.
One of the authors of the report even suggested that helping people switch from smoking to vaping should become a government priority in England.
Another study found that individuals who switch from smoking to vaping may not only pick up healthy habits in the short term but also build more wholesome routines in the future.
What to Expect When You First Start Vaping
When you first switch to vaping, you may notice that you cough as you inhale, as the experience of vaping and the throat feeling can take some getting used to.
But can you get the smoker’s flu from vaping?
Initially, switching from smoking to vaping can potentially cause certain symptoms such as dryness and irritation in the mouth and throat, nausea, vomiting, shortness of breath, dizziness and headaches. Since some of these symptoms resemble those of the common cold, they are sometimes referred to as smoker’s flu.
The side effects of switching from cigarettes to vapes are temporary and will subside over a short period.
How Long Does It Take to Adjust to Vaping?
With a change as momentous as switching from smoking to vaping, it won’t come as a surprise that there is an adjustment period. This period can last for several weeks, but the first two weeks are the most important in terms of setting the tone.
Finding the right combination of device and strength of liquid may require experimentation. Getting used to the ‘sensation’ of vaping may also take time.
Vaping provides a different sensation than smoking; you’re switching from inhaling smoke to breathing in a slightly thicker aerosol (also known as vapour). This may take time to get used to. Remember, you’ve been smoking for years; switching from cigarettes to vapes is going to take at least a few days.
What Happens in the Body as You Switch from Smoking to Vaping?
What does vaping do to your body? Its effects depend on how long a person has been smoking and how eager they are to kick the habit.
Typically, 8 hours after stopping smoking, the oxygen levels in your body will rise and your breathing will improve; in 24 hours all CO will be flushed from your system; in 48 hours your sense of taste and smell will improve; and in 72 hours you’ll notice enhanced respiratory functions.
As vaping is a useful tool for quitting, it is only considered for use as a smoking cessation tool when smokers have unsuccessfully attempted to quit using other methods and limit the unforeseen effects that vaping can do to you body.
Nicotine Vaping Products (NVPs) are intended to be used for a short period of time to help the body wean off nicotine.
As mentioned, the effects of vaping for long-term use is not fully known. Ultimately, no amount of nicotine is completely safe, and becoming nicotine-free is the goal. However, high-quality e-cigarettes are vastly preferable to traditional cigarettes if you’re finding other quitting methods unsuccessful.
This is because traditional smoking delivers nicotine by burning tobacco, which is proven to cause smoking-related illnesses, and vaping can deliver nicotine by heating a liquid in a much less harmful way.
Short-Term Effects of Vaping
What do vapes do your body in the short term? Vaping is designed to mimic the hand-to-mouth ritual of smoking and gradually nudge smokers away from the habit. But as you move from smoking to vaping, you may experience some short-term side effects.
In some cases, the immediate physical effects of vaping may include headaches, coughing, dryness or irritation in the mouth and throat, nausea, and shortness of breath.
These symptoms lessen with continued use.
Long-Term Effects of Vaping
Let’s talk about what vaping does to your body as you keep on using it.
As vaping hasn’t been around for long, there is no conclusive research pertaining to the long-term harmful effects of vaping.
But we do know that, because of a marked reduction in exposure to toxic substances, what vaping does to the body is significantly less harmful than what smoking does to it.
Remember, vaping isn’t intended for long-term use. It’s a temporary measure to aid you on your quitting journey.
Vaping and Addiction
With nicotine, there is always the possibility of addiction. However, when used in consultation with a doctor and as part of an overall smoking cessation plan, long-term or sustained use is not a likely outcome.
In fact, a study that looked into this matter found that e-cigarettes with nicotine increase quit rates compared to e-cigarettes without nicotine and compared to NRTs.
A study based in the UK found that there is now general agreement that vaping exposes the user to fewer toxicants compared to traditional smoking. It further stated that it is plausible that e-cigarettes may have contributed to the higher quit rate observed in England during part of the study period.
Is It Hard Switching From Smoking to Vaping?
This differs from person to person. Some find switching from smoking to vaping easy, others take longer to get used to it.
Having the right attitude and being committed to quitting smoking will aid your transition. It’s important that you stick with it and give yourself the best chance at success.
Should I Start Vaping?
Only a TGA-approved GP can determine if you should be vaping. They will look at your smoking and medical history and decide on the right course of action for you.
Is It Ok to Vape Every Other Day?
This will be up to your doctor. They will create a smoking cessation plan for you, which will outline how often you should vape.
Generally speaking, vaping every other day is not considered problematic, as long as you aren’t still smoking.
Do Your Lungs Heal When You Switch to Vaping?
After 3 to 9 months of quitting smoking and only vaping, you may notice an improvement in your lung function. This is because you have stopped exposing your lungs to the tar, carcinogens and toxins present in tobacco smoke.
Tips for a Smooth Transition
Once you’ve been vaping for 2 weeks (without smoking), your body will get used to this new way of receiving nicotine. With preparation, you’ll be better equipped to manage any smoking to vaping withdrawal symptoms.
A few tips to help you transition smoothly to vaping:
- Vape when you feel like a cigarette.
- Keep your vape with you at all times to prevent smoking on impulse.
- Address your nicotine cravings with vapes.
- Remember to regularly charge your vape.
- It’s recommended to get a spare battery and device in case your vape fails or you run out of charge.
Vaping as a Stepping Stone to Quitting
Vaping is considered one of the most effective smoking cessation aids. Switching from smoking to vaping leads to all-around improvements in health.
We know you’re reading this post because you’re eager to know what to expect when switching from smoking to vaping.
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.