On day 1 of 'vaping'

[Sid_Wolf]

Hiya!!!

My name's Sid (im a girl, its a nickname), and im in the UK. I've been umming and arring over quitting my 25-a-day habit for a while, i've been a smoker for nearly 3 years if i remember rightly, and already I was noticing a dramatic effect in my breathing and stuff.

I have 3 Siberian Huskies, Kira (2, all white), Grey (2.5, black, grey & white) and Keyusha (7 months, red & white), they are high energy dogs, and I wanted to start jogging with them when Im unable to take them out on my bike. I couldnt manage this, my breathing was awful if I started running.

So yesterday I went for it, decided to kick the habit and become a bit fitter, and save some money in the process! I have been given an iTank (i think), which i got in the post this morning, and some liquid. So far today I havent had a single cig!

I was a Drum blue fan, does anyone know if you can get liquid in that flavour?

Are there any medical/health issues with vaping, or is it completely safe?

Im hoping to eventually wean myself off the ecigs so I am not dependant on anything anymore, I wish I had never started smoking, but hindsight is a wonderful thing!!

 

[ancient puffer]

Hi, Sid, and welcome!

Good for you, you won't regret starting down this path. It will take a while for your smell and taste and lung function to return, but it will be SO much better. In the meantime, spend some time reading here and learning, there's a lot of good information on this forum.

I'll try to answer a few of your questions. First, about the taste. You won't find a "match" to the flavor of burning tobacco. That's the "down" side, but as a plus, once your taste and smell return, you have banana creme, chocolate, blueberry muffin, and literally hundreds of other flavors to try....and with zero calories

As for your health, there are currently studies being done, but the consensus of data so far indicates its WAY safer than cigarettes. A few people happen to have adverse reactions to propylene glycol (PG), but vegetable glycerin (VG) is a great alternative. Many people use juice that is a mixture of the 2. Basically, PG gives more taste, while VG gives more vapor. Part of the fun is finding what you really like.

Just as a "heads up", look up the effects of withdrawal from cigarettes, you may experience some of them, but they generally don't last a long time. Most times, you're out of the woods somewhere between 1-4 weeks. And note that some people quit smoking immediately, and some gradually quit over a period of months. But either way, you're doing your health a real favor, and every cigarette avoided is a plus.

The real secret to success, is to find what works for you. There are lots of variables, nicotine level being the most important. Usually, around 18mg strength is a good starting point, although you can go as high as 36mg, all the way down to zero. Just try to make it easy on yourself and don't expect to get to zero overnight.

Another area you'll be experimenting with (possibly) is the equipment you have. Again, read lots on here about it, and ask us if you have any questions. I'm not familiar with the "iTank" but others on here may be.

And lastly, when you get your post count up to 5 (and wait an hour for the software to "catch up") you'll be able to post in other forums, and you may find it helpful to post in the UK forum (UK Forum).

Again, welcome and congratulations

 

[Sid_Wolf]

Thanks for the welcome

Yea I had no intention of trying an e-cig til i was offered one, I got some redbull and golden virginia flavours too. Currently trying the Golden V liquid, i'll give the red bull a go when it needs refilling

Not noticed any side effects so far, though went a little dizzy the 1st time I vaped, but thats gone now. Throat is a little sore, I'm assuming from the vaping, but thats already becoming less I managed to take 2 of the 3 dogs out for a short jog tonight, the 3rd one had to make do with a walk, I was shattered! lol

As this is 2nd hand equipment Im not sure what the level of the liquid is, I will probably start at 18mg or slightly less when I come to buy some more

 

[Chrissie]

Hello & welcome Sid

I'm also in the UK & been vaping for coming up t 3 years. Had no adverse health effects - far from it.

A couple of good UK suppliers of Drum flavoured juice are -

Paradise vapes -

E-Juice - Tobacco - Paradise Vape UK _ Vape dont smoke

And OKsmokey -especially his DF (double flavour)

E-Liquid 20ml - E-Cig Liquids - Ok Smokey - Electronic Cigarettes & Accessories

I'm also an animal lover - got 9 cats - 8 Maine Coons & one dear old moggy. Do love dogs as well though

 

[dormouse]

Vaping isn't completely safe. Nicotine is still a vasoconstrictor and can affect bloods pressure and cause bleeding or receding gums etc just like it can in cigarettes. Over-vaping or using nicotine that is too high can lead to headaches, lightheadedness, rapid or irregular heartbeat and other problems. And nicotine is a skin irritant and PG base does little to buffer that so medium or high nicotine in 100% PG can cause sore tongue, throat or even lungs. Vaping is also more drying than smoking so you need to stay hydrated.

Here is the Health section including a document about vaping and cigarette cessation effects
Health, Safety and E-Smoking

When you have 5 total posts and/or replies in New Members, then wait about an hour, and you'll be able to post elsewhere on the forum including the UK section.

 

[DC2]

As far as how safe it is, you might want to read this...
Electronic cigarettes as a harm reduction strategy for tobacco control

 

[Nokisu]

Congrats and welcome to ECF! I quit analogs one month ago and haven't looked back! The very first day I vaped, I didn't have a cigarette and haven't had one since. I made sure to get the juice with 18 mg of nic, but only went to flavors other than tobacco. I figured if I was quitting, I would stay away from those flavors. One benefit is my asthma has gotten so much better that I don't need my asthma inhaler any more. and I'm not hacking up a lung in the mornings either. I was smoking close to 55 cigarettes a day, so I thought it would be impossible to kick it, not to mention doing this since I was 12 years old...I'm now 59. I know your breathing and lung function will improve and if you pick sweet flavors, you might find that you won't snack anymore or not as much (if you did)...I have found this to be a good thing.

 

[modernians]

Nicotine is found in all types of fruit and veg, its not actually that bad for you, its all those other nasty chemicals, so in my opinion its definetely the right path to be going down. Good luck Sid!