35 year smoker

[Arel3]

I haven't seen anyone else express the fact that addiction to cigarettes is more psychological than chemical meaning it's more of a habit than an addiction. Yes, cig smokers are addicted to nicotine, true. Have you tried patches or the gum or any other alternative? They haven't worked for me because I think I can honestly do without nicotine. I'm more addicted to the feeling of the draw of a cigarette; how it hits my throat, fills my lungs.

I am new to vaping too and trying it for the same reasons (quit smoking). I'm finding that it really depends on the juice you're using to vape. I've had a juice a friend gave me some of that was perfect for me. I didn't have even one cigarette until that juice was gone. I even preferred vaping that juice over a cigarette because of the taste! Becauce of the way it hit my throat and filled my lungs.

Now that I'm out of that ejuice I'm smoking cigs again more often. Like you're experiencing some juice I'm giving a try just doesn't do it and on top of that I cough when I exhale on it. Find the right juice for you.

 

[fat1]

Power, you need more power. I have helped at least a dozen multi-pack-per-day smokers quit cigarettes with vaping. I took to vaping pretty well, I did it for the money. I had no intention to give up nicotine or the habit of vaping/smoking but I did have the intention to stop burning money (literally, buying an expensive product to then set it on fire).

My wife, on the other hand, had no intention of giving up cigarettes at all. Everytime I would try something new I would give her a shot at it. Almost everything was turned down. Until I upped the power.

There are a few elements to smoking besides the actual habit. Each of these elements show up as the weeks go by without an actual cigarette. The first thing obviously is nicotine. You'll know if you have enough, for multi-pack users 24MG (or 2.4%) is not uncommon, is probably the norm. The next couple elements are all related to power. After a couple weeks on a low power device you will grow tired of holding the button for 6+ seconds to get a hit that doesn't even really compare to a cigarette. This is where power comes in, either volts or watts, doesnt matter just more of it. The final element I have found with multi-packers is heat. Vape is typically cool and smoke is not. To get heat you need volts. I have noticed the most success with multi-packers using a device capable of 15w and at least 5.5v, 6+v is better.

Also I would start out with a carto or carto tank. Just easier than dealing with the coil heads and tanks when you are starting. Right now you need something powerful and reliable. feel free to PM me if you wish. Lots of good advice on here but sometimes one on one conversation can keep you motivated. its not easy at first but it does work. I've not had anyone revert in the last 4 years.

 

[Warpigs]

Welcome to ECF! I was a 30+ year year 2-3 packs a day smoker/chewing Red Man 2-3 bags a week. If I can quit, so can you!

 

[jarchack]

35 Year smoker here too. Been analog free for 1 month Saving a lot of $$$ too. BUT... sure is tempting to shop around for more tanks and mods.

 

[The Ocelot]

35 Year smoker here too. Been analog free for 1 month Saving a lot of $$$ too. BUT... sure is tempting to shop around for more tanks and mods.

Save money? Run, now! Lol! Not everyone gets shiny-itis, but vaping forums do not help. My real life friends are happy with their Twists, but they don't know (or care) what other goodies are on the market.

 

[Rat2chat2]

to ecf W Aman . So glad you are here and congrats on the vaping. Isn't it awesome? I had given up on ever being a non-smoker because I had tried every thing known to man. I decided to buy a kit and try to save a bit of money. So I did both for a while and honestly. . . it just got to the point where I preferred the vape. Started cutting back on the real ones and enjoying the vape so much that it just happened naturally. No withdrawal. No anxiety. It has been since May 5th 2013 since I have wanted a cigarette. So give it some time and be proud of yourself for cutting back.

I look forward to reading about your continued success and vaping journey. If you have any questions or concerns, don't hesitate to ask. Lots of wonderful people here who really care.

 

[mentholcindy]

Hi retired soldier,
I just read your post, and I am grateful to hear that I am not the only one who can't get off cigarettes right away. I am about 50/50 between smoking and vaping. Part of the problem is finding a juice that is satisfying, and because I am a 45 year menthol smoker, getting the right menthol hit has been part of the problem. I am using the itaste vv v3.0 and really like it, but I would prefer to find something more compact that works as well as the itaste vv. Do you have any suggestions?

I am a work in progress, but I tend to progress slowly!

Thank you for your helpful insights!

mentholcindy

 

[WIZ8RD]

A very big welcome! I from my own experience agree with JHdublin. I have a aspire VV battery with a nautilus mini. It provides a good amount of vape. I use 18mg nicotine juice and I can honestly say that I havn't even wanted for a cigarette for the several weeks that I have switched... Really loving my aspire.. Car journeys no problem. Mornings or having a beer with friends no problem. I still go for a cigarette break at work with friends, but very happy using my vape now. I have tried several things in the past to quit, but this doesn't even feel like I have given up.. Like a comment made here before, I like the act of drawing from a cigarette and getting the hit. I just get that from my vape now. Keep up the good work and when your ready, give the analogues the final kick ! Happy vaping. Wiz

 

[The Ocelot]

Hi retired soldier,
I just read your post, and I am grateful to hear that I am not the only one who can't get off cigarettes right away. I am about 50/50 between smoking and vaping. Part of the problem is finding a juice that is satisfying, and because I am a 45 year menthol smoker, getting the right menthol hit has been part of the problem. I am using the itaste vv v3.0 and really like it, but I would prefer to find something more compact that works as well as the itaste vv. Do you have any suggestions?

I am a work in progress, but I tend to progress slowly!

Thank you for your helpful insights!

mentholcindy

Hi

I know you asked retired soldier, but I'm here and I type too much.

I smoked 1.5 PAD of Marlboro Menthols for a decade. My all day vape is RH Candy Cane by Vixen Vapors. I can't post a link, so you will have to Google it. It was the second juice I ever tried and I ordered it just the way the woman did that I heard about it from: 3x flavor, medium menthol, 12mg. The mg may seem low for what I was smoking, but I figured I would just vape more if I needed to. This juice is intense! People either love it or hate it. It has been my daily vape for over 2 years.

Other popular choices are Halo juices and Cold Fusion by ECBlend.

 

[The Ocelot]

A very big welcome! I from my own experience agree with JHdublin. I have a aspire VV battery with a nautilus mini. It provides a good amount of vape. I use 18mg nicotine juice and I can honestly say that I havn't even wanted for a cigarette for the several weeks that I have switched... Really loving my aspire.. Car journeys no problem. Mornings or having a beer with friends no problem. I still go for a cigarette break at work with friends, but very happy using my vape now. I have tried several things in the past to quit, but this doesn't even feel like I have given up.. Like a comment made here before, I like the act of drawing from a cigarette and getting the hit. I just get that from my vape now. Keep up the good work and when your ready, give the analogues the final kick ! Happy vaping. Wiz

I completely misread that. Mornings having a beer? Breakfast of champions!

 

[navigator2011]

Hi

I know you asked retired soldier, but I'm here and I type too much.

I smoked 1.5 PAD of Marlboro Menthols for a decade. My all day vape is RH Candy Cane by Vixen Vapors. I can't post a link, so you will have to Google it. It was the second juice I ever tried and I ordered it just the way the woman did that I heard about it from: 3x flavor, medium menthol, 12mg. The mg may seem low for what I was smoking, but I figured I would just vape more if I needed to. This juice is intense! People either love it or hate it. It has been my daily vape for over 2 years.

Other popular choices are Halo juices and Cold Fusion by ECBlend.

Using the 12mg juice, were you able to "vape more" to get satisfied in the beginning without analogs? I think this is a relevant question because it seems that many people (me included) trying to make the switch to vapor tend to cough their guts out due to the years of smoking, and it seems that the burning sensation of concentrated nicotine is the main culprit.

 

[Smoking Vapours]

Hi! congrats on your starting on the right path, but don't give up. I quit smoking cigarettes and started vaping with an EVOD starter kit and found that the juice you choose is key to your success. I found 12 mg butterscotch to be my 'go to' juice but then it was not satisfying my craving. I switched to a different juice, once that I refer to as having a "punch," which tasted like Red Hots or Fire Jolly Rancher candy. At that point, I changed to a glass tank [the Kanger Tech Mini Protank III). That took care of it for another couple of months and then I started craving cigarettes (was under a great amount of stress). So, now I am dripping instead of using an EVOD or Kanger style tank. Wow, what an improvement in flavor and the amount of "smoke" you have to inhale. I am six months analogue free---and plan to stay that way. I love how I smell and the fact that I don't have ashes all over my car.

Good luck on your continued efforts.

I have been smoking 35 years and after a couple coworkers started vaping and quit, I was excited at the possibility that it could work for me. I bought a Kanger EVOD starter kit a couple of weeks ago with 18mg juice, american tobacco flavor. I found the juice to be harsh and didn't like it. The wife picked up a small bottle of french vanilla 12mg and that seemed much smoother to smoke. Problem is that it spite of vaping now for two weeks, I still do smoke about 10 cigarettes each day (formerly two packs a day).

First impressions are the feel of the smoke is different and I don't feel satisfied. The worst time is in the morning and I usually have an analog to get me going. Other times are when I get stressed by the kids and just have always stepped out and had a smoke.

I really think this will work and open to any suggestions from veteran smokers who may have had the same issues.

 

[W Aman]

Actually I found that I was chain vaping and never being satisfied. I bought a bottle of 18mg juice today and it seems to be really curbing the urges.

 

[W Aman]

Thanks. I really like the french vanilla. And the wife doesn't complain because she likes the smell. Does the glass Kanger Tech Mini Protank III make a big difference?

 

[The Ocelot]

Using the 12mg juice, were you able to "vape more" to get satisfied in the beginning without analogs? I think this is a relevant question because it seems that many people (me included) trying to make the switch to vapor tend to cough their guts out due to the years of smoking, and it seems that the burning sensation of concentrated nicotine is the main culprit.

I started vaping before I found ECF and had no idea what strength to get. I picked 12mg since it looked like it was in the middle. I know it doesn't make much sense considering I was vaping full flavor Marlboro Menthols, but I may not have actually smoked the full 1.5 +/-, for although I chain lit them, I had a tendency to forget about them in the ashtray - still, I doubt I wasted more than a few each day.

I did vape like a caterpillar, but I experimented by ordering the same juice in different strengths and pg/vg ratios. I kept coming back to the original. When I got the 18mg, I had to cut it with 6mg or I was climbing the walls. Not sick, just wired.

I also only had one coughing fit. That concerned me, since I thought I was supposed to be getting all the crap out of my lungs. Perhaps it was because I was coughing so heavily before I quite...I don't know. I did get dry skin (I had to put Vaseline on my eyelids) and a little acne. Unfortunately, my pre-existing periodontal disease really flared up. Per my dentist, cigarette smoke has vascular constrictive properties that nicotine doesn't have. I always knew I would have dentures someday, it runs in the family, so I'll just get them earlier. Not a big price to pay, my smile wasn't so great anyway and I've found several unique styles online. I might even get little fangs - not vampire ones, subtle ones or maybe just ones. I like keeping people off balance.

I still vape mostly 12mg, but have a number of 8mg or 6mg (some vendors only offer one of the other). Probably, the reason I'm still at 12mg is because I'm vaping the same juice 99% of the time and it tastes off if mixed differently. It's strange, but I can't distinguish all of the flavors notes anymore. I just know it's mine. Like I could never describe exactly what a Marlboro Menthol tasted like, but If I lit a Kool I could say how it was different.

I saw a recent video made by the woman I heard about the juice from. Two+ years later it's all she vapes too. Maybe we have something is common, like dopamine receptors that are outside the norm.

ETA: OMG! I meant to type "smoking." Perhaps my whole way of thinking has changed.

 

[The Ocelot]

Thanks. I really like the french vanilla. And the wife doesn't complain because she likes the smell. Does the glass Kanger Tech Mini Protank III make a big difference?

And here I was thinking you were a Waman. Congratulations, you have now joined the short list of guys on ECF I thought were female. At least I found out early.

 

[Xethm]

Congratulations on your cut back. It took me about a month before I was no longer smoking. I can't really tell you how it happened, it just did. I started thinking one day about the last time I bought cigarettes and realized it had been about a week. Just started feeling better from there.

 

[PapaWhisky]

I smoked for 30 years, the last 10 of those was easily 2 packs a day. I, too, had the same issues. I'd tried all of the cessation products (except for Chantix, which I cannot use due to my career choice) and none worked for me whatsoever. Years ago, when the very first e-cigs started coming out, I found them unworthy. Eventually the Blu e-cigs were produced and I tried that, too. While it was kind of cool that it came in a "pack" that would recharge the battery, it didn't work for me either--I was smoking just as much and actually getting even more nicotine because I was doing them both. At that point I resigned myself to the fact that this method wasn't going to work for me.

A few years later, my neighbor told me about a new vapor shop in town, and he showed me his Ego setup. I asked him how he liked it, how close was it to actually smoking, throat hit, etc. Intrigued, I went to the store the next day and bought a starter kit and some flavors. Basically, that's the day I quit smoking.

It's now been about 1.5 years and I've maybe only smoked 20 cigarettes in that time--that fact most likely due to the fact I was at the bar drinking whisky and it just "felt" right to have a smoke at the time. Not once on any of those occasions did I feel guilty about having a smoke because I knew I liked vaping better.

I started with the Ego but now use the iTaste MVP2 with an Aspire Nautilus head. I also started at the 24mg level, but have brought it down to 18mg. Eventually, I'll step it down to 12mg. Eventually.... Granted, I constantly have my vaper within reach and use it a lot, but it's better than constantly lighting up, stinking up my house and truck, always going outside at work, and using cigarettes as my own little "reward system" for accomplishing tasks.

I know this is cliche and everyone says it, but if I can do it.... Find the right system for you and the right nicotine level. It took me a few tries but I'm definitely happier.

 

[BigDaddy1994]

Great to hear W Aman! I was a 2 pack a day guy for many years, and it took me a time to get down to no analogs, in fact it's only been 3 days without them. Stay strong and keep vapin'!