The vape is not enough...

[AllCoExPat]

After a month living with V4L, I have a confession to make... vaping just isn't enough for me. I absolutely love my gear and use it w/ 36mg like it's going out of style, but I haven't been able to shake loose of the smokes after getting down to 5 a day and back up to 10-15 this past Friday. I'm guessing that in addition to the nicotine, which I should be getting plenty of with 36, there's one of the 4000 other chemicals in the smokes that really scratches my itch.

So yesterday I picked up a tin of Camel Snus instead of Marlboro Lights to see if that would help take the edge off and so far it has been a huge help. Yep, I know it's still a big tobacco product and that it's not as healthy as getting off tobacco altogether, but it seems like something that could help get me over the hump. I'm seriously jealous of all who were able to set down the smokes with the first vape.

Ya know, the funny thing is that I didn't come to vaping to quit smokes... but now that I'm here it seems like the thing to do. I'm going to stick with the vaping to get my hand-to-mouth fix and my "basic load" of nicotine, but for the time being it looks like it'll be snus to get me over the really rough patches. Maybe this is a little (or alot) off the forum topic but it always feels good to share. We're all addicts here one way or another, right?

 

[CAarnold40]

Actually, (and someone correct me if I'm wrong) but I believe there have been studies done & snus is much safer than analogs or regular chewing tobacco or dip. So if that is true, then turning to snus is probably a great alternative for you.

 

[Adrenalynn]

You've been vaping about two weeks. Took more than two weeks to develop the smoking habit... I think you might be more impatient than is warranted at this point.

 

[AllCoExPat]

You've been vaping about two weeks. Took more than two weeks to develop the smoking habit... I think you might be more impatient than is warranted at this point.

lol, paitence has never been one of my virtues. I've actually been vaping for five weeks yesterday. The date on my banner is, well, the date I got my banner. Have just been too lazy to fix it.

 

[geeker]

It took me from April to September to get off the smoke. Give it a little time.

 

[Mary Kay]

There are quite a few of our ECF Vets who use snuss! They have been vaping or over a year and in one case I think, two.
Whatever keeps you off or down on analogs is the best thing foryou. But Lynn is right about it only being a few of weeks. Keep on keeping on my friend.

 

[keyzygirl]

Just do the best you can.Do what feels right for you,and dont worry what anyone else thinks or says.Its up to you whats best.

 

[CatMommy]

AllCo:

I've been vaping since November 1st...and...I still use analogs.
But going from 1.5 pks a day to 3-7 analogs a day is fine with me for now.

I applaud all the vapers who got their PV and dropped the analogs immediately but that is not the way it is for me and I knew that going in. I'm making this as gradual a trade-off as possible because I've failed miserably with other attempts in the past (patches, gum, lozenges, etc.).

My point: Do what YOU need to do in your time frame and don't base your success on what others have accomplished.
Everyone is different, so feel good about where you are now and work from there with whatever methods you feel are necessary.

As the many wise people on this board have said: Any analog avoided is a victory...remember and focus on that for now. All else will fall into place in time.

 

[Tenebrae]

Thanks for posting this guys. I was really getting concerned that a few of my converts are still smoking regularly even when they use 36mg stuff. I was concerned that they were going to be making themselves so addicted that analogs wouldn't even cut it anymore.

I was one of those 'found my flavor and analogs are gross now' folks so it is hard to fathom the mindset of those who can do both. I am kind of envious actually... the world smells terrible and I would love to be able to deaden that sense again.

 

[AllCoExPat]

TI am kind of envious actually... the world smells terrible and I would love to be able to deaden that sense again.

LMAO! I found this out a few days ago... when I noticed the horrid smell coming from my garbage disposal. I have no idea how long it's been like that! 8-o

I appreciate the feedback from everyone here. This quitting thing can be a real PITA, but "hanging around" and learning from folks who have been there and done that or are there and doing that makes it a much easier thing in my mind.

 

[CatMommy]

Thanks for posting this guys. I was really getting concerned that a few of my converts are still smoking regularly even when they use 36mg stuff.

Tene...this may cause concern with me as well.

Nicotine is nicotine no matter where you get it. There does have to be some type of a trade off/supplementation.

If you tell me these people are smoking a pk/day (you'd have to define what you mean by "smoking regularly" and what their original smoking habits were) and chain vaping 36mg, I might say it's doing more harm than good for the nic addiction as well.

In other words: If someone is a pack a day smoker and they are still a pack a day smoker in addition to vaping 36mg...well I would say that is not helpful at all. Just my opinion...

 

[SingingWolf]

I've been looking into snus too, although I haven't gotten any.

Gone from the 1+ pack a day to about 2 analogs a day (on average... except for week before last when I was smoking 1 analog to every 3 my friend was chain smoking right before her wedding. *sigh*) Finding that around the 11mg range works for me but I still want my evening cig.

But I'm getting there.

 

[RanVapor]

Hang in there, man. Keep tinkering and trying new flavors, pretty soon the vaping habit will replace the smoking one. My first week I followed all the same routines I had when smoking like going outside for breaks, walking the dog, in the truck, before and after meals, grilling meat and drinkin beer, etc. Even carried my zippo around for a while.

If you get tired of dipping the snus...you can soak it in VG and vape it with a 3-piece

 

[bornagainst]

Do what ya gotta do to get off analogs. With the options you have, why not?

I, for one, used nasal snuff to get over the tough patches (which was pretty much all the time). Snuff, Snus, whatever works, all the power to you.

 

[Brandnew vper]

Gradual is the way to go. I wasnt a pick up my PV and never look back person either. I was smoking about 4-5 cigs a day for a week or so. Then i spent all my money on vaping juices and hardware etc.... So i had none to even buy a regular pack of cigs. That helped a lot. Cause without knowing it i forced myself to just vape. Luckily i havent had an analog in a while. Sometimes i still take drags from friends but they taste so weird now? not grosss just like metallic. But do what you gotta do no biggie. Give yourself a break.

 

[maxx]

The Vapor Gods are very forgiving. They will take back all those who stray, anytime...anyplace. You don't even have to sacrifice a virgin. I still enjoy a few analogs each day. And yes...I said "enjoy", because I still do. Vaping is good and sometimes...very good. But other times I want the smoke.

Just regroup, gather your weapons (snus, vape, snuff, etc.) and try again later.

 

[AllCoExPat]

Just regroup, gather your weapons (snus, vape, snuff, etc.)...

I've gotten very, very good at this part. The new "toys" are half the fun!

 

[wader2k]

I've been vaping for 2.5 weeks now. The day I received my kit from V4L I got a new job. I decided not to stress out over it and have not pushed myself to drop the cigs entirely. But it seems that during the week I've only been smoking 4-5/day and on the weekend it goes down to 2-3/day. And this is without really trying at all. No sweat!

Even at this rate I consider it a complete and total success and can see myself easily dropping the cigs entirely. I will say that I'm one of those that still enjoys a cig though....now that I can breath again!

No Stress.....take it at your own pace.

edit. I was smoking 25-30/day before all this.

 

[Smugface]

I was able to satisfy the analog urge by mixing my own liquid. I currently use a mix that is about 50/50 VG/PG. I get great vapor and throat hit. I use it with the 808's and a few mods I have made.

 

[plantlvr]

Man i consider myself so lucky that i was one of those that got off the cigs immediatly. But like catmommy says any cig not smoked is a win. I have a few friends at work that are vaping/smoking but they are struggling and I give a huge thanks to this forum and support for making my vaping so successful. I've tried telling that to my struggling friends to get on the ECF forums for advice and support, but I they don't.
Just keep on doing what feels right for you and we are all hear for ya!