That's the part that I've still not had much success with. Currently I'm vaping strong nicotine infrequently instead of the previous weak nicotine frequently, so I'm getting about the same nicotine dose per day without inhaling so much VG and PG, but I'm still sorely missing the habit of drawing away all day ad lib, and I'm finding it hard to fight the craving for more nicotine.
Just be patient and keep trying. I smoked a lot - Marlboros and was a bigtime chain smoker. I was going through 2 to 4 packs of Marlboro reds that I had to move to the 100s. I decided I wanted to quit when I learned about vaping. I had never attempted to quit before. I'm the type of person that generally succeeds at stuff and just knew I'd be miserable if I could not smoke so I had not even attempted it.
I know the masses generally preach about using higher nicotine less frequently. That strategy did not and does not work for me. I've said it before that I'd get nic sick before I would smoke or even vape less. At that point in time, I had what I would call a very strong "hand-to-mouth" habit so I understand the desire to always "smoke" something. Vaping can satisfy that. So maybe this info will help you out a bit.
I started on store-bought stuff - Vuse - which was very high nic (close to 50) and I really did not like it but I was determined. I went through 4 to 5 of those cartridge filter things per day and it was costing me more than regular cigs. And a few times I actually felt a bit nauseated.
After a short time, I moved to ego-like devices with small tanks that you refill and I was still at very high nic but it was different equipment. I was using 48mg e juice. I was actually still not that satisfied because I had to really suck to get anything. It was a very tight draw. But I stuck with it and then I moved to the Johnson Creek Vea and used their equipment for over a year. Still high nic but I had stepped down to 36 and then 24mg of nic. I did in steps. I'd buy high % and a lower percentage and mix and step down super slowly. I did not go from 36 to 24 for example. I went 36, 34, 30 etc.....
Through all of that high nic, lower nic and all - I vaped with a very high frequency. I was always vaping. Got up to go the restroom --vaped. Opened my eyes - vaped. I smoked from when I was 10 years old so it was a way of life for me.
I lurked here for awhile and signed up and asked for some advice.
Finally, after reading about all these folks who successfully quit and were satisfied, truly satisfied, I knew there has to be a better way. I was very proud of myself that I had not smoked but I still was not 100% satisfied.
And then I bought my first "real" mod -- a Kanger box with a nano subtank. What a difference! I felt satisfied. I used mostly a .5 coil and kept the airflow way open and used about 17-20 watts of power. Believe it or not, I am now not that far off from that now all these years later. I finally found something that truly worked for me. I knew from reading on the forum that I needed to use a lower nicotine content so I was using 12 mg of nicotine when I started on the mod and the folks on this forum strongly suggested I go to 6 and I did but again slowly.
I think my journey would have been so much easier in the beginning if I would have just used a real mod but I did not know that much about it and was apprehensive.
I've upgraded my equipment a few times -- nothing super duper fancy but I use a tank and a box mod and build my coils instead of using the drop in ones and am a bit more adventurous in the types of coils I use.
I'm down to between 2 and 3mg of nicotine BUT I vape a lot so, of course, I am still getting a good amount of nicotine overall. It is just my nature and who I am. The way that I look at it is that I gave up cigs --- a HUGE accomplishment. I gave up something that had hundreds of ingredients and now use something that has way under 10 so who cares if I am still getting a decent amount of nic in my body. I don't.
Also, as the years have gone on I usually do not open my eyes and vape and usually I do not grab my vape if I get up during the night. I can have dinner with friends and not feel the immediate need to run outside and vape. I can visit a friend overnight and not have to vape. Although I vape frequently still it is not as much as it once was and I no longer feel the same crazy pull to have it every second. (Proof as I have said before that there is so much other sh** in analogs to keep you addicted)
So..................if you feel better vaping more often at a lower level of nic I do not really see the downside if it helps you avoid an analog cigarette.
I think that probably the biggest reason that some folks have a hard time transitioning to vaping is that they are not satisfied so you have to find the right equipment and right level (and right flavor) to satisfy you.
I despise when people say, "If I can do it - you can". I will say that I was very hardcore and if folks that knew me who were in my circle had to bet who was the one person that would never stop smoking they would have all picked me.
So keep trying and good luck in your journey.
