E-cigarette for beginners: 5 Mistake, which you should avoid when switching
According to the British, the switch from tobacco cigarettes to e-cigarettes applies Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID) as the most effective method for quitting smoking [1]. But practice shows: Many smokers fail in the first two weeks. The reason is rarely a lack of will, but often the wrong equipment.
Based on above 10 years of experience in customer service and analyzing our most common support requests, we have that 5 identify the most critical errors – and show them to you, how to avoid these.
Mistake 1: The “Blind buy” without requirement profile
Many beginners buy devices purely based on appearance or price.
Our data insight: Our support concerns approx. 60 % of returned devices, which are technically perfect, but do not match the customer's pulling behavior (z.B. a strong DL device for an ex-smoker).
The solution: Choose by pulling technique
- For smokers (MTL): You need a tight pulling resistance (similar to a cigarette).
- Our recommendation criteria: We recommend brands like Geekvape (z.B. Wenax series) or Uwell (Caliburn), as these are included in our internal statistics lowest complaint rate (< 2 %) for beginners.
Expert tip: Invest between 25 € and 40 €. The battery life often suffers as a result, This is how you pay for features, which you don't need at the beginning.
Mistake 2: Den Coil “dry” steam (Dry Hit)
A burnt taste (“Dry Hit”) on the first train is the most common reason, why beginners put the device away immediately.
The technical background:
The cotton in the evaporator head (Coil) is dry at the factory. The fire button is pressed, before the liquid has saturated the cotton, The fiber immediately burns irreversibly at up to 200°C.
Here's how to do it right (Priming process):
- Pre-wetting: Give 2-3 Drop liquid directly into the openings of the coil onto the visible cotton.
- exposure time: Fill the tank and wait at least 5 bis 10 minutes.
- The start: With adjustable devices, start with low wattage and increase slowly.
Mistake 3: Nicotine strength & Ignore mixing ratio
The choice of liquid decides “saturation”. Is the nicotine too weak?, pick up the cigarette again.
Practice table: Nicotine dosage for MTL devices
(These values are based on average values from our customer feedback)
| Your previous consumption | Recommendation (Freebase Nicotine) | Recommendation (Nicotine salt)* |
| > 20 cigarettes/day | 12 mg – 18 mg | 20 mg (NicSalt) |
| 10 – 20 cigarettes/day | 6 mg – 12 mg | 10 mg – 20 mg |
| < 10 cigarettes/day | 3 mg – 6 mg | 10 mg |
*Note on nicotine salt: NicSalts are absorbed more quickly by the body and are less scratchy in the throat (“Throat Hit”). They are ideal for heavy smokers, who have to cough with conventional nicotine.
Important detail (VG/PG):
Pay attention to the mixing ratio. We recommend for beginner pods 50% PG / 50% VG. Too high a VG share (thick) Often leads to flow problems with small coils.
Mistake 4: False expectations “Clouds of steam”
Videos of huge clouds of steam (Cloud Chasing) are impressive, but often counterproductive for quitting smoking. This technique (Direct-Lung, DL) requires, to draw the vapor directly into the lungs – for smokers, the that “Paffen” or are used to cheek smoking, This inevitably leads to a cough.
Our recommendation:
Stick with small ones for the first month, discreet devices. The focus should be on nicotine saturation, not on the optics of the cloud.
Mistake 5: Quit because of cough (The transition phase)
“I have to cough, so I can't stand it.” – We often hear this sentence.
The scientific explanation: Tobacco smoke contains anesthetics, which suppress the urge to cough. It doesn't have steam. In addition, the cilia in the lungs begin to regenerate, which can temporarily lead to a cleansing cough [2].
Troubleshooting: First aid for problems
| Problem | Possible cause | Solution |
| Strong cough | Too much nicotine or incorrect pulling technique | Try nicotine salt; pull more gently. |
| Liquid in the mouth | Pulling too hard | Pull longer, but less solid (like a straw). |
| No taste | “Steam tongue” or old coil | Drink lots of water or change coils. |
Conclusion & Scientific context
The transition is a learning process. Even if Public Health England in his review (2022) confirmed, that vaping poses only a fraction of the risks of smoking (“at least 95% less harmful”), it is not risk-free [3]. Success depends largely on the right combination of device and liquid.
You are insecure? Use our contact form. We do not advise you based on commissions, but on it, which will keep you smoke-free in the long term.
Sources & References (Expertise & Authority)
- Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID). (2022). Nicotine vaping in England: 2022 evidence update main findings.
- Polosa, R., et al. (2011). Effect of Smoking Abstinence and Reduction in Asthmatic Smokers Switching to Electronic Cigarettes.
- McNeill, A., et al. (2015/2018). Evidence review of e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products. Public Health England.
Disclaimer (Disclaimer): This article does not constitute medical advice. The nicotine values mentioned are guidelines and can vary from person to person. E-cigarettes are intended for adult smokers only. Sales and distribution only to persons 18 years.
