Question

[bigboyblake53]

First off let me apologize if the comes off .....y, it is not my intentions to do so.

I have been continuing my research into EC's and, now, into nicotine, and from what I have read and from the responses I got with my post To Start or Not To Start? I am finding that to some individuals that EC's are more than an alternative to analogs, but they are an aide in quitting the habit. Much like the Nicotine Patch is utilized.

QUESTIONS:

Isn't EC's just trading one addiction for another?

I understand that a lot of the posters state that the EC's have helped them quit smoking analogs all together, but yet they are vaping all day. I do understand the rationale that EC's is a cleaner alternative to analogs and that you get less harmful effects than with analogs.

For those individuals that have quit analogs because of EC's successfully, can you quit smoking EC's and not return to the analog?

Can you quit smoking EC's without suffering from withdrawals of the EC's?

To me, I have read the posts and have talked to other individuals, and all you are doing is trading one thing for another. Has it helped you quit smoking analogs, yes, but you are still continuing the addiction by smoking a cleaner version of analogs.

Is it because you can control the level of nicotine that EC's help you quit the analogs?

Just curious, no offense to anyone out there, just something came up with during a think session.

Blake

 

[Jonmo1]

Isn't EC's just trading one addiction for another?

No, it's a different method to satisfy the same addiction.

For those individuals that have quit analogs because of EC's successfully, can you quit smoking EC's and not return to the analog?

I don't know, And I have no intention to find out.
I enjoy vaping, just as I enjoyed smoking.
I'm just doing it in a safer (in my opinion) way.

Is it because you can control the level of nicotine that EC's help you quit the analogs?

For me, I was able to quit analogs because vaping gives me a similar (not exactly the same) smoking experience. I get the nicotine, but unlike NRTs like the patches and gums etc (PV is not an NRT), I also get the hand to mouth, inhaling smoke(vapor) sensation. It still feels like smoking. Patches and gums don't give you that.

 

[marcus88]

yes it is trading one addiction for another, but i'm not putting smoke and associated chemicals into my body any more. and yes you can control how much nicotine you are taking in. if you want to use it to stop nicotine all together than use it for that purpose. keep using lower and lower nicotine juices.
most people enjoy vaping, just as we enjoyed smoking cigarettes, so we continue to do so. you aren't only smoking cigarettes to get nicotine, you smoke them because you enjoy the act.

 

[doots]

Blake,

There are many additions to things in life and the answer to your question would be as individual as there are people on this forum. It is all subjective.

So to try and answer your question for me would be to say that I enjoy vaping. I didn't enjoy analogs at all. I drink coffee and cols also. Guess that would be an addition. I could just drink water but where is the fun in that.

I have no plans to quit vaping. I enjoy it. I am sure I could quit Ecigs better than I could analogs. Glad they were here for me to get off of the other habit..

So everyone can now tune in and answer where they stand , But for me. I don't care if it is an addition or it isn't. I don't think about it being one. I just enjoy the life I have and try not to impose anything on others if it isn't hurting anyone else.

 

[Stephaniems]

I see no reason that if you want to quit you can with less pains of withdrawal, but for me its just a different way that I feel is healthier for me and my family for me to do what I want to do which is have nicotine.

To each their own.

I like vaping and will do it for as long as I can. Just as I liked smoking just didnt like all the bad stuff that came with it. I think its awesome that I can do what I want and barely effect anyone else.

 

[LilMew]

I enjoy the heck out of vaping. The benefits are many. I don’t have to worry about offending anyone while I enjoy my addiction, plus vaping is more fun than smoking ever was! If I eventually quit or decide to step down my nic level then that will be what I do. For now I’m just feeling pretty awesome about kicking those 4000 or so chemicals out of my body.

 

[bigboyblake53]

I appreciate everyone's honesty and (again) did not mean to upset anyone with my questions, these were just questions that popped into my mind when I researching and having a thinking session.

 

[Shaka]

Hi Blake!

Vaping is a whole new world and cannot/should not be compared with smoking. And puleeeze do not compare it with the patch. It is NOT a smoking cessation device... but it can be if you want it to be. And if YOU CHOOSE to vape to quit smoking, it is hands down absolutely the best method there is, bar none! But it's YOUR CHOICE.

There are many of us that started vaping with absolutely no intention of quitting, and many have become "accidental quitters" as Domino once put it.

There are many who vape everyday with zero nicotine...and they do it because they enjoy it, like having a cup of coffee...no addiction here. When's the last time you "smoked" an apple pie or blueberry cheesecake, and "smoked" a cool minty lemonade to wash it down. How about some bacon and waffles in your cigarette...only in vaping can YOU CHOOSE to experience an infinite (literally) amount of flavors, with or without nicotine, again, YOUR CHOICE.

So you see Blake, vaping IS a whole new world and should not be compared to smoking. Unlike smoking, YOU control everything that goes into your body, not big industry or government.

And if YOU CHOOSE to vape to help you quit smoking, did I mention that it pretty good at doing that too? lol

 

[JustKryssi]

There are many who vape everyday with zero nicotine...and they do it because they enjoy it, like having a cup of coffee...no addiction here.

This.

I didn't replace an addiction with an addiction. I replaced an addiction and a habit with just a habit.

But, even if I hadn't quit the nicotine, I would have been replacing a deadly addiction with a safer one.

Either way, it's a win as I see it.

 

[mistinthewoods]

Damn Blake, you sure like to stir up the poo pot don't you? I kinda like that.
To answer your question from my point of view, I haven't traded one addiction for annother. It's the same addiction in a different form. Vaping IS less harmful than smoking. I'm undoubtedly doing less damage to my body than I was a little over four months ago.
I HAVE quit smoking. This ain't smoke, it's vapor. nothing's being burnt (unless I let the carto get too dry). Can I quit the PV without withdrawls? Who cares? Don't plan on trying.
This is not a "cleaner version of analogs" it's something altogether different that involves a similar behavior. That's why it's so effective.
Yes, I can control the nicotine level and that's empowering. I've lowered my nic level twice in four months because I have a goal to go to zero and a while after that I'm sure i COULD quit the PV but I don't plan on it. I mix some damn fine tasting juices. I don't plan to quit enjoying a good craft brewed porter every now and then either.
Hope you liked my answers as much as I enjoyed your question.
Peace.

 

[Zelphie]

For me, someone who never intended on quitting smoking, I view it as an alternative to smoking, but while useing ecigs Ive accidentally cut way back on the analogs. It is a trade in addiction delivery methods unless you ween yourself off nic while vaping and use 0 nic, then you still have the psychological addication in tact.

Otherwise, I would not have chosen to cut back or quit smoking even with the patch or gum. I know its horrible but Ive choosen to smoke, now I chose an alternative.

Vaping is in the middle of smoking and quitting, used for different reasons.

 

[bigboyblake53]

As I stated before I didn't mean to be a .....** about the question, it is just that I have been researching EC's and talking to other individuals that are vaping. I have bouts of time when I try to sleep and all my mind can do is just think. The questions I posed were items that popped into my mind and new what my answers to them would be, but was curious as to what other's would be.

Thank you for your responses.

Blake

 

[zoiDman]

No, it's a different method to satisfy the same addiction. ...

You hit the Nail on the Head. I look at e-Cigs as just a smaller, somewhat more healthy, monkey on my back.

But it is still a Monkey. And it's still on my Back.

 

[glowgirl]

I like the monkey and I am glad it's not trying to kill me anymore. I never wanted to quit, I just didn't want to get cancer.

 

[johnnybgdg]

Yeah, you sound .....y. lol just kidding, had to go there.
I didn't want to quit, everyone else did, this makes everyone happy, i can vape in house, in car, pretty much any where. wife happy, wallet happy, kids happy, ME HAPPY as HELL.
You can use it to quit tho, find flavor you love, start reducing nic levels over time and then zero nic and then if you can quit the act of smoking/vaping then quit.
Keep Vaping

 

[rosesense]

I use very low to zero nic now but don't plan to quit vaping any time soon. I know the hand to mouth habit is the strongest for me and I don't want to jeopardize my success.

 

[bigboyblake53]

Once again I appreciate all the responses and apologize if I ruffled anyone's feathers. I am from the school that you don't learn unless you ask questions. I now know that it is an individual matter of why someone switched and whether or not it is considered an addiction or not.

Rosesense: I see in your signature line that you have listed VOLCANO, I have been reading up on the product, especially their VOLCANO MAGMA and am curious as to whether or not you like the product or not?

Thank you all for your responses, I appreciate it.

Blake

 

[HeatherC]

According to several doctors I have spoken with in my research before starting the ecig and vaping....the real danger in smoking tobacco cigarettes is the carbon monoxide you breathe directly into your lungs and the tar and around 4000 other additives that are in tobacco smoke. The tobacco smoke has also been proven to be a hazard to others around you as most of us know from reading stuff about second hand smoke. One of my doctors took down all the information I had on the cigarette...and is recommending it to another patient that really needs to quit due to serious lung issues. Nicotine, while it is an addictive drug, seems from all the research I've looked at (and please feel free to correct me if I'm wrong) to have no more dangerous effects than caffeine does...and we all know how much we need our morning coffee
SOOO In my opinion ecigarettes are a safer alternative....and my 15 year old is really enjoying being able to breathe the air in our house without coughing constantly since both his father and I started vaping.

Do I know all the dangers involved in vaping....No I do not...However I do know the dangers of tobacco smoking to both me and others around me...and I'm thinking it's better than the alternative.
So thats my 2cents hope its worth that LOL

 

[Shaka]

...wife happy, wallet happy, kids happy, ME HAPPY as HELL....

Happy vapers are very happy people!

...apologize if I ruffled anyone's feathers. I am from the school that you don't learn unless you ask questions....

No apologies needed...you've been very repectful and courteous. Takes a lot to ruffle the feathers of ecf members so don't worry. Ask all the questions you want... "the only dumb question is the one you don't ask."

 

[Automaton]

It's the same with the patch and the gum.

Nicotine obviously isn't good, but in small doses it's not that bad for you. Most of the damage caused by smoking is from the smoke and the chemicals that result from the burning of tobacco - not the nicotine.

And it's the exact same rationale behind the patch and the gum - harm reduction.

I don't really see anything wrong with that concept. You're not really trading addictions - it's still the same addiction you had before. Just in a less harmful form.

And I do read lots of accounts of people slowly lowering their dose of nicotine over the course of months, or sometimes years. That's months or years of not smoking cigarettes. And even if someone continues to vape for the rest of their life, they will still have a longer, healthier life than if they smoked.

Yes, ideally, it would be nice if we could kick the nicotine habit all together. But addiction isn't really as simple as just stopping. Especially not in the world we live in.

If I was able to just go off to a cave for a few weeks with no way to get to a 7/11, to quit cold turkey and sweat it out where no one would bother me, I'd think about it. But I have bills to pay and stuff to do. That's not an option.

For a lot of us, myself included, total cessation = inability to function normally, or even at all.

So, that in mind, harm reduction can be a life-saver.