1st day vaping to quit cigarettes

[ShinyHead]

Hey all
I bought my 1st vape kit today hoping to quit/reduce/transition from smoking 20-30 cigs a day.

My first impression is this is my most likely way to succeed but I’m not yet convinced. I get that it’s never going to be the same as smoking a cigarette but I sometimes feel like I still need a smoke after a few puffs of the vape.

I’m not sure whether it’s the e-juice flavor or my vaping method but it’s not enough to feel like a cigarette replacement yet. Would love to hear from others who felt the same

I’m 52 years old. Regular smoker from my early teens. Full time 20+ ciggies a day from late teens. Changing this long term habit has become a health priority

Nicotine patches and gum etc have never appealed to me as my enjoyment comes more from the physical and psychological “act” of smoking rather than a nicotine addiction.

 

[Daniel Forsyth]

Welcome to ECF

 

[Javichu]

Welcome to ECF.

Couple of tips that will help you along the way:

-Pg and vg are hygroscopic meaning you will need to drink a bit more water so you don't get dehydrated
-Flavor wise it's tough,3 years at it and i still struggle so be patient and just try whatever flavor suits you,or in the worst case scenario a flavor you can tolerate until you find one you really like.
-Make sure the nicotine amount you getting is the right one,a lot of new vapers quit because they were just using low amount of nicotine so even if they vaped 24/7 they would still crave cigarettes.
-Don't stress yourself with going cold turkey,if you still need to have a cig after your morning coffee or after dinner do it,i mean its better if you don't but this ain't a sprint,its a marathon so take it one day at a time.

If you got anymore questions feel free to ask,lot of helpful people around.

cheers

 

[ShinyHead]

.

 

[ShinyHead]

Apologies the last of my post is a bit messed up for some reason

My initial problem with trying to vape instead of cigarettes is the flavor/texture rather than the nicotine (I think)

Perhaps after nearly 40 years I'm so used to the dry hard burnt tobacco smoke effect in my mouth and throat whereas the vape with a moist tobacco flavor isn't quite what my senses are expecting or wanting

 

[Javichu]

Apologies the last of my post is a bit messed up for some reason

My initial problem with trying to vape instead of cigarettes is the flavor/texture rather than the nicotine (I think)

Perhaps after nearly 40 years I'm so used to the dry hard burnt tobacco smoke effect in my mouth and throat whereas the vape with a moist tobacco flavor isn't quite what my senses are expecting or wanting

To be honest without no nicotine it will be hard,really isn't no reason to put you thru that hell.
You can just use nicotine now,quit smoking for good and then later on lower your nicotine intake.
To be honest nicotine is the less of your worries,in the ''bad'' list of ingredients in a cigarette nicotine is way way down in like the last spot of less harmful to one self.

Gotta be honest,if you crave the hit you will need nicotine since that is what delivers (partially) the hit,so just go ahead and use some in your e-liquid for now,important thing is that you stick with it.

Flavor wise i am of the opinion that tobacco flavored e-liquid isn't a good choice for those that want to quit smoking,just makes you want the real thing and its a vicious circle.
Think of pastries or fruits that you like and then look for e-liquids that match that,i use to smoke a lot of menthols so my go to juice is from A&L and its called Shiva,nice minty taste with a nice hit.

P.S: Forgot to mention the cough.
When you quit smoking you will cough for a week or two (depends on the person),doesn't matter if you vape or not.
The cough,phlegm etc etc is a side effect of the Cilia regrowth starting to happen.
Cilia start to regrow and regain normal function very quickly after you quit smoking so you gotta expect that your body will get rid of all the smoking gunk accumulated on your Cilias.

(Tiny hair-like structures (called cilia) that move mucus out of the lungs start to regain normal function, increasing their ability to handle mucus, clean the lungs, and reduce the risk of infection)

 

[somdcomputerguy]

Welcome to ECF, ShinyHead. Congratulations for your first day. That's an important step. My first day was a bit over 8 years ago, and although on average I didn't smoke quite as much as you did, I could easily find myself going thru a pack and having to open another in a days time.. It was more the money savings that appealed to me at first, and still is, but not having butts and ashes and stinky odors and yellow fingers around helped quite a bit. Today, there's almost 40 ounces of TAR that could've gone into my lungs, but hasn't. I had a 'vaping is different than smoking' frame of mind before I even tried vaping, actually I had no intention to try (again) and quit smoking, I was curious about this vaping thing though. I agree with Javichu about maybe increasing the amount of nicotine, and I'll add that an e-juice with a higher PG level will be 'less sweet' than a juice with a higher VG level. Don't worry about smoking and vaping together, as long as you're not doing both at the very same time.. I'm positive you'll find yourself smoking less the longer you have vaped.

 

[ShowMeTwice]

Hi @ShinyHead and welcome to ECF.

Increase the nicotine level in your juice. That will help with nicotine cravings. Nicotine is addictive. Many start vaping higher nicotine to get about the same nic as they were with cigs. For me, that first cigarette of the day was the most difficult to give up. A friend suggested I vape high nicotine unflavored juice in the mornings. That totally worked for me and I was finally able to say goodbye to that morning cig.

About nicotine:
"Like other drugs, nicotine stimulates the release of dopamine in neurons that connect the nucleus accumbens with the prefrontal cortex, amygdala, hippocampus, and other brain regions; this dopamine signal “teaches” the brain to repeat the behavior of taking the drug."

The physical and psychological habit, the act, of smoking cigs is firmly rooted in your psyche from smoking since your teens. With vaping you are working to replace the old habit with a new one. This can take time. Be very patient with yourself. Use positive reinforcement.

Do not doubt or question if vaping can replace cigs. Millions around the world have very successfully switched to vaping.

Also for me, quitting was more of a psychological thing than anything else. Once I figured that out I had an easier go of it. In the beginning I often reminded myself that vaping is the same physical act but merely in another form. Each time I reached for a vape versus a cig I used positive reinforcement to help myself with the switch. That helped me a lot.

If you want to quit smoking cigs then you too can do this!!!

 

[smacuser]

Over the past year, I’ve gone to vaping unflavored eliquid. It removed the reliance of the perfect flavor to fill my needs.

 

[zoiDman]

Hey all
I bought my 1st vape kit today hoping to quit/reduce/transition from smoking 20-30 cigs a day.

My first impression is this is my most likely way to succeed but I’m not yet convinced. I get that it’s never going to be the same as smoking a cigarette but I sometimes feel like I still need a smoke after a few puffs of the vape.

I’m not sure whether it’s the e-juice flavor or my vaping method but it’s not enough to feel like a cigarette replacement yet. Would love to hear from others who felt the same

I’m 52 years old. Regular smoker from my early teens. Full time 20+ ciggies a day from late teens. Changing this long term habit has become a health priority

Nicotine patches and gum etc have never appealed to me as my enjoyment comes more from the physical and psychological “act” of smoking rather than a nicotine addiction.

Hi ShinyHead. Welcome to the ECF.

If the Only Thing keeping you from smoking right now is an e-Cigarette, then you should have at least 2 Complete Setups in case something happens to one of them.

So if you have 2 Complete Setups, why not Load up the 2nd one with a Higher Nicotine than your Day-2-Day level. That way when you get an Urge that your normal e-Cigarette can't cure, you can take a Few Hits of your High Nicotine e-Cigarette and beat back the cravings.

You can Quit Smoking. 98% of the people here are proof that e-Cigarettes can work. Your Need to Quit just has to be Greater than Your Desire to Smoke.

 

[EatMaBB]

Hi @ShinyHead

If you have to do both vaping and having a cig for months then that is fine, I was over a month doing both. As the days went on I was vaping more and having less cigs. The hardest cig to stop having was after dinner and that was the only cig I had everyday for a week.

 

[ShinyHead]

Thanks everyone for all your perspectives. It’s keeping me positive that vaping is my most likely way to change.

I’m in Australia where fked up laws make buying nic juice very complicated. I thought I’d start with non-nic cigarette flavor juice to see whether vape is for me before I go to the extra effort to get nic juice.

I’ve started having a few vape puffs to replace some cigs till I can convince my brain it’s going to be a full time replacement. Good news is I only had about 12-15 cigs in the first 24 hours which is super rare for me on a normal day.

Perhaps I’m wrong but I still don’t feel like it’s entirely a lack of nicotine thing that I need to overcome. At the moment I’m trying to get used to the different flavor and texture of the vape. I’m so used to the burnt smell and taste (as horrible as it is) after a cig that a vape doesn’t give. Instead I have a syrupy unburnt tobacco taste that goes away quickly making me feel like I need to vape/cig a lot sooner than after a cig.

So a couple of questions…

Is vaping (no-nic) more frequently than I would smoke cigs normal/unusual Good/bad?

Is there such a juice that has the burnt after taste of a real cig? Or is it the nicotine that causes that?

If I can get used to the different sensation of vaping I’m sure I’ll quit cigs. At the moment I’ll work at cig reduction. Even if I cut 50% it’s a massive start

 

[ShowMeTwice]

I’m in Australia where fked up laws make buying nic juice very complicated.

IIRC you folks in OZ need a prescription for nicotine. Yep, that is messed up. I'll never understand why Australia didn't do as the UK and New Zealand did with vaping.

Is vaping (no-nic) more frequently than I would smoke cigs normal/unusual Good/bad?

I wouldn't say it's normal/unusual or good/bad. We're all different. When I first started vaping I vaped more for a while. But I also had nicotine in my juices.

Is there such a juice that has the burnt after taste of a real cig?

Yes there is a DIY flavor that offers something like a burnt, or smoked, ash thing. Some folks who DIY their juices add it to their tobacco mixes.

Perhaps I’m wrong but I still don’t feel like it’s entirely a lack of nicotine thing that I need to overcome.

True. You are learning to replace one habit with a newer one. That takes time to adjust.

IMHO, the lack of nicotine in your juice is what is giving the desire for a cig. Look at it this way, you've basically cut the amount of cigs you smoked in half and that's great. Yet, that's half the nicotine missing from what your body has been used to for years. Your body is feeling the effects of less nicotine.

I would consider getting some nicotine to add to your juice. That will help with any cravings.

All the power and props to you if you can vape zero nicotine juice and successfully fade out the cigs.

 

[TARTARA]

Welcome man and congrats for the new start, it's what ever you like and what it make you better, every person has his own likes or limits... !

Yeah in the beginning i was doing only VG based juices because the other ones was hurting my throat very badly and i was coughing on every single puff !

After a few days without any cigarettes you gonna feel a total new person and you will hate even the smell of them when you are starting to clean up and your smell and taste will come back to normal !

Yeah you can find almost any type - taste of juice you like, even a ashtray flavor... or Cuban Cigars... L☻L ! And little by little you will eventually try some other flavors too... ! Also maybe a other strong taste maybe is working better for you... Lemon, Mint... etc... !?

It depends on you, and i think it's better to try them in actual shop... !?

 

[zoiDman]

...

So a couple of questions…

Is vaping (no-nic) more frequently than I would smoke cigs normal/unusual Good/bad?
...

Totally Normal. And given that you are using Zero Nicotine, Totally Expected.

Is there such a juice that has the burnt after taste of a real cig? Or is it the nicotine that causes that?

Some Members have spent their Non-Smoking Life in search of the Perfect "Real Cig" taste. It's Kinda the White Unicorn around here.

Some (like Me) when they switched decided to go the Complete Opposite Route. And to go with Flavors that you Can't get in Cigarettes. Like Blue Slushie. Or Vanilla Bean Ice Cream. Or maybe Chocolate Swirl Greek Cheesecake?

If I can get used to the different sensation of vaping I’m sure I’ll quit cigs. At the moment I’ll work at cig reduction. Even if I cut 50% it’s a massive start

Cutting your Smoking by 50% would be a HUGE Accomplishment. Remember, Winning when it comes to Quitting Smoking it is all about How Many Cigarette you Don't Smoke. Not about how many you Do.

Not Smoking an Additional 10 ~ 15 Cigarettes Tomorrow is Winning.

 

[ShowMeTwice]

When I started vaping the last thing I wanted was a tobacco flavored juice. Since I started vaping in 2012 I've never vaped any tobacco flavors. Didn't want any reminders of where I had been. I was on a fruit kick for a long time. Now I prefer bakery vapes and the occasional fruit. But, I also enjoy vaping flavorless.

 

[ShinyHead]

Thanks again for everyone’s ongoing comments, advice and support.

I’m looking well on track for less than 25 cigs in 2 days. That’s a big deal for me! Normally I’d smoke a cig every half hour to an hour or so. Now I’m having half a cig every 2 hours or more.

Still on no-nic juice and not really vaping too excessively between cigs. Generally no more than I would have smoked previously. The support here has definitely been a big part of the success.

My nicotine levels must be improving as I am starting to get a head rush sometimes when I smoke. Something I can’t remember experiencing for decades. The burnt cig aftertaste is even becoming slightly unpleasant at times too. Perhaps I’ll consider non-tobacco flavor as suggested so I enjoy the cig taste even less.

I still haven’t fallen in love with vaping yet and I don’t crave a puff or cig any more than before but for the moment it’s been a good enough distraction.

 

[Daniel Forsyth]

Thanks again for everyone’s ongoing comments, advice and support.

I’m looking well on track for less than 25 cigs in 2 days. That’s a big deal for me! Normally I’d smoke a cig every half hour to an hour or so. Now I’m having half a cig every 2 hours or more.

Still on no-nic juice and not really vaping too excessively between cigs. Generally no more than I would have smoked previously. The support here has definitely been a big part of the success.

My nicotine levels must be improving as I am starting to get a head rush sometimes when I smoke. Something I can’t remember experiencing for decades. The burnt cig aftertaste is even becoming slightly unpleasant at times too. Perhaps I’ll consider non-tobacco flavor as suggested so I enjoy the cig taste even less.

I still haven’t fallen in love with vaping yet and I don’t crave a puff or cig any more than before but for the moment it’s been a good enough distraction.

That's great to hear you're going so well, keep it up

 

[TARTARA]

 

[Bliss Doubt]

Hey all
I bought my 1st vape kit today hoping to quit/reduce/transition from smoking 20-30 cigs a day.

My first impression is this is my most likely way to succeed but I’m not yet convinced. I get that it’s never going to be the same as smoking a cigarette but I sometimes feel like I still need a smoke after a few puffs of the vape.

I’m not sure whether it’s the e-juice flavor or my vaping method but it’s not enough to feel like a cigarette replacement yet. Would love to hear from others who felt the same

I’m 52 years old. Regular smoker from my early teens. Full time 20+ ciggies a day from late teens. Changing this long term habit has become a health priority

Nicotine patches and gum etc have never appealed to me as my enjoyment comes more from the physical and psychological “act” of smoking rather than a nicotine addiction.

Hello and welcome, Shinyhead. My arm is around you in support.

Many in this forum will report they quit cigarettes after a few weeks of dual use, both smoking and vaping. Nicotine from vaping somehow hits differently than it does when you smoke, so your body has to learn to trust the nic fix from vaping.

It took me six weeks of dual use before I realized I really loved vaping, and really hated smoking, so I chose a cigarette quit day. Quit day was not easy, to be honest, but at the end of it I knew I was a nonsmoker forever. That was just over ten years ago, and I haven't had a cigarette since then.

I believe you can do it. Don't put pressure on yourself. You're the boss. Learn what equipment, flavors, nic strength, pg/vg ratios and so forth, work best for you. You'll know when it's time to quit cigarettes for good.