Vaping on or going back to smoking? Still undecided.

[davcav]

Hello,

For my first post, I thought I would just write about my experience so far into the world of vaping. Maybe some of that information can be useful to somebody.

Before switching to vaping about a month ago, I used to smoke two packs of cigarettes a day plus some more when going out at night. Also smoked cigars every now and then. I loved smoking and still do. Even if I “vape”, in my mind I am still a smoker and always will be.

So why switch? Mostly to please my wife who could no longer stand the smell of cold smoke on my clothes. And I thought it would be a bit less messy (no more ashes) and maybe even save me some money.

So to make this transition away from real tobacco permanent, there were two absolute requirements:

1. Finding a gear reproducing the smoking experience as closely as possible.
2. Finding a tobacco flavor satisfying enough to stay away from cigarettes and cigars.

Manual batteries were ruled out immediately as I just could not see myself pushing a button to smoke. Also, anything that looked like I would be smoking a transistor or required building, rebuilding, rerebuilding were out as well.

Straight away, I bought kits from Green Smoke, Halo (G6) and Vapor4Life (Vapor Zeus XL 1300).

Green Smoke: I thought it would be good as it looks like a cigarette (except for the green led tip) and is easy to use. You screw on a prefilled cartridge and smoke away. When empty, toss the cartridge and replace. However, for my experience, a cartridge only equates five to seven cigarettes, not a pack. Plus the flavors were just not satisfactory. Nothing against this company though. You get what you pay for.

Halo (G6): Looks like a cigarette (white battery with gray “ash cap” glowing red on draw and the refillable tan cartridges). One cartridge also equates five to seven cigarettes but I can refill them. Fine but time consuming and messy with the liquid and all. It looks like I am going to need about ten cartridges and six long batteries to get me through a day. Lots of refilling, lots of recharging, lots of somewhat heavy stuff to carry around in my pockets, ultimately not as convenient as real cigarettes. Tried a few of their tobacco flavored liquids but none did it for me. A bit slow on shipping (I live in Geneva, Switzerland) but good products overall.

Vapor4Life: Big cigar looking (although got it in black) gear with XL supposedly long lasting battery. First use went on for twelve hours. Great! Then seven, then six hours and out! Bought a second battery that did not even make it to twelve hours the first time. Only seven hours, then six, then three and finally two hours! Ouch! Not reliable. Customer service is nice and they have two replacements on their way. Hope it works this time. Otherwise, why bother with this stuff if it takes longer to charge than use? By the way, the large smileomizers are ok. I do not think they quite take 6 ml of liquid but well, close enough. However, that does not prevent me from having to refill them frequently throughout the day. Also tried a few of their tobacco flavored liquids and, again, nothing thrilling. Would love to vape4life the Zeus but so for it has been vape4twohours.

However, I did end up finding liquids that got me excited. Nothing will ever beat a real Cuban cigar but these liquids are definitely better than cigarettes. Taste is subjective but these did it for me:

Guevara from House of liquid and La Rica from TripHammer.

To conclude, I would say that if the gear (mainly Zeus XL battery usage) was more reliable, if I did not feel like I am constantly wiping stuff clean, I would probably continue vaping, mostly after finally finding the right liquid flavors.

On the other hand, cigarettes are so easy. They are widely and instantly available, they are light to carry and above all, they are dependable. You light one up and it gives you what you need every time without fail. Sure, they will kill me or give me malaria or something but I can count on them.

Vaping on or going back to cigarettes? For me, the jury is still out.

 

[jks89]

Have you tried the Blu ecigs? I don't really remember how long the cartridges were lasting me (I feel like it was as long as a pack of cigarettes, but I wasn't really counting the puffs, etc.), but their kit comes with a battery pack that charges your battery when you're not using it.

 

[e-pipeman]

Try a set-up like an iStick with a Nautilus Mini. Try fruit flavour juices. Give it longer. If you've kicked tobacco don't give up - but don't make it hard for yourself by using unreliable kit. Good luck! Ymmv.

 

[staceybritt13]

I do understand how you feel. I've bought a wonderful set up of eleaf products such as the bcc tank and istick mini. I like some of my juices, yet they aren't cigarettes or even taste somewhat the same. I struggle with this as I vape once or twice a day and find myself smoking the rest. I'm concerned for my health and wish I could get the mindset to fully commit...but it is very difficult when going to so much maintenance from just lighting up..good luck on your journey.

 

[davcav]

Hi,

No I have not try this brand. I got the Halo pcc but that thing was so flimsy, I broke it the very first time I screw a battery on. Reorder one and will be more careful. Otherwise, I will just carry 4 or 6 batteries in a cigarette case and recharge them all at night. Maybe, that will work for me.

I have already spent over a $1000 on kits, additional batteries, chargers, pcc, plunger kit and all. So, unless the replacement batteries from Vapor4Life function the way they are supposed to, I will either go on with the Halo thing or cut my losses and go back to real cigarettes.

I don't want to end up buying just about every kit from every brand out there.

But thank you anyway.

 

[e-pipeman]

Hi,

No I have not try this brand. I got the Halo pcc but that thing was so flimsy, I broke it the very first time I screw a battery on. Reorder one and will be more careful. Otherwise, I will just carry 4 or 6 batteries in a cigarette case and recharge them all at night. Maybe, that will work for me.

I have already spent over a $1000 on kits, additional batteries, chargers, pcc, plunger kit and all. So, unless the replacement batteries from Vapor4Life function the way they are supposed to, I will either go on with the Halo thing or cut my losses and go back to real cigarettes.

I don't want to end up buying just about every kit from every brand out there.

But thank you anyway.

Go with good solid kit. Do not try stuff that looks like cigarettes. I know that's a big mental leap to take, but imho it's worth it in the long run. Once you've found something that works - stick to it for a while. It gets easier and is well worth it.

 

[Czar]

Vapeing (Vaping) is definitely a safer alternative. that being said, I have not met more than three or four people that have quit using the E-cig analogs. They just don't have the vapor production or the throat hit smokers are looking for. I also went through the same questions and concerns when I was quiting. Most people that do quit, that I know,,nothing scientific here...have gone to the mechanical mods and building. Of course people quit using the ego style also, but I have not run across quite as many. I would only say that if YOU are serious about quitting, try the different styles for yourself before making your final decision.

 

[djsvapour]

There is so much about your post I find interesting.

No mention of the word 'health' in your comment

So why switch? Mostly to please my wife who could no longer stand the smell of cold smoke on my clothes. And I thought it would be a bit less messy (no more ashes) and maybe even save me some money.

If health is not important, then vaping seems... ? ...

Sadly, you have also bought some old tech equipment. You say you smoke 2 packs a day and some cigars. A Greensmoke or G6 isn't going to do the job on your nicotine habit. I smoked 15 a day and G6 wasn't good enough for me with 24mg liquid.

Overall, I kind of feel bad for you. Your introduction to vaping has mostly been an introduction to expensive 1st generation products that barely satisfy. I would say, if I have learnt anything from reading posts on 3 forum it's that these products are mostly not good enough.

and certainly don't buy anything by Blu. Not unless you actively want to give your money to a tobacco company, which is your right, of course.

 

[djsvapour]

I have already spent over a $1000 on kits, additional batteries, chargers, pcc, plunger kit and all. So, unless the replacement batteries from Vapor4Life function the way they are supposed to, I will either go on with the Halo thing or cut my losses and go back to real cigarettes.

I am actually shocked. I wasted $800 doing something I thought was alternative to smoking = using overpriced, cig-a-like e-cigarettes helped me step down from 15 to about 10 cigarettes a day. That was as far as I got.

You have actually beaten me with a $1000 spend on these products.

Please... get some proper e-cigarette kit and give yourself a fair chance.

 

[OlderNDirt]

Welcome to ECF, davcav!

Your story is very familiar and similar to mine. Before making the change, I had the exact same thoughts as well as not wanting to have to fill tanks or "smoke" fruity flavors. And having something to duplicate smoking, both in action and flavor was paramount. But after researching pros and cons to my desires, I decided to jump into it with both feet and give it at least a couple weeks and see how it went. Just 3 days after getting my simple setup, I was totally smoke free. All for the cost of 2 cartons of cigs.

My best advice is to try to eliminate the mindset that it must feel and taste just like smoking. Stop into a local vape shop and try some "tobacco" flavors, or any for that matter. If you can find a couple flavors that you enjoy, pick up a couple cheap variable voltage spinner batteries and a couple cheap tanks and give it a go. And don't consider it an all or nothing adventure from the start. Keep an open mind and look at the journey rather then the moment. Don't beat yourself up for having one or even an occasional smoke after starting.

Good luck! I hope this helps, you give it a try, and all goes well for you. Keep us informed!

 

[davcav]

Hi e-pipeman,

Thank you for the tips but I can't bring myself to using something that doesn't feel like a cigarette or cigar. And I am not interested in smoking a dessert or fruity thing. At least, liquid wise, I found some that are great and do taste like tobacco.

Going back to cigarettes wouldn't be a problem for me, love to smoke. My wife will be disappointed because of the smell.

Hi staceybritt13,

Yes, so much maintenance. Never used so much paper towels before! Maybe with practice, I will get better at refilling those things without making such a mess. I have really cut down the smoking, I must admit. Went from two packs a day to maybe a couple cigarettes. However, I always have a pack on me in case the vaping stuff fails. Hopefully, if that Zeus thing ends up working, I think it'll do for me. We'll see. No health concerns on my part. I mean I'd probably prefer to get hit by a bus than dying of cancer but life is a lottery!

 

[DC2]

So to make this transition away from real tobacco permanent, there were two absolute requirements:

1. Finding a gear reproducing the smoking experience as closely as possible.
2. Finding a tobacco flavor satisfying enough to stay away from cigarettes and cigars.

Those are generally and historically the two biggest mistakes new vapers make when entering into this realm.
If you start vaping, and keep vaping, there is a 90% chance that in a few months you will look back on this post and laugh.

 

[davcav]

Boy, I didn't think replies would come in so fast. I can't keep up.

Regarding the hardware, I think you are all right when saying these cigarettes look-a-like are probably not the way to go and there is better stuff out there. But I just can't picture myself with one of those things stuck in my mouth. So chances are that I will switch back to cigarettes at some point and maybe someday, the technology will get better and there will be a reliable and peforming device that still somewhat looks like a cigar/cigarette so I can try again.

Thank you all for your help. It's 10pm over here. Time to pack all my vaping gear and a pack of cigarettes and hit the bar!

Good night

 

[impero]

Davcav,

I have been vaping only for 3 months after 20ys of analogs and I feel your frustration.
I have tried several tobacco flavours, but none of them is like cigarettes or cigars. By now i am sure that vaping will never be like smoking, so i gave up the hope of finding a juice that tastes like real cigs.
But! there are other factors that might make you want go back to cigs.. are you getting a good hit from your current setup? I mean.. i was smoking more than a pack a day, some days i was stopping only after feeling the first symptoms of nicotine overdose. Can this be what you need? More nicotine, more throat hit, more vapour, more heat... in brief: all the nastyness of regular cigs?

 

[AndriaD]

Yep, vaping does take a bit more effort than smoking. Smoking is very easy -- and getting cancer or COPD from smoking, piece of cake. I've seen the death that results from lung cancer, though; it didn't look terribly easy to me, the whole respirator thing. My dad fought it, trying to breathe for himself, even though he really couldn't any longer. I'd have to say that vaping is a LOT easier than that death looked. Smoking is also very smelly (as your wife has noticed), very messy (ashes, holes in clothes, cigarette butts and those godawful ashtrays), and basically is the same socially as a raging case of leprosy. Vaping is taking a lot of hits from the ignorant, but is still not nearly as messy or smelly as cigarettes.

Also... e-cigs that look like cigarettes... not going to be terribly effective. Low battery power, tiny tank... just can't get it done without a lot of hassle and money-spending. Someday battery technology may improve to the point that cigarette-sized batteries are powerhouses... but if you smoke, will you live long enough to see them?

Andria

 

[MatthewCJ3]

Funny nobody mentioned Whole Tobacco Alkaloids (WTA). I read a lot of reviews, and saw a couple video post, before I purchased a bottle and it does help a lot with satisfaction. Some people say it doesn't, but for me it does. Aroma, WholeCig, and MothersMilk are mentioned the most. I bought from Aroma, I should have bought from WholeCig - developed an allergy to PG. So now I cut it (probably better for anyways). It's kind of expensive, but sounds like it might be worth it for you to buy a small 10,l for $12. All you got to lose is $12 and a carto/atomizer. Hope this helps.

 

[davcav]

Davcav,

I have been vaping only for 3 months after 20ys of analogs and I feel your frustration.
I have tried several tobacco flavours, but none of them is like cigarettes or cigars. By now i am sure that vaping will never be like smoking, so i gave up the hope of finding a juice that tastes like real cigs.
But! there are other factors that might make you want go back to cigs.. are you getting a good hit from your current setup? I mean.. i was smoking more than a pack a day, some days i was stopping only after feeling the first symptoms of nicotine overdose. Can this be what you need? More nicotine, more throat hit, more vapour, more heat... in brief: all the nastyness of regular cigs?

Hi Impero,

At first, I got low nicotine liquids (6mg) as I thought it be closer to the light cigarettes I smoke. It felt like smoking air so I quickly bought a hole bunch of different liquids at different nicotine levels to see what would do it for me. I settled on two liquids: Guevara from House of Liquid and La Rica from TripHammer. Both have great flavor, a throat hit and vapor production that I find satisfying. At least, when I smoke them with the Vapor Zeus before the battery dies on me!

So for the liquids, I am set. As for the device, if the replacement Zeus batteries last what they are supposed to last (they say 15 to 20 hours but I'd be happy with 10), I'd be fine using this thing.

 

[Zazoie]

Hi davcav welcome to the ECF. I remember when I first tried to quit smoking I was set in my mind that I needed something that felt like a cig if it didn't have the asthetics that would even cause me to ash an ecig I didn't want it...well nothing I tried worked. It wasn't until years later that I tried something that looks nothing like a cig - Istick 30 that I quit in an instance. Also I found myself liking everything but the tobacco flavored juice. Everything I told myself in my mind I needed ended up being the opposite.

I found the better the gear I got and better the juice no matter what it looked like I was able to put cigs down for good. All that to say is you may want to explore a little before you go back. The Istick 30watt with a Kanger Sub Nano tank requires no rebuilding just juice and go. Good luck davcav and we are here for you.

 

[davcav]

Yep, vaping does take a bit more effort than smoking. Smoking is very easy -- and getting cancer or COPD from smoking, piece of cake. I've seen the death that results from lung cancer, though; it didn't look terribly easy to me, the whole respirator thing. My dad fought it, trying to breathe for himself, even though he really couldn't any longer. I'd have to say that vaping is a LOT easier than that death looked. Smoking is also very smelly (as your wife has noticed), very messy (ashes, holes in clothes, cigarette butts and those godawful ashtrays), and basically is the same socially as a raging case of leprosy. Vaping is taking a lot of hits from the ignorant, but is still not nearly as messy or smelly as cigarettes.

Also... e-cigs that look like cigarettes... not going to be terribly effective. Low battery power, tiny tank... just can't get it done without a lot of hassle and money-spending. Someday battery technology may improve to the point that cigarette-sized batteries are powerhouses... but if you smoke, will you live long enough to see them?

Andria

Hi Andria,

Sorry about your father. I come from a family of chain smokers so cancers, cardio-vascular related deaths is common. Also, I live in Europe where smoking, although now banned from bars, is very socially accepted so I don't feel out of place when lighting one up. And I can smoke in my office as my colleague is also a chain smoker. His making fun of me because half of my desk is now covered with all kinds of bottles, cords, chargers, batteries and so on. And he sees me wiping stuff all day!

These cig-a-likes are indeed very limited which is why the Zeus (when working properly) seems to be a good compromise regarding vapor production, throat hit, autonomy and still looking like something that can be smoked.

I am not giving up yet but maybe vaping is just not the thing for me.

 

[e-pipeman]

Davcav - do you really want to stop smoking? Is it just that your wife would like you to? I only ask because it's much. much easier to stop if you really want to.