From Vapes to Freedom — How Hafiz Found His Clean Break

When we sat down with Hafiz, a 29-year-old marketing executive from Kuala Lumpur, he didn’t come off as someone you’d peg as a “former vape addict.” But as he leaned back in his chair and took out a sleek little can from his sling bag, he smiled. “This changed everything,” he said, tapping the can of NOMA pouches.

The Problem with Vapes

"I started vaping because I thought it was the healthier alternative to smoking. But it became a crutch," Hafiz admitted. "I’d lose track of how much I was puffing—at work, in the car, even in bed before I slept. It felt like I was always chasing the next hit."

Worse still, the constant charging, leaking pods, and sweet smells had started to feel… juvenile. “It didn’t align with the life I was trying to build,” Hafiz said.

The Discovery

It wasn’t a grand, life-changing moment that led him to nicotine pouches. It was a friend from Singapore who casually handed him one after a futsal match. “He said, ‘Try this—it won’t stink up your gear.’ I was curious.”

What followed was a slow but meaningful shift. “I didn’t need to inhale anything. No cloud, no coughing. It felt discreet, intentional.”

Life with NOMA

Since switching, Hafiz says he’s more mindful about how he consumes nicotine. “I choose when to use it. I don’t feel tethered to a device anymore. Plus, no one at the office even notices it—it’s that low-key.”

His favorite flavor? "Citrus Chill—it wakes me up before presentations. And no one's giving me weird looks on Zoom calls anymore."

A Lifestyle Upgrade

Hafiz now carries a small, minimalist pouch case with a few NOMA tins inside. “It fits in with my lifestyle better. Clean, effective, and no faff. It feels grown-up.”

He isn’t preachy about quitting vaping, but when asked if he’d go back, he doesn’t hesitate: “Not a chance.”

For Hafiz, the shift wasn’t just about quitting vapes—it was about reclaiming control, clarity, and confidence. And it started with one discreet little pouch.

Want to share your story with us? DM @noma.malaysia on Instagram. We’d love to hear how you're finding your freedom.