I have no idea what prompted me to start looking up alternatives to smoking a few days ago, nor how I managed to find e-cigs. I know part of the reason is I currently have a really awful cold/cough combo going, and have done for a few weeks, and phlegm that tastes of ashtray is just gross. Maybe I was finally sick of it.
I was vaguely aware of pv's on some level as a writer I follow on Twitter used to use one as a way to get round the smoking ban in his "office" - ie, his local pub. I can't quite recall where I ended up when I decided to seek more information, but I remember looking at a USA-based supplier's website and just feeling very confused, and a quick google of some terms led me here. I spent an hour or two browsing the forum and reading people's advice about starter models - the "510" and the "eGo" got mentioned a lot, but when I started looking for UK suppliers none of these models seemed to relate to anything they had listed.
I ended up lost somewhere in the dark depths of Amazon looking at a gamucci brand thing, only to find a customer review on one model recommending a website called Liberro. Intrigued, I followed the reviewers advice and went there instead, and found a huge pile of information and some very noob-friendly starter kit explanations. Still sceptical at this point, I started plugging model names into google to find some impartial reviews, and turned up with e-cig-reviews.com. Was initially daunted but after watching some of his videos felt way more at home. Was gonna try the cheapo disposable one to see if I liked it to begin with, but for some reason I thought screw it and ordered a Realis kit.
It arrived yesterday afternoon at some point. I'm in love. The thought of smoking a Marlboro again turns my stomach, though I have two left from my very last packet and I'm really tempted to have one just to see how it matches up - but I think it might actually make me throw up. I was a bit of a random smoker - been doing it on and off for ten years now. At some points I was hitting 40/day, then two years off them, just didn't fancy any, and one day started again, and been on and off ever since. I was between 6 and 10 a day prior to yesterday, depending what I was doing (more if I was out drinking usually). Not exactly heavy, but enough to make me smell like an ashtray the whole time.
I played with it for most of the evening, decided I really do like the disposable tobacco cartomisers made for the Realis but was intrigued by the idea of apple and chocolate flavoured nicotine (amongst others), and when I could see no straightforward way to mess with a Realis to experience this, had another "screw it" moment, and ordered a Zenith too.
Everyone needs a backup, right? Anyway...
Today was my first "out and about" day with the Realis. My college friends are very impressed with it - got it out in Starbucks to show them and the staff didn't mind either, though I'm not sure they even noticed. One of my friends is a recent ex-smoker and has quit cold turkey, and was especially intrigued by it, but declined my offer of having a go in case he ended up wanting one himself, though I think if he does eventually fold he might try it out before going wholly back on the firey sticks of doom.
So far, no curious gazes or panicked shop owners needing explanations (Liberro sent some little business card things explaining why it's legal indoors that I have shoved in my wallet just in case), but certainly outdoors to the casual passerby the Realis is a damn convincing cigarette.
I suspect I'll need to order some spare parts for the Realis and the imminent Zenith at some point, but that can wait a week or two, at least till I figure out what 1 cartomiser is in terms of usage time for me.
I was vaguely aware of pv's on some level as a writer I follow on Twitter used to use one as a way to get round the smoking ban in his "office" - ie, his local pub. I can't quite recall where I ended up when I decided to seek more information, but I remember looking at a USA-based supplier's website and just feeling very confused, and a quick google of some terms led me here. I spent an hour or two browsing the forum and reading people's advice about starter models - the "510" and the "eGo" got mentioned a lot, but when I started looking for UK suppliers none of these models seemed to relate to anything they had listed.
I ended up lost somewhere in the dark depths of Amazon looking at a gamucci brand thing, only to find a customer review on one model recommending a website called Liberro. Intrigued, I followed the reviewers advice and went there instead, and found a huge pile of information and some very noob-friendly starter kit explanations. Still sceptical at this point, I started plugging model names into google to find some impartial reviews, and turned up with e-cig-reviews.com. Was initially daunted but after watching some of his videos felt way more at home. Was gonna try the cheapo disposable one to see if I liked it to begin with, but for some reason I thought screw it and ordered a Realis kit.
It arrived yesterday afternoon at some point. I'm in love. The thought of smoking a Marlboro again turns my stomach, though I have two left from my very last packet and I'm really tempted to have one just to see how it matches up - but I think it might actually make me throw up. I was a bit of a random smoker - been doing it on and off for ten years now. At some points I was hitting 40/day, then two years off them, just didn't fancy any, and one day started again, and been on and off ever since. I was between 6 and 10 a day prior to yesterday, depending what I was doing (more if I was out drinking usually). Not exactly heavy, but enough to make me smell like an ashtray the whole time.
I played with it for most of the evening, decided I really do like the disposable tobacco cartomisers made for the Realis but was intrigued by the idea of apple and chocolate flavoured nicotine (amongst others), and when I could see no straightforward way to mess with a Realis to experience this, had another "screw it" moment, and ordered a Zenith too.
Everyone needs a backup, right? Anyway...
Today was my first "out and about" day with the Realis. My college friends are very impressed with it - got it out in Starbucks to show them and the staff didn't mind either, though I'm not sure they even noticed. One of my friends is a recent ex-smoker and has quit cold turkey, and was especially intrigued by it, but declined my offer of having a go in case he ended up wanting one himself, though I think if he does eventually fold he might try it out before going wholly back on the firey sticks of doom.
So far, no curious gazes or panicked shop owners needing explanations (Liberro sent some little business card things explaining why it's legal indoors that I have shoved in my wallet just in case), but certainly outdoors to the casual passerby the Realis is a damn convincing cigarette.
I suspect I'll need to order some spare parts for the Realis and the imminent Zenith at some point, but that can wait a week or two, at least till I figure out what 1 cartomiser is in terms of usage time for me.
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welcome aboard, man. Cheers
