newbie needs advice

[danzigerstraße]

helloI obtained an e-lites yesterday and was really enjoying the freedom from cigarette addiction but I was completely unable to concentrate on my work, which is a symtom of giving up tobacco. No matter how much i dragged on it I never got that feeling comparable to a normal cigarette. Its been less than two days and I've already used up the cartomizer and have already had to go back to smoking to feed the nicotine addiction. I was wondering what you peoples opinion was on whether the tobacco withdrawal is inevitable when switching to e-cigs or a sign than I should have read this forum first and got a better model? I dont have much money and I've already spent about £30 on e-lites, but is the switch to something else inevitable and I should get an ego or 510 instead? I really want to make this e-cigarette thing work cos I hate smoking but can't kick the addiction, and I'm at a very hectic time in my life and really can't afford to be getting withdrawal, Ive given up this weekend sitting at home craving and wont have the time to be able to withdraw for at least another month so was wondering if a smooth transition is possible with any model?. thanks!

 

[Victoriasvapin]

Without a high enough nicotine level NO model will suffice! I started at 36 since I was a pack a day for 33yrs "slave" ... but immediately was able to use 24mg and have been fabulous ever since!

 

[Chrissie]

Hello & welcome Danzi

The e-lite isn't the best e-cig going & the cartos replacements are so expensive. The cartomisers for an average smoker will only last less than a day. However you can refill them with e-liquid & t sounds like you may need a higher strength e-liquid.

Have a look at the Riva for a much better e-cig (ask at check out for the attomisers to be replaced with cartomisers & use ECF10 for 10% off) -

The Riva 1100 Deluxe Kit £34.95 - Deluxe Vaping Kits - Riva 1100 Kit Electronic Cigarettes | Vaping Devices | Accessories | E-Liquid

Above seller also sell fantastic e-liquid but also check out this UK seller -

E-Juice - Paradise Vape UK _ Vape dont smoke

And here is a list of some other good UK suppliers with discount codes you can check out -

ALL ABOUT E-CIGARETTES UK - Recommended & new suppliers (e-cig/juice sellers)

The best advice I can give you is not to go for a ciggie look alike

 

[Semiretired]

Do not beat yourself up about it. Take it in baby steps. First, I agree with the above posts on you need a better PV. Liberty Flights in in the UK and they have a good selection to choose from and are a good company to do business with. Secondly, you may not be able to just drop smoking cigarettes all at once and this is okay.

When I first started using an e-cig I was able to cut my cigarettes in half immediately, but not all together. It took me a couple of weeks to be able to cut down to 5 or 6 cigarettes a day and a couple of months to drop them totally.

Remember every cigarette you are able to avoid is getting you one step closer. You will get there. Find better equipment, take it one day at a time and you will get there before you know it...

There are a lot of good people here to answer any questions you come up with along the way - lots of good support and advice.

 

[Ladypixel]

I was a 1.5 pack a day light-tobacco smoker, and for me, 16-18 is my 'normal' level, and 24mg is my 'having a craving' level. So far, it is working for me. But I do vape a lot more than I smoke, and I don't buy prefilled cartridges because I can't accurately control my nicotine intake with them (who knows how much is actually in a prefill? I don't!).

When I began vaping, it took about three weeks for me to go from a pack and a half a day to no cigarettes. And vaping does not feel the same as smoking. (On the bright side, it also doesn't smell or taste the same as smoking, which to me is a plus.) It's a process of trial and error to find exactly what works for you, but I'm pretty certain that prefilled cartridges are NOT your weapon of choice here.

I started with prefills. Within a week, I had an eGo and some 510 minis. I pretty much ignore the 510 minis still, but the eGo works for me very well, and I'm contemplating mods for variety in the future.

 

[wv2win]

I will second Semiretired's comments as well as Victorias. Remember:

Rule of Thumb: generally, the more it looks like the real thing, the worse the performance.

I would go to Liberty Flights and look at either the E-Power 510 or the Riva 510. Get manual batteries (small button) only and not auto batteries. You should get 5 - 6 hours on a charge with these batteries and much warmer vapor than what you currently have. Start out with eliquid in the 24mg nicotine range and adjust up or down according to your own needs. Get some blank cartomizers and fill with eliquid until they are good and moist. I would suggest getting several different flavors. PG eliquid allows more of the flavor and throat hit of the eliquid to come through. Many people mix some VG into their PG liquid. Liberty Flights PG "Home Counties" flavor is a smooth tobacco-like flavor. Here is the Liberty Flights UK site:

E-Power

 

[danzigerstraße]

thanks for the advice its really appreciated. to be honest this initial attempt at e-cigs has been a bit disheartening, i think il order some 24mg nicotine and see how that goes, as ladypixel said I have no idea what in the prefills and the packet doesnt give any clue as to their actual nicotine content apart from "regular". If that doesnt help I might go for a new model, I've looked online at that riva 1100 and the riva 510, whats the difference? Is it just the battery size? what effect does that have? thanks

 

[wv2win]

........... I've looked online at that riva 1100 and the riva 510, whats the difference? Is it just the battery size? what effect does that have? thanks

Batteries are measured two ways: volts and mAh. Volts generally equate to how warm the vapor will be and mAh equates to how long the battery will hold a charge. However, mAh also has an impact on warmth of the vapor and thus satisfaction of the vaping experience. As a battery discharges, it is less capable of providing the amount of power the heating element needs to perform properly. So if a battery provides power for one hour, the first half hour will provide better performance than the second half hour. So the larger the mAh rating, the longer the battery is able to provide near maximum performance.

The volts provides the warmth. The lower the volts, the colder the vapor. An eGo for example is only 3.4 volts where as the ones I suggested are 3.7 volt models with 1000+ mAh batteries. There are also 5 volt models and variable volt models that provide an even better vape because they provide warmer vapor.

The Riva 510 generally comes with a 3.7 volt, 1100 mAh battery. In your example, they are probably the same models.

 

[bugs72]

I just posted this in a different thread but seems apropos here. Expect some withdrawl from putting down the analogs. Cigarette companies add free base nicotine to their cigarettes. With vaping you don’t get that, which decreases the nicotine "rush" you get from smokes. Persevere and you will reap the rewards. Good luck!

 

[ShogaNinja]

I prefer the KGO myself. I wrote a blog about it. You should read it.
http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/blogs/shoganinja/2525-finally-easy-button-quit-smoking-start-vaping.html

VAPE STRONG

 

[Warren D. Lockaby]

thanks for the advice its really appreciated. to be honest this initial attempt at e-cigs has been a bit disheartening, i think il order some 24mg nicotine and see how that goes, as ladypixel said I have no idea what in the prefills and the packet doesnt give any clue as to their actual nicotine content apart from "regular". If that doesnt help I might go for a new model, I've looked online at that riva 1100 and the riva 510, whats the difference? Is it just the battery size? what effect does that have? thanks

Hi & Welcome to ECF! First of all don't lose hope, this will work. If your batteries are working okay and you still have some un-toasted cartos in your existing kit then by all means I would get some higher nic liquid, preferably in sample sizes of a few different flavors to see what you like. If you have a choice as to PG/VG ratio I'd suggest probably 70/30 or 60/40, but this is a matter of personal preference. Keep in mind you're in the experimental stage now so virtually everything you try is a learning experience. That's okay, and something that smooths out as we go along, but just as in real life the "learning phase" never really ends completely (at least I hope mine doesn't!). Just don't stress out & if you need to smoke it's not a life-shattering thing. Everyone you DON'T smoke is a victory, so keep all those victories in mind and don't let a little setback stare you down.

Blessings, & Happy Vaping!