9 Proven Ways to Quit Vaping

PavelKant/ShutterstockThe dangers of vaping are becoming more clear to medical experts and the general public. Inhaling the vapor from electronic cigarettes brings toxic chemicals into the lungs and, as of November 2019, had caused more than 2,051 cases of lung injuries (called “vape lung”) and 39 deaths.

This is why the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is warning people not to use vaping products—especially those from black-market sources and those containing THC, the compound in cannabis that experts believe may play a role in the outbreak—while they’re investigating the cause of the illnesses and deaths.

But if you vape, how can you quit—especially given how addictive the inhaled substances are? The Healthy pored over research and spoke to experts to pinpoint proven ways to stop.

First: Don’t return to cigarettes

Step one from the CDC is to avoid taking up cigarettes again (if a nicotine addiction was the reason you started vaping). “There are other delivery devices for nicotine that are very successful and have been used for many years,” says Robert Goldberg, MD, pulmonologist at Mission Community Hospital in Mission Viejo, California. Here’s why vaping can be as dangerous as smoking a pack of cigarettes a day.

Explore nicotine replacement options

These include the patch, gum, lozenges, and nasal spray. “They’re available over the counter and regulated by the FDA,” Dr. Goldberg says. These can help you manage withdrawal symptoms while trying to quit e-cigarettes. A doctor can help you choose a method, decide how much to take at first, and how to cut back over time. Knowing these silent effects of e-cigarettes will give you extra motivation to stop.

Talk to your doctor about medication

“Wellbutrin reduces the urge toward smoking and nicotine addiction,” says Dr. Goldberg. “It’s an antidepressant but has this secondary effect on the pathways in the brain.” Another drug, Chantix, can also be used for smoking cessation. “Use these only in conjunction with a physician,” Dr. Goldberg advises.

Announce you’re quitting

Once you’ve discussed nicotine replacement and medication with a physician, tell everyone you know that you’re quitting—especially your friends who vape, advises Tina Kaufman, PhD, assistant professor of medicine who supervises the cardiac rehab program at Oregon Health and Science University. “I tell patients not to hang around them while they’re trying to quit. It’s like asking an alcoholic to hang out in a bar while they’re trying to quit drinking.”

Set a quit date

Pick a date for quitting, Kaufman recommends. Then, the night before, clean out your home, purse, backpack, pockets, and car of vaping paraphernalia. Vape one last time and throw that device away too. Find out what happens to your body when you quit vaping; for extra help get advice from ex-smokers.

Sign up for text messages

A report in Nicotine and Tobacco Research found that a free quit-vaping program called This Is Quitting has helped thousands of teens and young adults reduce their e-cigarette use or stop altogether. After users enroll anonymously via text, the program encourages them to explore reasons for quitting and envision life after stopping e-cigarette use. It recommends specific, concrete actions and urges users to experiment with quitting strategies in small steps. About 170 new users enroll each day. You can also download a stop-smoking app, such as QuitGuide from the National Cancer Institute.

Distract yourself

Nicotine cravings will hit—so you want to be ready for them. “They last for about 10 minutes, so if you can distract your mind for that length of time you’ll get through it,” says Kaufman. Some quit-smoking apps offer games you can play that last that long. Taking a 10-minute walk can also work—and comes with another benefit: “The time between cravings lengthens and the strength of the craving decreases when you exercise,” Kaufman says.

Find other stress relievers

Many people vape because they’re stressed out. But that’s a short-term solution. Quitting vaping gives you an opportunity to develop other ways of coping. Experts at the Mayo Clinic, the American Institute of Stress, and elsewhere recommend exercising, deep breathing, meditating, journaling, or talking to a friend. You may also want to ask your doctor about acupuncture and hypnosis. Although they haven’t been studied on vaping, there is some evidence that they can help you quit cigarettes. Be sure you know the 7 different types of stress and how to ease them.

Talk to a counselor

The National Institutes of Health offers free, personalized support from an expert. Call 1-800-QUIT-NOW or 1-877-44U-QUIT to speak to a counselor. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration also offers a free helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357). Your doctor can also refer you to a counselor who specializes in addiction. Need more advice and inspiration? Check out these 22 ways to quit smoking.