This chain smoker has finally quit!!!

[Wenlamei]

*Ok, ok. In reading this before posting it I do realize I've written a novel. Thanks, and put on your patient face, if you attempt to read it.*




Greetings to you all!

I would say that I'm new here, but that wouldn't be quite accurate. I've been lurking for awhile. So while I may be new to you, you all seem like wise old friends to me. You've been such a wealth of information! I can't thank you enough. And you are all SO supportive of one another. You guys are clearly such a great group of people, and I hope you'll allow me to join your ranks. Here's my story:

I started smoking 16 years ago, which is kind of a bummer considering I'm only 30 now. For at least 5 years I've been a very heavy smoker averaging 2 to 2 1/2 packs a day. I've developed asthma, I can't walk up a flight of stairs without needing a break, and I've lived in a constant state of guilt about how my smoking will effect my children, (they'll emulate my smoking, smoking in the house when they aren't around, smoking in another room with several fans on when it's 3 degrees outside, the occasional "we're late" smoke in the car, etc). I've done the patches and gum and so on with no success. So, I started looking into the PV.

I've been hesitant about diving into the whole vaping thing because it seems so, well I know not to you, but to us noobs ... complicated. I wanted to make sure I got the right PV and the right accessories, and the right liquid and I just kept changing my mind. Finally, as a Christmas gift, my ex-husband, (yes, we're still friends. Yes, I know that's weird), bought me an eGo, (thanks to you guys and your advice), with a couple 900 mAh batteries and a couple attys, (really, do you need yet another thank you?? ) I started using it the second I got it and haven't put it down since! I was obviously hopeful that it would help me quit but I never imagined I'd be this successful. Yes, there's still been times I've thought of reaching for an analog, but I haven't done it. I'm amazed, and quite proud I must say, of how quickly I've taken to this.

My only real complaint is that my friend mistook cartridges for cartomizers and I've so blown through those. And I'm not an effective dripper, even with my pretty pink drip tip and all the instructional videos I still make quite the mess. But, I ordered a couple sets of cartomizers today and I'll use what I've got to get through until then. I've also ordered a bunch of different flavors of liquid from a couple different vendors, (yes, yes, all recommended by you guys ), that I can not wait to try out. I'm already a bit tired of the tobacco stuff that came standard with the kit.

I really don't have many questions regarding the process or the equipment, as all of them seem to have been answered at one point or another on this forum, but I've not seen anyone address the sort of ... emotional type issues. For instance, I am determined not to be one of those "I quit smoking and now I'm the greatest stuff ever" type of people. I know how hard it is. I don't want to judge. But things are definitely changing for me. As an example, I had all of my friends and family over for Christmas. Most of them are smokers. And since the smell of smoke is currently extremely off-putting to me, I requested that they hit up the enclosed porch. And it was cold. And I feel like a right jerk. These people love and support me and are quite proud of me for quitting, but I still feel horrid. Plus, I really am proud of myself. I feel like I've climbed this sort of insurmountable mountain and I want to brag. More so, I want to put on a shirt with light up arrows pointing to a message that says "I haven't smoked in this many days!!!" Yet, while I know they support me, I realize they don't want it shoved down their throats. Nor would I have a week ago. Anybody have any stories or advice on how to deal with all of their smoking friends? It's surely appreciated, as I'm just a giant ball of guilt over the whole thing.

So, that's about it for me. I'm happy to be here and I look forward to getting to know all of you. So far, in my meager 3 and a half days, this has been a really enjoyable journey. At the risk of sounding melodramatic this seems life changing. Not only for me, but for all of the people around me. My son, who just turned 6, heard me flick my lighter to light a candle tonight and he said to me "Mama!! You don't smoke those yucky kind of cigarettes anymore!" and I assured him I wasn't and showed him the candle and this child, who could only have learned this terminology from listening to conversations not intended for him said, "Oh, I am so glad it was just the candle. 'Cause you don't smoke those nasty things anymore. Now you're just a vaper."

By the way, my name is Wendy. And 3 and a half days ago I quit smoking. It's sooooo nice to finally meet you all!!!

Thanks again for reading this monstrosity,
~Wendy

 

[Sainted_S]

Welcome, Welcome Wendy!

You got a sweet starter kit! It's gotta be nice to have an ex like that.

Don't feel like a jerk about asking your company to smoke on the porch. Being an ex-smoker you know that in some houses you just don't light up...no biggie. I was very surprised this Christmas because, though I didn't ask them not to, not one of my family smoked in the house.

Dealing with smoking friends has been easy for me, most see that I have quit and more importantly that I don't look longingly at their cigarette when they are smoking and become curious.

 

[pkj]

Hi Wendy and Welcome (finally) to the forum.
Glad you are here and I thank you for sharing your story.

When I first started vaping, it bothered me too when I was around smokers. That passed quickly and now I don't mind being around smokers. I try NOT to be around them because I don't care for the smell. So I understand what you are saying about your friends / family. Don't be too hard on yourself. It is your home. You do have a right to say what does and does not go on in your home.

We have not allowed smoking in our home for over 10 years (and I was a heavy smoker). Many people require smokers go outside to smoke. It is a new proceedure for you, but it is something many have been doing for years.


Believe it or not, the newness does wear off on your vaping and your enthusiasm becomes more manageable as each day passes. You have every right to celebrate. Something tells me that as your friends & family see the success you are having with your PV, you'll be getting questions from them about equipment, juice etc.

Welcome. I look forward to reading your posts.
Happy Vaping,
Paula

 

[abechik]

Hi Wendy ... welcome and congrats on your 3 days... me almost 3 months ... and my family is more than happy ...

vape on

 

[Rosco]

Ya done good Wendy, on several fronts. Quitting the cigs, not allowing smoking in your home, keeping a positive attitude and approach, reading all the great info here on ECF, setting a Fantastic example for your children. That's enough for now, don't want to overwhelm you with goodness.

On top of all that, if it's anything like my experience, your own body will be thanking you daily. You taste everything better, you feel better, you smell everything better, YOU yourself will even smell better.
It's all good, so congratulations and stay strong.

 

[dormouse]

Grats Wendy!!!! I also smoked a really long time - maybe a decade longer than you. I feel so much better off of cigarettes. My sinuses aren't stuffed and dripping all the time, I'm not coughing all the time, and my breathing is better.

Now maybe you can try converting your friends! I brought a few PVs to work with a fresh filled carto or cart for each and had my boss try them. I definitely piqued his interest. You could get some cartos or carts and fill one up for for each of your smoking friends and so they could try them on one of your batteries next time they are over.

 

[Wenlamei]

Aw ... I went to scrub out my new cast iron skillet, (being a foodie is my other addiction), and you guys already responded. I'm not even surprised by your awesomness!!

Thanks so much for your well wishes!! I remind myself that it's my home and take comfort in the new non-smokey smell I'm establishing, (one friend even commented on how nice it is to finally be able to breathe in my house), but I still kind of feel like a jerk sending my friends out to the cold wet place that I, just a few days ago, would have been visiting with them. Still, I think they understand. And I'm sure these guilty feelings will subside. After all, I have done my porch time.

Yes, I am lucky to have such a decent starter kit and such a decent ex to provide it. But, as with any relationship situation it's not that cut and dry. Still, I'm grateful he got me such an amazing gift!

I do so hope to convert them. Without being annoyingly pushy of course. My mom has an overpriced PV that she doesn't really care for. As she's my best friend perhaps seeing my success will convert her. I can hope anyhow.

Thanks again guys!!!

~Wendy

 

[Hrtbrkr1965]

Hello and Welcome to the forum! Sounds like you are off to a great start! I try not to be preachy but am sure to let them know I have quit smoking and it seems they are interested to know about it having known me and knowing that I was THE HARD CORE SMOKER makes them curous!
Made my father in law mad a few months ago as I was coughing and smoking in my house he said "you should quit smoking" to which I replied "i'm no quitter"! LOL He bought me and the wifey our 1st kits and actually let me vape in his house during Christmas and was happy about it!
I let any of the smoking family members try it if they wanted to as that first tobacco flavored throat hit made me aware that this could really work! Hope it has the same reaction on them! 1 of them wanted all the info yesterday as to where to learn more and where to buy one and you know I sent them here! These people at ECF are amazing !

 

[Nekoshi]

Echo on the congratulations, Wendy. I can definitely empathize, as I went through the same "what to buy", "what flavors to start with", "what if this doesn't work" scenario. Finally (with the encouragement of my gf and a close friend of ours) I took the plunge and am the proud new owner of an M402. Like you, I've been at it a little over three days. I did smoke two nixiestix the first day, and one the second, but I haven't touched one since that. I've gotten a ton of encouragement and support from friends and family, both smokers and non.

I also have the "shout it from the hilltops" urge, both about quitting, and how the PV has worked when nothing else did. I don't even crave a nixiestik now. I've already noticed an improvement in my sinuses and my coughing. I love my PV and I am never going back to the analogs. I'm a firm believer in personal choice in the matter, so I have to catch myself and not "preach" about it to all my smoking fiends...lol.

I've only been around smokers when I was outside, so not sure how being cooped up with it would affect me, but I'm switching from organic handrolls to the PVand I already hated the smell and taste just from giving up the tailor-mades. All of them were curious about the device, and four of them have already expressed an interest in possibly switching to vaping. One is super-psyched about having a "cigarette" that tastes like chocolate.

I definitely believe you about it being life-changing. I turned 40 on the 9th of this month and went through what amounted to a short but very fast mid-life crisis...lol. I passed on the sports car and a fling with a 20yr old in favor of making steps to improve the quality of my life. One of those decisions was to quit smoking.

I say, congratulations to all of us.

 

[grandmato5]

Congrats Wendy!!! Feel free to come on ECF and tell us as often as you'd like how proud you are of yourself for giving up those analogs !!!!! We love to hear those stories !!

Honestly it can be hard but you're gonna have to curtail your excitement with your smoking friends. Some of them may decide to join you in vaping and then you'll have lots of opportunity to share the excitement with them but until they make that decision themselves keep your excitement to a minimum and THEY WILL thank you and be much more likely to decide they wish to join you in vaping then if they think you are attempting to force your decision on them.

It can be hard to now tell your friends and family them have to smoke outside when at your house BUT it is NOW a house of a nonsmoker and you ARE going to want to get that nasty smell of smoke out of your house and the only way to do that is to make smoking be an outside only thing. Its a good thing that you do have an enclosed ouside porch for them to smoke on when they visit you.

 

[texasgranny]

Congrats Wendy on finding your way here and the start of this new journey.
I too am a 45 day noob and yes, still shouting to all my analog friends about this "miracle"
Some listen, some don't.
Hopefully the one's who did not, will relook at this when I am at my 2-3-6 month mark
of NO analogs and revist this option as my time frame of quitting, is past the "just a fad" mark
Glad to have you and hope to hear more from you along the way.

 

[tigerlily]

Welcome and grats on your success.

As far as dealing with friends and family that still smoke, I personally have not made any changes. When I ordered my first e-cig kit I ordered one for my husband also. He refused to use it saying he wasn't interested. So I obviously have had to deal with quitting analogs while still having a smoker in the house. Personally, I didn't feel it would be fair to make him change his ways simply because of a decision I made to change my own ways. His smoking hasn't really bothered me, but I will say I can smell it on him and have to bite my tongue sometimes to avoid telling him to bathe and change clothes. An interesting update on this: Today he is starting work on a jobsite the does not allow smoking anywhere...even the parking lot. He is faced with putting in an 8 hour day without smoking even during lunch. Guess what he did? Yep, asked to borrow my eGo.

 

[Jp Infante]

I suggest you to brag and show off your new toy.. Maybe you can help your friends quit analogs and get into vaping.. (Don't be greedy!)

 

[BestLion]

Hi Welcome,
First thing to note.. Rome wasnt built in 1 day, and 100% changing over night is unlikely to happen, odds are that you WILL return to analogs, just how often is the question. Myself i figure I have went from 100% to now around 10% analogs-cigars.
Whens starting out like you..you'll probably start around 50-50..then hopefully you can get to 90-10 or maybe 100%
you were a 50 cigarette a day smoker so this change overnight wont be totally easy, and you will find most ejuices dont really taste like an authentic cigarette.
Your best hope lies in the amount of nicotine..i would suggest 24 mg. then try to get a decent substitute taste for what you had. These are the most fundamental things you can do!
I personally don't think you will or can give up analogs if you were a 2.5 a pack day smoker for 10+years. This will take lots of time and trail and error.
Your on the right road...if anything lets hope you can cut analog consumption down at least by 1/2.. i pray you do..My brother who is now 40 started the same time you did smoking and he had a lung collapse on him this year, and the Dr told him if he don't quit smoking he'll be dead by 45 years old.. Also he looks horrible like a .... -head..and he only smokes 2-3 packs a day.

 

[Infernia]

Congrats Wendy! You are so lucky to get a great kit from the start. Now to start grabbing up sample e-liquids to try out.
I know what you mean about the celebratory issues. My family doesn't smoke so I was like the black sheep in many ways. They were nice enough about me quitting but the support was a bit hollow. I'm pretty sure they have no idea how hard it is to do this.
I came here for the pats on the back when I needed it. The forum is a good place for this. And it's a great place to come if you have a problem or even just slip up and have some analogs. The people here are all full of good advice and tons of support. Reminds me of a stage dive. One person falls into the crowd and though they should have hit the ground hard; instead all those hands and all those people gently move them back to where they should be.
I need more sleep... deprived since Christmas eve. Take care and Congrats again.

 

[mlinky]

Wendy we LOVE a good new vaper story. In fact, what you say is so familiar, it reminds me of the incredible high that I had when I first got my eGo. I do recommend getting some high nic juice for those days when you might crave a cigarette. Keep us informed of your progress, we'd love to hear about it, and we are here for encouragement any time you need it.

Welcome!

 

[spits]

Congrats Wendy. I am right there with you, 3 days and no analog cigs. Its a great feeling!

Good luck and keep on vaping!

 

[Stosh]

Welcome to ECF and Merry Christmas!

Congrats on giving up the cigs and resisting the urges, it gets easier the longer you vape.

Regarding the visiting smokers, the enclosed porch is fine for analogs, but you could offer
them a vape indoors. Your ego carts / cartos are 510 and would fit a couple cheap 510
automatic batteries, (they would also serve as a backup for you )

If the smokers could experience how little they missed the analogs if even for a couple
hours it might help. I was also a heavy smoker, "quitting" for more than 2 hrs was tough for me.
I offered a 510 /carto Jager-bomb, and a Hopscotch to a couple of smokers this weekend and
they are now interested in more information. No preaching necessary, just offer an inviting
alternative.

 

[Para]

It's a great day when anyone lays down cigarettes and cause for celebration !

I shared with one of my neighbors how I stopped cigarettes when I started vaping and got an earful. He called me a woose for not doing what he did; quit cold turkey. BTW, he's my favorite neighbor and a great guy so it didn't offend me. He quit 2 years ago at age 88. He smoked since he was 15 and gave it up because it was concerned for his health. True story; I still laugh when I think about getting chewed out by the coolest 90 year old around.

 

[Leyla]

Hi Wendy
A HUGE congrats to you and bleeding well done, you deserve every "pat on the back", you are an amazing strong person and I hope soon to be where you are It is a story like this that inspires some one like me, thank you.
Wishing you strength to strength.
Hugs Lxx