Country view

South Africa

Africa · 45 testimonials · 26 cities represented

45 stories
26 cities
Avg age 45.9

Key insight

In South Africa, the leading product is Vape (97.8%) and the most common flavour is Dessert / Sweet (31.1%).

Top product: Vape (97.8%)
Top flavour: Dessert / Sweet (31.1%)

Country snapshot

45

Testimonials

26 cities represented
Avg. smoke-free years: 9.4

Avg. years smoked

20.4

Avg. previous cigarettes/day

30.6

Avg. smoke-free years

9.4

Avg. age

45.9

Demographic snapshot

Based on approved testimonials with available profile data.

Male: 88.9%
Female: 11.1%
Other / Unspecified: 0.0%
Average age: 45.9

Male

88.9%

Female

11.1%

Other / Unspecified

0.0%
GSTHR

Policy & Data Context

South Africa

Explore detailed country-level data on regulations, policies, and harm reduction from an independent global research initiative.

Global dataset
Independent research
Policy tracking
View GSTHR Profile →

Upcoming events

See THR-relevant events, consultations, hearings, and other activities linked to this country.

Global Forum on Nicotine - 2026Global
3 Jun 2026

Upcoming events may include country-specific, regional, and global items relevant to South Africa.

Preferred THR product stats

Preference ranking based on approved testimonials.

Most preferred product

Vape

Highest-ranked THR product in this country

97.8%
44 testimonials
Multiple products1 · 2.2%

Preferred flavour stats

Flavour ranking based on approved testimonials.

Most preferred flavour

Dessert / Sweet

Highest-ranked flavour in this country

31.1%
14 testimonials
Fruit14 · 31.1%
Multiple flavours8 · 17.8%
Tobacco5 · 11.1%
Menthol / Mint4 · 8.9%

Country Map

Explore where individuals in this country have shared their transition away from smoking. Currently showing cities in Gauteng.

Testimonials

Scope: Gauteng
Showing 11-20 of 27
Anonymous57 yrsKrugersdorpGauteng32 years smoked8 years smoke-freeVapeFruit

I smoked like a chimney, and could not climb 14 stairs in succession, had to rest half way up. After starting vaping, I function a lot better, at least I can now climb stairs, number doesn't scare me or matter any more, still out of breath, but that's because I am unfit, not because my lungs don't function. I do have lungs that are about 20 years "older" than my age, but with lung function and capacity in the 90% as per tests. My overall health has improved dramatically, vaping saved me from an early grave and suffocating to death.

Anonymous48 yrsKrugersdorpGauteng20 years smoked12 years smoke-freeVapeDessert / Sweet

I smoked cigarettes for 20 years and tried to quit multiple times. The longest I managed was three years, but I eventually went back. I could never fully break free from the habit. About 12 years ago, I tried vaping for the first time. In the early days, the devices weren’t great, so I struggled a bit. But once better tanks and mods became available, everything changed—I was finally able to make the switch. I’ve now been a full-time vaper for just over 10 years. During that time, I gradually reduced my nicotine levels from 25mg to 18mg, then down to 3mg, and about a year ago, I reached zero nicotine. I still vape daily, but without any nicotine. I enjoy it, but I can now go days without feeling the need to vape. For the first time, I feel truly free from nicotine, and I don’t see myself ever going back. I also recently had a full medical check-up, including chest X-rays, and my doctor told me my lungs are very healthy, with no signs of damage. From my own experience, moving from cigarettes to vaping brought many of the same improvements as quitting smoking altogether. Within the first few days, my breathing felt easier, and my sense of taste and smell started to come back. Over time, that persistent morning cough faded, and my overall fitness and stamina improved. Even simple activities like walking and running became noticeably easier. Not to mention that smokers stink, on your clothes, in your house or car, was all gone! The key difference for me was that I was still getting nicotine through vaping, so I didn’t go through the same level of withdrawal as when I tried to quit smoking completely. But all the other positive changes—better breathing, improved senses, and increased energy—still happened. For me, vaping was a stepping stone away from cigarettes. It allowed me to reduce my nicotine intake over time and at my own pace. I eventually quit it altogether, without going back to smoking.

Anonymous44 yrsCenturionGauteng20 years smoked1.5 years smoke-freeVapeTobacco

Not mine, but my partner who smoked a pack a day for 20 years. I was able to provide a tobacco flavoured alternative that met her need and she has had 2 cigarettes in the last year and a half, both times noting how awful they tasted and felt as compared to vaping. We have since experienced improved health, motivation, a much cleaner smelling and feeling household and a greatly reduced anxiety about affording a carton at month end.

Anonymous32 yrsRandburgGauteng12 years smoked7 years smoke-freeVapeDessert / Sweet

Not a huge smoker but I was definitely addicted... People around me would complain about how bad it is for you but I was addicted, even though I didn't enjoy it, until the flavored cigarettes came out then I smacked more and I was always wanting that next cigarette... Till 1 day I got introduced to vaping, I was abit hesitant at 1st till I started doing my research and started to see for my self that the truth was in the research! But that alone didn't convince me that it was the best option but I was curious to see if this product would help me... 2months, 5 months, 1 year and then today still smoke free and I reallise how much healthier I feel as a posed to when I was smoking cigarettes. No, vaping is not 100% safe, but definitely in the research done behind vaping and experiencing for myself, I feel alot healthier by just one simple decision to quit smoking cigarettes.

Craig Pietersen50 yrsPretoriaGauteng25 years smoked13 years smoke-freeVapeDessert / Sweet

I grew up in a house of smokers, and started smoking in my early teens. While on holiday, I saw a guy puffing on a strange device filled with a liquid. I stopped the chap and asked a bunch of questions regarding the thing he was using. When I returned home after the holiday, I spent a few weeks researching this "vape" concept. At the time, there was already some evidence that it may be safer than smoking. As I was already showing signs of the damage that smoking causes, I decided that I would "give it a go". I'm happy to say that it stuck, and the day that I started vaping was the last day that I had a cigarette. Now, more than a decade later, I'm still smoke-free, and I feel better than I ever did as a smoker!

Philip Fourie51 yrsKempton ParkGauteng25 years smoked8 years smoke-freeVapeFruit

Started smoking at young age, tries many times to quit but failed. Since vaping I have been feeling much better and my health improved ten fold.

De Wet Gates46 yrsPrimrose HillGauteng22 years smoked7.4 years smoke-freeVapeMultiple flavours

I was smoking since the age of 17 and converted at the age of 40, since then i am smoke free, cough free and i do not stink anymore. Furthermore my well being has improved and i am a brand ambasador for my mixing supply store. I am curently doing everything in my might to convert smokers into vapers and has succesfully done so.

Jaco Felthuis48 yrsRoodepoortGauteng30 years smoked6 years smoke-freeVapeMultiple flavours

Started smoking when I was in primary school. Tried to quit a couple of times but only lasted one or two days. Took me 2 weeks smoking and vaping to put the cigarettes down and never touched it again

Anonymous45 yrsJohannesburgGauteng24 years smoked5 years smoke-freeVapeDessert / Sweet

I just woke up one morning and desided to try vape and yes I stopped smoking there and then

Lee-Ann Gehring52 yrsPretoriaGauteng34 years smoked5.8 years smoke-freeVapeFruit

I switched to vaping 6 years ago. My lungs from cigarettes were heavy. I switched to vaping and I have never felt better. My taste and smell came back. I had to go for xrays and my lungs are clear!

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