Close to giving up Vaping

[richt]

Well...I'm teetering on the brink at the moment and was wondering if anyone could offer some help and advice. Has anyone else ever felt the same or has anyone got some experience that they can call upon? Please try not to castigate me too much for my reasons even if they do come accross as slightly insular.

I've been vaping for a little over 6 weeks now and must admit I did enjoy it in the begining. I don't know whether it was a sense of something 'new' or 'exciting' but for the last week or so, I really have not been enjoying it at all - if anything, it has been affecting my overall mood and happiness (without trying to sound too dramatic).

If I am being honest with myself, I never started e-cigs to give up smoking. I love smoking for a start. I love the taste, the smell, the feeling, everything. Even the health issues and never-ending restrictions and tax increases weren't putting me off that much. It was my escape from the chores of everyday life, something that broke my work day up, something that I would use as a reward for myself, but most importantly, something that I enjoyed.

You may ask why I started vaping then? Well, in all honestly, and it may well sound daft, but it was to have the option of being able to smoke (vape) indoors. The freedom of being able to have a beer, to have a smoke/vape and to watch the footy on the TV all at the same time. Sounds silly I know, but there was nothing I used to love more than to sit down after a hard days work and watch the footy with a beer in one hand and a ciggy in the other. Ultimately, and for one reason or another, I could no longer do that and vaping appeared to be my perfect way 'around that'.

I started as most do. I bought a cigalike and quite liked it. Researched the internet for something better, found the RIVA kit and E-Liquids and quite liked it. I became obsessed with vaping and began spending more money than (you know) you should be doing, but quite liked it nevertheless.......then, for me anyway, I began getting a little fed up with it all. I started going from no cigs/rollies a day for 4 weeks to having the odd rollie a day (usually in the morning). It really helped my mood and made me feel better and it was so nice to have something where I really enjoyed the taste and, at the same time, was a hell of a lot less hassle than vaping! Anyway, the last week has been really difficult and I have been thinking about it a lot and have begun asking myself whether I am actually enjoying vaping at all (or whether I ever did?).

I thought I would put down a few of my reasons why I feel like this towards vaping at present and hopefully it might help me in some way.

E-Liquid/Juice Flavours - I have tried loads and don't like any of them that much....seriously none of them! Sweet flavours don't appeal to me and the Tobacco ones, well, don't taste of Tobacco and are mostly sweet and sickly. If anything, the only flavours I can get along with are Menthol and I don't want to be vaping that all the time. This is the main one for me and I cannot go on spending money willy-nilly just so i can keep 'testing' them out.

Cost - It is expensive. It may not be for others but for me I am spending a small fortune on liquids alone, not to mention all the kit you need as well, plus the worry about whether it is actually going to work! As a 20 a day rollie smoker I would spend no more than £10 a week. At present I am spending at least £20 a week, and even if it did begin to 'settle' down, I am sure I would be spending more than £10 a week on e-liquids.

Time and Effort - What a pain in the ass vaping is (and this from a rollie smoker). At first it was fun....playing with the batteries, cartos, liquids etc...it even looked quite cool. However, when you begin getting to actually using the thing to vape...what a faff it all is! First, the constant refilling, burning taste, refilling again circle. Second, the soaking of flavours overnight ( I found this is the best and only way to do it if you want to avoid filling up after every few drags). Then there is the constant recharging of the batteries and waiting for the time when you inevitavbly know that battery will die. All I seem to be doing these days is faffing with my vaping gear and 'prepping' everything for my next vape.

Convenience - I am glad I don't have to travel around too much because what a pain that must be. It's not exactly like a pack of fags that you can shove in your pocket or a pack of baccy, it is (usually) a large metallic object that you have to carry around. Then you have to carry a spare just in case it runs out of battery, then there is the extra juice, cartos, charger you have got take with you - not exactly easy if you are going for a night on the town or a quick pint down the pub.

Suppliers/Vendors - All, in my experience, are very good, reliable, friendly and fast. But....you have no idea what you are getting and where it has come from. For all you know, the juice you are now vaping could have been concocted in someones bath tub (hysterical I know) but you know what I mean. Are these vendors real businesses or are they just people sending stuff out from home? All very weird to me.

Availability - Vaping gear and liquids isn't something you can get by just popping down your local supermarket or newsagent. 90% of the stuff needs to be bought online. So, inevitably you have to pay a p&p fee (added expense unless your happy to pay £40+ a time for free delivery). Then there is the obvious 1-2 day wait for it to arrive. Then, there is the worry of will it actually turn up plus all the problems you encounter anyway with buying stuff online - will it fit through my letterbox, will I need to be home to take delivery, will it need to be signed for, will it actually turn up etc etc! Also, you are forever having to plan ahead. Will you have enough Juice to last you the weekend, how much do I need to take away with me, how many liquids should I take....etc etc

Complications & Compatabilities - with so much of it on the market, where the hell do you start? Different names for everything, different models, different juices, it goes on and on and is way too complicated. Then there is different nicotine levels, PG/VG mixes, throat hits etc..Esentially, all you are doing is heating a liquid to make a vapour that you inhale - why so complicated? Then there is the compatability issues, will this work with that etc...it is tiring thinking about it. To think i thought having to buy a pack of rizlas, filters and tobacco from the newsagents down the road was annoying.

Satisfaction - This is a hard one for me. At first, it was really easy to switch from analogues to e-cigs. Don't know if it was the nicotine or the novelty factor but it worked initially. I was vaping a lot in the first couple of weeks and I don't think my RIVA ever left my hand....I could vape anywhere and at anytime....awesome right? Well, no, it came to a point I thought to myself, all I ever am doing is vaping and I never feel properly satisfied enough to put it down. I could almost keep vaping 24 hours 7 days a week if I had to. The problem for me is, i never know when enough is enough. At least with cigs/rollies they would burn out and signal to me that was the end. I also would feel (most of the time anyway) completely satisfied after my cig/rollie and wouldn't ever contimplate sparking another one up for the sake of it! Yet, with vaping, you can just vape through it never feeling like you have got your 'hit' - and half the time in my case, not really enjoying it either!

Anyway, there you go. I've tried to cover a few of my main gripes (there are more unfortunately) and I apologise for writing so much. I never intended to write so much but really needed to get a few things off my chest.

I hope I don't come across as someone trying to teach you to 'suck eggs' and I know that some of the things that I have written may cause controversy and will, most certainly, not be agreed with, but it is honestly the way I feel at the moment. I am also hoping that it changes because there are certainly a few things I prefer about vaping e.g. not stinking all the time, no (less) bad breadth, no yellow fingers, healthier skin (I think) but ultimately, I am not sure whether vaping is for me....not yet anyway.

Thanks again for reading and any advice anyone has would be greatly appreciated.

[Batdragon (AKA Batty)]

I have started to read your post and will come back to you later. I was/am like you in that I enjoyed smoking, I loved the taste, the ritual, everything about it. I was not ready to give up but I did it anyway for the kids more than anything else. There have been times, and I am not talking at the begining but very recently that I really wanted a real ciggy. I was a rollie man too but my habit was up to 60 a day.

A question for you Rich, have you thought about just using the vaping as a suplement for those times when you want a ciggy and cant, rather than a total switch over?

[maccafan]

I am sorry you feel the way you do..Obviously you have thought about it quite a bit.

I think too much experimenting can also put people off and I agree it can get expensive..My thoughts are:

1. Use juice of a higher strength than what you are currently vaping. That will prevent you from vaping all the time.

2. If you are concerned about the quality of the juices buy Hangsen or Dekang juices from reputed suppliers. These juices have recognised certification, not necessarily from UK, and their e-liquid manufacturing plants are of a higher sanitation quality tha you would find here. Just because it is Chinese does niot mean it's dirty. I have seen the pictures and video tours of their facilities and they will put any Pharma clean room to shame.

3. Don't try everything that someone recommends. If you want non-sweet tobacco flavours, Hangsen Storm is probably one of the best if you are looking for that kind of taste. I like flue cured tobacco, air cured or sun cured tobacco flavours too and it's not a sweet juice by any means. You could go for el toro juices which are also not sweet. But you have to remember that it is PG and VG and they are by nature sweet.

4. Get a clearomiser or a tank intead of this cartomizers which you need to keep filling and soaking. More capacity, easier to fill and decent flavour and vapuor.

5. Last of all keep it simple and you owe it to yourself to keep yourself healthy and vaping is a healthier alternative.

After that, it's upto you.

[rosylea]

Rich,dont get into a fluster over it vaping isnt and wont be for everyone.As i am a bit naughty,i have been smoking AND vaping for nigh on 3years.I dont care what people think,its my life and health. i do vape more than i smoke nowadays,is not failing,its your choice and you dont need to explain to anyone your reasons.You will probably want to vape again in the future if you give it up now so hang on to all your stuff you have collected.You are right about the money but if you are in ill health then that doesnt matter.You could still vape at home and in the pub anyhow.By the way,its easier to vape in the winter as its too cold to go outside!

[beautycat]

Hi Richt maybe switch to a combination of rollies and vape
I have a rainbow ego clearomiser which doesn't need constantly refilling bravo to you for filling the other things in the first place. I have still not managed it successfully which is why I use the rainbows

Also maybe your juice is not strong enough for you. When I first started vaping I used one that was too high for too long and got the nicotine shakes. Lol. I now only use the higher one in the morning perhaps try a higher mg

I have you feel happier soon with whatever you decide

BC

[DiscoDes]

Aww Richt,

I am sorry that you've not found anything that "pushes all your buttons" I too am limited to only really enjoying menthol, nothing else does it for me. One thing for me is that I did not like the taste of cigarettes and smoked "fags" 20 - 30 a day therefore the cost for me was £50 a week! Rollies are much cheaper but even worse for your health.

Costs and supplies problems can be kept to a minimum by pre-planning, I bulk order at the beginning of every month from China £6 for 50ml (£20 a month sees me through) that helps me keep my costs down. I use the Visions now and have got a Ego Vision with replaceable coils which I think will do me for the forseeable future again coils can be bought cheaply from China. They give a great vape and are easy to clean if you need to, minimum faff.

I do however weaken occasionally and try something new, recently I bought a mini lavatube, but I funded this by selling juices and kit I no longer use. I also bought a Vivi Nova Tank, it's not for me so it will be going in the Classifieds soon.

One last thing, what strength are you using?
Maybe you're not using a high enough strength? we are all diffrerent some need more nicotine than others, there is a very well known vaper that vapes 45mg but that is right for HIM. A higher nic may curb your cravings and stop you reaching for a rollie.

Good luck in whatever you decide to do.

[chrisjw]

richt...........it's a very interesting subject you've raised.......I can't answer for everybody, but even in the short period of time I've been vaping, all those questions have crossed my mind too........I was a rollie man also & if I'm honest, I still am...........I've gone from probably 30 minimum a day down to maybe between 5 & 10, depending on how my day is at present. I enjoy analogues & always have & had no intention of giving them up........I've had a few health scares of late & was advised to give it up which I truly believed would be impossible.....too old in the tooth & all that........Nothing has ever given me the inclination to stop until I discovered vaping...........Yes, so far it's not been a cheap hobby, particularly when I see 'todays special discount' & stuff like that, but I'm beginning to learn that it isn't all necessary & as with smoking, it just takes a bit of will power........as said, vaping isn't for everyone, but I'm determined to give it my best & maybe even try to cut out the analogues entirely, eventually, which I would feel very chuffed about accomplishing.....but time will tell............in the meantime, I will carry on with both & try not to beat myself up about it......after all, it's my choice.....................only you can decide what is best for you, but again, as said, keep hold of all your gear......you never know...........

[gjdart]

Richt .. you sound like your at the stage I always reach when using NRT products. I think vaping works for me because there's not the same pressure to "never have another ciggy". You have to find your own way. good luck whichever you choose......

[richt]

Thank you to everyone for all their replies - it really is much appreciated.

After thinking about it for a bit and taking stock of the replies, I think I am going to stop trying to 'beat myself up about it'.

I think part of the reason I have become slightly 'disillusioned' with it all is due to not being able to find a flavour or setup I really like. That coupled with, what seems like, wasting lots and lots of money trying to find what suited me best. Money is particularly tight at the moment (as it is for all of us) and I think the guilt of wasting money got to me - especially when I initially hoped that it would help me save money!

I've decided not to put as much pressure on myself and smoke rollies when I need to. The only problem is telling my fiance, as at the moment she doesn't know I have been having a sneaky rollie in the morning at work. Don't think she will be best pleased and it does feel like I'm letting her down a bit though.

[maccafan]

I would just tell her to count the rollies you didn't smoke because of vaping instead of the other way round..

Best of luck with your search for your all dayer..Unlike ciggies, because of the food flavouring, most of us rotate flavours. Eating the same thing everyday and all the time is not appetizing to me. But there are vapers who will only vape one flavour.

It's about finding what you want and what works for you and it can be bewildering and frustrating. But stick with it and I think you'll be able to look back with pride.

[hifistud]

To begin with, e-cigs are NOT a quite smoking device - never have been. They're an alternative method OF smoking (where "smoking" means getting nicotine - after all nobody "smokes" to get the carcinogens).

So dual fuel - have the rollies or straights when you fancy, and don't buy in to the "quit" mentality. If e-cigs suit you, they'll eventually be all you use. If they don't, they won't.

Seriously, I don't get this whole exclusivity thing - it just puts pressure on folks that they don't need...

[alijoy60]

It took me 3-4 months to find a set up I really like.

For me that's a DCT tank (although currently experimenting with a normal boge cart that I punch and use in shorter tank - is ok) and an LT. I prefer Rivas/Egos for out and about.

My juice of choice is Health Cabin RY4 - whiffle that all the time. I also like El Toros Cigarillos but can get quite wired on it.

I agree, it is expensive at the start but now I know what I like and works for me, it is a lot better. Yes there is pre planning involved but I got used to that.

It is a personal thing though. I think all your points are valid and not anti vaping at all - it is a different mind set and habit to develop from smoking.

Luckily for me, I have not smoked a single cig since I started in early Jan, I have tried a puff, twice, from curiosity not craving, and couldn't stomach it. Still love the smell of the smoke from a fresh lit fag though.

Also I found that nic levels vary so much - have already told story of my boss who was on ultra light silk cuts, 15-20 daily. She uses 18 or 20 strength now, same as me (after low nic not enough for her) and goes through a third more juice than me. Yet I smoked full strength about 25 daily.

So the guides are just that - a guide.

Wish you luck.

Ali x

[alijoy60]

And just to add. I always maintained that I wasn't that addicted to the nic, but the hand to mouth habit and I think the success of whilffling for me has proven that, as I really can;t take too much nic at all. I use about 1.5 mls juice daily now. And I always detested that after smell of smoking so that's a real bonus and pay off for me, which re inforces my pleasure in vaping as an alternative.

[kruegerbait]

I went through a similar stage a couple of weeks ago. I was vaping away whenever it took my fancy and after a while I felt like I was constently vaping and still feeling like something was missing. Then I tried something different, instead of just vaping at a constant rate I decided to mimic my old smoking habits I would vape for around ten minutes when I would have had a ciiggie. I also allowed myself a few extra vape times as a treat which I would normally not afford to do with cigarettes. At the end of a vape session I even have two long drags, a bit like finishing off a cigarette.

I'm not saying this is for you, but it worked wonders for me when I was starting to doubt if vaping was actually working.

[motormadfrosty]

Good post richt and tbh, if I wouldn't of found the ego visions by now, I would of knocked it on the head. I started with carto's but, as you are, found myself constantly "topping them off".

As Macca said, the El torro juice is supposed to be very good, check out this review, it's on my "to do" list when I get the craving -

With regards to the financial aspect, why not get your unwanted bit's and juices up in the classifieds/swaps. They will soon go, recouping some of your outlay. In fact, I have got over 100ml of healthcabin kent in 36mg. It's a very strong tobacco flavour if you want to do a swapsies

At the end of the day bud, it's up to you. If you enjoy smoking that much and are not overly concerned about the health issues, carry on but don't regret it at a later date if it has a detrimental effect on your well being.