Ex Smoker - should I start vaping?

[bepto]

Hi, Very Interesting & informative forum which I happened upon whilst looking for alternatives to smoking for my wife. She has now started using a cheapo rechargeable e-cig she got from a friend and after 30+ years of smoking no longer uses tobacco (hurrah for her).

My query is more for myself. As an ex smoker (over 12 years smoke free) I have been thinking more increasingly about the possibility of me taking up vaping. Reading the forums and browsing online suppliers I am quite amazed at all the great sounding varieties of liquids out there and it started me thinking.

My problem is, as a truck driver I spend long hours behind the wheel and whether its due to boredom or pure greed, I find myself reaching for things to eat all the time. Sweets, crisps, cakes, sandwiches and the like. Sometimes I will open a family bag of sweets and before I know it I finished the lot.

So before my weight balloons totally out of control (I'm already verging on morbidly obese) I thought it might be a good idea to replace the snacks with some nice flavored e-liquids (strictly zero nic, I don't want to get hooked on that stuff again).

Plus, what about vaping whilst driving? bad idea? illegal?

All opinions greatly appreciated.

 

[moijamie]

You can try vaping but isnt chewing gum a better idea you wont finish a piece of gum and you dont get fat from it.

 

[angeldreams]

Hi there,

I can honestly say I wish someone had pointed me to vaping 3 yrs ago.

I had been a smoker for 20 yrs when I first quit and stayed quit for 10 yrs, then life slapped me in the face in a really nasty way. I ended up back around smokers, the stress level was out of control and the smokes were right there. I truly believe that if someone had been vaping around me then I would have gone that route instead of back to smoking.

I also know I tend to eat less when I vape than when I wasn't, but on the other hand, I tried to get my sis to start vaping and she said whatever flavor I got her to try just made her want to actually eat the food.

My best advice would be if you really think you want to try it and see if it would help you, stop in at a local store than has a tasting area and speak with them to make sure the tasting juice is nic free and see how it makes you feel before spending the money on a setup.

 

[Dakota Jim]

Hi there,

I can honestly say I wish someone had pointed me to vaping 3 yrs ago.

I had been a smoker for 20 yrs when I first quit and stayed quit for 10 yrs, then life slapped me in the face in a really nasty way. I ended up back around smokers, the stress level was out of control and the smokes were right there. I truly believe that if someone had been vaping around me then I would have gone that route instead of back to smoking.

I also know I tend to eat less when I vape than when I wasn't, but on the other hand, I tried to get my sis to start vaping and she said whatever flavor I got her to try just made her want to actually eat the food.

My best advice would be if you really think you want to try it and see if it would help you, stop in at a local store than has a tasting area and speak with them to make sure the tasting juice is nic free and see how it makes you feel before spending the money on a setup.

It is best not to start if you are an exsmoker but angeldreams advice above is valid if you want to try it (making sure you are doing 0 nic - DIY is very easy with no nic and inexpensive) being a truck driver (you didn't mention if you are OTR) here is a good site for locating stores (look for the ones that say Brick and Mortar) by just clicking on the state

Electric Cigarette | Eliquid | Supplies | Electronic Cigarette | Ejuice | Vapor Search USA

 

[Leoleoleo]

After 5 months vaping I do not weigh less. Hope this helps with your decision.

 

[UncleChimney]

After 5 months vaping I do not weigh less. Hope this helps with your decision.

I see your premise, but at the same time, every time that I had quit in the past I averaged 10lbs of weight gain a month (lol, thankfully I never made it past 3 months). This time around my weight has stayed the exact same, and I'm sure my cholesterol and blood pressure are better.

So to the OP, I definitely would at least look into and see if it's something that will give you a healthier future.

 

[hvac999]

Vaping will keep you from over eating. It has helped me immensely. I have lost weight due to vaping.

 

[gthompson]

I wouldn't recommend it, but if you decide to do so, at least vape 0 nic.

 

[benjabin]

since u are no longer reliant on nicotine if you want to vape go get some 0mg e juice and if u find u are lacking a thumb in your throat try adding some menthol crystals or smoke a menthol juice as a substitute for throat hit. Mr e liquid has a line of 'ice' juices where it is a combiation of a certain flavor or flavors while having the menthol effect

 

[woofpuppy]

I quit smoking with the patch in 2001, but it was for health reasons, not because I wanted to quit smoking. I enjoyed smoking and hated to give it up. I'd still buy a pack once a year...very rare instances I would smoke about half a cigarette. I learned about vaping and got right on it. I ordered a V2 cig-alike and zero nicotine juices, and got to enjoy 'smoking' again. By that I mean going through the motions, which I greatly missed. I did eventually start using low levels of nicotine, but that was a very conscious choice after some internal debate. If you're happy as a non-smoker, then why vape? If you still crave, then it's a mental addiction because the nicotine is long gone from your boday and maybe zero nicotine juices would work for you. One of my rationales for vaping was what you mentioned, to help me get over cravings for sweets and lose weight. I have lost no weight after 2 years. Vaping did not fill that void, at least for me. So think hard about it. Vaping costs money. Do you want to spend your fun money on vaping, or is there something else you'd rather do with it?

 

[SirSteve]

I guess vaping would be better than constantly eating, and you stated it would be zero nic. I would hate to see you get addicted to nicotine again. But I would hate for you to continue to gain weight and put your health at risk that way also. In your situation vaping may be the lesser of the two evils, only you can decide what is right for you.

 

[lissa5168]

I was in the same boat as you, OP. I had quit smoking almost 4 years before I heard of vaping, however I still had cravings for cigarettes. Occasionally during really weak moments or high stress I would have a few. I started thinking about e-cigs, did a little research, landed here, and discovered Nirvana. 0mg vaping has been a lifesaver for me. It satisfies the hand-to-mouth and psychological habits I missed from smoking AND comes in yummy flavors. (Which, for me, keeps me from eating them!)

Everyone is different and I wouldn't encourage anyone to use vaping as a diet plan. BUT, if you snack because you need something to replace the cigarettes you gave up, it may help guard against future weight gain. It will not, however, help you lose.

 

[bepto]

You can try vaping but isnt chewing gum a better idea you wont finish a piece of gum and you dont get fat from it.

Tried Gum, Just gives me a sore jaw after a while and has pulled one of my fillings out lol. Been sat here messing on the computer for a few hours on a day off and keep going into the kitchen to see whats available to chew on and had lot of calorific rubbish already today.

I have been doing quite well on a low carb diet but get tempted by sweet things way too easily and guess I'm looking for something else to keep my hands and mouth occupied.

Those who haven't lost weight whilst vaping, have you been eating healthily /less food or just relying on vaping cos that will never work. I can for the most part stick to my diet and have been slowly losing a little weight but know I could do better without all the sweet stuff I get through at work when I'm bored.

I deffo would not consider any level of nicotine, don't need that anymore but somehow think vaping might be the answer I have been looking for.

Any ideas on a starter kit and source for 0 nic juices?

 

[Patrick O'Brien]

You know, I have quit smoking a few times. The last episode lasted 6 months and I wasnt all that happy. Actually, people said I was short tempered, and somewhat mean. I noticed I sped when driving and often got into road rage incidents with other drivers. I work in social work and being ...... doesnt help my cause, so I tried to smoke again, but I HATED it. My clean body felt like I had dumped an ashtray into my mouth. I realized it was no longer an option for me, so I discovered vaping (blu pack to Ego/tank system in 2 weeks). I couldnt be more thrilled. I still feel healthy and energized, but I am SO much nicer. Its my personal thing, a time to retreat and feed my obvious oral fixation, but not ingesting all those 4000 toxins in analog cigs. If you want to pick up vaping, because you miss the nice nicotine fix and personal joy puffing on something used to bring to you, then give it a go. Its not like you are signing your soul away, and you can always quit again if you want. I like having a personal hobby and vaping is a hobby, because it is fun getting into it and trying all the juices and delivery systems. I say, do what you want and dont look at it as a failure or you giving up your 12 years of being analog free.

The whole hand to mouth thing vaping provides helps many avoid over eating and snacking. I dont know how people gain weight when vaping, unless they are huffing down food all day. Ive lost a few lbs vaping because I dont snack at night anymore, like I did when I quit smoking. They have many 0 nic juices too if that is what you want to do.

I would pick up a totally wicked (us store online) and get a tornado pass-through C battery. This allows you to plug it in and you can vape while it charges. A lot of batteries dont let you vape when they charge, and they charge for 4-6 hours. If your in your truck, you can plug it in to a USB port via power outlet or lighter outlet, and vape away. I like mini vivi nova tanks as you can clean them when you need to change juice or they get gunked up. http://www.totallywicked-eliquid.co...nado-ego-c-1000mah-passthrough-2-product.html

 

[Patrick O'Brien]

Oh and you can drive and vape, I do it non-stop and now when people cut me off, I am too busy enjoying myself to get all worked up and angry.

 

[3mg Meniere]

Mt. Baker Vapor has 0mg Nic, as well as a bunch of other vendors. I live along an interstate corridor, and the variety of e-cigs the truck stops carry must be an indicator of how popular it is among truck drivers. Managing the residues of the smoking habit, plus trying to lose weight, plus many long boring hours at the wheel, plus lack of exercise has got to be tough. You have probably been using food to satisfy the hand-to mouth habit. I say yes, try vaping. Every time you want a snack, vape instead, until the desire to snack goes away. But you also need your exercise.

 

[El_tecolote]

Of course the decision is entirely yours. If you do try vaping, start with 0mg nicotine. The ritual of vaping, the taste of juices, and the "busy" hand-to-mouth movements will all probably aid in curbing your appetite. Good luck!

 

[DevastationWagon]

My best advice would be if you really think you want to try it and see if it would help you, stop in at a local store than has a tasting area and speak with them to make sure the tasting juice is nic free and see how it makes you feel before spending the money on a setup.

This is great advice and will save you a lot of time and money. You can test juices before buying, check out different delivery systems, and hopefully get some good advice to steer you in the right direction.

 

[bnrkwest]

I think vaping is a good choice compared to over eating. Vaping has helped me keep eating under control and I love to eat LOL Zero nic and a good set up with long battery life and a car charger would work for you I think. bnrk

 

[mkbilbo]

Hi, Very Interesting & informative forum which I happened upon whilst looking for alternatives to smoking for my wife. She has now started using a cheapo rechargeable e-cig she got from a friend and after 30+ years of smoking no longer uses tobacco (hurrah for her).

My query is more for myself. As an ex smoker (over 12 years smoke free) I have been thinking more increasingly about the possibility of me taking up vaping. Reading the forums and browsing online suppliers I am quite amazed at all the great sounding varieties of liquids out there and it started me thinking.

My problem is, as a truck driver I spend long hours behind the wheel and whether its due to boredom or pure greed, I find myself reaching for things to eat all the time. Sweets, crisps, cakes, sandwiches and the like. Sometimes I will open a family bag of sweets and before I know it I finished the lot.

So before my weight balloons totally out of control (I'm already verging on morbidly obese) I thought it might be a good idea to replace the snacks with some nice flavored e-liquids (strictly zero nic, I don't want to get hooked on that stuff again).

Well... since you escaped, I'm a little leery. I mean, you kicked nicotine--something I may never do--wouldn't want you to go back. On the other hand, the situation you describe sounds like a classic one where somebody could fall back into smoking. So you may be on the right track here with doing zero nic vaping. I had a lot of habits built up myself (and am a serious "creature of habit" type). That's probably why vaping works so well for me. It's enough like smoking it fits well into those habits.

And, also, obesity is a killer. Maybe not as much as smoking but not all that far behind really. That's kind of a "rock and a hard place" thing going there. May be 0 nic vaping is worth a try. You can get some really tasty flavors out there. I love anything blueberry and this morning am vaping a blueberry cinnamon crumble flavor. Very much like a dessert. One of those really great, rich, heavy restaurant desserts you can't have very often but is so good. Can't vape this one all day but it's one of my morning, higher nicotine "get started" juices.

(Had to set up some different levels of nicotine. Found that I needed higher in the morning to deal with that "first cig of the day" thing then drop down to lower levels as the day progressed unless I liked getting the "jitters" )

Plus, what about vaping whilst driving? bad idea? illegal?

All opinions greatly appreciated.

I vape while driving all the time. And use a kit similar to this one.. It's no worse than smoking while driving and often better in terms of being less distracting. You don't have to "light" an e-cig. That was always the time I was most likely to take my eyes off the road, lighting up. E-cigs, you don't do that.

You'd probably want extra clearos and fill them before you hit the road. And there are charge adapters for cig lighters. (Also, "pass throughs" that run off the cig lighter power and don't drain a battery at all. But they have a cord so that may not work for you.)

I'd hazard that trying to fill a clearo while driving would be taking a lot of risk but getting set up before you go would deal with that. You could even buy and charge up extra batteries and not have to switch clearos as often.

Far as illegal to vape and drive, I've never heard of that happening anywhere. Heard of countries that have banned e-cigs in general but not anybody that's banned vaping and driving. We do have a UK section here, you could check with the folks over there what the legal situation is.