Non Smoker that wants to "Convert" his friends :)

[Mr_Bostonian]

Hi,

I'm a Non Smoker from Boston MA. A couple of months ago I discovered the e-cig on one the BBC website's articles. I was fascinated by the technology (I'm a total tech geek!), and quickly googled the e-cig to find out more about how the thing worked. After reading up a bit, the product seems like an amazing alternative. Seems like a great product and both physiologically and psychologically replicates roughly 90% of the experience (from what I've observed, I hold a Psychology Degree, a Biology Minor, and am Persuing a Masters of Scince).

I've never been a fan of traditional smoking (grandfather passed away from cancer), but tolerate it and don't critize those who are (most of closest friends smoke). The E-sig brings me hope they can still get a nice hit while cutting down on the carcinogens. Many of them have never heard of the e-cig.

I'm aking for some help here ......

As a non smoker: How can I introduce my friends/family to it without offending? How would some of you would have like to have been introduced to it? I think one of these would make a nice gift (especially the cooler looking black mini ones)...so can anyone recommend good gift options? I'm currently consider buying a couple of Njoys for the holidays, or perhaps "Never Light Agains", Durability good on these? I've read on the atomizers and will prob grab a spare to give with one. As a non smoker will I meet resistance since "I don't know what it's like"? What about my cusual smoking friends (social smokers, beer, party etc), should I bother?

 

[Marvelbeast]

I'd reccomend one of the starter packs and some replacements cartridges and maybe a bottle of e-liquid.

There are a lot of reviews on here and people tend to have different views on what is the best "First" e-cig to start off with.

The reason I'd suggest a few replacement cartridges and e-liquid is because it would show the recipients of your gifts that there is a large amount of choice and if they don't like one flavour then they could try another.

ANother issue is cost. There are a number of different e-cigs and a lot of different prices, even the same e-cig can vary in price from one seller to another.

My first e-cig was from the ELectronic CIgarette company here in the UK and it was good enough for me to decide to give up real cigs almost straight away. I was a 40 a day smoker and don't miss the real ones. In fact I think I prefer the e-cig as I can change the flavour.

I've now purchased a higher end model from Janty and am loving it because it is so versatile. I'd suggest that but it would be a larger outlay in cost.

Also if the people you purchased them for didn't take to e-smoking then it would be more of a waste.

The 901 model is popular here but the one I started with was the 4081. It may benefit you more if the one you buys as a starter pack looks more like a traditional cigarette as this may sway them more. If they decided it was for them then you could point them here so that they could choose their next e-cig themselves.

Personally I loved the rn4081 but that was because it was the only one I saw at first.

Most of the people who have ordered an e-cig because they saw me with one, were swayed because of the look. But a couple have already decided to get a pen style or a device that looks nothing like a cigarette.

Also if you are buying a few starter packs it may benefit you to email the sellers because they may give a discount if you buy more then one.

 

[TropicalBob]

No. 1: In order to quit smoking, a person has to want to. It has to be personal. Without that internal quit mandate, nothing on the market can replace the love affair with a tobacco cigarette. So if they haven't said they want to quit for health or social reasons, then I wouldn't bother with buying them an e-cig. This is no miracle quit-smoking device and does not replicate cigarette smoking.

No. 2: Don't even think about it for social smokers. Let them enjoy their occasional pleasure. E-cigs are for ADDICTS.

No. 3: These things are a pain in the .... right now. Not reliable. Troublesome to maintain and service. Just a pain. That should change with the next generation, assuming they remain legal at all (very much in question). Make sure you know your friends well enough to anticipate that they'll care for an e-device.

No. 4: Buy from a US source. I personally recommend only JantyUSA.com. Do not base your purchase decision on price alone, or you'll regret the choice.

You have a kind mind, however. Congratulations on wanting to help them.

 

[Marvelbeast]

I forgot to say that I now love my Janty Kissbox classic. I use the e-liquid from Totally Wicked to refill the cartridges as it cuts cost a lot AND as a previous heavy smoker the higher nicotine content is much better for me.

It may be worth working out what level of liquid or carts your friends and family might prefer. I may be wrong but personally I'd say the heavier the smoker, the higher the nicotine content they may prefer.

They vary from 0 mg nicotine to 36 mg. 36 mg is really high though but it's the one I like most.

If someone had bought me an e-cig before I knew about them then the perfect gift for me would've been:

1 starter kit which includes a charger,
1 spare battery (you get 2 in most starter kits though)
1 spare atomiser (as you generally only get one is the pack)
1 pack of cartridges (or a mix of different flavours/strengths)
1 Bottle of e-liquid

If money was no object I would've preferred a few bottles of various flavours but that would push the price up a lot. Maybe you could print off a flavour list and add the web address of this site so people could decide for themselves what replacements and flavours/strengths to go for in future.

A lot of the fun is trying new flavours.

 

[Marvelbeast]

I agree about these are not nicotine replacement therapy devices. I see them as instead of real cigarettes and not as a way to give up.

My main reason wasn't for health but because it costs me a fraction of what real cigs did. A bonus is that I already feel healthier then I did when I was smoking. Food tastes better, I can smell clearer and I don't get out of breath as quick as I used too.

I do see me e-smoking for a long time to come and now I don't think of quitting.

The people I used to spend time with on smoking breaks and my friends and family who smoke have nearly all decided to buy a starter pack. They wouldn't of if they hadn't seen or tried mine.

Only one person I know has said that it is definitely not for them. Another 2 have said they will smoke and use the e-cig but the majority have said that they aim to quit real fags for the e-cig.

I'd think about what Bob has said though.

IMO I'd consider it a huge bonus if even one of the people you bought them for decided to switch.

Although you're a non smoker I'd recommend that you spent some time reading through the forum before you decided on whether to buy them or not. I am biased in favour of the e-cig but there are negatives too. A few people have found they are allergic to the PG that is in the liquids for instance.

 

[Mr_Bostonian]

No. 1: In order to quit smoking, a person has to want to. It has to be personal. Without that internal quit mandate, nothing on the market can replace the love affair with a tobacco cigarette. So if they haven't said they want to quit for health or social reasons, then I wouldn't bother with buying them an e-cig. This is no miracle quit-smoking device and does not replicate cigarette smoking.

No. 2: Don't even think about it for social smokers. Let them enjoy their occasional pleasure. E-cigs are for ADDICTS.

No. 3: These things are a pain in the .... right now. Not reliable. Troublesome to maintain and service. Just a pain. That should change with the next generation, assuming they remain legal at all (very much in question). Make sure you know your friends well enough to anticipate that they'll care for an e-device.

No. 4: Buy from a US source. I personally recommend only JantyUSA.com. Do not base your purchase decision on price alone, or you'll regret the choice.

You have a kind mind, however. Congratulations on wanting to help them.

1) I agree, I will only consider one for those who have tried recently, and had trouble

2) I figured something along those line. Got ya, will do.

3) but figured that this is still in it's infancy

4) I shall.

Thanks for the advise so far .

 

[Wansbeck]

Just point them to this website!

I do this with my friends who have asked about my vaping.

They get lots of advice and I don't get the blame if they are dissapointed.

It has worked every time so far.

 

[e-pipeman]

TBob - It's hard to express just how strongly I disagree with you on your first point. Smokers come in many different shapes and sizes - some hate their habit, some love it. I was firmly in the "love it" camp - to the extent that I have several books that sing the praises of tobacco and delineate the history of its usage (Compton McKenzie, J.M.Barrie et al). To address your points:

"No. 1: In order to quit smoking, a person has to want to. It has to be personal. Without that internal quit mandate, nothing on the market can replace the love affair with a tobacco cigarette. So if they haven't said they want to quit for health or social reasons, then I wouldn't bother with buying them an e-cig. This is no miracle quit-smoking device and does not replicate cigarette smoking."

I gave up smoking without trying by using an e-cig. In the past I had occasionally tried to give up. Used nicotine gum - no good. Patches - made me ill. Zyban - brought on a depressive episode. Not good. I thought I'd get an e-cig as a supplement to my tobacco habit in order to smoke at home, in cinemas etc.. Once I had started on my e-cig I simply forgot about my many pipes - something that would once have been unthinkable.

My point is that smoking is intensely personal, and that what works for one person may not work for another - or vice versa...

 

[Kate]

The DSE901 mini is a decent introductory device and can be bought for a good price. There is a list of suppliers here - http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...rum/531-general-list-suppliers.html#post11414

 

[Schroedinger's cat]

I have not entirely quit smoking with e-cigs, but I have gone from 22 to 3-4 cigs a day in two weeks (and kept this up for the last 5 weeks).

I had NOT wanted to quit (too much pressure against smoking has hardened me in my conviction that it is my right, as long as no one is bothered by it). I have NEVER wanted or tried to quit. Since the day I started over 20 yrs ago, at age 21, I have not had one single day without smoking at least one cigarette (that was a one-time event when I had a high fever).

I only got an e-cig to prepare for when my workplace goes tobacco-free sometime soon (that refers to the outside - inside the place has been smoke-free for ages). I bought it because I wanted to continue smoking despite this measure that I find profoundly repugnant, and I just wanted to beat the ban, which only refers to tobacco products so far. It was my "in-your-face" response, and I bought it in advance so that I would be able to slowly get used to inhale my nicotine in this manner. And I was amazed at how easy it was to reduce my consumption so drastically.

Consider that I am going through a period of extreme stress lately (my mother is extremely ill, and she lives across the Atlantic), which for me has always meant increasing cigarette consumption. All my friends here (none of whom smokes) have all been amazed at my accomplishment, and all were very supportive of the e-cig when I first showed it to them (they let me use it in their homes, for example).
So, perhaps even those who do not particulalry want to quit may find themselves using this more than they expect to....

 

[Lurker]

No. 1: In order to quit smoking, a person has to want to.

Some have switched to e-cig only without the want:

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...3454-accidentally-quitting-smoking-e-cig.html

To the OP:

Nice gesture! Starter kits are only $50 and the holidays are here. Even if they don't quit real cigs they might enjoy using them in the pub.

 

[e-pipeman]

I'm sorry to hear about your mother - mine is in a similar condition. I just vape now- it seems to deliver all the stress-related satisfaction that I thought tobacco provided.

 

[Mr_Bostonian]

..........
To the OP:

Nice gesture! Starter kits are only $50 and the holidays are here. Even if they don't quit real cigs they might enjoy using them in the pub.

That's another thing! It would be nice to keep playing pool with my bros and not having to stop to break... Another friend of mine is a runner, who I think would benefit greatly...Plus New England Winders are HARSH! I want to give people a way not to go out and suffer when it's 10 degree F...

........
I gave up smoking without trying by using an e-cig. In the past I had occasionally tried to give up. Used nicotine gum - no good. Patches - made me ill. Zyban - brought on a depressive episode. Not good. I thought I'd get an e-cig as a supplement to my tobacco habit in order to smoke at home, in cinemas etc.. Once I had started on my e-cig I simply forgot about my many pipes - something that would once have been unthinkable.

My point is that smoking is intensely personal, and that what works for one person may not work for another - or vice versa...

I secretly hope they switch completely or at least cut back a good amount

 

[Schroedinger's cat]

I'm sorry to hear about your mother - mine is in a similar condition. I just vape now- it seems to deliver all the stress-related satisfaction that I thought tobacco provided.

Thank you, Expipeman. I am sorry to hear that your mother is in a similar situation. It is really hard....

I agree that vaping does a lot for the stress (although I still crave real cigs, which is why I allow myself 3-4 a day, never before 4 PM). I was mentioning the stress because I would have been crazy to TRY to quit right now. The fact is, I was not trying....

Mr_Bostonian: I agree that a starter kit is a nice idea for a present, especially for a close friend or a relative, who would take it the right way. Given that you are pretty nice about them smoking, I am sure they will see the nice intent.

 

[Kate]

It's a really nice thing to do Bostonian and it doesn't hurt to try. I bought some kits for family and a friend so they could at least know they exist and could experiment. My nephew is only 21 and it grieves me to think that he has a lifetime of smoking ahead of him, I gave him an ecig and some juice and am keeping my fingers crossed.

I hope your mum's condition improves Cat and Expipeman, best wishes.

 

[Mr_Bostonian]

I'm also sorry to hear about the two members who's mothers are sick. I hope for their recovery and the you have to the strength to continue you support.

Thank you for the feedback everyone, you guys are giving me a good vibe, I think I can confidently pick up a couple of starters without offending. Are people allowed to post recommendations? If not please private message me.

I guess ball park I'm willing to drop $50-$100 per kit. Which leaves with quite a few choices, I'll avoid the cheaper ones for now so no one gets discouraged from malfunctioning (better quality?). I think I'll throw in a second atomizer/battery just in case (which is more likely to go bad?).

These would be just in time for the cold too! So we can stay IN the bars

 

[Kate]

I'd go for DSE901s for starters, they're good little ecigs, the most popular on the forum.

These reviews might help you with suppliers

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...ranty-customer-service-review-comparison.html

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/electronic-cigarette-reviews/3499-thesmokelesshop-com.html

 

[Keef]

As a non smoker: How can I introduce my friends/family to it without offending?

Christmas is coming.

Give them all e-cigs .

Buy in bulk and get a discount.

Will also save you searching high and low for appropriate pressies.

 

[Marvelbeast]

As a non smoker: How can I introduce my friends/family to it without offending?

Christmas is coming.

Give them all e-cigs .

Buy in bulk and get a discount.

Will also save you searching high and low for appropriate pressies.

Plus the chances of someone else buying them the same thing are very slim.

 

[Mr_Bostonian]

Haha! Your right at the very least it's a very original gift!