I went from a pack per day to 3 per day instantly. I guess i have low willpower. But, keep with it. One thing I've learned since then, is that a Cigarette has more than 2000 chemicals, and nicotine is just one of them. Some of the other chemicals in an ecig are also addictive, and also support the nicotine part of the addiction, so it's not a 1:1 replacement. However, it does help a great deal... moreso than other NRTs.
I am a sceptical person.. I tend to distrust first, and have to win myself over to trusting something. Because of that, I've done a LOT of research, and look at things objectively. When I first saw a BLU ecig booth, I thought it was just for the ravers, and it was an image thing. As I saw more and more of the ecigs, and less of the "it's cool" hype, I did some research. I bought one that looked like a regular cigarette.. yes, an "uncool" looking one, and realized it actually does work. that's when I went into intense research mode. I read arguements for and against Ecigs, and everything against ecigs were mostly subjective and opinionated. In the end, I did quit, became quite knowelgeable about cigs, ecigs, nicotine, and NRTs. I can say, this is the best option for most people.
What I can tell you, is first off, you probably will (and from what I've heard, already have) the desire to smoke a regular cigarette. That is normal. As I said, it's not a direct 1:1 replacement for cigarettes. If you give in... don't look at it as a failure, look at it as you've succeeded for X amount of hours/days. Use the Ecig to ween yourself off of the 1,999 other chemicals from a cigarette. This is one tactic to use.. slowly reduce the cigarette consumption, and challenge yourself to go even longer if you do give in.
Ecigs deliver nicotine, but nicotine is processed by the body quicker with Ecigs. Cigarettes have additives to the tobacco. Some are there to keep nicotine in your bloodstream for longer. Because of that, you may only smoke X amount of cigarettes per day, but you may be constantly on the ecig. Just monitor your nicotine intake, and use an ecig more than you would normally use a regular cigarette.
After a while, things may seem to get worse, but they're not. While going through Cigarette withdrawl, I've noticed increased phlem, mucus, and coughing while not vaping, or while talking. I mention this, because my sister quit Ecigs and went back to smoking because of this. She's a nurse, and though that it was her body reacting negatively to the ecig chemicals. She was wrong. If you look at withdrawal symptoms, increased phlem is a way your body is healing itself. The tar that's in your lungs comes loose, and your lungs will start to try to get rid of it.. the way the lungs clear themselves, is by phlem, and coughing. I'm not saying it's going to get real bad, but you will notice an increase. This is temporary, and may last a few months. Mine lasted 5 months, but now, I can't remember the last time I coughed to clear my lungs.. it's been over a year.
Good luck with your quitting! If you stick with it, you'll go through a period where you start to smell things you haven't smelled before, taste more of your food, and find out what your wife's cooking REALLY tastes like.
If you have ANY question, feel free to ask. There is no such thing as a dumb question, but not asking CAN be dumb.
