Quitting ...?

[IndigoChild]

Hi there,

So I was wondering what anyone out there knows on quitting vaping... I switched from tobacco to vaping approximately three months ago (see my signature for the exact length of time). That went well and I started at 36mg. I'm now down to 12mg and have 6mg juice coming in the mail. I saw that at Mt Baker Vapor, I can go down even lower to 3mg. I was thinking, after that, should I just try to stop out of the blue? Or, should I go down to 0mg nicotine first to try and combat the psychological addiction? Or, those Nicorette gums they make come in 2mg - that would be a 1mg step lower before stopping, so I guess that's an option, too... I know vaping isn't made/designed for smoking/vaping cessation and certainly has no major studies or FDA approval or anything, but it's the route I'm going, so I was just wondering if anyone has any tips or information on anything from their own personal experience and what not... I was also interested in hearing anyone's opinions on the quitting strategies I mentioned above. I have actually noticed that sometimes if I'm really distracted with something, I'll go for four or five hours without vaping and not really even notice anything at all other than a slight, something's-missing feeling - it's definitely nothing like the nicotine fits I had when I was addicted to smoking tobacco. So maybe it wouldn't be such a hard transition to just stop cold turkey? I vape approximately 15ml a day. I have a Blu E-Cig kit that I plan to always carry around with me though... I don't want to get tempted by my friends' habits, or say, go to the bar or something and then end up screwing up - but I don't want to plan on continuing to vape forever anymore, either. Thanks in advance for anyone who takes the time to think about this and post... I appreciate it! This forum has saved my life... Literally... This is the only thing that's ever worked for me in terms of being able to discontinue smoking cigarettes - I was hopeless until I found you guys!

Blessings and peace to everyone and theirs <3

 

[freeatlast!]

Hello, IndigoChild, and congrats on quitting smoking and the progress you've made towards your goal of quitting vaping. You've done well and followed a good plan. You've done it more quickly than most!! There are many here who never plan to quit vaping, who feel they are too addicted to nicotine and/or the behavioral aspects. Others have stopped everything, usually using a plan much like yours but taking more time to do it. Some continue to vape using 0 nic, because they enjoy the activity for various reasons.

Personally, I've been off tobacco cigs for about 10 1/2 months now and am using 0 nic. I am one who would say my experience showed me that my addiction was not to nicotine but to something else in cigarettes. I was definitely addicted (47 yrs.!) but when I found my first eGo ecig, it was instant quit, and I fairly quickly worked down to 0 nic, honestly don't experience any difference in satisfaction. I expect to quit eventually but don't have any specific timeline.

So - it will be interesting to hear others' responses to your question, but I'd say you could try quitting altogether now, but have an ecig available for when/if you really feel the need for one.

Let us know how things go, and again, congratulations and good luck!

 

[Warpigs]

Wow you are on a fast track, I envy that. When I quit smoking and began vapeing I told myself that I will one day do the same and quit vapeing too. Someday I may. But atm I still enjoy it. Ya never know I may wake up 1 day and hang up the Silver Bullet for good.

I wish you luck to meet your goals! Let us know how your doing.

 

[bm2112]

I have come down from 18 mg to 3 mg, but on a dripper 3 mg is still pretty intense. I don't plan on ever buying 0 nicotine unless its for cloud chasing. I like the nicotine buzz and I don't find e-cigs to be addicting without the inclusion of the MAOI's in tobacco smoke. I'm not trying to break an addiction, just enjoying a nice vape. Because vaping is near harmless, I never really plan on quitting e-cigs.

Whatever you have to do to get off analogs is worth it. Vape on

 

[Megs]

Something to keep in mind - and unfortunately I have no clue how to advise you in fighting it - is that for many or even most smokers/vapers, the behavioral addiction is stronger than the actual addiction to nicotine. That's one reason that it is much easier to quit with vaping than with NRTs. Vaping simulates and even improves the sensations of smoking. You may find that you crave the hand-to-mouth behaviors and the feeling of inhalation even more than the nicotine itself.

I'd definitely suggest switching down to 0mg before you try to stop, so you aren't dealing with quitting the nic at the same time as the behavioral aspects. If jumping from 3mg to no nic is something of concern for you, you can even taper more slowly if you want to by buying 3mg and 0mg of the same flavor, and mixing them together to gradually sink your ratio.

I also think you are very wise to make sure that you have a fallback - I always hope that ex-smokers who become ex-vapers make sure to keep the next vape just a little closer than the next cigarette. Better to vape than smoke, at any cost!

Beyond that, I don't really have much helpful to say, but good luck reaching your goal

 

[MykOne]

Hey IndigoChild, and Congrats on quitting smoking. From my experience in the past 6 months of quitting smoking and going to vaping is I just lowered the dose of nic down to 6ml. I tried 0 nic but the juice felt like it was missing something without it, so I went back to 6ml, but don't vape as much. I still like the taste so after dinner or when Im craving something sweet I will vape. I think being your so close just go cold turkey if you feel you can handle it. I've actually quit smoking cigs cold turkey a few times and just dealt with it for a week to get out of my system... thing was after quitting I still had a habit of wanting to put something in my mouth. I used chewing gum, hard candy and chewed on tooth picks. My doctor said it was a physiological habit I got from smoking and it was common with ex smokers. I dont know if any of this helped but good luck to ya

 

[TamiP]

Something to keep in mind - and unfortunately I have no clue how to advise you in fighting it - is that for many or even most smokers/vapers, the behavioral addiction is stronger than the actual addiction to nicotine. That's one reason that it is much easier to quit with vaping than with NRTs.

This. I would say that if you really want to quit vaping, do it as gradually as you did dropping the nic level.

A point to keep in mind, and the ONE reason I never plan on not vaping---as an ex-smoker you will be an addict for life, just like an acoholic. In the early stages of quitting you are always prepared for the desire, and ready to fight urges. The problem is, even after years something can happen that will suddenly SLAM you with the urge, and after all that time, your complacency is a real threat, and that's when slips happen. It's amazing how fast 1 cigarette will become a full on habit again.

I am speaking from experience. I once (many years ago) quit smoking using the patch (used the step down program and was off the patch after 10 weeks). I was awfully proud back then, and never thought I would go back. Funny things would hit me out of the blue... stupid stuff like I'd be cleaning the house and break down in tears for no reason (well, there was a reason, I used to smoke a cigarette after cleaning... nice relaxing smoke...). It would amaze me back then how even after months and months of not smoking, something as silly as that could trigger such a huge emotional response.

Then, something really big happened in my life, looking back, it doesn't seem so earth shattering, but it was at the time, and I slipped up. Had a cigarette. 25 years later I was still smoking. Then I found vaping. No more cigarettes, but I don't plan on quitting vaping either.


Didn't say all that to disuade you from quitting. I said it all to let you know that quitting is not a short term victory. It will be a lifelong journey you always have to consider and keep in mind. Give yourself regular and constant 'treats' or 'presents" to always remind yourself how powerful the addiction was, and how long you've come. Those regular presents also help you keep remembering to fight every day for the victory.

 

[Ed_C]

I don't find e-cigs to be addicting without the inclusion of the MAOI's in tobacco smoke.

I hear this quiet often, and the issue I have is, if this was true, how do you explain the ease in which, so many people switch from smoking to vaping? Also there doesn't seem to be a great number of people who quiet vaping, once they get started. I would believe that MAOI's exacerbate the addiction, but I'm not convinced that nicotine is not addicting.

 

[Shootist]

I really believe it is a personal, individual, thing. Some might be able to go cold turkey from 6mg on down and others won't be able to put vaping down even after going to 0mg juice.

I'm also in the same situation. I am now at 6mg juice and within the next 3 months will be going 0mg. From there I plan on quitting vaping.

But you never know. I vape less now than I did 2 months ago even though I have dropped the % of nicotine in my e-liquid. I forgo the morning first thing out of bed vape and don't vape as soon as I get in my car. Which when I smoked cigarettes and started to vape I did both of those things.

I think you need to get use to NOT vaping at the normal times and places you use to smoke before you think about quitting everything. Also get in the mind set that smoking a cigarette is a BAD idea no matter what.

Best of luck to you on your quest.

 

[Ed_C]

This. I would say that if you really want to quit vaping, do it as gradually as you did dropping the nic level.

A point to keep in mind, and the ONE reason I never plan on not vaping---as an ex-smoker you will be an addict for life, just like an acoholic. In the early stages of quitting you are always prepared for the desire, and ready to fight urges. The problem is, even after years something can happen that will suddenly SLAM you with the urge, and after all that time, your complacency is a real threat, and that's when slips happen. It's amazing how fast 1 cigarette will become a full on habit again.

I am speaking from experience. I once (many years ago) quit smoking using the patch (used the step down program and was off the patch after 10 weeks). I was awfully proud back then, and never thought I would go back. Funny things would hit me out of the blue... stupid stuff like I'd be cleaning the house and break down in tears for no reason (well, there was a reason, I used to smoke a cigarette after cleaning... nice relaxing smoke...). It would amaze me back then how even after months and months of not smoking, something as silly as that could trigger such a huge emotional response.

Then, something really big happened in my life, looking back, it doesn't seem so earth shattering, but it was at the time, and I slipped up. Had a cigarette. 25 years later I was still smoking. Then I found vaping. No more cigarettes, but I don't plan on quitting vaping either.


Didn't say all that to disuade you from quitting. I said it all to let you know that quitting is not a short term victory. It will be a lifelong journey you always have to consider and keep in mind. Give yourself regular and constant 'treats' or 'presents" to always remind yourself how powerful the addiction was, and how long you've come. Those regular presents also help you keep remembering to fight every day for the victory.

I agree that you can fall back into smoking with little effort. I quit cold turkey twice before and was a non-smoker for ~10 years (not vaping either) after each time. This third time, I switched to vaping. That being said, I don't know if vaping makes it less likely that you won't touch cigs again or not. I've gone back and forth as a dual user and there's quit a few vapers who have fallen off the bandwagon altogether. So I guess it can be a struggle either way.

 

[rbrylawski]

I don't have a desire to quite vaping, so I'm certainly not in a position to advise you. Quiting vaping for me would be akin to quiting smoking and I know myself well enough to know I was never successful at that UNTIL I found the electronic world and now two years later, I've vaped a lot, but haven't touched, nor wanted a stinky.

I think this is a highly personal decision and while it seems you're pace is rapid, as long as it works for you and you're completely happy, I say go for whatever makes you happiest and healthiest.

Vape on or not, whatever floats your boat!

 

[TamiP]

I agree that you can fall back into smoking with little effort. I quit cold turkey twice before and was a non-smoker for ~10 years (not vaping either) after each time. THis third time, I switched to vaping. That being said, I don't know if vaping makes it less likely that you won't touch cigs again or not. I've gone back and forth as a dual user and there's quit a few vapers who have fallen off the bandwagon altogether.

I can't say for sure, that's true, but I would think it WOULD make a difference. The reason for thinking that is that the vaping allows you to compensate for not smoking even in the most stressful of times. You can 'fall back' on that, rather than the cigarettes. I guess that remains to be seen over the course of time.

All of that said, what you said at the end was also true for me. I did fall off the vaping wagon and went back to smoking at one point. I started vaping over 2 years ago. I vaped happily for about a year. I did not actually 'fall' I was pushed. I developed a severe reaction (eye twitch that made it impossible to concentrate or work or anything even watch tv). I went back to stinkies sadly and smoked again for close to a year. I then read about pg allergies and began to think that may have been it, or maybe too high of a nic level (was doing 24 mg). I came back cautiously late last year, and dual smoked/vaped for several months, trying 100% Vg juice in less than 16 mg then 12 mg. I haven't had any reactions, even trying some low pg levels in some juices.

Now I think it may have just been a bad vendor or bad batch of liquid way back then and wish I had been able to figure that out before going back to cigarettes. I was just having so much difficulty that I couldn't even consider any options then. Now I know better... but yes, it is possible to slip up and go back to cigarettes.


I do know I would not be able to quit smoking without vaping. and am happy to be smoke free now for six full months again after the cautious start. No symptoms, no allergies so far. If it happens again, I am going to do more to figure it out before giving in again though.

 

[Shootist]

I hear this quiet often, and the issue I have is, if this was true, how do you explain the ease in which, so many people switch from smoking to vaping? Also there doesn't seem to be a great number of people who quiet vaping, once they get started. I would believe that MAOI's exacerbate the addiction, but I'm not convinced that nicotine is not addicting.

I chalk that up to People Really want to QUIT SMOKING and vaping allows them to have a similar experience. I know that is why I haven't had a cigarette in 3+ months. I tried and tried for several years to quit smoking with no success. That is until I tried vaping.

Yes there have been some rough spots and I didn't quit smoking right off. I've actually been vaping a little over 4 months so I didn't put the cigarettes down for the first month or so.

I would of liked to quit smoking cold turkey but that wasn't happening. I had resolved myself to the fact that I would smoke until I died. Now I have a choice.

Nicotine is addictive. But it is the other things the cig manufacturers put into the cigarette that make nicotine, along with those other things, even more addictive.

I have suffered some depression since I stopped smoking tobacco. So much so I have gotten professional help with it. Which is fine as long as I don't smoke.

 

[GolemGolem]

I have no plans on quitting vaping myself after vaping exclusively since '11, but if I was....
I'd get some 3mg and 0mg juice when I was ready, and see how I felt using the 0mg. If I felt good, and it felt right then I'd just stop vaping. I would keep my gear and some juice on hand though just in case for a few months. Never know when a craving will hit hard and fast and a cig will be there and a vape will not.
Good luck!

 

[bm2112]

I hear this quiet often, and the issue I have is, if this was true, how do you explain the ease in which, so many people switch from smoking to vaping? Also there doesn't seem to be a great number of people who quiet vaping, once they get started. I would believe that MAOI's exacerbate the addiction, but I'm not convinced that nicotine is not addicting.

Everyone is different. I have vaped for a long time and I've taken days off and I haven't felt the need to vape. I didn't have any trouble coming from cigs and dip to e-cigs, but I was never really addicted to them in the first place. I've tried a lot of substances considered to be far more addictive than tobacco and they haven't hooked me either. I can't relate to those that have smoked for 40+ years because I only smoked/dipped for a couple years.

There have been studies that show nicotine is far less addictive without the additives in tobacco. I think the nicotine, combined with the sensation of smoking is enough to get most people to quit. Then again, there are others who only use WTA e-juice because they aren't satisfied with the nicotine only.

 

[Ed_C]

I chalk that up to People Really want to QUIT SMOKING and vaping allows them to have a similar experience. I know that is why I haven't had a cigarette in 3+ months. I tried and tried for several years to quit smoking with no success. That is until I tried vaping.

Yes there have been some rough spots and I didn't quit smoking right off. I've actually been vaping a little over 4 months so I didn't put the cigarettes down for the first month or so.

I would of liked to quit smoking cold turkey but that wasn't happening. I had resolved myself to the fact that I would smoke until I died. Now I have a choice.

Nicotine is addictive. But it is the other things the cig manufacturers put into the cigarette that make nicotine, along with those other things, even more addictive.

I have suffered some depression since I stopped smoking tobacco. So much so I have gotten professional help with it. Which is fine as long as I don't smoke.

I do think that having a similar experience has something to do with it. I was just speaking to the people who claim nicotine isn't addicting. To add to what I posted and speaking as someone who quite cold turkey and also switched to vaping. I had withdrawal symptoms when I quite that I didn't have when I switched to vaping.

 

[Underwhelmed]

I quit vaping 3 weeks ago tomorrow.

I was using 2mg for several months and just decided to quit for my 43rd birthday.

I won't ever smoke again, I know that for sure.

I guess we are all addicts, my new addiction is giving things up.

In the last 2 years I gave up my Gall bladder, smoking, sodas, all caffeine, fast food, donuts, meat, sugar, 120 pounds, high blood pressure and high cholesterol.

 

[rbrylawski]

I do think that having a similar experience has something to do with it. I was just speaking to the people who claim nicotine isn't addicting. To add to what I posted and speaking as someone who quite cold turkey and also switched to vaping. I had withdrawal symptoms when I quite that I didn't have when I switched to vaping.

Exactly. I quit so many times and everyone around more than knew I quit. I'd want to rip peoples heads off. When I switched to vaping, the transition was so smooth and I never had the anxiety I'd have when I'd quit cancer sticks.

 

[ej1024]

Hi there,

So I was wondering what anyone out there knows on quitting vaping... I switched from tobacco to vaping approximately three months ago (see my signature for the exact length of time). That went well and I started at 36mg. I'm now down to 12mg and have 6mg juice coming in the mail. I saw that at Mt Baker Vapor, I can go down even lower to 3mg. I was thinking, after that, should I just try to stop out of the blue? Or, should I go down to 0mg nicotine first to try and combat the psychological addiction? Or, those Nicorette gums they make come in 2mg - that would be a 1mg step lower before stopping, so I guess that's an option, too... I know vaping isn't made/designed for smoking/vaping cessation and certainly has no major studies or FDA approval or anything, but it's the route I'm going, so I was just wondering if anyone has any tips or information on anything from their own personal experience and what not... I was also interested in hearing anyone's opinions on the quitting strategies I mentioned above. I have actually noticed that sometimes if I'm really distracted with something, I'll go for four or five hours without vaping and not really even notice anything at all other than a slight, something's-missing feeling - it's definitely nothing like the nicotine fits I had when I was addicted to smoking tobacco. So maybe it wouldn't be such a hard transition to just stop cold turkey? I vape approximately 15ml a day. I have a Blu E-Cig kit that I plan to always carry around with me though... I don't want to get tempted by my friends' habits, or say, go to the bar or something and then end up screwing up - but I don't want to plan on continuing to vape forever anymore, either. Thanks in advance for anyone who takes the time to think about this and post... I appreciate it! This forum has saved my life... Literally... This is the only thing that's ever worked for me in terms of being able to discontinue smoking cigarettes - I was hopeless until I found you guys!

Blessings and peace to everyone and theirs <3

My suggestion is don't quit like a cold turkey,I think this is way too fast....go down 3mg stay there...

 

[Iffy]

Being an ol' fart (67.5 years young), I have no plans on quitting vaping. Nic has been shown to help older folk with Parkinson, Alzheimer and other mental acuity afflictions. I can use all da help at this point!

I do recommend that no one drops more than 3mg at a time. Plus, have da previous nic level available in times of stress! Would hate to see a waning vaper buy a pack o' 'bakky due to elevated anxiety.

Good luck!