I am a new user and have so many comments and questions. Help!

[Tesconi]

Just received my Vapage kit Wednesday night after work. Charged it and started vaping. Amazing! I had tried to quit smoking 9 years ago using the Nicotrol inhaler but never really quit completely. This adds that element of actual "smoke" (vapor) that was missing from Nicotrol. For the past 5 years or so I have smoked less than half a pack a day. One before going to work, one at lunch, one before driving home, maybe 2-4 more in the evening. But I want to quit completely now. So when I heard a talk show host talk about Vapage, I decided to give it a shot. But after a few days I have so many questions!
1) The cartomizer is supposed to last 200 puffs, equal to a pack, but I seem to be going through them one a day or a little more. I haven't smoked a pack a day for years! Am I doing something wrong to get satisifed? I am at 18 mg but have ordered some 24 mg to see if that slows me down.
2) Is using a 200 puff cartomizer in 3/4 of a day doing more harm than smoking 5-7 tobacco cigs a day with the increased nicotine? Are these things I am reading about the anti-freeze chemical in e cigs something to worry about or am I going to experience the effects of nicotine poisoning by using it so much?
3) I still have some tobacco cigs but when I run out and I am relying on the e cig alone am I going to go through a period of cantankerous and cranky?
4) My 5-7 tobacco cigs a day is down to 2-4, but I still feel the need to drag on a real cig. Is this normal for you guys in the first few days?
5) Money is not an issue here. Although I have read that vaping is cheaper, since I was only buying 2-3 packs of cigarettes a week the Vapage stuff is costing more. But if there is a better e cig maker out there with a more satisfying product I am down for that, even if it costs more. I am not trying to save money, I am trying to save my life so I can be a grandpa when my 2 daughters have kids (they are 20 and 25, I hope they find a beau soon!)
Any help any of you can give me on these things would be great. Thanks!

 

[TheMuppet]

welcome too ECF...you have valid questions about vaping and i am sure a veteran will be along shortly to assist you .. dont worry they are pretty quick about answers here, but i will take a crack at a few of them

1 from the sticky's i have read a cartomizer last about 6-8 ciggs at most before needing refilling..
2 well every analog not smoked is victory, but dont kill yourself if you need a smoke , it happens.... there is 4000 chemicals in smoking analogs, there is 4-5 in ejuice wich is nicotine pg or vg or both alcohol and flavors... seems to me that fewer things in the vapor makes it healthier then smoking ..
3 you smoke less then half a pack a day , i highly doubt you will get cranky, simply because your still getting your nicotine
4 yup.. vaping is like smoking, you need to get a technic down to enjoy it , next time you get the urge for a real one try vaping a few extra times and wait 15 minutes then see how you feel about needing that smoke
5 vapage seems like one of those buy our cartomizers preloaded they last forever blah blah blah , i would look into a different kit that you fill yourslef with yummy juices like an ego-c ego-t .. these coupled with cartomizers you refill, or clearomizers you refill, you can spend alot less in the long run ..

now let the vets correct my errors..lol it is only my two cents worth and i learned it all on here..lol

 

[ObsceneJesster]

I am going to be short and sweet. Somebody else can elaborate.

1) Never believe any company that tells you a pre-filled cartomizer is equal to a pack of cigs. They are flat out lying. A cartomizer lasts the average person roughly half a day to a full day.

2) No, you are not doing more harm than good. Nicotine is about 10000 times better for your body than all of the chemicals in a analog. Don't worry about the extra nicotine. Regarding the chemicals in anti-freeze. I believe one or two brands back in the day had trace amounts. It still doesn't mean it's bad for you. Not every chemical found in anti-freeze is toxic. People hear the word chemical and automatically think it's bad. Water is a chemical.

3) If you run out and start getting cranky, light up a cig if you have too. A lot of people still smoke a little bit when trying to convert to vaping.

4) It's normal for some people. I converted instantly.

 

[Andy Thatcher]

Vet? Not sure at approaching 4 months.

I went through the same thing as you but for some reason I started at 12 and went to 18mg and haven't smoked since. Suspect you will find the same if not don't be afraid to raise your nic. I have stayed at 18mg and have no particular plans to reduce as it hits my spot.

As for Vapage one of my fave devices comes from them the VMod XL. Can't really speak to prefilled cartos as I started with a Ego C and quickly moved on from there. The concept of being tied to what someone else does never caught my interest and I definitely had no interest in something that looked like a cig. I consciously wanted to break that link as to how I get my nic fix so just replacing a little tube for another wasn't in my game plan.

If they work out for you and keep you off cigs great they are working.

Same reason follows for not using prefilled cartos. I was brand loyal but now regularly use 3-4 different flavours a week. Again to break the link. That has reduced from the 10 I was rotating through as I experimented to find what I liked. Have a spreadsheet that tells me I have tried some 60 different flavour to date.

Vaping is what you make of it. For me not only has it replaced smoking but I get a great deal of fun playing with bits and pieces so it has become a hobby too.

Good luck!

Sent from my MB860 using Tapatalk 2

 

[sailorman]

O.k., I'm a veteran, so hear me now, believe me later

1) Flat out lie. One a day is probably about right, or even a bit low, for someone that smoked 1/2 pack. The rate of absorption of nicotine is a lot lower than it is in smoke. A filled cartridge is equal to about 6-8 cigarettes.

2) No. Nicotine is not the problem. Even if you use more nicotine than you did before, you're still vastly better off than you were when you were inhaling 4000 chemicals and all that tar. The anti-freeze thing was ethylene glycol found in trace amounts in one cartridge out of 18 tested a couple years ago. Even the amount they found wasn't enough to hurt anyone. It was a manufacturing problem with the particular company that made the cartridge. If you're concerned with the purity of what you're vaping, stick to known reputable manufacturers whose juice is made by reputable juice makers. E-juice use Propylene glycol, a safe and commonly used food additive and the stuff that they use in theatrical fog machines. Ethylene glycol used to be used in antifreeze, but was replaced by propylene glycol because it's non-toxic.

3) You shouldn't. If you do, just vape more. Increase your nicotine level. It doesn't hit you all at once like it does with a cigarette. I quit instantly a 3 pack habit on the first day with a lot crappier equipment than noobs have nowadays. And I never once had a withdrawl symptom. I just vaped and vaped and vaped until I realized I hadn't bothered to light up. You will not experience nicotine poisoning. You'll feel nauseous before you hurt yourself. If that happens, just stop for an hour or two.

4) It's normal for a lot of people. Don't sweat it. Try to vape it away, but if you need it, go ahead.

5) I have not heard much good about the Vapage kit, frankly. If you want something that may, or probably will, work better and you just must have something that resembles a cigarette, there are precious few choices that are really worth spending any money on. One of them is the Volt, from smokelessimage.com. I am not a fan of the mini-cig looking e-cigs, but if someone just has to have one, the volt is one of only 2 or 3 I'd recommend. It is, by far, the best of a very sorry category of e-cigs.

So, if you are really interested in a better e-cig maker with a more satisfying product, try the Volt.

 

[Pathfinder]

I purchased my first e-cig about 15 months ago. I wasn't able to stop smoking immediately. I did cut down on analogs at first but I couldn't give them up completely. When a medical professional told me e-cigs were dangerous I went back to analogs full time for a few months. My new years resolution for 2012 was to stop analogs. So I started using the internet to find some help. I started watching video reviews of e-cigs and accessories such as Grim Green, P. Busardo and others. I also started visiting web sites of many e-cig vendors, and I started buying different e-cigs and liquids. In February of 2012 I had my last analog. I had moved to bigger mods from the first ego I had purchased. I also increased the voltage of the e-cigs. I found my sweet spot and found e-liquids that pleased me. I went from 24-28 mgs of nicotine to 14-18 mgs as a result of the bigger mods. I remember the last analog cigarette I smoked did not taste good. I did not like the burnt taste. I haven't looked back since. No more cravings for an analog.

I think there is a sharp learning curve for e-cigs. Experimenting with different e-cigs, voltages, e-liquids, carts, and atomizers appears to be the only way to find your sweet spot. Stay with it and i am sure you will find yours. Best of luck

 

[sailorman]

... When a medical professional told me e-cigs were dangerous I went back to analogs full time for a few months. ...

I have to ask. Did you fire that medical professional, or was he a veternarian?

 

[Warren D. Lockaby]

Welcome to ECF & Congratulations on your decision to switch to vaping! First please be assured, you found where you need to be to learn what you'll need to know. I can't claim much of it myself but there's a wealth of knowledge to be found in this Forum regarding all things vape-related. I'll try to share a bit of what I do know & maybe I can help.

As others have stated, the claims about the cartomizers' longevity are bald-faced lies. If you'd care to, however, you can probably refill them with your choice of flavored e-liquid & continue to use your current PV kit. As to the danger of nicotine, for adults without certain health issues the amount in a cigarette or a comparable vape is thought to be similar to the caffeine in a cup of coffee. It is *not* known to be carcinogenic - even, AFAIK, in California rats! (yet) It's those other 4,000+ chemicals - some of which the government *requires* to be included - in burning cigarettes that tend to kill us. About the worst thing which can be said of nicotine is that it is addictive. That's pretty bad. Chocolate's addictive too, and if they come for my chocolate I'll tear their eyes right out.

Now I don't know beans about the Vapage PVs or kits, but if you're interested in getting into a good, solid, reliable setup, of a good many available the one that comes most readily to mind is this one: SLB KGO Starter Kit I expect there'll be other folks with other ideas & suggestions, and I hope you'll take time to consider them all if you can. I've never owned a KGO but judging by the happy customers I've seen here, and on the specs (it's very similar to my E-Power 14650 in function, power, etc.), and price, I think this one would be hard to beat for a lot of people.

The bottom line is this though: the best Personal Vaporizer for you is the one you will use, as soon as possible and as often as needed. It won't matter if it's the Rolls Royce of all PVs, if you don't like it & it winds up in a drawer under your ashtray, smokes & Zippo, it's worthless. So please read all you can & weigh your options. Looks like you've seen vaping can work for you; now, you're about to find out just how well it can work!

Blessings, & Happy Vaping!

 

[rlh445]

Hi! I'll try to help as I'm relatively new as well.

1) You smoke less than half a pack a day but vaping doesn't give you that 'immediate' flow through of nicotine that analogs do. I'd say you're vaping at the right speed. Remember: it's your body. You know when you have a craving. If you need a puff, you need a puff. Go hit that ecig and don't worry about the numbers companies give you. Measure it out by way of your body telling you what it needs.

2) You could sit in a room for 24 hours with ten people consistently chain vaping and it wouldn't do anything worse than making you smell like cupcakes, coffee, honey and fruits. Vaping is 10000000000000 times better than smoking and the only real 'drug' that is (trace amounts) in the air is nicotine. You have nothing to worry about on that front, friend.

3) Everyone deals with analog withdrawal differently. I quit fourteen hours before my first personal vaporizer arrived in the mail. I was a douche to everyone around me except for my cat . Other people I know personally decided they were going to quit cold turkey, quit and were their normal selves. It all depends on you! I will say that using the transition with PVs from analogs was painless.

4) Once again, everyone deals with it differently. If you have the need to have an analog, have at it! Everyone does it differently. I myself stopped pretty early, but a lot of great posters here still have that one or more analog(s) a day and still greatly enjoy vaping. This is a very DIY (do it yourself) hobby and you go at YOUR pace, not somebody else's. If you have to take a drag from an analog now and then I say do it until you don't have to anymore. That's the point, right?

5) My suggestion to you would be to read up on everything you can here at ECF in your spare time, and see what you'd like to spend money on. There are GREAT deals in the Suppliers Forum section (E Cigarette Suppliers Forum) and you can always find helping hands there as well.

I truly hope you find what you're looking for here and stick around! Don't get discouraged or give up; quitting smoking is literally a day-at-a-time adventure and you have found the greatest friends you ever could to help you quit here at ECF!

 

[Mroutlaw]

Just received my Vapage kit Wednesday night after work. Charged it and started vaping. Amazing! I had tried to quit smoking 9 years ago using the Nicotrol inhaler but never really quit completely. This adds that element of actual "smoke" (vapor) that was missing from Nicotrol. For the past 5 years or so I have smoked less than half a pack a day. One before going to work, one at lunch, one before driving home, maybe 2-4 more in the evening. But I want to quit completely now. So when I heard a talk show host talk about Vapage, I decided to give it a shot. But after a few days I have so many questions!
1) The cartomizer is supposed to last 200 puffs, equal to a pack, but I seem to be going through them one a day or a little more. I haven't smoked a pack a day for years! Am I doing something wrong to get satisifed? I am at 18 mg but have ordered some 24 mg to see if that slows me down.
2) Is using a 200 puff cartomizer in 3/4 of a day doing more harm than smoking 5-7 tobacco cigs a day with the increased nicotine? Are these things I am reading about the anti-freeze chemical in e cigs something to worry about or am I going to experience the effects of nicotine poisoning by using it so much?
3) I still have some tobacco cigs but when I run out and I am relying on the e cig alone am I going to go through a period of cantankerous and cranky?
4) My 5-7 tobacco cigs a day is down to 2-4, but I still feel the need to drag on a real cig. Is this normal for you guys in the first few days?
5) Money is not an issue here. Although I have read that vaping is cheaper, since I was only buying 2-3 packs of cigarettes a week the Vapage stuff is costing more. But if there is a better e cig maker out there with a more satisfying product I am down for that, even if it costs more. I am not trying to save money, I am trying to save my life so I can be a grandpa when my 2 daughters have kids (they are 20 and 25, I hope they find a beau soon!)
Any help any of you can give me on these things would be great. Thanks!

Ok, I will put my 2 cents in because I had the same experiences and concerns. I will answer them in you order.
To start with, I started with a company called blu, very similar to vapage. They were expensive because of marketing and yo have to use their cartos, which are not designed to be refilled. Anyway, on to your questions.

1: I believed the same thing and had the same experience as you. I was a pack a ay smoker, so I figured I only needed 1 carto a day, because they all say it's about a pack of cigs or 200 puffs, truth is, those would have to be small puffs, which when yo vape, you take long ones. On average, it's closer to half a pack. I wouldn't worry about vaping more than you smoked. We all do that. First, I think it's because you can. You have more opportunities to vape, so you do. Plus, if you pick the right flavors, you find you enjoy the taste so in addition to trying to get the nicotine, you look for the flavor. Let's be honest, none of us really enjoyed the taste of analogs. Personally, I vape 6 mg nicotine. I thought about going higher, but I enjoy vaping so much, I stay low, if you start to get a headache, that means you are getting too much nicotine, just slow down.

2: the anti-freeze stuff was just referring to a trace amount found in one or two companies a couple of years ago. It has pretty much been turned into propaganda for the anti-nicotine people. There are also a couple of e-cig companies that sell their own juice and market it by saying they don't have pg. when I called them and asked the difference, they actually said theirs doesnt have antifreeze chemicals Truth is, both pg and vg are in many of the foods you eat right now. In addition, the harmful part of analogs was the tAr and other chemicals in the, not the nicotine. Nicotine is nothing more than a stimulant, similar to caffeine.

3: just vape a little more. I was determined when I started to never buy another pack of analogs. Every time I felt I wanted to inhale, I just vaped. Good thing is I can do it anywhere. (I hid my smoking from my kids so I never smoked at home. With the e-cig, I can just go in my room or into the bathroom for a quick vape)

4: when I would desire an analog, I found it was because I wanted a tighter draw or a better throat hit (that burning feeling you get in your throat when You smoke). To solve that, try and cover the air holes a little where the cartomizer meets the battery. For the throAt hit, use a menthol, coffee or tobacco flavor. Also the more pg, the more throat hit.

5; if you are looking for a cig style, go with the volt. That is where I ended up. For me, I knew that if I was going to be successful with this, I had to feel like I was smoking. Many of the veteran vapers will tell you to stay away from the mini's, but for me, they serve a purpose, the downside is the battery doesn't last as long, but it does feel like an analog. As far as the volt, for $65 you can get their pro starter kit. You will get 2 batteries, a portable charging case a USB charger and a pack of cartomizers. Order the bigger batteries for an extra $1. They will last almost twice as long as the smaller ones. With the cartomizer, it's about the length of a 100 cig. The pcc doesn't look like a pack of cigs, but is smaller and fits in your pocket. Go with the mega pcc, it's the same price but holds 2 batteries and 3 cartomizers. The nice thing about the volt is that the cartomizers themselves last a long time. I have refilled most of mine at least 15 times. When you refill them it costs you about 20-30 cents each time as opposed to the $2-$3 you pay for a new one when you don't/can't refill.

I have also found that being able to change flavors throughout the day helps my urges


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

 

[Tesconi]

You all have been very helpful thanks so much! I can tell this is going to be a journey but it appears it is a worthwhile one ultimately. Smoking to vaping needs to become a hobby as someone mentioned, instead of being a monkey on your back as tobacco is, and vaping looks like the key. Thank God for this miracle of technology!

 

[Andy Thatcher]

I wake up still shocked I am not coughing and even more shocked I am not going to smoke.

Never crossed my mind I could stop.

Doesn't need to be a hobby. Just I tend to think of it that way. Nicer than a way to fix for my nic addiction.

Sent from my MB860 using Tapatalk 2

 

[yiddleboge6]

Welcome and don't be afraid to ask any other questions that come up

 

[Mohd Asraf]

the light is still few miles away. keep up vaping and don't get your hand to that dirty analog anymore.

 

[Pappy]

Tesconi, I just started vaping last Wednesday when I received my KGO. I had 4 cigarettes on Thursday, 2 on Friday, 1 yesterday (Saturday) and none so far today. I may have one today sometime if the urge hits me hard. I smoked 1+ PAD for years, so I'm not worried about 1 or 2 cigs per day for a while.

So, don't sweat having a few cigs a day while you're figuring out the vape thing. It seems perfectly normal to me. Chances are you (and I) will sooner or later get to the point where we don't even WANT a real cigarette.

 

[Tesconi]

Sailorman and Mroutlaw you two have been very helpful. I have some Vapage cartomizers shipped and on the way and I will use them, but I think I am going to get some Volt product. It sounds right up my alley. I am also guiding my wife through this process and she is one of those types who is skeptical about EVERYTHING, which is good to have around 90% of the time but can be a pain when it is something like this, choosing to continue a toxic habit and dying or finding an alternative. I have found that duplicating my exact smoking ritual, that is going outside on the back porch for vaping just as I did for smoking (even though I don't have to now) makes the inhale experience completely satisfying. Vaping inside is good, but there is a tiny lack of satisfaction left when in the house, and it is that back porch element of my psych ( amazing how the brain and body work, huh?) I look forward to bringing that satisfaction into the house to my favorite chair! Thanks you two!

 

[Mroutlaw]

Sailorman and Mroutlaw you two have been very helpful. I have some Vapage cartomizers shipped and on the way and I will use them, but I think I am going to get some Volt product. It sounds right up my alley. I am also guiding my wife through this process and she is one of those types who is skeptical about EVERYTHING, which is good to have around 90% of the time but can be a pain when it is something like this, choosing to continue a toxic habit and dying or finding an alternative. I have found that duplicating my exact smoking ritual, that is going outside on the back porch for vaping just as I did for smoking (even though I don't have to now) makes the inhale experience completely satisfying. Vaping inside is good, but there is a tiny lack of satisfaction left when in the house, and it is that back porch element of my psych ( amazing how the brain and body work, huh?) I look forward to bringing that satisfaction into the house to my favorite chair! Thanks you two!

You are quite welcome. My wife was skeptical too. She was always worried about te kids catching me, and wanted me to cut back. She occasionally smoked when we drank, but could go weeks without one. Now she likes using my volt too. She also loves the fact that I can refill them so cheaply. There are some great sites for juice at ave low prices and even offer free samples. Let me know, and I can recommend a couple.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

 

[Warren D. Lockaby]

Sailorman and Mroutlaw you two have been very helpful. I have some Vapage cartomizers shipped and on the way and I will use them, but I think I am going to get some Volt product. It sounds right up my alley. I am also guiding my wife through this process and she is one of those types who is skeptical about EVERYTHING, which is good to have around 90% of the time but can be a pain when it is something like this, choosing to continue a toxic habit and dying or finding an alternative. I have found that duplicating my exact smoking ritual, that is going outside on the back porch for vaping just as I did for smoking (even though I don't have to now) makes the inhale experience completely satisfying. Vaping inside is good, but there is a tiny lack of satisfaction left when in the house, and it is that back porch element of my psych ( amazing how the brain and body work, huh?) I look forward to bringing that satisfaction into the house to my favorite chair! Thanks you two!

Seems to me a big part of the reason vaping works for getting of cigarettes where the FDA-approved snake-oil tricks fall short is, we experience pleasure with *all five of our senses*. Also, everyone is different, each of us attaching a different amount of importance to different aspects of the experience. So whatever works for *you*, today, is probably pretty important in helping you get the fullest possible satisfaction from your vaping experience, today.

I liken this to a good meal served in a restaurant, and this stuff has been studied extensively: same food, but its enjoyment can be enhanced immensely by the atmosphere of the place, presentation of the meal, etc. As one becomes more comfortable with vaping in his/her familiar smoking environments, that person might be inclined to venture into new territory & try to expand the "comfort zone" for vaping. At least so far that's the way it's gone for me.

I'm still most comfortable vaping here at my desk or in my car, but then I'm most comfortable doing everything I do awake either at my desk or in my car so my habits probably don't have much statistical validity. I'm not UNcomfortable vaping just about anywhere I take a notion now. It's a necessary thing... helps me breathe better without gouging people's eyes out.

Happy Vaping!

 

[Trilly]

I'm only 7 months in but here is my contribution.

1, Cartomizers do not last 200 puffs, prefilled ones will dry out and I get a day at best (I was a PAD smoker), you can prolong the life of a carto by topping it up with e-liquid (some places do seel the liquid to do this)

2, The Anti-freeze thing is not true, PG is non toxic (along with quite a few chemicals that are also in Anti Freeze), it is used in the food industry and also in medical industry, it is a base used in respitory drugs such as asthma inhalers and nebules, in theatres and nightclubs in the liquid for the smoke machines.

3, This is down to personal experiance, I didn't have any monster turned traits through ditching the stinky sticks since I was still getting my nic, some people however do as they are also addicted to the WTA, sadly I don't know a great deal about them but I'm sure someone will elaborate on these, regardsless though it will be no where near as bad as going cold turkey.

4, So what, it isn't a crime, there is no law stating you can only do one or the other. I would say though when you next feel the urge, try vaping first, you may need higher nic than what you currently have but that too is fine.

5, I am unfamiliar with the kit you have but from other replies it seems to be a cig-a-like style kit. I started with these, KR808's and they do work for me but for times when I can't be bothered with all the re-charging hassle I have eGo's with Boge cartos, I find buying blanks and making my own juice to fill them is far more cost effective.

Also bare in mind that it takes time to find out what works for you, juice is all subject to personal taste and even though the appeal of a cig style pv may seem important you may find that there is another PV that suits your vaping needs better, also there are times when having a pv that doesn't ressemble an analogue works to you advantage.

Have faith though, you will find your perfect set up that vapes great and provides the TH and flavour you want, it's a big learning curve but enjoy it, months down the line you'll be imparting your wisdom on others.

 

[ItalianVaper]

My husband and I started Feb 6th. We find it helps to have e-liquid [juice], as some cartomizers dry out a bit from being stored a while. It is totally possible to re-fill them many times! We still have some from Feb. Juicy Vapors is highly recommended, but I have not tried them. We started with Smokeless Image, and have, pretty much stayed with them, as their service is fantastic. Hope this helps, Julie, aka, ItalianVaper