Will I Ever Stop Missing...?

[PaulB]

I wonder if this is going to baffle or gross out those of you who are so sworn-off that the taste and smell of analogs, but--

I'm getting more and more earnest in my gradual quit, just four cigarettes up to this hour (when normally I'd be hitting on about #20 or so about now). Don't know for sure when/whether I'll get to permanent zero but, if I do, one thing I can't imagine not missing is... fresh after-taste. Seriously! Especially when lighting up in the car after a long time without (even after a day of fairly regular vaping), I've never realized how much I enjoy the taste inside my mouth--even to the extent of licking that residual flavor off my top teeth. The lack of tar associated with vaping (which in all other respects is, of course, a good thing!) makes that sensation something that I guess can't be reproduced.

I guess when I'm over that, I'm over it. Is that gross? Is that normal? Is that both?

 

[planetofthevapes]

That's interesting, I've never heard of somebody being in love with the after taste of a cigarette to that extreme! However, it is not odd... It will eventually come though that you will just prefer your vape over your cigarette if that is what you wish. But heck, being down to only 4, that's awesome in itself! A couple of weeks vaping and I tried a cigarette and put it out immediately. For me, knowing that there was something that tasted better than what I was used to...just really all happened on its own (kinda like why buy the USA gold when you can have the Camel Turkish Jade...if you can liken it to that). It'll come with time. And if you still can't get rid of the last few analogs at least you know that you are very much reducing your intake of them! Happy vaping!

That being said, there are some tobacco vapor flavors that I find DO leave a bit of a tobacco aftertaste afterwards. I can't remember off the top of my head which ones did it more than others, just keep searching for the special flavor for you that helps you get some sort of aftertaste in your mouth!

 

[Lightgeoduck]

Well I tell you what ... I have only smoked one analog since the 7 months of vaping... and I LOVED IT... I ain't going to lie... and I am sure if I did it again that I would LOVE it still...

But... This thing is for sure

I LOVE breathing better (after making it through the clearing of the lung period)
I LOVE not having the stale smoke smell on my clothes and everything else (I didn't like it while I smoked either)

I LOVE that my wife is happier (for above reasons)
I LOVE that I am setting a better example for my kids (I don't want them to smoke) by showing my efforts in quitting

I LOVE not having to go outside, searching for a smoke area
I LOVE this forum... didn't like the analog forum too much ( )
and I LOVE gadgets

so no you're not odd or at least you're not the only odd one

 

[Shortstuff116]

I tell you what PaulB, just reducing to 4 cigs from 20 in the same time period is to me a big accomplishment. All too often there are members, even some that have been vaping for some time that seem ashamed to say that they still hit an analog or more per day but I say that is still something to be proud of!

And... (don't tell anyone)... but I always find myself licking the tip of my cart just to get the taste of the juice.

 

[CaptJay]

Are you sure its TAR you're missing the flavor of? Or could it be tobacco (raw tobacco)?
I mean..how can you tell?
(Serious question, not being flippant)
I find Im sensitive to the taste of nicotine - I can 'feel' it in the back of my mouth when I vape, and I could when I smoked too. Its sort of in the upper back part of my mouth, kind of behind wisdom teeth/nearest throat part. I can smell it too - to me its pretty strong, and I smell it on myself and on my juices and nonboy in house smoked except me; I know its nicotine because I dont vape tobacco jucies yet lol.

 

[alter.ego]

I still have an ocasional craving for an analog too, mostly first thing in the morning, and after meals. I find that the turkish tobacco flavor usually does it for me, and leaves a bit of that after taste too. I have a bottle of cigar on order, hope that is as good

 

[PaulB]

I tell you what PaulB, just reducing to 4 cigs from 20 in the same time period is to me a big accomplishment. All too often there are members, even some that have been vaping for some time that seem ashamed to say that they still hit an analog or more per day but I say that is still something to be proud of!

And... (don't tell anyone)... but I always find myself licking the tip of my cart just to get the taste of the juice.

I've done that--or taken a little taste w/o pushing the button. Good sign is English Toffee's what got me doing that.

NV: French Pipe

 

[searcher]

I tried one analog last November (about 3 puffs since I didn't want to smoke again) and hated the taste and film it left in my mouth. My brother is like you. He still smokes 5 or 6 a day (down from 2 packs +). We would go outside and I liked the smell of 2nd hand smoke. I still find myself wanting a cig but I know I hate the taste (and don't want to put my wife though it again, she quit CT about 10 years ago). I went out to my camper the other day, stepped inside and there was my stuffing machine and 3/4 pound of tobacco and a few tubes. Fresh tobacco does have a great smell to me. I wanted to make a cig really bad but I was able to sit and vape without giving in to the urge so I think I have quit for sure. A couple of days to 6 months....

 

[Dogsbody]

I loved everything about smoking, even the stale smell in my hair and clothes, except one thing I guess.. I would get a guilt type feeling, of knowing it would catch up with me one day... eg: sorry wifey, sorry kids... I have 6 months to live.

Whenever I feel/felt like a smoke, I try to picture my lungs all black and tar-ie, or getting that bad news from the doc.

I think alot of it is just training your brain to associate the 'I feel like a smoke' to 'I feel like a vape'

It takes awhile to shift the association and now I hardly thing about cigs, and am not even tempted to have a puff here and there.
I also liked the smell of 2nd hand smoke, but now I find it is quite irritating and harsh.

I try not to take e-cigs for granted and remind myself how good it is not having to use an ashtray, look for lighters, go for midnight drives etc.

I guess for me it was just about brain training and the associations.

e-cig = good ------- cig=bad

convienient -------- not (smoke indoors, take single puffs etc)
cheaper --------- expensive (cigs are about $12-$15 a pack of 25 here)
reduced harm----- Increased harm
pleasure --------guilty pleasure
yummy --------disgusting
clean ------------ dirty (no ash, butts etc)

etc, I still don't think an e-cig is as satisfying as a cig was... but it is getting closer everyday.
Finding better liquids, flavors, better ecigs/mods, PCCs/recharge options etc really helps.

Good luck man, and grats on the reduction.

 

[smellrose]

Tomorrow will be 2 months cigarette free for me, yay! But, I do still think about having a smoke fairly often. I really like smoking, but like everyone else, I didn't like the fact that I smelled like an ashtray and the constant hunt for a safe, judgement free place to light up. I really do love vaping and it has been the only reason I have lasted this long without giving in to temptation. As far as saving money goes, I think I've spent more on vaping supplies than I was spending on cigarettes, but I'm sure that will level out soon. Right... RIGHT!

 

[typerflip]

... As far as saving money goes, I think I've spent more on vaping supplies than I was spending on cigarettes, but I'm sure that will level out soon. Right... RIGHT!

My wife told me I'm spending more on Juice than I did on cigs (of course I've only bee vaping for 3 weeks . . . but she told me if that keeps me around longer than to spend even more . . .

I told her I miss smoking analogs . . . she said "me and the kids would miss you more"

That is what keeps me off the analogs ... and when I think of how much I want an analog, I just remember what she said. Having the support is really the key and between family and this forum, I'm getting what I need.

I don't know if I've quit analogs for good because the "new" hasn't worn off e-cigs yet but I think more than anything else I've tried, this has got the best chance.

I know life is not guaranteed but at least I'm not rushing the clock with the analogs anymore.

Good luck and congrats on the reduction, anything is better than nothing.

 

[Col. Gaunt]

I think that it is great that you have been able to reduce the amount of analogs that you are smoking.

When I started vaping I was smoking 3/4 to a pack a day reduced from 2 packs a day at my worst. As I continued vaping I was also able to reduce the number of analogs that I smoked a day until the time came where I found that I actually liked the taste of my e-liquid better then an analog.

I think that the key is finding an e-liquid or liquids that you really like the taste of, and when you do, you just might find yourself choosing to vape as opposed to smoke because it tastes better.

I have been smoke free for about 6 months nw and I find myself repulsed by the smell of tobacco smoke, oh I still at times find myself thinking about having an analoge because it does have a taste that nothing will duplicate but I promised myself that after i smoked my last one I would never go back.

 

[martha1014]

I was the same way when I first started vaping. I continued to have one cigarette a day. As time when by the cigarette made me nauseated and cough. These negative responses made me quit cigarettes. I have been vaping 11 months and will never smoke another cigarette. I smoked 3 packs a day for 40 years and anybody can quit if I did. I don't even think about cigarettes except when I read about them on this forum but it does not make me want one.

 

[River]

Nothing is going to ruin your experience of both smoking and vaping like worrying about stuff like that.

My advice is to not sweat it. Enjoy your smoking, if you eventually go to zero cigarettes then cool, if not no big deal, you have already cut back and that's better than nothing.

 

[River]

I was the same way when I first started vaping. I continued to have one cigarette a day. As time when by the cigarette made me nauseated and cough. These negative responses made me quit cigarettes. I have been vaping 11 months and will never smoke another cigarette. I smoked 3 packs a day for 40 years and anybody can quit if I did. I don't even think about cigarettes except when I read about them on this forum but it does not make me want one.

Lol! wow! I never really thought about that but I don't think about cigarettes at all either unless I'm here.

It's so funny that it was something that was all consuming in that when I was not smoking I was thinking about my timing so I could go smoke or making sure I had enough to get through the weekend or whatever and now I don't really think of them very much.

I had not realized that before, maybe it is because I'm making sure I have enough liquid and all my batteries are charged!!! HAHA!

 

[PatriciafromCO]

Congratulations where you are now !!!!!!! Honestly over time being completely off analogs,, you physically forget.. You can still see it in your head to remember how smoking goes, where and when, but your sensation forgets... Just so many things you just don't think about at all, like the act of no longer asking for and buying a pack of analogs when your in the store is interesting when you reach that level. I use to connect store and buy analogs and now it's not even a thought... just interesting as time passes and all the gradual changes build upon each other...

your doing great!!

and if I got pass the first act of re forcing myself to accept analogs, (funny that is how I started, I had to make myself accept analogs as a teenager) but if I did re start analogs, I would fall into the same pitfall that led me into a 30 year smoker.. Now I have that second chance, to never start....

 

[PaulB]

I was the same way when I first started vaping. I continued to have one cigarette a day. As time when by the cigarette made me nauseated and cough. These negative responses made me quit cigarettes. I have been vaping 11 months and will never smoke another cigarette. I smoked 3 packs a day for 40 years and anybody can quit if I did. I don't even think about cigarettes except when I read about them on this forum but it does not make me want one.

Martha--and every other ex-smoker whose smoking "careers" make mine look lightweight (40+ years but well under 3ppd)--I hope you realize how valuable what you have to say is to me, and I'm sure any number of beginners here. Thank you!

I'm being patient with myself. Not sure about a future as ex-smoker, but if cutting way way (not just way) down I know my lungs will thank me nonethless. Yesterday was a good day in that I vaped my way through some usually heavy smoking activities: lunch hour and driving.

Today, otoh, was a positively crappy day vaping-wise. Having stayed up too late and having an extra glass or two of wine, I woke up a tad hung over (rare for me). Intended to vape through my morning coffee and computer ritual, but somehow managed to foul not one but two cartridges with the rankest, stenchiest juice combo imaginable (and at 26mg instead of 18, as I'm experimenting with ramping up a bit). Felt headachey and nauseous all day. Couldn't even take the smell of my PV from 3 feet away. Smoked more than usual of late.

Back on the horse, though. Cleaned carts filled with 18mg English Toffee. Much better, now.

 

[Kilroy]

I was there. Every time I sat down I reached for my pack, but it wasn't there anymore. That went on for so long. But not so much anymore. It gets better. It took a long time to make the habit, it takes a long time to break it.

 

[hittman]

I wonder if this is going to baffle or gross out those of you who are so sworn-off that the taste and smell of analogs, but--

I'm getting more and more earnest in my gradual quit, just four cigarettes up to this hour (when normally I'd be hitting on about #20 or so about now). Don't know for sure when/whether I'll get to permanent zero but, if I do, one thing I can't imagine not missing is... fresh after-taste. Seriously! Especially when lighting up in the car after a long time without (even after a day of fairly regular vaping), I've never realized how much I enjoy the taste inside my mouth--even to the extent of licking that residual flavor off my top teeth. The lack of tar associated with vaping (which in all other respects is, of course, a good thing!) makes that sensation something that I guess can't be reproduced.

I guess when I'm over that, I'm over it. Is that gross? Is that normal? Is that both?

I don't think that is strange at all. There are alkaloids in tobacco that we do not get in the liquids. Some are able to quit completely by vaping only, some vape mostly and smoke a little, and others like myself vape and use swedish snus to get the alkaloids that are in tobacco that I have discovered I have a hard time surviving without.

 

[griz-shop]

I dont know maybe I am weird but i haven't wanted one analog since I started vaping but I do know this what you have accomplished is phonominal in its own right being down to 4 a day WOW pat your self on the back bud! at least you are putting in a good effort.

One question though are you using the 36ml of nic or the lighter ones maybe the 36 ml would help more?