what was the turning point that started your vaping?

[cassondruh]

I'm curious what everyone's experience was like when they began vaping. What was the turning point for you when you decided to pick up an ecig or vape pen? I have seen a lot of former smokers on the forum and was curious to read some of your stories if you don't mind sharing.

For me, well, it's been one of the most difficult and stressful years in my 30something years. It started with the death of my grandmother shortly following thanksgiving. Head over heels for a guy who broke up with me five days after my grandmother passed away. Just a few days after that, had a traumatic experience at work unfold in front of me. Then around my birthday this year my parents began the divorce process, and it's been very nasty and stressful. I'm a single mom of young ones, and I work in the mental health field, and it seems this year I just can't get a break. sooo... a few weeks ago, feeling the stress and burnout catching up to me, after work I decided I wanted something. .. anything. I don't drink, never really been into drinking, and I have never smoked a day in my life.

After dealing with parents divorce drama and a really rough day/week/month at work, I stopped at the convenience store and purchased a cheap v2 ecig. Within the week I had upgraded to a vape pen and already purchased a few bottles of eliquid. Couple weeks later and here I am. Faring a little better at least

 

[cassondruh]

I get funny looks by the smokers in my life, because they know I've never smoked before and I think they are disappointed, in a way. That I started using nicotine I mean. Oh well, not their decision

 

[ojibwe]

the smokers are all jealous about having to go outside to smoke. At my local bar, the owner is OK with vaping, it took months before the smokers got over it.

 

[Treborsmug]

You've been through a lot and sounds like your toughing it out. From your pic I would have never guessed. I put you around 25, 28 max. Myself?...well...I'm gong on 60 and have raised my son alone since he was 1. A very long story of trails and tribulations. In my head I knew and wanted to kick the cigs for health and breathing issues. I ran across one of those E-cig Mall Wagons (Smoke Free) Boy are those things junk. But hay that was over 4 years ago now. You know you can also vape herbs. I use Valerian Extract (about 4 drops in 1.6ml Evod) just before going to bed sometimes. It helps to relax and sleep. I have posts of 'how to's' and what ever all over this noob post area. Hang in there. Sometimes when it seems to tough...just stop and coast. Let it go for a while without getting to cranked up about things. It all changes and with your eye's and mind open you will catch the next opportunity that comes by. That is life...for as long as it may some times seem...it is really short.

 

[Cowboy192]

My turning point was waking up one morning and not being able to stop coughing, not being able to smoke without my chest getting tight and more than anything the fact I kept stopping breathing in my sleep, couple weeks into vaping and I'm not coughing, not snoring, sleeping better and I'm still getting my nicotine hit,

 

[edyle]

My niece sent me a cigalike disposable from the USA.
That's how I found out the thing existed.

It was no good though, because it was menthol.
A few week later, it occured to me I might find them in a local pharmacy and turns out they had.

 

[ReigntheGamer]

Mine was having to use my inhaler ALL the time, and getting out of breath just walking through the house talking on the phone at 37. It was getting to the point it would keep me awake sometimes wondering which cancer would kill me in the end, I just got to where I couldn't take it anymore and tried vaping. To my surprise it worked not the first time but shortly after I got a more advanced setup than a cig-a-like. I still may pay for my old habit in the long run but I feel immensely better about my chances now than before.

I guess you could say I hit the rock bottom of smoking and knew I had to change or accept my fate, and I was not prepared to do that. Without getting into all of it I have had some really rough times here recently myself even while trying to quit, but I know I have so much more living to do I want the best shot at enjoying it all. Even the bad things, because at least I am alive and am happier with myself which makes the storm easier to weather.

 

[rochejmike]

my close friends husband died of heart problems linked to smoking, gave me quite a moment of clarity. so off to the shops I went, started with Blu but quickly moved on to a VTR/Vamo and nautilus tanks

mike

 

[defdock]

price point was the turning point for me.

after tax hikes after tax hikes, my favorite smokes went from 6$ a pack to 9-12$ a pack. so i bought a cigalike that *appeared to be* cheaper in the long rung then buying a pack of smokes every other day.

after a few months i ended up going back to stinkies. i kept reading up on ecigs even tho i stoped using them. came across threads of refilling cartos(YAY cheaappppp). so i started back up on cigalikes, 4 months into my ecig journey i descided it was time to get something bigger to last longer then 3 hours, purchased a halo triton kit and from there i have not gone back. upgraded to 510 egos, and own a mvp.

after learning the RIGHT info, being cheap became easy.


after a year of vaping, i think id rather spend the 250$ a year for vape supplies, than spend 3k$ on death stix

 

[OlderNDirt]

If I went into detail, I could fill a short story. But keeping it short, nothing opens your eyes to quitting smoking like a heart attack and a heart full of stents. But that was almost 19 years ago, way before e-cigs came about. I tried pretty much everything including the patches.....twice, but could never get to the no-nic level and staying on them was putting me in the poorhouse. I had some success at times lasting a few months, but work stress and commuting seemed to always pull me back into the habit. Even my cardiologist seemed to give up on getting me to quit.

So, a few months ago, my niece offered me a toke on her pen. In all honesty, it didn't really do anything for me except peek my interest in a way to quit while actually saving money! Imagine that! But could an old guy with tremors manage filling those little tanks and hold that little button to take a pull? I came home and started my research and found a couple promising options in the look alike e-cigs. I was about ready to make my first order when I found this forum and read about how many failed in their attempt to quit the cigs when starting with those. I did a bunch more research which just led to a lot more confusion. Attys, mods, dripping, cartos, etc. What would be right and work for me?

Being very rural, I did not have any option to find a vape store nearby, so looked up a few in "the big city" and took the drive with the mindset that I was going to find something that would work for me. The first place I hit was great in helping me to try some juices and then made their recommendation on what equipment would work for me. I walked out with two Kanger vv 650 batteries with two T3d tanks and a couple bottles of juice and have not looked back.

So here I am almost 5 months later, smoke free and happy. I've upgraded my equipment and experimented with several juices but still feel I have saved a fair amount over smoking. My wife is very ecstatic at my success quitting the cigs and my cardiologist seemed genuinely pleased. After almost 19 years of stepping outside or pulling over from driving to have a smoke, it is really nice not needing to take those breaks (especially with the cold winter weather coming starting this week it sounds like).

And that's my story, but it did get longer then I intended.

And I'll close with this...... Even though times can get tough, hang in there and don't forget to just "stop and smell the roses" once in a while. And if you can, give some 0 nic juice a try, or at least keep the level down. Sorry, must be the Dad in me. Good luck and happy vaping!

 

[sparhawk]

Mine was my mountain climbing experience. The mountain I was climbing while running five years back [not really running but you know what i mean], well after taking a break and 5 years of heavy smoking, went back to the mountain, lol i could not do one kilometer without stopping and resting, guess that's was it for me the picture of how my health became. But fortunately with 1.5 years of quitting and on e cigarette, i feel much better now.

 

[CassiusCloud]

I seen a guy at work with a cig-a-like and thought it was worth a try..
After that didn't work out,about a year or so later i seen another guy at work with an ego twist..
I thought it was a flashlight at first..

He showed it to me and he hit on it and i seen all that vapor and was like,wow that's not like the one i had..
He told me about the shop here in town and that morning i went and got one..

I hit that thing and it was like the best hit i ever had..
Set me up Bro!!
I vaped for two days without smoking,then decided to try a smoke to see if i could tell any difference..

The two days of not smoking had already started to clear my lungs up,because about 1/4 of the way into that smoke i tossed it because i could feel the smoke just lingering there..
My energy dropped and i started feeling all bleh and ill..
never touched them again until about a couple of months ago which was my 1 year mark... i thought i would see again how much i had changed since quitting..

A couple of hits and i was like,what the hell did i do that for?!!
I'll never be curious again about them..
I smoked for like 36 years..
This has been a good year and i really wish they would have had these when i was younger..
Better late than never

 

[Treborsmug]

I'm really glad to seeing real rehab stories for quiting the cigs. I think if the FDA and WHO (what a joke) start getting tougher on the E-cig control and/or ban, that we have enough people and support for a good Ralley against the bureaucracy. Might I also suggest a Boycott List against any establishment or restaurant that bans e-cig use.

 

[ReigntheGamer]

I'm really glad to seeing real rehab stories for quiting the cigs. I think if the FDA and WHO (what a joke) start getting tougher on the E-cig control and/or ban, that we have enough people and support for a good Ralley against the bureaucracy. Might I also suggest a Boycott List against any establishment or restaurant that bans e-cig use.

Sorry for the OT: I don't know if I could go as far to boycott any eatery that bans ecigs, with the clouds my rig puts out I know I wouldn't want someone chucking away on it while I was trying to eat. As far as an establishment it depends on what were talking about. Going to leave it at that, there are other forums to discuss when and where they are appropriate. Sorry for the minor hijack but just because it's not a cigarette doesn't mean we need to get carried away.

 

[xxAbstrActOrxx]

When my youngest son was born, his mother demanded that I showered and put on clean clothes before I could see him. It turned out her seemingly overcautious demands were warranted as we discovered he was very sensitive to cigarette smoke, or moreover the odor and residue left clinging to clothes, which caused his eyes to swell and mat up and his face to break out. After about 8 months of this rigorous routine, and several failed attempts to quit cold turkey, a friend I work with introduced me to e-cigarettes and within a few days I had my first evod starter kit in hand.

 

[oldcaptainrusty]

Had smoked for 50 + years and was tired of the hacking cough and such associated with the analogs. Had quit numerous times over the years just to start back again for whatever the reasons. I tried the cigalikes for a few days and then went to the vape pens. It took me a few weeks to make the transition, I think it was more of a mental thing than physical but I managed to roll over without the analogs. It has been 13 months now and I am slowly reducing my nic level. I'm trying to encourage all of my smoking friends to try it as well. It has been a good ride so far.

 

[choochoogranny]

It was a planned trip to a "Nothern Exposure" at a rather "cool" time of year that prompted me to do some research about the Blu ecig I'd heard advertized on the radio several yrs. ago. Researched the Blu and it's complaints which led me to research the egos which led me to mods.....All done at my kitchen table. Love the internet for this reason.

Well, I'd never bought anything on line and wasn't goning to start, so had to find me a B&M which wound up being in the next town. Wanted to look and feel the equipment before purchasing. That store's employees were very kind and patient with me and I purchased 6 15 ml bottles of juices I thought I could taste. I waited another 2 wks for the juice to steep and then was a first customer of a newly opened local store (an affliate of the lst B&M I went to) where I bought the MVP v1.

I had to "practice" for my visit to the extreme north. Figured I could smoke outside during the day when warmer, but vape inside at night. So, it was cold weather that got my fanny in gear to do the initial research. Was not quitting......until I started vaping. After 3 days of puffing on my MVP only and I had no urge to crack open the tobacco cigs I had in the pantry, figured something was happening here.....I've always been kinda slow on the "uptake"......On the 6th day of vaping went to my first vape meet where I won the grand prize, a full kit ProVari with juice.......While I was too noob to be quite sure what I had won, I took it as a sign that the "vapor gods" figured it was time I gave up a 53 yr habit.

So, anticipating very cold weather and lady luck has led me to vaping for the past 15 months. First time in my life that my timing was impleccable......by chance! How could I ask for more?

 

[ReigntheGamer]

When my youngest son was born, his mother demanded that I showered and put on clean clothes before I could see him. It turned out her seemingly overcautious demands were warranted as we discovered he was very sensitive to cigarette smoke, or moreover the odor and residue left clinging to clothes, which caused his eyes to swell and mat up and his face to break out. After about 8 months of this rigorous routine, and several failed attempts to quit cold turkey, a friend I work with introduced me to e-cigarettes and within a few days I had my first evod starter kit in hand.

And what a better reason to find an alternative, grats on making a change to be a better parent! You sir get a slow clap!

 

[ZipperPhil]

ouch sorry to hear bout the rough patch. sounds like a few iv had over the years but i didnt handle em well so i'll refrain from giving advice (maybe now that im in my 30s itd be different but in no hurry to find out). and as others have said i would've never guessed u were in your 30s mid 20s maybe but anyways got my 1st blu starter kit so i could smoke without guilt around the lil one and i so i could smoke in my bunkroom. once the batteries quit on me (rather quickly) i tried the fin starter pack (did last a lil longer) then another blu starter pack. was in a new town every week and wally world and gas stations late at night were only stores i usually saw so i didn't realize there was better options. when the batts for the 2nd blu kit died i gave up on vaping. it had only cut me from 2 pad to 1 or 1 1/2 pad anyway so didnt give it another thought til i was at the rents for the winter when my nephew came home with an ego kit. couple days later i picked one up while waiting for my lb's of loose tobacco and tubes to come in the mail. even though i'd smoked 19 years at that point those lb's never got opened til aug when my mvp was stolen day after my backup ego got broke. week later on payday i ordered a vtr and on the same day it came in i was gifted a well worn vamo v5. now once again i havent had a cig since and those bags are collecting dust again.

 

[Treborsmug]

ReigntheGamer: That's one hell of face paint job on the profile pic. Scare a lot of kids at birthday parties.? LOL.....