Can I quit smoking with 12 mg?

[suziemax]

Hi! This is my first post. I am about to embark on my 3rd attempt at vaping. After spending tons of time here (thanks everyone for all the help!) I realized I needed a decent set up & decent juice.
Last week I went to my only local vape shop & they set me up with an eGo-t. (OK for now, but I've promised myself a pink Twist & purple Spinner once I quit smoking!)
I have smoked 1 PAD of Virginia Slims Ultra Lights for 20+ years. They sold me 18 mg 80/20 juice & said that is what a PAD smoker needs.
I cannot vape the stuff - at all. My ultra Lights barely have a TH - this juice sends me into a coughing spasm every time I try it. I've tried vaping it all different ways. The only way it doesn't is if I vape so little that there is nothing to exhale. I had the same issue on my last attempt w/ GreenSmoke & Blu - couldn't tolerate the regular carts - had to use the lights & ultra lights.

So I understand the next step is to find "my" ejuice. I have ordered quite a few samples & small size bottles. Hopefully they will start rolling in tomorrow. I ordered them all @ 12 mg. I also got some VG & diluted my current juice - about 2/3 juice to 1/3 VFG & it makes it vape-able, but it taste nasty.

Now I'm wondering if 12 mg will be strong enough to replace smoking? Should I also be trying to find an 18 mg I can live with - maybe 100% VG? Thank you for any guidance & assistance you can offer. I'm not giving up this time!

 

[klynnn]

I started with 12mg also but it just didn't seem to do it for me. I went to 18mg and it was to strong so I got both and mixed them half and half and it worked for me. Everyone is diff you just have to get started and try a few.

 

[theherkman]

This was one thing on my mind when I started 3 days ago. I was a PAD as well. Honestly, I have come to the conclusion that as long as you have quality equipment that closely replicates what you are used to, the nic level is not very important. I went from 16 to 10 after the first day. In a few days I will be down to 4. The nic wasn't what I was addicted to. I was addicted to the smoking. Now I have a replacement.

 

[VapRon]

You sure can quit with 12 mg. You need to find the right amout of nicotine that fits you.
You will still have withdraw symtoms from the other stuff that is in cigarets but that is by far not as bad as it sounds.
I have started with 24 and that was way to much so I went to 18. The 18 mg was also to much but more tolerable.
I changed to 12 very fast and that did it for me. At the begin I hade one liquid with 18 mg at hand for those gravings.
As time went on I changed down to 6 mg for a period with 12 mg at hand just in case.
Now it is 6 mg all the way.

Good luck on your journey

 

[mph2373]

I smoked Marlboro Lights for years. I had cut down to under 1/2 a pack a day. I tried going "light" with 6mg, but that really didn't feel satisfying. I upped it to 12, and haven't had an analog since 7/22/12. The 12mg is perfect for me, and I haven't had a craving for an analog since.

As you will see often here on this site, your mileage may vary. If you can't vape the 18, I would think that's your body's way of letting you know to ease up a bit. The good thing, at least as far as I've noticed, is that so many sample packs (from various vendors) come in 12 mg.

I would say give the 12 mg a try. It certainly won't hurt. I would say get the 12, and see if it's enough for you. If not, maybe a different juice will do the trick. I'm still basically a n00b here, so others may have better advice.

Either way, it's a good decision to try and leave the analogs behind. Just know this community is awesome, and there is always someone willing to help. Good luck!

 

[theherkman]

Just curious, how many actually went down to 0 nic after vaping?

 

[Moueix]

Maybe it's just me, but nic doesn't affect TH for me like the base mix, heat or the juice. High VG (70/30) and a very mild juice at low volts on a high res coil give me NO throat hit at all. Try a super mild flavor like honeyblu (honeysuckle and blueberries). I make my own Honey Pear @18mg and 50/50 base and the tiny bit my wife doesn't steal away is wonderful on the throat. She adores it.

Definitely stay away from tobacco, citrus, coffee and teas (except green).

Another juice you may want to try is Alice in Vapelands "A Quiet Morning". Super subtle flavor and high VG. Welcome to Ahlusion custom makes juices to your preferences, and they're REALLY awesome. Email Wlad & Alley and let them know you have an issue with throat hit, they're the Dr.'s of juice and will know what prescription to write you.

 

[suziemax]

Thanks so much everyone! I'm so glad to hear 12 works for so many - seems like I was only seeing folks talk about 18 & 24 and I sure didn't want to be setting myself up for failure. I'm not going to give up this time until I find my juice!
Thanks again!

 

[mph2373]

Just curious, how many actually went down to 0 nic after vaping?

I'm still vaping 12, but I know I've seen people discuss dropping to 0. I think it's all about what you want out of vaping. For me, it's something to replace smoking, not a way to quit nicotine. But that's a story for another thread!

 

[mph2373]

Thanks so much everyone! I'm so glad to hear 12 works for so many - seems like I was only seeing folks talk about 18 & 24 and I sure didn't want to be setting myself up for failure. I'm not going to give up this time until I find my juice!
Thanks again!

I think that's the important thing to keep in mind. Don't give up!! If you had asked me 6 months ago about quitting smoking with vaping, I would have called you a loon...

 

[Nurzrachit]

I vape 0mg on my genesis rebuildable when I just want some heavy tokin', but I still enjoy the nicotine at certain times. Morning, noon, night, weekdays, weekends, and holidays!! Whatever it takes to quit smoking, even if you can only tolerate 6mg, it will calm your cravings. Luckily you have a vape shop handy so you can do some experimentation.

 

[Caridwen]

I don't know if the mg of the nicotine has all that much to do with it. It might, might not. I have a friend who coughed regardless. I think it's the way they're inhaling. You don't have to inhale the way you do cigarettes. In fact you don't have to inhale at all really because it's absorbed in your mucous membrane linings.

Try some very low nicotine, even unflavored and practice until you are no longer coughing. Open your mouth while you inhale so your inhaling some air too. Once you get the technique down you can experiment with nicotine levels

 

[suziemax]

Thanks - I can take massive inhales of my diluted 18 down to approx 12) with no problem and the same with the cig-look a likes. Hard to believe it makes that much of a difference. but to me it does. Then again, I have never really smoked anything besides Ultra Lights. I'll just have to see how I do with the 12.

 

[Caridwen]

Thanks - I can take massive inhales of my diluted 18 down to approx 12) with no problem and the same with the cig-look a likes. Hard to believe it makes that much of a difference. but to me it does. Then again, I have never really smoked anything besides Ultra Lights. I'll just have to see how I do with the 12.

Well that's good! I didn't realize you didn't have problems with lower nicotine.

At least you know what it is. A few people have mentioned cartomizer make them cough. With others it could be the flavoring. It's a mystery sometimes.

I'm sure you should be OK with the 12, you may just vape more. I have a good friend who needed 36 mg the first two weeks and now happily vapes 6 mg without really even trying to reduce the nicotine content. He just found that's what works for him.

 

[zoiDman]

Everyone is Different.

I couldn’t quit smoking when I first got an e-Cigarette. And I started with 18mg. But I know many who said that 18mg was too strong for them.

I would suggest starting at 18mg. And if it seems to Strong, No Problem. Just by some 12mg and start over. And if 18mg isn’t strong enough.
No Problem either. Just get some 24mg and try that.

 

[zoiDman]

One other thing I would add.

Drink a Lot of Water. It helps when your Quitting Smoking and needed when you vape.

 

[suziemax]

Luckily I'm already a big water drinker since I kicked my other bad habit - Diet Coke - earlier this year!

 

[filter]

i needed 24mg to get off the cigs, but everyone's different. 18mg with high vg would probably be best for you.

 

[zoiDman]

Luckily I'm already a big water drinker since I kicked my other bad habit - Diet Coke - earlier this year!

Good for You.

Most Diet Sodas contain Aspartame. Which to Me is as Bad, or Perhaps Worse than Smoking.

 

[Thorbear]

The only important thing is finding the juice and setup that works for you. I alternate between 18 and 24 depending what I'm doing at the moment and how big my cravings are, but i also always liked a good throat hit.
Glad you are determined to find "your" juice, good luck to you