Kinda bummed ....

[SpiritBear]

As of today, I've been one month without cigarettes. I've been so completely thrilled that my eGo-C and juices have made it possible for me to achieve this with a minimum of stress, but even with the assistance it's still a Really Big Deal to me that I have quit the cigs after 40+ years. I thought anyone/everyone I know would be "celebrating" this one-month milestone with me.

But both yesterday and then again today, I've been forced to be on the defensive about vaping. And this was not by strangers. It was from two people who are very close to me and have been for many, many years. Yesterday, one of them pointed out "Yes, but you're still addicted to nicotine." And today the other said, "Well, I don't consider that you've quit smoking until you no longer need the nicotine." Neither one offered any congratulations.

Honestly? Both times it felt like a slap in the face, and when it was said to me today (after yesterday's conversation), my first impulse was that I wanted a cigarette ... for the first time in a month. The sense I got was that I haven't accomplished a thing which made me feel "why bother, then?".

Both these individuals do truly care about my health, and that's the only saving grace. I just wish those who care about my health would be 100% supportive of me finding something that has made quitting cigarettes possible.

I wanted cake, ya know? And got a pie in the face instead.

 

[Katya]

Ask them if they are coffee drinkers. Same thing--really. Nicotine is possibly more beneficial than caffeine, though.

Researchers Investigate (Horrors!) Nicotine's Potential Benefits - New York Times

 

[mechanus]

It kinda blows when you don't get support from people who are close to you, but the important thing here is: you made it! A month is a milestone - one that you achieved by yourself and one that you should reward yourself for. Splurge on a new flavor or on a small piece of gear that you were eyeing. I know support is important, but the decision to quit smoking is something very personal and something that calls for a lot of internal will power, regardless of the method used.

Is nicotine a problem? Well, that's really for you to decide after the following months. The wonderful thing about vaping is that, for the first time since you quit smoking, YOU are in CONTROL. You get to decide if you want to continue using nicotine or if you want to switch to nicotine free e-liquids. As a huge aside, there are several, scientific studies (outside of this industry) that are starting to propose that nicotine isn't an evil thing, and that it probably should be a dietary supplement - too early for it to be conclusive, but we'll get there as well.

It will get better and maybe, just maybe, down the line those close to you will recognize the same thing. Just always keep this in mind: you're doing this for you.

 

[InTheShade]

That's a tough break right there Spiritbear, but one I deal with too. My wife gives me loads of support and I know she is proud of me, but my work friends and some others that I classed as friends have been a little, lets say, harsh about the vaping. I now no longer class them as friends and have moved on.

BUT, don't do it for their approval (even though that would be nice), do it for your health and well-being.

Congratulations from me - one month after 40 years is awesome .

 

[hottierockstar]

congratulations!
be proud of yourself...major major thing you have accomplished!!

mmmm cake!

 

[SeaTownLassy]

One month is indeed a wonderful accomplishment. I'm looking forward to my one month mark as well. I too had a friend say a similar thing in regards to nicotine. I was pretty happy about saying "Its been 15 days! Woohoo!". And she said "...That's great! So, did ya just quit cold turkey and vaping for the oral fixation and something to do with your hands?

"No....not cold turkey....this juice has nicotine in it"

" Well, then you haven't really quit smoking...."

"Wow, thanks for spoiling the fact that I can smell things better, taste things better, not inhaling carcinogens and chemicals, and not have stale smoke odor on my clothes...."


It sucks when the support one would expect from those close to them, turns out to be "tsk tsk tsk". It takes a sense of commitment to find means of quitting and staying smoke free for even a week..... a month is an enormous milestone, and you're still going strong at being smoke free. Kudos to you, SpiritBear.

Namaste....

~Restita

 

[TheSystemHasFailed]

It may be outside of your culture range, or not...but what do you think the term "hater/s" means?

They are anything but positive because you made a change FOR the positive, which they can't do, yet recognize.

Even if they don't smoke. There is always something someone needs to change.

Trust me.

 

[Susiejo]

Spiritbear, don't get discouraged. There will always be those in all our lives that can't see the good in something if it jumped up and smacked them in the face,( and believe me, sometimes I wanted to). You have quit smoking for your own personal reasons and a month is a GREAT accomplishment, (I myself have just passed that milestone). Just stay focused on you and overlook those around you that are ignorant about vaping. Whether or not I continue to vape or whether I use this as a stepping stone to quitting nicotine altogether is my choice, but if I decide I want to continue vape, I am fine with that. Vaping is not hazardous to my health or the health of those around me. So for now I'll be proud of where I'm at and so should you!

~Susiejo

 

[elscorcho]

Forget the neigh-sayers.......Congratulations are in order! Way to go man!

 

[TheSystemHasFailed]

Here's a good staple for those who deal with this.

Point a finger, three pointing back!

Infantile it may land as such to some but, life laws are built around common sense.

 

[Kolect]

It is most certainly a step in the right direction. Electronic Cigarettes have yet to hit the mainstream and because of that there are a lot of un answered questions. People dont fully understand them and what people dont know, most of the time ends up getting bad opinions about. Sorry that was badly expressed but either way, as far as i'm concerned - no burning of plant matter = healthier. So pat yourself on the back and take it from us that your in a better place without the cancer sticks. Keep it up.

 

[The Ocelot]

Here's to your first of many months to come!

 

[nicetucu]

lol honestly you're doing better than me. I got my ego c twist 1000 mah batteries the end of March 2013 and haven't quit completely. I like the juice and all , but I'm a (or was a heavy smoker of camel 99's). I used to smoke about 25 a day give or take and now I smoke 5 or 6.

I wish I could completely quit and just vape like you. I use 24mg juice and think maybe I should up it to 36mg for a while and taper down.

So in my book you are winning bigtime! Good for you. I chain vape and don't ever get over nic'd ...well maybe in the beginning. Not anymore though. I get support from my wife (who says she will stop cold turkey when I don't smoke anymore).

You are not responsible for the way others perceive vaping. I couldn't care less what others think cause I know it is 99% better than actual smoke. I think the trick for me is finding the right juice (good NET and or WTA) to lessen the cravings when in high stress situations. I'm a bit jealous of those who stop smoking immediately after trying their first vape. Good luck!

 

[Katya]

Here's to your first of many months to come!

What, no rainbows?

 

[gully]

Congrats on one month!

Everyone close to me got a very thorough education on vaping and the difference between tobacco and nicotine.

Once they get that the rest is easy.

I'm proud that I stopped smoking after 30yrs and you should be even more proud for stopping after 40.

Chin up,shoulders back and Vape on!

 

[The Ocelot]

What, no rainbows?

 

[Katya]

 

[SpiritBear]

Really appreciate all the good words, folks. The support here on this Forum is just immense.

In all those years, I only tried once to quit. At the time, I was about 2 years into the habit. Made it for 3 days, and realized that my irritability factor was so high that there was risk of doing some real damage to my relationships, not to mention the risk of an unfortunate over-reaction to the activity level of the little toddler in the house. In brief: I scared myself and grabbed back onto those cigarettes like the life-preservers they *aren't*. It's been my One Vice, and I felt entitled to it ... not to mention that the world was a lot safer with me on the cigs. I never tried again until a month ago.

And the other thing is, I've never felt very defensive about the fact I smoked. On the contrary, I could be counted on to point out the fallacies in the opinions of supposed "experts" who vilified cigarettes at every turn. Reactions of some friends and family members to my quitting has been along the lines of "You? Quit smoking? Don't make me laugh ... but did you really? I thought you'd be the last smoker standing when the dust all cleared."

So having gone a month is not just a major achievement at a personal level, it's also probably kind of astounding.

 

[SpiritBear]

Here's to your first of many months to come!

Are these recommendations for New Flavors that I could reward myself with???!! Where do I get the Blue Whale, and the Rainbow?

 

[-brandon-]

First a big congrats!! Stay with it and if you feel compelled to get off the nicotine you now have the luxury of comfortably stepping down the levels all the way to zero at whatever pace you desire.

I have found that reading up and being more knowledgable on the subject has allowed me to quiet the naysayers rather easily. Bottom line is there are over 4000 chemicals in every cig that you are no longer taking in - that is a good thing no matter who you talk to. Nicotine is well understood and is a stimulant on par health wise with caffeine. PG is used in hospitals as an air disinfectant and is approved for such use by the FDA. VG - the only thing I've ever found negative is that some people can have an allergic reaction to skin and hair products containing it. Flavoring? Well we don't see chefs keeling over left and right from the steam from food so I think we're ok there.

Can we say there is absolutely zero health risks to vaping? Of course not, there has not been enough long term studies to scientifically prove so. We can however make a rather confident, educated assessment that vaping is vastly safer than cigs.

Anyways, congrats again, remember that your loved ones are probably well intentioned and take the high road, have a vape and give em a smile ;-)