According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), In 2020, approximately 20% of high school students and 5% of middle school students used e-cigarette in the United States.
It may be difficult to stop vaping as most of them contain nicotine, which is highly addictive. Here are some tips that may help you quit vaping if you really want to stop it.
Table of Contents
- 1. Know Why You’re Quitting
- 2. Quit Other Tobacco As Well
- 3. Get Rid of All Vape Gear
- 4. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- 5. Find Stress Solutions
- 6. Find Substitutes to Help Quit Vaping
- 7. Commit to Your Quit Date
- 8. Identify Your Triggers
- 9. Know the Challenges in Your Road of Quitting
- 10. Reward Yourself After Quitting
- 11. Imagine Your Vape-Free Self
- 12. Ask for Help
- 13. Don’t Give Up
1. Know Why You’re Quitting
The first step in quitting vaping is knowing why you want to do it. Is vaping doing bad to my health? Am I spending too much money on vaping? Is vaping the reason I’m not able to socialize with people? Knowing why you want to quit is important, so you can find a quitting method that will work for you.
2. Quit Other Tobacco As Well
If you’re also using cigarettes or other tobacco products besides vaping, it might be helpful to quit smoking other tobacco products as well. This will make it easier to quit vaping, since you’ll be breaking the habit of using nicotine in any form..
3. Get Rid of All Vape Gear
If you’re really serious about quitting vaping, get rid of all your vape gear, including, vaporizers, electronic e-cigarettes, vape juice refill cartridges, and anything else related to vaping. This will help you break the physical connection to vaping, and it will be harder to start up again if you have all the gear sitting around. Set up your environment for success.
4. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
If you’re looking for a more long-term solution, you might want to try cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). This type of therapy helps you change the thoughts and behaviors that are related to your addiction. It can be helpful to have a therapist to help you through the quitting process.
CBT may include:
- Cognitive restricting
- Self-monitoring
- Emotional regulation
- Functional restricting
5. Find Stress Solutions
If you’re using vaping to deal with stress, you’ll need to find other ways to cope with stress once you quit. This might mean finding new ways to relax, such as exercise, yoga, or meditation. You might also want to talk to a therapist about your stress levels and find out more about coping mechanisms.
6. Find Substitutes to Help Quit Vaping
Vaping has been your habit for a while, so it might be tough to quit cold turkey. Instead of trying to go without vaping completely, find substitutes to help you wean yourself off of it. Maybe try using a different type of food or something in your mouth, for example, chewing gum or wearing a lip balm. You can also try using a different activity to replace vaping, like listening to music or going for a walk.
7. Commit to Your Quit Date
It can be helpful to set a quit date and commit to it. This will help you focus your efforts on quitting, and give you something to look forward to. Make sure to tell your friends and family about your quit date, so they can support you through it.
8. Identify Your Triggers
Vaping can be addictive, and it’s important to identify your triggers for wanting to vape. Are you stressed out? Bored? Feeling like you need a cigarette break? Identifying your triggers can help you find ways to deal with them without vaping. Maybe you can try relaxation techniques or taking a walk when you feel the urge to vape.
9. Know the Challenges in Your Road of Quitting
Quitting anything can be difficult, and there will likely be challenges along the way. Be prepared for these challenges and have a plan to deal with them. If you’re struggling, don’t be afraid to ask for help from your friends or family.
10. Reward Yourself After Quitting
After you’ve successfully quit vaping, reward yourself with something that you really want. This can help keep you motivated and focused on your goal. Maybe you can treat yourself to a new book, a day at the spa, or dinner at your favorite restaurant. Whatever it is, make sure it’s something that you really want and will enjoy.
11. Imagine Your Vape-Free Self
One way to stay motivated during your quitting journey is to imagine yourself as a vape-free person. Picture yourself feeling better, having more energy, and not needing to worry about nicotine anymore. This can be a powerful motivator to keep you going.
12. Ask for Help
If you’re having trouble quitting vaping, don’t be afraid to ask for help. There are many resources available to help you, including support groups and online forums. You can also talk to your doctor or a therapist about your addiction to vaping. They can help you find the best way to quit for you.
13. Don’t Give Up
The most important thing to remember is not to give up. Quitting vaping can be difficult, but it’s worth it in the end. Stay focused on your goal and don’t let any challenges get in your way. You can achieve it.