Secret Smoker/Cigarette Hater - now 24 hours in to vaping

[Headabovewater]

I always hated smoking but somehow managed to get caught up in it back in my early 20s. I never smoked more than a half a pack a day but for some reason, I just could not let it go.

On 1/1/6, I quit, and my anti-smoking husband rejoiced! I was a little less enthusiastic. I wanted to want to quit but I really liked smoking, just hated the taste, smell and lurking thought of cancer.

I quit for about 5 years and then started again about a year ago, this time in secret. I smoke 1-2 cigarettes a day M-F and nothing on the weekends or holidays. I spend a lot of my time covering the smell and fearing that I will get caught smoking.

I HATE IT - everything about it - the smell, the horrible taste of cigarettes, the secrecy, it's just all terrible.

I got my vaping kit yesterday and this morning, for the first weekday in over a year, I came to work not smelling like a cigarette. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.......

I'm not declaring freedom yet but I know that I am heading in the right direction. I need to order some lighter e-liquid so I can vape a little longer without getting that throat closing feeling, but other than that I think I am on my way.

Thank you for this forum!

 

[Skennard]

Good for you! I hid my smoking for many years and it was awful. You have taken a step in the right direction and just make sure to ask any questions you may have. loads of great info here.

 

[mattiem]

Welcome Headabovewater. You have come to the right place. I was a 1 1/2 PAD smoker for about 40 years. I can happily say that I am smoke free now and will never go back. Vaping is the only way to go. Doesn't it feel wonderful to get that monkey off your back and feel the freedom. Hang in there..

 

[Beans]

Headabovewater WTG!!!!!! I'm so happy for you I would suggest a very low nic level since you don't use much nic now. The Hand to mouth motion should really be the winning ticket for you. Let us know if you need any help and congratulations!

 

[Lania]

Your story sounds like mine! I had quit smoking and started up a couple of years ago as a closet smoker. I just could not completely kick the habit no matter what I tried. I was also tired of the hiding and trying to cover it up and feeling terrible about it! I stopped smoking on Oct 7, 2011 (the day I received my first e-cig) and haven't looked back! I love vaping and I feel so much better about it! I now know I will never go back to smoking thanks to e-cigs! Welcome to the Forum and all the best to you!

 

[sandybeach]

So happy for you! I can identify with what you went through. I quit in 2001 and started again in 2011. TEN YEARS QUIT! And I blew it by bumming cigarettes. I only smoked about 1/2 pack a day. I started vaping in November, and now I don't smoke at all.

 

[jj2]

Hi and welcome and way-to go!

 

[FreeFire]

Rock on! Great for you....no need to vape behind the drapes..... Welcome!

 

[Headabovewater]

Thank you all for responding so quickly - you are a wonderful WONDERFUL group of people. It's truly amazing to see this much support here and makes me really feel like this will work for me.

Also, I'm so interested to talk to you other former secret smokers - I knew you were out there somewhere!

For those of you who didn't smoke much, what strength e-liquid do you use? I just ordered a bottle of 6mg Copper Creek House Blend and am thinking if it's not strong enough I can mix it with the 18mg stuff I have right now.

How long did it take you all to quit smoking regular cigarettes? I still have a few left but I think if I can get the vaping right I may be totally done. I really hope so!

You all are great!!!

 

[DeLuca]

Congrats and Welcome! My story is similar to yours, I used to smoke secretly, but I used to love everything about it, I just didn't want family to know. But I ordered my ecig, and loved it. I did however put it down for a while. So, don't be discouraged if your PV starts to seem bland. Just try another flavor! There's tons! Mess around with PG/VG/nic level combinations! It's endless. I personally like fruit flavors .

You'll find your little nitch, and you won't look back either.

EDIT: I saw your post, and I would say to bring the nicotine level up more. 6mg may not satisy what your craving. It's okay to mix juices, but try to keep them the same flavor, or at least same company. Mixing flavors can get tricky, and doesn't always wind up the way you want it too.

And keep in mind, the nicotine level you see everywhere, is per milliliter (ml), which is about 20 drops, which is totally subjective to how many cigarettes it could equal too.

 

[CASEACE79]

While our stories differ we have the same goal. Freedom from cigarettes. Keep up the good work.

 

[cactusgirl]

Congratulations to you for taking that first step and welcome to ECF! You are definitely in the right place - ECF has some of the warmest and supportive peeps there are!!!

 

[Keeno]

Thanks for sharing.... I sometimes worry a bit I hate to admit about regressing but in the end I think about the support here at ECF and it calms me.....congrats and continued success....

 

[Headabovewater]

Thank you!!

 

[yzer]

Good luck Headabovewater. You have made a positive step toward quitting cigarettes.

Do you vape in secret? You may want to consider that practice if it makes vaping more exciting or pleasurable for you. Then again, you may prefer the idea of vaping out in the open in a fully uninhibited fashion.

An opera was written about a woman who smoked in secret. Ermanno Wolf-Ferarri: The Secret of Suzanne.

 

[hildicat]

Congrats for bettering your life and sharing your story. It's amazing to hear how many of us had similar situations. My story is earily similar as well. http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/general-e-smoking-discussion/255635-funny-thing-happened-me-yesterday.html
I can tell you from experience that this is a wonderfully supportive group and should help you stay off the analogs for good. After finding your vaping sweet spot you're going to wonder why you ever went through the hassle of trying to cover up the stinkies.

 

[player30]

Welcome Headabovewater and congratulations! For me, smoking started in 1974 when I was 15. I quit many times, and in 1989, I quit while pregnant with my first child. For 12 years---no cigarettes---until I smoked ONE just for fun. That was it; I was back up to 15/day. My husband, who had not quit was the only person that saw me smoke. Neither my children, nor anyone else, ever saw me smoke--but they knew; it stinks. I hated that I smoked, I hated that I hid it and I hated thinking I was killing myself. After getting my first ecig, I only smoked two cigarettes. On the last one, I thought that I would rather be vaping.

Two times, I have felt the urge to smoke; one time when I was in a casino for three days and then when I had to fly back to the US after my mother had a stroke.

After learning that it only takes ONE cig to get me back hooked, I happily vape instead of smoke.

Best wishes on your new journey!

 

[RocketRod]

Headabovewater, Welcome! One thing, vaping isn't smoking. The only thing I find they have in common is nicotine. I certainly don't pull on my setup like a cig, do care about how the vape tastes, and it is a little bit more cumbersome to vape vs smoke. I'm a 40 year smoker, and tried this a couple of years ago and found that the 1st e-cig just didn't satisfy like a smoke. That still remains true for me, but I have decided that I need to make this work, for me. I set my device in front of the last pack I bought, and make a concious decision each time i feel the urge to not just grab a smoke. I started on my journey Sunday, smoked only 8 Monday, only 1/2 so-far today, and hope to do better. One thing that might help is visiting a few store fronts to sample and learn. If your lucky to have a local club or gathering of fellow vapers, it can make a world of difference. Oh and there is much "must read" here. The illustrated guide can answer many questions. Anyway, Good for you! You can do it!

 

[Jim Bob]

Congrats and welcome to ECF!

 

[Headabovewater]

Good luck Headabovewater. You have made a positive step toward quitting cigarettes.

Do you vape in secret? You may want to consider that practice if it makes vaping more exciting or pleasurable for you. Then again, you may prefer the idea of vaping out in the open in a fully uninhibited fashion.

An opera was written about a woman who smoked in secret. Ermanno Wolf-Ferarri: The Secret of Suzanne.

That's so funny - I'd never heard of that opera but I just looked it up. I can't believe it was from 1909 - I guess secret smoking has been an issue for a long, long time indeed.

Hildicat - I just read your story and we really do have a lot in common. I really really really just want to have this giant stinky monkey off my back - even the thought that it might be possible is very exciting to me.

Player30 - it's amazing how addictive nicotine is, isn't it? i am so glad you are back off cigarettes!

To RocketRod and everyone else - GOOD LUCK!