How to Vape: A Beginner's Guide to Inhaling
This article was written by Tjobbe Andrews | Published: December 12, 2022 | Last updated: April 15, 2026
With hundreds of e-liquids and e-cigarette devices to choose from, the transition from smoking to vaping can be an overwhelming and confusing process to get to grips with. With no one-size-fits-all solution, cutting through the complicated jargon and learning how to vape is an important first step towards kicking the habit for good.
Smoking vs Vaping: What’s the Difference?
Cigarette Smoke
Traditional cigarettes burn tobacco. Like anything that’s burnt, the chemical composition is altered to produce visible particles of carbon and other by-products of combustion. Almost all these particles and by-products are harmful to inhale and at least 70 are known to cause cancer.
E-Cig Vapour
Although the concept of inhaling a vape is somewhat like that of inhaling cigarette smoke, there is no tobacco and no combustion involved in the vaping process. Instead of burning tobacco, e-cigarettes heat e-liquid until it dissipates into a vapour. Since these particles are liquids and not solids, they don’t carry the same risks as cigarette smoke when inhaled.
How to Use a Vape: Inhalation Techniques
With a wide variety of devices, liquids and vape consumables available to use, there is more than one way to inhale e-cig vapour. If you’ve been trying to find your way around the vape market, you may have come across many people asking how to smoke a vape. The answer depends on multiple factors, including your experience, the vape kit and e-liquids you're using, nicotine strength and more.
Nevertheless, vaping for the first time doesn’t have to be a complex ordeal. So long as you know the basics, you’re all set to make the switch to a less harmful alternative to smoking.
How to Vape for the First Time
Once you understand the process and techniques, learning how to vape safely is simple. There are two main vape inhalation techniques you need to know about: mouth-to-lung (MTL) and direct-to-lung (DTL).
Mouth-to-Lung Vaping
MTL vaping is the preferred vaping method for new vapers. A MTL draw involves slowly inhaling the vapour into your mouth and holding it there for a second or two before opening your mouth, breathing the vapour into your lungs and exhaling.
MTL inhalation is best suited to devices that offer a tighter draw and therefore deliver higher nicotine levels with a stronger throat hit. Since this style of vaping most closely resembles the way people smoke cigarettes, it is best suited to beginners.
The best vape kits for MTL vaping are starter kits like the OK Cigalike and vape pens.
Direct-to-Lung Vaping
DTL vaping is commonly referred to as sub-ohm vaping. For a DTL hit, vapers inhale the vapour directly into the lungs – much like taking a normal breath. This bypasses the step of holding the vapour in the mouth to maximise the density of the vapour.
Sub-ohm vaping can only be achieved with a combination of low-resistance coils and high-powered devices. As this vaping style is different to inhaling cigarette smoke, it can take some getting used to and is usually preferred by experienced vapers.
The best vape kits for MTL vaping are sub-ohm kits such as pod and box mods.
How to do Vape Tricks
Many vapers use the sub ohm inhale to expel large amounts of vapour and perform vape tricks such as the Ghost Vape, French Inhale and many more.
How to Exhale Vape Through Your Nose
Since many vape tricks involve exhaling through your nose, the first step to learning any trick is to master this technique. The key to exhaling through your nose is to vape without inhaling into the lungs. Here’s what to do:
- Start by inhaling the vapour into your mouth.
- Close your mouth and press the tip of your tongue against the roof of your mouth to direct smoke towards the back of your throat.
- Exhale through your nose and allow the vapour to flow freely.
How to Ghost Vape
Resembling a disappearing ghost, the ghost inhale trick is one of the easiest tricks to learn for those new to vaping. You can learn the trick by following these simple steps:
- Take a draw on your vape and allow it to linger in your mouth.
- Hold your breath for a second as you form an O-shape vapour ball with your mouth open and let the vapour out slowly.
- Now quickly inhale the vapour back into your mouth so it looks like a disappearing ghost.
How to French Inhale
The French Inhale is another simple trick to learn. To French Inhale, follow these simple steps:
- Take a drag and let the vapour settle in your mouth.
- Gently open your mouth and allow the vapour to exit while inhaling it back through your nose.
Another version of the French Inhale is called the Bane trick. Follow the same steps outlined above but clench your teeth into a smile while parting your lips. This makes the vapour come out in “bars” like those found on the mask of Batman’s nemesis Bane.
How to Vape Safely
Once you’ve got the mechanics of how to inhale a vape down, there are some steps you can take to ensure you’re always vaping safely.
Only buy vapes and e-liquids that conform to UK regulations from reputable retailers. This ensures they meet health and safety guidelines.
If you’re new to vaping, start with a low nicotine strength and gradually increase it until you feel comfortable. Vaping provides a different nicotine hit to smoking, and some people find it overwhelming at the start.
Still Need Help?
If you still need advice about how to vape, check out our Beginner’s Guide to Vaping. We’ve outlined everything you need to know about switching from smoking to vaping. You can also contact our friendly customer service team for advice from 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday.
