Scared to stop smoking, scared to start vaping

[emeraldgreen]

Greetings friends,

First of all i'm editing this to say, yes I realize the title is wrong lol. Meant to say "vaping". I write quickly and rarely proofread.

I am 27 years old and have been smoking half a pack to a pack a day for 12 years. I quit once when I was 22 and that lasted for a year. I used Allen Carr's Easy Way to Stop Smoking book. Worked well for me.

However ever since I started back up, I have had a devil of a time quitting. The withdrawals are hard to deal with, I get terrible anxiety, and I have a history of panic attacks.

I need to stop smoking. I recently had the flu and still smoked and now I have a horrible cough that won't go away. I worry about my health. I know i'm killing myself. I can't imagine getting cancer or anything like that.

I have tried e-digs before (smokeless image volt), and it wasn't bad. However with all the recent news reports coming out about the dangers of e-cigs and how we are basically guinea pigs, I don't know if its the right route to take. I am not an expert on e-cigs but I have read quite a lot about them on forums, journal articles, etc. They SEEM to be much safer, but I would hate to get the wrong brand or something and be unknowingly inhaling high levels of metals or something that would surely give me cancer. Smoking is horrible I know, but at least we know all about it and most cigarettes are highly similar to one another.

Please guide me in the right direction. I just had to take care of my late grandmother who died from emphysema. I had to hold her hand for the last 3 months of her life will she gasped for air! I want to live for my future grandchildren!

 

[navigator2011]

It's weird how the Allen Carr method is so easy the first time around, but then so hard after having a relapse.

 

[rodeo302]

If your looking to start you came to the right place there are plenty of studies that say they are safe or safer than smoking I would link some but I don't have any saved if you want to get a good set up check out an istick with a nautilus tank.

 

[93gc40]

Then don't "try" to quit smoking.. Just start vaping along side the smokes...... Eventually, if you are like me, the vape will replace the sticks.,, Mainly cause the sticks start tasting like crap.

 

[emeraldgreen]

I guess I am just scared that I may be using something that might be MORE harmful than smoking. the studies seem all over the place

 

[Hitmetwice]

Hello and welcome back, please relax and read your way through this, it may help alleviate some of your fears. There has been a lot of fear mongering going on...Cheers!

http://online.pubhtml5.com/iqrs/prpb/

 

[TRIPDUBZ]

Hi Emerald,

I was scared 14 months ago to start vaping as well. My friend sent me a website full of wicks, wires and gadgets I had never seen before -- it was intimidating and raised my skepticism. I want to provide a view of my observations of the course of a year of vaping every day.

Vaping hands down requires a large amount of research, and if it is something you end up sticking with, a very DIY attitude. This is both good and bad, as it is fun, empowering and hobbyist yet can be overwhelming, confusing and complicated (and expensive depending on where you start).

Anyone who tells you that "the truth is vaping is safe" has no room to say that. This booming industry is extremely nascent and no "longitudinal" studies or health effects can be obtained at the hyper rate the industry is moving. We are all guinea pigs, but consider this - have you ever eaten a GMO crop or product? Do you have the same issues with lack of research and potential health risks with regards to foods and FDA approved drugs that available or prescribed?

Here's my take on it. Yes, the health effects of vaping are shrouded in uncertainty (and exaggerated media reports), but there are currently some seemingly unbiased and objective studies in the works -- I would start here if you are interested.

The only certainty that I can tell you about the health effects is purely anecdotal. My body and mind have transformed into what feels like essentially a non-smoker. All of my friends and vapers that I've met have had essentially the same results - better cardio vascular functioning, lack of ....ty old phonebook smell, reawakened sense of smell and taste, increased lung capacity, and a seemingly reduced risk of various heart diseases (and no carbon monoxide sitting in your lungs). I guess another benefit that I have felt is no caughing, gnarly phlegm, or crypt-like hacking -- my lungs absolutely feel "cleaner". I can run up flights of stairs, and regain my resting heart rate much faster than when I was on the fire sticks. I won't really get into the whole "additive" argument here (additives in cigs), and their addictive properties, but it is something to consider as well.

Now as far as potential dangers, there are many angles to approach this from. On the one hand, you have the actual equipment, which can vary from a small 3.7v stick battery (with possible circuit protection), to unregulated 4.2v + systems (mechanical mods) to high wattage regulated devices (150W+). Either way, battery safety is paramount to everything else - even the safest battery chemistry (arguably IMR; the type of cathode used) can be dangerous if not used properly. I only mention this because in my conversations with the vapers that I've met, there is a resounding agreement that cigalikes (i.e. blu, tsunami etc) are not effective in fully quiting smoking -- the progression to more powerful devices (bigger batteries, rebuildable atomizers (rba)) is natural and usually necessary to sustain a 'satisfying vape'.

Now the other side of it is the liquid. You can research the two main carriers or substrates in E-juice all you want - Proplene Glycol and Vegetable Glycerin and obtain varying reports on their 'inertness' when inhaled. I myself and really not concerned so much over these, although there is currently a temperature study being conducted to assertain aldehyde levels when these compounds are vaporized at higher temperatures (i.e. mimicking modern vaping devices and trends).

What I am more concerned about is the components in the flavoring. As someone who mixes their own Ejuice at home, it was rather eye-opening to research the component lists of some of the flavor companies that produce the concentrated flavoring that comprises eliquid (e.g. The Perfumers Apprentice). No I myself use almost exclusively flavorings from this company, but when you begin to examine what makes up even a single flavor, the question of safety surfaces rather quickly (e.g. what happens to hexyl acetate when vaporized at 450 degrees?)

Now, I have been vaping these flavorings even before I knew I was (from various vendors that I used to purchase juice from, and later found out they used the same flavor/company). I can assure you, that the only adverse effect that I have had from vaping is literally 2 of the worst headaches of my life in the last 14 months, and this was due to dehydration (VG is hydroscopic, and vaping sucks moisture out of you in general). Other than that, the only problem is that it can be really time consuming if you DON'T enjoy it, and you might be willing to open your wallet a little to easily for a better fix of nic.

Overall -- do it if you are interested and commited in quiting SMOKING, not NICOTINE. If you don't want to be a guinea pig in general, I would adivse you to examine many other aspects of our culture (sorry if I'm presuming you're an american) and consider alternatives for countless other products on the market that don't have proper testing or clinical trials before releasing to the public. I can say for sure that I LOVE vaping, and it has transformed so many aspects of my life. Smoking requires a high level of willful ignorance to habitually continue, but I have found for myself and many others that I've met that vaping encourages people to look for the safest possible methods, devices and consumables in order to promote a healthier lifestyle and an overall fostering of harm reduction.

Only time will tell, but I like this community a lot - more maudes than harolds.

 

[b14ckd34th]

try to incorporate vaping into your daily smoke routines.. and gradually taper yourself of the "tobacco" flavor. keep your nicotine at a moderately high level to help you kick the "cig".

 

[emeraldgreen]

Wow, thank you for the feedback guys. Really.

TRIPDUBZ, very useful information. Thank you for the post. It makes me feel more comfortable with the whole thing.

b14ckd34th, what mg would you suggest I start at? I am a pack a day smoker of Yellow American Spirits. the last time I smoked e-cigs I got a sampler from the volt and found I liked a little less kick because I got a bit of a rush with the 24mg. That being said I don't know if 12 or 18 would be more appropriate.

My ultimate goal would be to quit smoking entirely, then taper down the mg on the e-cig until I'm vaping no nicotine, then quit altogether. I admit i'm still a bit scared of vaping because I definitely don't want to be an example on a future 3AM law group class action lawsuit commercial, but I doubt anything could be AS BAD as smoking tobacco.

Any other words of wisdom or advice to help me quell my nerves about this whole thing?

 

[salemgold]

More info..............

Straight Dope: Can Electronic Cigarettes Cause Cancer? - Washington City Paper
The deception of measuring formaldehyde in e-cigarette aerosol: the difference between laboratory measurements and true exposure
Cardiologists Lash Out At Misguided Information Condemning Ecigs - ChurnMag
[url]http://ecigarette-research.com/web/index.php/research/2014/161-survey-ecig
[/URL]
http://www.scotsman.com/news/health/health-experts-back-e-cigarettes-to-quit-smoking-1-3437012

http://onvaping.com/the-ultimate-list-of-studies-on-e-cigarettes-and-their-safety/

 

[Kivrin]

I am a pack a day smoker of Yellow American Spirits.

I just got off those Jan 23, also a pack a day, and I use 18mg. I keep some 24 for when I'm having a massive craving.

Two weeks earlier, I just bought a cheap eGo style set up at the place where I smoked cigarettes. I've upgraded, but doing them both side by side, I found myself smoking less and less. Around Feb 1, I tried to smoke one. It was disgusting and I put it out very quickly. I hated the way it made me feel too.

 

[snork]

I can tell you I am a happy, healthy four vaping year old guinea pig who feels better than I ever felt during the 37 preceding years in which I smoked.

 

[AndriaD]

Then don't "try" to quit smoking.. Just start vaping along side the smokes...... Eventually, if you are like me, the vape will replace the sticks.,, Mainly cause the sticks start tasting like crap.

Yeah when I started vaping, I had NO intention to quit smoking; I just wanted a way to "smoke" indoors instead of having to freeze to death outdoors. Then I discovered what a fantastic substitute they make, and thought I'd be a plain damn fool to pass up such a wonderful opportunity to quit. Nothing else ever worked, but this does!

Don't worry about all those ignorant fear-mongering articles. Vaping is 95%-99% safer than smoking. That doesn't mean they're safe for everybody everywhere all the time, it's means they're 95%-99% SAFER THAN SMOKING. Most of the idiot blabber about e-cigs is paid for by those who have a stake in providing ineffective nicotine-replacement therapy and cancer drugs, and of course the gov't who stands to lose a chunk of tax money. Until they figure out how to switch the tax burden to e-cigs, anyway.

Andria

 

[emeraldgreen]

I am definitely beginning to feel better here. I'm placing another order tonight to restock and try this thing out again.

 

[b14ckd34th]

tell us what you are vaping with, tank and battery..again i cant stress enough to get away from tobacco flavors ASAP.

 

[Frenchfry1942]

Courage. Rawr!!

 

[emeraldgreen]

To be honest with you the last time I got an e-cig it was the volt from smokeless image and I couldn't stand the fruit flavors. I actually cut down quite a bit in the few days I had it around, before I got scared about the effects and went back to smoking.

The tobacco flavors in my opinion, were actually pretty good and helped the cravings. I also like how the volt looks and feels like a cig. I know some people have their own views on this, but i'm just saying from personal experience this is the brand I liked the most.

 

[deckley]

I don't understand the need to get away from tobacco flavored liquids ASAP. If that's the flavor you like, than that's the flavor you like. Simple. Not everyone wants to taste candy, coffee, desserts, etc all day. Personally, my all day Vape is a mild tobacco, then a vanilla/hazelnut/caramel in the evening before bed.
Just saying.

 

[Imperialchugger]

Title caught my eyes lol. Anyways hang in there pal.

 

[Cacique]

Glad to hear you feel more comfortable. Fear mongering can be quite a powerful tool and has worked for many things, thankfully we have the internet and can verify what's true and not. Just remember that the huge majority of what's in these e-juices has been in medicine for a very long time. When I realized that I was using PG in my asthma inhaler as a child, I couldn't understand how e-cigs could be as harmful as they say, and the researched verified that.