Two Weeks, First Impressions

[DDDWho]

I've been vaping full time for 2 weeks now. I've had a KangerTech Mini Pro 2 for a year and 1/2 but never got serious. I've not smoked a cigarette that 2 1/2 weeks.
The first thing I've noticed is maintenance, vaping takes a lot of "get it right" assembly or it won't work, with smoking just light it up. I've made special trips to the vape store just for guidance. When my unit broke down the other day a trip to the vape shop cost me the price of a new unit and 5 coils, they were running a special (CHEAP). They did get me back up and vaping again however.
Is vaping cheaper than smoking? Not so far, perhaps when I get all of the gear bought it will settle down and even out somewhat.
I smoked for 60 years. Not only was I addicted to the smoke and its contents I was addicted to the movements of smoking, doing something with my hands, it became my security blanket. Vaping makes me change some of those habits but not all. I still look for the pack while holding the vapor machine in my hand. However the sight of vapor exhaling is as satisfying as smoke.
I now find myself being more satisfied with vaping, the nicotine rush is enhanced and I love the throat hit.
I never smoked in the house, always outdoors in all kinds of weather. I have my chair with the small table beside. I use my ashtray as a vape stand now. I still vape outdoors.

 

[Eskie]

That sounds a lot like me. Same thing of needing something in my hand, and just the ritual of lighting one up. I've been vaping for 7 months without a cigarette, and feel great away from them. Same thing, being able to stay inside and vape rather than run outside for a smoke. And there is something about seeing the "smoke" that reinforces the satisfaction.

Cost wise? Depends on how much a pack of cigarettes are where you live (~$11 by me). Yes, there's the initial cost of the setup. After that, it's just juice and coils, with a little TLC to keep your hardware happy and working. Once you're comfortable with vaping, and have a pretty solid idea on what kind of juice you like (and there are lots, which can run up a bit of money if you sample everything by mail unless there's a vape shop near you) you can always mix it yourself, which cuts the cost considerably. If you're comfortable you can even learn to build your own coils, saving money there as well.

Bottom line is even if it did cost the same as your cigarette habit, you're not killing yourself with every puff. That alone is worth investment. But I'm finding it's already cheaper for me even with brand name liquids than smoking was.

Congrats on deciding to drop the cig habit!

 

[sofarsogood]

I've been vaping full time for 2 weeks now. I've had a KangerTech Mini Pro 2 for a year and 1/2 but never got serious. I've not smoked a cigarette that 2 1/2 weeks.
The first thing I've noticed is maintenance, Vaping takes a lot of "get it right" assembly or it won't work, with smoking just light it up. I've made special trips to the vape store just for guidance. When my unit broke down the other day a trip to the vape shop cost me the price of a new unit and 5 coils, they were running a special (CHEAP). They did get me back up and vaping again however.
Is vaping cheaper than smoking? Not so far, perhaps when I get all of the gear bought it will settle down and even out somewhat.
I smoked for 60 years. Not only was I addicted to the smoke and its contents I was addicted to the movements of smoking, doing something with my hands, it became my security blanket. Vaping makes me change some of those habits but not all. I still look for the pack while holding the vapor machine in my hand. However the sight of vapor exhaling is as satisfying as smoke.
I now find myself being more satisfied with vaping, the nicotine rush is enhanced and I love the throat hit.
I never smoked in the house, always outdoors in all kinds of weather. I have my chair with the small table beside. I use my ashtray as a vape stand now. I still vape outdoors.

I smoked for a long time like you. It took me six weeks to make the transition. 19 months later I consider myself cured, relapse proof as long as I can vape, may be even if I can't vape.

Yes there is a learning curve. Be patient. Vaping can be a LOT less expensive than smoking. I used to spend $3,000 a year smoking a carton a week. My cost of ingredients for a year supply of e lliquid is less than $30, which works out to about 8 cents a day. The time involved can be very minimal too if you want it to be. I put a fresh coil on my rda atomizer once every couple of weeks, a 20 minute job. I rewick about twice a week, a 7 minute job. Mixing fresh liquid takes 20 minutes regardless of the amount I mix. Lately I mix twice a month so I can experiment with percentages.

Once you've learned a few things and practiced the routine stuff you'll spend less time on vaping details than you spent standing outside smoking and you can save almost all the money you spend smoking. Vaping isn't cheap, it's free.

 

[Haktuspit]

Initial cost is always going to be larger for vaping. Think my first year I spent way more on vaping than I would have on cigarettes, luckily gear has come a long way since then so it won't be as bad for you as it was for some of us. That being said I'm now $4,740 ahead because of e-cigs. Also note, I've never built a coil and I've never DIY Juice, everything I have is from a vendor. (I know I need to learn ASAP!)

 

[gingertalk196]

Many of us are addicted to the rituals that are part of the smoking experience. I think that is why vaping works so well for many of us. Congratulations DDDwho on being two weeks off the death sticks and welcome to the forum too!

 

[daviedog]

Rolling coils, wicking, cleaning threads will become your new ritual.
After almost 6 years, I still miss the smell of naphtha..

 

[mcol]

Here when I started vaping it was more expensive. Mainly because
MO has a very low cigarette tax. 3 years in, and I get lazy and
I guess if prices stay the same there are some months I spend
as much as I would have if I still smoked, however I can do it a LOT
cheaper. There is an initial up front cost as you're learning, trying
out stuff, etc. You want to see what works and what doesn't.

 

[rico942]

I smoked for 60 years.

Wow, you must be "made of sterner stuff" than me ...

I burned tobacco for 46 years, and was certain that I would never quit ...

All I can tell you is that when my chronic bronchitis cleared up after 3 days of vaping, I was sold ...

Believe me, vaping will save you money (if they don't start taxing the out of it) in the long run ...

And we get to have a "long run" now ...

 

[Elvensilvan]

If you do compute for initial costs, you will find that vaping costs a LOT more than cigarettes (whose costs are just a lighter, an ashtray and a pack of cancer sticks).

But in the long run, the cost difference will gradually become smaller, specially when (and if) you dabble into DIY e-juice.

Thing is, I switched from smoking to 0 nic in less than a month, and cigarettes to vaping immediately. How much have I spent so far? About 300 USD ... and how much have I saved? About 250 USD ... but I do have enough supplies to last me several months (DIY e-juice base, flavors, cotton, wire).

And, as to my health? Well, I could say that I feel a LOT better.