Trying to make the switch

[Bighorn]

Hello everyone,

I'm a Colorado native. An avid outdoorsman. My hobbies include but are not limited to backpacking, fishing, hunting, mountain biking, classic cars, and woodworking. I'm a big time dog lover. Also enjoy movies, music, art, philosophy, history, photography, and theology. I'm a former teacher currently back in school for wildlife biology. I'm strongly libertarian and thus believe in primacy of individual liberty and responsibility. I respect and support the right of individuals to live as they choose free from government or societal control.

Trying to get away from smoking and figured connecting with those who have experience and knowledge would be helpful.

Been smoking far too long. I enjoy it, but not the negative consequences. I've thought about this for a while and finally picked up a few V2 disposables the other day to try it out. Starting off slow, trying to cut my smoking in 1/2. Thus far it's not a satisfying alternative, but I believe it will get better. At work, at school, and with a family I do pretty good. When I'm home alone it's too easy, enjoyable, and habitual to smoke instead.

There's definitely a lot of pluses for me aside from the obvious health reasons... Not smelling like smoke. No nasty butts. Being able to use them pretty much everywhere. No fire hazard. I want to make this work. There are a couple things I'm struggling with. Figuring out how to use them without coughing, which seems odd for a long time smoker. Getting enough nicotine and a pleasurable hit to satisfy my urge to smoke tobacco. Figure these issues can be remedied with some research and effort.

I appreciate the opportunity to draw upon the knowledge of those here and I thank you for the time and thoughts you share.

 

[Lessifer]

This post may help with the two issues you're having: http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/ecf-library/337017-inhalation-technique-e-cigarette.html

Aside from that, the disposables are an okay intro to vaping but there are a lot of options for batteries and juice delivery devices that can give you a much more satisfying experience. Tell us a little more about yourself, how much did you smoke, what kind of budget are you looking at? A lot of new vapers start off with, or quickly move to, what is known as an ego. An ego is a stick type battery, about the width of a cigar and can vary in length, they last a long time on a charge and can accept most if not all juice delivery devices.

Welcome to ECF, congrats on trying to make the switch, don't be shy about asking questions, and best of luck

 

[jt_buck]

I recommend that you try a bunch of different flavors. If the flavor sucks, your experience will as well.

 

[Bighorn]

Thanks for the encouragement and info.

I know there's better products than disposables, but thought it wise to do a little more research before I invest. In regard to budget, it would be nice to spend less than what I spend on cigarettes. However, I would be content spending the same amount on a product I'm happy with. A little under a pack a day (camel lights) is what I smoke at typically $4.25 a pack. Would like something small enough to carry in my pocket. As for battery life, I plug in my phone every night and have no problem dong the same with a vapor device. Would be fine with carrying extra batteries when I'm away from civilization. Would prefer something that doesn't look too wild since I'll be using it in public. Flavor probably won't be a huge issue for me. Have been using red and menthol in the V2s. Both are fine, but I prefer the menthol.

I'll check out the ego and link you provided.

Thanks again.

 

[SonHouse]

Don't skimp on your device. I went from 1 to 1 1/2 PAD to about 4 mg of eliquid a day. That costs about 2.00 versus the 4.50 you're spending now. $2.50 per day over a 30 day month is $75 saved each month. Get something that works and works well, by maximizing your chance of being successful, you're also saving money in the long run.

 

[23duncster23]

I recommend that you try a bunch of different flavors. If the flavor sucks, your experience will as well.

Yeah I really agree with this. I would grab several sample packs. See what you like and order some bigger bottles. Your vaping experience is going to rely pretty high on flavor up front. You want something that will satisfy you and keep your from sneaking analogs.

 

[Thin]

When I first got into vaping I had times when a vape just didn't cut it - I needed a cig. As I've now been completely cig-free for a fair length of time I've discovered what IMHO is required to make you GENUINELY desire a vape. It's quite simple...decent kit which produces a decent vape, and decent flavors. Marry that to your body's correct nicotine level and you've got it (as long as you genuinely WANT to quit smoking and be a vaper).

Get yourself a couple of eGo batteries and Kanger evods or something (they'll never go wrong even if you upgrade, you always need spares), and get a few flavors. Try a few different "categories" of juice, like maybe a tobacco one, a sweet one, a citrus one etc. Try 18mg nicotine (this suits most former smokers to begin with), or get 24mg if you reckon it's more nicotine you need. If you then find it too strong but you like the flavor just buy 12mg or something next time and dilute one with the other. There's really no quick answer - what's I like you might hate etc, best scenario is to find a vape buddy and swap juices around.

Edit - typo

 

[retired soldier]

When I first started vaping while smoking also, I couldn't inhale the vapor without coughing and it felt quite uncomfortable. The day I quit smoking and just vaped, the uncomfortable feeling and coughing when inhaling, went away, and I could enjoy vaping far more.

 

[Cyrene]

I think the coughing when first starting to vape is normal. I did that too, now I can vape very strong pulls, without any issues. It's different than smoke, it's a vapor, and you need to get used to that. I agree with everyone, try sample bottles or small bottles that don't cost much and give them a try before buying any large bottles that you are stuck with. The set-up is a big deal. Once I got the set-up I liked, I quit smoking, and never looked back. I still went through withdrawals the first few days off smoking, but I vaped heavy thru them. Once you find a good set-up and a good flavor, it will be much better for you. But always remember, it is not smoking, and you can't get the exact same feeling from it. But if you keep at it, you will notice that you like it better....at least I do. Good luck!

 

[iloveunicorns]

The biggest plus side to me going toward vaping other than for health reasons is cost. My husband got me an awesome setup. The amount of juices he has mixed for me will last me for several months. The total cost for nic concentrate and vg was 50 bucks. As a woman, I like the fact I do not have the offensive odor when going to work and hanging around my child. I call this stealth smoking because no one knows I am getting my fix.

 

[TwentyYrsPlusSmokr]

Greetings Bighorn,

Started Vaping : July 1st, 2013
Stopped Smoking : Not Applicable

I'm definitely not your experienced vaper here but from a cigarette smoker...this is my opinion :

I doubt disposable cigarettes (cigg-a-likes) is going to satisfy you. I recommend you 'invest' in a Variable Voltage e-Cigg.
Changing the voltage has made a difference for me. Increasing the voltage has changed the flavor and throat hit and made my experience feel alot more like smoking. Increasing the voltage can and will make a HUGE difference in your experience.

As for recommending a Variable Voltage e-Cigg model/brand to you . . . . well, I'm not experienced enough to educate you in that matter.

 

[TBPlayer2112]

Initial start up costs can be a bit expensive. I'll echo the other posters in saying that you really can't go wrong with a Ego Twist/Vision Spinner VV type batteries, a couple EVod clearomizers, some replacement heads and juice. Here's a video of forum favorite Phil Busardo using the Evod on a Twist battery. It also includes a recoiling tutorial but I wouldn't worry about that just yet. Once you figure out what you like and don't like you can narrow down your purchases and start saving money. I used to spend @ $180 on cigarettes a month. Now that I've settled in to my vape routine I've cut down my habit expenses to $60-$75 a month, depending on if I try something new.
Also drink plenty of water, especially since you're just starting out. The PG/VG in e-liquid are humectant's and can dehydrate you. So up your fluid intake a bit. That was the best advice that I received when first starting so I always pass that on to new comers.
You've made the right choice by taking an interest in vaping. Good luck on your journey!

edit: Also, don't forget a battery charger. You laugh but I've read people's posts who forgot to order one. It's also good to get two batteries to start so you can use one while the other is charging, or in case you get an uncommon battery failure.

 

[WalkinRuin]

Welcome bighorn,

I too am outside and active. You'll notice a big improvement in your lungs and breathing. It's the best part of quitting smoking IMO. Climbing hills and recovering almost immediately. I don't like corporate interference in our lives either anyhow...

I also used a cig-alike, an NJoy from 7-11, until I bought something better. In my case it was an eGo style type kit (Inferno from Volcano). The kit came with everything so I could get going right away until I figured it all out. So far that has been all I needed. I keep reading about Vamo, Provari, REO, Zen, VV, VW etc but I think I'll stick with the eGo. It's has enabled me to quit smoking and, for me, that is the main thing.

Regards,
Ray

 

[Bighorn]

Just ordered an ego twist, charger, and iclear 16. Don't think I'll get as into it as some folks do, but I wanted something decent. Discovered there's 2 vapor shops near by for me to try out liquids. Switching isn't as tough as I thought. Finding that I prefer it to smoking. Always hasted the lingering smell. Got a rechargeable V2. Went all day until my battery ran out. 3 people I work with asked me about it and are now very interested in switching. Anyway, I bought a 2nd battery on the way home even though I wont' be using it long. It's good enough until I get the better set up. Always good to have back ups and a more inconspicuous option for plane rides, theaters, etc. My official quit date isn't until the end of August so I'm ahead of the game. Plenty of time to pick up another ego battery or other things I may end up wanting.

Thanks for all the thoughts and suggestions.

 

[90quattrocoupe]

Smart move. That is the way I started, except I went with cartos and tanks. It has been great. Went, in the first week from 1 carton a week to 1 pack a week. By the 3rd week I was down to 1 cig a day. 4th week, I no longer smoke. I have my ego twist and 4 tanks for different juices, and I am good.

Hang in there.

Greg W.

 

[Magan]

I've only had the coughing problem one time & it was with a particular juice called Fire & Ice, which was a mix of...you guessed it.. cinnamon & menthol. It was absolutely delicious & I'm not new to either flavor so I don't know what was so different about that one but I had to stop after one tank because every hit made me cough. Have you narrowed it down to a type of juice or is it everything you vape?

 

[Thin]

The OH half and I didn't set a "stop smoking" date, we said if it took a day, a week, 6 months, or a year then that's how long it would take. We started with crap kit and underpowered nicotine strength but still managed to cut out half the cigs on day one and halved it again day two. A vaper mate at work figured out our dilemma and gave me some higher strength nic, and once that was in our (still crap) kit neither of us had a cig for about 4 days. Even then, I didn't particularly crave a cig, rather found that I was missing something from my 30 year habit, so I had one. This went on for about 4 weeks - sometimes sort of wanting one for no reason, and having one. As time went on I found better tasting juice and better kit and genuinely wanted a cig less and less, and a vape more and more. I must've smoked about 40 cigs in those first few weeks (former 25 roll ups/ day guy) but can now happily watch others smoking and not want one. Oh and we still have about 5 packs of tobacco in the drawer about 6 feet away from me as I type - and neither of us has any inclination to smoke it.

Hope this helps