Grrr..Can't stop smoking-what am I doing wrong??

[dahl65]

Thank you everyone This really is the best forum in the world!! I feel soo much better than I did when I first posted my vent an hour ago. I thinks it totally cool that so many people take time out of their lives to give advice and words of encouragement to a total stranger.

 

[jplanet]

I am only two weeks into vaping, and also have trouble with shaking that one morning cigarette. As others have said, why beat yourself up over one lousy cigarette - I would consider 1 cig a day a non-smoker!

I have to question the idea of drastically upping nic levels just to get rid of that one last cig, which I have seen mentioned quite a lot as a solution. I could see if someone had several cigs throughout the day, and they just weren't getting their fix - I think the problem with vaping is that nicotine is absorbed slower, so you don't get that instant fix no matter how high the nic level is.

I have a feeling that replacing that one cig, at least for me, will come down to changing my morning routine somewhat. Now, I start my day at the computer checking email with my coffee and that first cig is indispensable. Maybe if I try vaping a bit, then quickly getting into the shower or doing some exercise...then by that time maybe I will have absorbed the nicotine from vaping and would be distracted away from needing that morning fix...

 

[ChloeEranu]

I have a super long story, but I'll try to shorten it!

I tried to quit smoking using Chantix. I chose to go a route that required me to speak with a counselor because then the Rx would only cost me $25. When I discussed my intense cravings with said counselor, he suggested i try something super strong - cinnamon candy - instead of the minty candies I was currently using (I was a menthol smoker). It helped, even though I wasn't smoke free for long.

When I started with my PV, I forgot this advice and continued my 1 a day morning smoke until I ordered my Cinnabomb. It's only been a few days, and I still don't have the nerve to trash my 2 packs that I have now, but I think it's working. Maybe it could work for you?

~C

Note: I am in no way saying that Cinnabomb is the perfect cinnamon. In fact I plan to try other vendors just to see which one I prefer. But it was my personal turning point.

 

[mlinky]

What everyone else has already said...just don't worry about it too much. I bet you find whatever you need to give up that last cig, but if you don't, one cigarette per day beats the heck out of 40.

 

[RandomMusing]

While I cant give you any advice to how you can cut out that one morning cigarette (I would have said try menthol or higher nic but you seem to have that covered) I will say and this is JMO but.. Your being way too hard on yourself. Your in no way a failure. Your saying that you smoked 2 packs a day for 35 YEARS and you are down to a SINGLE cig a day???? That's freaking AWESOME!

I completely agree!
I'm on my 2nd week of vaping and I too am having a hard time not having my morning cig. What I've been doing though (because I don't want to buy a new pack) is smoking half a cig and saving the other half for the next morning. I still have one pack left from before I started vaping. The fact that I've spent NO money (1 pack a day smoker) for two weeks is amazing!

One analog a day is not failing, just think of all the money you're saving. Going from 40 analogs a day down to 1 a day!!! That's not a failure at all.

 

[dahl65]

I am only two weeks into vaping, and also have trouble with shaking that one morning cigarette. As others have said, why beat yourself up over one lousy cigarette - I would consider 1 cig a day a non-smoker!

I have to question the idea of drastically upping nic levels just to get rid of that one last cig, which I have seen mentioned quite a lot as a solution. I could see if someone had several cigs throughout the day, and they just weren't getting their fix - I think the problem with vaping is that nicotine is absorbed slower, so you don't get that instant fix no matter how high the nic level is.

I have a feeling that replacing that one cig, at least for me, will come down to changing my morning routine somewhat. Now, I start my day at the computer checking email with my coffee and that first cig is indispensable. Maybe if I try vaping a bit, then quickly getting into the shower or doing some exercise...then by that time maybe I will have absorbed the nicotine from vaping and would be distracted away from needing that morning fix...

I feel your pain. lol I agree with everyone's thoughts on changing up the routine.
I am like you and not sure higher nic would work for me... I usually use between 24-30mg during the day, and I am too much of a chicken to bump up to 36mg.
My morning routine is to wake up, run over anyone who gets in my way in order to go the front door and have my cigarette.
I am going to try taking my PV to bed with me and vape as soon as I wake up--something I have never tried before.
You have only been vaping for a few weeks and it's great that you have cut down as much as you have. Congrats!! Two weeks into vaping and I was still smoking a pack a day, so you are already far ahead of were I was

 

[No Brag]

Hey Dahl65,
Glad you're here, The reason I am glad is that it just proves that I am not the only one who couldn't get rid of that one smoke in the morning. The rest of the day was just fine with vaping, but I had to start with that first smoke to get the day going. What I finally did to get past this was to pick a day that I didn't have anything planed. It was a Saturday, and nothing was planned and no one was supposed to come by. I figured that I was going to try everything everyone on ECF had told me if I had to. The day started off like normal and I headed out to my shop to be by myself. I won't lie to you, I had to force myself to pickup my PV to start with and force myself to vape. It really wasn't that bad. I remember wondering why I had thought I needed that first smoke. This was doing the same thing for me. That was 2 1/2 months ago. I have since tried to smoke 2 times and threw both of those cigarettes away before they were half gone. They tasted terrible. I guess what I am saying is that I had to force myself a little. That is what it took for me, but thats not saying it is what you need. Only you can decide what is right for you. Just remember you are not alone. So many people answered your thread just because they also know exactly what you are going thru. Good luck and let us know when it happens.

 

[Rhapsodies Fire]

I would just like to add that I still have two 1/2 packs of cigarettes running around here. I stashed them, but they're here in case I need them. I know the logic seems flawed, but it worked for me and my fear of not having the "net". I used the same logic when I quit drugs 17 years ago. Carried my stuff with me for a couple of months...then when I didn't feel like I need that junk around, I disposed of it. So as much as I feel like an ... for saying this, maybe you should keep your analogs, just keep them out of sight and not handy. Keep your PV close and handy instead. Just a suggestion.

 

[Dee74]

Although I did quit the first day with no intention of quitting, that first cig of the day thing got me for weeks. What worked for me was the first cart of the day was higher nic with my coffee and when that one was gone dropped back to what ever level my normal was at the time. Then the other chemical withdrawals started and I would use 1 higher nic cart then I would be over it. Now I rarely have those days. And last night guess what I found in the freezer 2 cartons and 3 loose packs and I did not even flinch, felt great to close the door and walk away. You will get there when you are ready great job so far you go girl!

 

[Hrtbrkr1965]

Hey congrats on the massive progress you have made so far! You will get there!
My buddy was having a similar problem! I seen some advice on this forum and passed it on to him!
It's your house and you make the rules! The rules he made is no smoking in the house! Leave the smokes in the car and if he want's to smoke a cig get dressed enough to go outside, get the smokes from the car and smoke it, when finished put the smokes in the car, or reach over and grab that PV and Vape in the house! Of course cold crappy weather makes this 1 work slightly better but still the inconvenience of it seemed to do the trick!
A trick I used to use from people who bummed cig's from me at work was open the pack, let em sit in the dash of the hot car all day drying out! Then when anyone asked me for a smoke that's what I would give them! They tasted so bad they quit asking! LOL
I guess what i'm suggesting is make that last cigarette suck so it won't be something you look forward to!!

 

[SecondChance]

Thank you everyone This really is the best forum in the world!! I feel soo much better than I did when I first posted my vent an hour ago. I thinks it totally cool that so many people take time out of their lives to give advice and words of encouragement to a total stranger.

This really is a Great place, I have received much help here myself. I will simply second all the comments already made here, and add that change of routine is supposed to help, i.e. if you get up, get coffee. light a cig.. then change the order, wash face, brush teeth, then get coffee. etc.. you get the idea, some say it helps. Best of Luck, you will get there in time.

 

[Stosh]

Thank you everyone This really is the best forum in the world!! I feel soo much better than I did when I first posted my vent an hour ago. I thinks it totally cool that so many people take time out of their lives to give advice and words of encouragement to a total stranger.

No strangers here, just vapers, and ex or soon to be ex-smokers!!

I beat the morning smoke by jumping in the shower before my eyes were open,
then vaping like crazy with my first cup of coffee. YMMV, hang in there.

 

[dahl65]

I have a super long story, but I'll try to shorten it!

I tried to quit smoking using Chantix. I chose to go a route that required me to speak with a counselor because then the Rx would only cost me $25. When I discussed my intense cravings with said counselor, he suggested i try something super strong - cinnamon candy - instead of the minty candies I was currently using (I was a menthol smoker). It helped, even though I wasn't smoke free for long.

When I started with my PV, I forgot this advice and continued my 1 a day morning smoke until I ordered my Cinnabomb. It's only been a few days, and I still don't have the nerve to trash my 2 packs that I have now, but I think it's working. Maybe it could work for you?

~C

Note: I am in no way saying that Cinnabomb is the perfect cinnamon. In fact I plan to try other vendors just to see which one I prefer. But it was my personal turning point.

Congrats on finding your perfect juice and for beating that AM cigarette My favorite juice right now is Butterscotch Cookie from Pure Vapes. I have yet to try a flavor from him that I didn't like! He makes some that have Cinnamon so I will also give that a try. Thanks for the idea

 

[dahl65]

I love, love, love all the advice and personal stories that have been posted They are so helpful.
It's nice to know that although many here picked up the PV and put down the cigs for good that is not the way it is for everyone. I can only speak for myself, but as a newbie it was hard feeling like I was not doing as well as everyone else when it came to walking away from cigarettes, and it does help knowing that not everyone quits smoking on day one of vaping, but they got there eventually. There is hope for me after all!! lol

 

[chimney55]

I love, love, love all the advice and personal stories that have been posted They are so helpful.
It's nice to know that although many here picked up the PV and put down the cigs for good that is not the way it is for everyone. I can only speak for myself, but as a newbie it was hard feeling like I was not doing as well as everyone else when it came to walking away from cigarettes, and it does help knowing that not everyone quits smoking on day one of vaping, but they got there eventually. There is hope for me after all!! lol

I was still smoking a few after I got my PV and juices issues settled. (I couldn't get down to 1 a day though!) If I had them, I'd smoke them. I never found that my old brand tasted yucky either. I got to a pack a week, and could even go up to 10 days between buying and smoking. This went on for almost 3 months. Then I decided to "get serious". No more buying cigarettes even if I wasn't smoking them all in one day! I understand what it means to leave a "friend". I smoked for more than 37 years--up to 2 1/2 packs a day! Now, my PV comes to bed with me. If I can't sleep, I take a couple of drags. When I wake up, I chain vape until the real cravings pass. And I remind myself of all of the good things that are happening with the change. This is a good thread to help.

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...-life-change-when-you-vape-instead-smoke.html

 

[dahl65]

I would just like to add that I still have two 1/2 packs of cigarettes running around here. I stashed them, but they're here in case I need them. I know the logic seems flawed, but it worked for me and my fear of not having the "net". I used the same logic when I quit drugs 17 years ago. Carried my stuff with me for a couple of months...then when I didn't feel like I need that junk around, I disposed of it. So as much as I feel like an ... for saying this, maybe you should keep your analogs, just keep them out of sight and not handy. Keep your PV close and handy instead. Just a suggestion.

Actually, your logic totally works for me! lol I see you are in WA state and I will be moving to Seattle in the next few months--I like that I will have your voice of reason close by!!
I keep my 3 full packs in the freezer but the one I am currently smoking out of in the front room next to the door. To be honest the idea of having no cigarettes in the house brings on an actual panic attack type episode..lol so I totally identify with "the net"
Maybe I will move the pack I am currently smoking into the freezer or into the car like Hrtbrkr1965 suggested.

 

[typocinnamongrl]

I love, love, love all the advice and personal stories that have been posted They are so helpful.
It's nice to know that although many here picked up the PV and put down the cigs for good that is not the way it is for everyone. I can only speak for myself, but as a newbie it was hard feeling like I was not doing as well as everyone else when it came to walking away from cigarettes, and it does help knowing that not everyone quits smoking on day one of vaping, but they got there eventually. There is hope for me after all!! lol

Absolutely! The people here are a fantastic support system, dont hesitate to utilize the forums here as a tool to help you in your goals! Glad you posted this, and you know your not alone!!!

 

[Rhapsodies Fire]

Actually, your logic totally works for me! lol I see you are in WA state and I will be moving to Seattle in the next few months--I like that I will have your voice of reason close by!!
I keep my 3 full packs in the freezer but the one I am currently smoking out of in the front room next to the door. To be honest the idea of having no cigarettes in the house brings on an actual panic attack type episode..lol so I totally identify with "the net"
Maybe I will move the pack I am currently smoking into the freezer or into the car like Hrtbrkr1965 suggested.

Awesome! I live about an hour and a half north of Seattle...hop, skip and a jump to Canada from here. Indeed, we are close by, so don't let yourself panic if you get into a juice, battery, atty bind!
And yes, that panic is a real thing which is why I mentioned it...don't like to scare anyone about that feeling, but it is there if you think about it. And once you identify it or give it a name...its not so bad in the long run. You'll see.

 

[pbelt71]

I agree! This is exactly what we did. I also found I like a stronger vape in the AM, so I usually do Tasty Vapor's Geoff's Blend. Not to mention, it's my fave so far as well!

 

[FreakyStylie]

2 packs of cigarettes for 35 years leaves seriously deep ruts to fall into. Everybody has posted some great advice. I especially like "don't be so hard on yourself" ones. Cigarette addiction is a bear! I think the other best advice is to just keep coming to ECF. Lots of wonderful people here! Lots!

Oh, and you're not alone. That's important to know. http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...ing-still-havent-quit-smoking-any-advice.html