These days, adults who would otherwise continue to smoke or use other nicotine products have many different products to choose from. The best choice for all smokers is to quit tobacco and nicotine use altogether. But for those who don’t, there are smoke-free alternatives to cigarettes emerging on the market.

One of the most well-known options out there today is vaping - but with it also comes many questions on an experience that could seem very foreign to adult smokers who have never tried vaping. If you are considering switching from smoking cigarettes to vaping, here is a basic guide on how to vape.

There are many different types of vape devices, and while they can differ in size, power, customization options, and even their ability to be reusable or disposable, they often work based on similar principles and with similar components. Vapes work primarily through heating and vaporizing e-liquids. They achieve this by drawing the liquid from a tank or a pod system and putting it in contact with a battery-powered heating element. When the liquid is evaporated, the vapour is drawn from the device through a mouthpiece.

Cigalikes (or ‘cig-a-likes’), are designed to look like a cigarette, often including a light at the tip to replicate the glowing lit end of a cigarette.

Pod vapes, which work with a closed vape pod or refillable vape pods containing the e-liquid.

Vape pens, which are small and thin, and have a refillable tank and replaceable coils.

Box mods, which are large devices with multiple changeable elements that allow for advanced customization.

The legal age to vape varies, depending on the regulations within the country in question, and sometimes, even the region. Vaping products should never be sold to or used by minors. It is your responsibility to know and follow local regulations on this matter.

As switching to vapes can be a whole new experience for adult smokers, there are things to consider when deciding which option is suited to personal preferences. When buying your first vaping device, it is recommended to look for a brand that offers starter kits, or better yet, even free trials. In addition to looking at the vaping device, also look at the e-liquid that should be used for the device. Some e-liquids contain nicotine at different levels, and some contain different flavours.

Branded devices that are not highly modifiable may be easier to get started with, as they will come with instructions that are simple to understand. You may also find more information about their quality, manufacturing process and how to vape using their product from their official branded website. Moreover, they tend to work exclusively with specific e-liquids that may offer a better experience. Furthermore, branded devices may be backed by customer support teams that can help you and answer any questions.

Some vape users, especially those who are looking for a highly customized experience, will investigate box mods, and oftentimes, these vapes are modified to include bigger batteries for more power. More power generates more heat and can accommodate larger tanks for a longer lasting vaping experience and generate bigger clouds of vapour. 

However, getting larger batteries for your vape is generally not advised when you first switch from cigarettes to vaping, as that would mean looking for modified vapes that may not be branded. For a vape device that can allow for a starter kit trial experience, and that is easy-to-use, we recommend a branded device. 

Modified vape devices also come with customizable tank options that can allow an adult user to have a lot of versatility in their vaping experience. Mods and tanks may not rely on any proprietary hardware, making it possible for advanced vape users to customize vape settings as much as they would like. However, mods and tanks can be heavy and cumbersome, as well as complicated to get started with, so we would not recommend them for adult smokers who are new to vaping. In comparison, pod kits are easy to use and maintain, and easy to carry around, making it ideal for those adult users who are just at the beginning of their journey of switching from smoking cigarettes.

A crucial element of vaping which may be new to adult smokers is the range of flavours available. An array of e-liquids are available to accommodate for varying tastes, including tobacco and menthol vape flavours. Switching to vaping from cigarettes exposes a vaper to many more choices when it comes to flavour, aroma, convenience, and overall experience. Selecting vape flavours may make vaping more enjoyable than smoking, and you can try various tastes to find the one that suits you most when exploring how to vape. Ultimately, your vaping experience will be down to personal preference in terms of the type of e-cigarette and e-liquid that works best for you.

This will depend on your personal preference and the characteristics of the vape device you are using. 

If you are an adult who would otherwise continue to smoke or use other nicotine products, vaping is a smoke-free alternative to cigarettes and that is a personal choice to explore. This experience can be highly customized based on your preferences, and there are many options on the market today that make it easy to switch away from smoking. 

IQOS does not currently offer e-cigarette products in Lebanon. If you are an adult smoker who is interested in learning more about smoke-free alternatives to cigarettes, you can read more about the differences between smoke-free alternatives here.

This article is for general information and educational purposes. Some of the information in this article is based on external, third-party sources and we make no representations or warranties of any kind regarding the accuracy, validity or completeness of such information.