Whether you’re concerned about the potential health risks of nicotine vaping or simply want to explore alternatives to vaping nicotine, you’re not alone.
The good news?
There are many popular options, ranging from Nicotine Replacement Therapy, like the nicotine patch, to a heated tobacco product.
In this article, we’ll explore the six alternatives to vaping and uncover each method’s pros and cons.
Then we’ll cover what happens to your lungs when you quit vaping and share five practical tips to manage withdrawal symptoms when you quit vaping.
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This Article Contains
- 6 Alternatives to Nicotine Vaping (+ Pros & Cons)
- Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT)
- Nicotine-Free Vapes
- Smokeless Tobacco Products
- Heated Tobacco Products
- Medications
- Other No-Nicotine Substitutes
- The Side Effects of Vaping Nicotine
- What Happens to Your Lungs Once You Quit Vaping?
- 5 Useful Tips to Manage Withdrawal Symptoms and Cravings When You Stop Vaping
6 Alternatives to Nicotine Vaping (+ Pros & Cons)
Step away from the nicotine vape pen and electronic cigarettes and explore these six popular alternatives:
1. Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT)
Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) products deliver nicotine to the body in a controlled way. This consistent dose can help ease nicotine withdrawal symptoms associated with quitting smoking or vaping.
The five common NRT products include:
- Nicotine patch
- Nicotine gum
- Nicotine lozenge
- Nicotine spray
- Nicotine inhaler
NRTs have different strengths, so talk to your healthcare provider about choosing the right nicotine strength.
The benefit of using NRT?
NRTs can be less addictive than vaping nicotine or smoking. This is because they deliver less nicotine to your brain and at a rate slower than vaping nicotine or smoking tobacco.
It’s all about gradually lowering your nicotine strength over time to quit nicotine and wean off any nicotine withdrawal symptoms. If you’re a heavy smoker, your nicotine dose will start strong and slowly decrease until you’re nicotine-free.
But, NRTs also come with a few risks.
Opting for NRTs means you’re still consuming nicotine — which increases the risk of long-term toxicity and continued nicotine addiction.
NRT products may also cause some side effects, including:
- Skin irritation (when using nicotine patch)
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Upset stomach
Research also suggests that nicotine gums and lozenges may increase the risk of oral cancer.
Don’t worry, though. There are safer alternatives that don’t contain any nicotine.
Did you know? A young person who uses an electronic cigarette may be more likely to smoke a traditional cigarette in the future (Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.)
2. Nicotine-Free Vapes
A nicotine-free vaping device lets you enjoy vaping as usual without the nasty side effects of nicotine.
Who should use nicotine-free vapes?
- People who enjoy vaping or smoking for the physical act of inhaling and exhaling smoke or vapor
- Those who want to satisfy their oral fixation (a strong desire to stimulate the mouth) with the hand-to-mouth action
- Those who crave the social aspect of the habit
In any case, smokers and vapers looking to reduce their nicotine intake can continue enjoying these aspects of smoking or vaping with nicotine-free vapes. That, too, without exposing themselves to the addictive and harmful effects of nicotine.
The catch?
A low-quality vaping device can contain unregulated ingredients and may still have trace amounts of nicotine.
The solution?
Go for high-quality nicotine-free vapes from reputable and trusted brands like Cyclone Pods.
Cyclone Pods offers a health-focused range that uses only the safest ingredients in their vape juice. Their superb vaping products are:
- Nicotine and tobacco-free
- Free from harmful substances like vitamin E acetate and diacetyl
- Non-addictive
Looking for suggestions?
If you’re searching for a long-lasting disposable vape pen, the Gust Super is perfect for you. The device comes with up to 5000 puffs and is rechargeable to get the most out of it! It comes in 15 mouth-watering flavors, including mango, mint, and fruit punch.
Or, if you seek an eco-friendly option, try out the new, innovative Surge Collection. The Surge vape has a reusable battery and long-lasting pod, providing over 6000 puffs. You can enjoy a guilt-free vaping experience while contributing to a sustainable future.
And if you’re interested in investing in your own pod system, look no further than the Thunder Device Starter Kit. This reusable device comes with a charger and a single flavor pod with flavors ranging from strawberry to coffee.
Did you know? There is stronger evidence that vaping is highly effective for smoking cessation. (Source: Public Health England)
3. Smokeless Tobacco Products
As the name suggests, a smokeless tobacco product is designed to be used without burning or heating tobacco. This means they don’t produce any smoke, vapor, or fumes.
These products include:
- Chewing tobacco: Loose tobacco leaves, which can either be leaves pressed together or leaves twisted together to look like a rope
- Snuff: Dry (sniffed or swallowed) or moist (placed between the gum and cheek/lip) finely ground tobacco leaves
- Dissolvable tobacco: Products like lozenges, strips that dissolve in the mouth
Smokeless tobacco products can fulfill the social aspect of vaping or smoking, but still come with many risks. These health risks range from nicotine addiction to oral cancer, gum disease, and tooth decay.
Did you know? Secondhand smoke created by nicotine vaping contains around 2,000 harmful chemicals. This includes compounds like nicotine, ultrafine particles, and formaldehyde, a harmful chemical known to cause cancer.
4. Heated Tobacco Products
Also known as heat-not-burn devices, such products heat tobacco to produce an aerosol (think fumes) you can inhale.
Heated tobacco products operate at substantially lower temperatures (350 ℃) than the heat required to burn conventional cigarettes (>600 ℃).
However, the temperature in such products is still high enough to vaporize and release harmful chemicals. These chemicals can heighten the risk of health consequences, such as heart disease, stroke, and cancer.
So how does a heated tobacco product differ from vaping devices?
Vaping devices use a battery-powered heating element to vaporize a liquid containing nicotine and other additives. In contrast, heat-not-burn products heat tobacco or other plant material to create an aerosol.
Did you know? Approximately one-third of all cancer cases can be attributed to tobacco use, with an overwhelming 90% of lung cancer cases directly linked.
5. Medications
Prescription medication can be an effective nicotine alternative if you aren’t looking for one that mimics the action of vaping.
These medications are taken orally and help reduce withdrawal symptoms and cravings for a vaper or smoker. Here are three common medications used as a vaping alternative:
- Chantix (Varenicline): Cuts cravings by mimicking nicotine’s effect on the brain.
- Zyband (Bupropion): Blocks nicotine receptors in the brain.
- Nortriptyline (Norpress): Alters brain chemistry to reduce cravings.
These medications should only be taken under the supervision of a healthcare provider, as they can have serious side effects — from nausea and drowsiness to heart palpitations.
6. Other No-Nicotine Substitutes
Several no-nicotine substitutes can ease oral fixation by creating a distraction and helping with cravings. These include:
- Lollipops
- Hard candies
- Bubble gum
- Popsicles
- Pretzel sticks
- Pumpkin seeds
- Toothpicks
- Straws to chew on
While these no-nicotine substitutes are relatively safer, they won’t be as effective in controlling nicotine withdrawal symptoms and cravings because they don’t address nicotine addiction.
Let’s look at the side effects associated with nicotine vaping.
The Side Effects of Vaping Nicotine
Let's shed some light on the serious health risks that come hand in hand with using nicotine vaping products, impacting not only yourself but also your loved ones:
- Headaches and nausea
- Coughing
- Mouth and throat irritation
- Shortness of breath
- Exposure to secondhand smoke
- Impair lung function
- Hinder your immune system
- Make it more challenging for wounds to heal
- Increased exposure to harmful chemicals, such as vitamin E acetate
- More addictive than cigarette smoking (especially among young adults)
Did you know? E cigarette use among young adults has become a public health concern. The American Lung Association introduced a voluntary quit smoking program in response to this issue.
What Happens to Your Lungs Once You Quit Nicotine Vaping?
Here are some potential changes that may occur in the lungs after quitting nicotine vaping products:
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Improved lung function: Using an electronic cigarette can damage the airways and decrease lung function. Lung function can improve within a few weeks to months after quitting vaping, and breathing can become easier.
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Reduced inflammation: Vaping nicotine can cause lung inflammation, increasing the risk of respiratory infections and worsening pre-existing conditions such as asthma. Quitting vaping can reduce lung inflammation and decrease the risk of complications.
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Decreased coughing and phlegm production: Vaping can irritate the airways and lead to chronic coughing and excessive phlegm production. After quitting vaping, coughing and phlegm production can decrease as the lungs heal.
- Lesser risk of lung cancer and other lung diseases: Quitting vaping means you are no longer exposed to diacetyl — a harmful chemical found in low-quality vape juice. This can decrease the risk of developing lung cancer and other respiratory diseases associated with cigarette smoking and e cigarette use.
Remember: The extent and speed at which your lungs and other bodily functions recover after quitting depends on how long and heavily you’ve vaped.
5 Useful Tips to Manage Withdrawal Symptoms and Cravings When You Stop Vaping
Quitting nicotine vaping can pose a challenge, and particularly managing cravings and withdrawal symptoms can be tough.
However, several proven strategies can help you work towards quitting smoking and vaping:
1. Identify Your Triggers
Vaping nicotine can easily become intertwined with daily routines, and certain feelings or emotions can trigger the need to vape.
Common triggers include:
- Emotions like stress, anger, and boredom
- Being around other vapers or cigarette smokers
- Drinking coffee or alcohol
Identifying and working around these triggers can increase the chances of successfully quitting vaping.
2. Do Something at the Moment to Distract Yourself
Remember those no-nicotine substitutes we mentioned earlier?
Well, those hard candies and lollipops come in handy when the urge to vape strikes. But if you’re not in the mood for something sweet, try a healthy alternative to distract yourself:
- Practice mindfulness and meditation to stay focused.
- Engage in something creative like journaling or painting.
- Find a new hobby that provides you with a sense of accomplishment.
3. Engage in Physical Exercise to Consume Your Time
Physical exercise is the perfect healthy alternative to vaping and can help reduce withdrawal symptoms and cravings.
How?
Exercise releases endorphins, which enhance mood and foster a sense of well-being and play a crucial role in supporting mental health. Engaging in physical activity can aid in alleviating the anxiety, irritability, and depression frequently associated with nicotine withdrawal.
4. Surround Yourself With Supportive People
Informing your friends and family about your decision to quit smoking or vaping can help them understand how to support and encourage you.
By doing so, friends and family can avoid using regular cigarettes or vaping products around you, helping you stay on track.
Joining a community of others trying to quit smoking or vaping can be a great way to stay accountable and receive support during the quitting process.
5. Avoid Situations and Activities That Trigger Nicotine or Tobacco Cravings
Finally, to prevent relapse and support your smoking cessation journey, avoid situations tied to tobacco use.
The best way to do this?
By planning ahead! Use your identified triggers to determine which situations and social events to avoid. This way, you aren’t putting yourself in a vulnerable position to pick up vaping again.
Break the Habit and Improve Your Health with Nicotine-Free Vaping
Different vaping alternatives offer different experiences and have their own pros and cons. Finding the best substitute for nicotine vaping is up to your personal preference.
But if you’re looking for a healthy, safe alternative, nicotine-free vapes are the perfect choice!
Ready to start your nicotine-free vaping journey?
Head over to Cyclone Pods’ website to view their range of high-quality vapes and get the most out of vaping.