Vaping to quit smoking safely is not one-size-fits-all, but it can be a temporary tool that helps some people stop smoking. We offer vape devices alongside other quit aids because different people need different routes into support. Our priorities are safety, informed choice, and long-term freedom from nicotine.

If you want a clear overview of your options, start here: Stop Smoking support.

Why vaping to quit smoking safely can help some people stop

Cigarettes harm health mainly because tobacco burns. Burning creates smoke that contains many toxic substances. It also produces tar and carbon monoxide, which play a major role in smoking-related disease. By contrast, vaping delivers nicotine by heating an e-liquid rather than burning tobacco. As a result, exposure to toxins is typically much lower than with smoking.

For some people, vaping can also help with the habits that make quitting hard. For example, the hand-to-mouth routine, the urge after meals, or the “stress break” pattern can feel as powerful as nicotine itself. In those cases, a vape may feel more workable than patches or gum alone.

Safety, regulation, and our responsibility

We take safety seriously because people deserve products they can trust. That is why we work with commissioners to select devices carefully and to avoid products with unclear quality control.

In the UK, consumer vaping products must meet specific rules. These rules include limits on nicotine strength, limits on tank and refill bottle sizes, and requirements for child-resistant packaging and health warnings. Certain additives are also restricted.

To understand the wider safety picture, you can also read the NHS guidance on using e-cigarettes to stop smoking.

Coaching plus vaping: a stronger way to quit

A device on its own rarely solves the problem. Support matters because quitting is behavioural as well as physical.

When vaping is combined with coaching, people are more likely to:

• Use the device intentionally, rather than constantly

• Learn practical craving skills, so urges pass more quickly

• Avoid drifting into dual use, where smoking continues alongside vaping

• Build a step-down plan to reduce nicotine strength and stop altogether

Nicotine delivery varies by device and by how you vape. However, many people find that a short, planned “craving session” is enough to take the edge off an urge. For some, that might be a handful of puffs, then putting the vape away. The point is the pattern: respond to cravings, then move on.

Using vaping to quit smoking safely: simple rules that protect progress

If you use a vape, use it with purpose. These rules keep you moving towards your goal.

• Use it for cravings, not habit. Ask: “Do I want nicotine right now, or am I on autopilot?”

• Avoid grazing. Try not to take frequent puffs all day. Instead, create clear moments of use, then stop.

• Do not combine smoking and vaping. Dual use keeps nicotine dependency going and can slow your quit journey.

• Reduce nicotine strength over time. Step down gradually so your body adjusts.

• Set a stop date. Pick a date to move away from vaping too, then work back to a realistic plan.

In short, vaping should be a bridge. It should not become a new routine.

Who vaping is not for

Vaping is not recommended for people who have never smoked. There is no health benefit for non-smokers, and nicotine is addictive.

Vaping products also cannot be sold to under 18s.

Our position: not switching, but stopping

We support people to quit smoking, then to quit nicotine. That is the end goal.

So, while vaping to quit smoking safely can be a useful step for some people, it is not the destination. We use it as a temporary aid, alongside coaching and a clear plan, because that combination helps people stay focused on full freedom.

Quit smoking safely

There are many ways to quit, and what matters most is choosing an approach that fits your life and feels manageable. Vaping to quit smoking safely can work well when it is regulated, supported, and paired with a step-down plan. Whether you choose NRT, vaping, coaching, or a mix, we are here to help you understand your options and take the next step.

Check out our new stop-smoking app, Stop for Life!

Learn about our other Health lifestyle service.

Check out our article on our smoking cessation work.