General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsIf e-cigs really helped you or someone you love quit smoking, PLEASE post here.
Why should you post?
Because lives may be saved. If an e-cigarette can get you or someone you know to stop smoking, their lives may be saved, they will regain their cardiovascular fitness, no longer smell bad and maybe stop hating themselves.
It's a good thing all around.
So please post your story or just give a "Yes. They helped"
abelenkpe
(9,933 posts)Watched them try many times before to quit. E cigs helped them finally succeed.
Well, so far. Only been a couple years.
Luminous Animal
(27,310 posts)NavyDem
(519 posts)I will have been smoke free for 5 years.
LuvNewcastle
(16,834 posts)I'm 44, and it helped me quit for 3 weeks. You have to understand, I had never even quit for a day since I was 15. I still have the ecig, and I'm going to do it again. At least now I know I can.
betterdemsonly
(1,967 posts)1 aunt and 2 cousins quit outright, and my dad has cut back alot.
U4ikLefty
(4,012 posts)I was a light smoker for the last few years (3-5 smokes after work), but vaping helped me quit altogether.
I would recommend trying a GOOD personal vaporizer, not one of those crappy disposables sold by Big Tobacco.
Dark n Stormy Knight
(9,760 posts)shorter period of time. I wonder if a good personal vaporizer would help him. I also wonder what a good personal vaporizer is.
Prophet 451
(9,796 posts)I can't give you website links because I'm in the UK but if you'd like to keep it relatively cheap, look for something with an eGo coupling manufactured by Kanger or Joytech, a clear or tinted tank, with replaceable atomiser/wicks (saves a fortune in the long run). THIS is the one I got. You'll need to change either the clearomiser (the tank) or the wick inside it every six weeks or so.
Beyond that, try out lots of different flavours and be aware that your tastes may well change quickly as your sense of taste comes back. If you can find someplace that does cheap sampler bottles, buy a load of those until you find a flavour you like.
Good luck!
Dark n Stormy Knight
(9,760 posts)(two weeks now) and would be insulted. But if he starts again, as he has in the past, I'll share this with him.
Treant
(1,968 posts)Genuine Joye eGo series are probably the most common and use the most commonly available screw thread (I actually use an alternate, which limits what I can put on my battery without finagling).
Of them all, I'm partial to the Vision Spinner, the eGo Twist (both variable voltage so if you need more kick right then you just turn the dial a little bit, then turn it back when your craving fades).
But there's much to recommend the simple eGo and it's the place a lot of people start. Plus they're pretty cheap and hundreds (if not thousands) of vape shops and online retailers will have them.
Best of luck to your husband and I hope he's successful and doesn't NEED the eGo!
frylock
(34,825 posts)can't recommend it enough. have had better success with the new Spinner II.
displacedtexan
(15,696 posts)I've been cig free and vaping since Jan. 10th, and I've tried several types. The best one so far for me is the EXXUS 510 personal vape pen. There are no wicks to get gunked up, and it's much easier to fill the tank without getting liquid into the heating tube. The battery charge lasts as long as the MatchFree brand one I've had for several months.
The kanger one was finicky for me. I never could get a perfect balance between the airflow valve and the tightness/looseness of the seals. But that's probably just me.
The main point is: No matter how many different brands and types you buy, it costs less than cigarettes, and it's NOT CIGARETTES.
Hope This helps.
betterdemsonly
(1,967 posts)Last edited Fri Jul 25, 2014, 02:30 AM - Edit history (1)
IMHO the best kits include two ego-c upgrade batteries 1000mah with the ce5+ wickless clearomizer, with replaceable atomizers. Then you want ejuice. My personal favorite is Vixen Vapes, which you can access online.
Dark n Stormy Knight
(9,760 posts)Prophet 451
(9,796 posts)It never occured to me to suggest eBay.
U4ikLefty
(4,012 posts)Doing some research is a good idea. Here's a great website http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/
Oh, and here's a place that sells the eGo-C Twist http://www.myvaporstore.com/Joye_eGo_C_Twist_Variable_Voltage_650mAh_Battery_p/ego-c-tst.htm
I spent the $$$ and bought a "premium" vape (Provari Mini) but it was worth every cent.
Dark n Stormy Knight
(9,760 posts)if necessary!
sweetloukillbot
(10,972 posts)I have one of those I keep connected to my PC for the occasional puff. It's kind-of my electronic hookah! And it worked wonders for me. I quit cold turkey from analogs and was off nicotine completely within a year. 4 years now off cigarettes.
meow2u3
(24,759 posts)Smok Aluminum ACE Variable Voltage/Wattage Mod Device[link:https://www.myfreedomsmokes.com/mods-rbas/digital/variable-wattage/smok-aluminum-ace-variable-voltage-wattage-mod-device.html| Mine is purple. You need 18650 batteries and a good charger for them to work.
I actually won this starter kit in a contest.
Prophet 451
(9,796 posts)I was a 50-a-day smoker for 25 years. And unlike many, I actively enjoyed smoking. Then my SO talked me into trying an ecig just because it would be easier for me when we're out to be able to have a couple of puffs rather than smoking a whole roll-up and having to frequently re-light it.
So she brought me one of those crappy disposables that Big Tobacco put out. Tasted foul and quit on me after less than a day but proved that I could get the same sensation as smoking from an ecig. So I went online, talked to a few people and asked a few questions and ended up buying VapeEscape's top-range starter kit (LINK). Cost me about sixty quid and I also spent another thirty getting a whole bunch of their liquid sampler bottles. Ninety quid. About what I'd spend on two month's of tobacco, papers, etc.
As soon as I started using my ecig, my 50-a-day dropped to five (two with morning coffee, two going to bed, one during studying). Over the course of teh next month after finding a couple of liquids a I really liked, with a little willpower (not much at all), I cut out those last five. I'm now at just over three months without a single cigarette. I alternate between VapeEscape's "7 Wolves" (tastes like Marlboro Reds) and cherry; cinnamon and cappucino flavours from Totally Wicked. Both are small online start-ups here in teh UK that have nothing to do with Big Tobacco (important to me because I'm very anti-corporate).
Three months with no analogs at all. My sense of smell has returned, my ability to breath has returned, my sense of taste is back with a vengeance (I hadn't realised quite how much hot sauce I was putting on everything). I've gone from 3000+ toxins in cigarettes to 1 and I control how much of that is in my liquids. When I started, I was on a mixture of 24mg and 18mg liquids. I've now dropped it down to a uniform 18mg and, in time, I'll drop it down further until I'm ju8st huffing flavoured steam for the taste and sensation.
I spend about twenty-five quid a month on liquids and replacement wicks for my ecig, much less than I spent on smoking stuff. The spare money is going to my wargaming hobby (toy soldiers with complicated rules). My SO is overjoyed that I've quit and no longer has to tolerate my second-hand smoke (nor do our cats). And I've even converted my mother (50 year smoker) to ecigs.
Mariana
(14,854 posts)I remember when you were asking about e-cigs. I'm glad to hear you're doing so well with them.
Prophet 451
(9,796 posts)I'm doing so well on them that I've become something of an evangelist to the smokers in my life.
SamKnause
(13,088 posts)My nephew. (Quit smoking, quit vaping)
My nephew's wife. (Quit smoking, quit vaping)
My brother's girlfriend. (Quit smoking, still vaping)
LadyHawkAZ
(6,199 posts)I've backslid a time or two. Still vaping.
Treant
(1,968 posts)Miss LadyHawkAZ, it's a "training quit."
Think of all the cigarettes you didn't smoke when you were vaping. Every single one of those is a win and a personal victory--plus a health bonus to you.
This is difficult. There are no failures, only setbacks, and setbacks can be fixed if you decide you want to.
Mariana
(14,854 posts)I bought my first rig during a very stressful time. My house was up for sale and we were getting ready to move to another state. I wasn't planning to try to quit with all that going on, but I'd been reading about them and the model I wanted to try went on sale for half price. I took it out of the package to make sure it worked, and I liked it so much from the very first drag that I never smoked again.
demtenjeep
(31,997 posts)9 months hubby hasn't chewed
almost 2 years for future son-in-law!
yes they have helped GREATLY
Comrade Grumpy
(13,184 posts)I use an e-cig the rest of the time. My goal is to get down to maybe three a day, with my cups of coffee.
Dark n Stormy Knight
(9,760 posts)I used it a bit as well. I would really have used it more if I hadn't felt so silly, though I should have felt far sillier smoking the real ones. The thing about it that worked for me I think was just the deep breathing sucking on that thing forced me to do. Also, it felt in the hand and mouth just like a real ciggie and involved the same physical actions.
It was similar to this one, but I don't recall the fake burning end.
Tierra_y_Libertad
(50,414 posts)Behind the Aegis
(53,921 posts)Yes. It did and continues to help!
Nay
(12,051 posts)have been so hard for him to quit, but he's almost there.
JustAnotherGen
(31,780 posts)They helped - cheap little njoys from 7-11.
meow2u3
(24,759 posts)There's something in Njoys that don't agree with me. Must be the juice they use to fill the cartridges.
JustAnotherGen
(31,780 posts)But it got me a brutal dose of nicotine. And that helped me quit. . .
krawhitham
(4,638 posts)I went from 2 PAD for 20 years to none in about 2-3 weeks using E-Cigs
We have all be smoke free now for almost 16 months
I had tried the patch before and it did not work
Dragonfli
(10,622 posts)I didn't even really want to quit and so thought it would be near impossible, however I was diagnosed as having pulmonary hypertension and with that condition, there is no cure and it only gets worse not better. I had to quit as my body no longer receives oxygen as it should and so things like smoking are simply out of the question.
I tried the patch and nicorette which worked very poorly for me, then a friend gave me a vaporizer and I was able to quit without even the slightest discomfort, I am very nearly completely off the nicotine as well, having moved from 24 mg to 18 to 12 and now I mix that half and half with a flavor only juice.
It is not a myth, it works and even my pulmonologist that does not even want me near second hand smoke or car exhaust if it can be avoided has no problem with the vaporizer. But what does he know, keyboard experts here think he is full of shit and fear my vapor from yards away, so he must be an idiot.
Treant
(1,968 posts)My cardiologist is thrilled and approves of me vaping for the rest of my life. My family doctor was over the moon when I told him and had me demonstrate the device for both his nurses and his receptionist. He approves and does not care if I vape for the rest of my life either.
So, you know, he also wasn't worried about me blasting "toxic vapor" around his office and around sick people.
My dentist says my gums look better than they have in twenty years. My teeth are healthier.
I can breathe. Walk hills. Run hills. Carry large bags of fertilizer. I couldn't be happier!
Those keyboard warriors? *&^# them. They have no clue what they're talking about...as usual.
This is the number of people, including myself, that have quit smoking that I personally know. The list includes my mother, several cousins, family friends, and so on.
I'm not sure how to count random encounters on the street or in the grocery store (the CS personnel there know I vape, ask about it regularly, and asked for printed sheets from me for more information for those who wish to quit). I've not added those as I don't know the eventual outcomes.
My story? I smoked like a chimney for 25 years since my freshman year of college. NOTHING worked to quit. Chantix was...a nightmare. Patch? Maybe if I smoked it. Gum? Nope. Lozenge? Nope.
It still took me 2 months to transition to vaping, but it wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it would be (my mother switched over in a single afternoon--we all differ).
Cigarette free here since 3:00 PM on December 24th, 2012. I can no longer tolerate the smell, nor the scent of smoke on other people.
TreasonousBastard
(43,049 posts)for e-cigs.
I enjoyed smoking, but enjoyed it too much-- up to three packs a day. As the price was pushing 10 bucks a pack around here it was financially as stupid as it was healthwise, so I quit.
If e-cigs were around then I would have used them.
And gone off on anyone who complained.
Unknown Beatle
(2,672 posts)on March 23rd of this year after 45 years. I tried nic patches and gum 10 years ago and it didn't help. I honestly thought I was going to be smoking cigarettes until I died. And then I tried e-cigarettes and a vapor pen with a KangerTech Protank 3 and I haven't smoked cigarettes since.
I also bought a shitload of FIN e-cigarettes dirt cheap. Here's a link for great tasting, long lasting but cheap FIN e-cigarettes. I think the sale will be over in 12 hours but they always put them back on sale in the near future.
Nightjock
(1,408 posts)and they are the ONLY thing that worked.
Have not had a cigarette for over a year and I am never going back!
I turned two other lifelong smokers onto e cigs and it worked for them too.
I cannot praise them enough.
progressoid
(49,945 posts)My wife quit smoking cold turkey. 65 days now.
But it not easy and I've suggested e-cigs as an option but she want to stick it out. Thing is, she's also trying to lose weight and that struggle is not succeeding mostly because she's substiuting food for smokes.
Anyone have similar issues?
Autumn
(44,980 posts)in Feb and have not used the vape pen since the last of May, just because I never think of it or get the urge to use it. I keep it in my purse just in case. I gained no weight.
progressoid
(49,945 posts)Will suggest it.
Autumn
(44,980 posts)TheKentuckian
(25,020 posts)A lot of empty calories when what we want is really the taste and you can while doing some thing with your hands, while putting something in your mouth, and get that familiar breathing exhaling.
Prophet 451
(9,796 posts)My SO is trying to lose weight and vapies 0% nicotine liquids in sweet flavours to help her manage.
Autumn
(44,980 posts)Smoke free and loving it.
IronLionZion
(45,380 posts)because he didn't want to smoke around her or to even have her smell it. It worked for him because he had the willpower and responsibility to gradually reduce the amount of nicotine used. If someone has low willpower, they can easily take too much nicotine too quickly and make their addiction worse.
It really depends on one's mentality.
Oilwellian
(12,647 posts)We have three other family members who have also quit. The over the counter ecigs didn't satisfy and went back to smoking in short time. Was introduced to a more powerful battery and tank, and we've never looked back. We weaned ourselves off of the nicotine within six months, but still enjoy vaping a tobacco/coffee flavor juice. We were long-time smokers and this is the only product that has worked for us. It's the best invention I've seen in my lifetime and will save countless lives.
LisaLynne
(14,554 posts)for some reason started smoking when he was 14. He has tried like crazy to quit for the past 20-some years. He tried everything -- the patch, cold turkey, hypnosis, therapy for stress, nicotine gum, everything. He has stopped with an e-cigarette. He is feeling WAY better physically, is shocked at how things actually smell and taste (ha ha), and, yeah, stopped hating himself. He would always get so depressed when he would fail to quit. Now, he's all proud of himself and it's a good thing.
meow2u3
(24,759 posts)I couldn't have quit, or switched, any other way. Heaven knows I tried: gum, Wellbutrin, cold turkey didn't have any long-term results. Even my doctor said my lung functioning has vastly improved since I got off the coffin nails. I'm able to walk around the block, do housework, and even mow my lawn, all without getting out of breath.
E-liquid contains propylene glycol, which is used in asthma inhalers, and/or vegetable glycerin, both regarded by the FDA as GRAS (generally regarded as safe). The only immediate health risks are possible allergic reactions in some people and the fact that it has a tendency to dehydrate you, so drinking extra water is very important when you're vaping.
I don't understand why the PTB are scaring potential ex-smokers by claiming e-cigs are more dangerous than tobacco combustion, other than the threats to corporate profits. I also can't understand why liberal Democrats, who are supposed to be championing harm reduction, oppose vaping as tobacco harm reduction and want to regulate e-juice to the point of a de facto ban. All that will do are put vape shops out of business and drive vaping ex-smokers back to the cancer-causing, life-threatening tobacco.
BTW, vapers ought to check E-cigarette Forum out.
tavernier
(12,368 posts)In less than a year.
LexVegas
(6,030 posts)Does the e-cigs now and does not smoke cigarettes at all any more. She has steadily decreased the concentration of nicotine, and now is at a tiny fraction of what a cigarette contains. Breathes better and has totally eliminated her morning smokers cough.
In my mind they are a life saver. I tried for years and years to get her to stop. Patches, pills, nothing else worked. As a bonus, no smoky clothes, car, hair, etc.
NCTraveler
(30,481 posts)The person they helped feels the same as I do. The government needs to get in and regulate the industry now.
B Calm
(28,762 posts)real thing.
Dawgs
(14,755 posts)Dawgs
(14,755 posts)The only way I've ever heard of anyone successfully quitting, and I include myself, is to quit cold turkey.
I believe e-cigs keep the habit alive, which is one of the big things smokers should be trying to avoid.
L0oniX
(31,493 posts)etherealtruth
(22,165 posts)From the sidelines i have witnessed e-cigs help a lot of people quit or dramatically reduce their use.
I am at a loss as to why there are those so vehemently opposed to them ... of course no one should smoke, but this seems to be a fairly positive (at least better than lighting up) alternative.
I would happily sit next to someone "vaping' ... I would not be thrilled to sit in proximity to someone smoking (although in truth it really doesn't bother me much unless it is in a small and enclosed space
redqueen
(115,103 posts)linuxman
(2,337 posts)It amazes me how many moral-crusaders will fight this great advancement tooth and nail.
Skeletor
(11 posts)I haven't had a real cigarette in several months. The thought of lighting up makes me ill.
Beaverhausen
(24,470 posts)he smoked a pack a day.
La Lioness Priyanka
(53,866 posts)Ruby the Liberal
(26,219 posts)They work.
Kermitt Gribble
(1,855 posts)and now spend about $40-50 per month on e-cigs. It is a good thing all around!
Bluenorthwest
(45,319 posts)first. The pens are better, cheaper, cleaner and what I buy is organic and all that 'cause I live in Woodstock Nation.
I know several people who have entirely stopped smoking cigs using vape substitutes.
Holly_Hobby
(3,033 posts)we have not had even one cigarette. Not one, in a long, long time. Vaping works.
We're cutting our nicotine down to zero next month and will no longer be addicts.
politicat
(9,808 posts)People with schizophrenia have a high rate of chain smoking, because the combination of the nicotine and the MAOI produced by combustion act as a means of self-medication and helps control the more intrusive symptoms of the disease. Getting schizophrenics off cigarettes is like getting diabetics off insulin -- for years, we thought it couldn't be done. Approximately 90% of people with schizophrenia smoke.
But in 2009, Colorado went completely non-smoking indoors, including group homes. The members of that house had significant issues with hypothermia and serious respiratory illnesses that year, due to exposure and spending most of their hours outside. In 2010, we got them on vaporizers and adjusted their meds to compensate for the MAOI.
I am pleased to say that 3 years later, the entire house is still non-smoking. Most are on high doses of nicotine, and will be for life, but all are in much better shape.
If ecigs can work for schizophrenics, they will work for anyone, if the nicotine strength is sufficient and the hardware is of high quality.
Pastiche423
(15,406 posts)Purchased a kit in July 2010. Smoked my last analog October 15, 2010.
I, like another poster, did not want to quit. While sitting around w/some friends, two mentioned ecigs. It took them a while to convince me to try (they din't look or feel like a cig). We all purchased a kit at about the same time.
Of the three of us, I was the only one to quit smoking cigarettes.
After hearing the naysayers, some even on this board, I have come to the conclusion that it never was about their desire for others and their air to be healthy. It was and still is that they have to have something to bitch about.
That is specially true when what I am vaping contains 0 nicotine.
Texasgal
(17,038 posts)for over 25 years. Two pack a day habit. Started E-Cigs and started tapering off. She no longer smokes cigarettes. I am so happy for her!
SomethingFishy
(4,876 posts)Thanks to Vapor..
Started with the Blu e-cigs but they were very expensive and not satisfying at all. I found myself smoking both those and the cigarettes. Then I went to a Vapor shop and talked to the guy there and he hooked me up with a couple batteries(Smok-Tech) and some juice. I haven't had a cigarette since.. Actually, I lit one up a few days ago, took two puffs and put it out and went back to my Vapor.
I can't recommend the switch more highly..
On Edit: Oh and I'm saving $200 a month!
JaneyVee
(19,877 posts)Due to e-cigs or various vape methods.
One Voice
(376 posts)I need to quit, and have no idea of what to buy.
rudolph the red
(666 posts)from a pack a day to 4-5 real cigs a day. I really want to quit completely, but sometimes I just crave the real things so intensely, I guess I lack the necessary will power.
TheKentuckian
(25,020 posts)I've gotten to be a little battle tested having been through high stress times at work, stress at home, a break up, had to relocate quick and fast on a shoestring, illness in the family, death of said family member and as close to a father as I ever had, more stress at work, and now lost my job and the only cigarette I reached for is the MVP and the back up ego.
The only reason I'd go back is if I couldn't use an electric. Not a 100% that I'd smoke but I figure it is the most probable outcome, at least 78% straight to the dark side.
Now, I'll straight up tell you that I'm not in any conscious effort to quite the electric or even much on stepping down the nicotine but not smoking is a really, really big fucking deal.
Talking about no morning uglies (aka waking up and hacking your fucking lungs).
Talking about some running with the dog.
Talking about no random coughing, smelling fresh and clean is all the rage, shit.
Telling you about a different kind of addiction to the nicotine that is much less generally intense and with it moderated reactions to early withdrawal.
Spreading the good word about taking in way, way, way less chemicals and carcinogens.
Letting you know my canary in the coal mine, kitty no longer exists the room when I puff but she made an exit when I fired up a cigarette and gave the gas face on the way out.
Blood pressure down.
Teeth cleanings are quicker.
Non smoker friends asking why I'm going outside, "what are you going to do, make my house smell better?".
Fire risk reduced by orders of magnitude and hey I can't remember the last time I burnt a hole in shirt, pants, or car seat but I used to do all that shit from time to time.
No ashtray mouth!
No nicotine stains on my fingers (or anywhere else).
Hell, now that I've discovered distilled water and can cut the vegetable glycerin to a better viscosity the little frog in the throat is going away. My biggest downside is not being able to keep up with able lighter, never know when easy fire or light could be handy or even critical.
You get the right equipment (dont screw with the cig a likes, get you some damn power) and the right juice and it will save and increase the quality of your life. Though I do believe that some folks might long term be more likely to succeed if they first switch from commercial cigarettes to rolling their own just to get off all those chemicals, some of which I believe to also be addictive, that was my path.
Now, I might never make it to the promised land (off nicotine but then I never considered quitting cigarettes, I just like this better and it took) but the view from just this mountain top is astounding and the air is fresher than I have known in many years.
Hosnon
(7,800 posts)Live and Learn
(12,769 posts)and several people I know at work too.
logosoco
(3,208 posts)of smoking (and enjoying it, but I enjoy ecigs even more).
My husband quit as well when he saw what it did for me.
They are wonderful devices because I don't think I would have quit otherwise (because I really enjoyed smoking).
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