A Newbie's perspective

[meer]

Browsing through all the posts here is rather like discovering a new world.

Sure, most people have heard about Electronic cigarettes. Some might even call them E-Cigs. And fewer still have heard the term 'Vaping'.

There are many 'seasoned smokers' who, when presented with the option of trying an E-Cig respond with 'Nah..... I've tried all that NRT and none of it works'. Which has been pretty true when it comes to patches, gum and inhalers.

A month ago, my wife happened to be buying a pack of standard cigarettes when she saw a 10 Motives rechargable on the Sainsbury's counter. So she bought it. She mentioned to me that evening 'Actually - this is pretty good'. And I said 'Nah....... I've tried everything before'.

A week later I (grudgingly?) gave in and tried one for myself.

Since then - life has completely changed.

I've found:-

1. I can go through a whole day without a real cigarette. There have been a few days (weekends) when my wife and I have bought 'a pack of ten' - for a treat. Silly thing to do. Going from Vaping to real cigarettes is totally unnecessary and just being greedy - imo.

2. With a bit of will power, and I have very little, it is quite easily possible to go days on end with just Vaping. So, really, there is no need to go back to 'real cigarettes' when you can get by just fine with Vaping.

3. Vaping is the best (and only real) solution to the issue of cigarette smoking. imo.

4. It's great to go anywhere (like a restaurant) and be able to vape.

5. The saving is massive.

6. The issue of smelling of fags is history (unless you do the silly thing and have 'just one').

7. I can now go in the self-checkout at lunchtime rather than going to the tobacco kiosk.

8. On long drives with the children, I don't have to 'hold on till we next stop'.

9. My boss likes me because I'm not outside chatting with the smokers. (I'm allowed to vape at my desk - no problems).

10. I love the looks on peoples' faces when they see me smoking but not smoking (is how they see it).

Apart from those benefits, I'm sure that my lungs will start to feel the benefit in due course.

So - all rosey. Sort of.

I have some nagging worries. (Because I'm a sceptic).

1. So airlines do not allow E-cigs, because, they say, other people might mistake it for a real cigarette and assume that they can light up. (Let me know when cigarettes burn with a blue or green flame... please). Okay - if a vaper draws and exhales a mouthful of smoke - it does look like smoke. But usually it's the smell of smoke that gets people going. And tell me....... in the aircraft loos - there are smoke detectors that detect smoke. I can vape and exhale nothing (that I can detect, at least). So what's stopping somebody going into the loo and having an E-cig. Is it illegal? Can it be detected. I think not to the latter.

2, In the past few days we've heard that E-cigs *could* make you breath a bit harder and that therefore they are not safe. Me thinks that Nanny is trying to find a reason to regulate them so that they can then be taxed. Start taxing E-cigs - and it removes 90% of the benefit. And I thought the Gummint was trying to stop people smoking? Or do the pharmaceutical companies have a vested interest in supporting their sales of patches etc?

Im summary to that - I think those currently smoking cigarettes should very quickly change to Vaping whilst they can, and if it helps them to quit - then great. I have a sad feeling that HMRC want their cut......... And vaping will lose its position as the clean, cheap and decent alternative to foul smelling cigarettes.

I feel so sorry for all who do not give themselves a chance to vape before the door gets slammed......

If it's nice.... the powers that be will make it not nice.

[Chrissie]

Hello & welcome Meer

Some excellent points in your post

Are you still using the 10 motives? There are so many better & cheaper alternatives available.

[Karma]

Hello from me too Meer

You make some good points in your post!

I'm not sure if i would want to risk vaping in an airplane toilet many people have stealth vaped on planes tho

Yes, i think eventually there will be some tax on e-cig and yes big pharma does not seem very pleased at this new alternative to smoking which may affect their profits on NRT

[azzie]

Welcome to the forum Meer.

The MHRA will be banging the wardrums on ecigs/vaping next spring. I would imagine that there will be some taxation and stiffer regulation at some point as big pharma is losing revenue on both NRT products and selling lifesaving drugs to long-term smokers.

There is a lot of bullsh*t misinformation being spread about ecigs in general, which smacks of Government/big pharma agendas.

The recent news article you mentioned, about the study by Dr Christina Gratziou: - there is counter-claims discrediting it due to her being in Pfizer`s pockets and bad clinical practices...

I`ll take my tinfoil hat off now

Once again welcome to the forum and conratulations on giving up the evil weed.

[meer]

Thanks so much Chrissie & Karma for posting your replies.

When I posted and didn't get any replies - I thought I'd said something 'wrong' - and got all paranoid.....

I am still using 10 Motives - purely because I've started with something that fits - and I do not want to do anything else untill I get better aquainted with Vaping. I was told that maybe starting on a disposable was a good idea. I didn't go down that route because I felt that a lot of NRT stuff was disposable.... and I thought it would be just the same. What my wife prompted me to do seemed like a fair trial, although I now realise the 'world' is a lot bigger

I've found what I'm using (so far) to be convenient and - making the big jump - suits me. I dare say that I'll be tempted to explore the alternatives in time.


Whilst I mentioned Vaping on aircraft - most airlines do prohibit it - and therefore - please nobody come back to me and say I suggested it was a good idea!!!! Airlines gert nasty if you break their rules.......!!!!

Re. Pharmas and HMRC - yes - I put that downer on the end of my post - for a reason. I think that there will be mounting pressure by the pharmas (and cigarette companies) to 're-instate' their income when Vaping really gets fully appreciated by all who have been led by the nose (no pun) down the NRT soporiphick route.

I think that at the moment - they're (Pharmas and the govt.) scratching their heads trhing to work out how they can tax something which has less aroma than a cup of coffee..... and could morph into various forms.

Anyway, hats off (from me) to those who took the bold step of starting Vaping - and this forum for supporting it.

So far I've converted several people to vaping. They all say 'Why didn't I do it sooner'...... Common story? I think SO.

[meer]

And thank you too azzie.

I totally nodded my head whilst reading what you posted.

I can see it coming too (and I can see that a lot is 'funded' from 'interested parties').

[beautycat]

Hi meer welcome #7261_9485#

[Globalbloke (Tim)]

I vaped all the way to Rhodes and back recently on a Ryan Air Flight, wasn't particularily stealthy, just didn't wave it about or try to compete with the clouds outside the plane (even though it was using a Penny + Provari). Ryan air say they don't allow it so they can flog you their crappy ecigs on the flight, they also say don't take your own food and drinks but people do so I think it's fair game personally.

Welcome to the forum matey, once you have found your feet I'm sure everyone can offer advice as to what your next purchase will be (when you are ready of course)

[meer]

Thanks Winston - I mean - Tim,

I've heard about Ryanair maxing out people's misery..........

Anyway.... apart from the loo....... you can always feign geriatricness and cover yourself with a blankie......... and a do not disturb sign!!!!

Yes, I will seek advice as to my next step. As Manuel says..... 'I know..... nothinggggg. I need helpppp....' j/k.

Great Forum.

[FirinBlanks]

Hi meer,

You've started exactly the way I did and I still use the 10motives at work (although I top up the cartomisers with different e liquid) and now have 3 batteries.

I've also got 4 other batteries, a bundle of cartos, a clearo, the list goes on.

I must say until you've tried a bigger more powerful battery you won't know how truely good vaping can be for flavour and making clouds

Once I got my Rivas I realised that actually I don't even like cigs anymore. I've had maybe one in the past 3 weeks and had to wash my hands to get the smell off!

I am now considering the upgrade from my upgrades so watch these guys or you'll be spending as much as you did on ciggies on vaping. Mind you it's cheaper in the long run and more importantly healthier so is that really an issue?

Welcome to the forum!

[lobeydosser]

<<<2, In the past few days we've heard that E-cigs *could* make you breath a bit harder and that therefore they are not safe. >>>

Cigarette manufacturers put Chocolate and Liquorice into cigarettes which, when burnt and inhaled, open up your breathing tubes and allow a deeper penetration of the smoke down into your lungs.
This is why, when you Vape, you appear to have more laboured breathing as there is no drugs helping the vapour to go deeper.

[FirinBlanks]

Sept 7, 2012 18:20:12 GMT lobeydosser said:

Cigarette manufacturers put Chocolate and Liquorice into cigarettes which, when burnt and inhaled, open up your breathing tubes and allow a deeper penetration of the smoke down into your lungs.
This is why, when you Vape, you appear to have more laboured breathing as there is no drugs helping the vapour to go deeper.

My first attempt at a chocolate juice obviously didn't work correctly then, I needed to be picked up from the floor after my coughing fit. Mind you it could have been the increased oxygen hitting me too quickly.

[Chrissie]

Meer, apologies for the delay you had in getting replies - I think it was most likely due to the hot weather - ie so many folks (including myself) spending more time outside rather than online

[Anne (fuzzy)]

Hello Meer.

[meer]

Hey!!!! Thanks all for the welcome. It really is friendly.... and sorry I got a tiny bit paranoid.....

Anyway, good news..... The postings since I raised the OP have *really* inspired me. I'll look into 'next steps' tomorrow. I want to stay safe where I am at the moment,.

My wife came home tomight...... and admitted that she had 'Just a couple left over from yesterday' (That she'd bought). I declined the invitation to share those last few, Here's the point.

You get to a point where the finger of choice swings towards what you know to be right/preferable. My finger swung, and whilst my wife might still be in the process..... I think today it just swung that bit more.

Kudos to this Forum (I showed her my postings).......

Now she'll want to 'overtake me'. Way she is .