New Here

[Swigger14]

Hi guys (and girls),

New here to the forums and eagerly anticipating my kit coming in the mail. I've been smoking for about 4 or 5 years, and have noticed that 4-5 cigs a day turned into 8-10 a day, so figured vaping was a way for me to try to do something about it.

I have a few questions:

1) I've read a bit about side effects. I'm sure these vary by person, but what can I expect the first few days of vaping? I've heard of nasty sore throat, headaches, acne, etc. Should I plan, for example, to take days off work?

2)I've seen NOONE vaping here in Boston, where I figured it might be more likely to catch on. I'm nervous about vaping in non-smoking areas. As a smoker, I was always very careful to be respectful of non-smokers, going out of my way to give them space. However, I definitely am excited to be able to vape in some of those areas - concerts, sporting events, restaurants, etc. How do people deal with their first time of strangers asking them/confronting them? Do you ask wait staff, security, etc before you start? Also, I've run into a few sites mentioning the vaping policies in various places. Can anyone point me to exactly what those policies are in Cambridge/Boston/Somerville, or can speak from experience? That would be much appreciated.

3)I hear people speaking of 'drip'. Is this another way of vaping?

Thanks for any help, I'm looking forward to the experience.

Scott

 

[dormouse]

1. I just felt sort of not quite right for a few days, like when you think you may be coming down with a virus or something? I just felt not my best. Then I was fine. It's mainly the 4000 chemicals wearing off. You need to drink plenty of fluids - vaping is more drying than smoking. Taking vitamins for a few days does not hurt, eat well, don't overdo vaping (or you could get the over-nicced symptoms like headache, blood pressure changes, rapid or irregular heartbeat). I tried to stick to about the same amount of drags per day as I had smoked. I aimed at one nicotine level but also bought a small bottle high and lower just in case. I was a lights smoker and started on 16-18mg and that ended up feeling right (both in TH and amount of nic).

Irritation - since many hardware vendors sells 100% PG Chinese juices, some people get irritated by the nicotine. Nicotine is a skin irritant and 100% PG lets through the most flavor, most nicotine TH and most nicotine irritation. You could get sore tongue, mouth, throat or even lungs in extreme cases. So while it's fine to start on 100% PG you might want to order some juice with some VG in it. VG dulls everything PG lets through and makes the vapor more visible. I like 80PG/20VG or 90PG/10VG in stuffing cartomizers, and on an atomizer I like 50% or less VG, often 20-30%. I was using an atomizer when I started and when I switched to 70PG/30Vg the irritation went away. When I switched to using cartomizers I went to the 20% or less VG (makes my cartos drag/wick well longer)

2. You can't just vape wherever you want because private property does not have to let you vape or do anything else they think might annoy their other customers or anything they just don't like. I tend to vape visibly where smoking is allowed and elsewhere I just vape stealthily in a bathroom. Alternately you can ask. If I went to bars and stuff I would ask (the bars in my area are non-smoking by law).

3. Dripping is for on manual batteries (mainly well-sealed on the threaded end manual batteries) with an atomizer. I use it to test juices. Some people like to vape that way. It is not a good way to vape when driving a car etc.

Recommendations - Never screw anything in or on any harder than necessary for a connection. Buy plenty of juice from a couple of places. New vapers are the ones who get caught with no juice. If you like the ecig you got, buy spares! If you are using atomizers I recommend having 3 total: 2 to alternate while cleaning one on them, and 1 total spare. I recommend 3 batteries, 1 as a spare and overnight battery (I set my day stuff up to charge late evening, and take the overnight battery (in my case 2, 1 each of 2 models) off the charger. Then when I am ready for bed I don't have to decide which drag is my last, don't have to mess with chargers right before bed, and it's ready to vape when I get up. Buy spare chargers. I like to have at least 2 charging cables per model at home and one at work. Be prepared, have spares, but don't go overboard unless you are sure this is the model you will vape for moths because by the end of the first month many buy another model.

These are great for battery charging cables - charge up to 4 assorted batteries on one outlet
http://www.amazon.com/Rosewill-Travel-Charger-Adapter-RUC-6180/dp/B003A6PTBG
And they also have a more international model RUC6181

 

[jj2]

Everything dormouse said and hi and welcome.

 

[Wuzznt Me]

Welcome to the forum. Dormouse said it all. I would seriously doubt you have to take time off from work due to any symptoms. Most of what I had was a very minor sore throat due to stopping smoking. I recognized it from my other attempts. I usually vape where smoking is allowed. I always managed to get through a shopping trip without having to light up so why annoy or panic people who don't know what your doing. I do occasionally slip in a stealth vape in a deserted aisle in Wally's when that little devil sits on my shoulder telling me I can get away with it but I've never been caught at it yet lol. What kind of kit are you waiting for?

 

[cRaZyIpAdMoM]

My biggest side effect other than cravings is / was dry mouth , but extra water and biotiene mouthwash work great for that. Honestly the cravings are mostly associated so vaping is great.

 

[Swigger14]

Thanks so much for the welcome and your answers (dormouse that was fantastic). I can deal with those type of symptoms, certainly. Did people feel the urge to also smoke analogs during the beginning, if they are switching? Seems to me it again is dependent on the individual from what I've read.

I appreciate the help. I have some nerves about the new experience.

Based on reviews from here and elsewhere, I went with GreenSmoke for my first kit, going with the standard one. I also smoke lights and went with the range that dormouse mentioned. How do I know if the basic (2-piece version) e-cig (actually 2 are included) is an atomizer or cartomizer?

Looking back now, I can tell there is a lot to learn, so I hope I made an OK purchase. I'm OK with sampling, trying, and making additional purchases.

Are all the juices standard? Meaning will they work in all devices?

I'm sure the stealth/smoking approach will be mine as well - I try to be respectful and am not too confrontational.

Thanks so much again.

 

[Swigger14]

Looking around a little bit more I can see the people on this forum are not as big fans of GreenSmoke as seemed to be on review websites. I feel a little duped, but would you guys recommend receiving the product, seeing how I like it, and going from there, or would you recommend going the 510 route that seems to be popular?

 

[Dan Patrick]

I don't think any decision to vape is a bad one. Everyone here picked something like that to start with. It's a learning process. Now your here, and it will get even better. Welcome!

 

[reprisal]

I'd return the greensmoke before even opening it, I've heard bad things about trying to return the opened ripoffs (very tiny refund).

 

[carpedebass]

Looking around a little bit more I can see the people on this forum are not as big fans of GreenSmoke as seemed to be on review websites. I feel a little duped, but would you guys recommend receiving the product, seeing how I like it, and going from there, or would you recommend going the 510 route that seems to be popular?

I would highly recommend you get something better. The 510 or a Riva or and eGo seem to be the main starters and will give you a great beginning platform. Just be sure you get a 510 connection compatible device though...it seems most stuff is made for 510.

 

[CH3MiKillZ]

I noticed nothing but positive side effects when I first started. No more random chest pains, sense of smell and taste more acute, and more endurance with physical activities. All good things for me. And welcome to the forums!

 

[sixstringgirl]

Hi. I'm from Boston too. And I am currently using the Greensmoke starter kit. My boyfriend is happy and content with the prefilled cartomizers but I'm moving onto ejuices. Just haven't decided yet what to buy. There is a guy in Quincy that opened up a vaping store. He sells Halo hardware and juices. I'm not sure yet if the Halo hardware is what I want. I was really looking to buy some type of 510 or a 3 piece system. I could always buy empty E9's and fill them with ejuice. In regards to vaping in public. I have vaped in Stop and Shop and Walmart and nobody noticed. I havne't taken it on the T or out to a bar .... yet

 

[Swigger14]

Hi. I'm from Boston too. And I am currently using the Greensmoke starter kit. My boyfriend is happy and content with the prefilled cartomizers but I'm moving onto ejuices. Just haven't decided yet what to buy. There is a guy in Quincy that opened up a vaping store. He sells Halo hardware and juices. I'm not sure yet if the Halo hardware is what I want. I was really looking to buy some type of 510 or a 3 piece system. I could always buy empty E9's and fill them with ejuice. In regards to vaping in public. I have vaped in Stop and Shop and Walmart and nobody noticed. I havne't taken it on the T or out to a bar .... yet

Ha. People are on high alert on the T - I'm guessing it will take a long time for me to work up the nerve.

Thanks for the response. Do you know the name of the store, by any chance? (assuming that's allowed)

 

[sixstringgirl]

Hi . I don't recall the name of the Vaping Store Store, but its next door to the Tobacco Shop on Hancock. St. I think its called "The Vaping Store". He's only been opened for a month. I was just there yesterday. I was really interested in purchasing the kit he has because I like the idea of not having to order online. I'm just not sure if i'm interested in buying a new starter pack for a 2 piece refillable cartomizers. The guy was trying to convince me not to go for a 3 piece kit. The Malibu flavor juice was really yummy. It tasted like Malibu rum! I'll drive by his store in a little bit and take down his number for you. He seems really nice. I'm trying to convince my boyfriend to order the 2 piece kit from him but he's not interested in spending more money on a new kit. I'm definately going to buy some juices from him.

 

[RWB]

The only side effect I've had is not wanting to smoke cigs!!! And finding myself spending lots of time in front of the computer learning about vaping.

 

[Jefferson62]

Hi, I started with a Green Smoke 10 weeks ago. I did notice that after about 1 week in I was getting jittery and agitated. I couldn't think clearly either. I thought maybe too much nic or too little.
I was talking to one of the guys at work and he experienced the same thing. He said he thought it was a mild panic attack.
We think it is withdrawl from all the other crap in the cigarettes. It only lasted a short time and was really nothing to worry about.
I thought I would let you know in case it happens to you to.
Buying E9 blank cartos and some juice to fill yourself is the way to go, if you decide to keep your Green Smoke.

 

[SASQUATCHED]

This is so got to better then smoking from what I have been reading.

 

[Huffelpuff]

Most of us get our turn in the barrel w/ a less than adequate ecig purchase. I'm definately one . I absolutely love being analog free, I love vaping and my health is worth more than the dollars I spent to get here.

Good Luck and Welcome! Your in good hands. The people who are experienced here will give you some good advice.

 

[lonely]

Dry mouth def dry mouth, and welcome to ECF

 

[yentruoc]

Hi Swigger14,

I am a noob, too...........all this info is a little overwhelming, no? Just keep reading, hehehe.
I got swindled with my first purchase(very common), but no amount of $ is too much to kick the analogs. I am comfortably using a 510-t set up now, but the more I read, the more I want to buy!
I love to vape in wally world, but I haven't been caught yet!
I haven't had any urge to light up since I first tried the e-cig. I even kept my half-gone pack for 2 days, just in case. What a great feeling to crush those nasty things into the trash!!!! I did have a kind of "off" feeling for a couple of days....kind of spacey or forgetful, but no other bad side effects...the good side effects are amazing...I feel like i'm really breathing now, and the smells...oh my the smells..the coffee in the morning, the food on the plates of others...o yeah and the bad smells, too eeeeeeeeeeekkkkkkkk
Do whatever it takes to put the analogs down, you won't regret it!