Non-smokers, Smokers and Vapers

[isande]

Maybe there isn't for you, but there sure is for me. I love holding it, taking it out of the pack, lighting it (not covered by vaping) and engaging in the ritual. It is not the same for everyone, but that's how it is for me.

Oh, so do I. I think the vast majority of smokers do.

My point is that those rituals would not have become so enjoyable -- and habit-forming -- if they were not FIRST associated with the consumption of nicotine.

--K

 

[sherid]

Ikek

First of all, let me say, I love to smoke. Sometimes, it feels like my best and only true friend. The feelings it gives me is the same everytime I picked up an analog.

I would look forward to the 15 minute break so I could spend time with my friend and stop the stress for a few minutes.

But my best friend stunk to high heaven, he was messy, dropping ashes and fire everywhere he went. No one wanted to invite him into their homes or businesses because of his rather nasty disposition.

vaping, on the other hand, seems pretty much stink free, gives the same stress relief and doesn't drop ash or fire.

I know I'll get flamed for this, but I still consider myself a smoker not a vaper. I am still unwilling to let the habit die even though I haven't smoked analogs since June. It might or might not be in a safer package in the ecig, but I don't think I'll ever consider myself an exsmoker. Like an alcoholic, I'll be addicted to smoking the rest of my days, whether I choose to continue the habit or not.

I agree wholeheartedly with all you say. If we were honest, we would admit our relationship with cigarettes. During some dark past times, it probably saved my sanity. It was a refuge, a time away from crisis, an escape for a few minutes. I could never hate smoking, for it was/is a part of who I am. If I can find a better way to do it, I am a very happy person.

 

[cliff5550]

I am 59 years old and I wish I had NEVER started smoking. Vaping has allowed me to make the best of a bad situation. I was to the point I hated even lighting up. But I still did. My wife and tried the Chantix. It worked quickly and lasted about two months - but it didn't hold. Don't know why. Tried it again and felt sick with every pill.
The bottom line for me is, I was at the point that I absolutely hated smoking. Hated the yellow fingers, the stinky car and clothes, the second-hand smoke sucked in by everyone around me, the afternoon headaches. I will never, ever, tell someone to go ahead and get hooked on nicotine, even if it is by vaping. It was a stupid decision when I started smoking back in 1965 and it's stupid now.

 

[dragonpuff]

I have a few cents to put in here:

First of all, i can totally understand that some people make conscious decisions to smoke, or vape, but not everyone does. I tried a cigarette for the first time when i was 10, out of curiosity. I started smoking a pack a day when i was 12 because my life was living hell and i needed anything to make me feel better. Now i'm stuck with a heavy addiction that has led me to smoke a pack a day for 14 years, and is impossible to quit because every time i quit nicotine, a nasty medical condition rears its ugly head (and i have tried just about everything to quit). For me, its not a choice to enjoy vaping, its choosing a cleaner way to consume nicotine. I NEVER started this with the intention of quitting nicotine because i know what that means for me.

I guess i just needed to vent a little, but what i'm trying to say is that not everyone "chooses" to smoke, some of us just get stuck with it.

And Johnny, i want to say thank you for being here! The support and understanding of a non-smoker is very appreciated

 

[ladyraj]

What is all these references I've been seeing regarding yellow fingers? It's everywhere on this forum...are these RYO folks? I find that even hard to believe. I've smoked cigarettes for 35 years and have yet to get yellow fingers. What in the heck would cause yellowing of the fingers? A blue tinge I could understand from lack of circulation...but yellow?

 

[isande]

What is all these references I've been seeing regarding yellow fingers? It's everywhere on this forum...are these RYO folks? I find that even hard to believe. I've smoked cigarettes for 35 years and have yet to get yellow fingers. What in the heck would cause yellowing of the fingers? A blue tinge I could understand from lack of circulation...but yellow?

It's tar stains that cause yellow fingers. How yellow your fingers get from smoking (if at all) is directly related to how much you smoke, how you hold your cigarette, and how close to the filter you smoke it. Personally, I've never had more than a faint yellowish tinge.

--K

 

[SLDS181]

Really the only problem is that there has been no scientific investigation into the effects of long-term exposure to PG.

Thats a load right there.

Studies have been conducted on precisely this subject, specificially by the entertainment industry, because PG & VG are used in fog machines. They were worried about the health effects of technicians and entertainers.

PG is not bio-cumulative, meaning it does not build up in your body.

The tests have been done. Your statement is incorrect. Please do not repeat incorrect statements.

Thanks

 

[SLDS181]

Oh, and I do understand JonnyW's perspective here. I know plenty of non-smokers who will occasionally enjoy flavored tobacco at a hookah bar. I also know plenty of non-smokers who enjoy flavored oxygen at oxygen bars.

I honestly don't see this as much different.

I don't recommend anyone start a new habit "just because", but I won't take hard-line opposition to someone who wants to use it here and there.

 

[DC2]

There's nothing inherently addictive about picking up a stick-shaped object, sucking on it, and taking a deep breath.

I don't need the nicotine really, and don't think I'm addicted to it.
I used to be able to go all day without having one or even thinking about it.

I smoked for one reason only, and that was to take a break.

And to me taking a break meant getting away from work, from troubles, from issues. It meant getting away by myself and getting a chance to get alone with my thoughts, without the distraction of the world whizzing by all around me. It gave me a chance to relax, to relieve stress, to think and ponder.

The thing is, ONLY smoking a cigarette would allow me to take that break.

I tried many alternatives to smoking that would allow me to take short breaks, but none of them worked. I had to be doing something to keep my hands occupied. It had to be something I looked forward to doing and actively wanted to do. But it had to be something completely mindless. Everything else I tried did not work and I wound up just not taking any breaks.

I would never have quit smoking if it weren't for electronic cigarettes.
I would never have even bothered to try and quit.

 

[ladyraj]

It's tar stains that cause yellow fingers. How yellow your fingers get from smoking (if at all) is directly related to how much you smoke, how you hold your cigarette, and how close to the filter you smoke it. Personally, I've never had more than a faint yellowish tinge.

--K

Thanks for the response K, Although I've smoked for many years in this matter I'm a newbie. I thought I had developed a heck of a habit over 35 years but the staining was a surprise to me. My gimmick to reduce the amount I smoked was to only smoke cigarettes halfway down, then discard. Maybe that explains why I did not experience the phenomena.

 

[JonnyW]

Thats a load right there.

Studies have been conducted on precisely this subject, specificially by the entertainment industry, because PG & VG are used in fog machines. They were worried about the health effects of technicians and entertainers.

PG is not bio-cumulative, meaning it does not build up in your body.

The tests have been done. Your statement is incorrect. Please do not repeat incorrect statements.

Thanks

Um, sorry?

I don't understand your point though, have the studies shown that it's OK or that it does have adverse effects?

 

[Moonflame]

I think a lot of us are very afraid that if we say to someone who is considering picking up PVs to experience the flavor and enjoyment of vaping without nicotine, that it is ok for them to start we'll be giving the anti PV folks ammunition. That the anti PV people will be able to say "See, it is a way to get people to start smoking." Maybe if the fear of them getting banned goes away replies to questions like that will change. I know that since I have started vaping I have stopped snacking as much. There were many times in the past that I snacked at the computer or watching TV just because I wanted the flavor of it, not because I was hungry. Now if I want chocolate I pick up some chocolate e-liquid. If I want a sweet coffee drink I vape some cappuchino. It has definitely saved me a lot of empty calories and I've lost a little weight. Eating out of boredom is a hand to mouth addiction just like smoking is and I recently heard on the news that obesity has passed smoking in health care costs. Maybe if people substituted vaping flavor instead of eating it, it would solve some of that problem.

 

[Moonflame]

Um, sorry?

I don't understand your point though, have the studies shown that it's OK or that it does have adverse effects?

For some good info on PG research check out vapersclub.com. There is lots of info on the research that has been being done since the 1940's.

 

[annah]

I completely agree with all the statements about it being an enjoyable ritual.. I've always been more of a romanticized smoker I guess I would say. You know, back in the day women smoking on TV was sexy. It was a very delicate and sensual act. I've always hated the smell of cigs, the dirtiness of the ashtray, and ash mess everywhere. You never would have caught me holding a cig between my thumb and pointer finger, or never smoking while using the toliet (as I have known some to do). I always wanted to be able to sit down, and relax, enjoy a cig, watch the smoke swirls... If I had lived back when it was fashionable to use a cig holder, I would have loved it.

I started smoking socially in high school, and into college. I managed it for years- maybe 4 years of smoking only occasionally, or never more than 1 or 2 a day. I hit a rough spot though, and smoking brought me through depression, and helped me to calm down. Vaping for me has hit the perfect spot- I don't have to worry about anything smelling, or the ashes, but I still get the ritual. Some day I hope to cut down to 0 nic (just because i hate saying i am addicted to anything), but I probably will still vape just for the ritual.

 

[Proverb]

I appreciate the responsibility you all show, though I should reiterate that I have no plans to start vaping (and certainly not smoking), I was simply interested in discussing e cigs and the rather fascinating sub-culture around them.

Still, if you vaped with a nicotine-less solution, is there anything harmful? Again, just food for thought, I have no plans to vape. Too expensive for a college student like me who has no nicotine addiction to fight. I think it certainly merits more study though. Imagine how big of a deal it would be if they found nothing harmful in nicotine-less e-juice. 'Twould be the end of analogs, methinks.

About the roomate situation- I've never tried my roommates cigs (someone mentioned that, I think they had me confused), but I do hate the smell. I should at least tell 'em about e cigs, though they're party guys that probably don't give a crap about their health right now. They also have this oh-so-lovely habbit of smoking pot in their room (it's a two bedroom apartment, they have their own room), and then lying to me like they don't know where the smell is coming from. Sadly I don't want to have to deal with telling the management and risk getting us all evicted, so I'm kind of just dealing with it for now.

Sorry about that, that was me! I was posting late at night and there was another thread with nearly an identical topic. Got the two confused .

Still to go back to your other point in this thread, there is some risk in vaping a non-nicotine solution, as PG and VG have some level of toxicity to them (though the quantities you'd need to take them in are rather high and nearly impossible to reach through vaping). It has been known to be an irritant for some people, but in general it's a fairly benign substance.