Switching from smoking to vaping -- a sort of poll

[BlenderCrab]

I've been noticing a trend with a very small sample size (five people I know personally three on one side and two -- including myself -- on the other), and would like to pose a question to the masses. I feel like mostly everyone on the forum will have a story or opinion about this.

Reading through threads, which I have done for quite a while before joining, I've noticed that most of the posters have attempted or are currently attempting to switch from smoking to vaping. There seem to be a few who had no trouble making the switch while the majority seem to have had (or are still having) some trouble. I fall into the former camp. It was very easy for me (in fact, it was wholly unintentional) to make the switch. I used to smoke a well-known brand of analog that claimed to be additive-free and also offered organics.

Is it possible, that because I was smoking (presumably) additive-free tobacco, that my addiction was an easy switch due to the fact that I was addicted to only nicotine? Big Tobacco has been oft-accused of adding other addictive substances to their cigarettes. I'm making no such claim as I have done no research, so I have to admit that I am operating only on hearsay. But it stands to reason, that those who smoke(d) conventional analogs, might be addictive to things that e-liquid just doesn't provide (as in more than just nicotine). If so, it could stand to reason that those who have trouble quitting conventional analogs, could use additive-free and/or organic tobacco as a stepping stone. It could be that those folks might be able to make a smoother transition from conventional analogs to AF/O analogs (to help kick the habit of those other possibly addictive substances), and then switch completely from AF/O analogs to exclusively vaping.

I apologize if this topic has been covered before, but I was unable to find it using the search. I feel like, beyond the sake of my own curiosity, if enough people weigh in with their stories and we could find a trend, it might be able to help some others make the final switch to vaping.

So please, if you feel so inclined, tell us if you smoked conventional or additive-free and/or organic tobacco -- and also describe whether or not it was easy for you to switch. I realize there are tons of other variables -- and that sometimes even the stress of change is enough to prevent it from being actualized -- but I think there could be some useful information. In fact, if we hear enough detailed stories, we might be able to extrapolate other data to help those who are having trouble making the switch.

Cheers!

 

[Dakota Jim]

I smoked the nastiest, most additive riddled tobacco there was and switched over 100% in 1 day

I personally think the people having trouble switching want the PV to exactly duplicate smoking which it cannot. It is close for sure but not exact. I think the people having issues do not really want to switch off of analogs and do not allow them a chance. They just need to realize that it won't be identical just like Coke and Diet Coke taste completely different. The people that have the hardest time seem to be stuck on finding a "tobacco" flavor that most closely resembles what they are smoking. Time to cut the old beliefs and start a new life style. If they don't "cheat" then they will transition easier and more completely.

Just my

 

[oliverturtle]

Additive FULL addict here. Still going through withdrawal symptoms of what I assume is withdrawal from all the crap added. Pimples, insomnia, etc. I had maybe 6 smokes while in transition. They progressively tasted like poo. So that was that for me. 25year 1/2 to a pack a day smoker.

 

[liquidzoo]

There was an additive free analog? I know that some claimed that, but were then bought or taken over by the big companies and the recipes were changed (happened for sure with American Spirit)... curious.

For me, the change was easy. I wanted to quit smoking "dirt sticks" (as my brother calls them) and seriously regretted starting again after having emergency lung surgery a few years ago. I bought an eGo kit and was ready to go, but my wife wasn't...until she tried the liquid that I was using. It was the flavor that got her to change, and once she did then it was a lot easier for both of us (it's lots harder to quit if those closest to you don't do so as well).

 

[DavidAmonettNashville]

I smoked Marlboro for 25 years and the last 5yrs I rolled my own with a Top-O-matic rolling machine. We purchased tobacco in one pound bulk bags listed as "Pipe tobacco" to save on the RYO taxes that Tennessee imposed....My wife and I then both switched over at the same time to E-cigs with very little effort.....I realize this post just further clouds the issue but I'm just telling you our story to compare against others...-Dave

 

[jrw360]

When I first started vaping using Blu I had trouble making the transition. Then when one battery completely died and the other having to be charged non stop, I ended up going back to the smokes. A few weeks ago I got a decent kit and haven't had any issues completely transitioning to just vaping 100%

 

[Nu2Dis]

I tossed my last half pack of Pall Mall Blue in the trash, as I walked out of a local B&M with my first (overpriced) starter kit. I took one puff on a stinkie about 3 months in, but have lost the desire to actually smoke one.

 

[Deviate3s]

I smoked Camels almost exclusively for ~14 years before going the vapor route. A pack a day, give or take 5 cigarettes depending on what was going on.

I bought a couple disposable e-cigs along with 4 packs of Camels Wednesday last week. I smoked 2.5 packs of the Camels over the next 4 days and occasionally puffed on one of the disposables. That following Saturday I bought a more permanent setup with a 650mah battery and a tank, along with a bottle of "Turkish blend" juice. That made all the difference in the world.

The half pack of Camels lasted me 2 days, and most of it was used while my only battery was charging. I used that pack up last Monday morning. My last full pack hasn't been opened, nor will it.

All-in-all, I'd say it's been a reasonably seamless transition. I've now got 2 batteries so there's always one ready to go, 3 bottles of juice of various flavors and nicotine concentration along with a few more bottles and a mechanical mod in-transit.

 

[Jay-dub]

I smoked what we call "Cowboy Killer's" around here. Marlboro Red's for about 18 years. When I had the money to burn I'd buy the occasional Sherman or Dunhill. I felt a little withdrawal during the transition for about a month but not enough to tempt me to falter. I'd have to say that I had a seamless transition.

 

[MysticalNyte]

Being a menthol exclusive smoker I tried vaping for the first time about a month ago. Had trouble finding that certain flavor I was used to while smoking and bought a bunch of different menthol flavors and found one that was close and stuck with it for a bit while trying quit.

It's hard because of the taste from analogs but I'm diligently focused on vaping while trying other flavors but menthol. It's hard but I'm doing a great job so far.

 

[BigCatDaddy]

I don't think your theory will hold water. Your additive free cigarettes still had plenty of bad, bad things in them. Don't let anyone fool you on that, tobacco is still in there and when it's burned, additive free or not, it's still putting out lots of stuff that your body will become addicted to. Each persons body will react differently to withdrawing from smoking. I didn't intend to quit myself, I just didn't want to go outside in the cold this winter to smoke. I found out vaping was an acceptable substitute and made me feel better. My body wasn't none too happy with me for a couple of weeks, spewing phlegm like a volcano spitting lava, but then things settled down and I'm doing great now!!

 

[Zacklingard]

I smoked Newport menthols.It was an easy switch because I was sick of the taste of analogs. But I would agree with you that the additives do have an effect. The hardest thing for me to get over was the menthol. For the first few months I would crave heavy menthol flavors. It could have just been me though.

 

[Veritas Obscurum]

I started vaping again two months ago. What really helped me quit three days ago was that I prepared for it. I knew it was going to take nothing short of a perfect vape so I spent a lot of money on gear and now I'm going on Day 3 of not even touching a cigarette and not even craving one. I read the forums, watched youtube videos, and read product reviews to get to where I am now.

tl;dr If you are having trouble quitting, consider upgrading your gear and don't buy anything less than 24 mg if you feel you are not gettin enough vapor. If the nicotine kick isn't there, you need to upgrade your rig and get 24mg juice.

 

[Grimwald]

Out here in one of the big square western states, I bought cigarettes from the Native American reservations. Cheap, harsh and nasty. I quit rather quickly in about 3 days...I wouldn't say it was easy, but it easier than expected.

I was actively trying to quit, lozenges, gum, timers, yada yada...and that might be the key. It is probably a lot easier if you're really ready (mentally) to quit.

 

[Rossum]

I was smoking "light" BT branded stuff, presumably full of whatever they add, 2 PAD if I spent the whole day at my desk. I didn't really set out to quit, just to see what portion I could replace with vapor. On the first day, 90%. The second day 95%. The third and fourth day, 97.5% (down to just one analog). And that was with "starter" gear. Then I visited a local B&M, got some better gear and have been analog free since. I still have 3-1/2 packs of analogs in a drawer. I keep 'em there as proof that I don't need 'em anymore. I do use some WTA juice (but it's by no means the only stuff I vape).

 

[Huckleberried]

It took me 3-4 weeks to fully transition. I decided one day to take my vape only on break, instead of cigs, too. I started leaving them in my car after that. A big part of it for me was fear. What would I do if I removed the option to smoke!? I discovered, I'd vape

 

[Jarbs]

smoked camels, then rolled my own, then mavericks over the course of 13 years and since i started vaping, i've bummed a few at holiday parties from friends because silly drunken me thought it was a good idea....until i smelled myself after. plus, i'd much rather toot away on ecto cooler or strawberry malt than burning death fumes.

 

[Mr.travo]

I started smoking while I was in the Army so I would quit dipping. The plan was to only smoke for a few months to a year. 10 years later the cancer sticks were really getting me. My better half had been smoking for 12 years and having the same problem. We bought Cig-a-likes and they were ok. I was doing well but she wasn't. I wanted to check out a vape shop and I could tell she wasn't that excited about it. She thought it would be another lost attempt. We went after work and we both walked away with Ego Twists. Once she tasted the cinnamon, she was hooked and never smoked another cigarette. She actually gave away her still full pack a few days later. Since switching to pure vape, we have not touched a single cancer stick and don't want to. We converted her mom (smoker for 35 years) a few days later. This weekend we are actually at the ranch with her brother and his wife with all of our "gear" talking to them about it and letting them try all of our flavors. They just said that they want to drive to the vape shop tomorrow so we might all be good to go!

Anyway, that's our story!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[iamzg]

I smoked a pack and a half a day of either camel non filtered or camel wide menthols and have made the switch with little interruption. Who knows?

 

[ExCon]

I still smoke 0 to 5 analogs a day. I consider it to be just a stupid habit. I can go one week without smoking analog an it doesn't cause any distress at all. But in some cases I just feel the need to light up a cigarette, i.e. when I'm driving in a car because that's some sort of 'tradition' for me. I guess it's just more like a psychological addiction rather that physiological.