How long does it take to quit vaping?

How long does quitting vaping take, start to finish?

Think of it as three clocks running at different speeds. Most of the timings come from quitting smoking, because that is where the research is. The CDC says quitting vaping "is likely similar to quitting smoking because both involve nicotine addiction".

How long does nicotine withdrawal last after you quit vaping?

On average, 3 to 4 weeks, with the hardest stretch at the start (NHS, for people quitting smoking). The National Cancer Institute, writing about quitting tobacco, says withdrawal symptoms "are usually worst during the first week after quitting, peaking during the first 3 days", that their intensity usually drops over the first month, and that some people have symptoms for several months.

For vaping specifically, smokefree.gov says "the worst withdrawal symptoms only last a few days to a couple of weeks", and that the uncomfortable feelings fade over time if you stay away from vapes. What those symptoms are and what helps with each is in our guide to the side effects of quitting vaping, and the stage-by-stage view is in the withdrawal timeline.

How long does it take to stop being addicted to vaping?

No health source we checked gives a date when addiction ends, and we won't invent one. What they do say:

• Cravings get farther apart. The National Cancer Institute says you may have cravings frequently for the first few days or weeks, then "as time passes, the cravings will get farther apart". It also warns that cravings can come "long after your body is no longer addicted to nicotine", and that occasional mild ones may turn up months or years after you quit.
• The habit side fades too. Smokefree.gov says you might feel like part of yourself is missing when you first quit, "but those feelings will fade over time", and being vape-free becomes your new normal.
• The first month matters most. For people quitting smoking, the NHS says reaching 28 days smoke free makes you 5 times more likely to stay quit for good, and suggests staying away from your triggers for those first 28 days.

So the physical part is mostly a matter of weeks. Triggers like stress, alcohol and other people's vapes can set off a craving for much longer, which is why a plan for them matters. How long a single craving lasts, and how to get through one, is in how long nicotine cravings last.

Is it faster to quit at once or to cut down first?

Stopping at once gets you to quit day sooner. Cutting down first takes longer to get there, and the NHS says cutting down on nicotine vaping gradually "can make quitting easier", because it gives your body time to adjust to lower nicotine levels. In trials of people who smoked, neither route won: a 2019 Cochrane review found, in the 22 trials with 9,219 people that compared the two, moderate-certainty evidence that neither cutting down first nor quitting abruptly gave better long-term quit rates. We compare the two in cold turkey vs tapering.

No health source we checked names a best taper length for vaping. The tapers people described in the r/QuitVaping posts and comments we coded ran from one week to a couple of months, and one person shaved a couple of puffs every couple of weeks over a long time:

A handful of self-reports, not a study. Our taper planner offers 4, 6 or 8 weeks; that is our design choice, not a medical recommendation.

How many tries does it take to quit vaping?

Often more than one, and that is normal. The NHS, on quitting vaping, says: "It's okay if it takes a few tries to quit for good."

We found no estimate for vaping. For smoking, a 2016 study that followed 1,277 people who tried to quit estimated the average number of attempts before success at anywhere from 6 to 142, depending on the method; the method the authors expected to be least biased gave about 30. Their conclusion: for many smokers "it may take 30 or more quit attempts before being successful".

The best vaping trial we found shows how many people who wanted to quit were still vaping 7 months later. In a 2021 trial of 2,588 people aged 18 to 24 who vaped and wanted to quit, 24.1% of those who got a text-message quit program called This is Quitting had not vaped in the past 30 days at 7 months, against 18.6% of those who didn't. Support helped. Even so, by the trial's count (people who didn't reply were counted as still vaping), most people in both groups had not quit at 7 months. A quit that doesn't stick the first time is the common case, not a personal failure.

What makes quitting take longer, and what makes it stick?

Longer: triggers and withdrawal. Smokefree.gov, writing about quitting smoking, says the first week is when you are at most risk of slipping. We coded 143 posts and comments from r/QuitVaping and r/electronic_cigarette: of the 23 posts that described a relapse, 13 named what set it off. Stress or a crisis came up in 4, oral fixation or a habit cue in 4, withdrawal symptoms such as insomnia or fatigue in 3, and alcohol or a friend's vape in 2. Small sample, so read it as a pattern.

More likely to stick: help. The CDC says adults who smoke "have the best chance of quitting for good when they use medication and counseling together", and that a health care provider may suggest medicines for withdrawal and cravings. Smokefree.gov notes that the Food and Drug Administration has not approved quit-smoking medicines for quitting vaping, and says to talk with a doctor about whether one is right for you. Free help in the US: 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669), or text QUIT to 47848 for SmokefreeTXT. In the UK, NHS Better Health has a guide to quitting vaping. Medication statements here are quoted from the CDC and smokefree.gov, not our advice, and we don't give dosing advice.

Frequently asked questions

Why is day 3 the hardest when you quit?

For people quitting tobacco, the US National Cancer Institute says withdrawal symptoms are usually worst in the first week and peak during the first 3 days. For people quitting smoking, the NHS says symptoms are strongest in the first week, especially the first 3 days. The CDC says quitting vaping is likely similar. Smokefree.gov explains why withdrawal happens: your brain and body get used to having nicotine, and "the nicotine level in your bloodstream drops when you aren't vaping", which can bring unpleasant feelings and strong urges to vape.

What helps with vape cravings?

Smokefree.gov says to make a plan for how you will handle cravings before they hit, keep your hands and mouth busy with crunchy snacks such as carrots or raw nuts, and drink plenty of water, which may also help reduce cravings. Step by step, with a breathing pacer, in our guide to how long nicotine cravings last.

Can you quit vaping cold turkey?

Yes, people do. The NHS describes quitting vaping in one step, but pairs it with asking a pharmacist or stop smoking adviser about nicotine replacement, and says quitting on willpower alone "can be tough because your body may be dependent on nicotine". In trials of people who smoked, a 2019 Cochrane review found, in the 22 trials with 9,219 people that compared the two, that cutting down first and quitting at once gave similar long-term quit rates.

Is quitting vaping harder than quitting smoking?

Nobody knows yet. The CDC says quitting vaping is likely similar to quitting smoking because both involve nicotine addiction, and that scientists are still studying the best ways to help people quit vaping.

What if I slip and vape again?

The NHS says it is okay if it takes a few tries to quit for good. Smokefree.gov advises learning your triggers and making a plan for handling cravings when you cannot avoid one.

How do I know how much I vape now?

Count for a day or two. The free puff counter works in your browser with no signup, and the number gives you a starting point for a quit date or a taper.