Vape Guide
How to Vape for the First Time in South Africa: A Beginner's Guide
Starting to vape doesn't need to be complicated. But most beginners make at least one avoidable mistake — usually the wrong device, the wrong nicotine strength, or both. This guide covers everything you need to get it right from day one.
- Choose your first device. For first-timers, the choice is between a disposable vape (zero setup, no commitment — try it before investing in a device) and a pod system (reusable, higher upfront cost, but much lower running cost if you vape daily). Browse disposables and pod systems at Krem.
- Get the nicotine strength right. The most common beginner mistake is starting too low. If you still crave cigarettes within an hour of vaping, go up — not down. Match your habit to the table below.
- Learn the correct draw technique. MTL vaping (disposables and pod systems) is like smoking a cigarette — draw slowly into your mouth first, then inhale to lungs. Not like drinking through a straw, not like a deep lung breath. Slow and steady, 2–3 seconds.
- Leave time between puffs. 20–30 seconds between draws lets the coil re-saturate with e-liquid. Chain-vaping leads to burnt taste and shortens coil life. If you need to puff constantly to feel satisfied, your nicotine strength is too low — go up.
- Prime your coil (pod systems only). Fill the pod, wait 5–10 minutes before your first puff. This saturates the cotton wick and prevents a burnt hit on first use. Skipping this step ruins coils before they've even been used properly.
Nicotine strength guide
| If you smoked… | Start at… | Format |
|---|---|---|
| 1–5 cigarettes a day | 20mg salt nic | Disposable or pod |
| Half a pack (10 cigs) | 20–35mg salt nic | Disposable or pod |
| Full pack (20 cigs) | 50mg salt nic | Disposable or pod |
| More than a pack | 50mg salt nic | Pod system recommended |
Almost every disposable vape in South Africa comes pre-filled at 50mg salt nic — the standard for full pack-a-day smokers. If you smoked less, look for 20mg options. Bewolk offers both 20mg and 50mg across their range.
Warning signs to watch for
Nicotine diagnostic
- Dizziness or lightheadedness after a few puffs → nicotine too high — stop, drink water, drop to lower strength
- Nausea or heart racing → nicotine too high — stop vaping, wait for it to clear
- Cravings persist even when vaping regularly → nicotine too low, go up one level
- Still reaching for cigarettes → nicotine too low, go up one level
- Burnt taste on first use → coil wasn't primed — see Step 5 above
- Coughing in first few days → normal adjustment period, usually resolves within a week
Pod system maintenance basics
If you've gone straight to a pod system, these are the only things you need to know:
Keep the pod at least 20–25% full at all times. Vaping on an empty or near-empty pod burns the coil. Replace coils every 1–4 weeks (burnt taste, reduced vapour, or off-flavour are the signs). Store upright to keep the pod saturated and prevent leaking.
Frequently asked questions
Is vaping safer than smoking?
Public Health England's research suggests vaping is significantly less harmful than smoking — primarily because it eliminates combustion and the thousands of toxic byproducts that come with it. It is not risk-free, but the harm reduction evidence for switching from cigarettes is substantial. Vaping is intended as an alternative for smokers, not a new habit for non-smokers.
Will vaping make me cough at first?
Possibly. Some new vapers experience a mild cough in the first few days — airways adjusting to vapour rather than smoke. This typically settles within a week. If coughing persists beyond two weeks, try a looser airflow setting or a lower nicotine strength, or come into any Krem branch for a quick troubleshoot.
What flavour should I start with?
If you're coming from cigarettes, tobacco or menthol flavours feel most familiar and usually make the transition easier. Bewolk's tobacco and menthol range is particularly well-regarded for switchers. Once you're comfortable vaping, most people migrate toward fruit and ice flavours over time.
How often should I vape?
Vape when you'd normally reach for a cigarette. The goal is to replace the habit, not to vape constantly. Over time, most switchers naturally vape less as cravings reduce. If you find yourself vaping far more than you smoked, your nicotine strength may be too low — increase it so fewer puffs satisfy you.
Where can I get help choosing my first vape in Cape Town?
Come into any Krem Vape Studio location. We talk through your smoking history, what you're looking for, and match you to the right device and strength — usually in under five minutes. Branches in Pinelands (29 Union Ave), Kuils River (47 Church St), Plumstead (3 Rorke Road), and Lansdowne (175 St Kilda Road). Mon–Fri 09:00–17:00.
For adult use only (18+). Contains nicotine — an addictive substance. Not intended for non-smokers or persons who have not previously used tobacco or nicotine products.
