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 1-10 of 27
Clayton Reeve42 yrsBrakpanGauteng15 years smoked15 years smoke-freeVapeMenthol / Mint

I stopped smoking cigarettes 15 years ago. I had continuous cravings for nicotine until I started vaping. Feels much better and has no apparent side effects from vaping.

Niel51 yrsRoodepoortGauteng26 years smoked10 years smoke-freeVapeDessert / Sweet

My brother and I decided to quite combustible tobacco at the same time. I bought 2 starter kits, enough liquid, batteries and coils to last for a while. The following day we were dual users to get use to the vaping device and nicotine delivery. That was the last day that either of us smoked combustible tobacco and to date we only vape. I have to do an annual medical checkup to ensure I am fit for work. Although vaping has become part of the questionnaire over the past 5 years. Before that if I was asked if I smoke the answer was no. During the lung function test they could notice any problem with my lungs.

Connor31 yrsKempton ParkGauteng7 years smoked11 years smoke-freeVapeFruit

Started smoking due to it being considered cool and I was curious as the friends and family at the time were smoking cigarettes too. I know for a fact that smoking cigarettes open the curiosity to try illegal substances. As for that I went into rehab for 14 months (Noupoort Christian Care Centre). I quit smoking cigarettes there as it’s forced, however I was released back into the world and the cravings were too great and I started smoking hookapipe (hubbly-bubbly). Was introduced to vaping from a friend, once I saved up enough to purchase my first vaping device and eliquid in 2015. It has become my go to, to stay away from not only cigarettes but also illegal substances. It’s been life changing experience with the community and having the opportunity to get into the business and do the same for over 3000 people. I now strive to help those who want to quit with vaping, like I did. With the correct vaping system and multiple flavours to choose from, helped me achieve a cigarette free lifestyle. Vaping has helped me experience the healthier lifestyle that I now project to others who are looking for the less harmful alternative.

Dawoe42 yrsJohannesburgGauteng12 years smoked8 years smoke-freeVapeFruit

Hi i have been a smoker since 18 year of age i am vaping for the last 8 years and been the best switch ever. My healt has never been beter and dont regret it ine day. I can taste beter and feel beter would recomend anyone to make the switch

Hardus47 yrsPretoriaGauteng24 years smoked8 years smoke-freeVapeMultiple flavours

Been smoke free for 8 years , tried every posible method to quit smoking and nothing worked . Vaping saved my live

Cilliers Retief54 yrsCenturionGauteng3 years smoked10 years smoke-freeVapeTobacco

I only smoked the f**king cigarettes for 3 years and began when I was 41, but in that 3 years it became a TOTAL addiction and at 44 I saw someone vaping one of the ancient Subox Mini's - I was amazed and had to have one!! Since then never looked back...

Michael Ryan42 yrsNigelGauteng16 years smoked9 years smoke-freeVapeFruit

After years of smoking and suffering with multiple health issues, doctors warned me to quit smoking if i wanted to see improvements towards my health and the symptoms I was experiencing. After about 16 years I made the decision to quit smoking, and I tried numerous times through different channels such as nicotine patches, gum and other methods to which non worked for me. One day when with friends I got introduced to Vape, I gave it some thought and researched into it and decided to give it a try which I did. After buying my first Vape those years back and after that day I have not touched another cigarette again and could not be any happier about the decision I made. Not only did it help me to quit smoking but after about 2 weeks I started feeling quite an improvement towards my health as well. My allergies have improved, no longer suffer with my sinus half as bad as what I used too, do not find myself running short of breath as badly as what I used to, sense of smell and taste has improved significantly that even my doctor one day told me that he is really impressed with how my health has improved so significantly after a health check. I have never looked back and will never look back again. Vaping has saved my life and better it in such a positive way that I will never touch a cigarette again. I wake up feeling more refreshed and can even run around and play with my kinds without worrying of losing my breath like before. I thank Vaping and the friends who introduced me to it, the ultimate best decision without regrets and now heading towards 10 years smoke free without looking back, not even once! #Vaping SavedMyLife

Lilanie Schutte45 yrsEmfuleni Local MunicipalityGauteng15 years smoked16 years smoke-freeVapeMenthol / Mint

I stopped smoking in my 30's, started vaping. I have reduced my nicotine intake gradually and am now nicotine free. Vaping helped me quit sigarettes after many attempts. I tried cold turkey, champix tablets, pouches nothing worked.

Anonymous46 yrsJohannesburgGauteng28 years smoked8 years smoke-freeVapeFruit

Waking up and feeling like I'm coughing up half a lung, accompanied by thick, dark-brown sludge exiting from what was left of my lungs is where I was before I found Nicotine Salts. I had made 8, maybe 8, attempts to quit smoking before then, a sixty-a-day habit at the time, but had never succeeded. Nic salts was a lifeline that enabled me to get rid of the stinkies and begin to heal. I started on 50mg nicotine in a Breeze 2 pod device and I'm now on 25mg in an Xros Pro2. It helps me with my anger issues and PTSD, don't judge me. Within 6-weeks of not smoking I was no longer coughing in the mornings, and within about 10-weeks I no longer had any gross sludge coming up when I did cough. I have gone from not being able to walk 150m without stopping to catch my breath to being able to run a 400m sprint against my kids and ending with a smile and not being completely winded. My heart is calmer, my sense of smell has recovered (although that's sometimes not a great thing with smells being what they are) and I can even blow up multiple balloons without feeling like I'm going to pass out. It feels like my lung capacity has increased and I feel much healthier overall. I highly recommend quitting the stinkies, do what works for you and be healthy. Vaping saved my life, how about you?

Anonymous32 yrsBenoniGauteng6 years smoked10 years smoke-freeVapeFruit

After having my first child I needed to be healthy for her. Instead of wanting to quit, I now had to. For the health of the entire family. My previous attempts to quit cigaretted was bitterly hard and unnecessarily emotional. Vaping has made it possible for me to live a healthy life without feeling deprived of what I not only enjoy but need to exlscape daily stressors. I feel healthy and free.

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