I'm the "Devil's Advocate" to e-Cigarettes

[Lombaowski]

I'll warn you that after about 5 days you will experience a sense of euiphoria. One that says "holy ...., I feel so good". Mine occurred 2 weeks ago in the swimming pool after quitting dipping for good.


Second warning, don't work up to your "end mod". Just buy it first, I always knew I'd get provari but still managed to waste money on about 4 devices before giving in and buying it. Your wallet will thank you.

Agree with your first sentence, but not your second. I'm not a person who gets overwhelmed a lot, but switching from analogs to vaping is somewhat daunting. I would have never thought of going from an analog to a Provari, even had I known of such a thing. That's a huge commitment for one, and taking something like that everywhere you go isn't practical or even reasonable. I'm cool with getting the best vape concept, but to sell a long-time analog smoker one as their first device is a bit short-sighted IMO.

There are Bluecigs and then there is the Provari with a custom tank, something in the middle is always going to be what gets most people to dump the analogs for good. I think having access to a B&M is key, that way you can kind of get outfitted by trying different things after having done research.

It's been 6 weeks for me and I quit the day after I got the eGo kit (after doing v4L ecigs). Now I can't see going back and that's with an eGo-T being my primary juice vehicle for the last 41 days, I think I like vaping better than smoking. I will probably snob up to a itaste MVP or something at some point but the ego batteries with various juice delivery mods is completely fine for me right now.

 

[Pathogenius]

Be prepared to look the beast squarely in the eye as it squirms and twists under your new authority, not to mention all that delicious pain and suffering you are denying it.

I had a fun moment yesterday, focused intently on some web research, and I went to ....-out my e-cig into an invisible ashtray without even being aware of it...

 

[glowplug]

Honestly, I'm not sure whether to recommend upping the nic or reducing it. Let's say that your cravings have not gone away. It could be that you're not getting enough nic. I don't admit this too often, but I had to vape 36 mg/ml the first week or two with about 10mils a day to overcome my 3 PAD, 35 year, American Spirit Black addiction. I needed really good clearos and really strong adjustable voltage batteries. I tried in 2009 with cigalikes and went back to smoking. Tried again in 2011, with little 650 batts and a cartridge atomizer, couldn't make it and returned to smoking. Enter 2013, trying to quit again. Heave nic, powerful batts, great clearos. Somehow, I was able to do it. I literally still can't believe it and it's been 6 months now. I chain vape at 24 mg/ml, but just this morning dropped to a new batch at 18 mgs. I'm feelin' it too. I was wondering about that feeling, and just now, I figured it out. I've cut my darn nic. That's it.

Now, is there something about this story that you can relate to or not?

I have used Chantix to quit in the past and I was off smokes for almost two years. I had emotional problems from the Chantix and would never do it again. I weaned of the drug very slowly. Every time I lowered the dose I would have about 2-3 days of cravings return. It seemed that the voodoo that Chantix does to the neuroreceptors was very real. It blocked the nic receptors with a pretend nic fix (very simplified explanation). Lower dose, lower replacement for the effects of nicotine, increased cigarette cravings.

When I lower my nicotine in the afternoon/evening, I will feel the occasional cigarette craving. I do keep one PV with 18-16mg on hand to offset the cravings if they become more than a passing thought. It is a very real result of lowering nicotine. The good news? It doesn't last long! I rarely feel the cravings unless I forget and try to vape the 12-6mg juice mix in the mornings. I needs my nicotine fix when I first get up!

For this reason, I believe OP may be using a dose of nicotine that is too low. Vaping is not the same as smoking for me. At this point, it is so much better that I just don't want to smoke and hopefully will not grab a stinkie every again!

 

[glowplug]

Most people on this forum like vaping. It makes it difficult to post all the negatives if we just don't see alot of them. The answers here are honest. The people who responded did so out of their experiences.

It has been said frequently here: we don't know what the long term effects of vaping will be and have decided to take our chances. You and everyone else needs to be aware of this and make your own decision. It has been good for me. Expensive, but good.

Best of luck in your VapeQuest or smoking, whichever you choose.

 

[serenity21899]

Drink lots of water. PG is a humectant which causes dehydration.

ETA: You really can't smoke anywhere. Vaping is not widely accepted, or even known by some. Be polite and practice restraint, just as you did while smoking.

 

[Kellycat]

Drink lots of water. PG is a humectant which causes dehydration.

Very true, and excellent safety tip. I've actually found I'm less inclined to drink water while vaping heavily, when I should be doing the opposite, especially in 100-degree weather. Wonder if it's a mental thing or what actually causes that, and if I'm alone on the matter.

 

[glowplug]

Very true, and excellent safety tip. I've actually found I'm less inclined to drink water while vaping heavily, when I should be doing the opposite, especially in 100-degree weather. Wonder if it's a mental thing or what actually causes that, and if I'm alone on the matter.

You are not alone! I find that I am reminding myself to refill my water whereas I used to do it routinely. I know that the bad taste left by cigarettes caused me to drink more, especially iced tea and soda. Now I find that water is back to being my number one drink. I have also noticed that I use far less lip conditioners (my favorite is Burt's Bees formulas). I know vaping is a humectant and yet my nose is much less dry than when smoking. Not to get too graphic, but the nasal pillows on my CPAP are no longer discolored from the brown residue that always coated my nasal passages when I was a smoker. I can't say I miss that!

 

[Lombaowski]

Very true, and excellent safety tip. I've actually found I'm less inclined to drink water while vaping heavily, when I should be doing the opposite, especially in 100-degree weather. Wonder if it's a mental thing or what actually causes that, and if I'm alone on the matter.

I had to drink a lot of water when vaping heavy, my muscles started to twitch without water. Plus my mouth the next morning was like Death Valley so I almost force myself to drink water throughout the day.

 

[jtpjc]

Just get a Provari and an RBA.

There, that's the worst advice I can give you.

 

[hairball]

Never leave batteries unattended while charging. If the battery is going to blow, usually this is when it will happen.

 

[J_Gundy]

I think there's been some really good advice shared on this thread! Stellar in fact. The only thing I'd disagree with is that a few people have said "avoid tobacco flavors." We're all different, and tobacco flavors just might be the right thing for some people.

Full disclosure: I haven't quit smoking, but have cut back a lot (from about 15-18 a day to 5-8 a day). I'm also quite new to this all, less than three months in.

That said, so far a couple of the tobacco flavors I've tried are turning out to be favorites, especially those with NETs. I think it's because they somehow mimic that neutral-flavored nic fix experience. To me, cigs don't have much of a flavor (unless burnt is a flavor, lol), so when I have a craving fruit doesn't seem to hit the spot the same way. Another thing that I noticed is that I typically want straight tobacco flavors after a meal because they seem to "clear the palate" in a way that is more like a cigarette. If I still have the taste of something savory in my mouth, I don't want to inhale strawberry or butterscotch, etc. Just my personal experience. That might change as time goes by, who knows...

As for the advice I'd give:
eCigs can be a lot more inconvenient than a pack of smokes. You can't just light up, toss away and open a new pack when you're ready for more. You have to prep, refill, clean, etc. So be prepared to come up with methods that make this new venture into a habit. Find ways to make it part of your routine, and don't be surprised if at first it seems like a PITA compared to smoking. It's worth the effort. Once you figure out what your favorite devices are, and have built up the necessary supplies and accessories you'll be fine. For example, one of my preferred methods is dripping. Now that I have a few atties in my arsenal, if one set is gunked up I toss it in vodka and swap in new ones. No biggie, no waiting, no hassle. Over time these things fall into place.

And just remember that getting cancer, emphysema, etc. would be a whole lot more inconvenient than maintaining your eCigs!

 

[josie wales]

After doing a lot of research, every round tube shaped thing you see will look like a mod!

 

[Retro68]

Vaped and smoked for the first week. Gave up the smoking entirely when the cigs started tasting foul. Within 4 months time I have gone from 36mg to 18, and have been good at 18mg for the last few months. No desire to give up nicotine, just the other harmful stuff. Frankly I am happy with 2 ego vv 1200mah and one itaste mvp, and a small collection (now) of glass vivi's and 2 sizes of protanks. I dont have anything negative to say about vaping, but its going to be a different experience for everyone, and its not FOR everyone. It does take time and effort, and decent equipment.

 

[greywolff]

I have been useing a e-cig for about a 6 weeks i smoked 10 decreasing down to none over 4 weeks been "analog" free for a few weeks now. I vape around a 18 to 20 MG. I usually mix a 18mg VG base with a 24mg PG flavor.. FYI found a new favorite a Mountain dew vg base with a mixed berry pg very happy

 

[Borescoped]

After doing a lot of research, every round tube shaped thing you see will look like a mod!

Or something else... reminds me of something Phil Busardo said on one of his reviews..... something-esque

ROFL

 

[r77r7r]

Most of what you buy ( toppers, juice) will be non-refundable. Not a good place to put your money.

Delivery will take as long as it takes, Not worth paying for fast shipping.

 

[charmschool]

Excellent thread, and I feel your pain. Some people are lucky & do well right away, but I didn't have an easy time with the transition. The negatives I experienced are what keep me from actively recruiting my friends. The whole thing is SO subjective. It can be frustrating, confusing, time consuming & expensive to find what works for you. I tell that to anyone who asks. I'm glad I stuck with it & I did find what works for me eventually, but don't bother trying it if you're expecting an overnight miracle.

 

[montara]

...your nose is in fact not runny, rather it is condensation forming in your nose from vapour and dripping out uncontrollably...

That explains a lot! I thought it was from the Nor-Cal summer coastal fog... And does vaping promote great growth of nasal hair?

 

[vicflo]

To answer the OP while being somewhat influenced by the roller coaster of subsequent posts...

<An ecig is not a cigaratte. If you go in thinking its going to be the real thing you are clearly mistaken. The oral fixation and nicotine dose are there but the whole nostalgia surrounding smoking a real cigarette will never be replaced. So no, ecigs themselves will never make anyone quit smoking, but they may help.>

Cessation is the job of the smoker, not the tools you use to get there.

Note: Even if you talk in a stricly "smoker" point of view... ive seen smokers that only smoke 1 brand and one brand only, meaning not even another cigarette will replace their personal preference of choice. we all know them and some of are or have been that person.

 

[tjmax]

1) Be VERY careful of where you shop. Go with tried and trusted sites. As with all things internet there is a lot of fakes, fraud and thieves.
2) Don't expect to find the perfect product for you with the first purchase you make. In all likely hood the first one you try will suck unless you do a lot of research first.
3) Don't expect it to work like magic. Some people can not make a cut and dry switch to them, some people can. A lot of it is based of your own determination. I set a date when i was using both and just did it. you may or may not be able to do the same.
4) Expect the possibility of getting headaches when you first start. this will normally come if your nicotine level is too high or you find your self chain vaping.
5) the possibility of feeling loopy, this is also from too high a nicotine intake. I reduced my nicotine juices to the lowest levels i could find when i first started cause i found my self chain vaping. That should pass with time. its a new toy and you tend to use it more then you would a cig.
6)as you continue vaping with out smoking , you may cough up mucus, you may get zits. this is your body trying to heal and it will pass as well.
7) Lots of people fall into the trying to find the perfect set up right away. they end up spending a lot of money doing so. Keep your needs simple to start with. Find a simple rig and one juice you can deal with and go for a few weeks or months with it till you get past the first phases of coming off tobacco. Lots of things change in your body once you stop smoking Cigs, your tastes sharpen your sense of smell comes back to normal. A lot of new folks spend way too much trying to find perfection right out of the gate.