I want to admit why I started smoking in the first place (analogs) and how the ecig helped...

[phoenix6]

OK, I will admit this post is going to be slightly embarrassing considering that I think my reasonings usually get a good laugh from people.. but here we go...

I am a selfless person, My friends, my family, my GF, all come before me, any time, and I enjoy it. I have seen many of them struggle with different problems, but one I grew up around was watching my mom struggle to quit smoking and my dad who never could. He now has COPD, and my mother quit a few years ago, and she wouldn't touch another analog (thankfully). I have also known others who could not kick the habit... so I made myself a plan, at my own expense. I would get myself addicted (I usually have a non addictive personality) to analogs, for 2 years, and then find the best method to kicking the habit. I admit it was probably an ignorant move on my part, but I did it anyways. After 2 years, I tried patches, they made me feel sick as a dog for the first 2 days, but then I got used to them. They eventually just didn't do it for me, ONE bad day and I was back on it. Then I tried the gum, and cold turkey, but between all of them I found ONE problem... it wasn't JUST nic I couldn't kick, it was this wonderful past time of having an analog.

I finally got into the world of e cigs, long story short, I bought a joye starter kit locally in Atlanta when I lived there, for $100, it didn't work well for me, so I got off vaping and back to analogs. After I came back home to Houston, I ran into someone who sparked my interest to take a second look, and upon finding information that REALLY helped me out (cheaper methods, PG/VG mixes for good vapor and great THs) I jumped back in head first.

I am now using my self made puck, a few different juices from MadVapes (I LOVE THIS COMPANY) and cartos, and I haven't had a full pack of analogs in a good while. Mainly now it's one or two at the bar when drinking... this leads me to my final obstacle in the matter of kicking analogs for good. I know that no liquid will come 100% to matching the analog taste and ash, BUT I did find PureCig from FreedomsmokeUSA and the reviews pushed me to order 10ml and test it out. I have yet to receive my order as I just placed it, but I have high hopes. I am at the brink of never touching an analog again and at the same time, helping my GF make the switch with me

Man I make long posts huh? Haha, I just wanted to share my story a little here, and I welcome any and all criticism to the matter, or advice on the final push off the analog.

Happy vaping people!
-Jon

 

[fb305]

Not to sound like an a** or anything but that is the stupidist thing I've ever heard. How did getting yourself addicted to cigarettes help anyone?!! I mean there is no good reason to start smoking, I think most start when they're young and stupid, myself included, but to get addicted on purpose is crazy! I'm glad you don't have any .... addicts in your family! Anyway good luck stopping and I hope you think things out a little more when you get another idea like that.

 

[b4cz28]

Cool that you have then nuts to admitt that in public....not cool what you did..crazy to be nice.

 

[sam12six]

The way I became a smoker is at least as silly as yours:

For years, I'd smoke occasionally when offered one in a social setting (the same way I'd accept a shot of jaeger.) These girls moved in next door and we got to be friends. As it turned out, they were strippers so I got to where I'd go hang with them on my days off, since my days off were in the middle of the week and they were the only friends I had available to kick it with. Anyway, I discovered I really enjoyed smoking in the club. I'd buy a box of smokes because I hate being a bum and smoke 3 or 4, then toss or give away what was left. This went on for a couple of years...

Then one day, I was about to toss the box and thought to myself, "Self, why are you throwing away 4/5 of a box of smokes every week just to buy another box next week?", and did the financially responsible thing and took the box with me. Sitting in gridlocked rush hour traffic, bored and frustrated, I decided to fire one up. That was it - afterward, every time I was completely bored (like breaktimes at work, or waiting for a date to finish getting dressed), I'd fire up. This evolved into a 10 year long, pack-and-a-half per day habit.

Before that, there was no habit and no addiction. I'd sit with a picnic table full of people smoking and chatting and never feel like I needed one. I'd only grab one when really in the mood, the same way I'd only take that shot when really in the mood. All that changed because I wanted to save a freakin' buck-fifty!

 

[n2xe]

I don't believe it, nobody is that dumb and only narcisists describe themselves as "selfless".

 

[phoenix6]

Trust me, I am fully aware of the stupidity. I was in a very "Not give a damn about anything" place about my personal self at the time, and the other side of it was kinda like one of those self studies. I don't regret doing it, regardless, but I do think it will help me when I need the info in helping with someone else to stop or switch.

Haha, and no, no .... addicts or anything crazy in the family, aside from this act I'd like to think I have a pretty solid head on my shoulders

 

[phoenix6]

I don't believe it, nobody is that dumb and only narcisists describe themselves as "selfless".

With all do respect, I could say anyone smoking an analog period is or was that dumb, whatever the reason, I am very much a to each his own type though. I can promise you narcissists is not in my personality, and I have my very selfish times, but I'd never see an act of being able to admit I am mostly selfless to those I hold closest to me, an act of narcissism.

 

[starrynight]

I am glad to hear you had only a "two year" plan, since my "20 years" of no plan didn't work out so well. Regardless why you started-I am glad to hear you are trying to get off them. Good luck!

 

[n2xe]

Trust me, I am fully aware of the stupidity. I was in a very "Not give a damn about anything" place about my personal self at the time...

This doesn't sound selfless to me, I'd characterize it as selfish but that's why we all smoked.

 

[phoenix6]

This doesn't sound selfless to me, I'd characterize it as selfish...

Only meant in the term that I wasn't taking my own personal health into consideration during the brewing stages of this idea, and I never said the entire thing in itself was fully selfless. I apologize for the confusion here, I mean in no way to sound like a great guy or a hero for what I did or the meaning behind it, I am only here to share my story to everyone as I like this community. I am getting the impression that my post in some way offended you or rubbed you the wrong direction, and if it has in any way again I apologize directly to you, I'd prefer my posting not result in a flame war or any argument based on the discussion or anything else for that matter.

 

[n2xe]

With all do respect, I could say anyone smoking an analog period is or was that dumb, whatever the reason, I am very much a to each his own type though. I can promise you narcissists is not in my personality, and I have my very selfish times, but I'd never see an act of being able to admit I am mostly selfless to those I hold closest to me, an act of narcissism.

At least I started smoking because I thought I was cool and not at all aware of what an idiotic thing it was. You started knowing it was idiotic. Are going to kill someone so you can understand murder?

 

[phoenix6]

At least I started smoking because I thought I was cool and not at all aware of what an idiotic thing it was. You started knowing it was idiotic. Are going to kill someone so you can understand murder?

In case you missed it, I replied to you on the last post of page one to try and avoid confusion or anything here. Again though, I am not trying to place myself above anyone else for my reasons for smoking, just sharing my story. People start for many reasons, because they think its cool, they are stressed and they think it helps them, curiosity, etc. As dumb as it may have been, my reasons are just another on the list.

 

[quittin4mykids]

I cant say much- I HATED my mom and grandmother smoking- HATED it- and had a boyfriend who I was starting to not want to date anymore, but he 'loved' me- I was 15- He told me one day if I ever started smoking he would dump me- I picked up a pack- and started smoking on the way home from school- went home, told my mom, she said "well I hate it, but will buy them for you" (uhhh HOW stupid is that?) and I even had a 'plan' I started out with marlboro light 100's and never went above that- because I thought it would be easier to quit- Unfortunatly the boy didnt break up with me- Instead he cried and said he hated for me to die early- I did eventually make him mad at me another way- and we did break up.

THen I met the love of my life- and he wouldnt give me an engagment ring until I quit smoking- I hid it from him for almost a year- we were with in a month of being married when he found out- and he was so hurt- But married me anyway-

That was over 20 years ago- I am still married to the man I love, and I am still smoking, a pack a day- after 4 kids ( and I either quit or cut back to 5 a day while preg each time) - chantix 3 times, the patch 4 or 5 times, the gum, spiritual intervention, the lozenges, cold turkey, and cutting back-

I would give anything to not have started, but love it so much- I just KNOW I have to quit- I cant afford it anymore and its killing me- at 35 I already cant laugh or run, I cough all the time and I am miserable. I would like to think as an adult I wouldnt have started smoking- but look at all the people who never drink till they are 21 and then become alchohilcs.

 

[phoenix6]

I cant say much- I HATED my mom and grandmother smoking- HATED it- and had a boyfriend who I was starting to not want to date anymore, but he 'loved' me- I was 15- He told me one day if I ever started smoking he would dump me- I picked up a pack- and started smoking on the way home from school- went home, told my mom, she said "well I hate it, but will buy them for you" (uhhh HOW stupid is that?) and I even had a 'plan' I started out with marlboro light 100's and never went above that- because I thought it would be easier to quit- Unfortunatly the boy didnt break up with me- Instead he cried and said he hated for me to die early- I did eventually make him mad at me another way- and we did break up.

THen I met the love of my life- and he wouldnt give me an engagment ring until I quit smoking- I hid it from him for almost a year- we were with in a month of being married when he found out- and he was so hurt- But married me anyway-

That was over 20 years ago- I am still married to the man I love, and I am still smoking, a pack a day- after 4 kids ( and I either quit or cut back to 5 a day while preg each time) - chantix 3 times, the patch 4 or 5 times, the gum, spiritual intervention, the lozenges, cold turkey, and cutting back-

I would give anything to not have started, but love it so much- I just KNOW I have to quit- I cant afford it anymore and its killing me- at 35 I already cant laugh or run, I cough all the time and I am miserable. I would like to think as an adult I wouldnt have started smoking- but look at all the people who never drink till they are 21 and then become alchohilcs.

From reading a lot of posts on here over the months I notice A LOT of support from the members here. Quitting is difficult and I can only ignorantly imagine how hard it must be after 20 years. E cigs are the best I've found to wean me off slowly, but it still takes some will power with that, also attempting to keep yourself away from other smokers especially at first.

 

[n2xe]

I cant say much- I HATED my mom and grandmother smoking- HATED it- and had a boyfriend who I was starting to not want to date anymore, but he 'loved' me- I was 15- He told me one day if I ever started smoking he would dump me- I picked up a pack- and started smoking on the way home from school- went home, told my mom, she said "well I hate it, but will buy them for you" (uhhh HOW stupid is that?) and I even had a 'plan' I started out with marlboro light 100's and never went above that- because I thought it would be easier to quit- Unfortunatly the boy didnt break up with me- Instead he cried and said he hated for me to die early- I did eventually make him mad at me another way- and we did break up.

THen I met the love of my life- and he wouldnt give me an engagment ring until I quit smoking- I hid it from him for almost a year- we were with in a month of being married when he found out- and he was so hurt- But married me anyway-

That was over 20 years ago- I am still married to the man I love, and I am still smoking, a pack a day- after 4 kids ( and I either quit or cut back to 5 a day while preg each time) - chantix 3 times, the patch 4 or 5 times, the gum, spiritual intervention, the lozenges, cold turkey, and cutting back-

I would give anything to not have started, but love it so much- I just KNOW I have to quit- I cant afford it anymore and its killing me- at 35 I already cant laugh or run, I cough all the time and I am miserable. I would like to think as an adult I wouldnt have started smoking- but look at all the people who never drink till they are 21 and then become alchohilcs.

You can't beat yourself up for what thought processes you had at 15. Can't change the past but you can change the future and it sounds like that's exactly what you intend to do. The fact that you are here indicates that you will be wildly sucessful in your journey. I wish you all the best and welcome to ECF!

 

[thatsmeinthecorner]

My stupid reason for starting- raised up in the 60's and 70's when EVERYBODY smoked EVERYWHERE. The smell was terrible, especially when my parents would smoke in the car with the windows UP. Once I started smoking (on the sly) at about age 15, all of as sudden cigarette smoke didn't bother me anymore.

 

[dormouse]

Hi and welcome! You could also try Desert Ship from FreedomSmokeUSA - several of us find that a good analog-alike. Turkish blends have a sort of funky somewhat pungent nutty aroma that is reminiscent of a freshly opened pack of smokes. And their Cocoa is very non-sweet and great for giving a too-sweet or too-weak tobacco some muscle.

 

[phoenix6]

Hi and welcome! You could also try Desert Ship from FreedomSmokeUSA - several of us find that a good analog-alike. Turkish blends have a sort of funky somewhat pungent nutty aroma that is reminiscent of a freshly opened pack of smokes. And their Cocoa is very non-sweet and great for giving a too-sweet or too-weak tobacco some muscle.

Thank you for the info! I read a small bit about the desert ship juice, was interested in trying it after I received my PureCig. I also ordered a small 5ml bottle of PeachTea to try it out for fun

 

[HarmonyPB]

At least I started smoking because I thought I was cool and not at all aware of what an idiotic thing it was. You started knowing it was idiotic. Are going to kill someone so you can understand murder?

I think the OP has an awesome story. And I don't understand why so many people are being aholes about it. I don't know about anyone else, but just about every smoker I came into contact with says "Don't start smoking"...but we do it anyway right? So, with the exception of the people who started smoking in the 20's before everyone knew it was bad for you, we are all "stupid/idiotic" (as you kindly put it) for starting in the first place. Someone's age should not be an excuse of why it's ok to start smoking IMO.
That being said, I started because many people I looked up to (when I was 19) smoked and I wanted to see what it was like. OMG!!! It was the most relaxing feeling I had ever experienced. I never did drugs, so I was not aware there was anything out there that could make me feel this way! I was in a very stressed and depressed (to the point of suicide) part of my life. And WOW!! The way smoking made me feel...there was no way to describe it! Then I met the love of my life and he smoked! So there was no reason to quit.

 

[MickeyRat]

I'm not going to beat you up. I will say I suspect there was a little rationalization. You were probably more than a little curious. However, I like one thing you did. You found out what it was like. Way too many non-smokers act like quitting is as easy as getting up in the morning. You now know better.

As long as it's true confessions time. I was a "troubled" youth and started at a very young age. At the time it was rebellious and I was doing a lot of other things that were likely to kill me before the smokes did. I could have cared less. A few years later, I straightened out but, I had this one bad habit.