Weaning Off – What is it in Vaping?

Definition

Weaning Off is the gradual reduction of nicotine strength in e-liquid until the user reaches zero milligrams. In Australian vaping circles, it’s the most common long-term strategy for quitting nicotine altogether while still enjoying flavour and the hand-to-mouth ritual. The process typically spans weeks to months, stepping down in 3–6 mg increments, and relies on selecting compatible Wattage, Wicking Material, and Wire builds to maintain satisfaction at each lower level.

Technical Details

Weaning off works by progressively lowering the milligram (mg) concentration of freebase or nicotine salt e-liquids. Most users start at 12–18 mg and descend through 9 mg, 6 mg, 3 mg, 1.5 mg, then 0 mg. Each step requires recalibrating Wattage and Coil Wraps)”>Wrap (Coil Wraps) to compensate for reduced Hit“>throat hit: lower nic = higher wattage or more surface area. For rebuildables, switching from 26-ga Kanthal round wire to 28-ga Ni80 Clapton Wire can restore warmth and flavour at 3 mg. Pod systems generally handle 0–6 mg freebase or 0–20 mg salts; DL tanks suit 0–6 mg only. A typical progression schedule is one strength every 2–4 weeks, verified by measuring remaining e-liquid volume and noting puff counts via the device’s puff counter.

Usage & Tips

  • Start logging: Track daily mL and puff count to spot when cravings stabilise before dropping strength.
  • Adjust airflow & wattage: Open airflow and raise wattage 5–10 % when stepping down to mimic throat hit.
  • Common issue: Dry hits from thin Wicking Material. Fix by using higher-VG juice (70/30) or fluffing cotton more aggressively.
  • Safety: Avoid dual-use with cigarettes; keep spare nic shots in case of relapse but store them child-locked.

History & Context

Weaning off gained traction in Australia after the 2021 prescription model, encouraging vapers to treat vaping as a cessation tool rather than a lifestyle. Early forums popularised 6-week step-down charts; today, TGA-approved clinics integrate the method with behavioural support.

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