Two Time Loser Giving Vaping Another Try

[Thayamax]

Hello everyone. I've been an off-and-on long time lurker in the ECF forum. I first tried ecigs about 4 years ago with a cig look-alike. I went a whole week without smoking an analog and then gradually went back to smoking and giving up on vaping, mostly because of the taste. Eventually I came back to try again and found the Ego, which was the new rage at that time. The same thing happened again. I just couldn't find a good juice that I liked or kick the analogs. After working my way up to almost 4 packs a day, coughing and wheezing, and getting a tight aching pressure in my chest, I decided to give ecigs another try.

Imagine my surprise to find the new delivery systems that are out there now. Carto tanks and clearomizers were not around last time I tried ecigs, so I ordered a Vivi Nova, a Kanger T3 and a couple of Evods along with some sample juices in flavors that weren't available in the past. To my surprise, the Egos I got over 3 years ago are still working! I bought an Ego VV passthrough to try variable voltage on the cheap, and last night I sprung for the Segelei telescoping V3 VV/VW mod. I've found a few flavors of juice that I like and am trying this again for the third time.

I decided not to pressure myself trying to go cold turkey on the analogs this time. I'm still smoking some analogs along with vaping, but only a fraction of the number I smoked before, so that's a small victory. I'm just hoping I can continue vaping and cutting down on cigs without giving up like I did the last 2 times. That's why I finally decided to post after all these years, in the hopes of having a support system of people who've been through it.

Wish me luck. Hopefully, the third time is the charm.

 

[tidegirl]

the third time is the charm.

Hi thayamax. This is exactly what I was going to say! The way you are approaching it this time is the way I approached it- relaxed, casual, no pressure. Just don't give up. If you are still smoking fine, just keep vaping too and keep moving forward. You will get there. You found an awesome place for help and support- don't be afraid to ask for it.

 

[eratikmind]

Hello, thayamax . . . Welcome to the ECF community.

Remember . . . You are not a loser, as long as you are making a true effort. You can do it, this time. There's plenty of help and support inside these ECF walls.

 

[Kable]

Good luck. I have a feeling it's going to work for you this time. If you ever have doubts or questions, vent them on here. The best support and advice can be found here, and that can help swing the odds in your favor.

 

[Renolizzie]

I'm thrilled you are giving this another try.

 

[DuckysBooBoo]

Hi, welcome back to vaping. Good Luck to you!!

 

[Thayamax]

Thanks for your quick responses of support. I'm definitely gonna give this a shot.....again. I'm confident it's gonna work this time.

 

[absinthe21]

It's my third time too.....I think..maybe fourth....but I'm determined that it's going to stick. I had issues with juice leaking all over the place no matter what I did, and now I have a new system and leaking hasn't been a problem so I am hoping that this is the end of analogs for me!! Best of luck to you!!!

 

[laffs83]

Well done for giving it another go. Good Luck!

 

[solace.discord]

It's my third time too.....I think..maybe fourth....but I'm determined that it's going to stick. I had issues with juice leaking all over the place no matter what I did, and now I have a new system and leaking hasn't been a problem so I am hoping that this is the end of analogs for me!! Best of luck to you!!!

same here. best of luck to us all! and congrats!

 

[ClippinWings]

I decided not to pressure myself trying to go cold turkey on the analogs this time. I'm still smoking some analogs along with vaping, but only a fraction of the number I smoked before, so that's a small victory. I'm just hoping I can continue vaping and cutting down on cigs without giving up like I did the last 2 times. That's why I finally decided to post after all these years, in the hopes of having a support system of people who've been through it.

Wish me luck. Hopefully, the third time is the charm.

Good play... Remember it's all about the Cigarettes you DON'T smoke...

 

[mayday_]

Best of luck to you man you know were all pulling for anyone looking to get away ill tell you something that helped me when i quit you will not find something similar to cigarette flavors but thats not bad personally i love the flavor variety give some of the fruity flavors a shot or mix with some menthol for a stronger throat hit. Best of luck to you friend

 

[Toker Bell]

It can take a lot of experimenting to find exactly what you like, in hardware and ejuice.

I got lucky I suppose the first time someone shoved an ecig in my mouth. It was a Bedford Slims dark roast coffee flavor that I really liked a lot. After ordering some more I immediately gave up analogs. I also began trying various other flavors from other vendors. I was disappointed with most. They were okay, but nothing really grabbed me more than that dark roast coffee flavor. Then I began experimenting with other hardware.

After a couple months of trying many ejuices, including making my own (and also my own flavorings in some cases, such as making my own coffee and tobacco extracts), I found what I really liked and what works. I also tried many of the various cartomizers and atomizers and tanks out there too. I finally found a combination that I like. First, I like the BOGE 2.0 ohm LR cartridges, they produce a nice warm clean tasting vapor on a standard 3.7v 650mAh (or higher) battery. I like variable voltage batteries, such as the eGo c-twist. Second, I was surprised to discover my favorite flavors were the tobacco flavors (i.e. RY4, turkish, and Backwoods Brew tobacco ejuices). All those other flavors were okay, like strawberry, grape, orange, mint, honey, red bull, blueberry muffins, etc., but tobacco is my all day flavor preference.

I'm pretty hooked on the above cartomizers and the tobacco flavors now. I have absolutely no desire to go back to analogs. Even if I gave up nicotine one day, I might still keep vaping just because I really like the tobacco flavors I found.

Also, sounds like you smoke a lot, so you'll want to probably go for the 24 mg/ml ejuices. Just keep experimenting until you find what you like. If you have some particular issue with vaping that you can't figure out, ask around for a recommendation. If there is a particular flavor you're after, ask too, many will have tried something that matches your description. I.E. If you like a nutty tasting turkish, try Dekang Turkish ejuice. I.E. If you like a slighty sweet and mild/light tobacco blend taste, try Backwoods Brew Blend (it's GREAT too as a base for other flavors, like 5% Capella's Sweet Strawberry .. it's one of my top 5 all day vape flavors).

 

[Dave L]

There's a whole range of responses to that first vaping experience, from becoming an instant ex-smoker to trying it out and ending up with the PV in a drawer. I think more people fall toward the instant-ex end of the scale, but there's nobody telling you how you have to do it. One of the beauties of vaping is that it's a safe alternative, and as you said there is a whole range of equipment and choices that didn't exist a few years ago.

Smoking is a complex behavior, which is why gums and patches don't work very well. They just supply that tiny dose of nicotine without addressing the other forms of gratification that come from smoking. Even if they do work, it's still a process of sacrifice and giving up something you enjoy. That can be a good thing. But smoking involves rituals, and people live by hundreds of little rituals. Vaping instantly gives you something to satisfy the need for ritual.

So don't beat yourself up over failure to quit, we've all been there. Find a few juices you enjoy, and equipment you really like. I think the look and feel of the PV is important - it has to feel good in the hand. It has to please you. That's as important as any other aspect of it, and we're all different. Welcome to a great community, not just for hard info and support, but also a fun place to visit or hang out. Be sure to visit The Lounge!

 

[wandawag]

it is never a loss if you keep trying! good for you!

 

[SilverCloud]

The important thing is.... YOU'RE BACK! Don't give up! You'll find something that fits like a glove.

 

[Howi]

Congrats!

 

[nahoku]

Congratulations! I truly wish you success this time around!

I don't mean to pry, but I have a question... how did you manage to end up smoking 4 packs a day? I'm simply astounded that anyone can even find the time to do this. Did you have a job where you could constantly smoke while working?

Before starting vaping, I smoked for 38 years and have never went above 1.25 packs a day... and that was really above the norm for me. Since coming to ECF, I've been totally blown away by how much some people here have smoked. You're the highest PAD smoker I've seen yet! Wow!

 

[Kevin Freeheart]

I like to look at dual users as winning still.

4 packs a day is a rough, rough habit. If you vape and bring that down to a pack a day, you're still making a choice that's a LOT healthier (and cheaper) for you in the long run.

Even if you NEVER kick the analogs, you're still winning, my my metrics.

 

[DocNukem]

Congrats on giving vaping another try!

I was introduced to e-cigs about two weeks ago. I'm still smoking about a pack a day of analogs - but that's down from 2-3 packs a day before. Although my goal is to quit analogs altogether, I don't pressure myself about quiting. If I want a cigarette, I have a cigarette.

I admire those who are able to transition instantly from smoking to vaping. The old habit is too strong for me to do that, though. I also know that if I feel like I'm denying myself cigarettes by vaping, sooner or later I'll "give up" and just go back to smoking full time.

As it stands, I find myself reaching for an e-cig or my e-pipe more and more, without thinking about having a cirarette. I'm satisfied that in time I'll be able to replace my old habit with a new - but healthier one.

What ClippinWings said in post #11 is worth saying again: It's all about the cigarettes you don't smoke!

Doc