Vape Withdrawal: Symptoms, How Long It Lasts and How to Get Through It
Vape withdrawal is nicotine withdrawal, plus the loss of a habit you may have repeated hundreds of times a day. That combination is why quitting vaping can feel surprisingly hard, even for people who never smoked.
Why vaping withdrawal can feel so strong
- You never had to stop. A cigarette ends. A vape doesn't, so many people take a puff every few minutes from morning to night.
- High-strength liquids. Many disposables and pods use nicotine salts, which deliver a lot of nicotine smoothly.
- It's tied to everything. Work, driving, scrolling, gaming, coffee, friends: when vaping fits into every part of the day, every part of the day becomes a trigger.
Common vape withdrawal symptoms
- Strong cravings, especially at your usual vaping moments
- Irritability, frustration or anger
- Anxiety and restlessness
- Low mood
- Trouble concentrating
- Trouble sleeping
- Increased appetite
- Headaches for some people
- Not knowing what to do with your hands
That last one is easy to underestimate. Part of quitting vaping is replacing a physical habit. See what to do with your hands when you quit vaping.
How long vape withdrawal lasts
The pattern is the same as nicotine withdrawal from cigarettes. Symptoms usually peak in the first few days, start to ease after the first week, and mostly fade over two to four weeks. Cravings linked to habits can appear for longer, but they get weaker each time you don't give in. Full details are in the nicotine withdrawal timeline.
What helps with vape withdrawal
Plan your first three days
Pick a quieter time if you can. Stock up on water, gum and snacks. Clear out every vape and pod. Tell a friend.
Replace the hand-to-mouth habit
Gum, mints, a straw, a toothpick, a stress ball, a pen to click. It sounds silly until you try it.
Move
Even a short walk can take the edge off a craving and lift your mood. Exercise is one of the best tools you have. See exercise for cravings.
Breathe on purpose
Part of what people miss about vaping is the deep inhale and slow exhale. You can keep that part. Try four seconds in, six seconds out, ten times.
Consider nicotine replacement
Patches, gum or lozenges can reduce withdrawal for some people. A pharmacist or doctor can help you choose. Read nicotine patches for quitting vaping.
Have something ready for the hard moments
Unvapd, the app we built to help people quit vaping, is designed around those moments. The Panic Button gives you messages, things to try instead and breathing; Vape Destroyer is a quick game to keep your hands busy; and your lungs in the app light up a little more with every vape-free day.
Sources and further help
- Smokefree.gov: Managing nicotine withdrawal
- Smokefree Teen: Quit vaping
- NHS Better Health: Quit smoking
This article is general information, not medical advice. If you have health concerns, or want help with withdrawal or stop-smoking medicines, talk to a doctor, pharmacist or a local stop-smoking service.
Questions people ask
Is vape withdrawal worse than cigarette withdrawal?
It can feel stronger for some people because vaping is so easy to do all day and many liquids are high in nicotine. The symptoms and timeline are similar.
How long does vape withdrawal last?
Usually two to four weeks for the physical symptoms, with the first three days the hardest. Habit cravings can last longer but fade.
Photos: rawpixel, public domain (CC0).