How to Cut Down on Nicotine

So, you've successfully quit smoking! Congratulations! You may now be wondering what your next steps should be, and how to go about them. Here, we explain the benefits of cutting down on nicotine and how to best do so. 

When first quitting smoking you may need e-liquid with quite a high nicotine content, to successfully keep smoking cravings at bay. Eventually though, you can slowly reduce your nicotine content, finally weaning yourself off it entirely.

Why should I reduce my nicotine consumption?

Although nicotine is not the most harmful thing about cigarettes, it still has some potential negative impacts on health. Nicotine raises the blood pressure and heart rate, meaning long term usage might lead to future cardiovascular problems.

Additionally, freedom from dependence on nicotine does make many people's lives much easier. Worrying about where and when you are going to get your next nicotine hit can be a source of stress for people. As well as this, nicotine withdrawal can cause low mood and stress. 
If lowering your nicotine level takes a while, don't panic tobacco cigarettes are significantly more harmful to health overall, containing over 70 cancer causing chemicals that vapes do not. 

How to cut down on nicotine

For many it may feel much harder to suddenly cut down on/cut out nicotine than to gradually drop down. For help, refer to our helpful tips below:

• Cut down gradually . There are many different nicotine levels you can choose from when it comes to picking an e-liquid. The highest level of nicotine is 20mg which may be best for recent smoking quitters. Nicotine strengths generally are also offered at 12mg, 10mg, and 6mg. You can also control your own nicotine level by mixing half of two different strengths together. For example, mixing half a 12mg e-liquid and half a 10mg will create an 11mg liquid. This can be useful if you feel ready to drop a level, but not as many as the next premixed level down contains.
• Try switching to sub ohm vaping. Try sub ohm vaping using shortfill e-liquid, because sub ohm devices are typically mainly compatible with direct-to-lung vaping, you will need a lower nicotine content anyway. When direct-to-lung vaping, higher strengths can be too harsh on the lungs. Sub Ohm vaping is also great if you want to enjoy stronger flavours, due to its high VG ratio.
• Track your vape usage & progress. If your vape has a puff-count, it can serve as a useful way of monitoring whether your current nicotine concentration is working for you. Keep an eye on the puff count, especially when levelling down as if it suddenly increases significantly that may suggest you should stay at that level until you stop reaching for your vape so frequently. Don`t worry it`s definitely normal to vape more when you first lower your nicotine content.
• Manage nicotine cravings in other ways too. As well as vaping, you can use other strategies to cope with your cravings which may occur when dropping down a level. Quitting experts suggest doing something else to do physically when you find yourself craving nicotine. You could chew some gum, drink a glass of water or go for a short walk instead.
• Use nicotine free shortfills and add your own nicotine shots. You can fully customise your nicotine strength by adding nic shots to 0 nicotine shortfill e-liquids. Refer to our online calculator to see exactly how much you should add to your shortfill in order to achieve your desired strength.
• Use harsher flavours. You can trick your brain into thinking you are vaping a higher nicotine e-liquid by using harsher flavours such as menthols, as well as this using a high PG ratio will also create a harsher throat hit.
• Add more VG to dilute. You can simply add more VG to your e-liquid, diluting the nicotine in the bottle. You could also dilute your e-liquid by buying two e-liquids in the same flavour, one with nicotine and one without, adding the 0 nic version to the nicotine containing e-liquid to dilute it.
• Identify stress points and triggers. It is helpful to be aware of what may trigger you into craving higher levels of nicotine, or even a cigarette. Some people find a night out triggering, whereas others may use nicotine to cope with work related stress.
• Reward & be kind to yourself. By quitting smoking you've already done the hardest part! Make sure to reward and celebrate your achievements and milestones, even if only with small rewards. This will help keep you motivated as you slowly phase out nicotine.