Vaping - Kicking the Cigs!

[Webzcas]

I'd still say that a lot of the websites and research articles are funded or put there by the e-cig manufacturers....there's not too much research done in depth on this.

I agree. However a lot of the research, Dr Farsilno's aside which is crowd funded, is paid for by the Big Tobacco and pharmaceutical companies. Go figure...

The biggest ecig manufacturers are even owned by Big Tobacco. You know, the ones like Blu that you find in garages...

Hence I keep well away from them.

 

[cncas123]

I think the issue around vaping is that there is no real regulation, there has been no clear research into the long term effects, if any, but surely it stands to reason that anyone vaping in preference to smoking is doing less harm to there bodies than they would be by inhaling all the toxins in a normal cigarette? I very occasionally use an e-cig, and have tried to go cold turkey as much as possible, but I am definitely going to reach for an e-cig in a real moment of need rather than a cigarette, and that has to be a good thing.

 

[Webzcas]

Yep regulation is needed. However, over regulation meaning only the Big Tobacco and Pharma companies can only afford to comply with them is not needed or wanted. Over regulation also leads to increase taxes. Hence what residents in states like Ohio are now facing.

Anything that is popular which generates $$ always means it gets taxed to death.

 

[spintee]

I'd still say that a lot of the websites and research articles are funded or put there by the e-cig manufacturers....there's not too much research done in depth on this.

I agree. However a lot of the research, Dr Farsilno's aside which is crowd funded, is paid for by the Big Tobacco and pharmaceutical companies. Go figure...

The biggest ecig manufacturers are even owned by Big Tobacco. You know, the ones like Blu that you find in garages...

Hence I keep well away from them.

Yes I know one them Dr's reckons he has done aloud of research, You will find he has he's hand in the pie also, Unsure if its Dr Farsilno's or a next one, I remember seeing a small documentary a while ago and the journalist was saying you will say that they are better than cigarettes as you own a big share, But he would not have none of it,

 

[mat_b]

Well done webzcas!!

I personally found the transition from 'analog' to Ahem 'digital' (Vaping) pretty painless...

In fact, I prefer the taste of 'Vapes' to the real thing...

I don't miss the smell, cough or semi social poriah-dom that 'analogs' come with...

Best decision I ever made, haven't looked back... Stick at it webzcas

 

[Balthazar]

When I first tried an ecig, I wanted something that looked like a cigarette. I got one of those cheap ones that actually have a little LED glowing light at the end and it was slim and just a little longer than cigarette sized. Physically it was what I wanted, but I found that after the first couple puffs, I wasn't getting enough of a hit, and puffing harder just made the vapor taste like crap - and it kept leaking juice and the battery seemed to only last a couple of hours, it was really more of a pain than anything.

I sprung for a mid-range kit with bigger tanks and batteries and it was a LOT better. It doesn't look like a cigarette, it's more like a big fountain pen, but once I got away from the idea that I needed something that LOOKED like a ciggie, it didn't take that long to get used to it.

Buying one of those cheap low quality ecigs might be a good starting point, but probably half the people who do that decide vaping isn't for them. Once you try a really quality vape with good juice, you'll definitely be able to tell the difference.

I think we all make the same mistake at first. We all want something that looks similar and tastes similar to a real cigarette. I went through several ecigs at the beginning, trying all kinds of cheap stuff until I find a good one that I really like.

I bought the Joyetech eGrip as an xmas gift to myself and I highly recommend it. It's very well made (heavy and robust), very compact and very powerful (you can change the wattage up to 20 watts). It's perfect for those who like a small yet powerful device. The battery will last a whole day of heavy vaping as well. The tank and battery are in the same box, which is very nice.

It's small enough that I can actually vape with this anywhere in public and no one will ever notice. Just be careful not to release a huge cloud and you're incognito.


Here's a pic (not mine):

 

[Balthazar]

Also, just a little tip...

I really like a good throat hit when I vape but I don't want to stick with high nicotine e-juice. I found that some flavours help for this. I started at 18mg, dropped to 12mg and now my last bottle is 6mg. I was worried about the lack of throat hit but then found a cinnamon-mint flavour. It's a very good (if you like cinnamon) and very powerful flavour, which "stings" a little and kinds of compensate for the low level of nicotine. Combined with a good device it really does the job, so now I vape only 6mg and it's satisfying. I'm very happy about this.


I used to smoke 30+ cigarettes a day and I smoked for 22 years.

 

[chayton]

One thing that we just found out sort of by accident - Ray had to have a medical done for life insurance when we bought the house, and even though he's been off 'real' cigarettes for almost a year, the test they do for smokers is testing for nicotine in the urine. Any kind of nicotine replacement like gum, inhalers or vaping will still get a person stuck with the 'smoker's rate' which is up to 70% higher for any kind of insurance.

Just wanted to mention that for anyone who's in the same boat. Seems kind of unfair really.

 

[Balthazar]

One thing that we just found out sort of by accident - Ray had to have a medical done for life insurance when we bought the house, and even though he's been off 'real' cigarettes for almost a year, the test they do for smokers is testing for nicotine in the urine. Any kind of nicotine replacement like gum, inhalers or vaping will still get a person stuck with the 'smoker's rate' which is up to 70% higher for any kind of insurance.

Just wanted to mention that for anyone who's in the same boat. Seems kind of unfair really.

Well that sucks. If ecigs are there to stay, it will take several years before the whole "outside world" adjusts to the new reality. Personally I can't wait until governments do some very serious analysis on ecigs and react accordingly. Until then we'll have to live with the whole tobacco stigma and deal with people's fear.

 

[Webzcas]

Great going Balthazar and remember, smoking is dead, vaping is the future and the future is now

 

[thebigs]

One thing that we just found out sort of by accident - Ray had to have a medical done for life insurance when we bought the house, and even though he's been off 'real' cigarettes for almost a year, the test they do for smokers is testing for nicotine in the urine. Any kind of nicotine replacement like gum, inhalers or vaping will still get a person stuck with the 'smoker's rate' which is up to 70% higher for any kind of insurance.

Just wanted to mention that for anyone who's in the same boat. Seems kind of unfair really.

We had the same problem with the insurances and its a big joke that you could drink a bottle of vodka a day,take heroin and you would not face the same regulations you face due to you vaping something that contains a small bit of nicotine.

 

[chayton]

We had the same problem with the insurances and its a big joke that you could drink a bottle of vodka a day,take heroin and you would not face the same regulations you face due to you vaping something that contains a small bit of nicotine.

Here's an article I found from last year: xxhttp://news.nationalpost.com/2014/04/21/tobacco-free-e-cigarettes-are-a-healthier-choice-for-smokers-right-no-life-insurance-companies-say/ and it's for Canada, but I'm sure the general idea from insurance companies is the same. Basically they say, "You're still sticking something in your mouth and inhaling, so we're going to charge you the smoker's rate regardless." Odd though that they can't use that same excuse if you're on a nicotine patch or gum which is readily available at any drugstore - they'll even give you patches in the hospital FFS, and you'd still test positive for nicotine and get stuck paying whether you're inhaling anything or not.

 

[paul7388]

Thanks for all the useful advice.

Might have to give this a try as had a few attempts to give up smoking but always went back to it.

Tried the patches a few times but always ended up starting smoking again even when still wearing the patches. Not great idea lol.

Tried Champix over a year ago , took them for over 3 months then managed to stay off cigarettes for a couple of months but ended up smoking again just after new year last year. Think its the boredom part and habit as even if I wasn't craving a cigarette I just needed to smoke as seemed lost without them daft as it may seem.

So if everyone else on here seems to be able to make this work I might give it a try.

 

[Balthazar]

Thanks for all the useful advice.

Might have to give this a try as had a few attempts to give up smoking but always went back to it.

Tried the patches a few times but always ended up starting smoking again even when still wearing the patches. Not great idea lol.

Tried Champix over a year ago , took them for over 3 months then managed to stay off cigarettes for a couple of months but ended up smoking again just after new year last year. Think its the boredom part and habit as even if I wasn't craving a cigarette I just needed to smoke as seemed lost without them daft as it may seem.

So if everyone else on here seems to be able to make this work I might give it a try.

Patches and gum and stuff work for nicotine addiction but don't help for the habit addiction. How often do you light up a cigarette even if you don't "need" one? If you're a heavy smoker then it's probably all the time. I know that I couldn't not smoke after a meal or when I sat in my car...etc It wasn't related to my need for nicotine.

That's where ecigs really help. You can puff on them even when you don't need them so you don't have to get out of your "comfort zone" while slowly reducing your nicotine intake. That's why quitting with ecigs is so easy (for me, at least).

 

[mcgameboy]

Well done Webzcas

I stopped too this time last year and I thought I would never smoke again.
I used an e-cig instead and it tasted just like a cigarette.

For some idiotic reason I started smoking again after just a few months, but I will give it another try soon.

So thanks for starting the thread. It does give me inspiration to try again.
I will stop. I have to!!

Don't be so harsh on yourself T. I've been off the cigs for almost 7 years now. And on a couple of occasions I had managed to get off them for a
month before finally cracking and going back on them. You're only human. And only someone who has smoked or still smokes can understand how tough it is to get off them for good.

I also know people who have gone back on the cigs after being off them for TWELVE YEARS. Now THAT (IMHO) is idiotic.

I would say this to you....if you can get off the cigs for a few months, then you have what it takes to give them up for good. The will, the desire, the
discipline. All you need is that final piece to complete your jigsaw. The sheer stubborn pig-headed bloodymindedness to declare...

"I WILL NOT BE BEATEN. YOU WILL NOT WIN!!"

Look at it this way....by going back on them after just a few months, you merely lost "one of the battles". Winning the WAR, however, is still
very much up for grabs. If you want it badly enough, you will emerge victorious.

And I probably don't need to tell you the rest of the benefits of getting off them for good, as you would already have experienced them during
those few months you were off them. But just in case you need reminding....

Food tasting better
Clothes/rooms in the house/breath not stinking like an ashtray
More money in your pocket
Better breathing
No blasted smokers cough when you wake up every morning

I hope to be on this forum long enough to one day read a thread by you with the title....

I finally gave them up

Best of luck T. And indeed to anyone else "trying to win the war"

 

[mat_b]

@chayton...

Your comment about insurance medicals...

Can you appeal?.... Reasoning being..

Urine nicotine assay, only reflects nicotine intake, and due to metabolic breakdown of nicotine, to byproducts in urine, only has a sensitivity, if I recall, of 1-3 weeks (please don't quote, or accept my advice as 'gospel' though!!!)

A breath CO (carbon monoxide) meter is cheaper to run in the long term, and gives a more reliable result.. You could be 'white coat phobic' and 'cane' the E-cigs due to impending physician meeting stress, and get a crazy reading, whereas CO metering, only measures tabacco COMBUSTION products (or faulty gas appliances at your residence)

Any chance of an appeal, based on CO spirometry with your insurer, so as to get bumped down a few risk bands??

 

[Tirilej]

Don't be so harsh on yourself T. I've been off the cigs for almost 7 years now. And on a couple of occasions I had managed to get off them for a
month before finally cracking and going back on them. You're only human. And only someone who has smoked or still smokes can understand how tough it is to get off them for good.

I also know people who have gone back on the cigs after being off them for TWELVE YEARS. Now THAT (IMHO) is idiotic.

I would say this to you....if you can get off the cigs for a few months, then you have what it takes to give them up for good. The will, the desire, the
discipline. All you need is that final piece to complete your jigsaw. The sheer stubborn pig-headed bloodymindedness to declare...

"I WILL NOT BE BEATEN. YOU WILL NOT WIN!!"

Look at it this way....by going back on them after just a few months, you merely lost "one of the battles". Winning the WAR, however, is still
very much up for grabs. If you want it badly enough, you will emerge victorious.

And I probably don't need to tell you the rest of the benefits of getting off them for good, as you would already have experienced them during
those few months you were off them. But just in case you need reminding....

Food tasting better
Clothes/rooms in the house/breath not stinking like an ashtray
More money in your pocket
Better breathing
No blasted smokers cough when you wake up every morning

I hope to be on this forum long enough to one day read a thread by you with the title....

I finally gave them up

Best of luck T. And indeed to anyone else "trying to win the war"

Thank you so much
You made me both cry and laugh with that message.

I actually started THAT kind of thread last year after just one month. Next time I wait a little longer

The changes I noticed was that I didn't smell so bad and I could breath a little better.
But I do know, and the doctors have told me, that I will be dead in 10 years if I don't stop very very soon.

That is a good reason so I hate being so weak!
I will stop this year!

 

[refre]

I quit a few years ago

My advice would be to motivate and educate yourself as much as possible, and not necessarily before you quit.
Some people think about quitting and what stops them is feeling they haven't 'prepared' for it - it's never a good time
Use that little voice telling you to stop, and you can worry about motivating yourself later.

I was doing several things to strenghten my resolve.

I joined a quit smoking forum, and I read about other peoples experiences.

I educated myself about all the harmful effects of smoking, as I had been avoiding the topic before quitting...

Perhaps the most helpful thing I did was watching the Youtube channel of smoking cessation expert

You do not have permission to view link Log in or register now.

.

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I'll use his own introduction

A free online self help stop smoking program developed by Joel Spitzer, a recognized leader in the field of smoking cessation with over 40 years of experience in helping thousands of smokers to successfully quit smoking. The videos provide viewers a guided tour on how to break free from the initial grip of nicotine addiction, and the educational support that can help them to stay free by making and sticking to a personal commitment to never take another puff.

I must warn you though - he's not an advocate of NRT.



Freddy

 

[Nightfly]

Seven years ago I was diagnosed with stage four metathesized lung cancer. That day I went cold turkey and never looked back at 40 years of smoking. Congrats to all who have quit.

 

[anniemac]

I tossed my last pack of cigs in the garbage in Sept. 2002, the day I found out that my sig other had a lung disease.

I didn't miss the smoking itself, it was the holding of the cig in my hand. I still miss that feeling when I play slots or bingo. It was such a big part of the enjoyment of playing for me.

Now I can't stand the smell of a cigarette and hate the way I smell when I come home from a casino. Nothing like a reformed smoker. LOL!

 

[chayton]

I tossed my last pack of cigs in the garbage in Sept. 2002, the day I found out that my sig other had a lung disease.

I didn't miss the smoking itself, it was the holding of the cig in my hand. I still miss that feeling when I play slots or bingo. It was such a big part of the enjoyment of playing for me.

Now I can't stand the smell of a cigarette and hate the way I smell when I come home from a casino. Nothing like a reformed smoker. LOL!

We used to go to the casinos here when they allowed smoking, and we were used to it. Then they passed a law where they banned smoking inside any public places inside the city limits. Of course all the smokers complained about it, but we continued going and just got used to nipping outside to smoke. Then a few months later a new casino opened just on the outskirts of the city and they allowed smoking, so we decided to go there. It was just terrible - I thought I'd enjoy being able to light up but instead I found it pretty gross - there were full stinky ashtrays everywhere, ashtrays dumped on the floor, people were butting their cigs on the floor or on the sides of the machines....it was awful - this casino wasn't even a month old and there were burn marks on everything and it stunk. We only went to that 'smoking' casino once, and now we go to the non-smoking ones...lol where the smokers throw their butts on the ground around the outside ashtrays instead.

 

[Webzcas]

20 weeks today for me, or 140 days since my last puff on a cigarette. I gave up before for 6 months several years ago after using the 'evil' drug that is Champix, but this time it is permanent.

Really good to hear others' inspirational stories in the thread.

 

[spintee]

How's the non smoking coming along

 

[shapesy]

Cant believe its been 3 years since my last one all that money i wasted on that habit nearly as much as slotting

 

[Webzcas]

25 Weeks Today!!!