Heavy Smoker-Waiting for my first Ecig

[fumerfrancaise]

Hi All
Can you believe that I only heard about ecigs on Friday...yet since then I've found masses of info (thanks to youtube) and even found 3 websites selling them in France (although I'm not sure they're allowed to sell them here yet?).

Anyway; I'm a very heavey smoker, 38-43 per day and have ordered an Intellicig version from the UK along with some extra different strength nicotines.

I have a question though; I often wonder if I smoke sooooo much because I have had lots of failed attempts at stopping smoking. My best attempt was for 7 months (6or7yrs ago) using Patches and Gum and Hypno tapes. As well as the numerous withdrawls+cravings+back to smoking hits that I've given myself during umpteen years of unsuccessful stop attempts, I wonder if using so many of the nico replacement therapies have made me a real grade A nicotine drug addict? Unbelievably, I can never seem to get enough hits, smokes or satisfaction from cigarettes, despite headaches from smoking too much etc etc!

I'm nervous about 2 things: will I get enough nicotine to satisfy my heavy habit and make this thing work for me, and, could I possibly make my nico additction even worse as (from what I can make out) you can't seem to regulate your intake of nicotine with ecigs.

Many thanks for any advice.

[Mary Kay]

Hi fumerfrancaise (had to copy and paste that..I can barely spell French Smoker in English!
The problem with replacement stuff is that they don't help with the hand to mouth we are used to. It really leaves you wanting. We are addicted to more then nic..there is a whole host of chemicals and motions we are addicted to.
You will be getting nic, a lot will go with the vapor just like with a cig. Don't worry about it. Get your liquids high to start and bring the level down as you get used to vaping. I started with 18mg and it was way too much for me. I smoked 2 packs a day or more for 37 years. 11mg is my top level now when I get antsy and mostly I vape 6mg to 0nic the rest of the time.
There is no telling how long you may need a higher nic content, but if it keeps you off Analogs..go with it! Anything has to be better for you then analogs.
Addicted is addicted to 1mg or to 36mg. Slowly you will come down..it is harder to kick the other chemicals then the nic! If you get more addicted I would have to wonder why and how..unless you are drinking the liquid! Yuck!
Please give yourself time to learn the ins and outs, this place will help. We are here for you to ask questions.
Welcome to ECF!
BTW there is a French Speaker's Club on this site!

[yknotagain]

fumerfrancaise, I was smoking twice that amount per day for 41 years. I'm a "happy camper" now and feeling a whole lot better for it.

[Hangtime]

Welcome aboard. Get high nic liquid and extra bat's. You will not go thru nic widthdraw but you will go through chemical widthdraw. Hang in there and it will not last too long. Happy vapeing.

[JeannieB360]

A month ago I was smoking 40-60 cigarettes a day. I ought an ecig partly out of curiosity and partly out of a hope that it would cost less than regular cigarettes. So when I got my ecig, I alternated between vaping and smoking cigarettes, not setting a goal of quitting smoking. But within a week I was definitely smoking far less and my sense of smell started getting better, and a 'real' cigarette tasted awful and was too hot in my mouth and throat. Now I keep a pack of cigarettes around in case of an 'emergency', but I've stocked up on enough supplies that I'm not likely to need to open that pack.

Enjoy the esmoking, don't put yourself under pressure to 'quit smoking', and fairly soon you'll find that you have a new habit and don't want that old habit.

[Jherek]

You'll certainly be able to get all the nicotine you get from cigarettes, perhaps more! Even though, you are a self-described heavy smoker, I would be wary at first of the "high strength" carts and liquid. Even for someone who has smoked a lot, you may find them overwhelming. This is especially true if you will vape a lot. So, I would suggest being cautious; beginning vaping employing a low to medium strength liquid (11 MG or less).

Don't worry, though. It takes a few days to become certain of the best nicotine concentration for oneself.

In my case, though I was not a heavy smoker, I find the best results using a very low nicotine concentration (about 2 or 3 MG) and vaping a lot. I am certainly taking MANY more puffs than I did off of old fashioned cigarettes (analogs, as we call them).

Good Luck. Don't worry about quitting all at once - let it just happen to you.

[fumerfrancaise]

Thank you all for replying even though I've not even got my e-cig yet! (MaryKay- I answer to anything so no prob if you get my name wrong-lol !)

Trying to brush up on the lingo as much as I can through this site but there is sooo much info, it may take me a while...

If I can give up my ciggies while not putting on weight like I usually do, plus get back some of the fitness levels I've lost in recent years and eventually reduce the nic levels to (hopefully?) zero then this thing will be an absolute godsend for me (and my children) xx

[DC2]

Check out these two threads...
Buying and Using an Electronic Cigarette: A Primer
A Newbie's Advice for those Sitting on the Fence

[Mary Kay]

Thanks, Fumer! I lost weight with e-cigs! With all the wonderful flavors, I don't need to snack!! When I quit analogs in the past, I ate my self sick to compensate. You will still be getting nic and that helps you not to overeat too.
Good Luck!