New and Happy!

[Metrica]

Like you I started smoking when I was 13, I am 26 now. I tried giving up about 5 years ago using patches and gum and I failed miserably! Then in April of this year I tried vaping and honestly from the day I started to right now I have not even thought about a cigarette, it has changed my life forever! I am really happy that you are enjoying it so far, just stick with it and you will be loving it.

I am currently vaping a mint choc chip ice cream that I made myself that I really enjoy, I have been using an IPV2 mod with a Plume Veil dripper a lot recently as it is very convenient and extremely satisfying.

As a side note, try not to expect to save much money as this hobby is very addictive and when you something new and shiny you think oooooo I want that and it is very hard to resist!!!

It is so hard to quit, just trying to smoke less was driving me crazy i did go from 20 a day to 10 a day - I use to smoke in 1 room in my house and it was the only room i allowed myself to smoke in but recently i forced myself to go outside, but even then... I felt all the bad sides the guilt i felt every time i smoked.. Tonight I saw my mother who is a regular *smoker* and I had a few extra left over smokes from the last pack I bought and I thought I wonder how this would feel... I thought maybe it would be like wow.... after over 24h... of not having a real one... but quite frankly it was really not more satisfying so ... Now I am officially convinced! I was so happy today at work to not smell like cig, every time i'd go smoke, i'd have to go wash my hands and eat a gum... it was exhausting... I still went outside to Vape so i can actually get my usual feeling of taking a smoke break...

I'm really excited to try more flavors, I think Juicy Peach is really yummy, but not that big on honeydew, tastes a little more synthetic i find... the regular juice like tobacco is just BORING!! But you know first time buyer mistake i guess!!

I know if anything I wont be saving much haha i'm already shopping a new e-cig trying to get a high voltage better batteries, although mine have lasted all day and night I have to say it's still pretty good!

What level of nico do you take in yours? Have you tried to lower it? I would love to just vape with 0% eventually because i like the hobby of vaping... !!

Anyways thanks for sharing with me, I feel a little like a lost lamb here, I barely understand what it is that others are using... I'm tring to e-ducate lol myself...

Another question, have you had any side effects from the switch?? Good or bad... ?

 

[foster67]

welcome to the forums Mel im vaping the turk a Turkish tabacco flavor from indigo vapor and some from my local called Lee's nectar

 

[jett17]

Welcome! I just joined yesterday. Been vaping for about a month now and I love it. Been cig free for two weeks. Using an itaste clk with blueberry pom liquid. Everyone here is very helpful

 

[NealBJr]

Hi Mel. I missed your previous posts, but welcome to the smoke free life. I was a smoker for 20 years/ 1 pack per day and switched to vaping a little over a year ago. All I can say is from my own experience, so ask others what their story is, and you'll probably experience something along the same for yourself.

I started vaping just so I can vape inside. After buying a house, I made the decision never to smoke inside. I looked at vaping as a means to satisfy my cravings without going outside. I started with those Ecigs that looked like a cigarette. I noticed a drastic decrease, but I was still smoking a half a pack/day. I then went with an EGO style battery, 18mg of Hangsen's RY4, and it went down to 2-3 cigarettes/day. Slowly I would ween myself off, but every once in a while, the urge for a real cigarette would come. One day, I decided to see how long I can go without a cigarette, and that was around 500 days ago.

RY4 is a caramel/tobacco flavor. I also vaped camel flavor, and other tobacco types. I first moved away from the tobacco flavors on purpose. I went from tobacco to RY4, then RY4 to vanilla or caramel flavors. All at 18mg. I then moved from 18 mg to 12 mg over a period of three months... the switch was rather easy.. but I continued at 12 for a while. The hardest switch was from 12mg to 6mg. Even though I could switch, I ended up chain vaping to get my nicotine cravings satisfied. Eventually, I would just not vape as much, and that's where I'm at now... 6mg nic level.

Until you totally quit, you won't see the changes, but in my experience, it at first seemed worse. My coughing went UP after switching to vaping, but that was my lungs getting rid of the junk from smoking. That eventually goes away, but it took several months in my experience. Once you totally switch to vaping, you will notice your sense of smell comes back, and you will taste things better.

As far as the ecigs I am using, I was using a Vamo which is a variable voltage/Variable Wattage device (VV/VW). I have a few mechanical mods for backup, and those are just tubes with switches.. no electronics. Those are simpler in design, and it's real hard to break a mechanical mod. The atomizers I use require you to make your own heating element (coil) and put your own wick that holds the juice. Those are called RBA's. I use a tank system that holds several Milliliters of juice, and those are called RTAs. I find that setup cheaper in the long run, and It's necessary on a mechanical mod, since on a mechanical mod, you have to custom make the heating element to match your preferred amount of vapor. Mechanical mods are quite a bit bigger than what you use, but they can last a lot longer, and are a bit more sturdy.

If you have any questions, feel free to ask... There are thousands of people here that have went through the same thing you're going through now. and welcome to ECF.

 

[Metrica]

Hi Mel. I missed your previous posts, but welcome to the smoke free life. I was a smoker for 20 years/ 1 pack per day and switched to vaping a little over a year ago. All I can say is from my own experience, so ask others what their story is, and you'll probably experience something along the same for yourself.

I started vaping just so I can vape inside. After buying a house, I made the decision never to smoke inside. I looked at vaping as a means to satisfy my cravings without going outside. I started with those Ecigs that looked like a cigarette. I noticed a drastic decrease, but I was still smoking a half a pack/day. I then went with an EGO style battery, 18mg of Hangsen's RY4, and it went down to 2-3 cigarettes/day. Slowly I would ween myself off, but every once in a while, the urge for a real cigarette would come. One day, I decided to see how long I can go without a cigarette, and that was around 500 days ago.

RY4 is a caramel/tobacco flavor. I also vaped camel flavor, and other tobacco types. I first moved away from the tobacco flavors on purpose. I went from tobacco to RY4, then RY4 to vanilla or caramel flavors. All at 18mg. I then moved from 18 mg to 12 mg over a period of three months... the switch was rather easy.. but I continued at 12 for a while. The hardest switch was from 12mg to 6mg. Even though I could switch, I ended up chain vaping to get my nicotine cravings satisfied. Eventually, I would just not vape as much, and that's where I'm at now... 6mg nic level.

Until you totally quit, you won't see the changes, but in my experience, it at first seemed worse. My coughing went UP after switching to vaping, but that was my lungs getting rid of the junk from smoking. That eventually goes away, but it took several months in my experience. Once you totally switch to vaping, you will notice your sense of smell comes back, and you will taste things better.

As far as the ecigs I am using, I was using a Vamo which is a variable voltage/Variable Wattage device (VV/VW). I have a few mechanical mods for backup, and those are just tubes with switches.. no electronics. Those are simpler in design, and it's real hard to break a mechanical mod. The atomizers I use require you to make your own heating element (coil) and put your own wick that holds the juice. Those are called RBA's. I use a tank system that holds several Milliliters of juice, and those are called RTAs. I find that setup cheaper in the long run, and It's necessary on a mechanical mod, since on a mechanical mod, you have to custom make the heating element to match your preferred amount of vapor. Mechanical mods are quite a bit bigger than what you use, but they can last a lot longer, and are a bit more sturdy.

If you have any questions, feel free to ask... There are thousands of people here that have went through the same thing you're going through now. and welcome to ECF.

Hey thanks so much for the reply, really appreciate all the info the Mechanical Mods sound scary right now lol But I am a DYI kind of girl, I can pretty much do anything with good instructions so I might go with it eventually!! Vamo looks cool it is quite big I guess that's a little imposing right now, I like my e-smart because they are subtle for on the go but would definitely be willing to get something like that for inside!

I have to say I was really amazed today that I didn't crave a smoke! I got some 18 ml and some 8 ml and i'm starting with the 18 hoping to dilute it as I go I sorta switched it around as I brought both some tobacco juice 18 ml and some Juicy Peach 8 ml todat!

Funny how everyone seems really into the desert type of juices! I'm scared it would be a little too sweet, I guess going to my e-store and trying the different juices would be a good thing so i could taste them before buying. I thought I would be good with just these 4 bottles but now because of everyone I really want to try other juices and e-smokes!

What level of PG VG do you prefer? The ones I bought are 50/50 seems ok but i've read a lot of people prefer higher dose of VG....

I never thought there would be such a big community around vaping it's really cool.

Thanks again!!

Mel

 

[Metrica]

Welcome! I just joined yesterday. Been vaping for about a month now and I love it. Been cig free for two weeks. Using an itaste clk with blueberry pom liquid. Everyone here is very helpful

Hey Jett!! That is cool, I was so skeptical at first, I had tried the cheap corner store types, and I thought they were ok but ofcourse they didnt have nico in them. I'm really impressed! I feel like there is sooo much to learn. Do you ever miss your cigs? I didn't today and it's funny cause I kept questioning myself, am I ok? do I want a real cig? How do I feel about smelling tobacco from others outside, was it bothering me? It's like if my brain was blown away! lol...

 

[NealBJr]

Hey thanks so much for the reply, really appreciate all the info the Mechanical Mods sound scary right now lol But I am a DYI kind of girl, I can pretty much do anything with good instructions so I might go with it eventually!! Vamo looks cool it is quite big I guess that's a little imposing right now, I like my e-smart because they are subtle for on the go but would definitely be willing to get something like that for inside!

I have to say I was really amazed today that I didn't crave a smoke! I got some 18 ml and some 8 ml and i'm starting with the 18 hoping to dilute it as I go I sorta switched it around as I brought both some tobacco juice 18 ml and some Juicy Peach 8 ml todat!

Funny how everyone seems really into the desert type of juices! I'm scared it would be a little too sweet, I guess going to my e-store and trying the different juices would be a good thing so i could taste them before buying. I thought I would be good with just these 4 bottles but now because of everyone I really want to try other juices and e-smokes!

What level of PG VG do you prefer? The ones I bought are 50/50 seems ok but i've read a lot of people prefer higher dose of VG....

I never thought there would be such a big community around vaping it's really cool.

Thanks again!!

Mel

Well, As I said, I did things gradually. Everyone will tell you straight off... you will never find a juice that will copy a regular cigarette. Ejuices cannot copy the burning taste accurately. Besides, I started with tobacco based juices but weened away from them on purpose.. I don't want it to resemble a regular cigarette at all because I was afraid of a relapse into smoking. Now, cigarettes just smell bad.

Now, my "go to" juice is guava. I don't think I've ever tasted a guava fruit, so I have no idea if it's even close. It does taste fruity, and it's not overpowering. I then buy some flavoring to add to it.. one drop or two of banana or strawberry flavoring changes the whole taste of the juice. I buy my juice from a USA based company called Mt. Baker Vapor.. they've always treated me right, and they are a good priced juice. When I started vaping, I started with a higher PG mix. That simulated more of the "throat hit" of a regular cigarette that everyone talks about. It began as 80pg/20vg. Now that I'm over a year past my smoking addiction, I've migrated towards a more VG based liquids, and it's reversed... 20pg/80vg. I still want a bit of the PG, but it's a much smoother vape, and more visually appealing.

Just a FYI... PG is a better flavor carrier and has more of a throat hit. It does, however, dry out your throat a bit more and has a more watery type consistency. VG is smoother but carries less flavor than PG. It also produces more of a smoke like appearance and is thicker, more of a vegetable oil type consistency. Keep that in mind when you're vaping.. if your juice gets too thick, you might have to change some things to get it to wick better in your ecig. I don't know if it's like this where you live, but you can buy PG either at a pharmacist or off the shelf, and VG is commonly sold off the shelf as well.

Now, I was in love with the vamo, but in the past few months, it's become outdated. It is tall, so I never recommend it as a carry around device. Mine stopped working after almost a year because juice got into the electronics. Even though I was able to take it apart and dry it out, I stripped the threads doing so. Now atomizers don't stay on. Instead of buying the parts to fix it, I figured it's time for an upgrade. The newer devices have much better features than my venerable Vamo.

Now, hopefully your e-smart will get you off the stinkies. Now, the only thing I recommend, is not to put too much money into the Esmarts. Even though they're good setups, they use a connection called the 808. In todays market, the Ego and 510 connectors have taken over. Only difference between these, are the shape. In either case.. keep using them and get off the stinkies. IF you decide on upgrading later, look into getting something with an Ego or 510 connector.

BTW, I love peach.. was vaping that recently.

18mg is a good starting point. Don't be afraid to try mixing the juices. I find that mixing the juices helps preserve the taste buds, otherwise your taste buds will get "burned out" on just one flavor.

 

[DetraMental]

I've been vaping 50/50 most of my entire vaping stint. Higher vg produces more vapor but less flavor. At 50/50 you get the best of both, flavor and vapor. Pg is the flavor carrier. I just can't do anything higher on it because I get side effects from it. A rash for one, chapped skin and lips, that's about all I can really remember it's been so long ago. I only indulged myself on the Suicide Bunny "Mother's Milk." I DIY all my juices and every once in a while I like to treat myself to something. I don't buy it regularly. I must admit I like my clone version better . That's good for me $$$ wise. I'm trying out some new juice from Killer Juice with some flavor shot. I tried them without the flavor shot and they tasted good just not strong enough for me. This time around I'm hoping that'll change.

I smoked for 32yrs and thought I'd never quit. Vaping has been a miracle and my health has improved remarkably. I use to be on 2-3 inhalers and a nebulizer and am now down to one inhaler I only use when they are burning or spraying the fields around here. I have asthma so I can't get away from them totally but I like the results so far. My taste and sense of smell are great now. I haven't had a chest cold or respiratory illness since I quit smoking and started vaping and that was totally unheard of before.

 

[M3CH M0D M4DN355]

It is so hard to quit, just trying to smoke less was driving me crazy i did go from 20 a day to 10 a day - I use to smoke in 1 room in my house and it was the only room i allowed myself to smoke in but recently i forced myself to go outside, but even then... I felt all the bad sides the guilt i felt every time i smoked.. Tonight I saw my mother who is a regular *smoker* and I had a few extra left over smokes from the last pack I bought and I thought I wonder how this would feel... I thought maybe it would be like wow.... after over 24h... of not having a real one... but quite frankly it was really not more satisfying so ... Now I am officially convinced! I was so happy today at work to not smell like cig, every time i'd go smoke, i'd have to go wash my hands and eat a gum... it was exhausting... I still went outside to Vape so i can actually get my usual feeling of taking a smoke break...

I'm really excited to try more flavors, I think Juicy Peach is really yummy, but not that big on honeydew, tastes a little more synthetic i find... the regular juice like tobacco is just BORING!! But you know first time buyer mistake i guess!!

I know if anything I wont be saving much haha i'm already shopping a new e-cig trying to get a high voltage better batteries, although mine have lasted all day and night I have to say it's still pretty good!

What level of nico do you take in yours? Have you tried to lower it? I would love to just vape with 0% eventually because i like the hobby of vaping... !!

Anyways thanks for sharing with me, I feel a little like a lost lamb here, I barely understand what it is that others are using... I'm tring to e-ducate lol myself...

Another question, have you had any side effects from the switch?? Good or bad... ?

I completely agree with you, when I tried to quit without the help of e-cigs it was hopeless and I just couldn't do it at all, I also found cutting down very difficult. If I didn't pick up an e-cig I would still be smoking now and I suspect I would still be smoking in 10 years + time, they really are a revolution. I feel better, I can breath better, I can taste food better, I don't smell of smoke anymore, its just so rewarding. If you stick with it for a few weeks, and judging from your positive attitude and enthusiasm I am sure you will, every time you smell that horrible cigarette smoke it just reinforces that yes, I have made the right decision and I never want to smell like that again.

The choice of flavours is truly bewildering and it does take trail and error to find a juice that will really satisfy. I vaped a tobacco flavour for about the first 2 weeks as I assumed that would be the best for someone who was quitting smoking but to me personally looking back now, it wasn't the greatest taste and I really should have just looked for a juice that I really liked the flavour of but it worked and that's the main thing!

If you are doing well and enjoying your current e-cig I would suggest sticking with it as long as possible and putting some money aside every time you would have bought a pack of cigs in to a kind of "vape fund" and then if/when you become dissatisfied with your current setup you will have a nice bit of money to look for a nice new setup.

I started with 18mg nicotine and just slowly dialled it down bit by bit and now I am using 6mg in tanks and 3mg in a dripping setup. Soon I will try and half those numbers again, but may be a bit to low, I will try though.

You are most welcome, I and every one else on here enjoying helping fellow ex smokers its a pleasure I think you will do great kicking the smoking for good as you seem to really have the drive to do it!

I had many good side affects like breathing easier and lowered heart rate and such. The only negative which affected me personally and I do not believe is common by any means, was I did get spots. Never had spots even when a teenager but not long after vaping I did. Its very unlikely you will be affected by it though but that was just my experience.