I Don't Know How This is Going to Work But...

[LuckySevens4U]

I don't know if anyone else here feels like me....

I know there are some that are using the ecig as their substitute for a analog because they feel if they are going to keep smoking, it has to be better than the 4K chemicals in analogs. So they have no intention of giving up smoking.

Then there are people like me....I WANT to QUIT smoking, but I KNOW it's not easy. The e cig is the first thing that has perked my interest to make me feel like I COULD possibly do this. I just think the first step is to get off the analogs. Then I'm going to use the gum AND the e cig so that I can TRY and work on the NOT smoking habit and use the gum, but when I feel the total urge that I need to puff, go to my e cig instead of an analog. I guess I'm just going to have to try it and play games with my head and see what happens.

 

[Khandurian]

I honestly don't think you have to "play games with your head". You just have to sit down and work out a schedule of how to use the product. For example

For the first week start off at "Regular strength"
For the second week goto "light strength"
Sit at the level for 2 weeks. This gives your body the chance to adjust to the lower strength and for you to use it less.
For the 4th week goto "ultra light strength"
Do that for 2 weeks and then again, use it less and less
After the 2 weeks, you can either stop using it all together OR! get the Zero Strength and then you just have to battle the "I know im nicotine free, I just need to beat the mental action of moving the cig to your mouth"

Thats what I am doing!

 

[breakfastchef]

If you want to quit analogs, you have to be mentally prepared to do so. Study after study of the success rates of smoking cessation schemes shows that those properly prepared with a plan and a network of support are more likely to succeed. The second part of this equation is that the e-cig cannot be marketed in the US as a smoking cessation device/therapy. It is untested as such and is therefore suspect.

All of the fine print out of the way, I started using e-cigs as an experiment over three weeks ago. I have not had an analog cigarette in 17 days. I have a highly addictive personality and I am floored by my short term success. It may work for you or it may not. E-cigs are providing maybe 50% of the analog experience for me, but I am making some very positive headway.

To be safe, if you plan to use e-cigs as a nicotine replacement therapy, closely monitor yourself if you decide to introduce additional therapies like nicotine gum or nicotine patches. Err on the side of caution to limit yourself from a nicotine overdose. Your body will be your guide. I can sing the paraises of using an e-cig as a way to wean myself off analogs, but aI cannot vouch for the long term safety of this new habit.

 

[JustJulie]

I think just about anything is worth a try. This is all uncharted territory. I didn't intend on quitting analogs . . . just cutting down. Well, I've been tobacco-free for 6 or 7 weeks now. (Can't remember off the top of my head--probably need one of those cool tickers.) BUT, and this is a big "but," I have no desire to give up vaping.

Oh, I'm reducing my nicotine dependence, and my hope is to eventually vape 0 nic exclusively, but I'm not there yet. And even when I get there, I'll continue to vape unless something comes out to prove that vaping is a significant health risk.

Frankly, I enjoy the habit and the ritual. Like Breakfastchef, I would describe myself as a highly addictive personality. There's a reason why I never got into drugs . . . not just because I was a good girl, but also because I knew as sure as God made little apples that I'd be addicted so quickly my head would swim.

I have quit tobacco before, but I come back to it . . . primarily because of the habit. I'm hoping this will break the cycle because I've replaced it with a new habit.

 

[LuckySevens4U]

Yes, I have a highly addictive personality also. Super, super outgoing and when I like or do something it's all the way. I also like to gamble . Imagine that.