I've been reading various threads and keep seeing the term "cold turkey" being used to mean (I think) the act of replacing analogs with vaping exclusively.
Is my understanding correct and do my fellow vapers agree that if you've stopped smoking analogs and vape only that you've stopped cold-turkey?
I ask because I always thought that cold-turkey meant no nicotine at all: no gum, no patch, no cigarettes, no nothin'. Plus, I find that I'm getting some flack from various people in my life who believe that vaping is just "gadgetry & gimmickry" and that cold-turkey is the "only" way.
I'm honestly not overly concerned with the flack: my lungs, my life my choice. I just wondered what the overall feeling amongst experienced vapers might be on the subject.
Thanks!
SMV
I don't consider vaping a "cold turkey" quit.. instead, I consider it a "much much healthier replacement".
Now, quitting cold turkey.... it works for some.. but not everyone. Cigarettes have a very complex chemistry of 2000ish chemicals. Some of those chemicals are cancerous, and the whole process of combustion causes tar which causes emphysema. With vaping, you limit the chemicals to 3 + flavor. The 3 chemicals (Nicotine, Propylene Glycol, and Vegetable Glycerine) are not cancerous. Most flavors are just as safe, but if the flavors are made from tobacco, they might contain an alkaloid that the tobacco had.
The FDA did a study back in 2009 on ecigs. out of the 10 that they tested, I think 6 contained ONE harmful chemical that was found in traditional cigarettes. All the flavors were a tobacco flavors and were from pre-filled cartridge "cigalikes". Most reputable juice companies avoid or at least tell you about any potential harmful chemicals in their eliquids.
So, in short, Smoking = 2000+ chemicals, 40+ are carcinogenic. Add emphysema... and you have a very bad product. Vaping = 4-10 chemicals, and more than likely has no carcinogenic chemicals. and no "emphysema causing tar". I wouldn't call vaping %100 safe... There are no absolutes in life. I would have to guess %99 safer, and definitely safer than driving a car.
As far as the flack you're getting from people in your life... do your best to educate them. From their view, they don't see any difference between smoke and steam. You inhale vapor, and exhale vapor, and they are worried about secondhand smoke (not vapor). If they go to a concert, a play, a haunted house during Halloween, and they see the fog machines... well, they're actually vaping and not knowing it. I would try to educate yourself, so you can educate them if they're willing to listen.
They've probably heard the bad press and publicity on vaping. FOX, NBC, The New York Times.... they're not out to find scientific truths, they're out for an alarmist story, and will post opinions as strong as they can to get you hooked on the story. That's how they get you interested. Look at those stories, and see how much of it is actually fact.
One example.... One research showed that Ecigarettes can contain formaldehyde... a known carcinogen. This became a very touted saying a few years ago. But, when we looked at the study, they put ecigarettes though such abuse that nobody would even come close to vaping at those levels... the vapor would be so hot you would scorch your lungs inhaling it (think 600 degree vapor). You could cook a steak at 600 degrees until it was a lump of coal... it would contain hundreds of carcinogens... so would you say steak is a carcinogenic? does anyone eat steak burned to a crisp like that? Reports like that are common scare tactics nowadays, and that's the ammo for the flack you're getting.
My advice... educate yourself.. look, then look deeper. You'll see what's happening. look for TRUE scientific studies, what their goal was, and how they came across their conclusions. You'll start seeing a pattern.
