Vaping as an alternative to smoking

[lobeydosser]

I came to Vaping after smoking for 49 years.
For the last 15 years of those 49, I had tried unsuccessfully, various methods of try to stop Smoking,
The one that worked best was Nicorette Chewing Gum and I was off the cigs for 18 months.
However although that eventually failed, it did show me that that if I was going to stay off the fags, I had to have an alternative supply of nicotine and if I could not have that supply, then I would return to the ciggies.

Also, it wasn’t so much a case of me wanting to stop smoking, but outside pressure from Doctors and other well meaning (?) individuals who gave me dire warnings of what would happen if I didn’t stop.

So Vaping, for me, is a way of continuing to get my Nicotine Fix and satisfy me and really that is the bottom line.
Yes, a pleasant flavour comes into it too.

I needed a set-up that was as handy as a packet of fags and a lighter. Something I could slip into my pocket. Something that I could light up and enjoy without annoying those around me. (Little did I realise back then, just how much cigarette smoke did annoy other people). And, probably, most importantly, something I could pick up in the morning and know that it would last me right through until bedtime without me having to tinker with it or have to refill it.

I’m not looking for high powered, vapour belching, zinging taste experiences.

You see, Vaping is just an alternative to smoking and that is all it is, for me.
I am not looking at it to give me anything other than what smoking gave me.
Yes, I will occasionally vape on a nice fruit juice or an old fashioned sweetie flavour, but my normal, everyday vape is Royal tobacco and last thing at night a Mint/Menthol flavour, just exactly the same as I smoked for all these years.

[lobeydosser]

I live in a sort of village housing scheme and of the 6 houses in our bit, 5 years ago we were made up of 4 smoker houses and 2 non-smoker house.
Then I changed to vaping, 2 houses changed occupiers, one to a non-smoker and one to a smoker.
Since then one family gave up smoking altogether, 2 houses went Vaping and one, unfortunately my next door neighbour, remained a smoker.
The smoker does not smoke indoors and so contaminates all of our gardens by smoking in his back garden, but on the upside, he is now the only one in the immediate vicinity that smokes.

The fact that within the past 5 years, out of 6 households, one couple has given up completely and 3 households have changed from smoking to vaping, is for me, outstanding and it proves that Vaping is changing many lives for the good.

[Chrissie]

Feb 12, 2017 20:11:38 GMT lobeydosser said:

The fact that within the past 5 years, out of 6 households, one couple has given up completely and 3 households have changed from smoking to vaping, is for me, outstanding and it proves that Vaping is changing many lives for the good.

Vaping has completely changed my life, for sure I'm so much better off financially, mentally & physically

I also introduced vaping to 4 of my neighbours - they all gave up smoking & they all now no longer vape either.

[lobeydosser]

Thanks Chrissie
Yes 3 of my neighbours have also taken up vaping.
One because I told him about it and he then persuaded his wife to take it up.
The third started because he saw us vaping.

We will soon be spreading faster than the Great Plague.

[lesley1]

Is there a secret formula to quitting? I smoked for nearly 30 years until I had a stroke in November, by then I was up to between 25/30 a day.
I'm have been using a 50/50 juice at 18mg nicotine for the last few months and still have a yen for a cigg (i need to have at least one in the house all the time, the problem is i need to smoke the other 9/19 to get to one :-()
Is there a timescale for reducing the nicotine level? I'd like to eventually be completely nicotine free.
How did you all manage?

[lobeydosser]

Feb 12, 2017 21:26:35 GMT lesley1 said:

Is there a secret formula to quitting? I smoked for nearly 30 years until I had a stroke in November, by then I was up to between 25/30 a day.
I'm have been using a 50/50 juice at 18mg nicotine for the last few months and still have a yen for a cigg (i need to have at least one in the house all the time, the problem is i need to smoke the other 9/19 to get to one :-()
Is there a timescale for reducing the nicotine level? I'd like to eventually be completely nicotine free.
How did you all manage?

Hi lesley1 I smoked for 49 years and only switched to vaping 4 years ago. By the time I switched I was on 40 super kings a day.

There is no one answer fits all. I switched for health and financial reasons.

One thing I have found is that life is a lot easier if I just do things one step at a time.

Forget trying "to go nicotine free" and just concentrate on finding e-cig flavours and equipment that suit you.

Also, if you are vaping and still thinking about having a ciggie now and then, then you are not vaping a high enough strength.

I vape at 24mg and cutting that by even 2mg puts me back to thinking about having a smoke/ciggie.

Once you are vaping and not thinking about a smoke, when vaping is just something you do without thinking about it, when you are enjoying the taste that vaping brings you, when you realise that vaping is so cheap that you can now afford the many luxuries that in the past you could not afford to buy, THEN, you can decide whether reducing your nicotine level is something you want to go for or just stick with what suits you.

Please remember that your vaping is something for you. Don't be influenced by what other people do or do not do vaping wise. We are all different and what may be easy or difficult for others, may not be for you.

[Postmodern Smoking]

Feb 12, 2017 21:26:35 GMT lesley1 said:

Is there a secret formula to quitting? I smoked for nearly 30 years until I had a stroke in November, by then I was up to between 25/30 a day.
I'm have been using a 50/50 juice at 18mg nicotine for the last few months and still have a yen for a cigg (i need to have at least one in the house all the time, the problem is i need to smoke the other 9/19 to get to one :-()
Is there a timescale for reducing the nicotine level? I'd like to eventually be completely nicotine free.
How did you all manage?

Have you considered trying higher strength eliquid to reduce the craving, such as 24mg/ml? (While it's still available!) and/or vape more.
What vape gear are you using, as this may also be a factor.
Re. timescale for reducing nic.... DO NOT RUSH.... nicotine in itself is NOT (from all the research that I've read) particularly bad for you (something akin to caffeine) and is not known to be carcinogenic.... what is bad for you is relapsing to smoking, through craving! 

One step at a time.



[ETA]- When I first started vaping, for the first couple of weeks, I occasionally also took a nicotine mint lozenge to help suppress any craving that vaping alone wouldn't and to give a strong quick nic hit. Although vaporizers have improved since then. This worked for me.

[lesley1]

Hi
I did try the higher strength briefly but had a mad coughing fit in the shop lol! I have some in the house so could try it again.
I was a bit concerned about the amount I am vaping, I seem to be using it all the time....a bit like a security blanket I think.
At the minute i'm using an Istick 20w but I am waiting on a Pico to arrive. I didn't realise it came with sub ohm coils which
will be of no use at all for me so currently looking for something suitable.

Nicotine and coffee....my current vices....I'm a lost cause :-( I really don't want to be back on the ciggs and in the hospital.

Thank you :-)

[Postmodern Smoking]

lesley1 Initial coughing may have been the way that you tried to inhale the vapour when you first gave it a go. Now that you've been vaping a while, you may find it ok/better... as you still have some, do give it a go. From those that know (including Public Health England, Royal College of Surgeons, etc.) the risks of vaping are tiny compared to smoking. So as said above, much better to vape to your hearts content than fall off the band wagon and risk return to smoking. Should you choose to cut down your nic levels / stop altogether is a discussion for another day... one when you're convinced that you will never return to the smoking.

[Bobsbeer]

I started on 30mg and stayed there for a few months before reducing to 24mg. 2 years later I'm on 1mg. Everyone is different, and everyone is on their own personal journey through vaping. Don't be rushed, although I would recommend you get some 72mg nicotine base before May or you will be stuck forever on 18mg due to TPD changes. Mixing your own gives you control. You can then stay at 24mg or reduce as you feel is appropriate to you. I would also recommend going stronger if 18mg isn't cutting it.

[lesley1]

Feb 12, 2017 22:26:18 GMT Postmodern Smoking said:

lesley1 Initial coughing may have been the way that you tried to inhale the vapour when you first gave it a go. Now that you've been vaping a while, you may find it ok/better... as you still have some, do give it a go. From those that know (including Public Health England, Royal College of Surgeons, etc.) the risks of vaping a tiny compared to smoking. So as said above, much better to vape to your hearts content than fall off the band wagon and risk return to smoking. Should you choose to cut down your nic levels / stop altogether is a discussion for another day... one when you're convinced that you will never return to the smoking.

This is true, I was too embarrassed to show my face for a while. I'm sure they have seen it all before!
I will hunt it out tomorrow and give it a try. What's the worst that can happen? Oops this is me, calamity Jane lol.
I'm relieved that I don't have 3 months or something to drop down to zero....far too much pressure and likelihood of failure :-( 
I do feel much more confident of quitting forever with vaping than I did with the assorted things the chemist sells. I shall persevere :-((

[darlo1]

I stopped smoking october 2015, i switched to vaping and cut the ciggies overnight, i now make my own juice and am on 2 mg or less, had a few cravings in the first week but since then i have'nt looked back. Will never smoke again if i can help it and the money i hve saved is very nice plus the health benefits to. If you wanna do it do it, but get all the advice off here that you can.

[lesley1]

Feb 12, 2017 22:38:35 GMT Bobsbeer said:

I started on 30mg and stayed there for a few months before reducing to 24mg. 2 years later I'm on 1mg. Everyone is different, and everyone is on their own personal journey through vaping. Don't be rushed, although I would recommend you get some 72mg nicotine base before May or you will be stuck forever on 18mg due to TPD changes. Mixing your own gives you control. You can then stay at 24mg or reduce as you feel is appropriate to you. I would also recommend going stronger if 18mg isn't cutting it.

Thank you.

I'm going to try a 24mg tomorrow but I was a failure at science so don't feel in any way confident adding nicotine to my existing ones. I'm a liability and its v toxic, it would be a disaster lol!!
It is worth baring in mind though. I'm sure as I get a bit more confident I may want to try things out myself.
Well done you :-))

[Postmodern Smoking]

Feb 12, 2017 22:39:36 GMT lesley1 said:

This is true, I was too embarrassed to show my face for a while. I'm sure they have seen it all before!
I will hunt it out tomorrow and give it a try. What's the worst that can happen? Oops this is me, calamity Jane lol.
I'm relieved that I don't have 3 months or something to drop down to zero....far too much pressure and likelihood of failure :-( 
I do feel much more confident of quitting forever with vaping than I did with the assorted things the chemist sells. I shall persevere :-((

Yes... it's not uncommon.... often from people not expecting to feel much and taking a deep initial inhale. lol
Usually vaping technique is a longer slower inhale, and also note much of the nicotine gets absorbed in your mouth.

[Bobsbeer]

Mixing is not as difficult or complicated as you imagine lesley1, but don't delay too much or you will be too late. The TPD changes coming in in May this year will limit all retail nicotine juice to 20mg max, so 18mg for all practical purposes. Believe me, you do NOT need a Chemistry O'level to mix your own juice, it is easy and if you can see, you can mix.