Been a month. Jan 13, 2018 was my first cigarette free day for decades. There have been 24 cigarette free days since that one. Still smoking 3 or 4 a week almost all of which I smoke on Fridays when I meet a friend for drinks. She goes away in March and so will those smokes. Obviously, I no longer have to smoke. vaping works even for an old dog like me.
Still smoking support and chat thread
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Scoot over old dog, make room for another old dog who was able to learn new tricks after all. 
On July 2 of this year it'll be 5 years smoke free for me. After being a very heavy smoker for 42 years I never thought it would be possible for me to ever quit, but vaping did it for me, too.
Congrats on your success!
On July 2 of this year it'll be 5 years smoke free for me. After being a very heavy smoker for 42 years I never thought it would be possible for me to ever quit, but vaping did it for me, too.Congrats on your success!
Checking in again: smoked two cigarettes this week. Four the week before. I am no longer physically addicted. What I need to overcome now is 100% psychological. Never thought that I would get to this place. Thanks for the support.
WOW! It's been forever since I've been on the forum. I can't believe how much has changed yet some things not at all. I am overjoyed to see that this thread didn't die off like some of the other great threads did. This thread helped alot of people reach their goal. It's also comforting after all this time to see some familiar names. Well, where to start. I had a pretty good run a few years ago and got down to just under half a pack a day. Then, as some point I just got really frustrated & overwhelmed and I just gave up trying to quit. My father had a series of strokes over the course of a month about a year ago (he smoked at least a pack & a half a day, maybe more) and during the two month long hospital/rehab journey of learning to do basic things again he was able to quit with the assistance of the patch. During this time I continued to smoke and sadly, I still do. I've had a few family members ask how I continue to smoke after what has happened to my family. And honestly, it's because my mind tells me to do so and because it makes me feel better mentally but not physically. I've come to realize over the last several months that you really do want to quit smoking and make the changes necessary in order for it to become reality. The mental part of it is the hardest & the worst to overcome. Maybe my past attempts have failed because I really in all honesty wasn't ready to make the change. My dream is to become a non-smoker!! So, with that said...after my new gear arrives (everything that I have is out dated and probably considered a relic) I plan to get myself back on track and hopefully be a non-smoker in the not so distant future. But first, I feel I need to take a refresher course on how to navigate the forum again.
It has been such a long time since i was last in here. still vaping, and will have to look back at my posts to see when my last cigarette was, but its been a long LONG while.
To those that have reached their goals, Congrats! If you haven't reached them yet, i hope you do reach them!
To those of you just starting your journey, do not be afraid to ask for help or recommendations. All of us here were there at one point. when i first started to use ecigs to try to cut down how much i was smoking i actually increased how many i smoked in a week for a short time (was using too low of a nicotine in the old cartomizers, ended up quitting smoking with 36mg nicotine, with some 42mg for the strong urges..).
To those that have reached their goals, Congrats! If you haven't reached them yet, i hope you do reach them!
To those of you just starting your journey, do not be afraid to ask for help or recommendations. All of us here were there at one point. when i first started to use ecigs to try to cut down how much i was smoking i actually increased how many i smoked in a week for a short time (was using too low of a nicotine in the old cartomizers, ended up quitting smoking with 36mg nicotine, with some 42mg for the strong urges..).
@tgs3, I'm very happy to see such success for you. And you thought you couldn't do it. It only gets easier from here, so keep up the good work.
@dilong1717, It's great that you're back and giving vaping another shot. I hope your new gear (and your new mindset) helps you out in your journey. Quitting really is more mental than physical IMHO, and having a place on the forum to post your successes and your failures is important to your success as well, so keep us posted as to how you're doing. We care.
It only gets easier from here, so keep up the good work. @dilong1717, It's great that you're back and giving vaping another shot. I hope your new gear (and your new mindset) helps you out in your journey. Quitting really is more mental than physical IMHO, and having a place on the forum to post your successes and your failures is important to your success as well, so keep us posted as to how you're doing. We care.
Hey, @Topdogie01, long time no see! It's great to hear that you're still vaping instead of smoking. Most of the old gang have gradually faded away after they successfully switched to vaping only. We still serve a purpose here even if only to encourage those who haven't managed to do it yet. We're proof that it can be done while providing assistance and encouragement to those who want and need it. Don't be a stranger! 
Totally agree that after a certain point, quitting is a psychological as opposed to physical problem. At least that has been my experience in the last few months. Had a stressful few days a couple of weeks ago and smoked four one day and five a day later. I am back on track, no smoking for eight days, but it still worries me that I am still vulnerable in times of stress. Overall, I am really happy. Most days I do not smoke. Since January, a pack of smokes lasts more than a month.
Hi everyone! I'm so glad you are all here. I just joined yesterday and if you want to know a little of my history, I started this introductory thread yesterday....Hi Everyone!
So I just started today. 2 pack smoker opened only one pack today and still have 2 left in the pack!! 40 cigarettes a day down to 18 today and a whole lot of vaping! So happy to have found this place! I think I'll stay right here on this thread (which was suggested to me) if you all don't mind? I'm so excited!! I have hope for the first time ever!
Big (hugs) to all of you who are winners as far as I'm concerned!
@thayamax @KC0YNU @tgs3 @B-Dang @JJ1977 @redeuce
Hello everyone! I hope you don't mind me giving you all a shout. A lovely lady @Hopeful64 has joined our ranks and she could do with some support from our experienced members.
I suggested she pop along here. This thread has been invaluable to me (I lurk here a LOT!) and you people have been a wonderful inspiration.
Thank you to each and every one of you.
Much love,
Catherine
Hello everyone! I hope you don't mind me giving you all a shout. A lovely lady @Hopeful64 has joined our ranks and she could do with some support from our experienced members.
I suggested she pop along here. This thread has been invaluable to me (I lurk here a LOT!) and you people have been a wonderful inspiration.
Thank you to each and every one of you.
Much love,
Catherine
@Hopeful64 greetings and congrats on the declining number.
@Hopeful64 Welcome to our thread! We're thrilled to have you join us. Congratulations on cutting back so much on your smoking. Everyone on this thread has been where you are. There is no one here who "accidentally" quit smoking without even trying. We all had to work for it.
I smoked for 42 years and by the end had worked my way up to close to 4 packs a day of roll your own cigarettes. This last time was actually my 3rd attempt to try to quit smoking by vaping. I truly believe this time was successful because I joined this forum and was able to get support from others in the same boat as me, especially on this thread. Even then I was a dual user for 4 more months before everything came together and I was able to transition to vaping only. That was almost 5 years ago and I haven't had a cigarette since. I never thought it would be possible for me to quit, but with all the help and encouragement I got here I finally made it. You can, too!
@Possum64 Thanks for directing Hopeful64 to us, and how are things going for you?
I smoked for 42 years and by the end had worked my way up to close to 4 packs a day of roll your own cigarettes. This last time was actually my 3rd attempt to try to quit smoking by vaping. I truly believe this time was successful because I joined this forum and was able to get support from others in the same boat as me, especially on this thread. Even then I was a dual user for 4 more months before everything came together and I was able to transition to vaping only. That was almost 5 years ago and I haven't had a cigarette since. I never thought it would be possible for me to quit, but with all the help and encouragement I got here I finally made it. You can, too!
@Possum64 Thanks for directing Hopeful64 to us, and how are things going for you?
Hi @thayamax! I am doing very well thanks. And thank you for responding to my little call for help! I am sure this thread is going to be invaluable to @Hopeful64 as it was/is to me.
I feel bad for not posting here sooner and being such a lurker but strangely enough, I am quite shy.
I have only recently stopped dual using, having started vaping in September last year. Boy, it is tough after 38 years smoking that is for sure!
I feel bad for not posting here sooner and being such a lurker but strangely enough, I am quite shy.
I have only recently stopped dual using, having started vaping in September last year. Boy, it is tough after 38 years smoking that is for sure!
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Aww, @Possum64, no need to be shy here. We welcome newcomers. I do get it though, other than this thread, I don't post much. Now that you've broken the ice I expect to see many more posts from you about your trials and tribulations along with your success.
Congratulations on your transition to vaping!
Congratulations on your transition to vaping!
@thayamax You are very kind. I know, it is weird being shy on a forum, but there you go! So glad I have been big and brave and finally come out of lurker mode. Somehow I feel I will be leaning on this forum a bit as I continue with my 'vaping' only. Although at $35 a packet of cigarettes I should not have any trouble resisting the urge to buy one!
Thanks so much for being here. As I said in my introductory, I feel so alone in this. I'm tired and I have to quit smoking if I ever want to retire. I've been a hairdresser for 43 years and can NEVER stop working if I continue to smoke. I spend over $500.00 a month on cigarettes. Add the beginning stages of Copd. If I don't quit, I won't be here to complain about anything. (trying to Lol)
Isn't it funny, as good as I did yesterday, I woke up this morning with a dread that I had to do this again today? Chain smoking is who I am. Deep, deep down, I don't want to give up smoking. But yet I do??? It's so crazy making!! I'm so tired of this curse. I need to create a new identity somehow? I would be so proud to be a non-smoker.
Yesterday, I went 10 minutes without smoking when I woke up.... but today I've already had 2. As soon as I read the thread, I wanted to start again. So I will put this one out and grab the vape and start over. I want so much to conquer this.Thank you all so much for being here. When I get a little time today, I am going to spend it reading through this thread because I know you all have struggled like me and that will help me to know I am not alone.
Is it true that you must keep yourself busy? I could sure do some cleaning of closets and stuff. I'm so glad you're all here. (hugs) to every one of you today!
@Hopeful64 the keeping busy does help to a degree, main thing is do not beat your self up for having a cig , Just count the ones you do not have, the number will increase the more you vape.
also starting out you may find that certain tanks, attys, and mods just do not cut it for you. However you will learn what it is they are lacking that YOU need for them to work for you.
also starting out you may find that certain tanks, attys, and mods just do not cut it for you. However you will learn what it is they are lacking that YOU need for them to work for you.
I think when I die and go to hell, this is what I will be made to do..FOR ETERNITY..as punishment!
Seriously though, it is only Day 2. You can't expect to change a life time habit in a day. As you find time to have a read through this thread, you will definitely see that you are not alone. You will pick up little tips along the way as well that might help or stories that will inspire you.
I too found it hard NOT to chain smoke when reading this forum at the start of my vaping. I ended up locking my cigarettes in my car whenever I knew I was going to read for a while. That way, I only had my vapes within reach. Saved me from smoking a lot of cigarettes for sure!
We are all here to help each other.
I want to share with you something that worked for me.
In order to give yourself further incentive to quit and in order to begin looking at vaping as a positive thing instead of that negative thing your doing to quit smoking, you should try rewarding yourself for those cigarettes you don't smoke..
At the end of the first three days I took what I saved from not buying smokes and bought myself something I wanted.. my savings was $30.00... at the end the first week I took the savings and bought myself another something I wanted.. my reward for not smoking..
I was saving 10.00 per day every day I vaped.. and I looked forward to my little shopping trips...all week I would daydream about what I was going to do with the savings, and vape my way toward the reward.
I got pedicures, new shoes, new camera, new lenses, books I wanted.. I had so much fun vaping my way into stuff I wanted that one day I realized what I didn't want anymore was a cigarette.
Is it easy? Heck no.. there were times i was physically shaking I wanted a cigarette so bad and I chain vaped hardcore..
But those positive thoughts and positive associations with things that are in reach - a book or something small if you make it through the day, a pair of shoes if you make it three days - give you something within reach that you can attain, it's easier to think about right now than it is to think about retiring someday...
Now is in reach, and when you keep the now very positive the associations with vaping turns into a happy positive thing.. better than smoking because you never got to reward yourself with smoking.. lol.
It does actually help I think.. it helped me a lot...
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I was just sitting here thinking how desperate quitting smoking can be for some people. For instance, just last week when my doctor of 20 years started hassling me again, I was in a bad mood and told him, ''Doctor ----, I would rather be dead than to live on this earth without my cigarettes''. Can you even imagine saying that??? God, what a horrible addiction. I normally never speak out like that. He even has the right to let me go as a patient because in Canada, they are getting really, really strict about smoking. We are actually not allowed to even smoke in some of our little towns here!! Sorry, I'm sitting here posting my foolish thoughts this morning.
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