Vaping for beginners: A guide

For those who are new to the world of vaping, to begin with it can be a bit difficult to wrap your head around. With so many devices and e-liquids choose from, where do you begin? The vaping community itself sometimes sounds like it's speaking an entirely different language, with words, phrases and acronyms such as 'nic salts', 'drip tips' and 'RBA's' used in everyday discussion.

In this beginner’s guide to vaping, we'll help you get a lay of the land and bring you up to speed with how vapes work and what you need to get started, as well as some tips on choosing the right device and correct nicotine strength.

What is Vaping?

Vaping is a process similar to smoking, but instead of burning tobacco to produce smoke, it involves using a small electronic device to heat a liquid. This heating process turns the liquid into a vapour, which you can inhale. The liquid used in vaping comes in various flavours and, in some cases, contains nicotine, similar to cigarettes, but without the smoke.

How Old Do You Have to Be to Vape?

In the United Kingdom, it is prohibited to purchase or use vaping products, including e-cigarettes or vape liquid, if you are below the age of 18. It is also against the law to buy vape products for individuals who are under 18. To comply with the law, shops and sellers must verify the buyer's age before selling vaping products, as it is illegal to sell these products to anyone who is less than 18 years old.

How Do Vapes Work?

All e-cigarettes work on the same simple principle. They use a battery to power a coil that heats the e-liquid in a pod or tank, creating vapour, which can then be inhaled through the mouthpiece. The main parts of an e-cigarette are the battery, coil, e-liquid tank or pod, wicking material, e-liquid, mouthpiece, and charging point.

Read More: How Do Vapes Work?

What Do I Need to Start Vaping?

Wondering how to start vaping for the first time? There's only a few things you'll need to get started:

• Device: Options range from simple pod systems to advanced mod and tank kits

• E-Liquid: Available in various flavours and nicotine strengths.

• Charger: Most vaping devices use a USB charger to power the device.

• Coils: Heat the e-liquid to produce vapour. They need regular cleaning or replacement.

What vape should a beginner vaper start with?

There are many types of vaping devices to choose from, ranging from:

• Simple cig-a-likes

• Closed pod systems

• Vape pens

• Pod mods

• Box mods

Choosing the right device can be overwhelming, and it all comes down to your personal preferences and vaping style. So, before making a decision, take some time to think about what you want and what device will best suit your needs.

For some users, this means choosing a pod-based vaping device such as the Vuse Pro. The Vuse Pro comes with a slim design, making it easy to carry in your pocket or bag, which is perfect for those who are always on the move. You can enjoy fast charging technology and even vape while the device is being charged. Additionally, its splash-proof construction provides added protection against accidental spills.

Read More: What Are The Different Types of Vapes?

Selecting the Right E-Liquid

E-liquid, also known as vape juice, is composed of three primary components: propylene glycol (PG), vegetable glycerine (VG), and flavourings. Nicotine is an optional ingredient, depending on your choice. The amount of nicotine required usually depends on your previous smoking habits and the device you're using.

Several factors are crucial to determine the most suitable e-liquid for you. Generally speaking, when looking at e-liquids you'll want to consider:

• The PG/VG ratio

• Device you're using

• Vape style,

• Typical usage

• Budget

PG/VG Ratio

The ratio between Propylene Glycol (PG) and Vegetable Glycerine (VG) in e-liquids plays a crucial role as it influences various factors such as flavour intensity, throat hit, vapour production, and device compatibility. High PG e-liquids work best with smaller vaping devices. On the other hand, high VG e-liquids are better suited for creating larger vapour clouds and are generally used with more advanced, high-power devices.

Read More: Understanding PG vs VG in E-Liquids

Device Type

It's important to remember that different vaping devices are designed to work with specific types of e-liquids. Using the wrong e-liquid with your device can lead to reduced performance, overheating, burnt coils, and leaks. Devices with small openings or coils may have difficulty with high PG e-liquids, leading to dry hits and burnt wicks due to improper liquid flow. High VG e-liquids are suitable for sub-ohm tanks and advanced mods as they require more power to vaporise the thicker liquid efficiently.

Read More: How Long Do Vapes Last?

Style & Usage

There are generally two ways to vape: Direct-to-Lung (DTL) and Mouth-to-Lung (MTL). With DTL vaping, you inhale the vapour directly into your lungs, a bit like taking a deep breath. This style works best with e-liquids with more Vegetable Glycerine (VG), producing thicker clouds and stronger flavours. On the other hand, MTL vaping involves drawing the vapour into your mouth before inhaling, similar to smoking a cigarette.

For MTL, e-liquids with more Propylene Glycol (PG) work better as they provide a smoother throat feel and are compatible with vapes designed for this style. When it comes to nicotine strength, if you prefer DTL vaping, you may require less nicotine because you get more vapour with each puff. However, if you prefer MTL vaping, you may need e-liquids with more nicotine.

Budget

Budget and overall cost also shouldn't be forgotten when choosing which e-liquid to use. If you vape frequently, it may be more cost-effective to purchase e-liquids in larger quantities, especially when retailers offer deals and promotions. Shortfill bottles are a cost-effective option for vapers, as they offer large bottles of vape juice, typically 50ml or 100ml, without nicotine, and with some space at the top.

You can add nicotine to these bottles, which provides a budget-friendly choice for vapers. In the UK, the TRPR legislation prohibits the sale of e-liquids with nicotine in bottles larger than 10ml, making vaping more expensive for those who consume a lot. Shortfills offer more juice for your money, and you can still add nicotine if you choose to, making it an excellent choice for vapers on a budget.

However, choosing high-quality e-liquids, even if they cost more, guarantees superior taste, consistency, and safety when compared to cheaper alternatives. With a Vuse gold tier Subscription, you can save up to £66 a month on purchases** and have full confidence you are using high-quality e-liquids. Here at Vuse, we only use high-quality, food-grade flavour ingredients in our products. Our flavours are crafted by flavour experts. Before your first puff, we test a minimum of 50 compounds in our vapour.

Read More: Beginner's Guide to E-Liquids

How much nicotine do I need to start vaping?

E-liquids are labelled with their nicotine strength in milligrams per millilitre (mg/mL) or as a percentage (%). The strength of e-liquids typically ranges from 0mg (nicotine-free) to a maximum of 20mg in the UK. Choosing the right nicotine strength is important and should align with your preferences. For instance, if you are a heavy smoker, you may need a higher nicotine strength, while a lower strength may be more appropriate if you are a light smoker or are new to vaping.

Read More: Guide to Nicotine Strengths

Vaping techniques - how to vape

There are two main types of vaping styles known as Mouth-to-Lung (MTL) and Direct-to-Lung (DTL). MTL is designed to replicate the sensation of traditional smoking, where you first draw the vapour into your mouth and then inhale it into your lungs. On the other hand, DTL involves inhaling the vapour directly into your lungs. The choice between MTL and DTL depends mostly on personal preference and the type of device used.

Vaping Terminology

If you are new to vaping, the terminology can be overwhelming. To assist you in navigating this world, we have put together a beginner-friendly glossary of common vaping terms:

* These products are not risk-free and contain nicotine, an addictive substance.

** Saving is based on purchasing 30 packs of pods per month