Al Fakher Vape Beginner's Guide: What Happens in Week One?

Your first week with a vape is mostly about getting the basics right: a charged kit, the right nicotine strength and a slow, gentle draw. Most ex-smokers start on a 20mg nic salt in an MTL pod kit, which feels closest to a cigarette. A mild throat tickle, a dry mouth and vaping more often than you smoked are all common early on and usually settle within days. Vape when you'd have reached for a cigarette, prime any new coil properly, and don't judge the switch on day one.

Your first vape will probably feel a bit odd. That's normal.

If you've just picked up an Al Fakher vape or any other starter kit, you're likely wondering whether you're doing it right. How hard should you pull? Is the cough normal? Why are you reaching for it more than you ever reached for cigarettes? Nobody hands you a manual for the habit itself, only for the device.

The good news is that week one follows a pretty predictable pattern. Get through it with a few simple habits, and week two feels a lot more natural.

So what should you actually expect, day by day?

What Do You Need Before Your First Puff?

Less than you'd think. A starter setup is really just three things:

• A rechargeable kit. Since 1 June 2025, single-use vapes can't be sold in the UK, so every starter kit now has a charging port.
• Pods or e-liquid. Either sealed prefilled pods or a 10ml bottle to fill a refillable pod.
• The right strength. If you smoked 15 or more a day, a 20mg nic salt is the usual starting point; lighter smokers often prefer 10mg.

Every legal UK kit follows the UK's e-cigarette regulations, which cap pods at 2ml, refill bottles at 10ml and nicotine at 20mg/ml. And you need to be 18 or over to buy any of it.

How Do You Set Up an Al Fakher Vape Kit?

It takes about five minutes, most of which is waiting. Many al fakher vape kits are prefilled, but the steps below cover refillable pods too.

1. Charge it first. Plug in the USB-C cable and let the battery fill fully before your first session.
2. Remove any seals. New pods often have a silicone plug or sticker over the mouthpiece or contacts. Take it off before clicking the pod in.
3. Fill to the line (refillable only). Fill a refillable pod to the max mark, no further.
4. Prime the coil (refillable only). Leave the filled pod standing for 5 to 10 minutes so the cotton soaks through.
5. Take a couple of gentle test puffs. That's it, you're set.

If you're near an Al Fakher Vape Manchester stockist, it's worth asking staff to show you this once in person. Seeing it done takes the guesswork out.

How Should You Inhale From a Vape?

Gently, and slower than you'd expect. Most starter kits are built for mouth-to-lung (MTL) vaping, which works much like smoking a cigarette.

Draw slowly for 2 to 3 seconds to pull vapour into your mouth, then breathe it into your lungs. Many pod kits are draw-activated, so they fire as soon as you inhale; others have a button you hold while you draw.

Here's the thing. Pulling hard doesn't give you more nicotine, it just floods the coil and can spit liquid into your mouth. Slow and steady wins.

What's Normal in Your First Week?

The NHS lists side effects such as throat or mouth irritation, a dry cough and headaches as possible when you first start vaping, and notes they tend to ease over time. Here's roughly how the week tends to go.

Say you smoked 15 a day and you're now picking up your kit 30 or 40 times. That's not a problem in itself. Vaping comes in short sessions rather than a full cigarette, so more frequent, smaller sessions are typical early on.

It's one of the most common questions new vapers ask us at Vape Gala, and the honest answer is that it usually evens out by the second week.

How Much Should You Vape?

There's no set number of puffs. Realistically, the best rule is to vape when you'd have reached for a cigarette, and stop when the craving's gone.

But watch for two signals. If you feel dizzy, sick or light-headed, your strength is probably too high, so put the kit down and consider dropping from 20mg to 10mg. And if you still crave cigarettes after a few days, your strength may be too low.

Where Can You Vape, and Where Can't You?

Vaping isn't covered by the same indoor smoking ban as cigarettes in England, but most workplaces, trains, pubs and venues set their own rules. If in doubt, ask, or treat it like a cigarette and step outside.

Flying is the one to get right. Vapes and spare batteries must go in your hand luggage, not your hold bag, and you can't use them on board. [VERIFY: check your airline's current rules before travelling]

The Vape Gala View

We'll be honest: nobody nails vaping on day one, and you're not supposed to.

The people we see stick with it aren't the ones who bought the fanciest kit. They're the ones who picked a sensible strength, gave it a full week and didn't panic at the first cough. The ones who struggle usually started too low on nicotine, pulled far too hard on every draw, or gave up on day two.

So be patient with yourself. One kit, one or two flavours, a 20mg salt if you were a regular smoker. The NHS describes vaping as substantially less harmful than smoking for adults who switch, and that's the whole point of this. If you don't smoke, none of it is meant for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if my vape is working properly?

If you see vapour, taste the flavour and the light comes on when you draw, it's working. Weak vapour usually means a low battery or a pod that isn't clicked in fully. A burnt taste points to an unprimed or worn coil, so replace it rather than pushing through.

Why does vaping make me cough at first?

Most often, it's your technique or your strength. Pulling too hard, or using a direct-lung style on an MTL kit, can catch your throat. A strength that's too high for you can do the same. Slow your draw to 2 to 3 seconds, and if it continues, try a lower strength.

How many puffs a day is normal for a beginner?

There's no normal number, because everyone's smoking habits were different. Many new vapers take more puffs than expected in the first week, since vaping comes in short sessions. Focus on whether your cravings are under control rather than counting puffs, and stop if you feel dizzy or sick.

Should I charge a new vape before using it?

Yes, give it a full charge before your first session. New kits often ship partly charged, and a weak battery can give thin vapour that feels unsatisfying. Use the cable that came with the kit, and don't leave it charging overnight or unattended.

Can I take my vape on a plane?

Yes, but only in your hand luggage, never in a checked bag, because of the lithium battery. You can't vape on the plane itself. Rules on e-liquid quantities and airport smoking areas vary, so check with your airline and destination before you travel.

Are al fakher vape kits good for beginners?

They can be a good fit, especially the prefilled options. Clicking in a sealed pod means there's nothing to fill or prime, which takes a lot of the guesswork out of week one. As with any kit, check the nicotine strength suits how much you smoked before you buy.

Conclusion

Your first week with a vape is about a few simple habits: charge the kit, pick a sensible strength, draw slowly and give yourself time. Coughs, dry mouths and vaping more often than you smoked are all common early on, and they usually settle within days.

If you're starting with an Al Fakher vape or any other pod kit, keep this guide handy for week one. And once the basics feel natural, you'll have a much better idea of the flavours and strength that suit you long term.