Addiction
Addiction
People don’t set out to get addicted to nicotine.
But once you start vaping, it’s hard to stop - even if you want to. That’s what addiction feels like.
Addiction is more than just liking something. It’s when you start to depend on nicotine to feel normal. This is called a “craving”.
Most people who are addicted to nicotine want to stop - but they find it really hard.
If that’s you, you’re not alone, and support is available. This website has loads of great tips to get you started.
“I started vaping as a secondary school experience, to help me fit in, for self-confidence. I started at the start of year 11. I can't stop, it's become a habit.”
The addiction cycle
It doesn’t take long to go from vaping now and then to relying on it every day. That’s because nicotine keeps you in an addiction cycle:
- It gives you a quick lift
- The lift wears off
- So then you have more
- You begin to need more
- Your body starts to expect it
That’s how addiction starts, and it’s what makes quitting nicotine so hard.
Why do we get addicted?
It’s easy to see why so many people get addicted to nicotine.
Your brain has a “reward system” that makes you feel good. Nicotine takes over this system.
Soon, your brain expects nicotine just to feel “normal”. The more nicotine you have, the more you need to get the same effect.
Without it, you feel worse. This is called ‘withdrawal’ and it can feel pretty hard. You might feel irritable and experience cravings, and find it hard to focus.
That’s why so many people get stuck in the cycle: Use → Crave → Use again.
What does addiction do?
Being addicted to something can:
- Make you feel trapped
- Cause you to lie or hide your habit
- Affect your mood and mental health
- Cost you money
- Take away control
People who make nicotine products know this, and that’s why they design products to keep you hooked. More addiction means more profit for them.
Sadly, it seems to be working. In 2025, 47% of young vapers nationally report strong or very strong urges to vape now, compared to 26% back in 2020.
Quick facts
- Nicotine addiction can start in days, not years
- Younger people are more at risk
- Quitting is hard. But it’s easier when you have the right tools and information
