Day Two

[Heavy Smoker]

Hi ECF members!

I'm new to vaping -- just started yesterday with an eGo starter sets I bought about a year ago with the intention of starting when I was ready. Yesterday I felt ready after a serious hacking jag in the morning. I'm a real heavy smoker (3 pack-a-day Marlboro Reds smoker for 39 years, started at 16, never tried to quit). Although I've got no authenticated health problems, my morning cough and shortness of breath are sure signs of worse things to come if I don't quit.

So after two Marlboro's in the morning I started vaping, found this site, and didn't stop vaping until I left the house at around 5pm, where I realized that the battery was dead. So I smoked four Marlboro's before getting back home to get the recharged second battery. Then vaped the rest of the day without a smoke.

Today I started with chain vaping until 2pm, where I was at a party and was too uncomfortable to vape. A smoking buddy and I ended up on the balcony and I felt the peer pressure (can you believe it? I'm 55!) to smoke with him. Actually three cigarettes. But when I left the party I was actually looking forward to vaping as I walked out on the street which is usually where I light up immediatel). I googled the nearest vape store and picked up a new atomizer (or whatever they're called), a third battery, and some more juice. I expect to vape the rest of the day and that feels great. I'm actually shocked how much I enjoy it.

Certainly there will be many tough days ahead and I don't expect these first two days will be typical, but for right now I'm extremely satisfied with vaping and see it as a really enjoyable way to quit the coffin nails.

Any tips on "coming out" as a vaper and dealing with "peer pressure" is most appreciated, especially from former analog smokers.

 

[Robert Cromwell]

Peer pressure from smokers? Just vape and smile eventually they may figure they are missing out on something and try it.

 

[leftyandsparky]

Just keep doing what your doing and don't worry about others good luck from a former smoker to another!

 

[Heybilox]

Hang in there buds, quitting is very doable with vaping. Have a backup for your backup and enjoy.

 

[Robert Cromwell]

Yep my 1 year no cigs vapeversary is this next weekend. Vape got me off of a 40 year 1+ pack a day smoking habit.
And there are very few vapers around where I am.

 

[curiousJan]

Arm yourself with a bit of knowledge about harm reduction and the safety of ecigs. You'll probably encounter some people who've bought into the "they contain antifreeze", "they'll give you popcorn lung", and the like. Britain's public health department recently released findings that "ecigs are 95% safer than cigarettes." For the popcorn lung aspect, avoid buttery flavored niquids if you are concerned (not everyone is.) The antifreeze claim related to propylene glycol (PG) which was used to replace ethylene glycol as a safer alternative for children and pets. PG is added to hospital ventilation systems because it is an anti-germicide and is used in theater fog machines. It was first studied in the 50s by NASA for use in the space program.

CASAA is a good source for information.

Sounds like you're off to a great start. Happy Vaping!

 

[Robert Cromwell]

When I get the old anitfreeze line I just tell em it keeps me warm in the winter.

 

[leftyandsparky]

When I get the old anitfreeze line I just tell em it keeps me warm in the winter.

And it's such a pretty shade of green!

 

[ian91]

I smoked for 50 years and was at 2+ packs a day when I quit over 2 years ago. I made myself a 1 month plan to slowly quit. I left the first smoke in the morning until the end of the month as that was the hardest one for me. Once I stopped, I never went back and now I never even think about smoking. Just make sure that you have a lot of backups and take them with you. You can get a lot of good support from this site. Good luck.

 

[mcol]

I was 2-3 packs a day for 29 years. I'm almost 3 years smoke free. My advice is don't worry about the ones you're smoking at this point, instead pat yourself on the back for the ones you aren't smoking! And yes lots of backup batts etc. Good luck!

 

[Ablonz]

Just a short message for now. Don't beat yourself up if you actually have a smoke or two. It's the ones you do not smoke that count. I'll chime in later 2 as I have class soon.

 

[Just Me]

We're so happy for you, Heavy Smoker! You just keep on vaping and don't let your "peers" intimidate you. When you experience what a miracle it really is and get more comfortable with it yourself, I don't think other people's opinions will bother you any more.

Hey, I smoked about 45 years, around 2 PAD the last decades. Nothing ever worked for me except vaping. Haven't had a smoke in 2 1/2 years now! Keep on vaping!

 

[Heavy Smoker]

Thanks already for so many encouraging replies and likes. Excellent advice and fantastic experiences. Most appreciated!

 

[suprtrkr]

You're on the right track. Keep up the good work.

 

[Sugar_and_Spice]

Welcome. Sounds like you are doing just fine. I too was a very heavy smoker and ecigs gave me back my life. And I am so grateful. Its been over 5 years for me since I put those stinkies down and I have never looked back. Peer pressure? Nah, they just don't know what they are missing. Whenever you feel the need be sure to come to ecf where you will find loads of support in your journey.
Others have already posted about current concerns the media is using as scare tactics and another poster suggested CAASA. Loads of accurate info is out there, you just need to try to educate yourself as best you can and decide for yourself.
Don't be a stranger to ecf. Always open here 24/7.
And congrats on making the switch. You will find that vaping is so much better than smoking ever was. And a lot more fun.

 

[RoseJ]

Hi there, and welcome! I'm new to ECF too, but I've been casually vaping for a year or so. Just recently though I've become much more serious about it.

I have a similar problem, in that I don't like to vape in public. People in small-town Florida understand cigarettes, but pull out an e-cig, and they'll probably think I'm doing drugs or something.

I don't have any answers though. I'll use mine around close friends and of course at home and in the car, but that's it. I went to a New Year party recently, and did my vaping skulking in the bathroom. LOL!

 

[Ablonz]

You already got some good advise here since I was last here. As far as peer pressure from the smokers, I always tell them I am on a diet and cutting back on tar and the other 4000+ chemicals in cigarettes. I was a smoker for 28 years @ 1.5-2 packs a day. For me, I did dual usage for 3 and a half months before I went completely to vaping. @RoseJ Be a leader and not a follower. I always love being the leader as far as that is concerned because of all the health benefits from vaping instead of smoking analogs. Poke fun at them and tell them to get with the program. "We live in the digital age now."

 

[Heavy Smoker]

I went to a New Year party recently, and did my vaping skulking in the bathroom. LOL!

Hah! I did the same in the guest bedroom!

 

[Maiar]

It took me a couple of months to want my vape more than a cigarette. I'd say you're ahead of the curve. Keep it up!

 

[Just Me]

I am more like Ablonz. The only time I hide to vape is in places where vaping isn't allowed. When I joined ECF in 2010, I may have been the first person in my town to vape. We could still smoke in most restaurants back then, and I vaped openly and proudly. Got looks and attention, sometimes questions, especially from smokers. I introduced vaping to several people who eventually quit smoking, and they have paid if forward and introduced it to others. Unfortunately, we didn't all quit in 2010, as the equipment wasn't up to par, but as it got better, I and others were able to make the leap. I really, really admire people like Sugar_and_Spice and those who were able to quit using the paltry equipment we had in the beginning.

Naturally, I advise not being crude and blowing clouds all over people, but I don't believe in hiding the fact that I vape (where it's allowed, of course).