9 Reasons for Making the Switch

Published by Matt Brown on 2nd Jun 2016

If you, or someone you know, is considering switching to vaping, it can often be difficult to work out whether it's going to be for you. What are the benefits of electronic cigarettes over tobacco, for instance? To help, we've put together our top 9 reasons for making the switch.

1. HEALTH

When most people are thinking about switching to vaping, the first thing they consider is the health benefits they can expect to see. They're right to do so.

Last summer, Public Health England released a report which stated that e-cigarettes are at least 95% safer to use than tobacco. Recently, the Royal College of Physicians also backed e-cigs as a tool for quitting tobacco.

Given that smoking-related illnesses are the cause of 100,000 deaths each year in the UK alone, the public health benefit that e-cigarettes represent is considerable.

Tobacco cigarettes contain around 3-4000 chemicals, around 70 of which are known carcinogens. E-cigarettes, in comparison, contain a tiny fraction of this number and are free from the cancer-causing substances found in tobacco.

2. COST

The cost savings of switching to vaping are undeniable. With the average price of a packet of cigarettes well in excess of £8, the cost of smoking has never been higher, and will continue to rise as they are taxed more and more heavily. When calculated over the year, smokers can expect to spend around £3000 on their habit.

Our average customer-spend each month is around £40.

With starter kits starting at less than £20 and running costs to cover replacement carts, coils and e-liquid likely to cost the average user less than £10 per week, even the heaviest vapers can expect to feel the benefit in their pocket.

3. SECOND-HAND SMOKE

One of the biggest risks associated with smoking is not just the damage you can do to your own health, but also the health of those around you.

Second-hand smoking has been shown to increase the chances of developing lung cancer by 20-30%, and coronary heart disease by 25-35%.

By switching to vaping, however, this risk can be removed entirely. As e-cigarettes are absent of the cancer-causing chemicals in the first place, and because e-cig vapour very rapidly dissipates in the air, there is no risk of 'second-hand vaping' causing harm to those around you.

4. VAPE INDOORS

The UK phased in a ban on smoking in enclosed public spaces beginning in Scotland in 2006. What this meant was that smokers were no longer able to smoke indoors in pubs, clubs or restaurants.

As the smoking ban does not apply to e-cigarettes, however, it's now possible to again satisfy any nicotine cravings you have without having to venture outside into the tobacco smoke-filled smoking area.

That being said, individual companies and organisations are free to set their own rules regarding the use of e-cigs on their premises, which has meant that some pub chains, for example, have banned vaping in their bars.

If in doubt, it's always a good (and polite) idea to check with staff before using your device.

5. FLAVOURS

The vast majority of smokers show a surprising level of brand loyalty. For many, the first cigarette brand they try is the one they stick with for years afterwards. And even if you want to try something new, there's only so many ways burnt plant matter can taste.

Switching to vaping, on the other hand, opens up a huge world of flavours to try. Options varying from Banana Milkshake, to Spearmint, to Toffee are just the start, and of course, there are a wealth of tobacco flavoured e-liquids on offer if you prefer something a little more familiar.

6. CONVENIENCE

A little-considered benefit of switching to vaping is the convenience factor. When smoking a cigarette, the user is essentially constrained to smoking the whole thing at once, whether they wish to or not.

With e-cigarettes, however, vapers are free to use their device for as long as they wish. If a couple of puffs is enough to satisfy your cravings, you can safely stow your device away again when you are finished.

7. FLEXIBILITY

For smokers, the option of which products are available to use is fairly limited. While there may well be subtle differences in flavour from one brand to the next, the delivery mechanism doesn't change. Smokers are still using the same paper tube and filter system that's been around for decades.

The e-cig industry in comparison has been in a state of constant development and evolution for the past 10 years. Vapers have a vast array of devices, tanks, batteries and e-liquids from which they can select their own ideal set-up.

The nature of e-cigarette technology also means that just because a new tank is released, the rest of your kit doesn't become obsolete. It's very easy to add and remove components at will, so if you favour a mouth-to-lung setup in the morning, and sub-ohm in the afternoon, it can be as straightforward as swapping tanks at lunch time.

8. FREEDOM TO EXPERIMENT

The relatively low cost of entry of switching to vaping means that it's much easier to experiment to find what suits.

This is particularly true when it comes to e-liquid. With our picNIC range of Easy Mix DIY e-liquids, it's very simple to mix up your own unique flavour combinations.

9. SAFETY

Aside from the health risks associated with smoking, there is also a very real safety concern to be taken into account.

In 2013-14, there were 258 fire-related deaths in dwellings in the UK. Of this number, 37% (95) were deaths due to fires caused by smoking-related materials. Smoking-related materials were found to be the cause of approximately 2770 house fires across the UK in that year.

E-cigarettes, on the other hand, are by their very nature a much safer choice. As they do not combust, there is little risk of their being capable of accidentally starting a fire.

That being said, it is important that users charge, use and store their batteries appropriately to help avoid the risk of them being damaged.