Any help would be sooo appreciated!

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melissajoy73

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Mar 15, 2016
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Hi there! So, today is my first day as a non-smoker. I am using a nicotine patch (which I got for free at the doctors office) but it is not helping my cravings for the actual ACT of smoking. I want to buy a very simple, inexpensive vape pen and 0% nicotine liquid.....but I have absolutely NO IDEA where to start. There are just so many types of everything related to vaping that it's just overwhelming to someone who knows nothing about it. I have no idea what any of the lingo means so I'm wondering if someone can point me in the right direction using "vape for dummies" terms. Lol. I just need something that will help with the hand to mouth cravings. I don't care about how much "cloud" comes out or anything like that. I need the simplest solution for someone who wants to use a vapor cig a handful of times throughout the day (when I get in the car, my first swig of coffee, at the bar when I'm drinking and others are smoking, etc). Thank you to anyone willing to offer me some advice! Cheers :)
 

SteveS45

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Welcome and congratulations on joining the ranks of former smokers!

In my opinion I would suggest some Cig-A-Likes and not using the patch because the E-Cigs contain nicotine. You will have the pacifier affect and the vapor to get past the hump. I have been vaping for a few years but a Non-Smoker for just over 1.5 years. The Cig-A-Likes is how I was able to go cold turkey in my opinion. Well maybe a bit of personal strength or will power can be attributed to staying a Non-Smoker?

Good Luck! :rickroll:
 
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OlderNDirt

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Welcome to ECF, Melissa.

I'm sure others will chime in soon with a ton of info, but for now, I would suggest checking for a vape shop (not a stop-and-go) in your area. Even if you want to save a bit and order online, you can get some good info and try a bunch of flavors for what you will like. If you are only looking for something to use "a handful of times", the cost may not be that much different and you could walk out ready to vape now.

You mention trying the patch and vaping 0% nic. Not sure if you are looking to continue the patch, but you might consider passing on the patch and adding a little nic to your vape. Those patches are not cheap compared to the amount of juice you would use with a pen style vape a few times a day.

Good luck and let us know how you do!
 

retired1

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melissajoy73

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Mar 15, 2016
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Chicago
Welcome to ECF, Melissa.

I'm sure others will chime in soon with a ton of info, but for now, I would suggest checking for a vape shop (not a stop-and-go) in your area. Even if you want to save a bit and order online, you can get some good info and try a bunch of flavors for what you will like. If you are only looking for something to use "a handful of times", the cost may not be that much different and you could walk out ready to vape now.

You mention trying the patch and vaping 0% nic. Not sure if you are looking to continue the patch, but you might consider passing on the patch and adding a little nic to your vape. Those patches are not cheap compared to the amount of juice you would use with a pen style vape a few times a day.

Good luck and let us know how you do!

Thank you! Appreciate the info!
 

melissajoy73

Full Member
Mar 15, 2016
8
17
Chicago
Welcome and congratulations on joining the ranks of former smokers!

In my opinion I would suggest some Cig-A-Likes and not using the patch because the E-Cigs contain nicotine. You will have the pacifier affect and the vapor to get past the hump. I have been vaping for a few years but a Non-Smoker for just over 1.5 years. The Cig-A-Likes is how I was able to go cold turkey in my opinion. Well maybe a bit of personal strength or will power can be attributed to staying a Non-Smoker?

Good Luck! :rickroll:
Thanks! Appreciate the well wishes :)
 

Sir2fyablyNutz

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Hello @melissajoy73 and welcome to the forum. I would suggest looking for a local vape store and going there to find a basic starter kit and to sample some juices to see what you like. I started with a cheap set I found in a cig store.
My beginning journey below:
My%20Vape%202%20007_zpst1e620rm.jpg

The one on the far left is the cheapest, still $20 and I needed more batteries as this one didn't last, so I threw good money after bad so to speak. The silver and glass tanks in the middle and right is an Aspire Nautilus Mini, one of the most recommended mouth to lung tanks in the forum, an excellent tank.
If the cheap ones don't work for you it might be good to consider something like the iStick 30 watt and Nautilus Mini.
4f4a37f5-cac4-47a0-94b9-31b2900fd6b6_zpsqab8njbe.jpg

Good luck.
 

suprtrkr

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I'd go with an iStick 20 and a Nautilus tank, myself. However, like the others, I think you'll do better with vaping or patches rather than vaping and patches. I agree with you the hand-to-mouth thing is part of the addiction, which is why patches fail so often. Might as well get your nicotine when you're dealing with the other part of it. Cheaper, too.
 

gingertalk196

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Welcome and like so many others suggest, I would go to a Vape Shop in your area and get something more pen-like/Ego. They are good and refillable and you'll have fun trying the different flavors. I found a lot of success with my ego and still haven't gone to a mod. I would also try to stay away from the nicotine patch and use liquids with nicotine. The pen satisfies the hand to mouth as well as blowing out vapor. It doesn't really feel like a cigarette but after a bit that doesn't matter. There is a chart for nicotine mg. somewhere on this website that looks at the mg. vs. how many cigs you smoked. I'm sure someone can attach it. Good luck! Ginger
 
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Falconeer

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A few years ago I attended Smoking Cessation courses offering Nicotine Replacement Therapy and for me they didn't work.

Why? After at that stage 45 years of smoking, more than 30 of them with a pipe, oddly enough it wasn't the nicotine I missed it was the activities of smoking.

I didn't intend to stop this time round; as I've said before it came about by accident five months ago when my daughter gave me an e pipe and I found I had all the missed activities back and so was able to stop obsessing about "notsmoking."

Vaping worked for me, but here I have to say that a few years ago I also tried the cig a likes and the ego type vaping pens and they simply offered frustration.

My own advice would be to go for an iStick 30w with a Nauitlus Mini and a pack of spare coils. Good reliable kit, variable draw to suit most users requirements, long battery life and capable of producing good amounts of vapour.

If you want to stick with your patches, go for no nic liquid; if you opt to vape and dispense with the patches maybe opt for 16 strength e liquid...and btw there isn't really a liquid that tastes absolutely like a burning cigarette!

Good luck with however you choose to play it!
 
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melissajoy73

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Mar 15, 2016
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Chicago
Thank everyone so much for your advice. The only reason I was using the patch is that the doctor prescribed them, and my insurance covered them 100%. But it's not helping with the mental addiction which is why I want to try the vapor. But after reading your suggestions and doing some additional research, I think I will nix the patches. The iStick w/ the Nautilus Mini sounds like a solid plan. Thanks again to everyone for taking the time to reply....I really appreciate it. Especially the good luck notes - I'll take all the luck I can get!
 

SteveS45

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Melissa the iStick TC40W and Nautilus Mini was my first MOD after using the Cig-A-Likes for years. In my humble opinion I would say it is a great way to get a start into vaping with a MOD. So far for me totally care free and easy to use along with good battery life even when I am chain vaping. Bear in mind to cut your nicotine level and do not start out too strong. I bought half the % of nicotine to get started and mix in a little when I feel I need a little more kick. Good Luck and Happy Vaping! :thumbs:
 
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JCinFLA

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Oct 21, 2015
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I want to buy a very simple, inexpensive vape pen and 0% nicotine liquid. I just need something that will help with the hand to mouth cravings. I don't care about how much "cloud" comes out or anything like that. I need the simplest solution for someone who wants to use a vapor cig a handful of times throughout the day.

OK, you're looking for the exact same things to start with that I was when I started vaping. I found what met those requirements, took care of my hand-to-mouth 42 year habit, and got me off the smokes! I used the same, simple things for the first 2 years I vaped, and only in the last 6 months have a gotten a few mods and other tanks. I still haven't had another cigarette.

Most people on the ECF don't recommend these because they're old tech, and if you stick with vaping you'll want something better sooner or later. But, for what you want now per the above...here's what worked for me:

JoyeTech Double 510 Starter Kit (length is slightly longer than a cigarette, but same diameter as one) - I got (2) 320mAh batteries, (2) short atomizers, and a 5-pack of refillable foam-filled cartridges, a USB charger, and a wall charger. Cost then was $32.99. The kits are still available on websites, but are cheaper now. I've seen them for as low as $19.99 on sale/clearance.

eGo 1100 mAh batteries with a clearomizer (tank for the liquid) - These batteries are about the length of a cigarette without the tank on them, but 14mm in diameter. I bought 2 little cheapo starter kits that each had: (1) battery, (1) refillable, disposable, wickless CE5 clearomizer (tank) that lasted me about 7-10 days before the atomizer in it gave out, and (1) USB charger in them. The kits cost me $7.50 each with Free S/H on eBay. I bought a wall charger separately at $3.00 w/Free S/H. I later bought some different tanks (Innokin 16D clearomizers, GS-H2 clearomizers, Protank II Minis, and Protank 3 Minis)...that had replaceable coils, so I could stop using the disposable clearomizers. Also bought an additional 4-5 of the batteries separately during the 2 years, at a cost of $5 each online.

I used just those things for 2 years. It satisfied my hand-to-mouth habit, was inexpensive when I needed to buy replacements, and wasn't real obvious when I went somewhere and was vaping.

Local friends, relatives, etc. that I've helped to switch to vaping have also used the Evod Double Starter Kits with the 650mAh or 900mAh batteries in them. They came with 2 batteries, 2 Evod tanks with replaceable coils in them, both of the chargers, and 5 extra coils for the tanks. They were on sale for $17.99/kit for the 650mAh ones and $21.99 for the 900mAh ones. Now, they're about $19.99 and $24.99 when not on sale online at several websites.

All of the above come in various colors, too, so you're not limited in that regard if color matters to you.

Whatever you choose, please get 2 batteries at least, so you can be using 1 while I is charging if necessary. You don't want to be in the position of not having 1 ready to vape when you need it...so you don't reach for a cigarette instead.

Good Luck, and I hope vaping works for you like it has for so many of us here on the ECF and millions of others worldwide! :)
 
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