Stoptober 2024: Breaking Free from Vaping
As Stoptober approaches, it’s time to focus on quitting not just traditional smoking, but also vaping. While vaping is often marketed as a “safer” alternative to cigarettes, growing evidence shows that it’s not without its risks. This year, let’s take the opportunity to break free from nicotine addiction, whether you smoke, vape, or do both.
Vaping Statistics in the UK
In the UK, the use of e-cigarettes, commonly referred to as vaping, has risen significantly in recent years. As of the latest data, approximately 3.6 million people vape regularly, which accounts for about 7.1% of the adult population. Worryingly, vaping is most prevalent among younger individuals, with 15.8% of people aged 16 to 24 reporting that they currently vape. Many in this age group never smoked traditional cigarettes before turning to vaping, raising concerns about e-cigarettes becoming a gateway to nicotine addiction.
The Ingredients in E-Cigarettes
E-cigarettes work by heating up a liquid that users inhale as an aerosol. While it might sound like a harmless puff of “water vapour,” the reality is more concerning. The liquid, often called “e-juice,” contains a mix of chemicals, including nicotine, which is highly addictive, as well as propylene glycol, a substance used in antifreeze and fog machines.
Even e-cigarettes labeled as nicotine-free have been found to contain trace amounts of nicotine. The process of heating the liquid also produces toxic chemicals and metals that users inhale. Among the harmful substances found in e-cigarettes are:
- Carcinogens like formaldehyde, known to cause cancer.
- Acrolein, a herbicide that can cause irreversible lung damage.
- Diacetyl, linked to the dangerous lung disease “popcorn lung.”
- Heavy metals such as nickel, tin, and lead.
While Public Health England suggests that vaping is less harmful than smoking, it’s important to remember that “less harmful” doesn’t mean “harmless.” The long-term health effects of vaping remain unknown, but early studies show links to lung damage, cardiovascular issues, and toxic chemical exposure.
Why Quit Vaping This Stoptober?
Nicotine is a powerful, addictive substance that affects brain development, particularly in adolescents and young adults. Vaping delivers nicotine in a highly concentrated form, keeping users hooked and making it harder to quit. Quitting vaping can feel just as difficult as quitting cigarettes because the addiction to nicotine is the same.
This Stoptober, challenge yourself to leave vaping behind. Not only will you break free from nicotine addiction, but you’ll also:
- Reduce your exposure to toxic chemicals.
- Protect your lungs and heart.
- Take control of your health and future.
How Hypnotherapy Can Help You Quit Vaping
If you’ve tried to quit vaping before but struggled, hypnotherapy can offer a new path forward. Hypnotherapy works by addressing the subconscious patterns that keep you reliant on nicotine. Through guided relaxation and suggestion techniques, it helps to shift your mindset, making quitting feel easier and more achievable.
At the core, quitting vaping isn’t just about willpower — it’s about retraining your mind and body to live without nicotine. Hypnotherapy supports this by helping to reduce cravings, manage stress, and build healthier habits.
This Stoptober, give yourself the gift of freedom. Whether you’re quitting smoking, vaping, or both, remember that you don’t have to do it alone. Hypnotherapy offers a safe, natural, and effective way to break free from addiction and regain control of your life.
Are you ready to quit vaping and live a healthier, happier life? Let’s make this Stoptober the turning point. Contact me today to learn more about how hypnotherapy can help you succeed.