New and wanted to thank this forum and 2 questions ...

[Spectre13]

I just began vaping - 2 days ago. Thanks to this forum I ended up ordering a eGo 1000 mAh Twist and just a few carts - some empties and some pre-filled Dekangs. Since I've been a menthol smoker for decades I thought I'd try BWB Menthol Tobacco.
I was skeptical I'd be able to successfully switch from smoking to vaping. So I was surprised when I took my first tentative puff from a Dekang menthol cart and said - wow - this is impressive.
I know everyone is different but in my case I've smoked menthol lights for decades and was a heavy smoker. I opted to start with 18mg nic - and the Dekang menthol was completely satisfying.
I haven't had or desired an analog cig since. That certainly amazes me because - how many times can I say it - I've smoked heavy for decades! I've had absolutely no desire or craving for cigs. At once I realized that I found vaping was much more enjoyable than smoking.
Then I filled an empty with BWB's menthol (using the 'condom method' - see I DID do my research) this morning and was really impressed with the taste. So far I've not even thought of smoking!
I am pleasantly surprised and of course ordered more things. Like some minis since although I love the Twist lasting all day (I recharge it overnight) it's a bit too big and bulky for a take along during walks and drives. The minis look like they'll fit the bill perfectly.
Now too I'll have to sample some different juices. Lots of juices - .
I think I made the right decision to vape.

But I have two questions that I've been wondering about ...
1) When I'm out in public - is vaping still considered smoking and forbidden in non-smoking areas? Do vapers get hassled if they attempt to vape in certain areas? Will I get pulled over if a cop sees me vaping my mini?
2) Since I'm still using nicotine I figure I won't get typical nic withdrawals - but I'm guessing because I'm not ingesting smoke my lungs will begin to clear, thus can expect some hacking as the weeks go by - has this been the experience of heavy smokers like me who switched to vaping?

Thanks to this forum this has been a no hassle transition. I admit I was a bit overwhelmed at first with all the terms and abbreviations but I sorted it out and found excellent advice from many of the members - so thanks to all!

 

[Boiler]

Vaping has been a Godsend for many smokers who haven't been successful with other methods. I had basically given up and resigned myself to my fate until 4 months ago.

1) Vaping still looks like smoking so it is often frowned upon.

2) I smoked Camel filters PaD for 30 years. I had a persistent cough that went away within a week. I Haven't experienced any hacking episodes.

 

[Grimwald]

I only vape where smoking is allowed...OK an occasional stealth puff here and there. With a cig-size or mini, I've never been hassled anywhere.

You very well may have some withdrawal symptoms from all of the other chemicals you are no longer inhaling. I did and I was a 40 year chain smoker. My lungs cleared in just a couple of weeks. Yes some hacking at first but probably no more than smoking. Honestly, my biggest problem was dry mouth and lungs. Listen to the advice about staying hydrated.

You may have an advantage in that you were a menthol smoker and that flavor is easier to replicate than straight tobacco. I spent months chasing a good flavor.

 

[McGarnagle]

1) Just follow smoking rules. Not only is it difficult to explain to people it's not smoke (especially considering you can't talk to everyone), but vapor is not pleasant for everyone. Sure, most smell pretty good, but it can still be annoying. Plus some people are irritated and even allergic to PG. As for cops, no idea. Not illegal to smoke in a car where I am at. I suppose they could mistake it for some sort of drug paraphernalia, but I haven't had it happen (I haven't even been pulled over in the last 7 years).
2) Everyone has different experiences with quitting smoking. I for one had lots of sinus dripping as my sinuses cleared up (I did quit before vaping, so not sure how just going to vaping would happen). I had some mucus in my lungs but not much when I quit, and I still get some from vaping (maybe once a week, and just very minor). Don't forget that vapor can still be an irritant, and it will actually reduce lung function while vaping (this has actually been tested). So you may actually have some lung effects from that. Yet it shouldn't, as far as we know, have long term effects.

Anyway, congrats on quitting and stick with it. Best of luck.

 

[jeffsm3]

I think it really depends on your community how its looked it, but it is not the same as smoking and can be done anywhere. There are no laws that say when or where you can vape. Now of course private business and property can make their own rules but for the most part, at least in my case I get people who want to know more about it when they see me. I vape walking around the mall, at school, in my car, at the bar, and just about everywhere else! Haha

I also was a heavy smoker. I did get the hacking and coughing for a bit when I decided to not smoke at all. I never got the withdrawals though because I got plenty of nic in my vape..

Also congrats on trying to stop smoking the first step is the hardest but once you find a juice you really like it'll be a lot easier.. Cheers and good luck!!

 

[BlazinZ28]

Congrats and stick to it, I'm on day 7 here and cigarettes already smell nasty to me (smoked for ~9 years).

Lungs already feel much better, not hacking up near as much as I was while smoking.

+1 on the dry mouth, I carry a water bottle with me everywhere


Nothing like walking around a store and vaping away Although I do try not to smoke in crowded restaurants out of decency.

 

[Kanj.nguyen]

I generally try to respect non-smoking areas. Reason being that vaping, while not creating smoke, does produce an odor depending on flavor used, so it just may bother some people. Also it looks like smoking, so if i vape in a restaurant for example i would have to explain to staff that its not smoke and then have smokers asking why i can "smoke" and they cant and the explaining happens all over again... Just a pain. I only vape in a non-smoking area if its a regular place, like a coffee shop where all staff know who i am, or a small private place like a classroom (with me being the teacher of course, lol...)

 

[Vapoor eyes er]

Hi welcome to ECF and congrats.

1) When I'm out in public - is vaping still considered smoking and forbidden in non-smoking areas? Do vapers get hassled if they attempt to vape in certain areas? Will I get pulled over if a cop sees me vaping my mini?

Generally vaping is frowned upon in "most" non smoking areas...it's basically a vape and see situation because in many instances there are no vaping policies in regards to private property...but that is changing. As for cops and vaping- some don't bother while others do. Just remember to be polite and KNOW you're not breaking any laws.

2) Since I'm still using nicotine I figure I won't get typical nic withdrawals - but I'm guessing because I'm not ingesting smoke my lungs will begin to clear, thus can expect some hacking as the weeks go by - has this been the experience of heavy smokers like me who switched to vaping?

There may still be withdrawal from the analog alkaloids that are not present in EJuice. As for the lungs the cilia, which have been coated with tar and paralyzed from the chems in analogs (true), start to regenerate within days. Just remember to drink lottsa water and...

Enjoy Your Stay

 

[bfitz]

Congrats! The menthol flavors have helped me a lot as well, and get ready to try a ton of juices. If you are like me you will be shocked at what you end up with. Right now I am loving a juice that tastes like waffles, never would have thought that hahaha. I have a ego mini and love it, so I say go for it. With a cartomizer it fits in the pocket well and I don't worry about breaking it. Last me all day at work with normal "smoke" breaks and the ride home.

As far as vaping in public, I have had no problems. At work there are a couple guys interested in it although they haven't took the plunge yet. My boss thought it was drug paraphernalia at first, which led to a fun conversation until I explained what an ego with a vivi nova tank are, now he is cool with it. As far as cops I have had no problems. I have driven by a couple during my commute and none of them have bothered me, but I have heard stories otherwise.

Health wise I can say that I feel better, I don't wake up in the middle of the night coughing my brains out anymore, but I do wake up with the same "to much smoking" feeling if I chain vape before bed. I am not a 100% convert yet (I still have about a pack of cigs a week, down from a pack and a half a day, so I consider it a win) but I do believe, for me, that in the long run it will be better on my lungs (I am not a doc... just my opinion... etc.)

 

[Beccca]

I walk thru stores all the time just vaping away and have never been confronted.....yeah!

 

[Spectre13]

Thanks for all the quick responses! You guys are great for new vapers.
Some of your replies made me think about my underlying attraction to smoking and I'm pretty sure - other than the nic - it was more the menthol hit than the tobacco taste. This is likely why switching to a pipe or cigars never worked. I chose the BWB strong menthol right off and glad I did. I never actually sat down before and analyzed why I smoked - now I realize I really didn't like smoking but that was the only way I'd get that menthol hit. Until I tried vaping! Now I can't wait to try all those menthol juices!

 

[Vapoor eyes er]

I HATED menthol analogs but since starting to vape I LOVE my menthol. If you find a non menthol juice you like could always buy either menthol drops or make your own with menthol crystals and add to the juice. Be forewarned though menthol drops are very strong.

 

[rotorhead]

Congratulation, It just gets better. I'm a nube here also.

 

[Grandmaster B]

I just treat vaping like I did when I was smoking. I don't want to have to explain myself to people.

And about the Cop, I recently got pulled over for expired tags and the officer reached in my car (which I thought was weird) and grabbed my PV, he said "Is this one of those ecig thingys?" I said ya then he took my case with my tanks and opened it up and smelled it. I assumed he might have thought it was one of the vapes for weed.

 

[Ruth-Ann]

Started vaping/quit smoking one week ago. I was a pad++ smoker for over 13 years and was never able to quit. With all the withdrawal symptoms I always started smoking again
Since I started vaping, quitting has been easy. No withdrawal symptoms and little to no cravings.

I have not started hacking up the gross stuff yet, I did when I stopped before.
I want to start coughing that crap up, cause it means my lungs are cleaning/healing.
I have read on here that due to vaping, some people are a bit delayed on the cleaning, I'll see what happens.

I have not tried to vape any place I couldn't smoke, because I want vaping to be as much like smoking as possible to avoid my brain realizing something has changed. I guess I worry that if I deviate from my smoking habits too much, I might start to feel like I quit and then end up craving and start smoking again. I am weird! Lol.

My boss also thought my ego/iClear was a one hitter... I had to clear that up fast. Now he is happy I don't smell like cigs anymore.

 

[bilbobaggins30]

It really depends on your area. I know where I am from, it is illegal to use them in stores and whatnot. I use mine at work, and no one says a damned thing to me, mostly because they know its vapor and they know it is harmless.

Piece of advice. Arizona Green Tea. I carry a 1 Gal jug everywhere, and I drink that constantly, and have had no issues thus far.