It can be difficult to know where to begin if you've decided it's time to quit smoking and transition to vaping. Smoking develops into a daily habit that extends beyond nicotine addiction. It frequently goes with meals or coffee, it goes hand in hand with unwinding or socialising, and it can buy you that five minute break from the office. Even the sensation of drawing and breathing can be lost. Vaping checks all of these boxes while also offering the added advantages of being significantly safer and less expensive. There are kits that mimic the sensation of puffing on a cigarette and provide the same rush and satisfaction as traditional cigarettes thanks to advancements in e-cigarette technology. We'll discuss the differences between vaping types, recommend which e-liquids to use (and why), and provide you with a list of popular kits that are suitable for the task.

TYPES OF VAPE: MTL & DTL

The vaping industry is rife with acronyms, but if you've previously looked for a kit, you've probably already heard of MTL and DTL, which stand for the two popular vaping techniques. Mouth to lung, or MTL, refers to the action of sucking air into your mouth and inhaling it into your lungs. It basically follows the same procedure as smoking. This method of vaping will produce less vapour and have a tight draw, akin to smoking a cigarette.

The term "direct to lung" (DTL) refers to an inhalation that bypasses the mouth and goes straight into the lungs. This type of inhalation is loose and airy. You understand the concept if you've ever used an inhaler or a shisha pipe. If you've ever seen someone blowing large clouds on the street, it was probably someone using a DTL vape because it generates a lot more vapour.

As you might have figured, MTL is your best choice if you're trying to transition from smoking to vaping. Since you won't need to learn any new techniques, it will feel quite familiar and very comparable to the type of draw you'd get from smoking a cigarette, making the transition easier. Although there is nothing stopping you from learning more about vaping if you love it, switching to something familiar will increase your chances of success.

THE IMPORTANCE OF COIL RESISTANCE

We've talked about MTL vaping and why it's the ideal method to utilise when giving up cigarettes, but what exactly does it entail and how is it done? The coil, a tiny metal mesh and cotton wrapping, is ultimately responsible for everything. Your e-liquid will truly become a vapour thanks to the coil. The liquid that has seeped into the cotton is vaporised when your kit ignites due to the heating of the wire or mesh inside the coil.

Every coil has a predetermined resistance that is expressed in ohms. Resistances for mouth-to-lung coils will fall between 0.8 and 1.8 ohms. What you need to keep in mind is that a low number (resistance) will offer you more power and result in a looser draw with more vapour; in contrast, as the coil resistance increases, less vapour is created and the draw gets tighter. It is advised to use coils in the plus ohm range of 1.0 ohm to 1.8 ohm if you are just getting started because they accurately replicate the experience of a cigarette quire.

PG/VG IN E-LIQUIDS: WHAT IS IT?

Your second crucial choice, what kind of e-liquid to use, will be directly influenced by the type of coil you have in your kit. Here, PG and VG, our following two abbreviations, appear. Knowing how much of each of these is in your e-liquid is crucial since it will impact its consistency and, in turn, the way you vape.

Vegetable glycerin (VG) is significantly thicker and requires more force to vaporise effectively (it creates most of the vapour in your e-cig). Propylene glycol (PG) duplicates the smokey sensation by being thinner, vaporising more readily, producing less vapour, and having a somewhat stronger throat punch.

Best for MTL vaping is an e-liquid with a 50:50 PG/VG ratio. This delivers a gratifying degree of flavour while providing just the right amount of throat hit and vapour to mimic the sight and feel of smoking.

WHERE DOES NICOTINE FALL?

If you are a heavy smoker wanting to successfully switch to vaping, there are two types of nicotine you may find in e-liquid, and one is considerably more effective for you. The first type is freebase nicotine, which has been present in e-liquids since the beginning. When taken in high quantities, it feels quite unpleasant and is the slower of the two substances to absorb. Freebase nicotine dosages in e-liquids range from a very low 3 mg to intermediate levels of 6 mg and 12 mg to a potent 18 mg,

The other type of nicotine is referred to as a nicotine salt, or simply nic salts. These are easier on the throat, but they also absorb faster. The goal is to find anything that stops the itch of nicotine as soon as possible, and nic salts are the solution in this case. Nic salts are specifically made for mouth-to-lung vapers and typically come in either a 10mg or 20mg strength; we advise starting with the 20mg. Starting with something strong will help stave off cravings, though you can gradually lessen it.

REFILLABLE VAPE KIT OR DISPOSABLE VAPORS?

Disposable kits are a highly convenient solution because they can be used right away and don't need to be set up first. The normal amount of e-liquid in disposables is 2ml of 20mg or 10mg nic salt flavouring, which will last for 500 puffs (roughly equivalent to a pack of 20 cigarettes.)

Disposables can be a terrific way to get started in the world of vaping, but it's important to remember that they are incredibly wasteful because you have to throw away the complete kit, including the battery, after you're done using it. They are not very cost-effective as a long-term solution, so a refillable vape kit is your best option if you care about both your cash and your health.