What Is ‘Zero Vaping’ and How Do You Do It?

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Tips & tricks for vaping discreetly with no vapor or residue

Co-authored by NEXA and Sophie Burkholder, BA

Last Updated: November 11, 2025 Fact Checked

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• How to Zero a Vape
|
• Have the Best Vaping Experience with NEXA
|
• ‘Zero a Vape’ Meaning
|
• Is zeroing a vape bad?

|Show more |Show less

This article was created in collaboration with an advertising partner. Learn more here.

If you’re an avid vape user, you’ve probably heard of people “zeroing a vape” to be more discreet in public settings (and wanted your own vaping to go unnoticed sometimes). That’s why we’ve partnered with NEXA to put together this complete guide zeroing a vape. NEXA is a leader and innovator in transparent design for disposable vapes, dedicated to creating a smarter, better, and more convenient lifestyle for vape users with products that minimize residue and allow you to enjoy your vape for longer. If zero vaping is a totally new concept to you, we’ll also tell you more about what it means and which vaping devices are the best to use.

Steps

Section 1 of 4:

How to Zero a Vape

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1. 
   1
   Buy a small, portable vape. A small, portable, and disposable vape makes vaping discreetly much easier. Look for a small vape that can easily be concealed in your closed palm.

   • NEXA disposable vapes fit naturally in the palm of your hand, making them a more discreet option than other vape styles. They may be small, but they’re also mighty—models like the NEXA ULTRA II and NEXA PIX deliver powerful vapor production and robust flavor with a peak output between 35,000 and 50,000 puffs, depending on the model!
2. 
   2
   Take short, controlled hits from your vape. Take a small puff off your vape, then quickly inhale a small amount of air through your nose and pursed lips. Repeat this 1-2 times without exhaling.

   • This pushes the vapor deeper into your lungs, making it less likely to come out of your mouth. If you’re seeing vapor leave your mouth while you breathe in, try a shorter hit or take slightly deeper breaths.
   • Some people dislike the multiple short inhales—if that’s you, try doing one deep inhale instead. Take a small puff, then inhale a long, deep, and steady breath (about 3-5 seconds).
   • On your first few tries, you might feel dizzy, lightheaded, or get a head rush. If this continues, stop attempting the ‘zero vaping’ method and return to your normal vaping technique.
3. 
   3
   Hold the vapor in for 10-15 seconds. This will allow for more of the vapor to dissipate inside your body, meaning there will be less (or zero) visible vapor when you exhale.

   • It’s easier to hold the vapor when you take a cool, smooth hit. The NEXA FLEX vape bar includes a 4-level adjustable coolness pod so you can personalize your vaping experience on the go.
   • It also helps when you vape a flavor you love. NEXA pods boast a ton of different options, from fruity and vibrant to icy and smooth. The best part? You can buy multiple pods and swap them out whenever you like!
4. 
   4
   Exhale discreetly. After 10-15 seconds, subtly exhale out of your nose or mouth. The best way to exhale vapor discreetly is to direct your breath downwards and keep your mouth mostly closed. However, if the zero vaping was done successfully, there should be little to no vapor coming out on your exhale!

   • Be aware that, like all types of vaping, zero vaping does come with risks. Since you’re holding the nicotine vapor in for a longer time, you may experience dizziness or discomfort.
   • If you’re feeling extremely lightheaded or experiencing continual dizziness, visit a medical provider for additional advice.
5. 
   5
   Alternatively, try stealth techniques like the swallow trick or the shirt trick. If you’re struggling with the basic steps of zero vaping, there are a few bonus tricks you can try. First, there’s the “swallow trick,” where you inhale the vapor slowly, then take a small sip of water and swallow while exhaling through the nose. This method can also help to limit visible vapor on your exhale. Alternatively, try the “shirt trick.” Take a puff from your vape, then hold a shirt (or napkin) up to your mouth as you exhale slowly. This will reduce the amount of visible vapor and scent that’s released into the air.
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Section 2 of 4:

Have the Best Vaping Experience with NEXA

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1. 
   Use an advanced, high-quality, long-lasting vape, like a NEXA. NEXA disposable vapes are incredibly popular for a reason, boasting a stylish design with an HD/curved screen and ergonomic grip, multiple signature flavors across all models, and up to 50,000 puffs. All NEXA vapes are lab tested and built with high-quality materials, ensuring a safer and more reliable vaping experience. Some models have adjustable coolness settings with a rechargeable and replaceable pod design for sustainability and easy, everyday use. But this isn’t all that sets NEXA apart:

   • NEXA’s Juicy Lock is a sealed e-liquid delivery technology that preserves every note of your chosen flavor, guarding against oxidation and stale taste. This means you get a consistent, high-quality flavor with every puff!
   • The Crystal Tank is another innovative feature that lets you check your e-liquid at a glance, avoiding dry hits and maximizing every drop. By reducing cotton residue and enhancing e-liquid utilization, this tech extends the device’s lifespan, giving more puffs and reducing waste.
   • The bottom line? NEXA ensures more e-liquid is used per device, leading to more puffs than other disposables. This means you get a longer-lasting vape and better value with less waste!
   • All NEXA vapes are lab tested and built with high-quality materials, ensuring a safer and more reliable vaping experience.
   • Some NEXA models have adjustable coolness settings with a rechargeable and replaceable pod design for sustainability.
   • Check out NEXA’s impressive line of disposable vapes here.

Section 3 of 4:

What does it mean to zero a vape?

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1. 
   ‘Zeroing a vape’ means to puff on and exhale it without any visible vapor. It usually involves the concealing of the vape in the person’s hand and a practiced form of inhalation and exhalation that reduces the amount of vapor. Most people learn this technique so that they can vape in public without drawing too much attention to themselves or bothering the people near them.

   • However, you should avoid vaping—even zero vaping—in any areas where it’s banned or illegal. Vaping in these areas (e.g., schools, hospitals, airplanes, etc.) could be harmful to yourself and others, and it’s not advised.
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Section 4 of 4:

Is zeroing a vape bad?

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1. 
   Zeroing a vape can be riskier than normal vaping, as it pushes more nicotine into your lungs. When you zero out a vape, you’re essentially holding the vapor (and nicotine) for longer and forcing it into your lungs (rather than into the air around you in a cloud). As a result, you’re more likely to experience lightheadedness and dizziness when zero vaping, and you may be more likely to experience long-term health risks associated with nicotine.

   • To be clear, all types of vaping pose potential side effects and health risks. This is also true for zero-nicotine vapes. Vaping has the potential to cause lung damage, cancer, oral health problems, cardiovascular issues, and other health issues.

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