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Well-being
Feb 5, 2024
People
Oct 2, 2024
Real Stories, Real Results: Testimonials from Customers
Switching from cigarettes to smoke-free alternatives like vaping is more than just a lifestyle change. For many smokers, the idea of quitting seems daunting, but as you’ll see from real-life testimonials, the benefits are life-changing. We will explore why people start smoking, the challenges of quitting, and how vaping as a reduced-risk product (RRP) can be helpful in the journey. Based on real stories from users who made the switch, this article highlights their successes, motivations, and the ongoing support needed for lasting change.
Why People Start Smoking
Before we dive into success stories, it’s essential to understand why people begin smoking in the first place. There are numerous reasons, often rooted in psychological and social influences:
- Stress Relief: Many people turn to smoking as a break from daily pressures. Taking a cigarette break becomes a way to pause and reset, offering mental and physical distractions during stressful situations.
- Social Influences: Peer pressure plays a significant role in picking up the habit. College students gathering for smoke breaks or trying to fit in with friends often leads to smoking initiation.
- Boredom & Psychological Needs: Some smokers describe their habit as a way to combat boredom. The ritual of smoking provides a familiar activity, and for many, the hand-to-mouth action satisfies psychological cravings beyond just nicotine.
- Rebellion & Risk-Taking: For some people, smoking can even be a form of rebellion.
Understanding these motivations can help frame why quitting is challenging for many. Smoking often becomes intertwined with emotional, psychological, and social needs, making it more than just a nicotine addiction.
How Vaping Serves as a Bridge to Quitting
When it comes to quitting smoking, one thing is clear: there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. Treatments like nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) or medication can support the process, but success often requires a combination of tools. This is where vaping, as part of a harm reduction strategy, comes in. Reduced-risk products (RRPs), such as e-cigarettes and heated tobacco, offer a potentially less harmful alternative to smoking. There is a vast variety of e-cigarettes available on the UK market, offering different nicotine levels – from 5% options suitable for former heavy smokers to completely nicotine-free versions. (For more details on the types of RRPs, you can check out our recent article).
Why Vaping Works
Vaping helps smokers quit by mimicking the physical act of smoking while providing a way to control nicotine intake. Instead of burning tobacco, vapes heat an e-liquid that contains nicotine, flavourings, and a base liquid. This vapour satisfies cravings without delivering harmful tar and toxic smoke – you instantly reduce your intake of chemicals from around 7,000 in cigarettes to just a few dozen (and with significantly lower harmfulness) in vapes.
In addition to well-being benefits, users surveyed during our study focused on real stories of people who switched from cigarettes to vaping often mentioned other advantages:
- Cost savings: Vaping is generally cheaper than buying cigarettes regularly. Some sources suggest long-term savings of up to 50%.
- Discretion: Vaping doesn’t leave the lingering smoke smell that traditional cigarettes do, and there are no butts or ash. All of it makes vaping more socially acceptable.
- Personalisation: With the ability to choose flavours and nicotine levels, users can tailor their vaping experience to meet their needs.
In fact, 46% of study participants reported that trying a variety of smoke-free alternatives helped them determine which product worked best for them, improving their chances of a successful transition. (Need help deciding which RRP product is best for you? Start here.)
Meet Customers: Real Stories of Success
Emma’s Story: Over 15 Years of Smoking, Finally Free
"My mum got me my first job while I was still at uni, marketing. I sometimes pulled all-nighters. Work, exams, work... I survived on caffeine and nicotine. (Laughs.) I barely touch coffee now, but the cigarettes stuck with me. You know how it is, stress at work, you just need to switch off, and a cig helps. Over 15 years, I tried to quit so many times. But I run campaigns for a mid-sized company, and whenever a deadline loomed, I’d end up back on the cigs. It wasn’t until I tried vaping that I finally managed to quit! Honestly! It was still a struggle, but I kept that smoking ritual I needed – probably more than the nicotine itself. Just recently, I switched to vaping with no nicotine at all. So far, so good!" – Emma Johnson, 34, Marketing Manager, Bristol
John’s Journey: From 20 Cigarettes a Day to Zero
"Look, I dunno if this’ll be that interesting enough. I mean, I’ve indeed been smoking for as long as I can remember, and now I don’t even touch a cig. But I’m still on nicotine, just vaping instead. I buy disposables, so I’m not constantly puffing on it, and sometimes I switch from 5% to 2%, but I’d say I haven’t cut down on the nicotine yet. That said, my missus is happy enough. Says at least I don’t stink like an ashtray anymore. And the main thing is, with vaping, there’s the chance to quit nicotine completely. I can see light at the end of the tunnel." – John Davies, 42, Electrician, Manchester
Sarah’s Path: Quitting While Managing Anxiety
"I’ve been a nurse for over 15 years in a busy NHS hospital. In healthcare, you’re supposed to set a good example, but I just couldn't go without a cig with the stress of the job and night shifts. It’s not like I didn’t try to quit. But I’ve struggled with anxiety my whole life – sometimes, I don’t feel fast enough or qualified enough... And all those nicotine patches and gums didn’t help with that. I missed that moment of calm, watching the smoke and switching off. Then, someone suggested vaping. I was sceptical, but it works! And yeah, I do plan on gradually cutting down on the nicotine, too. Haven’t tried that part yet, though." – Sarah Thompson, 39, Nurse, Leeds
These stories reflect not just the physical journey of quitting smoking but also the emotional and psychological shifts that happen during the process.
Common Reasons People Transition to Vaping
The people who transition from cigarettes to vaping are motivated by several key factors. According to a study we conducted, the top motivations for switching to vaping were:
- Health (69%): Many users switched to reduce exposure to harmful chemicals and improve their overall well-being.
- Cost Savings (14%): The financial burden of smoking, especially with cigarette prices soaring to over £10 per pack in the UK, was a strong motivator for many.
- Reduced Smell (7%): The lingering smoke smell from cigarettes was a concern, and vaping offered a much cleaner alternative.
- Social Acceptance (5%): Vaping is more accepted in social circles, with fewer stigmas attached than traditional smoking.
Users overwhelmingly appreciated the lifestyle and financial benefits, making vaping appealing. Additionally, more than 77% of people who vape said they could envision using these reduced-risk products long-term due to their satisfaction with the results.
Why Support Is Crucial During the Transition
While vaping can be an effective tool for quitting smoking, support is essential during the transition. Building new habits takes time, and short-lived cravings can be intense. That’s why identifying high-risk situations—such as social events or stress—is crucial. Additionally, motivation to quit can fluctuate. Ongoing encouragement and having a guide during challenging times can make all the difference in avoiding relapse (whether the support is personal or online, physical or virtual, the guidance is essential). Post-quitting support is just as important, with most smokers requiring help for up to 6-12 months to prevent relapse.
Personalised Guidance and Ongoing Support: Key to Success
One of the most common desires expressed by users was personalised guidance throughout their transition journey. Smokers want tailored advice on the right products, including guidance on flavours, nicotine levels, and strategies to cope with cravings. Many also expressed the importance of having tangible progress tracking to monitor their reduction in nicotine and cigarette use. This demand for personalised support is apparent, as respondents highlighted the need for structured onboarding and ongoing transition support.
Vaping and Relapse Prevention
Relapse prevention is another key area where vaping plays a crucial role. According to our research, the majority of people who used RRPs for more than four days reported not having cravings for cigarettes. The hand-to-mouth action of vaping, the satisfaction of inhaling, and the customisable nicotine levels all contributed to keeping cravings at bay.
Many users also mentioned that RRPs fit seamlessly into moments where they typically smoke, such as during morning coffee, breaks, or driving. This indicates that vaping helps replace cigarettes in habitual moments, further reducing the risk of relapse. Many studies, such as research from Oxford University, confirm that the success rate for quitting smoking is significantly higher among people who switched to vaping compared to those who tried other methods (including nicotine gum and other traditional replacements).
Practical Benefits of Vaping: Real People, Real Results
Vaping isn’t just a substitute for smoking—it’s a tool for harm reduction and a bridge to a more sustainable lifestyle. Switching to vaping eliminates the harmful chemicals associated with burning tobacco. Public Health England reports that vaping is 95% less harmful than smoking.
As you’ve seen through these stories and statistics, vaping can be a powerful tool in the fight to quit smoking. The transition from cigarettes to RRPs allows users to control nicotine intake, enjoy the benefits of reduced well-being risks, and save money in the process. While it’s not a magic solution, with ongoing support and personalised guidance, the road to a smoke-free life is well within reach. If you’re considering making the switch, the real-life experiences shared in this article prove that quitting smoking is possible and rewarding. With the right tools and support, vaping can be your path to a better well-being and smoke-free future.