Vaping isn't satisfactory. What's wrong?

[Bea-FL]

I was the opposite. It was a cigalike that got me off. Then again, it was a Vuse cigalike, which is 48 mg nic. It was only after several months that I started to hunt down other solutions to move on to as U saw the pile of empty expensive cartridges (which weren't even all that empty, just cut of by the built in chip) stack up that I found "real" vaping.

I do believe vaping offers smokers an effective path off cigs. But just as some people are successful with patches, gum, or pills, it's all a matter of discovering what works for the individual. Let's face it, not everyone who takes up vaping stops smoking forever. A lot do, a lot don't. It is one more tool to stopping, and one of the more effective ones, but it's not 100% effective, and I would encourage anyone who fails at vaping to keep exploring other solutions, even returning to try vaping again down the road when either they are more open to it, or whatever personal dislike has been corrected in the market.

My path was exactly like yours. And I agree with your second paragraph. We're all different. There isnt only one right way to quit smoking. The right way is the one that keeps you from smoking.I smoked even with a patch on.

I quit cold turkey for months. I smoked with a patch on. None of these "took". The first time I had a stressful incident it was right back to smoking.

With vaping it's different. A little over two years vaping, plenty of stressful incidents and didnt even think about smoking.

And I agree that @Mitesh Patel needs to up the nic. There is plenty of time down the road to decrease it. I would start with 18 or 24.

 

[mcclintock]

I didn't use willpower, I used flavor ... I also had issues with the different, lesser chemical effect of vapor and dual used for 9 months. I tried gum, it wasn't appealing enough to use a half a day much less pull me over to it for 9 months continuously. Progress was often invisible but I never reversed progress once in that whole time. It was something I liked better vs. something that made me feel a little better. I don't think it had much at all to do with "hand to mouth" but rather the immersive experience of pulling a tasty smoke or vapor into your face and lungs. I think I could have transitioned faster if there was understanding of the issues, but almost everything I heard at the time was I should have been able to just switch over immediately.

As well as flavor, another appeal is I was having some issues with smoking, so was always trying to smoke less, irritating. I can vape more.

Using more nicotine may just make you feel queasy, on the other hand some can handle it, maybe that's one difference between how it goes. Vaping to the point you feel sick may be evidence your body really craves a cig instead, but it may not need as much as you (want to) expect.

 

[Mitesh Patel]

When I started vaping, morning was the hard time. I had to chain vape for 45 minutes or so to get over the craving. Sometimes I would get a bit woozy, but I can't say it was like the buzz I used to get when I was a college age smoker.

Exactly! Morning is (or was now) the hardest time. But I'm getting by.

When I quit the only way was with Cig-A-Likes that tasted like Tobacco and then I moved on to Buck Naked American and Turkish Tobaccos. For me flavorless never would have worked.

Yup. I think I'll have to go for flavors. But I never liked tobacco flavor anyways. So I'm getting ready to explore other flavors.

Mitesh Patel,

I started vaping about 6 months ago. My goal was to vape at the office so I would not have to make so many smoke-breaks during my working hours, I do recognize that originally I never intended to stop smoking.

But after a few days of being a dual user I thought it would be a good idea to give vaping a serious chance so I decided to stop buying cigarettes ... and haven't smoked since then

A wonderful thing about vaping is that it offers a lot of choices, so everyone can find the vaping style that suits him better (devices, attys, mtl/dl, juices, nic, etc).

I do realize that:

1) Vaping is not smoking. You won't get a fast kick from vaping, it comes gradually so I invite you to experiment with different juices and nic levels until you find the ones that work for you. It may take some time but be sure it will be fun.

2) It might seem to you than vaping is no as satisfactory as a cigarette... maybe. But look the bright side, you will feel better and that process of rediscovering long forgotten smells and flavours will be encouraging!

My family is happy because I don't smoke so I find that very encouraging. Also, nobody tells me that I smell as an ashtray!

3) Yes, I had / have cravings. I started at 6mg and went to 18mg, now I vape a steady 12mg juice and still find myself craving for a cigarette but it happens less often now. As I don't want to smoke again I make sure I have always a device and juice at hand, I won't give temptation a chance.

4) Because I wasn't as satisfied I decided to focus in the fun side of vaping: it can be a hobby! A never-ending quest to find a good atty, a learning voyage (you will find reviews to read and vlogs to watch) , a challenge to build coils, etc.

I'm glad you found vaping as I just recently did. I hope your quest will be fulfilling and that you will have success quitting analogs.

I beg your pardon for my poor English.

Good luck!

Thanks for encouragement Tomas. I fast-forwarded your process. : )

The one cigarette I had to have was my first with my coffee. Or two or three.. Then I would challenge myself to go the rest of the day without. Still having the next morning to look forward to when I would allow myself another cig. Eventually made it a full day. Had the morning one, which turned out to be my last. Kind of annoyed I did and that was it.

That took a week after finding the right setup over a months period. Cigalikes v2,joyetech ego-c, 1300 vision spinner with an evod(quit here), vamo with a protank..and that was1/23/13

Genny's, mechs, rtas, bottom feeders,reos,CC, custom modified, DIY liquids...I haven't $aved a thing but, I'm healthier...

FDA BOC

I guess I may go to the same path, but we'll see.

Looks like you have been pointed in the right direction. I would only add that trying some flavors that sound good to you might help in getting off the cigs. I had no interest in flavors when I started, but once I found a flavor I really liked there was no way I was going to go for a smoke over that great vape.

Yup, Flavors.

In my personal experience, I went through withdrawals when quitting smoking and moving on to vaping. For me, I only allowed myself to have 2 cigarettes a day. After 2 weeks I dumped the cigarettes and went full time vaping and never looked back. After that it took me almost 6 months to find my all day vape and a device I truly liked. I truly believe there are other, a lot of other addicting chemicals in cigarettes besides nicotine. Like many others have suggested, try a higher nicotine level, but go MTL. I believe I started out at 18mg of nicotine. I smoked a pack to a pack 1/2 of red 100s daily. For some the transition takes time...hang in there.

No withdrawals I guess, in 84 hours at least.

So I've gone through so many kind words and advices. This is amazing camaraderie, especially in this brutal times. Thank you all.
I feel more or less what you guys are telling me.

So here is what I went through in last 4 days.

I was smoke free for 84 hours before I smoked one just 2 hours back. Guess what, it did give me "First Cig in the Morning" like buzz, but it wasn't satisfactory. I ended up vaping 10-15 minutes after that one cig. I remained unsatisfied.

I'd never tried quitting cold turkey because I knew that was not going to happen. That wasn't me. But 3 days before I tried to see how long can I wait before my next cig with help of vaping. And it was 84 hours.

I smoked before 2 hours not because of urge. There's no urge or craving as such I guess, because I can always vape whenever I like and tell myself that you've got your nic fix. I just wanted to see what is it with vaping that I'm missing. Turns out I can't figure out. Because now even smoking is not satisfactory.

I don't think I'll have a craving for cigarette like I used to get. But we'll see. Smoking a cigarette before 2 hours didn't seem like an experience worthy of repeating 10-12 times a day when I have vaping.

I initially thought of getting higher nic e-liquid, but then I'm an impatient man. So I thought why bother with it when I'm going to get itch of reducing the nicotine level sooner or later. I carried on with 9mg unflavored and vaped as much as I needed. Refilling (and recharging) iCare 3-4 times a day.

I guess the missing factor is flavor now with vaping. So will explore some flavors. But I think I'm off cigarettes now.

I am totally positive about the hobby aspect. I already had few ego type chinese pens from aliexpress & SS wires of 3 gauges from FT ready even before I vaped my first puff through iCare. Most of it was because I never wanted to look back after I start vaping. I'm a tinkerer at heart. I'd love this things.

I've done a lot of reading & I'll purchase different mods, but first I'll purchase a couple of backup iCares & few coils. Mech Mods entice me and I'll get or build some in future for the fun of it, but iCare thing fulfils my need right now. eGo style vape-pens I have will be used as back-up or test devices too. And I'll have to locate a reliable local source of nic.

So I'm not very confident, but I'm off the smoking hook - it seems. Thank you all for your support and advices. I'll wait for a full month to call myself smoke free but as I say, we'll see.

 

[Cheallaigh]

there is nothing wrong with dual vaping/smoking for the first bit, not everyone can instantly switch... both my hubby and myself dualed for 2 months before we quit.

 

[mongo74]

Same here, I was dual using the first nearly 3 months. About 10 weeks total to completely be analog free.

 

[Mitesh Patel]

there is nothing wrong with dual vaping/smoking for the first bit, not everyone can instantly switch... both my hubby and myself dualed for 2 months before we quit.

Same here, I was dual using the first nearly 3 months. About 10 weeks total to completely be analog free.

I think dual was what I was doing without realising it. I got my device 1 month back but was waiting for nic-vg liquid. Then one day I just filled the device with peach-flavored liquid 0mg (that I had bought 2 months back because I happened to see it at a shop) just to see if the vapor produced resembles to a smoke. I tried it and then asked friends to try it the next day. We all agreed that we didn't like peach flavor and we needed nicotine. Still we kept on vaping on and off with my 2 vape pens and an iCare all having that peach flavored eLiq.

Then my 9mg unflavored liq came and I tried for 2 days along with normal cigarettes and again me and friends agreed that it doesn't give a kick. Then I asked here and along the way started keeping on vaping until my cravings get the best of me.

I think what worked for me was the idea to just experiment and see how long can I delay the next cig and kept on vaping with what I had (9mg nic in a low powered device). Now that I've waited 84 hours without any serious discomfort or cravings for tobacco-cig, I look back and wonder what was I scared of so much? I guess the sense of finality - that I'll never smoke again, was scary, the way I think. So I kept it open ended.

What also worked for me is that I always hated and suffered the flavor of tobacco (no offence to those who love tobacco flavor) and had to use tea or gum while I smoke to suppress the tobacco flavor. So vaping gets me rid of that and still give me nic. That's a win-win I'd say. It's almost embarrassing to say that I came across vaping while searching for alternatives to tobacco just to get rid of the flavor. Health benefits became apparent after I kept on reading about vaping. And that sealed the deal. I waited quite a long time in preperations just so that I don't have to look back once I get started. : )

 

[Falco78]

I'd try 12 or 18mg/ml if current isn't cutting it

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[OlderNDirt]

Nothing says "stop smoking" like bundling up to step outside for 5 minutes in sub-zero weather for 20 years! Then after coming back inside, by the time it took to warm back up, it was time to repeat that process.

Happily vaping away as I typed that brilliant bit of information!

 

[Bea-FL]

Nothing says "stop smoking" like bundling up to step outside for 5 minutes in sub-zero weather for 20 years! Then after coming back inside, by the time it took to warm back up, it was time to repeat that process.

Happily vaping away as I typed that brilliant bit of information!

I hear you. I did the same. I lived in northern KY at the time. I remember shivering so hard I could barely hold the cig in my mouth.

 

[Eskie]

I hear you. I did the same. I lived in northern KY at the time. I remember shivering so hard I could barely hold the cig in my mouth.

Oh I remember those all too well. And dealing with the deadly stares from my daughter as I'd shrug a coat on just to have a smoke after dinner.

 

[ChelsB]

Being only 6 months in, I'm loving being able to vape inside while it storms outside! Definitely a plus!

 

[Bea-FL]

I think dual was what I was doing without realising it. I got my device 1 month back but was waiting for nic-vg liquid. Then one day I just filled the device with peach-flavored liquid 0mg (that I had bought 2 months back because I happened to see it at a shop) just to see if the vapor produced resembles to a smoke. I tried it and then asked friends to try it the next day. We all agreed that we didn't like peach flavor and we needed nicotine. Still we kept on vaping on and off with my 2 vape pens and an iCare all having that peach flavored eLiq.

Then my 9mg unflavored liq came and I tried for 2 days along with normal cigarettes and again me and friends agreed that it doesn't give a kick. Then I asked here and along the way started keeping on vaping until my cravings get the best of me.

I think what worked for me was the idea to just experiment and see how long can I delay the next cig and kept on vaping with what I had (9mg nic in a low powered device). Now that I've waited 84 hours without any serious discomfort or cravings for tobacco-cig, I look back and wonder what was I scared of so much? I guess the sense of finality - that I'll never smoke again, was scary, the way I think. So I kept it open ended.

What also worked for me is that I always hated and suffered the flavor of tobacco (no offence to those who love tobacco flavor) and had to use tea or gum while I smoke to suppress the tobacco flavor. So vaping gets me rid of that and still give me nic. That's a win-win I'd say. It's almost embarrassing to say that I came across vaping while searching for alternatives to tobacco just to get rid of the flavor. Health benefits became apparent after I kept on reading about vaping. And that sealed the deal. I waited quite a long time in preperations just so that I don't have to look back once I get started. : )

Glad to hear things are working out for you.

My only piece of advice still is if you feel yourself slipping and thinking about smoking, increase the nic a little. Better that than smoking. You have plenty of time after you get "settled" into vaping to start decreasing your nic.

When I quit smoking I did it cold turkey - finished my pack and immediately switched to vaping. But I vaped 18mg - anything less and I thought about smoking again. I stayed at 18mg for a year. The second year I decreased by 2 mg every 6-8 weeks until I got down to 9mg and from them on I decreased by one every 6 weeks or so until I got to where I am now at 5mg and thats where I'm staying. Anything less and I dont get enough of a TH to satisfy me.

The reason I decreased by single mg after the 10mg mark was because I was advised to do so by my local B&M. They said they find most people have a hard time decreasing by more than one mg when they get that low. I didnt want to jinx myself so I followed that advice.

I'm not, by any means, telling you to do what I did. Just describing my process to give you ideas and to remind you not to rush yourself too much. You have already achieved the hardest part of your journey. Congrats!!!

 

[Cheallaigh]

the first place i replaced smoking was in my baby and ram trucks... i had mine detailed and the other was brand new, so we didn't want smoking in them. i drive a lot and so instead i vaped, basically i replaced things i used to do while smoking, with vaping instead one by one.

 

[mcclintock]

What also worked for me is that I always hated and suffered the flavor of tobacco (no offence to those who love tobacco flavor) and had to use tea or gum while I smoke to suppress the tobacco flavor.

Vaping tobacco flavors may or may not taste at all smokey and you can vape any kind of tobacco flavor, not just cigarette, the same way you vape blueberry cheesecake. That is, at least if the cheesecake has great throat hit, which is one reason, if not the main one, to use flavors and nicotine together in a vape and an area in which tobacco excels. Or it can just add some magic, think fruity creamy tobacco with added nic bite. Just sayin' give it a chance and also keep looking for a great vape whatever kind... That's kind of interesting how it sounds like vaping has kind of ruined smoking for you if nothing else though.

 

[smacksy]

Subohm vaping is what works for me.. Recently been using the Smok TFV8 with the .15 ohm T8 coil at around 125w... In 2-3 deep Lung hits I get my acquired nicotine addiction completely satisfied..4-5 DL hits I get light headed and have to sit my mod down for at least 1/2 hr or so.... love it! lol



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[vapdivrr]

I understand that sub ohm vaping may require a drop down in nic, but mtl? I often see posts where many talk about lowering their nic in steps or in certain time increments and it seems like new vapors feel this is what they need to do. I also feel like because of this, many new vapors make it a priority before they have truly kicked the cigarette habit. When people smoked , most never gave a hoot about lowering their nic and now that they have quit cigs are worried about it? The nic in cigs was probably the least harmful thing in there and in an ecig is far far less of something to worry about. I would agree if someone had maybe a 2 year plan to quit ecigs, that weaning off nic is smart, but to come straight from cigs to ecigs, I think nic should be not in the picture until one has totally quit the habit. I have been vaping for years and I could say 100 percent that I would never smoke again, I literally cannot stand smoke and find it disgusting and believe that only when one gets to this point should they even think about nic levels. It just seems like people who are getting into vaping are a bit to concerned with not only starting ecigs, but to start with the intent of immediately lowering nic which I think is something that actually makes it harder to successfully quit cigarettes

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[Cheallaigh]

vap... have you sub ohmed at all?

 

[OlderNDirt]

I often see posts where many talk about lowering their nic in steps or in certain time increments and it seems like new vapors feel this is what they need to do. I also feel like because of this, many new vapors make it a priority before they have truly kicked the cigarette habit.

I've seen indications of that as well. Why add that additional pressure right off the bat? Step #1, get off the smokes. Step #2, lower nic level if, and only if, it is of importance to you.

 

[vapdivrr]

vap... have you sub ohmed at all?

Well I mtl single coils in the .7 range in rta's and use airflow sort of tight where I can mtl and restrictive lung hits . As for sub ohm tanks or drippers at super low resistances and wide open af, no. I did buy a sub ohm tank last year and used super low resistance and low nic and tried it for a while and I just couldn't feel satisfied tbh. I then used that same set up with my 18 , 24mg juice and did feel satisfied but that only seemed to go thru much more juice. All in all I didn't care for it. I also got into squonking with some nice bf drippers and tried super sub ohm and just gave up, I just couldn't get that intense TH that I seem to get with my rtas

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[Cheallaigh]

at least you tried and you actually are sub ohming.. some critiquing haven't even tried.