What is Vaping?
Vaping is the act of inhaling vapour produced by an electronic device, typically called a vape kit or e-cigarette, without burning tobacco. You simply inhale the e-liquid via the mouthpiece and produce vapour. The best part? There is no smoke, burnt tobacco or lingering smell involved. Instead, the vape devices heat delicious e-liquids to form vapours without combustion.
Smoking vs Vaping: What’s the Difference?
Traditional cigarettes burn tobacco and produce smoke packed with thousands of harmful chemicals, many of which cause cancer, heart disease, and lung problems. Vaping, on the other hand, heats a liquid to create vapour that contains far fewer and generally less harmful substances.
Quick Insight
In 2003, Hon Lik, a Chinese pharmacist, invented the first modern e-cigarette after losing his father to smoking-related illness. His creation was initially met with scepticism but later revolutionised the tobacco harm reduction industry, now helping millions worldwide quit smoking.
Unlike traditional cigarettes, vaping doesn’t involve tar or many of the harmful chemicals found in cigarette smoke, which explains why many people have turned to it as a less harmful alternative. The UK’s leading health authorities have studied these differences extensively. Public Health England concluded vaping is at least 95% less harmful than smoking. This means it’s a safer option for smokers looking to quit or reduce harm (McNeill et al., 2018).
Key Differences Between Smoking and Vaping
| Aspect | Smoking | Vaping |
|---|---|---|
| Process | Combustion of tobacco, producing smoke | Heating e-liquid to produce vapour |
| Harmful Chemicals | Thousands, including tar, carbon monoxide, and carcinogens | Much fewer |
| Nicotine Delivery | Rapid, strong hit | Variable; smoother with options to control strength |
| Odour | Strong, lingers on clothes, breath, and the environment | No smell |
| Cost | Generally, more expensive long-term | Economical after the initial device cost |
| Social Perception | Increasingly restricted and less socially accepted | More accepted, but with certain restrictions in some areas, like the airport |
Legal Status & Taxation in the UK
Vaping in the UK is subject to specific laws and regulations designed to keep users safe. Here’s what you need to know:
- Vaping products you buy must comply with the Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016 (TRPR), which implement the EU Tobacco Products Directive.
- Maximum nicotine strength should be capped at 20mg/ml.
- Vape tanks or pods cannot exceed 2ml capacity to limit the amount of nicotine available per fill.
- The maximum nicotine-containing e-liquid bottle size is 10ml.
- Packaging and labelling must include health warnings, child-resistant and tamper-evident designs.
- All e-cigarette and e-liquid products must be notified to and listed by the MHRA before sale.
- Buying vaping products for anyone under 18 is illegal.
What about Taxation?
Vaping products currently attract minimal tax in the UK. Currently, the UK applies only 20% VAT on vaping products, with no dedicated excise duty.
The twist?
From October 2026, the UK will launch its first-ever vape tax, announced by HM Treasury. A Vaping Products Duty will be introduced at £2.20 per 10ml of e-liquid, regardless of nicotine strength. From April 2027, all retail vape products outside of the duty suspension must carry HMRC duty stamps to remain legally sold.
Is Vaping Right for You?
Evidence suggests that many people successfully switch by finding the right device and e-liquid combination.
Public Health England’s 2015 review found that vapes are around 95% less harmful than smoking and can
support quit attempts, especially when combined with behavioural support (source:
GOV.UK Parliament).
More recently, a 2025 study from the University of Bristol confirmed that young adults who correctly believe
vaping is less harmful than smoking are more likely, years later, to have made the switch successfully. So,
yes, it is right for you if you’re looking for a safer alternative to smoking.
How to Start Vaping?
First, decide what you want from vaping, whether it’s quitting smoking, reducing nicotine, or simply enjoying flavours. From there, think about the vaping style that suits you best. Further, understanding coils and resistance is also important. We’ve discussed everything in detail below.
Step 1: Understanding Different Types of Vaping Styles
Starting off with vaping means knowing the different styles and then choosing the devices and e-liquids that best suit your preferred vaping method. Let’s have a look at the three main vaping styles:
Mouth-to-Lung (MTL)
It’s just like inhaling cigarettes. The vapour moves from your mouth to the lungs and delivers a satisfying throat hit. MTL vaping suits beginners and those who prefer a tighter draw. It works best with higher nicotine strengths and devices like pod systems.
Restricted Direct-to-Lung (RDTL)
RDTL sits between MTL and full DTL. The inhale is deeper into the lungs, but with a slight restriction that offers some throat sensation. Devices with adjustable airflow and moderate power settings suit this style.
Direct-to-Lung (DTL)
DTL involves inhaling vapour straight into the lungs, similar to taking a deep breath. It produces large clouds and a smooth sensation, often preferred by experienced vapers. This style uses low nicotine strengths, high VG e-liquids, and powerful mods or sub-ohm tanks with wide airflow.
What’s Next?
Don’t forget, the way vaping feels depends on how your device and e-liquid connect. When they aren’t quite in sync, that’s when harsh hits or poor vapour happen. Follow these tips if you’re trying a vape for the first time:
- Choose your vaping device based on how much you smoke (simple pods for light smokers and powerful mods for heavy smokers).
- Match nicotine strength to your smoking level (higher for heavy smokers, lower for light smokers).
- Select flavour and PG/VG ratio to suit your taste and vapour preference.
- Always buy from reputable UK sellers to ensure product safety and comply with regulations.
- Maintain your device by regularly changing coils and cleaning tanks.
This is just a general guide. Let’s dig deeper and discuss the different vaping styles, device types and everything else in detail.
Step 2: Choosing the Right Electronic Cigarettes
You’ll find many devices in the market; the cig-like tiny kits and even the powerful mod devices with huge vapour capacity. Here is an overview of the main types:
- Starter Kits: Starter kits are perfect if you’re new to vaping. They come with everything you need and are simple to use right out of the box. Most offer basic settings, so you don’t have to worry about complicated adjustments.
- Pod Kits: Vape pod kits are compact and easy to carry around. They use small, refillable or pre-filled cartridges. Pods often give a smoother mouth-to-lung hit.
- Big Puffs: Big puff devices are for cloud lovers who enjoy thick, dense vapour. These produce large vapour clouds and usually require lower nicotine e-liquids with higher VG content.
- Advanced Vape Kits: Advanced kits let you customise everything. They’re perfect if you want control over your vaping experience or to experiment with different styles. They are usually used by DTL vapers.
Choose the one that matches your requirements. For example, if you’re a newbie and still want more puffs (let’s say thousands of puffs), then choose big puffs. They come with minimal set-up requirements and run for many days. On the other hand, if you’d like to customise your vaping experience with adjustable airflow and wattage settings, it’s better to choose pod kits or mod devices.
Step 3: Choosing the E-Liquid
E-liquids are the juices that produce vapours. They come in different types: freebase nicotine, nicotine salts and shortfills. Freebase is the traditional option, offering a stronger throat hit and slower nicotine absorption. Nic salts, on the other hand, are smoother even at higher strengths and absorb faster, closely mimicking the sensation of smoking. In addition, shortfills are nicotine-free e-liquids that are primarily used for advanced vaping or DTL draws.
Fun Fact:
Nicotine salts, developed in the U.S., have become one of the most popular e-liquid types in the UK. In 2025, pod-based systems, mostly using nic salts, made up a 30% uptick in pod kit sales, with 10mg nic salts outselling 20 mg by a 3:1 margin.
What are E-Liquids Made Of?
The main ingredients are listed below with an explanation of what they do:
| Ingredient | Purpose | Impact on Vaping Experience |
|---|---|---|
| Propylene Glycol (PG) | Carries flavour, gives throat hit | Provides a stronger throat hit, clearer flavour |
| Vegetable Glycerine (VG) | Produces vapour | Creates thicker clouds, smoother inhale |
| Nicotine (Optional) | Provides the addictive component | Satisfies cravings; intensity varies by strength |
| Flavourings | Adds taste and aroma | Shapes your vape’s flavour profile (fruits, tobacco, desserts, etc.) |
Which E-Liquid is Right for You?
Most vapers start with an e-liquid that has a balanced PG/VG ratio around 50/50, which provides a decent throat hit and vapour production. If you want more vapour and a smoother inhale, higher VG liquids in sub-ohm kits work better. And, what about nicotine strength? Nicotine strength should match your smoking habits. For example, a heavy smoker might start around 18mg/ml, while light smokers or those who vape casually might go as low as 3mg/ml. Nicotine salts tend to offer smoother throat hits at higher nic strengths, which many find helpful if trying to quit smoking.
Step 4: How to Use and Set up the Vape
Now that you have the basic understanding, you might be thinking about “how to use a vape?” and, of course, “how to vape safely?”. Here is your guide on that:
- Always make sure your battery is fully charged before you start. Charge it with a compatible device.
- If you’re using a refillable tank or pod, carefully fill it with e-liquid. Let the coil soak for a minute or two to avoid dry hits.
- Next, turn on your device. Most devices have a power button; usually, clicking it five times turns it on or off. Check your device’s manual for specifics.
- Take slow, steady draws rather than quick, hard inhales. This helps prevent coughing and lets you get used to the sensation.
- If your device allows, start at a moderate power level and adjust to your comfort.
That’s it.
Maintenance Tips for Your Device
Regular upkeep keeps your vape working well and extends its lifespan. Here are some tips for you:
- Clean the tank and mouthpiece weekly. Warm water works well; ensure everything’s dry before using.
- Change coils regularly. Worn coils affect flavour and could cause harsh hits.
- Charge batteries correctly. Use the supplied charger and avoid overcharging.
If you notice your device isn’t performing as it should, don’t hesitate to seek advice from local vape shops or online tutorials.
Final Thoughts
Vaping, done responsibly, is a nice alternative for smokers looking to reduce their health risks. It’s important to stay informed, buy quality products, and listen to how your body reacts to vaping. Want to get started? Find your favourite vaping products here at Ma Vapour and order now for fast delivery.