Trying to help new vapers......problems!!!

[Katfish]

Graham and I have tried to help 2 new vapers get started this week, but have come across a problem in both cases.
Both new starters have had a puff on the either the 510, or the tank and immediately put it down, like it was a hot brick
We can't seem to explain that A, Graham has a couple of puffs on his and then puts it down, job done. B, Kathi is permanently welded to hers and rarely puts it down, especially if partaking in the odd glass of vino.
My Mother had 2 puffs on a 510 and said that it tastes lovely (cherry) and put it down. After about 10 minutes she reached for the fag packet. I tried to tell her that you can use the e-cig, whenever you like, as often as you like, but she couldn't understand the concept.
Is it my fault for starting her on a cherry flavour 12mg juice?
Should a new starter use a higher strength?
Graham started on tobacco 26mg and made himself ill because it was far too high (I have now dilluted all his juice to 8mg and he is as happy as a pig in clover) He is now nearly 3 weeks without a cigarette, and I will be 5 weeks without one on friday.

Last saturday our friends came round for a dinner and crib night. One is a smoker, and she tried the tank. She did the same thing, had a couple of puffs and put it down. She seemed embarrassed by it ??? We said we didn't mind if she smoked because we are not going to be the awful, smart arsed ex-smokers. She then rolled a fag and put it out after two puffs on it ???
I don't get it, I feel like we haven't helped! In the end we gave her all our left over papers and filters. Mind you, when I gave them away, I felt this panic come over me, (I neeeeed them!)
I know I have substituted tobacco for something else, but the something else means that I breathe more easily and I no longer suffer from sinusitis.
In concluson, long live something else

[Perpetua]

Some smokers do seem to be embarassed in a weird way Kat by using an ecig . . . it never bothered me, nor will it ever.

But then I really wanted to give up ciggies, like you and Graham, so if I'd been given a turnip to vape on I'd have happily done so . . . guess I'm saying it's the individual's frame of mind about smoking/ecigs that's the first hurdle to overcome.

Don't feel that you have failed in some way, you might find they go away and have a think about it and come back to you, or they may not.

I'd suggest an 18mg nic strength maybe for your Mum, because if she doesn't feel the nicotine craving is satisfied, the temptation is to reach for the ciggies . . . it's easier to cut the strength down with a spot of VG, than the other way.

[Katfish]

Thanks Perpy
I know it was difficult for me to learn, when people mentioned rivatornegova, I thought they were on a different planet, or I was ???
Many thanks to you, and all the other lovely forum members for answering all my questions and for keeping Graham and I away from cigarettes for the first time in many years

[Chrissie]

Kat, as Perpy says, please don't feel you ave failed I also bet that Perpy is right & they do go away & think about it. So just maybe try to let them see how much better you & Graham are feeling since converting to the e-cigs.

Re it being like on a different planet, in so many ways, it was so much easier for me when I bought my first e-cig in early July 2008. No Jargon to take in as hardly anyone had ever heard about them. Plus so little choice to choose from - a mini, super mini or the long classic style. I chose the super-mini but soon learnt that size does matter

I just so hope that you or anyone else reading this will just shout at us all & ask us to explain our abbreviations more thoroughly.

[vaped]

I know the feeling Kat. I think others suppose that its similar to a nicotine patch and are too cautious thinking they may well get ill or OD if they have a cigarette. Or they look at each other like your mad.
This has been my experience.
Then I go on to say its not for giving up smoking, sod that, you can use it and carry on smoking no worries (try and make light of it)
All of a sudden there faces light up and they are interested in it.
I think when someone mentions a way to give up smoking when your not prepared for it you put up your defences, you don't really want to hear it.
Imo the best thing is to tell them its not for giving up, you can carry on smoking at the same time and then when you see them ask them to try whatever lovely new flavour you've got so they get to find out how tasty it is. Or they will see how much you enjoy it as long as you don't go on too much like an ex-smoker
I say I've not given up I've just found a much nicer alternative.

[Chrissie]

Brilliant post Fruits

[Scylla]

Sympathy, Kat Nothing you can do except set an example I don't see my sister but I sent her a Mini kit and she won't even touch it, despite getting very ill when she gets a cold. I cannot, cannot understand it but am helpless.

Then there's my SO, have been battling to convert him for 2+ years, keep buying him gear, no dice - it makes him cough

Let's just be happy we ourselves are "saved"

scylla

[Chrissie]

Scylla it really is such a case if "you can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink it"

[Perpetua]

Absolutely, I've had smoking friends howl with laughter at my ecigs . . . but I do believe your 'head' has to be in the right place to give vaping a serious try . . . pretty much like any major lifestyle change, you've really got to want to do it and be positive that you can succeed.

I think the fear of failure puts a lot of people off.

[Chrissie]

Mar 16, 2011 21:44:31 GMT Perpetua said:

I think the fear of failure puts a lot of people off.

Spot on Perpy! So many of them will have already tried the next to useless patches & gums so are worried about failing again or that the e-ci will be a waste of money

[Aldo]

I find this thread really interesting...
WHen I first told my friends I ordered an e-cig there wasn't a single one that believed it... Thing is, I love smoking... Always had, always will! This was often discussed because I told them I would never give up smoking because it just pleasured me ! WHen they first saw me holding a stick that made vapour, it was a common thing that htey asked to try it... Most of them though said it just wasn't the same. I said, that in fact it isn't, it's better... Explained all the advantages etc... I found out this wasn't enough for them to make the switch... BUT, when they saw me vaping at work, in the car, in the local cafe etc, they did seem interested and wanted to know more and more about it. Have you smoked since you started vaping, don't you miss analogs, how is it done, do you have to be dripping all the time etc... I'm only vaping for 2 weeks now so all I did, was answering the truth! Up to now, I've convinced 3 of them. One of them was very excited at it the first time I talked about it, and after trying mine he immediately asked that I ordered him one. One other, was sceptical about it when he saw me smoking at work, but after 2 days wanted to know more and more. Cartridge filling was putting him away, so I told him to wait until I got something that could solve that problem. Clearos seem the way to go and I'll probably order for him tomorrow. The third one was interested, tried, liked but not enough to switch. However, we had a poker home game, and fortunately the owner of the house don't allow people to smoke in the living room so everyone had to move to the kitchen to smoke, therefore missing much of the action. I was sitted, vaping away and I guess that was what really convinced him. He asked me to order one for him too, which I didn't yet because I was yet to try some juices, clearos etc and didn't want him to give up because of a not-so-good experience. I will probably order his starter kit plus "things" this weekend...
Conclusions:
you can use all sorts of methods to improve your friends life style, some people are willing to change and listen to you. some don't! For those who don't, don't push too hard on them, that will only make them run. loads of ocasions will arise where they will notice how good vaping can be. when this happens, just make sure you are clear, honest and speak in such a manner they can understand. honestly, I think people ought to realise this is a good thing and sooner or later they will ask you for help, suggestions etc. we have one of those catch phrases (??? such as talking till the cows come home, or it's not over till the fat lady sings) that states: "only the donkey isn't able to change"... and if that's the case, what can you do??

[bluecow1980]

remember when well meaning friends, relatives and the doctor would bang on about giving up smoking?

I know I would get defensive if not down right annoyed.... I didnt need to be given the lecture or guilt trip. I'm not saying thats what your doing, but I remember being ultra sensitive if anyone mentioned smoking habits, and my negative response defensiveness was an automatic reaction.

Ive had most of my friends ask me about the e-cigs, some are impressed, others less so. I dont bang on about it, all I say is that its been an amazingly easy lifestyle change for me. I have swapped real fags for a fake one which to me tastes better and is more socially acceptable.

I think my smoker friends have fallen into two camps -

There are those that feel I have been corrupted to the dark side. After all I dont even show them the solidarity of standing outside in the rain to vape, I sit in the cafe (ok I admit i might look a little smug).

Others who are fascinated, but put off by either start up costs, fear, embarrassment or just general worry about taste and the thought of "giving up". These guys are the ones who are asking to try it, talking about it and the group I think more likely to consider the switch at some time soon.

I do feel a bit like a test subject. My every move is being analysed to see whether i will crumble, or if it really is as easy as it seems! Its like being in a goldfish bowl!

[Katfish]

Yes the reactions of friends and family is very surprising
I went out with a friend last weekend. She is a smoker. We went in her car.The journey was about an hour long.
After about half an hour, I was in need of a vape, so asked her if she had stopped smoking in her car. She said "No, but I don't like to smoke in front of you when you are trying to give up."
I told her the only thing I had given up was tobacco, and that it wouldn't bother me if she stuffed six fags in her gob and lit the lot!
For the rest of the journey, she smoked and I vaped, and we were back to normal in the chat department. The first part of the journey had been awkward and strange!
She has never asked me about my e-cig, and I have only explained to her that I still need nicotine, but no longer need tobacco. It seems that subject is taboo. She won't look at me when I vape ???
The absolute opposites are the guys at work, who have thrown good natured abuse at me, (especially as I have to use the smoking shelter to vape!) They tell me I am smoking perfume and that I will go back to fags. As time goes on I receive more questions and less P taking, and they have stopped offering me fags
Graham and I have been very subtle about vaping, not pushy in any way, but it seems that some of our friends and family are very uncomfortable, and think that they should change their behaviour around us, no matter how much we say.. Please smoke in our house, we DON'T mind! In fact it doesn't bother us AT ALL

[camperman]

i think you have to want to vape in the first place and be able to have the will power to not smoke.
i started back in august origonally with one of those cheap £10 crappy efforts that didnt last 5 minutes, at the start of november i thought to myself i really need to save some money and my health so i bought a tornado which i religeously stuck with for some weeks which worked for me.
i was on 30 to 40 a day which isnt good but i managed to cut down so may every day till i reached 5 which to be honest i still have even today as i do miss the cigs after meal times.

[Katfish]

First thing in the morning is the only time I still think about tobacco
But after some serious vaping its gone
You see Camperman, I couldn't do what you do, I am all or nothing

We are all so different, and need nicotine at different times for different reasons. As you say, you wanted to cut down for health reasons. I saw a colleague at work vaping and being a nosy parker, asked many questions and bought a 510, just like that.
I had no thoughts of giving up smoking as I have tried and failed because of a shockingly short fuse >

I think the reason for my 5 weeks of non smoking, is because I thought it wouldn't work, but hey I didn't mind shelling out a few quid, JUST IN CASE IT DID