I think e-cigarettes have massively underrated potential to save many, many lives.

[Gravitycollapse]

I was skeptical until about a week ago when I decided that they couldn't possibly be any worse for you than a regular tobacco cigarette. After reading up about the ingredients in the pre-vapor mixture, it seemed I was right and promptly purchased an NJOY brand e-cig.

It's quite a miraculous little device and provides a relatively safe way of administering nicotine to a user. You can still go through the process of "smoking" (which is actually called vaping) from a cigarette and for many smokers this, the smoking ritual itself, is one of the most important elements of addiction. Maintaining this routine was certainly important for me.

I've also tried various forms of chew in the past and consistently took in waaay to much nicotine over the course of only an hour or so and then would be sick for the rest of the day.

Anyway, I think this provides an outlet for smokers to continue the smoking ritual while also avoiding some really horrific chemicals that exist in standard cigarette smoke.

[Waiting For Everyman]

1. Your subject line is exactly right.

I've been vaping for three years this month, with not one cigarette since the first try. I heard about them here on DU.

I was really shocked to find out that e-cigs have a lot of critics. It baffles me.

Anyway, good luck to you with it.

[Gravitycollapse]

2. I wanted to know the chemical composition of the fluid. It's actually quite clean.

Once I overcame that issue, I saw no reason not to try them. I don't know why there would be so many critics.

[Waiting For Everyman]

3. I can understand wanting to check that out.

After six months or so, I started making my own liquid, so I know exactly what's in it. I have yet to hear of even one person having any kind of serious health impact from e-cigs. That, as opposed to the number of casualties from cigarettes.

[MADem]

7. How do you make your own liquid? Do you grow tobacco or something?

How do those things work? I don't know anyone who uses them, I've heard about them here, but never seen one in action.

[Waiting For Everyman]

9. No, it's liquid nicotine that is used, no tobacco at all.

Last edited Tue Jul 9, 2013, 06:50 AM - Edit history (1)

It's a tiny bit of that (really tiny my case, down to 1/2 of what a "Light" would be), plus some flavoring and sweetener, and mostly vegetable glycerine (which is used in lots of foods and cosmetics). There are detailed instructions on e-cigarette-forum.com and on YouTube.

You can also see one in action on YouTube, there are lots of videos about them there. Basically what happens is, a tiny battery heats the liquid into vapor, and that is what is inhaled.

Edit to add two:

Edit again to add: The doctors say that a starter kit is about $150. Actually it shouldn't be more than $75, some are closer to $50 depending on what's included in them.

[MADem]

11. So you buy the liquid nicotine and mix it with other stuff?

Are you titrating down so you will eventually quit?

It does look like smoking from a few feet away!

Thanks for the videos--Letterman was hilarious...!

[Waiting For Everyman]

13. Yes, it's a pretty simple recipe (I gave it above).

I don't always use nicotine even now. I can't really say that I can tell a difference at this point, between using nicotine vs. when I leave it out. I'm more addicted to the ritual of the motions of it, than the chemical addiction. That's why other ways of quitting never worked for me.

So... yes and no. Sometime soon I will probably stop bothering to use any nicotine, but I may or may not ever give up the vaping. I just like it, and I don't see a big reason not to.

Glad you liked the videos.

[MADem]

15. One more question and then I will stop bugging you!

So, assuming you quit the nicotine entirely, what would you put in there? Just flavors? Is it kind of like a mini-humidifier? That sort of thing might be useful for asthmatics or people with lung issues...?

[Waiting For Everyman]

18. No bother at all.

What would be left would be the vegetable glycerin (@80-85%), the rest flavoring and a little sweetener. I have no idea about any helpfulness with asthma etc., I'd doubt it but could be wrong. I've never looked for that, but maybe some people on the e-cigarette-forum have talked about it. It's a big place, like DU, so I'd guess that every imaginable topic has come up sometime or other.

[Mariana]

16. I'm convinced that some of those critics

don't like that e-cigs allow smokers to quit smoking painlessly. They want smokers to suffer, even after they've quit.

My experience was the same as yours. I tried an e-cig, and I never smoked again. I enjoyed smoking, but I liked vaping even better. Two years smoke-free for me. My favorite flavor is Amaretto.

[Waiting For Everyman]

27. I like vaping better too.

It has everything I liked about smoking without everything I didn't like. When I first started, and friends asked why I switched, I said it reminded me of Eddie Izzard's "Cake or Death" skit -- it seemed like a no-brainer to me. We probably have similar taste, because I like Amaretto a lot too, but for a long while I've been vaping Chocolate. Both go so well with coffee, my other "must have".

It's great to finally find a good answer to a really bad problem, isn't it?

[KamaAina]

40. Flavored vaping?! Whargarble monkey balls marketing to kids yada yada yada!!1!!11!!

[Mojorabbit]

59. I quit after 39 years using Chantix and an ecig

Couldn't have done it without the ecig. I started having battery problems and so ended up going off the ecig too. I highly recommend it.

[Mariana]

60. I got nasty side effects from Chantix

and had to stop taking it. With the e-cig I had no negative effects whatsoever. And this is how effective it was for me:

I didn't even plan to stop smoking at the time that I did. I was getting ready to move to another state and my house was up for sale. No one tries to quit smoking during such a stressful time. I'd looked into e-cigs and decided to try it AFTER the move. Then the model I wanted went on sale for half price, so I went ahead and bought two starter kits. When they arrived I opened it up to test it to make sure it wasn't defective. Again, I no intention of quitting right then, I was going to try it after the move. Well, I liked the e-cig so much that from my very first drag, I never smoked again.

[Mojorabbit]

61. Congratulations! nt

[yasmine111]

29. I just got mine three days ago

I thought this was just a gimmick reading your post gives me hope.
My filters are to strong they are sending me a lower percent they make me dizzy and light headed.
I have been smoking since I was 16 I'm 49 now.
thank you for inspiring me.

[msongs]

4. unfortunately the by products are still poison to surrounding people who choose NOT to be

addicted to nicotine.

[Gravitycollapse]

5. There is no poison by-product from vaping.

[Waiting For Everyman]

6. If that were so

then people could get drunk by someone breathing on them who was drunk. The amounts of "poison" is unmeasurably small. Everybody in our environment in exhaling who-knows-what (such as germs for instance). No air that we're breathing is 100% pure.

The harmful elements in cigarettes come from the burning and smoke, not the nicotine. E-cigs are cousins to asthma inhalers. They create vapor, not smoke.

[phleshdef]

42. Actually, they could best be described as hand held fog machines.

And the fluid, PG, that is used to make the vapor has been thoroughly tested and deemed nontoxic and not carcinogenic.

[Mariana]

14. Some of them are using fluid with zero nicotine.

So if you see someone using an e-cig, you shouldn't automatically assume there's nicotine there. Many people continue to use their e-cigs even after they've completely withdrawn from nicotine. They enjoy inhaling the flavored vapor.

[Politicalboi]

53. Or it could be a G-Pen

And contain Marijuana.

[Bluenorthwest]

65. We LOVE our Micro G! Yummy yummy!

nt

[phleshdef]

41. ^ Said a person that has no idea what they are talking about.

[LadyHawkAZ]

44. While I can't speak for all vapers,

I personally get a huge kick out of the trail of non-smoker bodies that I leave in my path as I stroll, puffing, along the street. The beady look of nicotine cravings in the eyes of the survivors is even more amusing.

[EOTE]

51. It's only as poisonous as second hand internet stupidity is.

I choose not to be exposed to it, yet there it is. What about MY rights?

[Cal Carpenter]

64. LOL

[SammyWinstonJack]

67. heh.

[OregonBlue]

52. There are no bi-products. Go and read the Swedish and German studies. The residue in the vapor is

so infinitesimal as to be non-existent and definitely not a danger to others. It's big Tobacco that has been fighting these like crazy because most people who try them, quit their dangerous, deathly product. The base of the ecig juice is the same stuff they use in airlines to cool their planes (the cool mist they blow through the air vents) and that is used in fog machines. That is what is being exhausted when a vaper breaths out. 99+ % of the nicotine is absorbed in the mouth or lungs.

[Skittles]

8. I think they should just be used as a tool

with the goal still being BEATING the addiction to nicotine. E-cigs come from China and we all know what their track record is.

[Mariana]

12. That's exactly what almost everyone does with them.

Most people who switch from smoking to using e-cigs reduce their nicotine intake over time until it's at zero.

Some people continue to vape even after they're completely off the nicotine, simply because they enjoy it. They just use liquid with no nicotine in it.

[Cal Carpenter]

21. While most of the 'hardware' is made in China

there are tons of little US companies mixing e-juices. I get my favorite from a small company in Georgia which uses all natural ingredients, and offers organic versions of many of their flavors.

There is a huge range of products available. Many of them allow the user to really customize the experience, make their own juices, or order juice from a company they trust.

[phleshdef]

43. None of my liquid comes from china. Its all made in the USA.

[LuvNewcastle]

10. They really are amazing.

I haven't completely quit yet, but I've curtailed my smoking by about half. The liquid I use actually has more flavor than a real cigarette.

[Mariana]

17. That's excellent. Good for you! nt.

[ninjanurse]

19. Epidemiology

When you look at a large population, even a small risk reduction for the individual could have huge benefits nationally. All countries are under pressure to reduce health care costs, and the best way is fewer people getting sick. Also, there's the fire risk of cigarettes. People die that way too.
I'd like to see a variety of ways available for people to break the addiction to flaming, smoking, deadly tobacco.

[devils chaplain]

20. I've independently come to the same conclusion. N/T

[Cal Carpenter]

22. I totally agree

Disclaimer - My experience has not been so optimal as far as quitting the cigs - I got a vaporizer a few months ago and for the first couple weeks I hardly smoked a cigarette. Then I went back to hardly vaping and mostly smoking. I seem to have equalized for now at a level that leaves me smoking less than half of what I did before so it is still a success of some measure. I still hope to cut down the cigs further and eventually stop smoking altogether (and continue vaping as long as necessary, even forever, LOL).

But as far as the safety issues and the potential for massive harm reduction, I totally agree with you. It is safer for the nicotine user and the people around them. And as a quit-smoking device, it provides so much of the smoking experience with so little of the danger, every cigarette *not* smoked is a victory, and back-sliding does not ruin the quitting attempt like it does with so many other methods.

More vape, less smoke!

[reformist2]

23. I'm not against it, but it's a weird adaptation. I'd rather see people quit altogether.

[Cal Carpenter]

25. I get what you are saying

but would you also prefer to see everybody quit caffeine? Because nicotine itself is not unlike caffeine in terms of effects and addictive nature.

A lot of people actually use the nicotine as a self-medication - for some it helps them focus or concentrate, as it is a mild stimulant. IIRC, there are even medical studies about its use by people with ADD-type issues and it can help.

Sure, it looks funny, but it is a shame to add any stigma to those who are doing it, as long as it helps them stop killing themselves slowly with smoking. I'm not saying you are stigmatizing, but I feel the need to point that out. The gum and patch may be more socially acceptable but they have a terrible track record because they only deal with the nicotine and not the rest of the habit/addiction. Many people really, really struggle with addiction and it is way easier said than done to quit for a lot of folks.

[Mariana]

35. A lot of them do.

With e-cigs, people can gradually reduce their nicotine intake over time until it's at zero. Almost everyone who uses e-cigs is either in the process of withdrawing from nicotine, or is already off nicotine altogether.

[trumad]

24. Excellent thread---and why DU can be great.

[BlueToTheBone]

26. The nano particles are so small they embed in the lung

tissue. Breathe very shallowly.

[Mariana]

36. The nano particles of what? nt.

[BlueToTheBone]

37. The vapor.

That's what I read after my sister started smoking one and coughed worse than any cigarette or cigar that she smokes.
http://www.greenmedinfo.com/blog/electronic-cigarettes-contain-higher-levels-toxic-metal-nanopartices-tobacco

[LordGlenconner]

38. This study brought to you by the good folks at Phillip Morris

[BlueToTheBone]

50. Hey, thanks! And BTW

Welcome to DU

[leeroysphitz]

28. Even when I know it's an E cig I will still...

produce a fake passive aggressive cough as if I have asthma (which I don't of course) then look down my nose at the person smoking.

It's the principle of the thing.

[LordGlenconner]

39. What does a fake cough sound like?

That has to be interesting.

[penultimate]

45. *cough* *cough*

[datasuspect]

48. it sounds like an 11 year old girl

or so i heard.

[LordGlenconner]

49. +1

[penultimate]

46. lol...

Sadly I can't say for sure if you're kidding or not. I'm gonna start doing that to people I know who use E-cigs, just to annoy them.

[MineralMan]

30. Now that Minnesota has increased the tax on a pack of cigarettes

by $1.60, I've switched to e-cigs. I don't like them quite as well, but it will save money and be easier on my lungs.

Since I don't like the things all that well, my plan is to taper off and quit. I'm not paying that $1.60 to pay for an NFL stadium. Not a chance.

[liberal_at_heart]

31. Is it just tobacco or do they add the same additives that Tobacco companies add to

regular cigarettes? The additives put in cigarettes by the Tobacco companies is one of the reasons cigarettes are so deadly.

[Cal Carpenter]

34. The nicotine in the juice comes from pharmaceutical grade liquid

Just like what is used in the patch or gum.

Many e-cigs have no tobacco at all - they come in a zillion flavors.

The juice I use is made by a company in Georgia. It is a tobacco flavor, and the guy who makes it uses organic plain tobacco to get that flavor. So no additives - not even by products like pesticides.

A lot of the flavors are tobacco-oriented and they are sourced differently depending on the brand but my understanding is that 'natural tobacco flavor' does not include any chemical additives.

[Bryn]

62. Name of Company that makes it? Or

you just PM me instead of here? I'd like to try e-liquid that uses organic tobacco.

[Cal Carpenter]

63. I'm happy to share that info

The company is called Vaperite, and the flavor I am loving these days is called VR4. It's actually a 'sweet' tobacco, which I never thought I'd be into but I think it is delicious, it has a little sweet caramel flavor with the tobacco flavor. Here's that product:

https://www.vaperite.com/index.php/vape-juice/organic-vape-juice/organic-flavored-vr4.html

You can customize your nicotine strength and PG/VG ratio, and they send a little free sample bottle of your choosing so you can try other flavors when you order.

They have a bunch of other organic juices, including other tobacco flavors along with fruity, dessert, coffee flavors, etc.

They've redesigned their website since I was there last, but my memory is that it said somewhere that they specifically use American Spirit Organic tobacco, which is what I have smoked for close to 20 years now (roll yr own). I can't find that on the site atm, but this page explains what they use:

https://www.vaperite.com/index.php/about-us.html

Hope that helps!

[JustAnotherGen]

32. Loved the NJoy!

It helped me to quit. I was able to keep the 'habit' while slowly weaning off the nicotine. Glad you tried it and liked it. It's far better than all of those chemicals in cigarettes, and is a good step to getting off them entirely.

[OregonBlue]

33. I've been vaping for 3 years. Smoked for over 40 years. I feel so much better.

Started with high nicotine level (30mg) and have reduced to 11mg. I mostly use tobacco with espresso together. I get my nicotine and coffee together without all the harmful chemicals. I can hike again and have lots more energy.

The biggest plus is being able to reduce my dependence without gaining weight, which is always a concern for people trying to quit. Not only do I feel better, my clothes don't smell, there are no dirty ashtrays around, and my family is not exposed to carcinogens. 99% of the nicotine is absorbed almost instantly into the mouth tissue when you vape. It's not even necessary to inhale the vapor. What is exhaled is so infinitesimal as to be harmless to people around you.

People who object to e-cigarettes are really doing it on moral grounds, not health concerns. They try to claim that studies haven't been done but in fact, e-cigs have been around for many years in Europe and the Swedes and Germans have done several studies.

They have yet to find any negative effects on either the people who are vaping or those around them who are exposed to the vapor. What is being exhaled is the same chemical that is used in airline air filtration systems (you know that cold mist in the cabin on a hot day) and artificial fog machines, with only very tiny traces of nicotine or other chemicals. Levels were so small as to be almost undetectable.

E-cigarettes are much less expensive than cigarettes. They are better for you. They allow people to reduce or quit addiction to dangerous cigarettes without the accompanying weight gain and irritability.

Overall, I'd say, it's a good thing.

[zipplewrath]

47. No skin in this fight

I've got no skin in this fight, so I don't care a whole lot.

But I was over in France recently and there are ALOT of people using them there. All I know is I'd much rather sit next to someone at a restaurant or bar that is using an e-cig than a regular one. I saw them on subways, and trams, and literally RIGHT NEXT to me at a restaurant, and if I hadn't been looking, I'd never had known.

[MuseRider]

54. Wow! I quit smoking many years ago

and I can't tell you when it was because it took me so many times to actually accomplish the feat that I quit marking the date!

Now I want this! I won't of course, that would be stupid, but I am one of those people who had to quit because of their health (I was starting to cough) but never wanted to quit. Damn, I would have loved this.

If there are no health implications other than getting better because you are not inhaling poison I say this is a miraculous thing. Quitting is so hard.

[Mariana]

58. You could use one with fluid that has no nicotine.

That way, there would be no worries about addiction. But you're right, it probably would be better not to.

I never wanted to quit, either, I thoroughly enjoyed smoking. But I like vaping even more. I was able to withdraw from nicotine very gradually, and I didn't have any of the misery or cravings that I experienced every other time I tried to quit smoking.

[KharmaTrain]

55. Another Satisfied Vapee...

...been vaping for over two years now after smoking two packs a day for nearly 40 years. My last pack of cigs still sit in the very dusty and lonely looking ashtray on my desk...a reminder of where I came from. My family is extremely happy with this choice...no longer the smell of smoke around the house or on clothes and don't mind me vaping when they're around...my other half says she doesn't even notice it now.

Physically I notice a big difference. I have no smoker's cough, my sense of smell is stronger than it's been since I was a kid and food tastes a lot better. Financially I spend about $50 a month on juice and supplies vs. at least $100 a week...I used the savings to take my family on a vacation. Overall, for long term smokers, I can't recommend it highly enough as a means to get that 800 pound gorilla off your back...

[Deep13]

56. Are they safer than quitting? nt

[Mariana]

57. Your question makes no sense.

Since e-cigs don't emit any smoke, a person who uses one is not smoking. Therefore, a person who uses e-cigs exclusively has quit smoking.

[Cal Carpenter]

68. To add to Mariana's comment

I just want to emphasize that it is the smoking itself that causes the health problems, not the nicotine. In fact, the most physically addictive aspect of smoking cigarettes is that it has some sort of MAO-I thing going on which is only present when tobacco is burned/inhaled. The nicotine is pretty comparable to caffeine and doesn't perpetuate that aspect of the addiction when it is not coupled with the inhalation of tobacco smoke.

[Bluenorthwest]

66. Today makes 30 Days, One Full Month. No cigarettes, just vaping e-cigs.

I'm grateful they exist. My health and endurance have improved already, sleep better, walk better, you name it, it's better.
I intend to get a full tilt kit from my local Vapor Store but right now I have a Blu Starter Kit for convenience and because the flavor is very good.

Link to my Local Vapor Retail Store, the store of the future. Tobacconist, Vaporist, new words for new habits...
http://www.emeraldvapors.com/

[Revanchist]

69. If you plan on doing this for awhile

Ditch the NJOY and buy a system with a battery, tank, and liquids made in the USA.

I'm currently using the eGo-C

But there a loads of different vaping systems out there.

This site http://tasteyourjuice.com/wordpress/ has many reviews of liquid flavors from different companies as well as vaping systems themselves.