Introduction

When I first switched from smoking to vaping, there were a few things that took some getting used to. Some were a little tough to get past — for a couple days, at least — but most really amazed me, and it takes a lot to amaze me.

I’d like to lay out what most vapers encounter in the early days, so that you’ll hopefully know what to expect, what to conquer, and what you can look forward to celebrating.

The Tough Part

One of the things that you’ll notice almost immediately about vaping is that it feels a little different, and I mean that some of the physical sensations are actually different. The feeling of moist, warm vapor is quite a change from inhaling hot, dry smoke. The first half dozen hits I took from a Halo G6, which was the first vape that actually worked well for me, gave me coughing fits — but because it’s moist instead of dry. You might have that same reaction to it.

Let me reassure you that that’s normal. Your body is reacting to it that way simply because it’s not used to the sensation of inhaling vapor yet. The way I overcame that, and this might work for you as well, is to take the hit, then hold it and inhale slowly. Let your body get used to the new sensation. It takes time, but if you stick with it, you’ll eventually discover that it’s actually less harsh than the burning sensation cigarette smoke produces.

Another difference is that, unlike cigarettes, the kind of hardware that’s going to really work for you isn’t disposable. What this means is that you’ll have to get into the habit of charging batteries and changing pods or atomizer coil heads. These habits aren’t really that hard to acquire, though — you already charge your phone and have to remember to change lightbulbs; this isn’t really all that different.

The Easy Part

Let me share an example to illustrate this part: When I smoked, I actually had a computer go belly-up because of it. The cooling fan sucked up so much cigarette smoke that the tar residue had visibly discolored the inside of the case and coated the logic board, killing the computer. That doesn’t happen anymore.

When I still smoked, I would light a cigarette but be satisfied after a puff or two. The choices were then either smoke more than I wanted to right then, or put it out and either waste it or smoke a stale, disgusting tasting butt later. Now, I take a hit or two from my vape and put it down until I want another. No vaping until I’m sick, no waste, no stale, gross taste.

Third, I no longer have to choose between either walking around with a crushed-out butt in my hand or pocket until I find an ashtray (and those are becoming vanishingly rare as more and more places crack down on smoking) or just drop it and contribute to making a mess.

Whatever else may be a matter of debate right now, vaping is just more convenient, in practically every way, than the habit you’ve chosen to walk away from.

Conclusion

The journey you’ve started has its hurdles; but the benefits so massively outshine them that, if you stand by it, you can conquer those hurdles and reap those benefits. And I’ll be here to give you advice and encouragement to do just that.