Hello, can you answer a few questions?

[pammie]

Hi to All!

This is my first post. I would like to thank you all for this forum as I have found it very helpful and encouraging.

I found this forum after doing a search for e-cig's and I'm really glad I did! I live in the USA and I saw a piece about e-cig's on the news (a Boston channel which I noticed you have a part of the trascript posted here, or an article by the same news channel). While the fact that the three people who used this product did not find the e-cigarette to be a good enough substitute to quit cigarette smoking did discourage me I decided I wanted to learn more anyways and thats why I did the online search.

I have decided to try using an e-cig and try to give up "real smoking" if I can. I have wanted to quit forever, but I can tell you that after 8 hours of going without a cigarette, during a delayed flight, I found myself almost homicidal and very afraid to try quitting. I smoke about 25-30 cigarettes a day, I've done so for about thirty-plus years. But these products have inspired me to try.

I do have a few questions. If any of you would be so kind as to share your knowledge/experience with me I would be grateful as I am planning on putting in an order this weekend.

1. for those of you who no longer smoke "regular cigarettes" have you experienced any weight gain associated with traditional quitting?

2. I don't have ton's of money to spend, and until I feel that this will work for me do not want to spend more than 100.00 American dollars. I was considering the e-cig but have found through lot's of online reading they do not have good batteries, can you purchase a battery from another "brand" that works better that will fit the e-cig? Which products are interchangeable?

3. About how long would it take for the products to arrive in the US if I ordered with the cheap shipping from e-cig?

4. I understand this is a different experience than traditional smoking, but just how difficult is it to leave the house for a long period of time and have enough batteries, cartridges, ect. and what would that entail?

5. Has anyone tried the car battery? How long would it take for the car battery to adequately charge an e-cig?

6. Finally, I was considering trying dealextreme too, but the charger doesn't look like it works with American electrical outlets, am I correct? If so, can I buy a converter, how much does this go for?

Thanks a bunch for all the information you have made available to me already,
Happy e-smoking,
Pammie

 

[TropicalBob]

Pammie: I can't answer everything, but I've been where you are! I, too, was a 30-a-day cigarette smoker. It was beginning to take a health toll on me. Persistant cough, etc. Then my work place decided to go smoke-free for the entire property. I quit cigarettes a month before that began.

And I threw everything at this attempt, having failed numerous times with all the expensive nicotine-replacement products, hypnosis, shots, you name it. I knew I wouldn't do "dip" because that's just disgusting and should be relegated to history, but almost everything else was an option.

I began with Swedish snus. These can be very small, dry, white pouches that you place between teeth and cheek. Less than $4 a can if you order online. America hasn't really learned to snus yet, but with new Camel and Marlboro snus products being tested, that education is coming fast. I still use snus every day. Many, many taste dreadfull, so if you try some, order only the small portions aimed at women - Romeo y Julieta, CatchDry Peppermint, Wise citrus/methol in 3mg dose.

Next in order of use is Stonewall dissolvable tobacco bits. These can be purchased at many tobacco shops in America, plus CVS and Walgreen's. They are the size of breath mints and dissolve completely in your mouth in about 45 minutes. Each Stonewall is 4mg; each Ariva (its sister product) is 1.5mg. You'll need the Stonewalls. I favor the java flavor.

I doubt you'll try inhaling tobacco as nasal snuff, but that was tobacco's first use. I tried it and it doesn't produce much of a nicotine hit, but is very interesting in its own way. I do it sometimes just for the glorious smell and taste. Use very little and sniff it; never snort it. Very little is all you need in each nostril.

Finally we come to electronic devices. I bought an e-pipe first from e-Cig and still use it daily, after two and a half months. Bought an e-cigar from DealExtreme next ($26 with free shipping). Still use it daily and it's held up fine. Then I recently added some mini cigs from DealExtreme for $36 a pair with 12 cartridges and charger.

For all of these, I refill with e-Liquid ordered from e-Cig. Flue-cured tobacco flavor is fine; chocolate is excellent at certain times of the day.

I do NOT have battery issues. I simply keep a battery recharging in one or the other of my devices at all times. I don't care if I'm puffing a cig or the pipe. I always have a battery (the pipe battery is good for days of use). I did have a new battery for the mini cigs fail immediately and got a half-price refund.

You do not have to spend a fortune to find out if this is for you. Personally, I'm not sure I could stay off the cigarettes I'm so addicted to (off 246 days so far) just using my e-smoking devices. That said, I won't try. Why try? Why not use everything I enjoy, as long as it doesn't harm my health or irritate others?

I wish you success. It's the hardest thing you'll ever do, we're all told.

Some links you might want:
http://www.dissolvabletobacco.com You can order Stonewall online, 5 packs of 20 for $10.
http://www.northerner.comSwedish seller of online snus; look only at dry, white, mini portions.
http://www.dealextreme.com Search for "electronic cigarettes" and see what they have. Charger is European. Adaptor at almost any big box store or Radio Shack.
http://www.e-cig.com The undisputed, world heavyweight champion of nicotine liquid you'll need for refills. Look at all those flavors and strengths and sizes! Check out their forum, too.

 

[TropicalBob]

Geez, I didn't answer part of your questions:

Weight gain wasn't a problem, really. I've added five pounds, but I have a slight-to-normal build, so it's no big deal. I'm not any hungrier now.

E-cig is a great company, in my opinion.

Took 9 working days for me to get order sent for $9 via China Post.

E-smoking is a pain in the ...., just as regular smoking is, when you're going on. But instead of counting cigarettes remaining in your open pack, you'll race around gathering up a battery and cartridge -- just in case. Frankly, I more often pass time with a snus or Stonewall after eating out, or watching a movie. The e-smoking devices will still attract unwanted attention in America. If you like talking about, and defending, them, take 'em with you.

 

[pammie]

Thanks so much TropicalBob

246 days without a .... sounds WONDERFUL to me! I dream about telling Phillip Morris what to do with those Marlboro's, lol !!!

I was considering trying nicotine gum as an addition to my plan, but the mints sound like a possiblity I would consider. I have never smoked anything but cigarettes, so a pipe or cigar would not be for me.

Anyways, thanks for your quick response, much appreciated

Pammie