For smokers who want to quit, switching to vaping may seem like a no-brainer.  While electronic cigarettes are viewed by the FDA as a tobacco harm reduction tool and not a smoking cessation device, millions of vapers around the world claim that vaping has helped them to kick the habit permanently.   

But how does a newbie to vaping get started?  And why do some newbies relapse back into smoking while others do not?  Here are five common mistakes that first-time vapers should avoid.

1.  Buying the wrong e-liquid.

There are thousands of e-liquid flavors already on the market, and many of them sound lip-smacking delicious.  Newbies tend to buy them and load them up in their newly purchased vaping device while automatically assuming that they will simply love it.  But after a few vapes, the vape juice might leave an unpliant aftertaste in your mouth.

The trouble may not be the e-liquid.  It may be the PG/VG ratio of the e-liquid instead. PG stands for Propylene Glycol, and VG stands for Vegetable Glycerin.  Most e-liquids contain both ingredients but at very different ratios.  A High-VG e-juice usually provides a smoother vaping experience while a High-PG juice often results in a harsher throat hit.  Before switching back to smoking, try a different e-liquid first, perhaps one with a different PG/VG ratio. 

2.  Buying the wrong nicotine concentration.

Manufacturers produce e-liquids in a variety of nicotine strengths ranging from 24mg or higher to as low as zero-nicotine.  Choosing the wrong nicotine concentration can turn you off from vaping rather quickly. 

Buying an e-liquid with too much nicotine can cause headaches, nausea, and other nasty side effects.  Buying a vape juice with too little nicotine to lead to a vaping experience rather unsatisfying, which can tempt you to relapse back into smoking.  Every newbie vaper is different, but here is a general rule of thumb when selecting nicotine concentrations.

• Light smokers of less than 10 cigarettes per day: 3mg
• Medium smokers of between 10 to 20 cigarettes per day: 6mg or 3mg with longer puffs
• Heavy smokers of over 20 cigarettes per day: 9mg or 6mg with longer puffs 
• a 3 second puff of 6mg and a 6 second puff of 3mg delivers equal amounts of Nicotine 

3.  Carrying an activated vape pen in your pocket.

Some vape mods have a button on the side that turns the device on and off.  Carrying your vape mod in your pocket while it is still activated is a huge no-no.  Not only is it a safety hazard, but you are also risking the possibility of ruining your battery.  People who carry activated vape pens in their pants and shirt pockets are usually the ones complaining of “vaping expositions.”  Don’t be the next victim of poor vaping maintenance.

4.  Buying the wrong vaping device.

There are hundreds of different vaping devices to choose from, and newbie vapers often go for the cheaper models first.  This makes sense because you want to see if you are going to like vaping before shelling out a huge chunk of cash.  But be careful.  Invest in only high-quality products with reputable brand names.  Cheaper products can result in less-than-desirable vaping experiences, which may tempt you to go back to smoking.

5.  Vaping like you’re still smoking.

Cigarette smokers tend to take long, hard draws.  Vaping, on the other hand, requires a different sort of puffing action.  For the best results, newbies should take a long-but-soft inhale of the vape pen.  Those quicker, deeper inhales that you usually take with smoking will likely make you cough with a vape mod.  Softer drags will give you the pleasure you truly desire while also producing those thick, robust clouds that everyone loves so much.  

There are lots of common mistakes that newbies to vaping often make.  Forgetting your charger when traveling to work or on vacation is a biggie.  Failing to clean or change your coils on a regular basis in another.  And refusing to take the time to clean your cartomizer or vape tank in between e-juice refills is yet another (blending e-juices can result is some nasty mixtures, for one thing).

The important thing is to not give up the vape. According to the UK Royal College of Physicians, vaping is 95 percent less harmful than smoking.  And once you get the hang of it, vaping is a whole lot more enjoyable than smoking, too.