What happens when you quit vaping
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Effects of Quitting Vaping: A Comprehensive Overview
Introduction to Vaping Cessation
Quitting vaping can lead to a variety of outcomes, both positive and negative, depending on individual circumstances and the duration of cessation. This article synthesizes findings from multiple studies to provide a clear picture of what happens when individuals stop vaping.
Relapse to Smoking
Increased Risk of Smoking Relapse
One of the most significant risks associated with quitting vaping is the potential relapse to smoking traditional cigarettes. Studies have shown that individuals who stop vaping are more likely to return to smoking compared to those who continue vaping. For instance, a longitudinal study found that 18% of former smokers who quit vaping relapsed to smoking, compared to a 2% relapse rate among those who continued vaping1. This suggests that vaping may serve as a preventive measure against smoking relapse for some individuals.
Vaping as a Relapse Prevention Tool
Vaping has been identified as a viable alternative to prevent full relapse into smoking. The pleasurable experience of vaping can make lapses in smoking less likely to lead to full relapse. Instead, these lapses are often perceived as temporary and manageable3. This indicates that vaping can act as a buffer against the complete return to smoking, offering both pharmacological and psychological benefits.
Well-Being and Stress Management
Improved Well-Being Over Time
Quitting vaping can lead to improvements in overall well-being, particularly for those who have quit smoking for more than a year. A study found that 51.8% of ex-smokers reported positive changes in their well-being, with the most significant improvement seen in daily functioning2. This suggests that the longer the duration since quitting, the better the perceived well-being.
Stress Management
Interestingly, the ability to cope with stress may be better among those who continue to vape compared to those who quit all forms of nicotine. Vapers were more likely to report improved stress management and day-to-day health compared to nicotine abstainers9. This indicates that while quitting vaping can improve overall well-being, continued vaping may offer specific benefits in stress management.
Physical Health and Withdrawal Symptoms
Negative Physical Consequences
Many individuals report quitting vaping due to negative physical consequences, particularly related to lung health. Common symptoms include a tight chest and other respiratory issues8. These physical discomforts often serve as strong motivators for individuals to quit vaping.
Withdrawal Symptoms
Withdrawal symptoms and the intensity of nicotine addiction are significant barriers to quitting vaping. Users often experience cravings and other withdrawal symptoms, which can make the cessation process challenging8. However, both nicotine vaping products and traditional nicotine replacement therapies have been found to reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms effectively6.
Social and Psychological Factors
Motivations and Realizations
Young adults often realize the excessive nature of their vaping habits due to various intrinsic and extrinsic motivations. Factors such as environmental cues and negative repercussions play a significant role in their intention to quit4. This realization is crucial as it positively correlates with the intention to quit vaping.
Community Support
Online communities, such as Reddit, provide valuable support for individuals looking to quit vaping. These platforms offer insights into methods for quitting, reasons for quitting, and barriers faced during the process. Distraction techniques and maintaining a positive mindset are commonly cited as effective strategies for overcoming addiction8.
Conclusion
Quitting vaping can lead to a range of outcomes, from improved well-being and daily functioning to challenges like increased risk of smoking relapse and withdrawal symptoms. While continued vaping may offer benefits in stress management, the negative physical consequences often drive individuals to quit. Understanding these multifaceted effects can help in developing better support systems and interventions for those looking to quit vaping.
Sources and full results
Most relevant research papers on this topic
Electronic Cigarette: A Longitudinal Study of Regular Vapers
After 12 months, enjoyment and relapse prevention were the most important reasons to vape, with low relapse rates in former smokers and high quit rates in current smokers.
Observational Study
Rigorous JournalExperienced Effects on Well-Being following Smoking Cessation: Findings from the 2020 ITC Four Country Smoking and Vaping Survey
Quitting smoking improves well-being more than declines, with more positive effects observed over time, but daily vaping use does not significantly impact well-being, except for better stress coping among vapers.
Observational StudyRigorous JournalVaping as an alternative to smoking relapse following brief lapse
Vaping offers a pleasurable alternative to smoking, reducing the risk of relapse and reinforcing ongoing abstinence.
Observational StudyVaping among youth: reasons, realization and intention to quit
Realization of excessive vaping among young adults is positively associated with intention to quit vaping, while marketing cues and alternative to smoking positively influence their intention to quit vaping.
Use of Vaping as a Smoking Cessation Aid: A Review of Clinical Trials
Vaping is an effective method for smoking cessation and is associated with a lower risk of adverse events compared to combustible cigarettes.
Systematic ReviewQuitNic: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing Nicotine Vaping Products With Nicotine Replacement Therapy for Smoking Cessation Following Residential Detoxification
Nicotine vaping products and nicotine replacement therapy are highly acceptable and effective in smoking cessation after residential detoxification.
RCTOnline Searches for Quitting Vaping During the 2019 Outbreak of E‐cigarette or Vaping Product Use‐Associated Lung Injury
During the 2019 EVALI outbreak, internet searches for quitting e-cigarettes/vaping increased, potentially due to health concerns and state bans on sales.
Observational Studye-Cigarette Cessation: Content Analysis of a Quit Vaping Community on Reddit
E-cigarette users prefer gradual reduction and use distraction techniques, such as hobbies and mindfulness, to quit, with barriers being withdrawal symptoms and addiction intensity.
Observational StudyRigorous JournalPerceived health and capacity to cope with stress in recent ex-smokers: Impact of vaping vs quitting all nicotine.
Continued nicotine use via e-cigarettes may initially improve stress management and perceived health in recent ex-smokers, but long-term health effects require further research.
Observational StudyAssociations between vaping and relapse to smoking: preliminary findings from a longitudinal survey in the UK
Relapse to smoking is more common among ex-smokers vaping infrequently or using less advanced devices.
Observational Study