My mom was disheartened :(

[Dani1226]

So, I was talking to her today on the way to work... we work together I was telling her how even with the starter kit and accessories(passthrough, carrying case, 2 extra batteries, juice) I have still saved more than when I was smoking and I'm set up to last for quite a while now... She paused for a second like she was puzzled... She said, "Well... aren't you just using these to quit??"... I really never thought about explaining to her that I was going to be vaping as an alternative to smoking... and I can see how she might have assumed that since I've gone down in nicotine strength once already and she knew I planned on lowering it more once my body could stand not to have it...

I explained to her that I probably will never get over the oral fixation issues I have... needing something in my mouth, in my hand... the movement, the act of smoking is my addiction just like lots of other people...

I referred to a very sad story...

My grandfather died of cancer 11 years ago... He smoked about 2.5pks a day for probably over 50yrs... We stayed with him for the last 5 days of his life... While we sat in his room with him... he was pretty medicated...and there was no way he'd have been able to smoke a cigarette... but still... with nothing in his hand... we watched him go through the motions over and over... to the point of unwrapping the paper from the pack, tossing the paper in his little waste basket he had behind the end table next to his recliner(he had Hospice by then and was in a hospital bed but watching him, I could imagine it so clearly), open the pack, bring his hand to his mouth, smoke, and flick the ashes... he was a flicker... he flicked his ashes the whole time he smoked, even when they didn't need to be... I did the same thing when I smoked... that was probably the hardest part about switching to vaping...

The bottom line is... That repetition... the motions we went through for 2, 5, 10, 40yrs... It's a big part of our addiction... I will always believe it's my biggest part...

I explained that to her and there was a moment of sadness, but she understood after that...

Some of us can't deal with the all or nothing approach... I know this is not as bad for me... above and beyond all the information I have read... I know it's better because of the way I feel... my body is telling me it's better... it's breathing a sigh of relief... literally... I can probably take in three times the amount of air I used to be able to... and it's not been 2 months yet...

One day maybe I'll decide to try to quit everything... until then, I know this is better than smoking...

 

[Dougiestyle]

I'm with you. I didn't even want to quit smoking when I picked up a PV! It is a alternative. Saves my health and my money (unless you count the hundreds of dollars I've shelled out for mod parts, DIY supplies, ecig kits, bottles, dropper bottles, tools like soldering irons and wire, etc). It's evening out, now, tho, and the savings are catching up to the initial expenses to get away from analogs.

You can always stand on the soapbox with your Mom and say YOU DID INDEED QUIT SMOKING!! This only resembles it and offers some of the same sensation as the habit, but your health and wallet are better for it.

 

[renstyle]

So sorry to hear about your Grandfather, RIP. My grandpa Louie was much the same, he left us in 1991. Had been on a nebulizer (how ironic) for the last 8 years, and still wanted to smoke once he had taken his medication, even when he could barely breathe.

There is absolutely no shame in admitting you have an oral fixation issue after smoking even a short time. Analogs become part of your life when you are smoking. I went everywhere with mine, especially in the car (which when I was trying to quit suddenly went from the calmest part of my day to my worst nightmare).

Vaping is not intended to be a cure-all, but an alternative to inhaling smoke. There is a reason there are over 1 1/2 BILLION smokers in the world still, and it's the nicotine. Everything that goes into delivery plays a part in the psychology.

I'm glad that you and your mother were able to come to an understanding, and someday you may want to stop.

Thanks so much for your story, it's something we need to keep reminding non-smokers quite often.

 

[renstyle]

I'm with you. I didn't even want to quit smoking when I picked up a PV! It is a alternative. Saves my health and my money (unless you count the hundreds of dollars I've shelled out for mod parts, DIY supplies, ecig kits, bottles, dropper bottles, tools like soldering irons and wire, etc). It's evening out, now, tho, and the savings are catching up to the initial expenses to get away from analogs.

You can always stand on the soapbox with your Mom and say YOU DID INDEED QUIT SMOKING!! This only resembles it and offers some of the same sensation as the habit, but your health and wallet are better for it.

At least it's just taking your money now, not money+7mins every time you lit up!

 

[Princess_Kiki]

I'm proud of you for making a switch to something healthier!!

I'm terribly sorry about your Grandfather :-( It's a hard loss, and an even harder one to witness.

 

[dormouse]

I'm with you too. I have been lowering my nicotine. I am down to 6mg now and some 0mg mixed in and I bought a Riva so I can get some TH from warmth if I crave TH (because there is little TH at 6mg). I hope to get down to all 0mg with some 6 around for emergency cravings. But I can't imagine no sucking on something.

One great thing - the lower I got my nicotine the less desperate my cravings are and that is nice.

 

[CBB]

It is hard when you think you have disappointed your mother, but after thinking about your grandfather she will be far more receptive of your rituals and routines as long as you aren't inhaling carbon monoxide and various other chemicals that put your grandfather in the position he was in.

 

[Sugar_and_Spice]

I am so sorry for your loss....I hope your mom comes to realize that in time, you really are saving your life... I know smoking for me encompasses all that you mentioned above.....which makes it one of the hardest addictions to quit....many of us tried and tried and seemed never to succeed----until ecigs. As far as price goes, please don't ever let that deter you....how can you put a price on such a wonderful gift as ecigs......
god bless
sas

 

[lazymitch]

I just had the same conversation with my wife. She had been bragging to everyone how I'd quit smoking but announced that she was no longer going to since I had just "swapped one addiction for another"

heh! My reply was simple: "I'm okay with that"

Note - She's still smoking!

 

[Tracy68]

So sorry about your grandfather Dani. These habits become so ingrained. Thanks for sharing that very sad story.
Reading your post it made me wonder for a moment if my goal, which is ultimately (in the future - no time pressures on myself) to give up nicotine and eventually vaping as well, will be something I'll actually be able to do.
Maybe I will, maybe I won't. I think quitting the nicotine will be easier than the actual comfort and familiarity of the hand to mouth thing.
I understand how you feel about your moms reaction though.
My father since the day I proudly announced that I'd given up smoking has done nothing but criticize vaping. "You still have an addiction!" he says.
He was a smoker years ago, gave up cold turkey and thinks this is how everyone should do it.
He knows nothing about vaping, it's just this new fandangled technology. Probably thinks it's a cop out....the wussy way out.
I'm ignoring him because I KNOW how it's making me feel. BETTER! My lungs feel better, my heart feels less agitated by too much nicotine (and whatever else was in cigarettes) *I* feel psychologically better - no longer consumed by the guilt of slowly killing myself with cigarettes.
Focus on these kinds of "good" things that vaping is bringing you Dani.
You ARE achieving something extremely positive! No cigarettes! That in itself is a HUGE accomplishment and one to be very proud of!

 

[Michael Mano]

i have my nic down to 8 mg. not to bad since i live in australia and its illigal to sell here, i have a 100mg bottle sitting in my fridge lol

 

[Dani1226]

A sad story but maybe with a happy ending... healthier, happier granddaughter who's not following in her grandfather's smoking shoes... he was a great man... I wish he'd have had the option of vaping...

I just think it's so great to hear so many people feeling better... I wish I could force all my friends who smoke to switch...

And I love how all of you guys are so supportive... I bet you guys have lots to do with new vapers' successes as well... so helpful and friendly


Thanks for all your support and answers... so greatly appreciated <3

 

[Sugar_and_Spice]

So sorry about your grandfather Dani. These habits become so ingrained. Thanks for sharing that very sad story.
Reading your post it made me wonder for a moment if my goal, which is ultimately (in the future - no time pressures on myself) to give up nicotine and eventually vaping as well, will be something I'll actually be able to do.
Maybe I will, maybe I won't. I think quitting the nicotine will be easier than the actual comfort and familiarity of the hand to mouth thing.
I understand how you feel about your moms reaction though.
My father since the day I proudly announced that I'd given up smoking has done nothing but criticize vaping. "You still have an addiction!" he says.
He was a smoker years ago, gave up cold turkey and thinks this is how everyone should do it.
He knows nothing about vaping, it's just this new fandangled technology. Probably thinks it's a cop out....the wussy way out.
I'm ignoring him because I KNOW how it's making me feel. BETTER! My lungs feel better, my heart feels less agitated by too much nicotine (and whatever else was in cigarettes) *I* feel psychologically better - no longer consumed by the guilt of slowly killing myself with cigarettes.
Focus on these kinds of "good" things that vaping is bringing you Dani.
You ARE achieving something extremely positive! No cigarettes! That in itself is a HUGE accomplishment and one to be very proud of!

Good post....maybe your dad quit before the tobacco companies added all the chemicals that keep you addicted? And nic is not that addictive in and of itself...no more than caffeine, it's all the 'other' stuff in analogs.....But as we know that is only part of the beast....the hand to mouth thing, the psychological attachment, the emotional attachment, etc all goes into our addiction.....
And yes, ecigs are still an addiction, but a much healtier one....hope your dad sees that part.