Quitting nicotine/smoking with e-cig

[TheEmperorOfIceCream]

Hi Gabby

I am off analogs, but I'd like to answer anyway. I had no intention of quitting them, just wanted to smoke in pubs. I was gobsmacked at the unintended and effortless side effect.

Emp

[spyderuk]

Ok 11 days in, 2 or 3 analogs. Had battery problems so should be fine when the postman arrives in the next 6-7 hours time.

I used to smoke 20-25 roll up with menthol tips, done the patch several times over the past few years. The first 2 or 3 weeks usually go smooth but that's when I cave in.

My main vape is e-cigs.co.uk strawberry medium 14 mg. I use a cart and top off for a couple of days. I also have some 0 nic riskee I top off with if I have had my strawberry and want to vape whilst at laptop or watching dvd. I do find vaping is more enjoyable than smoking and I do vape more than I used to smoke. I'm trying to maintain a med nic and I've got some high riskee coming to deal with any spikes. May even thin it down to around 4-6mg for the evening vape.

I would be happy on a low or zero nic but to quit vaping too?

[Jammi98]

I never really intended to quit either. I just wanted to see if I could cut down some. I had gone from a pack to sometimes 2-3 packs a day (depending on what I was doing) over the last year, and it was too much. The day after I got my ecig I only had 3 analogs. That was so easy I decided to go ahead and quit so on Xmas I killed off my last pack and have been fine since.

I think I am one of those that was born to smoke. I remember, back when I was a kid and there were no anti-smoking rules, getting on elevators (or other enclosed areas) with my parents and loving the smell. My parents didn't smoke, so I have no idea why I liked the smell so much but I did...still do in fact.

I've tried to go cold turkey before - made me want to kill someone, ANYONE, after about 12 hours...lol. I've tried the patch. It helps with the irritation, but I still wanted cigarettes too much. The e-cig is close enough to an analog that I am not missing them too bad, even though it tastes different. Yes, it is taking SOME willpower - but it's nothing like my other quit smoking attempts. I think as long as e-cigs don't become illegal or something i will be ok with them.

(edit - forgot to answer the question!) I really have no desire to go to 0 nicotene. Quitting the analogs after 35 years of smoking is a big enough step! Who knows what the future will hold, but for now I'll stick with the nic.

[Kate]

... You (and others) are really lucky you were able to find what's worked for you to stay off the analogs. I hope to get there too someday! Lu

I really hope it works for you Lu, just remember it's a different habit, you won't get the same feelings from it as you do from tobacco.

I'm in the same boat TropicalBob. My hypothesis has to do with the fact "that smoking affects the brain's natural system of chemicals called endogenous opioids, which also help quell painful sensations" This is also the same system that produces "runners high". So I'm thinking that perhaps all of the junk that's in regular cigarettes produces stress on the body, and this release of opioids (same reaction occurs when you take ......) produces the thing that these e-cigs lack. Maybe we should try running on a treadmill while e-smoking, hehe.

I think you might be spot on there Jarvis, all the additives in tobacco affect dopamine etc. Vapour is not a substitute.

Personally I don't think I'll try to completely give up nicotine, I think it has some health benefits in small doses.

[Smokin]

Kate, may I ask how long since you smoked now please and did you imtend to stop?

[Kate]

I haven't had any tobacco since 24th July Smokin and had only fourteen cigs during the two weeks before that.

To be honest, I thought that ecigs were just another overrated gadget and the people on this forum were deluded when they said how effective it could be. When I got mine I immediately realised its potential and decided to see if I could quit. I had no intention of doing so until then, I was just curious to see what ecigs were like.

Now I'm one of the converted and want all smokers to have a chance to try a decent device with good, safe eliquid to see if it might be for them. Given a chance this could bring massive benefits to millions of people.

I notice that your ticker says you are planning to quit. Best of luck with that, I hope it goes well. If it helps, I found that vaping just got better the longer I did it and tobacco got less satisfying. You may need a little willpower to start off but once you get going I think it gets easier.

[Smokin]

Thanks for the response Kate, I follow your posts with considerable interest as you do not seem to be biased in any way.

I appreciate your view that this could be the way forward for many; I have been collating quite a collection of e-cigs now for coming up a few months; I have my favourites but no matter, I have attempted to stop smoking on many an occasion, the longest being 12 weeks. I overnight, not after one week or even 10 weeks but after 12 weeks, turned into the worst person I have ever met in my life, evil personified no less LOL.

Now, I believe I have found my answer; I can not go without hand to mouth! I need my pacifier and at last I have found it. I have no doubt I will do this; I have spent enough money to allow for error and mechanical failure.

Thanks for your presence on the forum , it has helped me no end.

[Kate]

Thanks a lot Smokin, there are a lot of really good people on this forum, I feel lucky to have joined this community.

Best wishes for the new year and your new non-smoker status, I'll be watching your ticker to keep up to date on how it's going. Having said that, don't fret if you have a hot one occasionally, it's not the end of the world as it would be with cold turkey. Just pick up where you left off, even one fewer cig is better than none.