Thinking about quitting?

I didn’t realise it would be this hard.

One of the most common things young people tell us is that they didn’t realise how hard quitting would be until they tried. 

They talk about thinking about vaping all the time, feeling grumpy or frustrated, finding it hard to concentrate, or wanting “just one more vape”. 

For many, this is the point where they realise vaping had become a bigger part of their life than they thought. 

 

Why do I feel different when I stop vaping?

Many vapes contain nicotine. When someone stops vaping, it can take time to adjust to not having nicotine. 

The cravings, mood changes and other feelings people experience when they stop vaping are often called withdrawal symptoms. 

Withdrawal feels different for everyone, but it can help explain why quitting feels harder than people expect. 

 

I don’t want anyone finding out.

Trying to quit can feel like something you have to deal with on your own. 

People worry about being judged, getting in trouble, or simply having others know they vape. 

Because of this, some young people keep everything to themselves. 

What if people find out?

For a lot of young people, the hardest part isn’t quitting. 

It’s worrying about what other people might think. 

That can make it harder to ask questions, get support or talk about what’s going on. 

Lots of young people are carrying similar worries, even if they don’t talk about them openly. 

Sometimes worrying about what might happen can feel harder than the conversation itself. 

It’s everywhere.

For some young people, vaping is just part of everyday life. 

It’s at school, at home, when hanging out with friends, and sometimes around whānau too. 

When something becomes normal around us, we don’t always stop to think about how much influence it has on the choices we make. 

That’s one reason quitting can feel difficult. 

How am I supposed to quit when everyone around me vapes?

Quitting isn’t just about stopping vaping. 

For many young people, it’s about trying to do something different in an environment where vaping is already part of daily life. That can make things harder. 

Figuring out what’s making quitting hard can help you work out what might make it easier. 

 

I stopped, then started again.

Trying to quit once is common. 

Trying more than once is common too. 

Some young people stop for a few days. Others stop for weeks or months before vaping again. There is usually a reason they wanted to quit in the first place. It might be sport, relationships, money, feeling healthier, or simply wanting a change. 

But quitting isn’t always straightforward. 

What if I start vaping again?

Many young people who try to quit find themselves vaping again at some point. 

Quitting isn’t always a straight line. 

Each attempt can teach us something about what made things easier and what made things harder. 

Sometimes it’s a situation, a place, a feeling or being around other people who vape. 

Looking back at what happened can help people feel more prepared if they decide to try again. 

Every attempt is still an attempt. 

  

I’ve been vaping for so long.

For some young people, vaping has been part of life for years. 

What started as trying a friend’s vape can become buying your own, vaping every day, and being around other people who vape too. 

After a while, it can be hard to imagine things being any different. 

Is it too late for me?

Some young people tell us they can’t picture getting through a day without vaping. 

Others say they’ve been doing it for so long that quitting doesn’t even feel possible. It’s not unusual to feel stuck. 

But vaping is something you do. It’s not who you are. 

If part of you wants things to be different, that’s worth paying attention to. 

Wanting things to be different is often where change begins. 

 

How can I help my friend?

Not everyone reading this page is thinking about quitting themselves. 

Some are worried about a friend, sibling, cousin or someone else they care about. 

Wanting to help someone can feel hard when you’re not sure what to say or do. 

How can I help my friend quit?

Many people think helping means having the right advice or knowing exactly what to do. 

Often it doesn’t. 

Sometimes helping starts with listening, asking questions and being there for someone. 

You don’t need to have all the answers to be a good friend. 

 

A final thought

We’ve talked with thousands of young people about vaping. 

One thing we’ve learned is that many of the questions you’re asking are the same questions other young people are asking too. 

Whether you’re thinking about quitting, trying to quit again, or supporting someone else, you’re not the only one. 

You don’t need to have everything figured out today.