Heavy smokers seem to have an easier time quitting for good?

[Anjaffm]

That's the same situation I was in. Sixty years old, starting to have some health issues and just plain tired of smoking and trying to quit smoking! Stopped into a vape shop on a whim after reading about e-cigs and picked up a starter kit! Worked like a champ and I was off smokes by the third day!

Excellent! Congratulations!

..
My biggest stroke of luck was meeting the owner of my local B&M, who after getting my smoking history and where I was at in terms of quitting mindset said to me: " I never wanted to quit smoking either, I was just tired of what they were doing to me." This statement really clicked with me, I didn't have to quit anything! The word quit all by itself was an anxiety trigger for me, by not thinking about quitting, the switch to vaping was an easy step.

As a heavy long term smoker, in my mind the transition to vaping was almost effortless, in part I think to the fact that I was used to constantly smoking. Perhaps the mechanics of how the nicotine is absorbed from vaping is better suited to a constant use type scenario vs an occasional hit from time to time. Someone who is more used to grabbing a few quick puffs here and there, vs folks like me who constantly smoked might have a harder time with the switch to vaping. These have been just some anecdotal observations and thoughts on the subject from a lucky, "accidental quitter" .

yeah, same here. And big congratulations on being another accidental quitter

I would say attitude of staying quit.

I too smoked too much but now that I smoke in moderation, I have different attitude toward smoking. One that I find challenging to convey to ex-smokers. Not all of them, but many and seemingly most. And as one who's quit cold turkey before, I very much get what liberation from any smoking is like. But feeling confident that most ex-smokers have zero idea what smoking in moderation is like. Claiming (on vaping forums) that just one would lead to full blown addiction for them. Thus showing that moderation is impossible for them. And then touting claims that cessation is the only way to go, to be healthy.

I say all the above, because I think it is attitude of 'staying quit' that makes transition appear easier, or more appealing. And is challenging for me (who has been completely liberated from smoking in my past) to fully understand "no intention of wanting to stop smoking." Even harder when you realize that regardless of your claims that one would lead to full blown addiction, that must be put in proper perspective of, okay transition back to part time vaping (at very least) and you really really ought to be able to cut way back on smoking.

Unless, cutting back/ceasing is not part of your current attitude.

I do not quite understand your meaning, I am afraid.

I used to like to smoke. I was used to the taste. And I most definitely appreciated what smoking gave me.
Then I started smoking too much. And it was not doing me good.
As a matter of fact, before I started my 1st ecig, I had just had two nasty cases of carbon monoxide poisoning, from chain smoking in the evenings. The kind that feels like a nasty hangover, even the next morning. (I had kind of a stressful online pastime at the time.. makes you chain smoke like a chimney)
Well, my 1st ecig gave me all that smoking had given me. But without any of the nasty side effects. I remember well how elated I was when chain-vaped while doing all the work leading that online gaming group - and no dizziness, no queasy feeling in my stomach, no coughing the next morning. Yes, I remember how happy I was. And I am still happy

As to smoking:
well, I no longer like the taste. I smoked twice since that 4 Nov 2011 - 1st time my (then) 2 batteries were broken, 2nd time I had not taken enough batteries with me and had to bum cigs off my buddies. And both times, I did not like the taste. And I did not like that carbon monoxide dizziness that you get when you have not smoked for some time.

There is nothing to be said against dual users. Nothing at all. If a person wishes to smoke AND vape, then that is their decision, and their decision only. And why not?

I merely say that for me, the time was right to switch to an alternative that is so much better for me.

Oh, Claiming (on vaping forums) that just one would lead to full blown addiction for them. Thus showing that moderation is impossible for them.

in my case: full blown addiction my ....! I smoked twice, as stated above. And I did not like it. After the 2nd time, I went home and consumed an entire ml of liquid at once - to get that taste out of my mouth, throat and lungs.

Of course, if vaping did not exist, I would still be a smoker.
And if all vaping gear disappeared from the world in an instant, the first thing that I would do is go out and buy a pack of cigarettes.
I want my nicotine and I want my habit. - Fortunately, I can have it in a way that is so much more pleasant, for me.

 

[Recycled Roadkill]

Of course, if vaping did not exist, I would still be a smoker.
And if all vaping gear disappeared from the world in an instant, the first thing that I would do is go out and buy a pack of cigarettes.
I want my nicotine and I want my habit. - Fortunately, I can have it in a way that is so much more pleasant, for me.

My sentiments exactly.

 

[DC2]

Very light...

Then I guess I am a light smoker who transitioned easily.
But for me, it was ONLY possible because I figured out how to eliminate all of the hassles of vaping.

If I hadn't not figured out exactly how to do that, the transition would have been a lot harder.
Especially that first cigarette of the morning.

I absolutely would not put up with ANY hassle first thing in the morning.

 

[Jman8]

I do not quite understand your meaning, I am afraid.

I used to like to smoke. I was used to the taste. And I most definitely appreciated what smoking gave me.
Then I started smoking too much. And it was not doing me good.
As a matter of fact, before I started my 1st ecig, I had just had two nasty cases of carbon monoxide poisoning, from chain smoking in the evenings. The kind that feels like a nasty hangover, even the next morning. (I had kind of a stressful online pastime at the time.. makes you chain smoke like a chimney)
Well, my 1st ecig gave me all that smoking had given me. But without any of the nasty side effects. I remember well how elated I was when chain-vaped while doing all the work leading that online gaming group - and no dizziness, no queasy feeling in my stomach, no coughing the next morning. Yes, I remember how happy I was. And I am still happy

I hear you and I too prefer vaping. Yet, it is hard to reconcile your health issues with "I never ever wanted to stop smoking. Not once. Never."

When I smoked too much, I had noticeable side effects from smoking (over time). Since cutting way back (down to a pack a week or less), I'd say only real issue is occasional smell. I don't abhor taste like other vapers. Yes, it doesn't taste as good as Blue Honey I'm vaping right now, but still has a taste I can enjoy at times.

I merely say that for me, the time was right to switch to an alternative that is so much better for me.

Which would equate to me as "attitude to stay quit from smoking." Cause my thought is that you could possibly enjoy smoking in moderation. Though, if you abhor the taste, then probably not enjoy it really.

A similar thing I like to bring up is that soda always tastes better to me than alcoholic drinks. Thus better tasting, and arguably much better for you. But I still enjoy an occasional alcoholic drink, and sometimes for the taste.

 

[Anjaffm]

I hear you and I too prefer vaping. Yet, it is hard to reconcile your health issues with "I never ever wanted to stop smoking. Not once. Never."

(for tl;dr, see below )

Again, dear:
I had the health issues from smoking too much. Not from smoking normally. And I very much appreciated the benefits of smoking , i.e. consuming nicotine (and yes, nicotine has benefits).

I smoked for 35 years. About a pack a day. Never bothered me. But then.... something horrible happened in my immediate family in late 2010, threw me completely off balance, and I started smoking like a chimney. Add to this that online game and leading a group, keeping it safe, in an ever more unpleasant and hostile atmosphere (I got sick of it and closed the group in spring 2013 and left the game in summer 2013) and I was smoking 25 cigs a day - and up to 50 cigs (sometimes more) a day when the evening was long. Now, putting about / over 30 cigs into my lungs in the evenings, very often, was not doing me good. Smokers cough in the morning (quite productive, too, yuck), getting short of breath, and those 2 cases of carbon monoxide poisoning. Yeah, and stinking up the house something terrible. That is what I mean by "the effects of smoking too much".

When I smoked too much, I had noticeable side effects from smoking (over time). Since cutting way back (down to a pack a week or less), I'd say only real issue is occasional smell. I don't abhor taste like other vapers. Yes, it doesn't taste as good as Blue Honey I'm vaping right now, but still has a taste I can enjoy at times.

Which would equate to me as "attitude to stay quit from smoking." Cause my thought is that you could possibly enjoy smoking in moderation. Though, if you abhor the taste, then probably not enjoy it really.

Well, no. You see, memory is a curious thing.
I remember throwing up in the morning from coughing my lungs out. I remember not being able to breathe right. I remember the carbon monoxide poisoning. And my memory connects this - correctly - with the cause: inhaling tobacco smoke. (Ok, ok, reason says "too much tobacco smoke". But the memory says "naaawww.. I do not want that stuff. I can have all the benefits without any of the drawbacks, right now.") Oh, and I remember the few cigs that I had since Nov 2011 tasting like crap

The only thing that I really really wanted once, in Nov 2013, after 2 years as a 100% vaper, was the taste of my formerly beloved sweet-flavored cigarillos. And I can mix that taste in my PV (Cuban Supreme with a sweet caramel liquid). And I mean precisely the same taste. Now, if I can enjoy that beloved taste in my PV, whenever I feel like it (which is not very often), what is the reason for me to go out and buy cigarillos and smoke them? - You see, I used to inhale those things. Which I could not imagine doing now, as I have not smoked at all since summer 2012. I would cough my lungs out. Then why spend all the money on cigarillos and smell up the house if I can only take the stuff in my mouth? Naaawwww..... I can inhale that lovely flavor in my PV, and get all the lovely nic as well

Once again:
If vaping disappeared from the face of this earth tomorrow, I would go out and buy a pack of cigarettes. And later a pack of cigarillos.
But thankfully, I do not have to. Because I can have something much better - for me.

Addition:
I do not mind if other people smoke. I do not mind if other people smoke in my house. None of that "born again apostle" attitude for me, thank you very much. - But I do not wish to smoke, myself. It holds no promise for me. It could offer me nothing that I do not have with vaping.

Tl;dr:
I very much enjoy the benefits of practising my beloved habit and of consuming nicotine. And if I can do it without any of the drawbacks of inhaling smoke - then that is just right, for me.

Edit:
And if anybody wonders why I was doing an online game so often, right after having suffered a death in my immediate family, in my arms - it is an escape mechanism. Helps to get one's mind off things, at least while you are doing it.

 

[choochoogranny]

Aw-w-w, Anjaffm. Thank you so much for your wonderful, exactly right words. I love your "backbone"!

 

[rbrylawski]

So many similar to me stories in this thread. I was never more than a PAD, but I so wanted to quit, just couldn't. I actually had at one time quit cold turkey, went the dreaded foggy brain for months syndrome and then was pretty happy not smoking. I joined a gym, lost weight, was running and feeling wonderful. Then in 2008 when the economy crumbled and I was laid off with everyone in my office, I went outside, walked up to the first smoker I saw and bummed a cigarette. That's all it took for me. I was bumming here and there, then finally bought a pack of my own and I was right back to a PAD smoker.

My first e-cig was White Cloud. It wasn't very satisfying, but it was a start. I was vaping the replaceable cartridge "cloud" toys and still smoking. It wasn't until I walked into my first Vape Store two years ago and bought my first mod an ego-T that I finally found a way to stop smoking cigarettes. The difference was just so much better and I found what I needed to make cigarettes less desirable.

It's now been two years and I haven't been tempted to smoke a cigarette since. I've of course moved up the Mod ladder, bought countless Tanks and Coils, but I'm happy vaping. I've stayed constant on an 18mg nicotine juice, which I mix from two flavors my Vape store sells.

 

[jm1974ri]

I'll be 51 this month. Was smoking 2+ pad until 10 months ago I was ready. Mel Gibson once said in an interview I saw on TV years ago that still sticks in my mind, "you can't quit if you don't smoke". I couldn't imagine not smoking.

I started with a simple ego and tank starter kit and haven't smoked since the day after getting it in the mail. The first weeks were difficult. Whenever I craved my Marlboro reds I'd take a toot on my new device, then another one. Quickly realized I needed a backup kit. Finding good juice and NIC levels was indeed a challenge. Figuring out coils, batteries, PG, VG, ohm's law...I found a forum...ECF...and now had a support network in place!

The benefits of being smoke free are awesome. The stank from smoke on clothing of current smokers is a constant reminder of what I can only imagine that I must have smelled like. I still occasionally find an unopened pack of smokes laying around and still have a few cartons in a closet. I'm simply amazed that I have zero cravings to smoke cigarettes today, as long as I can vape.

My addiction to cigarettes has definitely transferred over to addiction to vaping. ("Sucht" means addiction in German ie my username). I currently have backups of my backups, use RTA's and RBA's and am into DIY. Rebuilding and DIY was a game changer as a result I've reduced my NIC levels.

I quit, but I vape; I don't smoke.

Well said damp. I'm right there with ya

 

[Bernard Marx]

Was a very light older smoker but completely habituated to my disciplined 5-8 a day. I couldn't believe that vaping was so close to the experience. Now I vape with abandon and am free like a hippie!

 

[wheelie]

Wife was in critical care in hospital and unexpected to live through the night. We made a choice that evening to never smoke again. She quit and I was having trouble until I found vaping. Wife now has not used her 3 puffers 4 times a day since she quit smoking which will be a year in August. She does vape 6mg the past year but not as much or the 18mg I do. I smoked over 42 years and 50 a day the past 15 years. All is well with the wife now and getting her strength back. Eight months not smoking and it still amazes me being a non smoker when I think about it. CHEERS!

 

[Jman8]

Again, dear:
I had the health issues from smoking too much. Not from smoking normally. And I very much appreciated the benefits of smoking , i.e. consuming nicotine (and yes, nicotine has benefits).

I feel like we are saying very similar thing, but also feel like you are trying to have it both ways. Saying on the one hand it was smoking too much and the adverse health effects you experienced from smoking too much that lead to you wanting to stop. Then on the other hand saying that even light smoking for you right now (or even one a month) would be "too much" for you. I realize (full well) that this is honest self assessment, but I am saying that this notion that even one is too much equates to "attitude to stay quit."

I remember throwing up in the morning from coughing my lungs out. I remember not being able to breathe right. I remember the carbon monoxide poisoning. And my memory connects this - correctly - with the cause: inhaling tobacco smoke. (Ok, ok, reason says "too much tobacco smoke". But the memory says "naaawww.. I do not want that stuff. I can have all the benefits without any of the drawbacks, right now.") Oh, and I remember the few cigs that I had since Nov 2011 tasting like crap

And if I tell you that the drawbacks from light smoking are smell and taste (only when compared to vaping), then I'm not sure what the dispute is, other than you having an attitude to stay quit. Which is the point I am making, but you seem to not understand.

To say vaping has no drawbacks, is something I can't go along with. To make this point quickly, I would just note that many of us here wouldn't suggest a non-smoker take up vaping, because of inherent drawbacks. Though, I'm not one of those type of vapers, and am very okay if non-smokers take up vaping. Secondly, even with some smokers making the switch, there are drawbacks. Many of those are temporary, but are drawbacks nonetheless.

I can't say dual use has zero drawback either, and can't even say that going cold turkey has zero drawbacks, though IMO, does have the fewest, unless one can exercise complete moderation which I find very challenging for vaping and for smoking, unless one is smoking as a dual user of vaping. I so rarely crave a cigarette nowadays that I would say there is no risk for smoking too much. And I find it very hard to understand how anyone that made the transition easy would think if they had one smoke, they'd be back to full time smoking. You'd have to abandon vaping (by own choice) for that to occur.

 

[jblack741]

IMHO... Smoking is like any other addiction. You have to want to stop for any intervention to be remotely successful. I was 2 PAD when I said enough and had been smoking since I was 11.

 

[Recycled Roadkill]

I suppose that I have wanted to quit since 1974 but had given up trying. Although my intention upon vaping was to just cut down on the amount I smoked, I was able to quit without much desire to pick up a cigarette.

The wife had determined on her own that she needs to raise her nic from 6 to something higher. We'll see how that works for her.

 

[DC2]

The wife had determined on her own that she needs to raise her nic from 6 to something higher. We'll see how that works for her.

6mg is pretty low.

I smoked on average about 6 cigarettes per day, and I use 12mg strength.
Of course we know everyone is different, but yeah, 6mg is pretty low.

 

[Anjaffm]

@Jman8:

I feel like we are saying very similar thing

So am I. We simply cannot agree on the finer points of wording it Let us leave it at that.

but you seem to not understand

Let us not go that way, please. We have no beef with each other. We have always been on the same side, in favor of vaping. Not against vaping (like some members of this forum). I see no reason for us to argue. I know that most of your posting was not directed at me. And I choose not to take the above quote as an insult.

Let us leave it at that.