Overlapping Analogs and Vaping

[amoret]

So, on Monday I bought a carton of cigarettes, and then the mail came with my new vaping equipment, much quicker than I expected. Since then I've been alternating vaping and smoking. Part of the problem is that I'm cheap, and not about to throw away the analogs and part is that I really loathe the juice flavors that I started with. I have ordered more flavors, including a bunch of samples, and am hoping for something I like. I don't have any local vape stores so it is kind of hard to make any changes quickly.

In the meantime I'm wondering how many other people started out doing this, and if it is going to cause a major problem when I run out of the analogs. I have been smoking 1-2 packs a day for 40 years so I'm not expecting this to be an easy transition. Any ideas appreciated on getting by this stage and on to an analog free life.

 

[genesis530]

You could try counting out a certain number of analog cigs a day and vaping the rest of the time. Like, for example, start out with 20, then every other day (or other other day) take 2 away. It actually might be easier this way than quitting cold turkey since you've been smoking so long. Your body is really going to need time to adjust. Remember to drink lots and lots of water to help flush your system. Warm water with lemon wedges in it is really great for detoxing. Maybe take it easy on the processed foods for a little while too.

 

[Vapoor eyes er]

I've had a few converts that I couldn't find flavors for so what I did was give them unflavored juice with some menthol in it. Menthol drops can be bought separately and added- be careful as they're potent. I HATED menthol analogs but found I really enjoyed vaping menthol. This would be just to get you over the hump.

There's also a B&M 40 miles away in:
614 S 18th St
Grand Forks, ND 58201
SnG Vapor
They also sell sample packs:
SnG E-Liquids
and I'm almost certain they'd allow you to sample juices.

 

[dice57]

When my first vape gear arrived I was on my last pack of smokes, that was 5 months ago, haven't had a smoke since. I found it no problem to quit the analogs. Though I did find myself wanting. So after a couple upgrades, I now have a Provari with the Russian rba, also started DIY juice, have enough base to make 1500ml of nic juice and 15 flavor extracts.

One of the difficult things is to find flavors one likes. Plus the fact that some premixed juices suck. Also finding the right VG/PG ratios for your preferred mx. Was all over the board till I settled at 80% VG. Then once I started rba's I had to drop my nic from 24mg to 18mg, and am now at 12mg nic. Not because I'm trying to quit nic, just with the better builds and rba's was getting a better nic delivery, and grew tired of head spins, lol.

I smoke 1 1/2 packs of camels a day, smoked for 27 years. Have not had a single issue with no tobacco smokes, no withdrawals or cravings or urges. Am a very satisfied vaper now. When I did light one up after 2 months of vapping, it tasted like crap and I put it out.

Quiting smoking, this time around, was as easy as falling asleep. I have no fear of ever returning to smokes. The hardest thing with my vapping journey, was finding my pvd of choice to get everything out of vapping that I wanted.

 

[FlamingoTutu]

I smoked 2 PAD for over 40 years. I couldn't kick those last 5-10 cigarettes a day for months and was doing both. No harm in doing both and finding the right flavor that works for you. It's also good to find the nic level that will allow you to make the conversion. I eventually destroyed two packs of the stinkies I found in a drawer after I quit and was rather proud of myself. The important part is quitting. You'll be amazed at what you smell and taste, not all of it good, lol. Good luck!

 

[Chimney34]

Hello there & welcome! I don't see any problems. I would ask what level nic of juice you purchased though. I was a carton a week smoker when I started. When my first ecig arrived I had 2 packs left. Instead of smoking those in less than 2 days it took me 5 days & after that I just didn't buy anymore. What I did buy was a small bottle of 24mg juice. Everything else I had was 18mg. I used the 24mg when the 18mg wasn't cutting it. But finding the right flavors for you is key along with making sure that you're getting enough nic to kill any cravings you might have. You may find that you have less problems switching than you think. Smoke when you need to but try taking some vapes first & see if that helps. But also, don't put too much pressure on yourself. Everyone's experience us different.

Good luck to you!

 

[acooknamedmike]

I overlapped at first. Typically after a couple of drinks. I found as well that after a while the analogs kind of tasted like crap compared to a good vape juice, and the smell stuck with me, which I didn't like and it put me off. One thing that helped to ditch smokes completely was watching this video on YouTube where the person was talking about making the transition. They said go for a slightly higher nic level than you think you need, and realize also that vaping is a slower nicotine delivery system, so you will at first probably vape more frequently than you smoked. Good luck with it, it's a worthwhile commitment. I'm sure you are going to find it much more rewarding than smoking in the long run. Especially when all that crap starts leaving your lungs, and you can start getting some of your sense of taste back.

 

[Stosh]

40 years smoking!! You must near as ancient as I am...

Don't beat up yourself over combining the vaping and smoking. Vape as long as you can, and if you really want a smoke, have it. For me having smoked for 40 years, I had to boost my juice to 36mg to fight off the urge to smoke, chain vaping in the morning. After the initial transition phase, I've slowly cut down and vape ~20mg now.

As has been noted by Vapoor eyes er, straight menthol helps, big time. And I never smoked any kind of menthol cigs, if I ran out I rather suffer the nicotine fits than smoke menthol. Now it's been one of my go to juices for the last 3 years.

Stick with it and you can be successful.

 

[stevegmu]

Within 5 days of receiving a shiny new Halo Triton kit, I could no longer smoke- and I wasn't even trying to quit smoking. Just couldn't take the smell and taste after vaping Halo juices.

 

[Vapoor eyes er]

40 years smoking!! You must near as ancient as I am...

Don't beat up yourself over combining the vaping and smoking. Vape as long as you can, and if you really want a smoke, have it. For me having smoked for 40 years, I had to boost my juice to 36mg to fight off the urge to smoke, chain vaping in the morning. After the initial transition phase, I've slowly cut down and vape ~20mg now.

As has been noted by Vapoor eyes er, straight menthol helps, big time. And I never smoked any kind of menthol cigs, if I ran out I rather suffer the nicotine fits than smoke menthol. Now it's been one of my go to juices for the last 3 years.

Stick with it and you can be successful.

Excellent post Yeah also 44 yrs smoking 1 1/2 PAD and I also started at 36 mg X 50-60 ml; per week I was gonna deal later about lowering my nic and ml intake.

 

[Racehorse]

Part of the problem is that I'm cheap, and not about to throw away the analogs

Your health is your wealth.


I was not able to enjoy ejuice or vaping til i finally went home one weekend and threw out all the analogs. I can't explain why this worked for me, it just did.

Do whatever you need to do, but iMHO, there just comes a day when it is a DECISION. No more, no less.

 

[pianman6954]

I started vaping in just this manner, I smoked for about 12 years and the equipment I started with was less than great, the alternative was to spend nearly eighty dollars on a mall stand generic ego battery kit. I had a crummy cigalike that was designed for pre-made cartomizers and I was refilling them while occasionally smoking as well. I eventually bought an ego kit online and some juices from a couple different vendors and found myself not needing to buy them but I would bum them for a while. I honestly couldn't shake the smoking because the experience wasn't nearly close enough, I had no qualms on the flavor or rather most of them but the vapor production and throat hit was just not there. I did some research and bought a Vamo V3 and various clearomizers, being able to dial in the voltage made it possible not only to get the correct flavor of particular juices but also the vapor volume. I can't say it will completely work for you but the lesson here I would say is to do it big first. Buy a good device or mod and familiarize yourself with it, watch youtube videos on it. Buy a good battery/mod and the money you spend on atomizers for the most part will be small but you can always rule out the battery in that case. I found that A genesis rba was my way to go as it is completely customizable. As far as flavors, I would recommend simple flavors to start, menthol and tobacco flavors are a good start, for wilder flavors, consider buying varieties of flavors in small quantities.

 

[amoret]

I've had a few converts that I couldn't find flavors for so what I did was give them unflavored juice with some menthol in it. Menthol drops can be bought separately and added- be careful as they're potent. I HATED menthol analogs but found I really enjoyed vaping menthol. This would be just to get you over the hump.

There's also a B&M 40 miles away in:
614 S 18th St
Grand Forks, ND 58201
SnG Vapor
They also sell sample packs:
SnG E-Liquids
and I'm almost certain they'd allow you to sample juices.

Thanks. I didn't know there was a B&M in Grand Forks. I don't get there often these days (the great mall in the sky is the best thing that ever happened for people who like living in the middle of nowhere) but I'll check them out the next time I'm there. The menthol idea also makes sense to me. I am a menthol smoker, and my first two flavor tries are way too sweet for me.

 

[amoret]

I started vaping in just this manner, I smoked for about 12 years and the equipment I started with was less than great, the alternative was to spend nearly eighty dollars on a mall stand generic ego battery kit. I had a crummy cigalike that was designed for pre-made cartomizers and I was refilling them while occasionally smoking as well. I eventually bought an ego kit online and some juices from a couple different vendors and found myself not needing to buy them but I would bum them for a while. I honestly couldn't shake the smoking because the experience wasn't nearly close enough, I had no qualms on the flavor or rather most of them but the vapor production and throat hit was just not there. I did some research and bought a Vamo V3 and various clearomizers, being able to dial in the voltage made it possible not only to get the correct flavor of particular juices but also the vapor volume. I can't say it will completely work for you but the lesson here I would say is to do it big first. Buy a good device or mod and familiarize yourself with it, watch youtube videos on it. Buy a good battery/mod and the money you spend on atomizers for the most part will be small but you can always rule out the battery in that case. I found that A genesis rba was my way to go as it is completely customizable. As far as flavors, I would recommend simple flavors to start, menthol and tobacco flavors are a good start, for wilder flavors, consider buying varieties of flavors in small quantities.

Thanks. I think that I did pretty well on hardware, an itaste vv with a kanger unitank, since I'm disabled and I needed to be sure that I got something I could use with minimal dexterity. Of course that's also part of my problem with trying juice flavors since I have to avoid childproof bottles.

 

[Vapoor eyes er]

Thanks. I didn't know there was a B&M in Grand Forks. I don't get there often these days (the great mall in the sky is the best thing that ever happened for people who like living in the middle of nowhere) but I'll check them out the next time I'm there. The menthol idea also makes sense to me. I am a menthol smoker, and my first two flavor tries are way too sweet for me.

You're welcome.I know it's not that close but at least you could go and sample some juices. I'm betting they've got something there that would cater to your tastes. Finding good juices is probably the hardest part about vaping but once you've found something you'll be in vape heaven. While you're there you could also try diff nic levels and PG/ VG ratios:
Juice Components
Flavoring usually about 5- 15%- could be higher or lower depending on the flavor used.
PG enhances flavor, TH and lung hit- water like - many of us believe PG to be a throat irritant.
VG= vapor and can mute flavor- thick
Nicotine- TH, lung hit and our need for nicotine. The MOST important ingredient in regards to TH and lung hit.
Standards in the industry are 80/ 20 or 70/ 30 PG/ VG.

I know things don't seem so great right now but it will get better. Realize also our tastes change. Don't forget to drink lottsa water as vaping is very dehydrating.
If you do go the route of flavorless juice it can be bought very cheaply and menthol drops added to it. You'd just have to know what mg/ nic level you need. Probably get a 60 ml bottle for about $7.00.
Wishing you the Best of Luck.

 

[greenblobo9]

I was smoking a pack a day but now I'm down too 3 cigarettes a day and pretty soon I'll be at zero. I'm probably inhaling much more nicotine now then ever before but it's much safer. It took me one week to go from a pack a day to 3 cigarettes

 

[BradleyNIN]

Dont beat yourself up over cigs. I thought I'd never quit. I still have maybe one a week with a friend or beer but overall, I'm taking the win over smoking. My mother in law went from a pack a day to 3 cigs a day with vaping, so I'm taking the win on that one too.

When you're first starting out, you'll likely buy starter gear that lack the juice, power and delivery that you need. It was easy for me as a menthol smoker, I could make my own menthol and vape it. However, once you find your perfect setup, you'll begin to look at vaping as the next evolutionary step above smoking. I'm down from 24mgs to 6. I vape a ton but I feel much better.

You've smoked for 40 years. Dont look at every cigarette as a defeat. Look at it like a double cheeseburger.

 

[rdacrazy]

I agree with BradleyNIN. I started with blu ecigs. And didnt actually quit analogs till I got some better gear and juice I liked. As long as your moving in the right direction. vape long and prosper.

 

[saintsfan]

i was smoking 1 to 1 1/2 packs a day, since i started vaping I'm down to a little over 1/2 a pack, i have been vaping since the middle of July.

 

[OlDogNewTricks]

I've never sought to quit smoking but had to let go of my pipe for health reasons. I vape like a beast! 5ml a day isn't unusual. Take it one step at a time. Get some high nicotine juices and ease off the cigarettes. I hear a number of people that are hesitant to vape a lot to replace the cigs, don't be. Every cig that you don't smoke is a win. Good luck and have fun!