What worked for me

[jjcordone]

I know you guys have seen a ton of these stories and I hope you can put up with one more.
I was a PAD+ smoker for 30+ years. I stumbled into vaping just thinking it was kind of cool and immediately cut my cigarette usage in half. I kind of just froze at this step, vaping instead of smoking like every other time I got the urge. I got some advice here on ECF that really changed my attitude toward how to get off cigarettes completely. I had been buying juices that would mimic the taste of a cigarette. The problem with this approach is that you never lose the taste for a cigarette. It works great to cut down on cigarettes, but not to give them up. I read some posts here and came to the conclusion that what I really needed was to find a juice that tasted better than a cigarette to me. Eventually a cigarette would be the one that tasted bad.
I also needed hardware that worked better than a cigarette did, the more vapor the better.....
Anyway, the answer I found is a combination of Bloog hardware with Backwoods Brew e-juice.
I can type volumes about these two companies, but the bottom line is it's working.
I'm still dong a few cigarettes a day, but I'm once again progressing forward.
I'll bore you all again (along with everyone I know once I'm totally off cigarettes.
I never thought I'd see the day that I'd ever be able to give up cigarettes, but I can now see it coming. Thanks guys. I really appreciate the support and advice I've found here.....

 

[Liv2Ski]

One step at a time jj and each one you don't smoke is a step in the right direction.

 

[jjcordone]

One last funny thing has happened too. When I first started, the mods looked nuts to me. People using things that looked a power tool or a pipe bomb or a box with a antenna sticking out of it. The longer I go the more it becomes a hobby and the less I care about if the device looks like a cigarette or not. My planned reward once I'm totally off cigarettes is to purchase my first mod.

 

[fsroq]

I love to use mods, not cig-like, to make a clear statement I am vaping, and not smoking.

Keep going on as you are doing. You are on the right way.

Keep on vaping

 

[Olef]

Well done jj and good luck, just keep doing what you are doing and one day you will light a cig and it will taste rank - and you'll just not want to light another one. I too looked at the mods and wondered... Now I don't give a rats *ss. I love my mods and I love my vape

 

[Stosh]

Good luck in the search for your perfect juice, and the end to cigarettes. Each cig less
is a victory, just hang in there. A mod my be just what you need to put them down for good,
the improved vapor, TH, warmth, could be just what's missing for you.

+1 on function over form!!! Love my pipe bombs and detonator boxes, such a change from my
first super mini !!

 

[nocturn4l3030]

jus curious what juice you found that taste better than an analog =)

i started on the bloog too

 

[Iffy]

Sounds like ya got a plan. Keep 'er up!

I've tried three or four tobacco juices and didn't care for any of 'em. I've moved on to the fruit blends and a little pastry.

Also, I was fortunate in that my first vape turn the analog switch to off. Hope ya get dere!

 

[Lambch3p]

Glad you found something that is working for you! Happy vaping!

 

[afrazier5]

Good for you! I was the same and mods didn't appeal to me but wanted a GOOD juice. I finally recently (after 5 months) settled in on banana juice using my 5v Tekk Mod - and I'm not even a big banana eater! I treated myself with the mod after 3 months of being smoke free. I'm thinking of buying a variable voltage mod sometime later this summer as another treat.

 

[earthpig]

jj
in the same boat here.
I went from 2 pks a day+ of American Spirits, and an occasional Dunhill. In other words, high end and heavy duty smokes.
Problem is I Love Smoking...Always have.

It has been hell to find a taste that would keep up or exceed what I was smoking, and I went to some horrible low tar Caltons and Basics to cut the tar/ co2 levels in 1/2. In essence I now smoke 1 pk a day and when the numbers of tar/co2 are calculated, I'm down to 1/8 to 1/4 of where I was.

E-Cigs have made up the difference, but what has been the hold up is finding the right balance.
Balance of enough vapor/satisfactory flavor/carto and equipment consistency/good suppliers.
It's been 10 months and I've gotten there.

I'm using KR808D-1's and 510's. Both satisfy the cig sized need. (no cigar /pipe bomb/heavy duty unit will satisfy the between the finger need)
I also found VG which throws more vapor than my cigs threw smoke. In fact they surpass them by an estimated 20-30%...I'm very pleased there.
Good Cartomizers were necessary and I've found Bloog (for the 808's) and Boge as well as Smok Tech dual coils (for the 510's).
Flavor was a rough one. Most prefilled cartomizers tasted like soap and didn't hold a candle to Dunhills or American Spirit cigs. I've resorted to a Pipe Tobacco flavor (used to smoke cavendish with 20% cherry in a pipe) and mix it with a Marlboro or Camel , 50/50% , or just go with the Pipe flavor straight up.

Now I have NO EXCUSE, and see a means to the end.
MAN, Do I Hear Ya !!


The End Is Near!!

Pig

 

[Noodoggy]

if you like mountain dew, try the mtn do from the vapor room. it is awesome with a flavor shot added and at 70/30 pg/vg!

 

[rubin12]

JJ, if you want to quit fully, get ya self a mod. I found it a struggle when I was just using an ego/tornado tank. As soon as I bought a Megalodon, it was a breeze.

You will come to find that a decent e-cig actually gives a lot more vapor/smoke than an analog... at least I have.

Lastly, I still smoke the odd analog, about an average of 1 or 2 a month, and do not get this disgusting taste that others talk about. Maybe on the first toot, but after that it is not too bad. The best thing to do (which it sounds like you are doing) is not put pressure on yourself to completely stop.

 

[SuziesMom]

A box mod was what finally got me off analogs- partially because it's just so convenient and cool, and partly because it was so pricey that I keep vaping to get the return on my investment. The best $140 I've ever spent, and I do it all again in a second.

 

[earthpig]

Box mods might be good at home or in a specific location, but not for everyday out in the public vaping.
It scares women and small children (joking here).
The cig size serves convenience/size, and if set up right will fog a cig smoker + 20%.
I also like the between the 2 fingers and button free (auto's) for when you want to hang one in your mouth hands free.

 

[newplague]

I didn't get off the smokes until I switched to a BB from altsmoke and started vaping 24mg cola juice from Viking Vapor. I'm now over a year smoke free, vaping my Reo Grand with some FSUSA 24mg Perique Black mixed with anything fruity. You can stop smoking, you just need to get away from the cig size and flavor for a bit.

edit: I don't care what people think of me vaping my Grand. I'm not smoking and I don't look like I'm smoking.

 

[earthpig]

Cant stand candied and fruity flavors.
That won't work for me. At least not for a daily vape.
I even have a hard time with vanilla in cig flavors (commonplace), yet it's doable .

Far as getting away from cig size.
Nope. Tried an I-Go. Too heavy and bulky.

It comes down to choices and we all fall into what works best.
Yours are not mine, however.

Pig

 

[otrpu]

Congrats jjcordone, stay with it. My story very similar to yours, cept I smoked cigs 52 years. And been tobacco free more than six months. Just decided ejuice and vaping tasted better, and I'm a breathin a whole lot better. Anyway you do it is your right way. JMHO

Cheers,
otrpu

 

[SandySu]

One last funny thing has happened too. When I first started, the mods looked nuts to me. People using things that looked a power tool or a pipe bomb or a box with a antenna sticking out of it. The longer I go the more it becomes a hobby and the less I care about if the device looks like a cigarette or not. My planned reward once I'm totally off cigarettes is to purchase my first mod.

I know what you mean! And I had to laugh when I read this. I feel that way, too. I'm just looking into this whole thing, haven't even tried an e-cigarette yet, and I really want to go with the small, inconspicuous kind. Maybe later, I'll change my mind. I also think having to add your own juice sounds very complicated, so I'll start with cartomizers all ready to just screw on. I'm thinking later on, if I actually like the experience once I try it, and I get into it more, I may change my mind, but right now, I want everything to be simple, easy, and discreet.

 

[chiwalker]

Oh,I am so where you are at. I do like the e cigs, but the convenience of analogues and the fear of not getting enough nic in before going to work plus the fuss of filling carts, charging batts, getting dressed for work etc has me crazy. I work in a stressful job with extremely negative self serving women,in the public. To appear less than perfectly dressed,alert,polite and quick invites the vultures to circle, and at my age (61) it gets tough. I get no encouragement at work at all, and any sense of job fulfillment comes from within, I KNOW what I'm trying to do here is improve my health and life, but it's very,very hard to do on my own. I come home and just flake out, or read a book, and don't do any of the things that used to bring me pleasure anymore. I did learn the condom method of filling cartos today, what a blessing that was,so quick and easy. Any and all suggestions, encouragement, ideas are welcome. Jj, I share your frustration and inability to give up analogues, but I have not given up at all. Don't you either.