Thanks so much all. Now just some straight questions ...

[Dalek]

... that hopefully have straight answers!! Bearing in mind I am not fussy about flavours, etc, I just want to to stop smoking cigarettes for health reasons, and save money, and dont care about what an e-cig looks like.
Which ones have the longest cartridge life, and how many cigarettes worth will it REALLY last for? You can assume 15 puffs per cigarette. How long can I reasonably expect an atomiser to last? Bearing in mind I smoke around twenty-five a day, I am looking for the most economical option. Can I expect to manage for around fifty quid a month (not including initial expense for e-cig itself, but allowing for atomisers as and when). For the sake of argument, assume I am buying one with a spare battery.
On a different note, I appreciate there is no tar or dangerous substance involved except nicotine. But people that give up smoking often say that theyir taste buds become better and they can taste food better. Can one expect this to any expect following a transfer to e smoking? I.e. Is it the nicotine or 'real' smoke that numbs taste? I am just interested. I still feel the throat hit with e-cigs which is nice, but will I really stop coughing and waking up with a feeling that my chest has been ripped up with a stanley knife from the inside? Sorry if I am sceptical, but it all sounds a bit too good to be true!! Thanks so much everyone.

 

[SmokingInTexas]

Wow. Your a curious one aren't you?


First, MY recommendation on an e-cig would be the pen style. I have pens and a mini, but I don't find the mini satisfying enough, though many people do like them. I would start with carts until you learn the e-cig/atomizer, then slowly move to dripping. I have found this method to be the MOST consistent and easy. Again, others use other methods, and it's a matter of determining/learning what works best for you.

I can't speak to cart life versus real. I "drip" and don't use carts. Also, I feel like I'm (still) getting more nicotine from the e-cig than I was used to with analog smokes, but I am still .... adapting. Also, I'm from the US, so for me a "quid" is just a mispelling of the word "Squid"

Atomizer life is a tough one. Just starting, you might go through a couple, learning the NEW habit. Also, many of us have had different experiances with lifespan, but I haven't yet figured out what the tricks/reasons are for the difference in longevity. I have been using (primarily) 2 generic pen-style atomizers for about 1.5 months and both are still performing very well (with occasional boiling/cleaning). I think I might actually have to replace a couple batteries before I will these atomizers. Again, others have had different experiances with atomizer life.

Hmmmm, about the ...effects. For me, my morning sinus issues have all but disappeared, I haven't felt short of breath, and smokers stink to me now. My friends and family also tell me I smell a LOT better. I generally feel healthier, though I have no scientific proof of anything. Honestly, I never intended to quit smoking when I started this, it was just sort of an accident. And, much like many who have posted in this forum, I was amazingly suprised at how easy it was to NOT smoke real cigarettes. I have now been 100% analog cig free for 8 weeks. I don't crave them, I don't feel edgy or nervous, and I am truly happy I decided to try the e-cig. In fact, on a couple of attempts at smoking a real cig, they taste like crap and I can't take more than 2 puffs before I throw it away. And now that I have left the "trial" phase of the hardware, I am beginning to see money savings as well.

Worst case, your out a little money, and have a funny story to tell. Best case, you replace a bad habit with a better/cheaper/more-satisfying one. Read around the forum a bit, you will find that MY story is far from unique, and hopefully we all will be reading about YOUR success sometime soon.

....and now back to your regulalry scheduled forum.

 

[smokindeuce]

Hi Dalek -

Welcome to the forum! Some good questions that I'll hopefully be able to provide some straightforward answers!

'Which ones have the longest cartridge life, and how many cigarettes worth will it REALLY last for?'

Well, generally the bigger the device, the bigger the cart and therefore the more liquid can be accomodated within. Some say that for instance the classic e-cig holds twice the amount of a mini. The e cigar also tends to hold a lot more.

In terms of 'how many cigarettes' per cart, most sellers claims tend to be over estimated. This is something that is a hard one to measure with so many different sized cartridges. I'd say, what you'll find more important when e-smoking to provide maximum vapour all the time is to keep the cartridge topped up with e liquid because even when the cartridge is half full, the performance will drop significantly. This is something you'll get a feel for after a while.


'How long can I reasonably expect an atomiser to last?'

This is something that is again a bit of an unknown. There are folks who get lucky and have atomisers that last months, or others who have atomisers d.o.a. - these are the extremes. What most people find though, is that as long as an atomiser has been pre-tested by the supplier, it should give you at least a couple of weeks use. Another point about atomisers, is that if you invest in an e-cig with a manual switch, make sure you don't over use the switch as this will overheat the atomiser and shorten its life.


'I am looking for the most economical option. Can I expect to manage for around fifty quid a month (not including initial expense for e-cig itself, but allowing for atomisers as and when). For the sake of argument, assume I am buying one with a spare battery.'

This amount should be enough as long as you do your homework on the most reasonable suppliers...

I'd say there are a number of things to consider here though as often a high initial investment could lead to cheaper overall device in the long run.

For instance Trogs screwdriver is a good example: although you may not feel like parting with £100, if you work out the figures over a sustained period, you'll soon see that with cost of cheaper alternatives going wrong, this is probably a much cheaper and more effective device long term. Also, the performance on the cheaper devices can sometimes lead to a lot of frustration and more probability that unless you have endless spares, you'll reach for the nearest analogue!

Janty also sell some great products with 6 month guarantee, and although cost for initial kit is around 99 Euros (£80) you have the peace of mind that replacement atomisers etc are covered. But make sure if you order from Janty to get a couple of spares for the times you may be without a part waiting for a new one to be sent over.

Then there are the cheaper generics. A kit will cost you around £30 and some say are just as good as the better known brands. The dse901 is a very popular generic, but from my personal experience didn't seem to cut the mustard. However as long as you get from a good local supplier, you can expect prompt delivery of spare parts within normally a 30 day period from purchase if anything goes wrong. These are perhaps a good introduction to e-smoking although if you do decide e-smoking is the way forward, you may later regret not spending a little more on the initial kit.


'On a different note, I appreciate there is no tar or dangerous substance involved except nicotine.'

This is not necessarily strictly true - again something that sellers initially claimed, but could result in e-cigs being banned all together as there is no solid evidence. The verdict is still out on the safety of the liquid which is used to create the vapour and clinical trials are being undertaken as we speak. The reports from people on this forum as you'll see from reading some posts is generally that they feel better overall and there are definitely some positive points to e-smoking, however it is still the great unknown.


'Is it the nicotine or 'real' smoke that numbs taste?'

Personally I'd say its the harshness of real smoke that numbs the tastebuds. The difference between breathing in hot smoke or hot steam thats your choice..


'I am just interested. I still feel the throat hit with e-cigs which is nice, but will I really stop coughing and waking up with a feeling that my chest has been ripped up with a stanley knife from the inside?'

Only time will tell, but if you search this forum, you should find all the answers you're looking for. Most report better chest and health in general.

 

[KatyS]

Dalek, I think the previous 2 post's say it all. This has been my experience also and I have been analog cig free for over 6 months. I started so I could smoke at the poker tables never expecting to quit smoking after 45 years of smoking. I too have experienced great health benefits, like no sinus infections, no cough, no wheeze, no chronic broncitis blah blah blah, lol. Even walked the golf course this summer. Hope you give it a try.