Jones vs Flavored Air Devices (like Füm) for Quitting Vaping or Smoking
“Nicotine‑free” inhalers can look clean and simple - but per the CDC, e‑cigarette aerosol isn’t harmless water vapor, and even nicotine‑free e‑cigs have shown acute effects on blood vessels in small controlled studies.
Nicotine-free flavored air inhalers are designed to mimic the hand-to-mouth habit of vaping or smoking. In theory this sounds nice. And while that might be appealing as a “clean” alternative, Füm doesn’t address nicotine withdrawal symptoms, which is the main reason people end up going back to their vape or pack of cigs. It also doesn’t break the oral fixation habit—instead, it reinforces it.
Jones takes a different approach, combining FDA-approved nicotine mints with a guided step-down plan and behavioral support, to address both the physical cravings and the mental habits of vaping dependence.
How Flavored Air Inhalers Work
These handheld devices use replaceable flavor cores–users inhale essential oils or flavored air, giving them the feeling of puffing without actually inhaling any nicotine or tobacco. While this may help replace the chemicals and nicotine in vaping or smoking, it won’t help you get over your nicotine dependency, which can be the reason people end up going back to their vape.
Why Jones Is Different—and Actually Built to Help People Quit
Jones is on‑the‑go, like an inhaler, but it’s designed for long‑term quitting. Our FDA-approved nicotine mints (available in 2 mg and 4 mg) help keep nicotine cravings at bay so you’re less likely to want to vape. When you quit with Jones, you’ll get a personalized quit plan that will help you taper off of nicotine over time at a pace that works for you and your lifestyle. And if you just want to cut back for now, that’s fine too. Your quit plan is fully customized to you and your goals.
Beyond NRT, Jones is built to help you quit holistically—with a program that tackles behavior change, mental, emotional, and community support. Medication + behavioral support increases quit success rates vs either alone.
A double-blind, randomized clinical trial with 2,588 young adult vapers showed that text-based motivation and behavioral support increased quit rates by nearly 40%! This is the cornerstone of the Jones method.
When you quit with Jones, you get:
- A custom quit plan based on your specific goals
- Personalized AI coach available 24/7
- Nicotine tracker to measure your quitting progress
- Daily check-ins to log your cravings and wins
-Texts with real-time tips, motivation, and encouragement for when cravings hit
- Positive reinforcement by showing you your health improvements and how much money you’ve saved
- A community of quitters just like you to engage with—’cause you’re not in this alone
This multi-faceted approach makes it easier to not only reduce your nicotine dependence, but also build coping strategies and introduce positive behavior changes that’ll help you quit for good (if you want to).
While devices that simulate smoking keep the hand‑to‑mouth cue, Jones addresses withdrawal and habit change–a more comprehensive path to being “vape‑free.”
Key Differences Between Jones and Füm
Feature |
Flavored Air Inhaler |
Jones |
Plan to reduce nicotine intake |
No nicotine; does not treat withdrawal |
Yes – step-down plan with nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) |
Physical Habit Replacement |
Yes – hand-to-mouth |
Yes – plus addresses chemical and psychological addiction |
Behavioral Support |
No |
App with AI coaching, community, and tracking |
Long-Term Quit Focus |
No |
Yes – designed to help you quit for good |
Backed by Public Health Research |
No |
Yes – NRT + behavioral support improves success by ~15–20% |
Flavor Options |
Yes - mint, peach, vanilla, mango etc |
Yes – mint and cherry in 2mg and 4mg strengths |
Why Füm Alone Often Falls Short
Replacing the habit of vaping without tackling nicotine withdrawal reduces someone’s chances of successfully quitting. According to the Cochrane Review, NRT increases quit rates by 50%-60%. People who try quitting vaping without treating nicotine withdrawal can make quitting even harder. For sustainable quitting, the best strategies combine managing cravings, reducing nicotine levels over time, and creating positive behavioral change, which you can find all of and more in the free Quit with Jones app.
Your Quitting Journey with Jones
Quitting with Jones is the opposite of going cold turkey. It’s a guided process that helps you cut nicotine gradually while building new, healthy habits. We built our program in conjunction with our medical advisor, Dr. David Kan, at UCSF, who is an expert in addiction medicine. Here’s how the step-by-step quitting journey works:
Step 1: Take the Dependency Quiz
Get a personalized starting point based on your nicotine intake, triggers, and quit history.
Step 2: Start with 4mg Nicotine Mintsto keep cravings manageable during the first few weeks
Step 3: Step Down to 2mg after you’re feeling good.
As cravings ease, reduce to 2 mg to continue lowering your nicotine intake without triggering intense withdrawal.
Step 4: Use the App Daily
Track your usage, see your health improvements and much money you’re saving, and connect with the community to stay motivated
Step 5: Reach Zero Nicotine
Follow the final taper stage to quit completely, then use the app for ongoing support and to keep your nic-free streak going.
Slowly weaning yourself off of nicotine is highly effective and proven to ease withdrawal symptoms, making it less likely that you’ll want to reach for a vape again. Plus, once you see the impact on your health and bank account, you’ll want to keep going and going.
FAQs
Q: Can I use a flavored‑air inhaler and Jones together?
Yes—you could use a hand-to-mouth substitute while using Jones to help with nicotine cravings and emotional support, but many people find using Jones alone is enough.
Q: Is a flavored‑air inhaler safe?
It doesn’t contain nicotine or tobacco, but inhaling essential oils can cause irritation for some users. We need more research to accurately measure the health implications of this kind of inhalation.
Q: Does Jones help with the habit part of vaping too?
Yes—Jones mints are discreet and gives your mouth something to do, while the app supports breaking behavioral triggers.
Q: How long does the Jones step-down plan take?
Most users taper over 8–12 weeks, but the app adjusts based on your progress and cravings.
Q: Will flavored‑air inhalers stop nicotine cravings?
No—they don’t treat nicotine withdrawal, which is why many people go back to vaping or smoking cigarettes without NRT support.
The Author: Caroline Huber
Caroline is the founder and head of physical product at Jones. She tried quitting vaping countless times before founding Jones to provide the tools she needed to succeed.
