Starting the smoke-free journey...

[CrankyGoldfish]

I've been a die-hard clove cigarette smoker for almost 20 years. I just love the taste of the cloves, too much so. Then the FDA had to go and smack down a ban on clove flavor (along with the other "candy" flavors), which was pretty stupid, IMHO. Most of the underage kids I ever saw smoking were going with Kools or Newports.

Unfortunately, this meant that to get my cloves, I had to switch to filtered cigars. They just don't taste the same.

This last Wednesday when I had to restock on my analogs, I was behind a woman buying a two-pack starter of the e-cigs. We got to talking and I was pretty set to get one then and there... except they'd just run out of clove flavor.

Went back yesterday and got my starter with a bottle of clove juice. When I got home, I puffed on it as needed for the next four hours, perfectly content before having to go to work. Habit dictates I smoke on the way to work, so I lit up an analog... and the first thing I noticed was that the darned thing tasted dirty. Like I was licking rusted metal.

I got halfway through before it had to go out. It kinda defeated the purpose of weaning myself over. I'm trying not to shock my system too much with the switch to e-cigs. If my battery had lasted the whole night at work, I probably wouldn't have had as many analogs as I did. (Taking my charger with me tonight.)

Day One: 5 analogs when I'd have normally had a full pack of 12. Not a bad start at all.

I'm starting off with a VC51-M. Even if there's better, I rather like it. I'll just have to get me a good selection of clove flavors. The one I have is a bit weak.

 

[closetsmokr]

Hey Cranky! Welcome to ECF and the wonderful world of vaping! You are off to a good start! There is a ton of information on this forum, and lots of helpful people, so I'm sure you can find everything you need! And, there are several vendors out there with clove juices, so I'm sure you will be able to find one you love! I also used to love clove cigs back in the day!

 

[CrankyGoldfish]

Thanks for the welcome, Closet.

After Wednesday, when I almost bought that starter, I did a lot of checking and researching online until I ran across this board. I spent the next several days poring over the information here, which was what made my decision to switch final. A lot isn't known about vaping, but it seems to me that we all are the only ones willing to search the unknown. If I can get my same pleasures without smoking, then I'll take that leap of faith.

As for juices, I'm tempted to place an order with American E-liquid. I saw someone giving good marks to their clove flavor, but not so high to their Djarum Black flavor. Rather sad, because that was my preferred brand. If the clove flavor's up to par, then I'll just treat this like I did many, many moons ago when Djarum discontinued their Kings in favor of the Blacks.

If any of the DIY-ers out there want an experienced clove smoker to sample any of their blends, I'm a willing ginea pig. Over the years, I did a lot of jumping around through various flavors: Jakarta, Gudang Garam, Djarum were just the ones I tended to like over the others.

 

[cskent]

Hi and welcome to ECF. VaporBomb has both clove and perique. Here's a link to the clove Clove E Liquid, and one for the perique Perique Tobacco E Liquid. You can ask for double flavor in the comments section when you order I believe. They hand mix all juices to order so you can get pretty much what you want from them if you ask.

 

[CrankyGoldfish]

Hi and welcome to ECF. VaporBomb has both clove and perique. Here's a link to the clove Clove E Liquid, and one for the perique Perique Tobacco E Liquid. You can ask for double flavor in the comments section when you order I believe. They hand mix all juices to order so you can get pretty much what you want from them if you ask.

Thanks for the welcome and the info, CSKent. I'll have to look into those, too.

I really love how the community sticks together and helps each other here. It's been a long time since I saw that kind of togetherness.

Day Two: 4 Analogs. I really should have had up to six to try to keep things somewhat even. The holiday season is not the time to get the radical mood swings that come from quitting smoking... not that I'm giving up my nicotine.

Lots of nose blowing since the mid-west is already so bloody cold (the fact I'm in and out of coolers/freezers at work doesn't help)... and just two days in the Kleenex doesn't look like someone used it to clean gunk out of a motor part.

 

[TazwellJ]

You'll start to notice lots of things change once you get off the tobacco. Fewer sinus problems. Less indigestion. Lung capacity returns. Sense of smell returns. I was amazed at the huge difference in a very short amount of time. Within a month of quitting the analogs, I was able to run several miles. I haven't been able to do that in 20 years.

 

[Heartbskts]

Hey there Cranky!!! Have you read about the e-juices sometimes needing time to steep? I would think that might be your case on the clove flavors Try it anyways- just let the bottle sit for about 2 weeks then try the flavor again. I order from one company- they hand mix to order, as do alot of other companies out there. But they have to age a bit to fully enjoy the flavors. I don't think I would be a clove person myself, and I remember someone mentioning trying a clove flavor that was just way too strong. (She also smoked the clove analogs). I have never heard of these flavored analogs that some of you speak of, other than the black & mild little cigars? Interesting!

 

[Heartbskts]

Day Two: 4 Analogs. I really should have had up to six to try to keep things somewhat even. The holiday season is not the time to get the radical mood swings that come from quitting smoking... not that I'm giving up my nicotine.

Cranky- I quit the analogs about 6 weeks into vaping, so I have been analog free for almost 2 months. I started back to college at 44 yrs old and never dreamt that I could quit the analogs with the stress of school and trying to learn and study, but....amazingly, it was pretty pain and stress free & I'm so happy about this! I have a pass-thru that I use attatched to my lap-top and vape alot while studying. I am also allowed to vape in my classes, which I try to keep "low key", but while taking my math tests, you can see the vapor just rolling everywhere lol. Most people will tell you that they vape more than they ever smoked and it's ok to be a chain vaper. The nic gets absorbed into your system differently than the analogs do- more like the patch, I'm told. That known, I pretty much vape my head off when stressed lol

 

[CrankyGoldfish]

Hey there Cranky!!! Have you read about the e-juices sometimes needing time to steep? I would think that might be your case on the clove flavors Try it anyways- just let the bottle sit for about 2 weeks then try the flavor again. I order from one company- they hand mix to order, as do alot of other companies out there. But they have to age a bit to fully enjoy the flavors. I don't think I would be a clove person myself, and I remember someone mentioning trying a clove flavor that was just way too strong. (She also smoked the clove analogs). I have never heard of these flavored analogs that some of you speak of, other than the black & mild little cigars? Interesting!

I quit the analogs about 6 weeks into vaping, so I have been analog free for almost 2 months. I started back to college at 44 yrs old and never dreamt that I could quit the analogs with the stress of school and trying to learn and study, but....amazingly, it was pretty pain and stress free & I'm so happy about this! I have a pass-thru that I use attatched to my lap-top and vape alot while studying. I am also allowed to vape in my classes, which I try to keep "low key", but while taking my math tests, you can see the vapor just rolling everywhere lol. Most people will tell you that they vape more than they ever smoked and it's ok to be a chain vaper. The nic gets absorbed into your system differently than the analogs do- more like the patch, I'm told. That known, I pretty much vape my head off when stressed lol

Oh, I've already noticed that I vape like crazy at home. I don't have a pass-through yet, but I'll probably get one. I got lucky and found out that my USB charger's specs exactly match the USB wall adapter I got for my digital camera, so I take them to work with me. A charger case is next on the list of necessities.

I don't think I did too bad for my starter: I'm using a Vaper's Corner VC51M. I paid a bit more for it at the tobacco shop where I buy my analogs, but considering how wonderful the people there are, I've got no issues with this. (They even swapped out the normal cigarette flavored cartridge and gave me a larger bottle of clove for a slight upcharge.) I'll happily give them my business even if I'm quitting the analogs. This isn't to say I won't be trying other types of e-cigs. I'm just a loyal old dog and feel that giving them my continued business will be their reward for helping me get started on this.

And I understand your chain vaping at the computer. I'm a writer and when I get my teeth into a story, I've been pretty bad about chain smoking. I imagine chain vaping is going to be much better (did it the first night after I got the e-cig, in fact). I think the best part is that I can walk around work while on break, vaping away, and no one says a word to me... except in a couple of cases where they've asked me about the e-cig. I've already turned at least one co-worker onto the idea in just 48 hours and she's waiting for the next paycheck to hit so she can start vaping herself. Her non-smoking room mate is all for this and definitely plans on helping her.

Happily vaping...

~Cranky