Brand New & Ready to Learn

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Bunnie

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I am what some would call obsessive. What others would call having an addictive personality. But both would agree, consistent.

I have been a smoker for rounding out at about 12 years now. (Yes, I picked the habit up before it was legal for me to do so. And yes, I wish I could go back and punch 16 year old young-lady me in the face.) My fiance and I have been together over 10 of those years. He has never been a smoker, and yet with my habit- he has. I have made a smoker out of someone who has never even lit a cigarette because of the selfish way that I love smoking. But not as much as I love him, and I just can't do it any longer. Not to mention my own health. :unsure:

I lead a sheltered, blinders-on type of life in a small town. I only had 4 cigarette changes in the time I have spent creating ashes. (Marlboro Reds to Lights, then Camel Lights to Camel Turkish Jade Lights) I have been smoking Camel Menthol Silvers as they are now called around 8 years later. Sometimes as few as 12 a day, some days as many as 30.

I had heard of Blu, and got a Disposable Menthol at a semi-local grocery store 2 weeks ago tomorrow along with my usual Carton of Menthol Silvers. I spent that night in a vapor filled bliss. Puffing on it around 4-5 times every time I had a craving, until my craving went away. But still had one after dinner. I put it away and only used it for a few hours between work/sleep. I got 2 more evenings use out of it for about an 2-2.5 hours each of those evenings. Again, when I had cravings. I decided that when the carton was gone, I had to pick whether to get another one- or to buy a system.

I didn't think of it again till yesterday when I opened the last pack from the carton. I beelined for the Blu website, but was met with the same social feature, shaking, light up gimmick box that turned me away the first night that I came home excited with the Disposable. Even with being turned off by the product, I was willing to try it- and it was sold out in every flavor, strength and color combination that I was willing to settle for.

A quick search yielded more than I could take in within the time frame that I knew I had to get it done before I lost nerve. My actions mimicked a deer in that I ran back to the Blu page and began trying to piece together something that I wasn't willing to settle for before. The Johnson Creek logo hit me like a Mac truck.

I devoured everything on their website that I could and 6 hours later spent $77.73 on

1 Vea Starter Kit
5 Pack Sampler - 5ml at 18mg (did I do that right?)
-PG Artic Menthol
-VG Wisconsin Frost
-VG Tundra
-VG Vanda
-VG Solstice

The Collectible Tin became the gimmick that sold the 5th bottle to me. While searching for more info filling techniques I found more than I expected with 3 piece systems and dripping. Did I completely jump the gun with my Vea purchase, or stumble onto something great because of it? What is this Culture that I have found where people are readily naming of systems like they have been picking them up at the gas station for 12 years? I welcome any advice for my Vea, and chiding for my impatience.
I didn't purchase that next carton of Camels, but a couple packs for until it gets here and will be keeping a (sealed) back up in the freezer.

A New Hope-ful,
Bunnie
 

DJ RyckRak

Ultra Member
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Jan 12, 2013
1,104
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Welcome Bunnie !
Glad you came to ECF- Lot's of friendly folks on here willing to help out a new vaper.

If you read around on here you will see that there is a huge world of vaping products (gear) and flavors available.
Many of us started with what are known as 'cig-a-likes'- and as Ocelot says: Nothing wrong with that.
We use what is available to us- and what we know about. For many- cig a likes are an introduction to Vaping, and help us quit ciggys.

I am happy that you are researching Vaping- because it is a relatively new thing, and you can see the chance of being tobacco free.

Vape gear comes in all shapes and sizes- but really it is a way to mimic smoking- giving us the nicotene our body's and mind need...
without the nastyness that comes with burning 'bacco'.

I was a 40 yr, PAD 'burro red' man- I quit smoking the day I got my eGo-c kit...but many just use vaping to cut down...it's all good.

Wishing you The Best- Hope you hang around for awhile and add to our discussions.
 

mkbilbo

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Mar 4, 2013
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Austin, TX
www.thesmilingwolf.com
Yes, I picked the habit up before it was legal for me to do so. And yes, I wish I could go back and punch 16 year old young-lady me in the face.

I had to laugh. I did the same thing. Started at 16. I've said more than once, if I could time travel, I'd go back and whip my @$$. :)

But recently (I'm a newbie myself, been around only a few days) tried a Blu disposable just out of curiosity since I'd seen their ads.

Forgot to light a cigarette for something like nine hours. And I've had a two pack a day habit for years now. More years than I care to admit. :)

Did get a Blu starter kit (meh... works okay, but wish I'd found this forum before I'd bought the thing). Went almost immediately from two packs a day to no more than three cigarettes a day. Haven't gotten completely away from tobacco just yet but... wow. Just plummeted. Two packs to three cigs? All of the sudden?

Anybody had told me that was possible, I would have laughed in their face. But, here I am.

Welcome aboard...
 

Bunnie

Senior Member
ECF Veteran
Hello everyone! I am sorry that it took me so long to respond, I have been taking in all of the information that I can find throughout the forums. Mainly on nicotine content and equivalence. I wish that I would have opted for a faster shipping method, as I am ready to start now while the notion is so strong. I am so proud of all of you for quitting cold turkey, and weaning yourself down. I hope that I can have the same willpower when my Vea gets here. Thank you all for such a warm welcome, I definitely was not expecting the support that has been shown in an hour to someone who hasn't even gotten their system yet. It has been amazing learning about everything I have over the course of a day, and am so happy to have found these forums filled with such a plethora of information.

Pretty amazing isn't it? I guess that's why the FDA doesn't want us to have access...

I have to admit, seeing the reactions of Big Media & the FDA definitely made me all the more curious. With so many success stories of cutting back and quitting why would they not want it as an option to burning your life away?
 

Bunnie

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charmschool

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Feb 24, 2013
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[/QUOTE]I have to admit, seeing the reactions of Big Media & the FDA definitely made me all the more curious. With so many success stories of cutting back and quitting why would they not want it as an option to burning your life away?[/QUOTE]

Welcome to the forum & the vaping lifestyle! Don't fret about the choice of your first kit. It's pretty common for us noobs to think our first purchase will allow us to ride off into the sunset of non-smoking land, happily ever after. You'll come to the same realization we all do eventually - batteries have a life span (duh). Enjoy your first kit, but know you'll buy more equipment eventually anyway, either to replace or upgrade (or both).

As to the FDA thing, understand there's a question mark in the long-term health effects of vaping. We've been lucky so far that they're allowing us to be our own guinea pigs without regulation. If you're serious about vaping, you need to be aware that we're facing a challenge to that status, and become active in protecting it.
 

jenmurray116

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Dec 12, 2012
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Congrats and welcome! :toast:

Don't second guess your choice - I think vaping is multi-layered and each layer is a stepping stone. I started with the mall kiosk type and it was ok. Even tried the disposable Blu (which for me was god awful! :ohmy: ) Finally, I found ECF.... I now have an eGo-T which is so much better....but, I'm also realizing a Twist or Spinner might be even better! And the CE4's (clearos) that I'm using aren't working out so well....so I'm going to need to step those up too.... yep, more stepping stones!

I think the 18 mg is probably a good place to start to see how it works for you - I've bought a few in various mg's to see how it goes. I've also discovered I like less nic at night, so I even bought a few of my favorite juices in 0 mg so I can cut down the strength at night. So, lots of trial and error, but for the most part, it's enjoyable trial and error! :)

Oh, and I know what you mean about your 16 year old self - though, I'm worse - I didn't start smoking until I was 25...AFTER my Mom had both a heart attack and heart transplant (11th one done in NJ back in 1990) all from smoking. Biggest mistake of my life, picking that first one up. 18 years later, I'm grateful for vaping - the first time I've not only been successful at quitting but without treating my family like crap while trying to quit!

Anyway, there's tons of info, great people - your kit will be here soon and you'll be on your way!!
 
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The Ocelot

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Aug 12, 2012
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...I am so proud of all of you for quitting cold turkey, and weaning yourself down. I hope that I can have the same willpower when my Vea gets here.

Everyone moves at their own speed, so relax and enjoy the journey; there's no need to compare yourself to anyone else. And as far as "quitting," I'm not so sure I have - it's more like I forgot to smoke and then I didn't care anymore. One of the reasons I think vaping is more successful in smoking cessation is that it's fun. Yes, fun! (Which, of course, it's not supposed to be, because smokers are bad people and should be punished and other people might want to try it.)

Trying to quit smoking is hard work. Smoking is always in the forefront of your mind - whether it's using willpower to fight the cravings, or building yourself up by focusing on how many cigarettes you haven't smoked or how long you have been smoke-free. Vaping is not hard. It tastes better than burnt tobacco and makes pretty plumes. It also has lots of toys that you get to try (and fiddle with when they don't work) that addresses the need for novelty which is a part of having an addictive personality. Oh yeah, it also satisfies the craving for nicotine.

Rawr
leopard-334.gif
 

mkbilbo

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Mar 4, 2013
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www.thesmilingwolf.com
I am so proud of all of you for quitting cold turkey, and weaning yourself down.

Actually, the weirdest part is how many stories--mine included--are more "quit accidentally". This past Saturday, I was a two pack a day smoker. Sunday, I go to the Walgreens to get a new carton. I see the new Blu display they had and I'd seen the commercials (cynically thinking, yeah right, new gadget, new fad, big whoop). Saw the disposable and it was ten bucks. What the heck right? Get one with the carton of cigs. Fiddle and twiddle with the funny toy on the way home. First couple of attempts at taking a drag didn't go so well. But eventually fumbled into a way that worked and liked the taste. Get home, put the carton in the cabinet, get distracted by I forget what, end up at the computer dealing with a website I built for an artist friend of mine, realize that night I had forgotten to smoke.

Forgot.

I'm mean, I'm still... a little weirded out by the idea.

By Monday, I'm down to no more than three cigarettes in a day. Stunned, went and nabbed the "starter kit". By Wednesday, I'm taking the unopened carton back to Walgreens to exchange for cartridges for the Blu. Told the cashier, "Apparently I'm quitting smoking". Actually said it that way. :)

I've done "cold turkey". It's awful. I managed almost a year once having quit that way. Then did the "oh just one won't hurt" stupidity.

Done the gum, the patches, you name it. This is... something all together different... I would never have believed I could cut back so suddenly so easily. I mean, two packs to just three cigs?

(And I think the reason those last three are hanging around is Blu's nicotine level is too low for me and I need a... full dose?... sometimes, especially in the morning. And, also, the Battery of the Random Charge Level. <eye roll> Fortunately, folks around here clued me into a vapor shop not far from me. I don't wanna order from Blu. I'd rather start gradually replacing them.)
 
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