Not even a newbie yet...

[VapnG]

Howdy Vapers!

So, here’s my story and what brought me to this forum. You see, I used to be a smoker. I started when I was 14 and would still be smoking today, if not for a pretty serious, but not smoking related, medical scare 7 years ago. Long story, but here's the gist… While I don’t recommend it, 2 months in a medically induced coma is a great way to quit smoking AND lose weight at the same time! Oddly enough, I slept through the nicotine withdrawals, and never once missed the cigarettes while I was in the hospital or rehab. But, once I got home and back to a daily routine of sorts, I found that I was missing the habitual stuff. You know, when you’re doing something that you would normally do while lighting up. Driving in the car, chatting on the phone, etc. . The worst was when I’d be cleaning around the house and not have that excuse to sit down and take a smoke break!! I never did miss it enough to light up again, though!

Fast forward to last week, when I was looking up the hours of a local smoke shop, online. I just needed to get some of those really great pipe cleaners, the kind with the little scrubby bristles on them. (Those things are perfect for cleaning out stainless steel drinking straws! ) So at the top of their homepage, there is this huge ad for vaping. There’s all this artsy blue smoke against a black background. Captivating I tell ya!! Being the curious type, I just had to check it out. …What is THIS?? A new device to help smokers quit and it allows you to step down the nicotine GRADUALLY?? This sounds perfect for my daughter!!

A few days later, my husband and I stop in the smoke shop to grab the pipe cleaners. On the way out of the store I see, what I now know is, a modest display of e-liquids. “Hang on a minute, I want to check this stuff out!”. After a rundown of the devices and vaping in general, by the gentleman behind the counter, I decide that this would be a great gift for my daughter’s birthday next month. Being the self proclaimed researcher that I am (and currently unemployed), I spent a bit too much time, over the next few days looking up this ‘vaping’, reading forums, watching YouTube videos, and searching retail web sites for a great deal in the perfect e-cig/mod. …SAY WHAT?? You can DIY your own e-juice??? (I’m a self proclaimed DIYer too!). …CRIKEY! Look at all these flavors!!! …SHUT THE FRONT DOOR!! ZERO NICOTINE!?! …THIS could be an interesting hobby!! …Look at all these devices… PINK PAISLEY!?! ARE YA KIDDING ME???

Yup, that’s pretty much how it went!! Now, normally I would dive in head first, and buy the prettiest little device I could find, along with a cabinet full of e-juice flavors. But, I somehow managed to restrain myself and only ordered a blister pack eGo type starter kit and one little bottle of 0 nic e-juice. The starter kit did come with a little bottle of 12mg, but that will eventually go to my daughter along with her birthday gift.

So, here are my questions for you veteran vapers. Is it crazy to start vaping at 40 something, when it’s not to help quit smoking? Am I just setting myself up for a new habit, which may or may not have health risks? (I’m leaning toward the ‘not’ on this one!) Are there any vapers on here that have never smoked? Oh, and that great diet plan I mentioned earlier… It wasn’t a permanent fix! So, MAYBE vaping sweets would be a good way to eat less of the real thing?!? Any thoughts on that?

Thanks for sticking with me through this lengthy story. I’m looking forward to your words of wisdom and experience!

 

[klynnn]

You are old enough to make the decision. I would try the no nic juice and see how you like it. Nothing ventured nothing gained. Welcome to ECF.

 

[tearose50]

Great story and welcome to ECF.

Yes, there are a few zero nic vapors who never smoked. (I personally only know one, but I've read of others.)
I have also read a post from a young adult who was telling of his weight loss after taking up vaping, and I do believe it was also zero nic.

I don't know of any zero-nic vaping hang outs for you to get more opinions on this for you....though I do know there are more around than we hear about.

Your ego kit sounds like a great choice. Remember, it isn't like that ancient habit of yours, but it does have some similarities.

 

[VapnG]

Thanks Ladies!

Sure the decision is mine, but I try to make informed decisions, whenever possible. Most of the time that keeps me out of trouble!

I don't know why, but vaping totally fascinating to me!! I don't believe I would ever vape nic. I know how hard that is to quit!!

 

[Frenchfry1942]

It is a hobby for me. I have to say that I was a smoker for 30 years, but I put the cigs down one day and never went back. I like the ability to smell, taste and not having disgusting smell on me. I have come down a notch on the nicotine. My doctor said, "that is good" when I told him I switched.

I now have a fishing "kit" box with all the little sections in it to keep my parts. The flavors take a while in that there are so many to wade through to get ones that I like. I have been doing samplers from different places to find which "apple" is the best apple flavoring. I recommend doing that instead of getting a 30ml bottle of something that I don't like. I use a spreadsheet to record my findings and know where to go for what on the internet. Also, going to B&M shops to taste test is very good.

I now found what my wife can get me for gifts. She thinks its great that I got rid of the "ashtray" mouth.

I know that cigarettes are so easy, but, I love the tinkering in the later evening in prep for the next day.

 

[GPC2012]

I just turned 57, my lovely wife is 53, and although we were both smokers this is the easiest way, and has added benefis like the weight gain usually associated with quitting. When we get the urge to snack we just start vaping something like cinnamon candy or black licorice, something that we would normally munch on. My wife likes cotton candy mixed with either fruit flavor or some other candy flavor. I actually made us some sangria one day just for the heck of it. Took Merlot, lime drop, lemon, watermelon, black berry, and pomagranite flavors put a few drops of each in and it was pretty good. Both our sons who were smokers vape. Our oldest is the one who got us started. He gave us our first set ups for Christmas. Both their wives were not smokers, but now vape for flavor and it gives something to share with their husbands. it also satisfies that hand to mouth urge you get around others when they eat or smoke. We started with the 12 and now are mixing it with 6 in a month or so we'll go to straight 6 then mix it with 0. And the ultimate goal is all 0. Even at that point I don't plan on stopping, I really enjoy it, I wish I'd had it 5 years ago when I got hurt and ended up sitting around for almost two years between jumping through the work comp hoops, surgery, recoup, and rehab. I put on over a 100 lbs. Since starting to vape I not only don't smoke, I've lost almost 20 lbs, I feel better, we are more active, taking walks together, gardining and just generally having a good time. I ended up retired/disabled at 55 so I've got a whole lifetime to enjoy now that analogs aren't going to kill me. Oh yeah and my cardiologist is happy as heck that we're vaping he's been riding me like crazy to quit smoking since I had to to a stent in one of my arteries. He doesn't even mind that I'm still getting the nicotine, he said it's not the nicotine that would kill me but the other crap that you get when you smoke. Well guess I've rambled on long enough. in the end I say
GO FOR IT

 

[Bramble]

My daughter also doesn't smoke but used to. She does occasionally like the flavored little cigars (Prime Time) because she says she misses the habit or just "wants to take the edge off" sometimes. I have suggested to her that 0 to low nic vaping would be better than giving in to smoking. The flavors are better, she won't smell like smoke, and she won't be creating butts or ashes, etc.

I say if you enjoy it then why not?

 

[Fast and Furious]

Maybe get a few opinions here:
http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...any-have-never-smoked-but-started-vaping.html

From my limited exposure virtually all 'juice' is available without nicotine. There may be some that don't offer zero - but the ones I have looked at all do.

Honestly - if you can stay off the cigarettes and NOT vape - do it that way. It sounds wonderful - and it is a great help in avoiding cigarettes - but why risk it? You survived the coma - and you are obviously a smart lady. That hand to mouth routine just might bring back old cravings. Many will disagree. To this 'new guy' it's not worth the risk.

Tom

 

[Frenchfry1942]

GPC had a really good thought in that in the evening, have cinnamon bun flavored. I think I am going to setup a tank or two just for that. Thanks!

 

[Steam Turbine]

Am I just setting myself up for a new habit, which may or may not have health risks? (I’m leaning toward the ‘not’ on this one!)

Are you setting yourself up for a new habit? Probably


Are you setting yourself up for a new hobby? Absolutly!

May or may not have health risks? Most probably not as much as smoking but this is still a new-ish thing... we'll know later.

In short, know what you are getting into, vape at your own risk and if you do.... Enjoy!

Welcome to ECF.

 

[Frenchfry1942]

At this moment I am taking a "vape-break" from vacuuming.

 

[bortonia]

I started vaping in hopes it'd at least help me cut down on my smoking (I've been a heavy smoker for nearly 20 years!). At first I'd still buy cigarettes but eventually as I got better vaping equipment I was able to stop completely. I have been slowly cycling down my nicotine and am currently very comfy at 6-9mgs, and have some 0 on its way so I can begin to cut this to 3, then to zero.

My brother has never smoked before, but, he does enjoy the odd cigar. We live in different cities so don't see each other that often. We met up last fall after I'd begun vaping and he was pretty intrigued. He gave it a try - I had a chocolate flavor running in an eGO and he loved it! For the rest of my visit, he would take the occasional puff.

But since it had nicotine in it I felt bad. So next time I saw him I'd bought the 0 version of the chocolate flavor. It's cute, he has the little eGO (I've since upgraded) with 0 mg nicotine and I have my bigger APVs. Don't tell him, but as a surprise I just ordered him an e-cigar (again, 0 nicotine juice) for his birthday since he loves his cigars

 

[HecticEnergy]

I quit 6 months or more before I picked up vaping. I moved cross country and in with a smoker. I work from home so all day exposure to those cravings was really difficult. I picked up vaping after a few weeks of cravings.

We've since moved out of that temporary situation. I've thought about quitting all together (vaping 6mg nic) but I enjoy it too much. It seems to be safer than tobacco, and I've lost 10lbs because I don't snack as much...

That's my story.. Who knows, in ten years we may find this stuff causes you to grow a second head. It's still too new to know the long term effects. But the 200+ studies done have all indicated it is the next best thing to quitting cigarettes all together...

Sent from my SGH-T999 using Tapatalk

 

[dash]

I just want to add that my Daughter-in-law vapes and has never smoked. She enjoys the flavors and it encourages her husband, my son, to vape. He has smoked for almost 20 years but felt silly vaping. Now they both whip out their PV's in the evening and he no longer feels that he is alone in this venture.

 

[VapnG]

Thanks everyone, for the input/advice. F&F the link to the other thread was super helpful!

My vapemail did not arrive on Saturday, as scheduled. >SHOULD< be hear any minute though!!