Actually, does vaping help?
E-cigarette is considered one of the most effective nicotine replacement products, as it addresses the sensory and behavioral aspects of smoking and provides smokers with a buffer to progress towards complete cessation. But to what extent does it actually help? While some succeed with e-cigarette, some report that vaping actually makes them become more addicted to nicotine because of how easily and unmindfully consuming nicotine is made.
The number of teenagers vaping has more than doubled in the last year, according to official figures. Experts are concerned that the trend of vaping and the prevalence of disposable e-cigarette products may pave the way for the young generation smoking traditional cigarettes, instead of the other way around.
Reflecting on those issues, the ethical nature of e-cigarette industry is questioned. How can we reframe e-cigarette as a cessation aid and design it to help people eventually not use it?
Veini is a connected e-cigarette designed to help people quit smoking. It visualizes the consumption of nicotine borrowing from the image of a burning cigarette, and the double pod cartridge design allows the user to adjust the nicotine concentration delivered each puff manually or automatically by the app. Veini’s app not only controls, and keeps record of the device, but also serves as a personal counsellor that accompanies the user and helps managing the long-term process of smoke cessation.
Taking on the visual language of a lit cigarette, Veini features an indication light that shortens with each puff according to the amount of nicotine being consumed. It is meant to make vaping discontinuous. Instead of inhaling endlessly from the device and not being aware of how much nicotine one has intaken, the light visualizes the consumption like traditional cigarette and helps the user become more mindful in their quitting journey.
Veini's replacement cartridge consists of two pods. One of the pods contains an e-liquid with nicotine while the other contains another e-liquid with no nicotine but a flavor. By controlling the evaporation ratio of two separate e-liquids in the pods, Veini is able to deliver any level of nicotine concentration from 0% to 100% according to the user’s need to assist the gradual decline of nicotine intake.
The dial ring is the only interface on Veini. It affords manual adjustment of 6 levels of nicotine concentration, and an automatic mode to let the user control the decline of nicotine concentration through the app seamlessly. Apart from 1 to 6 and the automatic mode, the last mode unlocks the top lid to allow replacement of the cartridge. As the number goes down, the level of nicotine decreases, and the indication light moves up slower since less nicotine is consumed in each puff.
Unlike the limitation of inductive charging, the small radio frequency receiver fits easily in the compact design. Simply place the e-cigarette anywhere inside the ashtray-inspired charger to charge up the device. There's no charging port, button or screen on the vape. As an electronic substitute for traditional cigarette, Veini keeps the experience analogue and intuitive for ex smokers.
The app allows the user to track & control the device. It also serves as a personal counsellor that analyzes the user's behavioral pattern when it comes to smoking, gives professional suggestions, and helps manage the process. User can personalize their own quitting plans and the app will assist them in reaching the goal by providing visualized data, reminder and emotional support.
