How Long Does It Take to Quit Vaping?

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How Long Does It Take to Quit Vaping?

Making the decision to quit vaping is difficult, but so much good can come out of a vape-free life. It’s important to have lots of patience for yourself, a good quitting plan and a support system that has your back before starting your journey. Quitting doesn’t happen in one day—even after getting rid of your vaping devices and cartridges, it will still take time to quit vaping for good. Learn more about the quitting process and how long it can take to quit vaping so you know what to expect.

 The Benefits of Quitting Vaping

Before starting your quitting journey, it’s good to know how your decision will benefit you in the long run. Recognizing the benefits of a vape-free life can serve as good motivation to get you through the nicotine withdrawal symptoms. Some benefits to quitting vaping include:

 Saving Money

It pays to quit vaping! Quitting smoking can save you money, and the same goes for e-cigarettes. If you go through one vape pod a day, you can save between $600-900 a year by giving up the vaping lifestyle.1 The money you save from quitting can be used on a fun trip with friends or go toward basic life expenses.

 Having Healthier Lungs

Your lungs help you breathe and vaping can cause severe damage to them.7 One study in particular looked at patients with chronic lung disease and determined that e-cigarettes were to blame for the constrictive bronchiolitis.7 Cleveland Clinic reports that constant irritation from vaping can lead to permanent lung problems like asthma and COPD, but some damage can heal with medications.2

 Recent cases of lung injuries that are specifically caused by vaping also heighten the case that vaping is bad for the lungs. Cleveland Clinic reports that E-cigarette/vaping product use associated lung injury (EVALI) has hospitalized thousands of people in late 2019 and early 2020.2 Because EVALI is such a new condition, the way it can affect people is still unknown.

 There is a laundry list of toxic chemicals and metals in e-cigarettes, and since they haven’t been reviewed yet by the FDA the composition of e-cigarette brands may vary.8 Some of the things you’re likely putting into your lungs every time you inhale include:8

  • Nicotine
  • Propylene glycol, which is used to make antifreeze
  • Acrolein, a weed killer that can cause irreversible lung damage
  • Diacetyl, a chemical linked to lung diseases
  • Benzene, a compound found in car exhaust
  • Metals like tin and lead
  • Ultrafine particles that make their way into your lungs

 The substances you inhale when you vape can irritate your lungs and cause inflammation, which can lead to lung scarring.2

 Taking Back Your Freedom

When you’re dependent on a highly addictive substance like nicotine, it’s hard to travel without your vaping device or get through the day without a few smoke breaks. Being addicted to nicotine makes it hard to stop vaping, especially since nicotine withdrawal symptoms like headaches, fatigue, restlessness and nausea can kick in when you stop using it.3 By putting down the vape, you can make more time for yourself and stop letting e-cigarettes dictate your decisions.

 How Long Do Nicotine Withdrawals Last?

Dealing with nicotine withdrawal symptoms is what makes quitting vaping so difficult. Throwing away your e-cigarettes and vape pods may only take seconds, but the physical and mental symptoms can drag on for much longer. On average, nicotine withdrawal symptoms can last a few days up to several weeks.4 For most people, symptoms may be the most intense after two or three days without nicotine, according to Cleveland Clinic.2,4 The severity of your symptoms may vary, depending on how often you vape and the amount of nicotine you use.4

 Not everyone’s quitting journey is going to be the same, so it’s ok if it takes you longer than a few weeks to completely give up vaping. Research shows that while many people who smoke have tried to quit, a majority of the attempts are unsuccessful.5 Smoking relapses happen, and it’s important to not let feelings of self-doubt and frustration get in the way if they do. Recognizing and accepting the possibility of relapsing can help you stay prepared for it.

Preparing to Quit Vaping for Good

It takes time and patience to break free from nicotine dependency. Your level of commitment to quitting can also contribute to how long it takes to quit, so try to take some serious strides in your methods.6 A good start toward quitting is talking to your healthcare provider about medications and nicotine replacement therapy products like gum, lozenges and patches.6

 There are plenty of other ways to keep you on your path to quit while using nicotine replacement therapy products. Creating a plan to quit, keeping yourself distracted with exercise and identifying your vaping triggers can also help.6 It can also help to have a support system that’s got your back and encourage you when times get hard.6 Your support system can consist of friends, family or people who have successfully quit and want the same for you.

It can take lots of time and effort to quit vaping, so remember to be gentle with yourself as you go through it. Visit the Nicorette Help with Quitting hub to find more helpful tips on managing your quit.

Sources
  1. A Dollars and “Sense” Exploration of Vape Shop Spending and E-cigarette Use. National Library of Medicine. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5528165/ Accessed 4/20/2023.
  2. Vaping (E-Cigarettes). Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/21162-vaping Accessed 4/20/2023.
  3. Nicotine Dependence (Tobacco Use Disorder). Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/24482-nicotine-dependence Accessed 4/20/2023.
  4. Nicotine Withdrawal. Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21587-nicotine-withdrawal Accessed 4/20/2023.
  5. Risk of smoking relapse with the use of electronic cigarettes: A systematic review with meta-analysis of longitudinal studies. National Library of Medicine. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8078138/ Accessed 4/20/2023.
  6. How To Quit Vaping. Cleveland Clinic. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/how-to-quit-vaping/ Accessed 4/20/2023.
  7. Vaping appears linked with chronic lung disease. Harvard School of Public Health. https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/news/hsph-in-the-news/vaping-appears-linked-with-chronic-lung-disease/ Accessed 4/20/2023.
  8. What’s in an E-Cigarette? American Lung Association. https://www.lung.org/quit-smoking/e-cigarettes-vaping/whats-in-an-e-cigarette Accessed 4/20/2023.