Recent Posts

You're all really lovely, aren't you. But I said that already. Well, it's true. Definite cut above any forum I've seen around, anyway.

loobey - I'm so relieved to hear you say you combined the two (smoking and vaping) until you weened yourself off the bad'uns. That was my plan, but I thought maybe it would be self-sabotage if I didn't throw myself into vaping 100%. If you managed to do it after 50 years, I'm hoping I can muster a bit of will power, too. See, there's certain cigs during the day that I really enjoy, then there's the main bulk that are just habit, compulsion, stress and all that. The cig in the morning (or 3) with a cuppa, and the cig after dinner... those are the ones I really enjoy, if that makes sense. Do you reckon I could maybe say to myself 'ok, Isla, you weak turnip, you can have your 5 cancer sticks for the times when you really enjoy them and aren't just smoking them on zombie mode, so long as you commit to vaping for the rest of the day.' Decent plan or silly idea?

flip - thank you for the alert on hydration, I had no idea. Hope this isn't too unpleasant a question, but do you find that vaping still gives you the same kind of phlegm and racking cough you get from cigs? I was wondering if the VG in the juices was any kind of expectorant or irritant. Bit angsted by a recent article on the beeb news website about 'concerns over e-cigs safety.' I mean, can't for the life of me see how they couldn't help but be a safer improvement on ingesting a load of tar and carcinogens, but I suppose the unregulated and unchecked aspect of juices (and the potentially high nicotine consumption) is a little iffy. Then again, it's probably another tobacco lobby smokescreen to protect their patch. The treasury can't be happy about lost taxes either... many powerful vested interests at work in discrediting e-cigs, I guess?

By the way, flip, did you find you had any side-effects from absorbing nicotine through vaping? I'd be curious to hear vapers' experiences on this in general. Heard a few mentions of rapid heartbeat and headaches from high nicotine doses while people are still finding the right level for them. I have a seriously addictive personality and I'm a bit concerned that I'd run through so much juice initially that I'd end up wired to the eyeballs and an even bigger slavering nicotine maniac than ever.

dee- that is sage advice. There's so many ways to talk yourself out of a change, isn't there. Set myself a deadline, though. Going to order a kit within the next 36 hours or submit to a fate worse than death. Yes, I'm going to defrost the freezer. If that doesn't get me moving, nothing will!

sjs - Oooh, another vote for the tasty looking Ego-T, eh? Wish the vendor was on the forum list here, but it doesn't imply they're dodgy if it's not... or does it? I was hoping to order a good few samples of juice, not sure if it's a wise idea to get the same flavour in several different nicotine strengths, would there be a definite difference between, say, 18mg and 24mg? Better idea to start off low and increase if necessary? Do you have a favourite retailer for juices in general, or a particular flavour you swear by? I've seen that the mysterious elixir that is 'Grant's Vanilla Custard' has a starry-eyed band of devotees on here. So many questions, I feel like that irritating brat in the back of the car on a long journey. Sorry!

Kibbster - that is a lovely, reassuring post, thank you. I have a few friends who smoke and I didn't want to feel like the ghost at the banquet clutching my PV and mournfully ogling their regulars. Think I'll still huddle with them in the cold out of solidarity, though! Do you personally feel at ease vaping in public places like cafes and such? And another vote for the Riva... crikey. Cult following. Where there's vape there's fire, I guess... it's going to have to be the Riva, isn't it.

Romelee - that's really interesting about the cartomiser v clearomiser preference. What would you say are the biggest differences in how the two vape? The clearomiser seems to win on aesthetics, and it just looks like it would keep my inner kid happy seeing how much juice was left and generally having something interesting to look at and twiddle with and focus on. I have no idea how the two compare in terms of things like flavour and throat hit and all that. Does the clearomiser give a more intense hit, would you run through juice more quickly with them? Thank you very much for suggesting a good kit for me. I think I'm going to order exactly that. So you don't think that the Vision adds anything extra for a newb that the Riva wouldn't cover?

Ros- You'd go for the Riva, too, then? I was only dithering because I really liked the look of your link to the Ego-T with its clearomisers and charger. As you say, though, best to try the cartomisers as well. And I can use my wee phone charger? Excellent!

...you know, I think the decision's made. The Riva. Think I can put the snowsuit, crampons and ice pick away and avoid the freezer for another day, thank god! Thank you all so much for the wonderful help. If there are any extra bits and pieces you think I should add to the order, let me know. Any particular recommendations for juices (especially menthol) would be appreciated, too. I'll get on to Vape Escape and start putting it all in the basket and get it ordered by tonight...