New member... few questions

[dwhite645]

Hello everyone, guess I should introduce myself. I'm Darrell. Been a smoker for approximately 15 years (now 30). I smoke Marlboro Lights exclusively, usually about 20-25 per day. It's time to quit the habit, and move into E Cigs and hopefully use that to knock it down to nothing at all eventually.

The other day I ordered a Volcano Magma, and for the 25 cartridges, I selected the 8 mg tobacco and Pineapple stuff to give it a whirl and see how that is. It should arrive in the mail soon.

Few questions:

After reading many pages of the side effects of e cigs at first, should I continue traditional cigarettes to a lesser degree while vaping just a little at first? Like 50/50 then transition over to the e cig more and more everyday to lessen the effects? Gradual or just dive right in? I hate side effects. I went to Marlboro Ultra Lights for a time and got lasting headaches then switched back to Lights.

For the "juice", since I will be starting with the Volcano Cartridges, should I just stick with the Volcano cartridges and juice to refill? I don't want to find out the hard way that some are good, and some are bad, or have different levels etc. I also don't want stuff that somebody has been mixing in their sink, then selling.

I guess the good thing is that I never really go beyond more than 25 cigs average per day, and never got into the heavy Reds or Camels, or other full flavors. I figured I should quit while everything is as it should be. Tired of being winded and feeling run down all the time.

Thanks!

 

[RIMP]

Congrats on taking that first step When you get your kit, try it out and see if it's for you.

There is no set way to decrease or quit cigs. You'll find after you vape for a while the desire for cigs decreases. A lot of us got stuck at 4 or 5 cigs after a short period of time. 1 in am, after meals and last 1 at nite are hardest to quit.

When you have cut down quite a bit, your sense of taste and smell will change in a good way Measure by how many cigs you have avoided and you'll feel much better. If you want a cig, have one. Don't make it a "forbidden fruit". I kept a pk of cigs in my car for about 6 months after my beginning e-cigs.

Every once in a while I would get stressed and think "I've got to have a cig" I'd take one out of the pack, light it and could get thru about 1 more drag. Tasted sooo crappy I'd toss it. Vaping flavors were so much better
Sorry so long. It's a process of finding the right device and liquids for you. Welcome to ecf and remember we're here for ya
RIMP

 

[Automaton]

Quit at whatever pace feels natural to you.

I managed to give up cigs the same day I got my e-cig, and I didn't have any significant side effects.

I would definitely get your own juice. Buying pre-filled carts gets expensive, and there's no reason to. But I also think 8mg might be a bit low... I could be wrong. Maybe it's perfect for you. But I don't hear of many people starting below 12mg. And certainly at 20-25 cigs a day, even lights... you're probably taking in more nicotine than that.

Try getting sample sizes from a trusted vendor (see the suppliers section on ECF), at different nicotine strengths.

 

[Hellen A. Handbasket]

Hi Darrell. Welcome to ECF!

Everyone finds their own path when transitioning to e-cigs. Some quit right away, others smoke and start cutting down almost by accident and others never seem to be able to ditch that first cig in the morning or even several a day. Switching to a new brand can help as well (then they really taste bad). Most people report that suddenly their smokes taste really bad and they manage to totally quit then.

The thing to remember is that each cigarette avoided is a victory. Don't ever go the route that you feel deprived, or it just won't work. If you continue to smoke, just do so in a manner that is moderate (say no more than 5 a day).

You can refill cartridges yourself (prefilled are usually not very good flavored). Just make sure to top off your prefilled cartridges with liquid often. You can also replace the polyfill in cartridges yourself. No worries about liquid sold here on the forum. There are many wonderful flavors to try out! Look for vendors that sell sample sizes to help save money and explore what is available. This thread is helpful in finding some of the many suppliers that sell sample size/sample packs: http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/new-members-forum/115838-eliquid-starter-sample-kits.html

 

[Strigoi]

you're probably going to want to go higher than 8mg. i was smoking a pack of Marlboro Lights a day and found that 24mg liquid is what i needed to quit. definitely look into getting your own juice. there are many vendors that sell quality juice so you'll just need to read some reviews and decide who you want to try.

the Volcano Magma is also a 510 series so any parts for them will work with it. i started out with one and it worked well for me at first (have since moved onto the battery mods).

 

[debb]

I smoked for 40 years...and the day my Riva came ..I never smoked again...didn't plan on it going that way....but I am glad it did!! I got 24 mg....and have since ordered some 18's ....but still on my 24's ...just like to switch it up a bit...Good Luck!

 

[The Fool]

Hi dwhite, Welcome! I agree with what everyone has said so far. Since everyone is different, only you can find your answers through experimentation. That said, I was a 2 1/2 PAD Marlboro Light smoker. I quit by using a DES 901, which is similar to your 510. I started with 18mg Marlboro flavor, but found the 24mg to be more satisfying. I also found that to me the 555 flavor was closer to my Marlboro Light flavor than the red and white. It's been 8 months since I had a cigarette. That's the longest I've gone in 40 years. Believe me, if I can do it, anyone can. Good Luck and Post often.

 

[dwhite645]

Thanks everyone for the info and replies, it is much appreciated. I did about a week of research into many different models of the actual e cig units, but not too much into the juice itself.
When placing the order for the initial carts, I guess I noticed "lights" at 8mg and assumed that was semi equal to "light" cigarettes. Should have done more research into the actual juice!

Will order some heavier juice and start making my own. Will play around and see how it goes initially.