Barriers in Switching from Analogs to Vaping

[PeppermintPatty]

Hi, this is my first post. I am not asking the below questions for myself to quit smoking, but I was hoping to get some imput from experienced former smokers who are now vaping.

I was wondering if some of you folks who have successfully transitioned to vaping would share your opinions on what kinds of mistakes people might be making with their new e cigs, creating barriers to completely stopping analogs. In other words, there are countless smokers out there who have a standard start up e cig kit of some sort in their home...they may have purchased it themselves, or a family member might have purchased it trying to get them to quit, but after a few attempts at vaping, they state that "it just never worked" or "I just don't like them".

I tried to do some online research about this and did find some info regarding needing to use some different inhalation methods than one would use with an analog, and also some stuff about different time of onset of nicotine in the bloodstream with vaping that may make some new users feel like it isn't working. Nothing real specific though.

Do you guys have any more specifics than this? For example, what kinds of things do you think contributed to your success in transitioning, especially initially? If you were kind of interviewing one of these people, with just a standard cheapo e cig starter kit at home, who may really needs to stop smoking due to health issues, what kinds of things would you want to know about them to come up with a plan to transition to vaping? And once you got your info, what might be some of your ideas that could help that person switch to vaping? Unfortunately, I will say that switching to a better set up is not likely to be an option, I know many of you out there have way more sophisticated set ups, but let us assume these folks are stuck what they have currently for a variety of reasons.

Any and all experiences and info would be appreciated

 

[Spazmelda]

Interesting topic. I will come back later with my opinions!

 

[djsvapour]

I was wondering if some of you folks who have successfully transitioned to vaping would share your opinions on what kinds of mistakes people might be making with their new e cigs, creating barriers to completely stopping analogs. In other words, there are countless smokers out there who have a standard start up e cig kit of some sort in their home...they may have purchased it themselves, or a family member might have purchased it trying to get them to quit, but after a few attempts at vaping, they state that "it just never worked" or "I just don't like them".

I bought a starter e-cig from a supermarket. I thought it seemed OK.
So, I bought the complete kit, and then extra batteries and refills.

$200 in, and I was still smoking.

I got withdrawal symptoms and cravings. I believed what it said on the packaging.

For me, a supposedly cheap starter kit turned out to be expensive and useless. It nearly cost me more than $200... my job and my family.
It was not capable of replacing smoking (the nicotine)....

 

[Katya]

Get a better setup. Seriously, it makes a big difference. Having a good vv battery that doesn't need to be recharged every couple of hours and a nice clearomizer that doesn't need to be topped off every 10 minutes and a few bottles of really good juices is what often stands between a success and a failure in transitioning to vaping. Anyway, you asked for my experience.

That doesn't mean that one can't quit using a good cigalike kit. But it has to be good, the batteries need to be at least 280 mAh--or you have to have many of them in constant rotation, and you have to get good cartomizers or mini clearos, like Kanger T4 or Nano--and some high quality eliquids in various strengths.

Good luck!

 

[oxidus]

Some problems I had in the past come to mind. Getting the first order in, and only 1 of 6 liquids is good. Go for pricier juice, it's worth it. That was pretty anti-climactic and I wouldn't recommend cheap liquid on your first order. Tends to kill your willingness to try again.

Some people feel like they MUST quit cold turkey, but I really don't think that's a requirement. Start by alternating, 1 cigarette, 1 e-cigarette. It's perfectly doable, and you'll cut your smoking by 50% right off the bat. Then slowly go down to 1 cigarette, 2 e-cigarette....etc.

Not having backup batteries might cause them to go back to analogs. If you're battery dies mid-pull, you're definitely going to want to charge it and light one while you wait.

 

[Spazmelda]

Okay, I'm back and I've actually read the OP more thoroughly now. It's actually asking a different question than I originally thought.

I really don't know what I'd recommend if getting a better kit wasn't an option. There are some ecigs out there, that IMO, are just not going to be effective no matter what.

My first kit was a drug store cigalike, it was not great and in the long run I don't think I would have been successful with it. It was enough to get me interested and doing research though. I saw the potential and it was effective enough to get me invested in the idea of ecigs. If someone does not have that incentive to look further I don't know how they could be encouraged to do so. If their kit is a weak battery, with expensive proprietary cartomizers, nasty flavors, and ineffective nicotine delivery, AND if they are not invested in it enough to search for other options, I don't know that I'd pursue it.

Maybe you could invest in a loaner kit, decent stuff, and let them try it, but I don't know how effective that would be without initiative and desire on the users part.

 

[djsvapour]

I do own a cig-a-like kit now, amongst other things.

It is SO much better than the "top" brand here in the UK.

I kept wondering why, until last night when I was doing some testing for a newbie, CE3K. (Another thread).

OK, so the "expensive" e-cig. 3.3v battery. 3.4ohm cartomiser. £11 batteries, £4 cartos.
The "cheap" e-cig. 3.7v battery. 2.4ohm cartomiser. £7 battery, £1 cartos.

3 watts of power vs. close to 6 watts of power.

Basically, if you vape virtually nothing (very little vapour), it's not going to work.

My assessment of the cheap one being twice as good makes some sense.
Also, the cheap one is made by Kanger.

It's an odd world. "Brand" is King. "Quality" is the loser, because advertising rules.

 

[etherealink]

Ok, several good points here, and I've had this conversation many times. I will *never* claim to be an expert, but I do have a bunch of experience with "bargain brand" e-cigarettes and how frustrating they can be. The biggest issue that I have seen (both myself and for others) is ease of use. If just setting up, refilling and/or recharging your ecig has you lighting up and pulling your hair out it's pretty obvious you will just keep smoking.

So here is how this convo usually goes for me.

1. Do you actually want to quit? Let's be honest, nicotine (in any delivery form) is a drug and very addictive. Like all such drugs it is only the addict that can make the conscious and active decision to quit. Thankfully with vaping as opposed to "cold turkey" or nicotine-reduction methods (ie: patches or gum) the user does not have to give up the drug entirely.

2. How much do you smoke per day and what strength (full flavor, lights etc.)? This helps determine the amount of nicotine per ml that will approximate the daily intake of nicotine the smoker would get from smoking. (The flavoring topic is too subjective and personal to start with at this point.)

3. What is the budget you are willing to start with to quit smoking? Consider that a very cheap pack of cigarettes is now over $4, and that a *good quality* ecigarette set up that will last for several months can be around $30 (current priced kanger starter kit online from a reputable dealer $28) (plus e-liquid) the cost starts to even out very quickly.

As far as eliquid goes there are many ways to keep things cheap and maximize the bang for the buck, that is a better question for once you nail down the first 2 answers though.

Basically, I have 2 rules when I recommend an ecigarette product of any form:

1. I have to have tried it or currently use it (RDA/RBA's excepted for obvious reasons) and be satisfied with it's performance, ease of use and accompanying instructions.

2. It must be reasonably priced. Even if you make 6 figures a year, you don't want to spend a whole paycheck on something you don't know *you* will like or want to keep/use.

Just like a car we can overlook color, but if it doesn't work as advertised you would get rid of it fast. Same thing here; if it says easy, it should be kindergarten-easy. If it says it should last all day (ie: 24hrs) and it only makes 8 (if you followed all instructions) you won't keep it.

As a final note, even if you feel like an idiot for doing so, ask questions. Most vapers I've met both online and in person love to talk about vaping and what they're vaping on. The only stupid question is the one you don't ask and keeps you inhaling money and cancer-causing chemicals all day long.

If you need another reason to stop smoking analogs, look no further...

http://www.janty.com/en/news/item/vapor-test-results-by-keca

Doc

Sent from my SCH-S720C using Tapatalk 2

 

[Bunnykiller]

A cigalike starter kit is ... like walking everywhere and you know how to drive a car.

 

[CreepyLady]

I was wondering if some of you folks who have successfully transitioned to vaping would share your opinions on what kinds of mistakes people might be making with their new e cigs, creating barriers to completely stopping analogs. In other words, there are countless smokers out there who have a standard start up e cig kit of some sort in their home...they may have purchased it themselves, or a family member might have purchased it trying to get them to quit, but after a few attempts at vaping, they state that "it just never worked" or "I just don't like them".

Giving up here with the idea that they all dont work is creating your own barrier. If you have decided that one doesnt work, therefore all dont work and have your heart set on that - there is not a lot even the best e-cig can possibly do for you. You have to want to quit.

Do you guys have any more specifics than this? For example, what kinds of things do you think contributed to your success in transitioning, especially initially? If you were kind of interviewing one of these people, with just a standard cheapo e cig starter kit at home, who may really needs to stop smoking due to health issues, what kinds of things would you want to know about them to come up with a plan to transition to vaping? And once you got your info, what might be some of your ideas that could help that person switch to vaping? Unfortunately, I will say that switching to a better set up is not likely to be an option, I know many of you out there have way more sophisticated set ups, but let us assume these folks are stuck what they have currently for a variety of reasons.

Any and all experiences and info would be appreciated

I succeeded because I refused to continue smoking and I was willing to try this option with full dedication to making it work. Switching to a better set up generally has to be an option in the beginning. If you get a crappy set up, but its enough to see the light that the idea can work - you need to be willing to spend what you would on your next few packs of cigarettes or pouches of tobacco to get it. A better set up can be very cheap. You can get them for 15 bucks. If you are unwilling to spend the 15 bucks and you buy smokes instead - no amount of advice will make a difference. Other than money or just not wanting to do it - I dont know what other reasons there could be.

 

[Nicco]

Personally, my greatest hurdle was the fact that I love tobacco. The taste, the smell and the romance, all of it. The technique and maintenance, was not a great problem personally, being a pipe smoker, it's quite similar. You smoke in a similar fashion, and are used to maintain your equipment. And as pipe smokers in general, I'm very particular. So I didn't go out and buy the first thing, but educated myself first. To boot, I'm an architect, as such I don't like things to pretend to be what they are not. So no fake plastic cigarettes for me! If they help people, fine but personally I wouldn't be caught dead with one.

One thing I still miss, is strangely the act of lighting up.

 

[Crunchy2k]

Things that made my transition to vaping easy were the type of tobacco products I used, the want to quit smoking, the economics of smoking and family pressure.
I smoked MYO cigs using only premium tobacco. I was putting out $1.60 a pack. PAD. Throat hit was unknown to me. I'm still very forgiving towards the throat hit as it brings back my pre-made CIG days. I also used Camel Snus. So, I was ready for the slow absorption of nicotine.
The PV I chose to start with is battery regulated and gives me as consistent a Vape as one can expect. One battery lasts me sixteen hours. I use 3ml clearomizers with replaceable coils. I have one dripper for recepe testing. This PV package keeps things simple and nearly trouble free. This forum gets me over those troubles I can't solve.
The initial outlay was high at the equivalent of 3 months of smoking supplies or seven pounds of tobacco ($20/lb.) But this forum has some excellent advice on DIY juice. I was able to knowledgably purchase a years supply of nicotine and bottles of PG and VG base for only $38. I put another $50 into what must be several years of TFA flavoring. I made a 12oz lemon soda with one drop of flavoring while I was experimenting. 8D.

 

[Cool-breeze]

I kinda felt like half the ppl didn't actually read your questions...

Biggest contributions to my success: the support of my wife. I had half heartedly tried a few times to quit smoking and mainly got negative responses. This was before I met my wife. She initially explained she didn't like me smoking, made sure I knew it wasn't ok to smoke in her car and she would ask me to brush my teeth after a smoke before kissing her. All of those were no brainers to me and she never once made me feel judged, guilty or looked down on. The freedom I found with her allowed me to "try out vaping" and know if I transitioned it was my choice. In truth I did not want to quit smoking. I just grew to like my vape better.

A "cheap" ego starter kit is what I had. Many veterans do not think highly of egos, I love them. Not that I'm a veteran to be fair. Here's why; they are simple, easy to use and they work. Can you get a better vape? For sure! But for initial price while learning and just getting off analogs you just need something that works. Not to mention they are fairly portable.

The plan to transition: first I tell ppl do not throw away your smokes. In the first couple weeks something will go wrong wether it's a burnt atomizer, a flooded tank, or w/e, and you won't know how to easily resolve the issue. When that happens go out and have a smoke. Calm down and approach the le

 

[Katya]

I kinda felt like half the ppl didn't actually read your questions...

I did. Twice.

Biggest contributions to my success: the support of my wife. I had half heartedly tried a few times to quit smoking and mainly got negative responses. This was before I met my wife. She initially explained she didn't like me smoking, made sure I knew it wasn't ok to smoke in her car and she would ask me to brush my teeth after a smoke before kissing her. All of those were no brainers to me and she never once made me feel judged, guilty or looked down on. The freedom I found with her allowed me to "try out vaping" and know if I transitioned it was my choice. In truth I did not want to quit smoking. I just grew to like my vape better.

I agree. Support from family and friends is important.

A "cheap" ego starter kit is what I had. Many veterans do not think highly of egos, I love them. Not that I'm a veteran to be fair. Here's why; they are simple, easy to use and they work. Can you get a better vape? For sure! But for initial price while learning and just getting off analogs you just need something that works. Not to mention they are fairly portable.

To most of us here, a "cheapo starter kit'" means a cigalike (technically a supermini battery and prefilled cartomizers) from an online vendor or a gas station. An eGo kit is what we veterans usually recommend as an upgrade to new vapers disappointed with their "cheap gas station cigalike kits." Almost all of us used eGos in the past; many of us are still using some kind of an eGo-class battery, usually a variable voltage version. I still I do, even though I have other more advanced APVs.

The plan to transition: first I tell ppl do not throw away your smokes. In the first couple weeks something will go wrong wether it's a burnt atomizer, a flooded tank, or w/e, and you won't know how to easily resolve the issue. When that happens go out and have a smoke. Calm down and approach the le

I agree.

ETA: There are many vets who use mini batteries because they like the feel and form factor. There are plenty of good small batteries (E-Roll, Kanger, Bloog, Volt, Halo G6 etc.) and great small cartomizers (Boge, Smoktech, Volt, G6 etc.) and small clearomizers (Kanger T4, Nano etc.) which offer a very nice vaping experience in a small package.

 

[Steamer861]

I dont do any different inhale than i did with Analogs
I think not getting a good setup rite off the bat is the cause of failure
You see a lot of people say just get a cheap starter kit That didn't work for me
When you first start to quite analogs and try to convert to vaping
You need some thing that works well or it will be frustrating and harder to convert
If you consider a good VV VW mod and a good Tank can be purchased for under 100.00 dollars thats not really that much
I paid almost 300.00 for Chantix and threw them in the trash after 6 days
If you really want to get off the analogs get a good setup

 

[bkkdaytrader]

I think attitude is the key. I can't believe it when people complain about the cost of some ecig-hardware-as if there is a price for health and well being. My buddy at work made every excuse not to get into vaping--hes coughing all day and I finally got him to try it out--but its uphill all the way for him-he night not make it-why? because he does not want to.

for me--i took one puff on a crappy clone ego think with junky local juice and never smoked a cigarette again-- 6 weeks later I am coiling and dripping and really enjoying the flavors--why? because I wanted to make it work--I was committed to make it work--and its been win win win all the way--except i have spent much more than i had expected--so what--no price on health..

not to mention i have helped a few others to quit

enough of the rant but i can be quite passionate about this stuff

 

[Completely Average]

There are three major barriers that keep people from making the transition from analogs to ecigs.

1. Poor quality ecigs. I would include all forms of "cigalikes" that look like cigarettes as well as the majority of cheap eGo clones. People spend large sums of money to buy these poor quality starter kits that end up costing just as much money as smoking, are nothing but trouble to use, and don't satisfy their cravings at all. Unfortunately, this is a fast growing industry and many investors are wanting to jump in and make a fast buck with total disregard to their clientele.

2. Bad B&M stores. Unfortunately, these seem to be the norm. They're usually run by people looking to make an easy profit. They sell the above mentioned poor quality ecigs, they have huge markups on their products, their service is usually horrible, and they don't stand behind the things they sell. They are the ecig version of the used car salesman. Scam artists just waiting to fleece their next victim.

But the biggest barriers to making the successful transition to ecigs are.............


The user's own ignorance and predetermined beliefs.



The user ignorance is more than forgivable, it's to be expected. These are relatively new products. A few people are lucky enough to have a close friend that is an experienced vaper who can advise them, but most of us walk in to that first ecig having no idea what we want, what we are looking at, what to expect, or what we just bought. Because of this we often make a bad first choice, usually by buying a cigalike for some outrageous price. This is where the B&M store owner should step in and work at finding out the customer's specific needs and desires, and then make wise recommendations based on the customer, not just offer whatever has the highest profit margin. Unfortunately, this is the point where most of us run into the bad products and bad B&M shops.

The last barrier is probably the toughest of all to crack. It's the individuals preconceived ideas and beliefs.

Why do most of us buy that cigalike first? Because in our heads we believe we want a cigarette replacement, but what we really want is a smoking replacement.

Our driving belief is that we want something that looks like a cigarette, and that we can suck on like a cigarette, and that it blows vapor out like a cigarette, and tastes like a cigarette. That's what we think we want when we walk into the shop. Most of us never even think about things like throat hit, non-tobacco flavors, vapor production, maintenance, etc... not because those things aren't important to us, but because we are ruled by the predetermined belief of what we want.

My own experience reflects that problem. I started on a $75 cigalike starter kit. Within 2 months I was back to analogs exclusively. About a year later I tried again with an eGo. It performed better than the cigalike which was good. However, I then spent the next 4 months searching for a tobacco flavor that tasted just like my Camels. I smoked analogs the whole time because I wasn't finding what I believed I wanted, which was an exact replica of my Camels.

It was my wife of all people who finally convinced me to try a mint out. I had just upgraded from my eGo to an SVD, and we got my wife an SVD as well. She wanted to quit smoking, and in her mind she wanted something that tasted nothing at all like tobacco or food, so she started with a straight menthol and a peppermint. She knows I like peppermint and got me to try that. Gone was my preconceived belief that I wanted a Camel taste, my eyes had been opened and I realized what I really wanted was something entirely different. Within a week I had stopped using the analogs and was vaping away on a collection of different mints.

6 months later and I'm vaping away with Kringle's Curse as I type this. I never would have believed that what would get me to quit smoking the analogs was blowing big clouds of peppermint, but that's exactly what worked for me.

 

[tehgyu]

It is much better now than when I tried to start vaping in 2009. There was nothing else available but those cigalikes. Nothing actually worked properly and everything was expensive. I went from the smokstick to 901 to 510 then ego and finally built my own mods. It wasn't until I got my 5v box mod that I was finally able to completely get off the cigs 2 years later. So yes, getting a better setup is the key. Consider how much money you spent in cigs and try to stay within the same same budget. There are so many different choices available, choices we didn't have a few years ago. It should not be that difficult to switch. The only barrier is your commitment.

 

[Wizard Bliss]

Barrier One: Do you want to quit? .. if yes continue reading. if no, don't bother, nothing will help until the coffin closes.
Barrier Two: i tried it before and it didn't work. Answer? . . . wrong flavor.
Barrier Three: I don't have the money to try ten different e.Cig companies. . .
Answer? Buy / or sample a few juices and with an eye dropper put them in a cartridge. See a person vaping? Chat them up. I bet nine times out of ten you'll find they are willing to help and probably have ten juices they can give you to try.
Vaping is all about quitting Smoking, in my opinion. Part of vaping is actually helping someone else quit smoking. Odd but true.
Look around this Forum... NOT One Flamer... EVERYONE here is trying to help others, either with ideas, personal experience, and gear. Amazing, if you think about that. What does that mean? It means 'we've all been there.'
I like your question, it's insightful, answer? ... Simply ask a Vaper, each of us has a story to share.
Barrier four: How do I start? answer? Just start.
Blessings and Joy on your Journey,
Bliss

 

[CookieMonster225]

I tried to quit analogs twice with cig a likes and it just wasn't working for me. Horrible flavor, no battery life, ect. Then I stumbled upon these mods with vv/vw and bigger tanks. I bought an eGo starter kit and had absolutely no problem quitting. I've moved on to vv/vw mods and found some great juices on nicoticket. Haven't had an analog in 4 weeks and I don't find myself craving them. The most important thing is that you have to truly WANT to quit.