Vapes
Learn more about vaping, including the latest guidance, resources, and information.
What is a vape?
A vape is a device that lets you inhale nicotine without most of the harmful effects of smoking. It’s the tobacco in cigarettes that causes most of the harm, not the nicotine.
Vapes work by heating a liquid (called e-liquid or vape juice) to create vapour. This liquid usually contains nicotine, a base of propylene glycol and/or glycerine, and flavourings. Because there’s no burning, no smoke is produced — only a visible vapour cloud.
Vapes don’t contain tobacco or produce tar or carbon monoxide, two of the main toxins in cigarette smoke. Vape vapour can contain some of the same harmful chemicals found in cigarette smoke, but at much lower levelv
What we know so far
- Vapes are less harmful than smoking tobacco
- Vapes do not require combustion hence they do not contain the tar, carbon monoxide or levels of toxic substances that are harmful to human health that lit tobacco does.
- Vapes are an effective aid to quitting smoking.
- You can use Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) in conjunction with a Vape.
- You can at least triple your chances of success in stopping smoking tobacco with your vape by attending your local stop smoking service.
Is vaping harmful?
- Vapes are far less harmful than smoking.
- For people who smoke, vapes are an option to help them stop.
- Vapes are not risk-free. We don't yet know their long-term effects, so people who have never smoked shouldn't use them as Nicotine is a highly addictive substance.
Find out more on Cancer Research UK’s information on vaping.
Where do I purchase my vape?
Our partnership with Evapo in Kingston provides vapes to help smokers quit.
After your first session, your advisor will explain your options and give you a unique code to redeem in-store. This code entitles you to one rechargeable Elf Bar device and two weeks of pods to get started. Evapo staff will show you how to use and maintain your device so you feel confident before starting.
You’ll receive a new code every two weeks for the rest of the six-week programme, redeemable in store.
Take a look at the map below for your nearest store.
Ready to stop smoking?
Join Kick It today and start your journey with free access to NRT and vapes.
What are vapes made up of?
In general, vapes consist of a battery, a heating element or coil (atomiser) and liquid containing Nicotine (e-liquid). The e-liquid can be in sealed cartridges or added to a tank system. Some vapes such as the Elf Bar in the video below use cartomisers, that combine the atomiser and e-liquid in a single unit. These are known as closed pod systems as the cartomiser is disposable and designed for single use, not to be refilled.
Latest guidance
Public Health England (PHE) published a vaping evidence review, undertaken by leading independent tobacco experts. The main points from this review are as follows:
- Vaping poses only a small fraction of the risks of smoking and switching completely from smoking to vaping conveys substantial health benefits
- Vapes could be contributing to at least 20,000 successful new quits per year and possibly many more
- There is much public misunderstanding about nicotine (less than 10% of adults understand that most of the harms to health from smoking are caused by tobacco, not nicotine)
Are vapes cheaper than cigarettes?
Switching from cigarettes to e-cigarettes could save you a lot of money. Some people spend more than others, but in general, vaping costs less than half as much as smoking.
Vaping and pregnancy
There is limited research on the safety of vaping during pregnancy, but it is likely to be far less harmful to you and your baby than smoking. Smoking during pregnancy can harm your baby from day one.
Licensed nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) products are safe to use in pregnancy and can increase your chances of quitting successfully. NRT is free on prescription during pregnancy.
While licensed NRT products are the recommended option, if using an e-cigarette helps you stay smokefree, it is much safer for you and your baby than continuing to smoke.
