Switching from Smoking to Vaping | Southampton Vaping Centre
Updated: Oct 12
Thinking of Quitting Smoking This October? We Can Help You Switch.
October is Stoptober — the month hundreds of thousands of people across the UK decide to stop smoking for good. If you have been thinking about making the switch from cigarettes to vaping, you are not alone, and you do not need to figure it out yourself.
At Southampton Vaping Centre on Shirley Road, Shirley, we have helped a lot of people make this change. This page explains what switching actually involves, which products suit someone coming from cigarettes, and what nicotine strength to start on. Come in and talk to us if you want a recommendation in person.
What to expect when you make the switch
Vaping is not identical to smoking, and it takes a few days to adjust. Most people notice the difference within the first week. The key points to know before you start:
Vaping delivers nicotine differently to cigarettes. The hit arrives slightly more slowly, which is why the right nicotine strength matters so much at the start.
Pod kits and pre-filled pods are the easiest place to begin. They work like a cigarette — draw on them, put them down. No buttons, no settings to adjust.
Your throat and lungs may feel different at first. This is normal and usually settles within a week or two as your body adjusts.
Stay hydrated. Vaping can feel drying initially, especially if you are also quitting cigarettes at the same time.
NHS Stoptober guidance recommends matching your nicotine level to your current cigarette use. A specialist vape shop can advise on this — see the nicotine guide below, or come in and we will help you find the right starting point.
Pod kits: the simplest way to begin
A pod kit is a compact rechargeable device that uses either refillable pods filled with e-liquid, or pre-filled pods you click in and replace when they run out. For someone switching from cigarettes, pod kits are the right starting point for several reasons:
They are small, light and easy to carry — similar in size and feel to a cigarette pack.
Pre-filled pod kits require almost no setup. Click in a pod, charge the device, and you are ready.
The draw on most pod kits is similar to a cigarette — a tighter, mouth-to-lung inhale rather than the wide-open draw of a sub-ohm device.
Nicotine salts, which are used in most pod systems, deliver nicotine more efficiently at lower vapour volumes. This makes them well suited to the lighter draw style most ex-smokers prefer.
If you have never vaped before and you are making the switch from cigarettes, a pod kit is almost certainly the right choice.
We've put together a full Best Beginner Vape Kit Guide covering our top three recommended kits for 2026.
Vaporesso Vibe Kit — £16.99
If you want something simple to start with, the Vaporesso Vibe is a great option. It is a buttonless pod kit — just fill the pod with e-liquid and inhale, with no settings to configure.
Here is what it offers:
1100mAh built-in battery that lasts most vapers a full day on one charge
Two power modes via a side switch: ECO Mode (14W) gives a tighter, more cigarette-like MTL draw; PWR Mode (24W) gives a slightly looser inhale with more warmth
2ml refillable pod with built-in dual mesh coil — when the coil burns out you replace the whole pod, no separate coil fitting required
Side-fill design — open the port on the side to top up your e-liquid
USB-C charging with a battery level display
MTL vaping — the draw style that most closely matches a cigarette
The Vibe suits someone who wants the least possible fuss when switching. No buttons to press, no wattage to dial in — just pick your power level and vape. Pairs best with 50% VG nic salt e-liquid.
Available in: Berry Purple, Black, Cherry Pink, Fresh Green, Silver, Sky Blue.
Price: £16.99
Not keen on vapour? The NEAFS TEO X is a tobacco-free heated alternative — £9.99
Some people who smoke prefer not to inhale vapour. The NEAFS TEO X is designed for exactly that situation. It is a heated device, not a vape — it works by heating specially designed tea-leaf sticks rather than burning tobacco.
Key points about the TEO X:
No tobacco, no tar, no combustion. The sticks are made from tea-leaf-based materials, not tobacco. The device heats rather than burns them.
NEAFS states the device produces up to 95% fewer harmful chemicals than cigarettes, based on their own testing — this refers to the absence of combustion byproducts, not a medical claim.
Eight flavour options, including nicotine and nicotine-free sticks, available separately.
2,200mAh battery, providing up to 16 sessions per charge.
Simple to use. Insert a TEO X stick, press and hold until the device vibrates, wait approximately 30 seconds for a second vibration, and it is ready.
No vapour cloud. The experience is closer to a heated tobacco device than a vape.
The TEO X suits people who want to move away from cigarettes but are not comfortable with the idea of vaping. It is also worth considering if you have tried vaping before and found the vapour irritating.
Price: £9.99 for the device. TEO X sticks are sold separately.
Which nicotine strength should you start on?
Choosing the right nicotine strength is the most important decision when you first switch. Too low, and the cravings will push you back to cigarettes. Too high, and you may feel lightheaded or unwell.
The UK limit for e-liquid sold in vape shops is 20mg/ml (2%). All the nicotine salt and e-liquid we stock is within this limit.
Here is a plain guide based on how much you currently smoke:
How much you smoke | Suggested starting strength |
Up to 10 cigarettes a day | 10mg nic salt |
Around 10–20 cigarettes a day (a pack) | 20mg nic salt |
More than 20 cigarettes a day | 20mg nic salt — the legal maximum |
A few additional points:
Nic salts vs freebase nicotine. Most pod kits use nicotine salts (nic salts), which are smoother to inhale at higher strengths and absorb more quickly. This makes them the right format for switchers. Freebase (regular) e-liquid tends to suit experienced vapers at lower strengths.
Reduce gradually. Once you are settled on vaping and not smoking, you can step down to a lower strength over time if you want to — 10mg, then 5mg, then 0mg. There is no rush.
If you are not sure, come in. We will ask a few questions about how much you smoke and recommend a starting point. Getting this right at the start makes a real difference to whether switching sticks.
Talk to us in store — 415 Shirley Road, Shirley, Southampton
We are a specialist vape shop, not a general off-licence or petrol station. Everyone who works here uses and understands the products we sell. If you come in during Stoptober and tell us you are trying to stop smoking, we will take the time to walk you through the options and help you find the right starting point — device, pods, and nicotine strength.
We also offer Click and Collect. If you want to order online and pick up at the shop rather than wait for delivery, select Click and Collect at checkout. Our address is 415 Shirley Road, Shirley, Southampton.
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