Confused and need help getting started with this

[elikorb]

I really need some help getting started with all this. I heard a commercial on the radio which caught my attention and got me to search online.

My story probably starts like most of yours.

I've been smoking since I was 16 and my exboyfriend introduced me to cigarettes, among other bad influences. His parting gift to me seems to be this horrible tobacco addiction that has me sneaking around, lying and ruining my health.

I'm a total closet smoker. Most of my family, friends and my co-workers have no idea I've ever smoked cigarettes or anything else. I'd be so embarassed if any of them saw me with a cigarette in my hand. If I don't quit that is bound to happen eventually.

I thought I had it under control when my only stresses were high school and college. Since graduation, its starting to pick up with the stresses of life and work.

I'm spending an increasing amount of time sneaking away for a cigarette throughout the day. Not to mention spending a fortune on cigarettes, perfume, deodorizers, sprays, mints and gum.

I have to stop this but I can't quit. I can only make it a few days without cigarettes before I break down and start again. I'm smoking not even half a pack a day of menthol lights but I feel hopelessly hooked. I'm only in my early twenties and I can already feel the weight and tightness of all the crud and junk in my lungs. It teriffies me to think what that will feel like after another 20 years at who knows how many packs per day. Like many of you probably have already done.

I need to be strong and break this addiction but I am too busy and overwhelmed now to do it with something always sending me running back every time I try. If I can get rid of the cigarettes now then I can work on getting rid of the nicotine later.

I'm super frustrated and at a loss over what hardware I need to get started. I can't seem to find the differences between these E501 and DSE901 kits that everyone keeps talking about. Can someone please explain what I need to buy in plain English?

I'll do just about anything to quit. I hope this works.

Thank you all so much.

 

[ChesterN]

Best place to start is to read the first two "Sticky" threads at the top of this forum. They will answer a lot of questions for you. Below are links.

frequently-asked-questions-about-electronic-cigarettes

wonderful-world-vaping-illustrated-guide-e-cigs-parts-1-through-6

 

[Raenon]

The real problem that makes it so difficult, is that people usually buy one kind of e-cig, then try another, and sometimes a third, and then have individual opinions about which one is best based on their personal preferences. It's like asking which car is better- Ford, Chevy, Toyota, etc etc.


Basically, you should probably start with a Starter Kit (I know, I'm such a huge help lol) from one of the major types:

510
m401
kr808d-1
dse901

The kr808d-1 has pluses in that it's a 2 piece unit, but that means you have to buy the more expensive cartomizers. On the other hand, this ensures you're frequently changing out your atomizers. All of the others are "3 piece" systems, with battery, atomizer, and cartridge.

Personally, I like using an m401/2 (different between 401 and 402 is battery length/lifetime) because it feels the most like an analog in my hand. The 510 is probably the next closest, and it seems to be far more popular around the board.

I would also ensure that you get extra prefilled cartridges OR extra "blank" or empty cartridges with e-liquid to refill with your first order. A basic starter kit usually only includes enough of those consumable cartridges to last for a couple of days without refilling. The kit should include your battery charger (probably usb, with a wall-to-usb adapter to go with it), maybe a case or even portable charging case, a couple of batteries, and 1-2 atomizers with a few cartridges.
I'd make sure you have at least 2 batteries, 2 atomizers and a dozen cartridges, between the kit and anything else you order on the side. If you think refilling yourself is the way to go (I like it because it's way cheaper than prefilled cartridges), most people use 1-2ml of eliquid per day, so order accordingly.
Try out a few flavors at a time too- most e-cig users don't stick with tobacco flavors exclusively, and keeping "vaping" interesting seems to be one of the best ways to switch.

You can also check out some of the classifieds to pick up gently used e-cig equipment on the cheap- I was just looking at one earlier today that matches my preferred m401 gear and probably would have picked it up already if it wasn't in white as opposed to my black batteries.
$40 shipped is a steal compared to the new prices for that.

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/classifieds-swaps/55368-fs-m401-kit.html

(please note, I'm not selling anything, and I don't even know that poster, I'm just using this as an example)

Look around at some opinions, then try to decide what you think you'll like most, then give it a shot.

 

[jenn5366]

i started with a mini, then a 801 now i have a prodigy...like previously stated depends on the strength of the vape you want most people try a few diffrent before finding what they like best

 

[Harlequin]

Your story is much like mine, minus 20 years (I'm aged 42 now). I started out as a total closet smoker, very gradually "came out" under certain circumstances, but I'd still feel terribly uncomfortable smoking (or even vaping) in front of certain people.

With the benefit of 20 years worth of hindsight, my advice is do start vaping. I really, really wish I'd had this option when I was your age. Persist, do the research, commit to it. I've been using a basic 501 starter kit from cignot.com (they're in Chicago) for the past month and painlessly quit smoking within the first week, and I didn't even intend to quit - vaping is just flat-out better than smoking, it was a no-brainer.

Given your circumstances, note that it is vastly easier to closet vape than to closet smoke (easier to conceal, no tell-tale smell, no need to hide butts/ashtrays etc.) As you know, the "game" of keeping the habit secret can itself become addictive and habitual, over time. In the short term, I would strongly recommend vaping for enjoyment, to sustain the habit under your own terms. The flavored "niquids" taste so much better than tobacco, and you'll probably start feeling the health benefits quickly.

Then, as a non-smoker, you can wean yourself down to zero nicotine vaping if you wish.

Get some spare units (batteries, chargers etc.) and I'd recommend a USB passthrough if you spend a lot of time at a computer. Even though you currently smoke menthol lights, I'd recommend experimenting with a higher nic level to start off; it's very hard to predict, but my experience was that I needed a slightly higher "dose" while making the transition from smoking to vaping. The last thing you need is to get discouraged early and convince yourself that it wont work for you.

Also, please don't feel bad if you continue to smoke a few cigarettes during the transitional phase. Many people do. IMO the "danger" is that they end up beating themselves up for "being weak" or whatever; if you don't set "all or nothing" goals, you're more likely to find that you just naturally smoke less and vape more over the first few weeks, to the point where you just swap out naturally.

 

[elikorb]

Wow, the help here was quick and fantastic. Thank you, all of you.

The success stories here have been terrific. That's much more effective than what most people say about patches and gum, which never worked for them or me either.

I'll be happy if I can get rid of the cigarettes soon then work on being completely free over time. Right now I just can't imagine spending months wanting to pull my hair out from the frustration and have it interfere with my other goals. I know that sounds so bad. My number one goal should be my health. That's why I'm here.

I hope I don't enjoy this. I enjoy smoking which is the problem. Even though I hate doing it, and what its doing to me and what it makes me do. Its a big failure on my part because I always knew better but was stupid enough to start anyway.

I hope and pray I quit in time. Before any serious irreversable damage and before anyone I knew ends up finding out. I can keep vaping secret more easily which will be my second chance to make the right choices.

So you think I should order a 501? Is that a kit or just the basic part?

I want to get everything I need to start in the first order so I don't run out before I figure out about reordering schedules.

What all has to be ordered to get started?

Sorry if I'm completely scatterbrained. My last pack ran out yesterday and I haven't had one since. I thought this time would be it...LOL. It won't be, though. I've done this like 400 times. As soon as I'm done typing this I'm going out for more. Now you can probably guess why I want my first order to be complete, and why I hope this will be the last pack I ever buy.

Thank you all for the help.

 

[Kurt]

I agree with everything said here. One thing though: its a 510, not a 501. I made the same mistake in the beginning too. I was a closet smoker too, and hated it. Somehow the closet made it even harder to quit, I think. They say guilt of a habit makes the habit much harder to quit. I'm not a closet vaper, but I am discrete and don't vape in front of just anyone. Its more of a decorum thing than worry about judgements...although explaining what this black smoking pen thing is in my hand gets really old after a while.

I also agree with Harlequin's statement about not judging yourself too harshly if you can't 100% quit analogs. The fact of the matter is nicotine is only one compound we crave from analogs. There are other alkaloids in tobacco that are addictive and psychoactive, so vaping might not be all you need to switch over. It depends on the individual, but not on their "strength of will", IMHO. Many switch 100% and never look back. But many also end up going from a pack or more a day to 1 or 2 analogs a day, which is a great improvement, for sure. Beating yourself up for not being strong enough will almost certainly ensure you do not quit 100%, especially with your closet smoking history, which is likely full of self-guilt (mine certainly was). Some people vape and also use snus or one of the tobacco lozenges available (Stonewall is one brand).

One thing for sure, I understand my cigarette habit FAR more now than I did before I started vaping. I did stop smoking entirely for several days, after being over a pack a day, but now I'm around 3-4 a day, mainly because work stress has been through the roof...and god forbid I have a brain that can't handle it effectively. Not an option in my line of work.

Vaping is not a cure-all. Its very very good, to me better than any other method for quitting smoking, but it is not always 100% effective. Best thing available, however, and for now that's good enough.

 

[Harlequin]

I hope I don't enjoy this. I enjoy smoking which is the problem. Even though I hate doing it, and what its doing to me and what it makes me do. Its a big failure on my part because I always knew better but was stupid enough to start anyway.

I hope and pray I quit in time. Before any serious irreversable damage and before anyone I knew ends up finding out. I can keep vaping secret more easily which will be my second chance to make the right choices.

I'm going to make a radical-sounding suggestion that may help you; do let yourself enjoy vaping. Even make a bit of a hobby out of it, experimenting with diferent flavors, etc.

Here's the logic:

As Kurt suggested, closeted smokers are generally caught in a guilt trap, and as I suggested earlier, we tend to deal with it by making a "game" out of the secrecy. Speaking as one who was in your shoes about twenty years ago, and who has successfully swapped into vaping a month ago, my feeling is that if you genuinely allow yourself to enjoy vaping, you'll feel a lot of that guilt float away. It's like magic; not only is vaping even more enjoyable, but its actually much, much better for your health than smoking. It's a win/win cycle.

Through having lost a lot of the guilt, and as you start to feel the health benefits and get into vaping as a hobby, you will have broken a lot of the guilt associated with closet smoking. At that point you have a whole lot more control over and awareness of the "habit" than you may have previously felt, and IMO that's a good place to begin to wean yourself off nicotine altogether, by using progressively lower nic juices.

So you think I should order a 501? Is that a kit or just the basic part?

I want to get everything I need to start in the first order so I don't run out before I figure out about reordering schedules.

What all has to be ordered to get started?

Sorry, I put you wrong with a typo; as Kurt mentioned, the brand is called 510. That refers to a particular (popular) model of PV (personal vaporiser). My wife and I are in Chicago, too, and we buy from cignot.com - they're friendly, efficient and have extremely fast delivery. They have several 510 starter kits that have everything you need. Again, I would recommend getting the USB passthrough accessory (an option in at least one of the kits, I believe) if you spend a lot of time using a computer.

 

[searcher]

The biggest problem you or most other young people might have is that you stated you like the taste of your cigerette brand. Most older folks like me smoked from addiction and probably could no longer taste the cig. The remedy is to find an ejuice flavor you really like. You will get a nicotine shot from the e-cig that will calm the desire. Take a look at strictly and you will see many flavors. They also have the L2 510 at a good price. If you get your juice there or somewhere else, try to get several sample bottles to find one you like (be warned that sometimes the flavor on the bottle is far removed from what it actually tastes like). The thing is "You can do this" and we all hope that your life will be greatly improved for it.

 

[butchrobotpope]

Wow, that's a lot of wisdom in a short thread! I'd suggest jumping in, feet first, elikorb. Get a starter kit, some e-juice and experiment. I did a couple of weeks worth of reading and research online before I jumped in. Don't expect to fully grok it until you've done it though.

It is better than smoking, no contest. Good luck!

 

[WonderfulMe]

I started when I was twelve, and now in college I know what you mean about not being able to quit. With my e-cig I am down to 1 cig a day, sometimes none at all. Here is a great guide to the 510, hope it helps. This is about nhaler's 510, but applies to all 510s (I do recommend nhaler though )
http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...ve-ten-nhaler-personal-illustrated-guide.html

 

[thewomenfolk]

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I'd get the Cignot JOYE 510 kit for $62. You get two complete 'manual' e-cigs with a Passthrough and 2 bottles of juice and free shipping. You can't beat that deal with a stick! Be sure to get the 'manual' with the button and you'll get a powerful little e-cig with great throat hit and vapor. The coupon code for free shipping is right there on the page you're ordering on, just look for it.

Do not make the mistake of buying an 'automatic' ecig....I find them unreliable as far as vapor goes and just not powerful enough. The manual 901 is a fine device, but I like the 510 better, and very dependable.

After you've learned to use the 510, then you can learn here all about the 'Mods', devices you can buy cheap rechargeable batteries for and that are very powerful (long-lasting batteries and great vapor output). Then you can keep your 510's for back-ups.

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[Kurt]

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I'd get the Cignot JOYE 510 kit for $62. You get two complete 'manual' e-cigs with a Passthrough and 2 bottles of juice and free shipping. You can't beat that deal with a stick! Be sure to get the 'manual' with the button and you'll get a powerful little e-cig with great throat hit and vapor. The coupon code for free shipping is right there on the page you're ordering on, just look for it.

Do not make the mistake of buying an 'automatic' ecig....I find them unreliable as far as vapor goes and just not powerful enough. The manual 901 is a fine device, but I like the 510 better, and very dependable.

After you've learned to use the 510, then you can learn here all about the 'Mods', devices you can buy cheap rechargeable batteries for and that are very powerful (long-lasting batteries and great vapor output). Then you can keep your 510's for back-ups.

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That really is a good deal! I've not dealt with cignot, but they have a big following here.

It really is best to read a lot before buying, but realize even with reading a lot before hand, the bulk of the learning will come after you get the PV and play around with it for a while. I'm 3 months into this world, and still learning lots of new things. Even the mighty 510 has its pitfalls, most of which are solved only through experience. Do not expect the perfect vaping experience right away...but that's why we are here! Have fun!

 

[IBossJekler]

Seriously, if your not a huge smoker go with the KR808 or "Vaporking", they are the same thing. Much less maintenance then a 510. You pop on a cartrige and go. The 510 needs a little bit of experience. Go to Vapor4life.com and grab a starter kit and a small bottle or two of some juice that sound good. Don't over think it it's a very small initial investment.

 

[mwahle1]

I agree with IBossJekler; grab yourself a 2 piece model it is much more convenient. Furthermore, try to LOVE vaping, if you like vaping more than smoking it makes quitting smoking that much easier. Good luck!