I've seen this topic discussed on this forum before - trouble switching from analogs to e-cigs. Glad to know that others are struggling with this as well and found the feedback helpful. Have also heard that people who get on-line support have a better chance of quitting than those that don't so decided to sign up. I find myself reaching for a 'real cigarette' rather than an e-cig even though the e-cig will satisfy my craving for nicotine. I tell myself that I won't feel any better after an analog than the e-cig but I have a strong psychological addiction. There are times I'm highly motivated and want to make the switch but I generally end up backsliding. I'm wondering if I got support and was a position to support others, that it might strengthen my resolve. Wondering if others are having a hard time staying committed to switching.
trouble switching from analogs to e-cig
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How long have you been at it? I made the switch on Monday past, and you're right in that so much of this is habitual. For me, it gets easier each day, but for the first couple days I still reached for an ashtray when I grabbed my e-cig. I get into my car and start looking for my lighter. Try to anticipate these things (urges, habits) before they happen and you'll be better prepared to deal with them. Easier said than done of course, and I am by no means a veteran at this myself. I'm sure you'll get some great advice here.
Hang in there, it will be worth the effort!
Hang in there, it will be worth the effort!
First, count the ones you don't smoke, not the ones you do.
That said, what are you using for equipment? Have you found a liquid you really like the flavor of yet? What level of nicotine are you using?
That said, what are you using for equipment? Have you found a liquid you really like the flavor of yet? What level of nicotine are you using?
What really helped me quit the cancer sticks was finding a juice that I really liked? Until that time I was still reaching for a cig at certain times of the day. Once I found the right juice the sticks just didn't do it for me anymore. There is just no way that cigarettes can taste as good as your favorite juice. Hang in there and never quit trying to quit the cancer sticks.
I went through the same thing a few months ago. What worked for me was tapering down on the cigs, and instead I would vape. I went from a pack a day down to 15 cigs the first week, then roughly 10 cigs the 2nd week, and about 5 cigs a day the 3rd week. By the 4th week I transitioned over completely to vaping and haven't looked back.
It still took a good bit of willpower, but at least for me the tapering down over a 3 or 4 week period made it much easier.
It still took a good bit of willpower, but at least for me the tapering down over a 3 or 4 week period made it much easier.
Welcome to ECF and congratulations on starting the switch from smoking to vaping.
Addiction to smoking is a very complex thing, there are the chemicals(not just nicotine), and then there's the ritual/habit. For me the habit had a much stronger hold, which is probably why I still vape as much as I do, that and I enjoy it. As amoret said, it's all about the cigarettes you don't smoke, not about the ones you do. Don't see having a cigarette as a setback, see not having the (insert number here) as a huge step forward.
Finding the right equipment for you, and the right juice(s) will definitely help too.
Also, you're right about the online support, this place is great for that, not just technical questions. Most of us are here because we wanted to quit smoking, and everyone's experience is different, but it's likely someone else has been through exactly what you're going through.
Addiction to smoking is a very complex thing, there are the chemicals(not just nicotine), and then there's the ritual/habit. For me the habit had a much stronger hold, which is probably why I still vape as much as I do, that and I enjoy it. As amoret said, it's all about the cigarettes you don't smoke, not about the ones you do. Don't see having a cigarette as a setback, see not having the (insert number here) as a huge step forward.
Finding the right equipment for you, and the right juice(s) will definitely help too.
Also, you're right about the online support, this place is great for that, not just technical questions. Most of us are here because we wanted to quit smoking, and everyone's experience is different, but it's likely someone else has been through exactly what you're going through.
Just be patient, it took me a few months to totally quit. I really wanted to out them down though. Don't stress yourself about it and go at your own pace. It took me awhile to get rid of that morning cigarette. Now I just vape. On the other hand, my husband is struggling.
I'm using Vision Vivi Nova. 24 mg e juice. with a 1000mah battery. I feel like I'm getting adequate vapor and enough nicotine. The flavor is good. I wonder if Im missing those other chemicals they put in analogs but I also think its psychological. The fact that I think of analogs as "real cigarettes". I do monitor my analog intake and feel good when I lower those #'s. I've started using e-cigs several years ago but haven't been able to make the transition. I know everyone has to find their own motivation and I have medical reasons for needing to quit. I feel like I abandon myself and say screw it and give in to having an analog and then get frustrated with myself. I guess my problem is maintaining motivation and getting discouraged when I backslide. I have a hard time asking for help and support so this is a big step for me. Being new to this, I typed out a long response and lost it but am greatful all your feedback. I will keep you posted and am interested to know how you all are doing.
I had a difficult time at first. Like you said, it was psychological addiction, and my surroundings didn't help. I always felt like an oddball whipping out my eGo Twist, with my leaky Kanger TS3 in front of my friends. A lot of the time I would just say "F- it" and bum a cigarette from someone.
Eventually, my best friend turned to vaping, and we started really getting into the spectacle of how everything works. Once you start reading/discussing vaping with others, analogs become the oddball choice. That's when the whole routine/psychological addiction of cigarettes starts to wash away. You become sucked into a world where you're spending so much time hunting your favorite flavor juice, and thinking about upgrading your device in the near future, that looking back on analogs just seems so... aberrant.
The distraction from analogs that the vaping world provides is really what helped me forget about walking into a gas station and spending $7 on something that has very little vapor production, poor airflow, and awful flavor.
Eventually, my best friend turned to vaping, and we started really getting into the spectacle of how everything works. Once you start reading/discussing vaping with others, analogs become the oddball choice. That's when the whole routine/psychological addiction of cigarettes starts to wash away. You become sucked into a world where you're spending so much time hunting your favorite flavor juice, and thinking about upgrading your device in the near future, that looking back on analogs just seems so... aberrant.
The distraction from analogs that the vaping world provides is really what helped me forget about walking into a gas station and spending $7 on something that has very little vapor production, poor airflow, and awful flavor.
I quit analogs in the last month or so also. A friend quit by e-cig so I called her and asked her how she did it and her advice to me was:
1). Use high nic. I was a pack to a pack & a half a day American Spirit smoker and I started at 24nic juice
2). Never put the e-cig down. Keep it in your hand and with you all the time.
3). Don't try to taper, just call it quits and be done.
Umm, ya, I followed #1 & #2 but I couldn't just cold turkey. Tapering helped me a lot. I bought 2 packs (not at the same time) and started at 5/day and went down from there. I actually cut it down more by lighting one, taking a couple drags and putting it out and immediately going to the e-cig. It got rid of the craving but I wasn't going backwards in the process. Finding a juice that didn't make me ill was tough at first but once I got that going it was downhill. It was about 10 days of tapering. I kept one cigarette in my glove box as a just in case. Two days ago there was a traumatic event and I lit it up...I won't be buying another pack. The taste was horrible!! I think it's what I needed to finally stop thinking I was missing something. Vaping isn't as easy as I thought it would be, finding a set-up with the right vapor production, throat hit, good juice, etc. is a pain to get dialed in. I'm not there yet, still trying but I feel pretty proud of myself for getting to the point of being mentally done.
You can get there! You're halfway there just by asking what worked for others, the other half is finding what works for you. Just keep in mind it's a process, some people, like my friend can cold turkey it and others can't but the fact that you've started to quit is progress. Wishing you the best!!
1). Use high nic. I was a pack to a pack & a half a day American Spirit smoker and I started at 24nic juice
2). Never put the e-cig down. Keep it in your hand and with you all the time.
3). Don't try to taper, just call it quits and be done.
Umm, ya, I followed #1 & #2 but I couldn't just cold turkey. Tapering helped me a lot. I bought 2 packs (not at the same time) and started at 5/day and went down from there. I actually cut it down more by lighting one, taking a couple drags and putting it out and immediately going to the e-cig. It got rid of the craving but I wasn't going backwards in the process. Finding a juice that didn't make me ill was tough at first but once I got that going it was downhill. It was about 10 days of tapering. I kept one cigarette in my glove box as a just in case. Two days ago there was a traumatic event and I lit it up...I won't be buying another pack. The taste was horrible!! I think it's what I needed to finally stop thinking I was missing something. Vaping isn't as easy as I thought it would be, finding a set-up with the right vapor production, throat hit, good juice, etc. is a pain to get dialed in. I'm not there yet, still trying but I feel pretty proud of myself for getting to the point of being mentally done.
You can get there! You're halfway there just by asking what worked for others, the other half is finding what works for you. Just keep in mind it's a process, some people, like my friend can cold turkey it and others can't but the fact that you've started to quit is progress. Wishing you the best!!
First, be kind to yourself. One less is ONE LESS! Celebrate your successes.
If the whole "cold turkey" thing just isn't the best answer for you, maybe you could draw up a plan. For instance, decide that no matter what, today you will not light an analog between noon and 2 pm. Then, each day, add an hour or two to your absolutely NOT time period. Whether you choose time or number of cigs a day or whatever, just make a deal with yourself that this is how it's going to be.
If it's is what you want to achieve, you will. Be kind to yourself on the journey.
If the whole "cold turkey" thing just isn't the best answer for you, maybe you could draw up a plan. For instance, decide that no matter what, today you will not light an analog between noon and 2 pm. Then, each day, add an hour or two to your absolutely NOT time period. Whether you choose time or number of cigs a day or whatever, just make a deal with yourself that this is how it's going to be.
If it's is what you want to achieve, you will. Be kind to yourself on the journey.
So far from what I have read and with someone near me it can be done or at least cut down the analogs a lot.
Just the early days for someone I know and after decades of smoking they have cut down their day to day analogs by two thirds.
So far they have just tried a few liquids and have really enjoyed say three to four so far of the ones tried.
At this point they are still wanting liquids that remind them of analogs and thinking what a banana liquid that won't be like a smoke or not make me want a smoke. Though some flavoured liquids like a coffee one they liked and when i mentioned that one of the liquids they like has some vanilla and caramel in it they were surprised.
I feel some people may think they have an allegiance to analogs having smoked them for so long but if someone i know who has like 5 cartons in their wardrobe so they don't run out has at this early stage cut down the analogs a fair amount then it is possible for anyone to do the same.
Just the early days for someone I know and after decades of smoking they have cut down their day to day analogs by two thirds.
So far they have just tried a few liquids and have really enjoyed say three to four so far of the ones tried.
At this point they are still wanting liquids that remind them of analogs and thinking what a banana liquid that won't be like a smoke or not make me want a smoke. Though some flavoured liquids like a coffee one they liked and when i mentioned that one of the liquids they like has some vanilla and caramel in it they were surprised.
I feel some people may think they have an allegiance to analogs having smoked them for so long but if someone i know who has like 5 cartons in their wardrobe so they don't run out has at this early stage cut down the analogs a fair amount then it is possible for anyone to do the same.
Four years ago I quit analogs and moved to ecigs. Back then 510 attys and blue fill foam were the greatest. It was OK but I always had to had that first analog in the morning. I vaped 36mg and that was the only way to control the urges during the day. Two years later, due to complicated circumstances I returned to analogs.
The second time I quit, we have kayfuns, advanced vw mods and this wonderful forum.
This time it was a breeze to change. A rebuildable atty and a good mod will make you forget analogs in a heart beat.
Don't pound yourself if you smoke an analog sometimes. You will drop it eventually as you progress in vaping.
Nowadays, when I wake up I still crave... But I realised that I'm craving for nicotine, not analogs... I grab my mod, vape on it while I make coffee for myself and prepare some food for the kids and by the time I'm ready to dress myself, no cravings anymore
Good luck
Regards
Tony
Sent from my GT-I9195 through Tapatalk
The second time I quit, we have kayfuns, advanced vw mods and this wonderful forum.
This time it was a breeze to change. A rebuildable atty and a good mod will make you forget analogs in a heart beat.
Don't pound yourself if you smoke an analog sometimes. You will drop it eventually as you progress in vaping.
Nowadays, when I wake up I still crave... But I realised that I'm craving for nicotine, not analogs... I grab my mod, vape on it while I make coffee for myself and prepare some food for the kids and by the time I'm ready to dress myself, no cravings anymore
Good luck
Regards
Tony
Sent from my GT-I9195 through Tapatalk
I had the same problem. I'd want an analog with every fiber of my being. So, I backslid a whole lot. I realized that I need more nicotine for shorter periods (like smoking a cigarette). To me, it felt like I was always sucking on my ecig and still craving an analog.
I was a 1 1/4 pack a day smoker (for 36years) but I'd smoke fast and double hit my cigarettes usually due to time constraints. I needed up "nic up" and get back to work.
So (this applies only to me) I finally figured out what I needed to do. I had someone make me a 40mg nicotine/juice. That's right, 40mg strength. Each time I started wanting an analog, I'd take a couple of vapes of that. I needed to be careful as it will make you sick quickly. I'd put that juice away when the relentless analog thoughts subsided and continue vaping my normal strength juice (18mg).
I have finally found a way out of analogs with this method. I only use my high nic juice 2 or 3 times a day now (on week 3 for me with this method) and I am planning on having them make me a lower dosage high nic juice for the next bottle, probably a 35 or 36 mg in strength. I used to hit the high nic juice much more often, but the need to do so is quickly fading.
Just my .02. I don't suggest this for anyone else but it did work for me. I don't even want an analog now typically except for the morning. Then, it's high nic for a hit or two and on with my analog free day.
I was a 1 1/4 pack a day smoker (for 36years) but I'd smoke fast and double hit my cigarettes usually due to time constraints. I needed up "nic up" and get back to work.
So (this applies only to me) I finally figured out what I needed to do. I had someone make me a 40mg nicotine/juice. That's right, 40mg strength. Each time I started wanting an analog, I'd take a couple of vapes of that. I needed to be careful as it will make you sick quickly. I'd put that juice away when the relentless analog thoughts subsided and continue vaping my normal strength juice (18mg).
I have finally found a way out of analogs with this method. I only use my high nic juice 2 or 3 times a day now (on week 3 for me with this method) and I am planning on having them make me a lower dosage high nic juice for the next bottle, probably a 35 or 36 mg in strength. I used to hit the high nic juice much more often, but the need to do so is quickly fading.
Just my .02. I don't suggest this for anyone else but it did work for me. I don't even want an analog now typically except for the morning. Then, it's high nic for a hit or two and on with my analog free day.
Yep.. High nic or high efficient vaping method will do.
I get a faster nic buzz with 18mg on a kayfun wicked with rayon at 13w than I ever got on a ego T and 36mg nic.
It's all about getting a quick fix
Smoked two packs daily for 28 years BTW.
Regards
Tony
Sent from my GT-I9195 through Tapatalk
I get a faster nic buzz with 18mg on a kayfun wicked with rayon at 13w than I ever got on a ego T and 36mg nic.
It's all about getting a quick fix
Smoked two packs daily for 28 years BTW.
Regards
Tony
Sent from my GT-I9195 through Tapatalk
Hello, Jill . . . Welcome to the ECF Vaping community.
Don't beat yourself up, so to speak. One less cig a day is a victory in itself.
Continue to vape and look forward to the day when you are finally smoke free.
Don't beat yourself up, so to speak. One less cig a day is a victory in itself.
Continue to vape and look forward to the day when you are finally smoke free.
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