Smoking cigarettes is something hundreds of millions of people have done around the globe for well over a century now. People start for myriad reasons, like social pressure, to relieve stress, to curb their appetite, and so many other reasons. However, as we quickly learned, the tar, nicotine and other chemicals in these cigarettes bring about all sorts of illnesses and kill millions of people every year.

 

Cigarettes are bad news. And while governments might be in a panic about E-cigarettes, likely because they haven’t figured out how to tax them yet, the science behind inhaling nicotine through vaporized steam suggests that it’s a far safer alternative to smoking.

 

Though an important question remains. If you’re a smoker, how do you quit and switch over to an electronic cigarette for a healthier alternative? Here are some ways by which you can go about accomplishing that goal.

 

How to Ween Off Cigarettes with E-cigs

Just Buy Some E-Cigs

The first step to doing this is to decide that you’re going to do it. The next time you’re at a tobacco store, buy some E-cigs. You don’t have to get the fanciest pen that they sell. Just make sure you’re getting E-cigarettes. Get them in the same sort of flavor and strength you smoke currently so that you can more easily adjust. For instance, if you’re a menthol smoker, don’t get full-flavored or some weird cherry flavor E-cig. Go with the natural menthol version, so you don’t shock your system too much.

 

This is the first step here; you have to simply get the E-cigs in place of another pack or carton of your regulars.

 

Go with the Half and Half Method

It takes resolute dedication on your behalf here to switch. There’s no magic pill or hypnosis session, no matter what those celebrities may say on those commercials. So, a great way to start weaning yourself off of the actual cigarettes is to switch back and forth via the half and half method. When you need a cigarette, smoke a cigarette. The next time you need one, puff on your E-cig.

 

Over the course of a few days, you may notice something amazing. You’ll notice that you’re no longer smoking the entire cigarette down to the butt, and you’re actually beginning to crave your electronic cigarette just as much, if not more, for their convenience and a larger dose of concentrated nicotine, bereft the tar and smoke.

 

Don’t Buy Another Pack

 

E-cig cartridges are going to run out at roughly the same rate as your regular cigarettes. A lot of people will fall into the trap here, picking up another pack of e-cartridges, but also another pack of smokes, thinking that they’ll just keep the half-and-half method going. This is bad news. This is signaling to your brain that your E-cig has only been an experiment, now you’re ready for the regular cigs again.

 

Do not do this. If you’re still weaning, then go slower with the pack of cigarettes. If you do buy another pack, you’re pretty much admitting to yourself that you’re not going to stop.

 

Avoid Social Cigarette Triggers

 

For most people, social triggers are why they started in the first place. Their parents or friends smoked; they were pressured to smoke by others; they wanted to look cool like everyone else. Or, even worse, you’re out drinking with friends and one fires up that sweet, sweet cigarette. Then what do you do? You fire it up to. Psychological specialists have noted for decades that these social triggers feed every type of addiction, whether it’s booze, food, drugs or smoking. You need to avoid these triggers.

 

Sure, it might be boring to sit at home with your E-cig, but it’s better than going out and smoking an entire pack of regular cigarettes because you’re around your smoking friends. The cravings will soon pass; just give them a wide berth until they do by not triggering the urge.

 

Remember This Checklist

 

• Never Go Cold Turkey: Cold turkey fails! Wean yourself off with the help of E-cigs.
• Never Go Without: Don’t deprive yourself of nicotine. Inhale that vapor to help.
• Never Bargain: Don’t make deals with yourself like “This is the last pack.” Just don’t buy more!
• Never Supplement: Avoid gums, patches and chewing tobacco and just switch to E-cigs.
• Never Quit Quitting: If you slip, get up and go again. Just do it better next time! You’ll get there.

 

 

If you can follow these few tips and supplement your habit, you can eventually switch your habit on its head and put those harmful smokes down forever.