Switching one bad habit for another?

[Oregon Linda]

Welcome to ECF! I originally quit smoking with wellbutrin and nicotine gum. But I never could get off the gum, and it just became more and more unsatisfying because it didn't give me the hand-mouth routine of smoking or a taste that I liked. I knew I was going to end up smoking again when I decided to try ecigs 2 years ago, and they have really worked for me. I haven't wanted a cigarette since. If I'm still an addict, then so be it. I'm also a caffeine addict. But I don't think vaping or coffee is going to kill me either.

 

[sucram]

Its the lesser of 2 evils. I havent had a cig for 3.5 years, but for some stupid reason i had an urge a few days ago. Not sure why, i hate the smell but it passed soon enough. Mind over matter.

 

[Frenchfry1942]

About 4 years ago, I was talking to a older guy who said that he had quit many years ago. I guess I mentioned that I was hoping to quit and be done with cigs. He said, "oh no, I would LOVE to have a cigarette, it doesn't go away. I would love one right now." I was surprised since I didn't think that he had smoked for a long time. I know everyone is an individual, but it did not give me a good feeling. I don't want to be "drooling" for a cig.

Anyway, I switched overnight and started vaping 36mg juice. I knew it was a high concentration, but I wanted to get the confidence that it would work. If I could just not need to pick up a cigarette. It did work, and 36mg was a lot. I didn't get sick, I just didn't have a physical urge. I had psychological urges; like when I first get the car started to go to work or after a meal. Anyway, I switched to 24mg within days.

Slowly, without stress, I have dropped down over the last year and a half. I appreciate vaping, I respect what it has done for me and what it can do for others, and I have found a hobby. I was vaping Strawnilla (strawberry & vanilla cream) tonight. I enjoyed it.

Finding flavors that are personally satisfying can be hard. Try a lot or buy small bottles if you can't try it first. I trade/give to friends or give to a new vaper.

Compared to smoking, vaping is a blessed gift.

 

[AndriaD]

About 4 years ago, I was talking to a older guy who said that he had quit many years ago. I guess I mentioned that I was hoping to quit and be done with cigs. He said, "oh no, I would LOVE to have a cigarette, it doesn't go away. I would love one right now." I was surprised since I didn't think that he had smoked for a long time. I know everyone is an individual, but it did not give me a good feeling. I don't want to be "drooling" for a cig.

Anyway, I switched overnight and started vaping 36mg juice. I knew it was a high concentration, but I wanted to get the confidence that it would work. If I could just not need to pick up a cigarette. It did work, and 36mg was a lot. I didn't get sick, I just didn't have a physical urge. I had psychological urges; like when I first get the car started to go to work or after a meal. Anyway, I switched to 24mg within days.

Slowly, without stress, I have dropped down over the last year and a half. I appreciate vaping, I respect what it has done for me and what it can do for others, and I have found a hobby. I was vaping Strawnilla (strawberry & vanilla cream) tonight. I enjoyed it.

Finding flavors that are personally satisfying can be hard. Try a lot or buy small bottles if you can't try it first. I trade/give to friends or give to a new vaper.

Compared to smoking, vaping is a blessed gift.

That need to prove it to myself and be confident it would really work was why I switched gradually, over a month's time; making it a game to myself, to see how many times I could substitute vaping for smoking, and the number I smoked each day just went down and down and down and... gone. Blessed gift, yes; blessed MIRACLE. I never thought I could quit, because I never thought it could be done without suffering -- e-cigs proved me wrong!

Andria

 

[Charlice]

Congratulations on one month cigarette free! It's a huge achievement after smoking for so long.
I smoked for just over 30 years, and after switching to vaping just over 4 months ago, I can now walk to the bus stop without feeling like I'm going to collapse. I feel a lot better now than when I smoked.

It's still a habit, but just from how I feel now, I know it's not as bad as smoking. I'm happy with my choice to switch, I know I wouldn't of stopped without it.

Find a setup and juice you really enjoy, and the process will be a lot more enjoyable.

 

[carolo43]

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.

Ain't that the truth! I enjoyed your post (and the others) very much this morning. I'm not going back to cigarettes ever. Don't even want one. I don't think I even care if I have nicotine or not. Right now I'm kinda happy just going through the motions of smoking but not afraid to add a bit of nicotine if I want. I've already gone to work on my daughter and my best friend to try vaping. Thanks for posting.

 

[Steamer861]

I smoked 40 years + I loved smoking, still would today if not for heath risks.
Trying to quite with no nic juice is going to be hard! Nicotine isn't the bad guy.
Give your self a good fighting chance to quite with a PV get some nic in the juice.
I smoked about 40 cigs a day and started with 18 mg juice, a little over a year latter I'm at 6 mg nic
Today I can honestly say I will never smoke again and it's been with the help of vaping that it is now possible

 

[carolo43]

Congratulations on one month cigarette free! It's a huge achievement after smoking for so long.
I smoked for just over 30 years, and after switching to vaping just over 4 months ago, I can now walk to the bus stop without feeling like I'm going to collapse. I feel a lot better now than when I smoked. Find a setup and juice you really enjoy, and the process will be a lot more enjoyable.

Finding the right set- up might be the trick. Not too nuts about this Chinese knock-off I picked up on Ebay. I'm growling at it already and just got it yesterday.

 

[MiamiMom63]

Yea, I'm being lazy to go back to your original post but I think I remember you said you got an ego-t. They aren't the greatest. They are ok I guess initially but you would probably get a lot more satisfaction from something like a Kanger Istick 30 watt mod with a tank like a Kanger sub ohm mini tank. That's what I have recommended to new vapers lately. And if you ask, you will get a ton of suggestions in here. But I think that setup is easy enough and good for a new vaper. But the tank will hold a lot of juice for you and the throat hit and vapor is way more than an ego-t. But also it will require a direct lung hit instead of puffing into your mouth and then inhaling so it takes getting used to but is easy to get used to.

 

[MiamiMom63]

And initially it does take trying a lot of flavors to find what you like. Whether fruits or coffees, desserts, tobacco's, etc. I tend to prefer vanillas and butterscotch creamy type vapes but everyone likes different.

 

[AndriaD]

Yea, I'm being lazy to go back to your original post but I think I remember you said you got an ego-t. They aren't the greatest. They are ok I guess initially but you would probably get a lot more satisfaction from something like a Kanger Istick 30 watt mod with a tank like a Kanger sub ohm mini tank. That's what I have recommended to new vapers lately. And if you ask, you will get a ton of suggestions in here. But I think that setup is easy enough and good for a new vaper. But the tank will hold a lot of juice for you and the throat hit and vapor is way more than an ego-t. But also it will require a direct lung hit instead of puffing into your mouth and then inhaling so it takes getting used to but is easy to get used to.

Kanger doesn't make the iStick; those are made by Eleaf.

Andria

 

[edyle]

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.[/QUOTE]


I think I know the feeling.
I dropped to 0 nic very fast in a few months when I first switched over in 2013.
But I soon felt it didn't matter much as long as I didn't use higher nicotine levels; I generally use 3mg approx. but occasionally have been vaping some 24mg at 8 watts for the last few months but I'm probably going to drop that to 12mg based on experience - it's too stong for me - I tend to chainvape.

If you know what your blood pressure used to be before, take a check on it.
Mine was always 130-140 over 90, and since I switched to vaping its now normal: 120/80

 

[carolo43]

And initially it does take trying a lot of flavors to find what you like. Whether fruits or coffees, desserts, tobacco's, etc. I tend to prefer vanillas and butterscotch creamy type vapes but everyone likes different.

Confusing as heck. I don't know what goes with what. Perhaps you meant the Kanger subtank mini?

 

[MiamiMom63]

You are right, Andria. I'm sorry. I have two of the eleaf isticks and for some reason I was thinking they were made by Kanger also. Sorry for the confusion.

 

[Bob Chill]

I've been vaping for just over 2 years and all I've found since knocking off decades of smoking are benefits. Some folks here have been vaping for 8 years without a single documented negative health effect. Millions of people around the globe are current vapers and nobody can find any evidence of true negative health consequences. And they are being sought after with deep pockets and agendas. Make no mistake about that. But oddly, nobody can find anything conclusive so they make up scary ghosts instead. So, is vaping actually a "bad habit"? The jury is still out but I've made my decision until factual and unbiased data tells me otherwise.

I've come to the conclusion that nicotine is good for my wiring. Just like coffee. I have no guilt whatsoever. I've only found personal benefits to vaping so I see it as a good habit. I have no intentions of quitting or going zero nic. I like nicotine quite a bit. I don't over do it at all just like I only drink 1-2 cups of coffee a day. 2-3mls a day of 6-8mg juice. Everyone is different and everyone is free to make personal choices. Anything from 0 nic to high test is equal in my book.

I have a hunch that over the next 10 years, modest nicotine consumption is going to be proven to be beneficial to your health much like caffeine. If it happens I'm going to point my finger at every ANTZ and do just like Nelson on the Simpsons does..."ha ha!"

 

[Robino1]

Its the lesser of 2 evils. I havent had a cig for 3.5 years, but for some stupid reason i had an urge a few days ago. Not sure why, i hate the smell but it passed soon enough. Mind over matter.

I've heard it said many times, it is the 3's that you have to watch out for.

3 days
3 weeks
3 months
3 years

Those are the times that cigarettes want to strongly raise their little butts and try to get you to smoke again.

I am coming up on my 3 year mark in October. I hope I am prepared, I think I am prepared.

 

[Alien Traveler]

even if they discover vaping is harmful it can't be worse then smoking.

So what? Welcome to less harmful but still harmful dependance?

As far as the nic, in the quantities we consume, it really is like caffeine

Who is "we"?

 

[Alien Traveler]

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 did not quit, I almost quitted when I started to vape. I was just tired from quitting and decided that a bit of harm I am getting from vaping does not overweight pleasure from vaping and removes urge to quit again and again.
You may want to use a bit of nicotine (3 mg?); there was a bit of research showing that nicotine could be beneficial for senior citizens in prevention/relieving symptoms of such diseases as Parkinson and Alzheimer.

 

[Flyguide83]

I have been analog free for 11 months now and feel so much better! The fact that I can breathe and smell are leaps and bounds ahead of where I was. I no longer smell like a smoker and do not have to go step out for a smoke and return stinking!
Also, my alergies are significantly less and I do not get sinus infections on a regular basis. I started at 18mg and am down to between 0 and 6mg on my juices. Where it is available, I try to buy 3mg but not all manufacturer's make it in that range.

I was able to go straight 0mg for 3 months and felt no I'll repercussions. I do enjoy vaping and feel that it is a healthier addiction than the alternative.

My wife-to-be doesn't like it though and has made it clear that she wants me to quit when it's time to try for children. We shall see!
good luck!

 

[RosaJ]

Do people who chew nicotine gum call themselves "nicotine gum addicts?" Nope. Why would you call yourself an "ecig addict?" I enjoy eating, I don't call myself a "food addict" nor an "oxygen addict" because I breathe. Society seems to love to put labels on people. You no longer smoke period.

Congratulations on making the decision to vape instead. Welcome to the forum and enjoy the journey!