Question for the ex long term smoker's

[IXIShogunR1]

1.5-2 PAD for 21 years. when i fully switched over i was using berry/fruity flavors to start
took about a month as i would cut down my cig a little at a time till i felt that i didn't need them anymore
i did start with 24mg nic too, now 6 months later and i use more drippers then tanks so im down to 6mg mostly. i do 12-18mg still if im using non-sub ohm tanks

i started with Kanger dual coil tanks and a VV spinner type battery

a couple years before that i tried those cigalike kits but it never worked it just wasn't enough for me

 

[Puff2K]

It took having copd and lying in bed unable to breathe before I was ready to quit tobacco. I was a heavy smoker for over 41 years. He has to make the decision for himself. I agree with all the excellent advice here, let him try new flavors and make sure the nicotine is high enough.

 

[bassfiend316]

The thing that finally got me to quit analogs was getting away from tobaccos. Trying all the different tobacco and menthols ONLY made me want a real cigarette. Once I found something very different that didn't remind me of a cig, I quit comparing it to a cig in my mind, and it made switching easy. Fruits, desserts, etc. may be the way to go. Every person I've converted has only done so after NOT trying to replicate a cig. I know not everyone will be the same way, but so far the people I know have been like that.

ETA-And ego batts never satisfied me. Once I got a mech, it was a whole new world lol. At first it seemed HUGE but now it just feels natural. So maybe convince him to give one of your more powerful (compared to an ego) devices a shot for a day...

 

[OlderNDirt]

I smoked for almost 60 years, and the transition from smoking to vaping was seamless. One day I was a smoker, and the next day I was a vaper.
#1 I wanted to quit smoking.
#2 I found the right flavor (for me) at the right nicotine content.

I made the switch with a little ole eGo-T, so I'm of the belief that the equipment used has very little to do with the ability to stop smoking. The desire has to be there, and the liquid has to be right for the individual.

As a former 40+ year smoker, I 100% agree! Having enough interest to try flavors until you hit that magical one can take some time, but once found, it is easier to reach for the vape rather then a cig. And then, with a little effort, find a couple more you really like.

Another idea I bumped into after over 9 months vaping. I used to step out on my back porch during the winter to smoke, but obviously haven't done so in over a year. I had to use that door (just a white screen door) going in and out for barbequing. I noticed yesterday that the handle was rather dirty, so took some cleaning solution to wipe it down. Then I noticed the rough, dirty, yellowish film on the inside of the whole door and started cleaning it. I had no idea of what the exhaled smoke was doing to the finish. So, if you can find a spot that he spends a lot of time smoking that shows that film, wipe some off and show him the towel (white ones work best), that might give him some incentive to consider tj's #1.

 

[AndriaD]

78 year old father in law quit after 65 years of smoking using tobacco flavors. He likes 'Tall Paul' from My Freedom Smokes though he says the 'US Red' tastes exactly the same. (He smoked both of those brands) He did not like the Baker White tobacco flavor from the local vape shop. Currently working through the nine different tobacco flavors from Aqua Vapor. They have a very reasonable priced 10 flavor sample pack so you need to add one more flavor to round it out. I picked coffee which he did not care for.

I was also going to recommend MyFreedomSmokes; their Virginia tastes so much like Virginia Slims that on my first puff, I hollered EUREKA! They also have a reference chart with most of the major American brands, to help find something that tastes like his preferred cigarettes -- they really did Virginia RIGHT, so good chance their other tobaccos are on-target too.

For someone who wants to substitute something similar to their cigarettes, it's hard, but it CAN be done -- see above. But I'd have to reiterate what others have said, the desire to quit is really the MOST important ingredient; I really had no intention of quitting, because I didn't think it was possible -- but when I found that it actually might be, my long-standing desire to be rid of the things came right to the fore.

But the thing is, most humans are rather lacking in the ability to deny or postpone an immediate desire/need in favor of some abstract like becoming a non-smoker. Even when I had already been a non-smoker for 3.5 months and LOVED it, went back to smoking after my appendectomy, it took me a solid month of reminding myself how much I had enjoyed being a non-smoker before I was able to put those cigarettes back down -- even WITH the knowledge that e-cigs were an admirable substitute. I remember very well how terrified I was, the night I smoked my last one (the first time) -- would I be able to actually do it, come morning? Would it be another utter failure like patches? Had I wasted all that money on the e-cig? The thought of no longer doing something that has been a friend and comfort for DECADES is intimidating to say the least. I smoked for 39 yrs, some of those years smoking 3+ pks a day, and the idea just flat terrified me. But it CAN be done.

Andria

 

[gingertalk196]

Agree with pretty much everything you've been getting as feedback. I was a light smoker 3-4 a day for43 years. Began with the kiosk ciga-likes and then switched to an ego twist. Initially I would have one or two during the week but gradually stopped. For me it's been almost two years come July. Perhaps for your dad he needs to adjust. Upping the mg of nicotine initially I would imagine might help too. Hope it works for him and it's good of you to help him. Ginger

 

[BAOdoubleT]

Smoked 1.5 PAD for almost 25 years. What made the difference in my quitting? I had to want to quit. Once I made the decision and got that first E-Go it was over. I had the partial pack on top of the fridge for a while. Then that got tossed and I haven't looked back yet. Almost a year now, and I can honestly say I do not miss smoking. Gotta want it.

 

[coolerat]

I smoked 2 PAD for 36 years with maybe two years total of "quitting" mixed in. Often smoked more but never less. When I was drinking it was closer to 4 packs.

Really wanted to quit. Came up through the ranks the hard way, crappy equipment that often made me want to smoke more. But I stayed with it and have it at bay. For today at least. Yesterday is history and tomorrow is a mystery.

Smokers are second in ability to make excuses only to alcoholics. And its a very close second. I am working with my kids and some friends to stay off cigs. I swear they have a thousand excuses for every situation.Its expensive. It doesn't taste right. The coil flooded. I couldn't afford a 6 dollar bottle of juice so I had to buy a carton of cigs for 100. On and on and on................

All I can do is make sure I have "free" juice for them. Hey I got this as a gift from an order and it might be your thing and so on. Hey I happen to have a brand new iStick I don't need you can have.

All I can do is fix the problems and make each excuse void. But I have no doubt in there ability to find more.

But I have a had successes as well. Plenty to keep me motivated. If I was focusing on just one person I'd prolly just keep slamming my hand in a drawer or something less frustrating.

 

[Rizzyking]

I'm nearly done getting my mother off tobacco and fully onto ecigs and I didn't do a thing other then plant seeds and let her grow them as any other route would have failed. I quit tobacco smoking up to 50 roll ups a day because I was tired of the first ten minutes of everyday coughing my guts up so the want to change was there and when I switched to ecigs I started on a coffee flavour and have never tried a tobacco one. Suggestions for devices and tank systems are all well and good but totally pointless till he is ready to make the switch and that has to be all him you can nudge him in a direction but he has to do it. I wouldn't go down the "what kit can I get for him" route yet you have a lot of work to do before your close to that.

I understand what your trying to do and why but it really has to be little steps he isn't just a smoker he's a smoker with a strong tobacco routine and that has to be dented first. It has taken me nearly a year and a half to get my mother to where she is now and is going to take at least another six months to get her fully over to ecigs so take your time think of his routine and where you can show him vaping is a practical and viable alternative and let him start convincing himself then move onto what kit might be best for him.

 

[JulesXsmokr]

It sounds like he thinks vaping is all nonsense and wants nothing to do with it, except to just say to you that he wants to quit.
He has his reasons too, either his own peer pressure or he doesn't want to cave in to some one else's ideology.
He probably enjoys seeing you going through all these means to satisfy him, but pulls the "it's not convenient" theory into it, making you try even harder.
He's lazy, and not interested, bottom line. May be you need to just lay off of the whole vaping bit with him, and quietly act like your avoiding him when he smokes around you and the rest of the family. Maybe he'll come around slowly when he sees more love around him when he is not smoking.
This could seem harsh, but in the end he may be around longer. Good Luck!

 

[jaytex1969]

I smoked from age 13 to 46. I bought my APV over a year ago and, after the novelty wore off, it sat in a drawer for a year until I was ready for it.

You've led papa horse to water. The rest is up to him. Just keep showing up, sharing your new toys, letting him try new flavors. Sooner or later, something will catch his interest. My decision was hastened by the development of angina. Some of us must learn the hard way...

If you've not done so, introduce him to the forum, maybe the old fart porch thread where he can read from like minded people. If he's anything like me, the slightest bit of pushing from others just strengthened my resolve to keep smoking. It had to be thoroughly MY choice. I'm kind of an ... like that.

I'm just over two months now without ....-breath. I strongly believe that if I can do it, almost anyone can, as I was a determined and unrepentant pack puffer.

Good luck. We're all rooting for you and him!


Jay

 

[Deryan3]

Hi Erazzz, I smoked a PAD + for 35 yrs, when i stopped and took up vaping I wanted to quit the cigs i was tired of the smell, coughing, taste etc.. Its awesome that you are proactive encouraging your father to quit but ultimately he has to want to quit, if he partners cigs and vaping you can hope that vaping will move out the smokes. Best Wishes for success.

 

[erazzz]

A lot of great advice. I'm really surprised that I got so much support on this.

Well here's to another few months of trying to get him to quit, but I'll back off a little and not be hard on him for it. As some of you said, every time he doesn't smoke is a victory.

I might even show him a few responses from this thread. Another problem is that I think that he thinks E-cigs are for young 20 somethings who want to be cool. He doesn't know a lot of vapers his age, only a few down at the AA. Maybe if he sees that e-cigs are for all adults who want to find an alternative to smoking, he'll see that other long term smokers have used them to quit and he can too.

My parents have been divorced for many years, but remain friends. It was hard on all of us, including my dad, when my mom had cancer. Not to mention his brother also died of lung cancer. You would think that would be plenty motivation to quit, but it is a hard habit to put down.

 

[Rizzyking]

Not having a go at them but cloud chasers are putting many off vaping by making it appear more of a hobby then a serious alternative to tobacco which is what it's been for most of us and showing him the number of people on here not exactly spring chickens that have used it successfully may help a little. As a smoker like a lot on here i made excuses for years about what tobacco was doing to me and it seems to be the last big stage before realising a change is needed but like most big changes it can't be done for us we have to start and if we are lucky we find the support to help us make it. Also I well remember the routines I got into as a smoker and they were comforting routines that I wasn't keen to give up. In his own way in his own time is the only way success can happen and more of us need to remember that and what we were like not so long ago. I wish you all the luck in helping him and him helping himself .

 

[RosaJ]

A lot of great advice. I'm really surprised that I got so much support on this.

Well here's to another few months of trying to get him to quit, but I'll back off a little and not be hard on him for it. As some of you said, every time he doesn't smoke is a victory.

I might even show him a few responses from this thread. Another problem is that I think that he thinks E-cigs are for young 20 somethings who want to be cool. He doesn't know a lot of vapers his age, only a few down at the AA. Maybe if he sees that e-cigs are for all adults who want to find an alternative to smoking, he'll see that other long term smokers have used them to quit and he can too.

My parents have been divorced for many years, but remain friends. It was hard on all of us, including my dad, when my mom had cancer. Not to mention his brother also died of lung cancer. You would think that would be plenty motivation to quit, but it is a hard habit to put down.

I was 63 when I started vaping, but I do have a young 'uns outlook on life. I'm retired and couldn't care less if people think I'm "cool." LOL

 

[SissySpike]

Not one to be out done I smoked for 270 years non filters roll your own with 4 papers stuck together to get a fat cig I smoked barefoot up hill both ways while fighting wild indians and bears I had to rub two sticks together because we couldn't afford matches for a light, and we were thankful for the sticks because some had no sticks to rub together. If I can quit smoking anybody can.;-)

 

[RosaJ]

Not one to be out done I smoked for 270 years non filters roll your own with 4 papers stuck together to get a fat cig I smoked barefoot up hill both ways while fighting wild indians and bears I had to rub two sticks together because we couldn't afford matches for a light, and we were thankful for the sticks because some had no sticks to rub together. If I can quit smoking anybody can.;-)

8-o

 

[AndriaD]

A lot of great advice. I'm really surprised that I got so much support on this.

Well here's to another few months of trying to get him to quit, but I'll back off a little and not be hard on him for it. As some of you said, every time he doesn't smoke is a victory.

I might even show him a few responses from this thread. Another problem is that I think that he thinks E-cigs are for young 20 somethings who want to be cool. He doesn't know a lot of vapers his age, only a few down at the AA. Maybe if he sees that e-cigs are for all adults who want to find an alternative to smoking, he'll see that other long term smokers have used them to quit and he can too.

My parents have been divorced for many years, but remain friends. It was hard on all of us, including my dad, when my mom had cancer. Not to mention his brother also died of lung cancer. You would think that would be plenty motivation to quit, but it is a hard habit to put down.

I've found this both instructive and highly entertaining...

Andria

 

[mojofilter]

You had sticks? Feh! I smoked for 280 years, and I had to rub two bears together and get a light on my 14-paper smoke and get out of there before those bears realized they were on fire!

 

[erazzz]

You had sticks? Feh! I smoked for 280 years, and I had to rub two bears together and get a light on my 14-paper smoke and get out of there before those bears realized they were on fire!

And I thought losing my lighter was bad.