I've had my e-cig for almost a year. Still smoking 20-25 'analog' cigarettes daily & need a plan.

[freefin]

The first thing you can do is make sure you don't have any analogs in the car.
Next, make sure you have a charged battery and carts in your car.
Get a USB cig for your computer and smoke only ecigs there as well.
That's a good start.
Another thing you can consider, is only buy one pack per day and don't stock up.
This will limit you to 20 per day no matter what.

 

[cherewine]

I am going on my 5th week of vaping, but the first two weeks didn't fare so well for me. I was using a KR808D-1 with the prefilled cartos, in 18mg. I was a pack to pack and a half day smoker. During the first two weeks I found myself slipping out on the porch to have a few puffs of the stinky-sticks (and I mean they STUNK). I was becoming frustrated during week two and read on the forum here that it was possible that I needed to up my nic level. So, I bought 24mg juices....and I bought a LOT of different flavors as well. When they arrived, I filled the old prefilled carto's that I had and, I swear to God, I never had another analog since! I think that between the upped nic levels and the wide variety of flavors that I had to play around with, I kept myself so immersed in my vaping that I didn't even think about running out for a smoke! Now, during the 3rd week, the thought of analogs did cross my mind, but it wasn't strong enough of a "want" to succumb to it. I just vaped a bit more and it quickly passed. If you have to walk around with your pv in hand all the time and vape every few minutes...really, it's okay! Like a previous poster stated, have yourself a couple of cartos set up with different mg of nic so that you can switch off once and a while, to keep from getting head rushes, dizziness, or other signs of too much nictotine (which I never encountered but you may be different). good luck to you....it will happen...have faith!

 

[Jmitchelliv]

Best advice ever - Marathon vape.

When I first started, I vaped when I wanted an analog. I vaped even when I didn't want an analog. It just got got to the point where my tastes switched and I didn't really want the analogs as much anymore.

It was also mentioned earlier, but some higher nic juice would probably help you out bigtime. Check out some 24 and 36 mg juices.

Good luck, and use this board as your support group. So many have, and so many have made the switch... you'll get there.

 

[DigiTechDude]

For me I cut way back, from pack a day to 5-10 cigs a day, sometimes none. I went into this with no expectation of quitting, just enjoy vaping for what it is. I mostly started with the unimportant cigs, choosing to vape throughout the da at work instead of smoke when I needed a couple minutes to myself, and to vape when driving instead of smoking. Without any goals or expectations I've cut down to 0-10 cigs a day depending on what I'm doing, the weather (I only smoke outside or in my truck), and other factors. I think I enjoy the non-tobacco flavors more than real cigs. To me, ecigs are just a different way to get my nic fix.I have found having no expectation helps. Just enjoy it for what it is with the thought of maybe quitting in the back of your mind.

 

[oldsoldier]

Great advice here so far. When started vaping I found that there are times that chain vaping could take off the edge or urge/need for an analog. I also made sure that my juices were 24 MG, because if you don't get the nicotine you crave from vaping you'll end up smoking to get it. Now I find myself not wanting an analog and the smell of analogs is actually pretty nasty.

Good luck and I hope that all the great advice you've received in this thread helps you kick the analogs to the curb!

 

[pianoguy]

Firstly, hang out here at the ECF - as you've already discovered, it is a fantastic support system, and everyone here has been through what you're experiencing in one way or another. My first few days I didn't have high enough nicotine to completely avoid a few cigarettes, but as soon as I bumped up to 24mg, it wasn't difficult for me. A few mild cravings for a few weeks, but nothing I couldn't manage. I made sure to have cigarettes available, just so I wouldn't panic. But even carrying around a pack for a week, I never felt like I had to have one. The few packs I had left are still out in the garage somewhere, collecting dust. Best of luck to you!

 

[PaulB]

I don't think you mentioned how much you smoked before you got your e-cig. If you're down from 3-4 ppd, or have cut your consumption in half, a big part of you should be congratulating yourself. I'm like you, in that after nearly a year of vaping I still smoke, but have managed to keep it down to typically 4-6 a day (down from a 25 or so). I don't think there have been three days in the last 6 month where I've lit up that 7th cigarette. I'm ambivalent about a 100% quit. Maybe someday, maybe not. I know I've helped myself a lot with my present 80% quit, and if I decide to go entirely cigarette-less, it's not going to be the struggle it would be without vaping.

There's a lot of good advice in the responses so far. I think you need to look at it both from the smoking and vaping ends. My routine is pretty much scheduled smoking: two in the morning, the second right after the first. Occasionally one at lunch, usually not. The remaining three or so, interspersed through the evening, usually including one right before bedtime.

All the rest of the time I'm vaping as much as circumstances will allow. I would rarely have let myself do that with cigarettes (otherwise I would've been a 3 ppd smoker), even though I might often have wanted to. So, in a way, chain-vaping as much as I want to makes me feel like I'm getting something out of vaping that I deprived myself of with smoking. That seems to be psychologically important for me.

16mg is probably a way too low nic level for you if you're still finding yourself smoking more than you want to. If nothing else, a higher level-- 24, 30, 36--should increase the amount of time until smoking that next cigarette will be pleasurable (if you continue to want to at all).

 

[RY4Junkee]

I have 2 Joye eGos thay I keep charged up all the time. I have 24 mgs of nic in one and a lower nic in the other. When I feel that urge, I vape a few hits off the higher nic then I chain vape on the other. And I make sure that there is plenty of different flavors of juice to break up the monotony.

I've also convinced myself that smoking analogs is one of the grossest and nasties habits and even just the smell of cigarette smoke will literally make me gag. It actually happened today as I was walking out of my doc's office.

I was able to quit cold-turkey after 28yrs of being a 1 to 1 1/2 PAD smoker. It's as mental and emotional as it is physical. Good luck to you and I hope everything works out!

 

[Infernia]

My experience was exactly like cherewine's. I too had a kr8 and 18mg nic juice that tasted so-so and some were awful. I still smoked analogs until I got my new juice flavors and 24mg strength. It was a total struggle that I kept losing if I tried to stop analogs on the 18mg juice.
At some point the analogs became nasty tasting to the point I chose the vaping over the cigarette and quit for good. There are times I still want one but a good vaping session with harsh flavor and a strong nic juice and it's gone. I wish you the best and the prior suggestions on here are stellar. This is a great forum and great support group.
Good luck

 

[Sandi Penn]

don't give up on the ecig...try some new flavors. once u find a flavor and strength that works for u giving up the analogs will b much easier...i promise

 

[silkakc]

I am going on my 6th week of vaping, but the first two weeks didn't fare so well for me. I was using a KR808D-1 with the prefilled cartos, in 18mg. I was a pack to pack and a half day smoker. During the first two weeks I found myself slipping out on the porch to have a few puffs of the stinky-sticks (and I mean they STUNK). I was becoming frustrated during week two and read on the forum here that it was possible that I needed to up my nic level. So, I bought 24mg juices....and I bought a LOT of different flavors as well. When they arrived, I filled the old prefilled carto's that I had and, I swear to God, I never had another analog since! I think that between the upped nic levels and the wide variety of flavors that I had to play around with, I kept myself so immersed in my vaping that I didn't even think about running out for a smoke! Now, during the 3rd week, the thought of analogs did cross my mind, but it wasn't strong enough of a "want" to succumb to it. I just vaped a bit more and it quickly passed. If you have to walk around with your pv in hand all the time and vape every few minutes...really, it's okay! Like a previous poster stated, have yourself a couple of cartos set up with different mg of nic so that you can switch off once and a while, to keep from getting head rushes, dizziness, or other signs of too much nictotine (which I never encountered but you may be different). good luck to you....it will happen...have faith!

Exactly! You get a flavor you love and the right milligram nic and the urge for a real one goes 100% away! It made quitting so easy that it was scary...after 30 yrs of smoking

 

[Wenlamei]

Hello Jack!

I'm super new to this, (almost 5 days smoke free), so I probably am not qualified to dispense advice, but here's the three tips I feel I can offer:

Do not, EVER, berate yourself for smoking. I've heard that the addiction to smoking is one of the hardest to break. Up there with some serious hardcore drugs.. Any less you smoke is better. Even your desire to quit is worth so much!!

Be prepared for the trial and error. I'm getting by ... barely. With optimism, determination, and the confidence that the things I've ordered, but haven't yet tried, (different accessories, flavors, strengths, etc.) will suit me better.

Keep coming back! I'm sorry to get all AA, but this is a great group of people. They want you to succeed. They provide a plethora of knowledge and endless amounts of kindness. If you need support, this is where to come.

Sorry I don't have better advice on how to exactly achieve your goals. It's a struggle. Just know that everyone here cares about you, wants to see you reach your goals, and will help you in anyway possible.

Good luck my new friend and let me know if there is any way in which I can help you,
~Wendy

 

[monsterkitty]

hi there, i am also new to this, today is my 12th day of vaping. i smoked 1-1/2 packs a day, down to 4 cigs, and planning to go lower! i totally chain-vape, carry it around with me always. i have 3 different cartridge/atomizer flavors set up that i just keep switching out when the atty gets warm. i also found the 24mg nic did the trick, although i also keep one cartridge with 16-18 nic in the set-up. sometimes too much vaping on the 24mg makes me feel funny, and i find i need to vape alot to keep me satisfied (i hope this is making sense).

i made a deal with myself early on to vape when the urges hit, and if i still wanted a cig then i could have one. the vaping and high nic level takes care of most of the cravings. also, the urges hit hard and fast in the first week, but have dwindled to almost nothing.

keep on trying, you wouldn't be here if you didn't want to do it. just try vaping for the better part of one day, see if it doesn't satisfy the cravings on every level. it gets easier really fast. someone at this forum told me early on that there would be a learning curve, to go easy on myself. that is exactly what i am doing, and i am still learning how this whole thing works. it takes time, give yourself a chance.

 

[john doe]

Another good tip is to always or whenever possible keep a glass of water handy. It's very easy to get sore muscles and a headache from constant vaping. It dehydrates and one of the metabolites of PG is lactic acid which can cause the muscle aches. The water also gives you one more thing to do besides lighting up.

 

[zadane]

Personally, you don't need to quit smoking analogs 100%

If you can cut down to maybe 5 a day, that's a hell of a-lot better than 25.

I am down to 2-3... While they don't taste the same for me... I just can't seem to get rid of them. and i'm in no hurry to.

I know that if I think about quitting than I am thinking about analogs and therefor want to smoke one.

Don't wait for the urge to smoke comes around to start vaping. just vape every now and then, that's what i do. and i went from 15-25 analogs a day down to 2 or 3 in my first day.

Another good tip is to always or whenever possible keep a glass of water handy. It's very easy to get sore muscles and a headache from constant vaping. It dehydrates and one of the metabolites of PG is lactic acid which can cause the muscle aches. The water also gives you one more thing to do besides lighting up.

I noticed this too. And once it happens it's too late. you will just have to drink water and suffer for a while until it goes away.

 

[medman1234]

I suggest jumping in head first!Cold turkey and just chain vape for about a week.Worked for me.

 

[Mudflap]

One thing that hasn't been touched on so far is the fact that you might not be appreciating the taste of your PV due to analogues having "numbed" your taste buds. If you can ever get off them completely, your taste buds will recover and you'll be better able to taste and enjoy the subtle flavors available.

To help you get there, I suggest you buy some strong potent flavors in the 24mg to 36mg nicotine concentrations as previously suggested.

This thread here had some good suggestions for strong flavors:

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...commendations-juice-really-strong-flavor.html

 

[throatkick]

What differs a bit with you is that you are looking for mini steps or a "plan"
In addition to some of the wonderful answers provided already I would not beat myself up about this and consider the following in their totality:

1 Determine what your analogs provide that your PV (e-cig) doesn't
2 Go to the Veterans forum and describe the feel, taste, etc. in a detailed fashion
3 Ask for a recommendation
4 Buy whatever is decided after that exchange
5 Buy different juices as well as some plain VG and PG juice. (This way you can dilute stronger juices)
6. Experiment
7. Once you find something very close, you will find there is no reason to smoke analogs. It will fade.
8. If absolute worse comes to worse, you can light an analog but smoke your e-cig. That way you can smell the stench (that many of us used to love so much and thought we would miss)

I smoked 3 ppd and sometimes 3+ if I went out drinking at night. I started with the mall e-cigs and craved analogs like crazy.
Came here, read like mad, understood my options very well and acted. I have 2 Leos and an EGO with a passthrough. Have tons of juices and I am creating flavors, tastes and various vapor densities at will. This is fun too! There is no amount of money that would even make me go back!

All the best amigo! You can do it ! There's nothing to it!

P.S. Just as an example of what knowledgeable, veteran vapers can offer, take a look at this answer by DondaBoomVape:
http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/ask-veterans/147727-great-throat-hit.html

Since throat hit is what I crave, you bet I'm trying his advice. Your "thing" may be something different but if you ask, you will get a solid, eloquent and actionable answer that may really help you.

 

[Luvs5rugrats]

one bit of advice I read here when I started was what ultimately helped train my brain was to tell myself I wasn't quitting smoking, I was switching brands to a cheaper and tastier brand. Those words coupled with using my PV as my pacifier did it. The first 3-4 days were the toughest but they really weren't that bad. It was the physical withdrawal of getting off the other junk in cigs because I had no nicotine cravings at all. Every so often the "missing something" nag hits me but they get fewer and farther between every day and when they do hit, I don't put down my pv until they're gone.

 

[trouble2k]

I have to agree with a lot of the advice that you've been receiving. It took me almost 3 months after starting to vape until I could even think about going a couple of days w/o a cig. Some of the biggest problems I had at first were not getting enough nicotine, not having the right set-up to provide the battery life that I needed, and not loving my juices. I think the only way to fix any of these is to completely immerse yourself into vaping for a while.

Don't focus so much on quitting. Just try to keep focused on making your vaping experience as great as it can be. Sift through all of the information you can find time for. See if there's a PV setup that people are talking about that sparks a lot of excitement and interest in you, order in some different liquids from different suppliers to try out, try different types of attys and cartos, and just keep stalking the mailman!! Keep yourself excited about what you are doing. Soon enough, you will find exactly what is working for you. In the mean time, enjoy it. Don't stress over it. Stress and regular routine made most of us want to smoke.

Don't worry about the cigarettes that you smoke while you're finding what's right for you. The next thing you know notice is that you've spent so much time trying all of this new and different stuff, you didn't even have time to smoke