Is this bad?

[AndyStevens]

Hello ECF!

I just turned 18 in February and only socially smoked analogs before. My friend got me into the E-cig around March or April and I ordered one because of the headbuzz and delicious flavours.

My question is, is it bad that I started using it for this reason? I feel like most users here started to quit smoking, but I started to... well start "smoking" I guess.

Is it bad that I am or will be addicted to nicotine in e-juice form without any prior exposure?

 

[CaptJay]

You can get addicted to nicotine in ANY form (cigs, PV, snus, hookah, nic gum, nic patches); PV are priamrily soemthing for smokers who no longer want to smoke, or want to cut down smoking.
I can't tell you it's 'bad' because I started smoking cigs around aged 18 too; so I'd be a hypocrit if I criticised you for starting at that age. However why start an addiction that you don't need to? Most of us rue the day WE did - although we may enjoy smoking NOW, we also regret the various health issues we have because of it; not just from smoking but nicotine itself, while not something that causes cancer, isn't great for your arteries or hormones.
There are plenty of ZERO nicotine flavors available if you MUST use a PV - I just don't recommend picking up an addiction when you will probably regret it years down the line.
Obviously you are unsure too or you wouldn't have bothered coming here to ask

 

[Jimmy_2k9]

Call me crazy, but these threads just don't look right to me... Someone is up to something here, I'm fairly certain of it.

If this is a serious thread, I'm sorry. To answer Your questions, Yes its bad. vaping is a safer alternative for smokers, I can see how it would look "cool" and give you a head buzz. If It's a head buzz your after though, it would be alot cheaper to grab some red bull, chug them and do some jumping jacks.


I started smoking when I was a kid (13), to look cool around my friends. My parents didn't care if I smoked, which seemed cool at the time also. If I could go back to that first cigarette, I'd beat up the kid who offered it to me.

 

[smokingisbad]

I would not tell anyone who does not smoke to start vaping. There is no point. However JIMMY nice pic of the Dimebag the Great!!RIP BTW. you joined the same time as I did and have been vaping for just about as long as me.Weird

 

[dash704]

Call me crazy, but these threads just don't look right to me... Someone is up to something here, I'm fairly certain of it.

If this is a serious thread, I'm sorry. To answer Your questions, Yes its bad. Vaping is a safer alternative for smokers, I can see how it would look "cool" and give you a head buzz. If It's a head buzz your after though, it would be alot cheaper to grab some red bull, chug them and do some jumping jacks.

I agree, I found most people that vape, do because it's a (It seems as we know at this point) better alternative than smoking! I DON'T WANT TO SMOKE and this forum is filled with people trying to drop nicotine or getting away from that stuff. If you vape for flavor PLEASE PLEASE stay with ZERO nic. and you gotta love redbull and jumping jacks....

This one caught me off guard!

 

[four2109]

I don't know about "bad". I would call it stupid.
You're right Jimmy. It's another one.

 

[ImYourSalt]

maybe it's not bad. but that doesn't make it good.

but you're an adult now. and your decisions are yours to live with.

 

[DC2]

Here's how drugs work...

You get a buzz, or a rush at first.
Then you don't anymore.

So you need more.
And then you get hooked and can't stop.

Welcome to the nightmare of your own making.

Enjoy while you can.
Soon it will suck more than you can imagine.

 

[Andrew_315]

Well I got mine because I tried my friends and liked it. Occasionally I had a normal cig but after awhile you start to only crave the ecig and start to venture off of analogs. I went back and had one, I felt like I was going to throw up afterwards.

 

[ivyjhen]

I have to agree with ImYourSalt...You are an adult and are capable of making your own decisions. But I would suggest educating yourself on both smoking and vaping so that you can make an informed decision whether or not to take up either.

 

[Jimmy_2k9]

I have to agree with ImYourSalt...You are an adult and are capable of making your own decisions. But I would suggest educating yourself on both smoking and vaping so that you can make an informed decision whether or not to take up either.

Sometimes adults don't always make good decisions though. Infact, adults seeking advice on their decision, could use another person telling them It's not a good idea.


So yeah, If I was an adult looking to make my own decision, I wouldn't debate it on a public forum, I'd make the choice on my own.

 

[AndyStevens]

Sometimes adults don't always make good decisions though. Infact, adults seeking advice on their decision, could use another person telling them It's not a good idea.


So yeah, If I was an adult looking to make my own decision, I wouldn't debate it on a public forum, I'd make the choice on my own.

Well surely you aren't ignorant enough to think you have all the answers to proceed blindly with a decision without any advice?

I only came here to get everyone's opinion on what I originally decided to do. Obviously I will reconsider this plan, but I only needed opinions, not harsh judgments.

 

[Rev. Redmond Farrier]

I just started vaping today to try to ween myself off of pipe smoking. But, beware, the road I took to escape my deadly addiction is a two way street. I started with something deadly and am taking it down to something that is not really all that good for me (nicotine is bad for your body, even without the cancer causing agents) Since you started where I am headed, the natural progression is in the opposite direction. I would rather someone start with e-cigs and stay there than try burning old, fermented leaves and inhaling the smoke on a regular basis, but the best thing is to stay away from the habit all together.
Bottom line though, if you are of age then the choice is yours. You have to decide for yourself if you will expose yourself to an addictive substance. It is the same choice I had to make for myself (and I chose poorly) years ago. I regret my choice. I have been known to quit for years at a time only to start back up again in times of stress. I know it is killing me, yet I set fire to those old chemical soaked leaves anyway. That is the kind of hold it takes on you. You end up valuing the smoke more than your own life; and it can stay with you for years after you think you have defeated it.
But again I say, if you are of age, the risk is yours to take.

Rev. R. Farrier

 

[justsomeguy]

Call me crazy, but these threads just don't look right to me... Someone is up to something here, I'm fairly certain of it.

Agreed - something doesn't seem right at all.
I guess we'll just have to wait and see how much 'Andy' decides to participate in the community here.

(apparently in the time I typed this he responded again)

If this is a sincere post then - I apologize.
But I'll have to echo everyone else's sentiments for the most part - if you are not truly addicted to nicotine at this point the I would highly recommend STOPPING IMMEDIATELY.

Ask any smoker and the vast majority of them will tell you that smoking is by far their biggest regret in life. Addiction is not fun. Hell, I don't even like the fact that I'm addicted to coffee... and that is at least more manageable.

If I could go back in time and tell my 18 year old self one thing it would be to not pick up that first cigarette. I'm sure I wouldn't listen... but I could at least try.

Just my 2 cents.
If you can avoid it - avoid it.
Otherwise you'll regret it for years and years to come.

 

[AndyStevens]

Agreed - something doesn't seem right at all.
I guess we'll just have to wait and see how much 'Andy' decides to participate in the community here.

I don't really understand. You think I'm trying to stir up a reaction here or something? What? What is it? You're overestimating my intentions...

 

[CaptJay]

Well surely you aren't ignorant enough to think you have all the answers to proceed blindly with a decision without any advice?

I only came here to get everyone's opinion on what I originally decided to do. Obviously I will reconsider this plan, but I only needed opinions, not harsh judgments.

I gave my non harsh opinion
In fact a few people did, perhaps we were too long winded about it but - we don't recommend it as it will become addictive. Then you'll curse us (or someone) for not warning you.
DC2 kinda summed up whats that like - its no fun scrabbling for butts from your trash cos you're craving nic.
So..end of the day your decision to make. Good luck either way.

 

[AndyStevens]

I gave my non harsh opinion
In fact a few people did, perhaps we were too long winded about it but - we don't recommend it as it will become addictive. Then you'll curse us (or someone) for not warning you.
DC2 kinda summed up whats that like - its no fun scrabbling for butts from your trash cos you're craving nic.
So..end of the day your decision to make. Good luck either way.

I appreciate the civility! I've been using bottles with 26mg for the past two months or so. I think I'll either cut that in half or possibly try out 0mg. We'll see how that goes.

Thanks again!

 

[justsomeguy]

If we jumped the gun on you, I do apologize.
There is a lot of bad press going around about e-cigs, and the FDA and many state governments are making moves to ban them. One of the main arguments used is the possibility that they may lead to nictoine addiction in kids who just think the e-cig is 'cool.' And honestly, I wouldn't put it past some groups out there to plant posts on popular sites to back up their arguments.

This is a great community - and you'll find a lot of good advice and information here.
You will also find some paranoia at the moment.

 

[AndyStevens]

If we jumped the gun on you, I do apologize.
There is a lot of bad press going around about e-cigs, and the FDA and many state governments are making moves to ban them. One of the main arguments used is the possibility that they may lead to nictoine addiction in kids who just think the e-cig is 'cool.' And honestly, I wouldn't put it past some groups out there to plant posts on popular sites to back up their arguments.

This is a great community - and you'll find a lot of good advice and information here.
You will also find some paranoia at the moment.

Oh! Now I understand the situation. I've been keeping tabs on this forum for a little while so I understand what's been going on in the press and legislation - but I assure you - my post was legitimate.

I didn't mean to imply I began vaping because I thought it was cool, rather I enjoyed the buzz and general feeling of alertness. I had a pretty bad Red Bull habit before I started vaping, (which is funny considering the comment a few posts back) but I haven't needed one since I started.

Sorry for the misunderstanding. I was just interested in you guys' thoughts on a starting non-smoking vaper.

 

[justsomeguy]

This is the thing - right now you enjoy the 'alertness' and 'buzz' you get.
As soon as you're hooked, you're dependant on the nicotine - and everything shifts.

You will very soon find yourself in a position of NEEDING the nicotine to feel 'normal.'
You won't get a buzz, you won't feel alert... you just won't feel cranky, groggy, etc.

That's what addiction is all about.
Very quickly the nicotine dosen't ADD anything to your life... all it does is make you feel NORMAL. I can't remember the last time I had a 'buzz' from nicotine. All I know is I feel like crap without it.... and it's because my body (and my mind) are addicted to it now.

Seriously - if you are at a point where you can stop using nicotine all together, your life will be much better for it. I'm happy that I found the e-cig, so that at least I won't hopefully die a horrible lung cancer death... but make no mistake, I'm still a drug addict.
I cannot function properly without nicotine - and I hope to someday be able to quit it completely.

But when I do - it'll be a tough battle... it'll suck, everyday, for a long time.

If you are at a point in your life where you can avoid that - trust the opinion of the majority of people here who are telling you that you will be much better off if you steer clear of it early.

Not trying to be a total downer here.
Just letting you know what it's like from the other side.