Why Vaping Is Bad For You and How Can You Can Quit for Good
Vaping may be tagged as something better than a traditional cigarette, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t harmful. Here are a few reasons why vaping can be just as dangerous as smoking, as well as a few ways to help you quit vaping altogether.
Dangers of Vaping
While vaping is better than smoking in several ways, many experts, including Quit Clinics, know there are a few dangerous side effects of vaping that you should be aware of.
It’s Still Not “Safe”
The first danger to be aware of is fairly apparent, but vaping is still not safe. Inhaling smoke of any kind regularly is bad for your health, particularly your lungs. Furthermore, the damage is multiplied once you add the chemicals and ingredients used to create the vapor and vape flavor.
Lung Issues
As mentioned, smoking anything is not suitable for your lungs in any way, and the biggest problem with vapes is that there aren’t enough long-term studies to determine the issues people who vape could face fully.
There are also a lot of variables, as vape liquids vary drastically between manufacturers and where you buy the vape. This means studies can’t be entirely accurate as the variation makes overall effects hard to judge.
Unknown Damage
Building onto the last point, the unknown factor of vapes is one of the most concerning and dangerous. Vapes use ingredients that we haven’t seen in products before, and therefore, we don’t fully know what they do to the body when inhaled.
Until we fully understand what vape ingredients do to the body, it is impossible to say that vapes are entirely safe to use over long periods.
How to Quit
Quitting nicotine and vaping can be incredibly difficult, but there are several steps you can take that may not make you instantly successful, but they make the process of quitting far easier.
Set a Quit Date
The first thing you need to do is set a quit date. It doesn’t have to be super specific, but it will give you a goal to work towards. It will also help you keep track of your progress if you can see how close you are to quitting compared to your set date, allowing you to remain motivated and positive about your progress.
Have a Schedule
Going cold turkey doesn’t work for everyone; therefore, controlling your vaping is the next best thing. To do this, creating a “schedule” of sorts can help you stay on top of how much you are vaping.
You can start by allowing yourself a couple of puffs an hour and slowly increasing the gaps between uses. Eventually, you will reach the stage where you can go for hours without needing to use your vape.
Have Reasons to Quit
Make a list of reasons for quitting that include all aspects of your life. This can range from setting a good example for your kids to simply having better lung health so you can run further or exercise more.
These reasons don’t need to be big things, but they should be important to you. This will add another level of motivation, as you will constantly be reminded of what you will feel and be able to achieve if you quit.
Know What Triggers You
The next thing you need to do is figure out your vaping “triggers.” People smoke/vape for many reasons, ranging from boredom to stress. If you know why you vape, you will find it easier to quit.
Think about what causes you to crave a vape and nicotine, and then make the effort to either avoid those situations, or deal with them in a different way. For instance, exercise is just as effective, if not more effective, than vaping when it comes to dealing with stress.
Deal with Stress
Speaking of stress, it is imperative that you learn how to deal with your stress better. Whether you realize it or not, stress is a very common contributor when it comes to craving nicotine and vaping.
Because of this, explore ways to deal with your stress. This can be exercise, meditation, therapy, or simply breathing exercises. Whatever it may be, find what works for you and stick with it.
Replace the Vape
Considering you most likely replaced cigarettes with a vape, logic says replacing your vape with something else would work. You have multiple options on this front, with one of the best being nicotine-based chewing gum.
Other alternatives may seem unconventional, but they have been shown to work. Holding a pen to mimic holding your vape can work, as well as using a fidget toy of some kind to distract yourself and keep your hands busy.
Stay Disciplined
Finally, it is important to remain disciplined in your mission to quit. The biggest problem with nicotine is that it is incredibly easy to become addicted and far harder to quit it. This means that discipline is of the utmost importance.
It is imperative not to let yourself slip back into old habits in a moment of weakness, and more importantly, you must break the habit of reaching for your vape subconsciously. Put it somewhere out of sight, and don’t let yourself become tempted.
