Switching one bad habit for another?

[carolo43]

I have smoked for 54 years. I have emphysema (stage 4) and STILL was smoking until a month ago. Makes you wonder how anyone can reach the age of 72 and still be so darned dumb! I actually did pretty well when I stopped with the help of chewing gum and hard candies but like so many others, the "act" of smoking itself was more missed than the actual cigarette, I believe.

I decided to pick up one of those Blu e-cigarettes. YUCK! Today in the mail come my first vapor cigarette, a eGo-T. Not much excitement there but not wanting to look like a volcano erupted from my mouth, either. But sitting here looking at this thing, I just have to wonder if I have simply switched to another bad habit. I am using the nicotine free e-juice because adding nicotine after being without it seemed like a step in the wrong direction.

 

[hurricanegirl100]

I went with 24mg nic when I first started vaping. That was almost four years ago, and I currently vape 12mg nicotine. As for the whole "switching to another bad habit" thing, I had a co-worker tell me that when I first started vaping.

You should just quit like I did, she said happily!

But, three years later, she's huffing away on her Marlboros and I haven't had a cigarette since October of 2011.
And that's all I have to say about that.

 

[SleeZy]

But sitting here looking at this thing, I just have to wonder if I have simply switched to another bad habit. I am using the nicotine free e-juice because adding nicotine after being without it seemed like a step in the wrong direction.

For long have you been smokefree since you don't use nicotine?

And yea even if you switched one addiction for another, it's the healthier one. And it'll help you to keep away from the ciggarettes. Most of us miss that hand - to - mouth feeling. Which vaping is great for! (And for many of us it becomes a hobby aswell! )

Welcome to the forums! I'm sure you'll enjoy it here!

 

[Sir2fyablyNutz]

Welcome to the forum Carolo43. I've reached close to zero in my vape, and to be honest the hand habit is now worse for me than the nicotine withdrawl. Enjoy your vape journey.

 

[anavidfan]

That may be true, some of us may have that genetic disposition of being an "addictive" personality. Those that were able to just stop might not have had that and it was easy for them.

If those of us that might have that tendency, then yes, it might be true we are giving up one habit for another.

All I can say is if we are those that prone to one addiction to another than its a matter of which habit is less harmful.

Maybe you decide to quit and you become addicted to food, or exercise, or a new hobby or even a religion. Most would say these are healthier? Maybe, Ive seen people addicted to exercise and they damage their bodies because instead of becoming healthier they push themselves to extreme goals.

You can look at all the other things one can direct that addictive energy into and find pros and cons to each.

Whatever makes YOU feel better about yourself is what you have to look into.

All I know is that I , like others here, physically feel better since I gave up cigarettes.

 

[Frenchfry1942]

Its a whole lot healthier. I told my doctor that I switched and he said good. He explained that, in my language, that nicotine has similar effects as caffeine does. I can smell, taste, and breathe better now. It is not overnight but, for me, was only a couple of months. Get your labs and a x-ray done to measure the changes. Good stuff.

I went to the dentist at about the 5-month mark and the dental tech. said I was flossing a lot better since my gums are healthier. I didn't tell her that I don't floss, I just realized that smoking was hindering the oxygen blood flow there, too.

My doctor and dentist have seen positive change. I have seen positive change. I think the real damage is with all the other chemicals that are in cigarettes. What is in ejuice, to me, is insignificant in comparison.

On another note, I have found a fun hobby. I find relaxation in learning, rebuilding and just juice testing. Finding a good flavorful vape is fun. Sitting at the breakfast table with a coffee and the newspaper and vaping a fruit flavor, or, sitting on the porch in the evening vaping a pastry is very enjoyable. I think my favorite breakfast vape is coffee cake.

I started out at 24mg and am now at 6mg. That is a 75% drop.

Life is really good. Anyway, do whatever you want, you are better off than smoking.

 

[carolo43]

For long have you been smokefree since you don't use nicotine?

I made it a month until one of my kids stressed me out and of course the first thing I wanted was my pacifier (cigarette). I looked pretty weird walking around with my ashtray in one hand and my Blu in the other.

 

[carolo43]

Welcome to the forum Carolo43. I've reached close to zero in my vape, and to be honest the hand habit is now worse for me than the nicotine withdrawl. Enjoy your vape journey.

Good for you. I should have tried vaping years and years ago and wouldn't be dragging around this bloody oxygen tank with me. But man.........I sure did enjoy smoking.

 

[SleeZy]

I made it a month until one of my kids stressed me out and of course the first thing I wanted was my pacifier (cigarette). I looked pretty weird walking around with my ashtray in one hand and my Blu in the other.

I do recommend you have some nicotine juice ready for occasions like that. It doesn't have to be strong, buy a 6mg or even 3 mg nic juices if you feel that you can vape without nicotine. And only use this with nic when you're stressed out.

 

[Cool-breeze]

even if they discover vaping is harmful it can't be worse then smoking. As far as the nic, in the quantities we consume, it really is like caffeine but if you feel compelled to stay off it go for it as long as you're not smoking. Welcome to the world of vaping!

 

[Frenchfry1942]

Sorry, I was editing as your posts were coming in. I don't stink, the car doesn't stink...life is a lot better.

 

[carolo43]

Sorry, I was editing as your posts were coming in. I don't stink, the car doesn't stink...life is a lot better.

Good for you. Wonderful how you've brought that nicotine way down in a rather short time. Now if I could remember to push the button for each puff, I'd have it going on. LOL

 

[Caro123]

welcome to ECF imagine you will find many interesting ideas here

 

[Caro123]

I have smoked for 54 years. I have emphysema (stage 4) and STILL was smoking until a month ago. Makes you wonder how anyone can reach the age of 72 and still be so darned dumb! I actually did pretty well when I stopped with the help of chewing gum and hard candies but like so many others, the "act" of smoking itself was more missed than the actual cigarette, I believe.

I decided to pick up one of those Blu e-cigarettes. YUCK! Today in the mail come my first vapor cigarette, a eGo-T. Not much excitement there but not wanting to look like a volcano erupted from my mouth, either. But sitting here looking at this thing, I just have to wonder if I have simply switched to another bad habit. I am using the nicotine free e-juice because adding nicotine after being without it seemed like a step in the wrong direction.

I am not certain that adding a little nicotine would be the wrong choice However you need to decide this I sure do think if it comes down to having a smoke or adding nicotine I would add the nicotine in a heart beat.

 

[MiamiMom63]

I smoked for 30 years and tried everything to quit and never could for long. I eventually figured I would die smoking. Then when I read online about ecigs, I figured I would try it. But that was four years ago and they weren't made that great and I didn't know anyone that used one, and there wasn't all the vape groups on the internet like there are now. This forum was the only thing I really could find that helped me. I don't consider it quitting one bad habit for another bad habit. I consider it using some alternative safe and effective treatment to keep me off the cigs and not kill me. I haven't smoked in four years and am now at 3 mg nic. The truth is I've always just really enjoyed smoking, which was another huge reason it was so hard to quit, and I see nothing wrong in vaping which allows me to still get my enjoyment and satisfaction without killing myself. It's saved my life. And I knew someone with COPD that it helped tremendously in reducing her breathing treatments and she felt way better. Keep reading and keep in mind there are always going to be people out there that don't know much about vaping and will think it's bad. I can give any solid argument against any bad thing someone has to say about vaping because the research is out there and a lot of people just hear false information and don't research it themselves. Good luck!

 

[mcclintock]

If you're happy not smoking and keep at it, go for that, but I'm guessing that's unlikely. It is a new addiction, that's why it works. It doesn't make cigs go away, or unappealling like Chantix is supposed to. It just results in something preferable, less physically addictive, and eventually might not want smoking to mess up the flavor of. I stopped vaping and went back to only smoking due to a concern at one point and it did take some effort and use of fear, because I liked it a lot.

 

[MiamiMom63]

I am not certain that adding a little nicotine would be the wrong choice However you need to decide this I sure do think if it comes down to having a smoke or adding nicotine I would add the nicotine in a heart beat.

And I agree with Caro123. Nicotine isn't what kills you as much as the tar and chemicals in cigarettes. Keep in mind that if you find you aren't being satisfied enough and feel the urge to smoke, there are different setups that hit stronger and different flavor a that you might like better. Keep trying different stuff at first until you find what satisfies you and don't feel guilty if you need a little nic to stay away from the cigarettes. And coming from some that thought they would die smoking, I can finally say I don't miss smoking at all and know I will never go back. I never thought I'd be able to say that.

 

[Bootiewootsy]

Welcome to this great group of people. I quite the smokes the day I started to vap. I was a pack and half a day smoker for over 30 years.
I talked to my Dr. and he was really glad and said he wished they had been available for his father who smoked and died from it.
He also said nicotine was not harmful it was the other things in cigarettes that were so bad for one. Nicotine is even good for ones memory.
I slowly cut the nicotine down to almost nothing, but once in awhile I will vap a tank with 12 mg with menthol as I was a Virginia Slim 120 smoker and I enjoy vaping,
I am a flavor chaser, make my own juice and enjoy coffee that is dark and sweet.
Hope you find a flavor you really enjoy and congrats on becoming a vaper.

 

[AndriaD]

And I agree with Caro123. Nicotine isn't what kills you as much as the tar and chemicals in cigarettes. Keep in mind that if you find you aren't being satisfied enough and feel the urge to smoke, there are different setups that hit stronger and different flavor a that you might like better. Keep trying different stuff at first until you find what satisfies you and don't feel guilty if you need a little nic to stay away from the cigarettes. And coming from some that thought they would die smoking, I can finally say I don't miss smoking at all and know I will never go back. I never thought I'd be able to say that.

THIS EXACTLY. Nicotine isn't the bad guy that all the ANTZ have made it out to be, and still continue to smear at every opportunity. If you find that you have a real urge for a real smoke, VAPE SOME NICOTINE INSTEAD!!! Unless you have absolutely runaway high blood pressure, nicotine won't hurt you -- but all that toxic smoke sure would.

You'd know pretty quickly if it was too much nicotine; dizziness, stomach pain, and nausea follow too much nicotine pretty quickly, but the discomfort doesn't last long, once you stop. I agree that if you've been off nicotine for any length of time over a month or three, you don't need much, maybe 6mg at the most.

Andria

 

[Hitcat44]

Stay the Course and don't sweat the Philosophical BS or the typical self-doubt Defeatism that will lead you nowhere but straight back to the Smoke-House. You come too far through too much and paid far too many Dues to lay down now.
That's just the Marlboro Man riding Joe Camel sitting on your shoulder dressed as the Devil spewing on your ears...
Trust the thousands here and millions World-Wide and Yourself.
Stay the Course and Vape On & Enjoy. It's a Good Thing and you're in a Good Place.
Pull up a Keyboard, whip out your Rig (don't forget to push that little damned Button), and join us in sharing and celebrating our Victories.

P.s. Former 30 year 2+ PAD Smoker. Now a 4 year & counting Vaper. Living, Vaping, and Lovin' It!
P.p.s. I started with GreenSmoke and Blu as well. It gets better. MUCH Better trust me.