E-Cigs I am about to start. Quitting is the goal

[demtenjeep]

For Mother's day, my daughter and mother-in-law gave me an E-Cig kit.

Has anyone else tried them?

[spanone]

1. didn't have them when i quit....good luck & hang in there.

you'll feel so much better for it!!!!!

[demtenjeep]

65. already cut my daily usage in 1/2

and I really didn't go nuts with craving them.

I think it is going to work out well

[Mariana]

72. Excellent!

I recommend having a backup unit or spare parts on hand, especially if you plan to switch completely.

[Sedona]

2. Bought my first last July

Haven't had a real cig since. Now addicted to the e cigs. Its nice not to have the smoke/smell/bad breath tho.

Using modernsmoke.com. Comes closest to feeling/tasting like the real thing.

Good luck.

[Mariana]

19. I'm addicted to the e-cigs, too, since last June.

I'm not worried about it, and I'm not in any great rush to give up e-cigs. I really enjoy them (my favorite flavor is Amaretto) and I feel ever so much better than when I did when I was smoking. That's what's important to me.

Edited to clarify.

[deacon]

31. Same for me. Since last July. I think they're great.

[Politicalboi]

3. I have tried them

And I still use one along with smoking. But the key is TASTE. The best for me is Tasty Puff Root Beer. I have one that is no longer being made. The Revolver Elite. But it can work for you if you have more will power than me. One day I only smoked 5 cigarettes. I don't know why I can't do that again. I think I need a better one. But they are a good alternative. Tasty Puff can be bought a cigarette stores.
Good Luck

[Telly Savalas]

4. I'm skeptical

The key to quitting smoking is breaking the jones-fix-jones-fix cycle. Replacing the cigarette jones-fix cycle with something else doesn't seem to be a real step towards breaking the addiction in my opinion.

The key is to accept a state of non-stop jonesing as being the new norm until you get so used to it that you don't notice it anymore.

That said, in addition to breaking this psychological jones-fix cycle, you're also combating the physical addiction to nicotine, and it can help to use the patch to slowly taper off of this. But cold turkey gives a clean break.

[SammyWinstonJack]

20. Cold turkey here....five wks....smoke-free.

[gateley]

40. Wow -- I would NEVER have been able to go cold turkey!

Had to do the patch -- several times.

[a la izquierda]

48. Congratulations and stick with it!

I'm a month out (I was only smoking 3 or 4 a day).
I'd tried Chantix, but the mood swings and dreams were way too much.

[Bill219]

60. Congratulations

I quit cold turkey back in 2002 from a pack and a half day habit. It was tough for the first week but then it was cake. I had tried to quit 10 times before that and always used something to replace the cigarette and always failed because of that. The first thing I had tried was Hall's Cherry Cough Drops and it worked for a while until I realized that I still wanted to smoke and was also addicted to the damn cough drops having to buy a big bag of them a day.

Keep it up, believe in yourself and you will be able to remain smoke free.

[truebrit71]

69. Cold turkey here....almost two years...smoke-free...

...Keep going!!! You feel better and better each day....

I finally managed to quit after 30+ years...there will be tough days, but they get further and further apart as time goes on...

It is wonderful to finally be free of that habit....my hair/breath/clothes/house/car smell so much better...

[rug]

5. Try in here.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=forum&id=1153

Good luck!

[demtenjeep]

6. thanks

didn't even know this sub forum was there

[Beaverhausen]

7. M husband is doing well with them

He uses the eGo-c made by Joyetech

[REP]

8. I have BluCigs and Green Smokes

Goal wasn't to quit; I don't like to smoke in my car. Still cut down on my "analog" use by about 50%.

[BeHereNow]

46. I REALLY tried with BluCigs, but they just don't work...

The batteries are always malfunctioning, they changed their vaporizer with out offering a transition option- so I was stuck with all these filters that I couldn't use... yada, yada. So I am shopping for a new model. Tell me more about "Green smokes." I will never buy the BluCig kit again!

BHN

[REP]

50. I have the newest Blu batteries (Premium 100); they work fine

I also like that the nicotine juice is US-made. 45 min charge time in case; shorter with wall adapter.

I also like the Green Smokes, despite the 'analog' look. The long battery lasts at least a day; the short battery almost as long. No charging pack like with Blu and a longer charging time, but three batteries are more than enough for a day (plus I have a USB cig, too). I got the deluxe kit - 3 batteries, 1 USB cig, car charger, USB plug, wall adapter and case for about $125.00.

[provis99]

9. cigarettes are awful; and I'm a smoker.

I hate them and like them at the same time. I'll quit someday. Good luck!

[Warren Stupidity]

10. I doubt that will work.

It might be healthier, but it will not end your nicotine addiction.

[Mariana]

15. Lots of people gradually reduce their nicotine level

until they're taking none at all. The fluids are available with different concentrations of nicotine, including zero.

[Warren Stupidity]

49. There is no good data that i can find on the effectiveness of e-cigs as an aid to withdrawal.

What I have seen is that e-cigs are not as socially unacceptable as tobacco, and my concern, such as it is, is that overall e-cigs will increase nicotine addiction rather than decrease it, your individual mileage may vary.

I am not convinced that is a bad thing. Absent the carcinogenic effect, nicotine is a pretty benign drug, in the caffeine class of actually useful.

[Mariana]

52. I'm convinced it's a good thing for many people.

Me, for instance. I haven't reduced my own nicotine intake much, but I do feel ever so much better than I did when I smoked. I'm happy, my family are happy, and my doctor is happy. For the time being, that's good enough for me.

[randome]

11. Don't. Give. Up.

Even if the e-cigs don't work out for you. Exercise. Get high on oxygen. Drink orange juice.

[Politicalboi]

12. Also if you like sunflower seeds

Or some kind of nut that you use your hands and mouth like smoking. It's really hard to smoke and eat sunflower seeds. It's the salt that gets ya. But it's the same motion.

[Mariana]

13. I've been using them for 11 months. No smoking at all.

I made the switch a couple days after I put my house up for sale and I was preparing to move to another state! That's how well they worked for me. NO ONE quits smoking at a time like that - but I did.

I didn't plan it that way. I'd done the research and decided which model to get, and was planning to do it after the move. Then the model I'd chosen went on sale for half price, so I bought two starter kits, a pack of 5 atomizers, and a pack of 5 trial sizes of e-liquid in various flavors. When the stuff arrived, I opened it up and tried it because I had to make sure everything worked - I still had no intention of trying to make the switch then! Well, I changed my mind. It was nice. I liked it better than smoking. I liked it so much I haven't smoked since.

You know what was cool? I'd never smoked in the house, so there was no smoke smell inside to begin with. But with the e-cig, there's no odor. I got a real kick out of "smoking" in the house while potential buyers were in it! You know what else? Last month I flew to Europe and back and I "smoked" in all the planes and airports. Now, I wasn't stupid about it, and took steps to avoid attracting attention - my e-cig is black and looks rather like a pen, and I'd covered the LED so the end wouldn't glow. I didn't blow huge clouds of vapor around. No one paid any attention. It was wonderful.

[chill_wind]

42. I always wondered if e-cig stuff would get confiscated

in airport screenings, for whatever reason. I haven't flown in eons, so that's nice to know.

[BeHereNow]

47. What brand? BluCigs SUCK! I'm shopping, so please tell me more about what you use?

I'm really interested! I want to quit SO bad, but have not found
an e-cig that is reliable in its operation-
PLEASE tell me what you use!

BHN

[Mariana]

54. I've heard that about Blu.

I've never tried one. But, from what I understand, NONE of them are all that reliable. You can't just buy one and go. You need to have spare parts handy no matter what model you get. Whatever you decide, buy TWO starter kits, not one - you'll be very glad that you have the extra batteries and charger. Get extra atomizers/cartomizers/whatever your model vaporizes the fluid with because they do burn out, and batteries die - I just lost one yesterday. Get trial sizes of a bunch of flavors of e-liquid and find one or two that you really like, but don't forget that your sense of taste will start to change within a few weeks if you stop the cigarettes altogether.

I started with a DSE-901 and I bought what I listed in the other post to begin with. Now I still use a DSE-901 atomizer but with a KR808D-1 battery (they are compatible without an adapter and charge in my DSE-901 chargers). I've tried the KR808D-1 cartomizers and they're OK, many people like them and recommend the KR808D-1 for beginners, but I prefer the atomizer. I wash my atomizers after a day or two of use, depending on which e-liquid I'm using, some of them gunk up the works more quickly than others. I buy e-liquid and fill my own cartridges. I use the Lipton Pyramid type tea bags as filler - I wash them out after I drink the tea and cut them up and each bag fills two cartridges. Lots of people recommend the Joye 510 for beginners, also. I've never tried that one, but it looks fine.

Go to the site www dot e-cigarette-forum dot com. Read and don't be intimidated by the jargon they use like I was! There's a glossary somewhere on the site, I believe. Ask questions. There are also lots of video demonstrations and reviews on Youtube - just search for the model you're interested in. It takes some effort to make a successful go with e-cigs, but for me it was very much worth it. Good luck!

[Waiting For Everyman]

55. Vaping 2 years - I can recommend these two (both have built-in atomizers):

I prefer the "cigarette style" (KR808) e-cigs. I've used both of these linked below for more than a year now and still like them. The G400 is more powerful but more pricey and also out of stock (it's thicker in diameter too, if that matters to you). I highly recommend the Bloogs - that's my favorite, and it's very reliable and reasonably priced. The chargers and cartomizers of both the G400 and the Bloog work on either one - they both have screw-in KR808 posts. (I *don't* like the G400 cartos, I thought they tasted awful.)

http://shop.nhaler.com/GreenWorld-Cig-G400-battery-GC9.htm

http://bloogplanet.com/102mm-automatic-battery.html

I use Bloog cartos (chocolate), I find them to be much better than other cartos I've tried, and I refill them with liquid from here (also chocolate), but lots of places have acceptable liquid:

http://www.vapor4life.com/wow-vg-juice/

The Bloog cartos can be refilled for at least two days of constant use, sometimes more, which is much better than others I've tried. Also as another cost-cutting measure, for a more than a year I've been making my own juice by using the 36mg V4L juice, and "cutting it" down to 5-6mg (the strength I like) with extra flavoring + PG + VG. It's very easy to learn to do. There are how-to videos on youtube or check http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/ (there is a DIY subforum). Refilling cartos and DIY juice make vaping very inexpensive.

Expect that most batteries will tend to need replacing after 6 months or so. Also usually, the smaller the battery the sooner it will need recharging, so longer length usually means longer-lasting.

[manja]

76. blucigs

Hi, I just find top rated brands of electronic cigarettes like [URL=http://www.electroniccigarettesbrands.com]blucigs[/URL], volcano, pro Smoke, they provide more information for each brand for the better equipped you will be when deciding which brand and what price you are willing to pay for the quality of the product.

[gopiscrap]

77. Welcome to DU

[Gore1FL]

14. My best luck came from cold turkey.

The habit is harder to break than the addiction.

[thelordofhell]

16. Simple way to quit smoking

Every time you smoke a cigarette...........you then eat a cigarette

You have to replace the positive reinforcement of habitual smoking with an intolerably bad experience of eating a cigarette. Then you'll not want to smoke anymore.

[BrownianNotion]

17. Quitting is a good goal

Best of luck. Too many die from lung cancer as it is.

[alcibiades_mystery]

18. Cold turkey is the only way to truly quit

Just stop smoking, period.

Everything else is keeping one foot in the addiction - compromising with your slave master.

You want to quit?

Fine. Quit.

[cali]

44. no it's not. any way that works for any given individual is valid.

and people don't need others self-satisfiedly running around and telling them that what they're doing isn't valid.

[cynatnite]

21. They still contain nicotine...

10-18% of what normal cigarettes contain, but still addictive. As far as I know there aren't any side effects, but I don't think the FDA has done any thorough testing on these. I'm not positive on that.

I will say that for stopping smoking, I would not use this as a substitute. I would use it as a way to help combat the more difficult urges and cravings. Do what you can to go as long as possible without anything, but use this as a last resort. Ask yourself, is it really time for this? Am I that desperate for it? It's still got nicotine. That's why I suggest you use this with care.

I quit smoking nearly 5 years ago after a 2 pack a day habit for over 25 years. I was able to do it cold turkey after spending 2 days in the hospital. I stayed off by changing my daily habits. It's tough, but entirely doable. If I can quit, anybody can. I do believe that.

[Mariana]

22. Some e-cigs contain zero nicotine. nt.

[cynatnite]

24. Most do and they also contain other chemicals as well...

There is an ingredient that is used in antifreeze. It's used in some foods, but no one knows if it's harmful when inhaled.

I don't trust these things. You're inhaling chemicals to imitate the smoking experience. IMO, a person is better off going cold turkey.

[LadyHawkAZ]

32. Argh...

WATER is used in antifreeze. This argument always crawls up my spine like nails on a chalkboard. Propylene glycol is a food additive, also used as an e-liquid base. Ethylene glycol is the poisonous stuff in antifreeze that they warn you about when you own cats, not also used as an e-liquid base.

There's also e-liquids available online with a vegetable glycerin base for those who are leery of PG. I use them. They're pretty good.

Cold turkey is great if you can do it. I couldn't. I would never have quit without the ecig.

Congrats to you though.

[cynatnite]

36. It was propylene gyclol...

I couldn't remember the exact name of it. I do recall reading that it is ingested, but no one knows if it's safe to inhale.

I'm just leery of them. Of course, if anyone is able to quit smoking more power to them. It's a tough beast to rid yourself of no matter how you go about it.

Congrats to you, too

[phleshdef]

33. Actually they DO know that its NOT harmful when inhaled. Its the same ingredient fog machines use.

And there have been scientific studies on the safety of it and its been found to be safe. Its called propylene glycol and yes, its contained in anti-freeze. You know what else is used in anti-freeze? Water.

I suggest you actually take 5 seconds of your life and use Google before you pass judgements like that. Its used in fog machines, certain pharmaceuticals, food coloring, Sweet & Sour mix and bunch of other stuff thats been deemed safe to ingest.

[cynatnite]

38. I have not read the study that says it is safe to inhale...

Do you have that link? Ingesting and inhaling are two different things.

And yes, I spent a few seconds reading up on this because I have a friend who is using the e-cig.

I do question the safety of the product and anyone in their right brain would questions any product that they are using, especially if it's new. It's a reasonable and prudent thing to do.

The way I see it, these are still new and it will take some time to determine how safe they are in the long term. A lot of products have been deemed safe early on and then it's discovered not so much.

If anyone is able to quit smoking using this or whatever product they choose, more power to them. It's a reason to celebrate because smoking is an awful monster to try to rid yourself of. It took me long enough.

Don't come down on me because I question the safety of a product.

[cynatnite]

39. Found some info...

While not overly serious, there are issues with lung and esophageal irritation. Some individuals react differently than others. While they may experience more symptoms such as coughing and whatnot, others were not severe at all. Large doses of exposure is not recommended because symptoms are more severe, but this is highly unlikely with e-cigs because the doses are minimal. There is more risk with the low doses of nicotine than PG. Of course, those with lung ailments should tread carefully with these. I would probably get an opinion from a physician before using it if I was going to quit smoking with the product.

As with any product, an ounce of common sense goes a long way.

I read some on Wiki and found the info scattered about the tubes and whatnot. I personally still don't care for the idea of inhaling chemicals, but that's because I spent a lot of years inhaling chemicals. I would still probably urge people to only use it to help with the cravings, but not as a substitute for smoking.

That last paragraph is just my opinion for what little it's worth.

[phleshdef]

58. I've been vaping for 3 years and never experienced any irritation.

There are people with PG allergies, in which case, Vegetable Glycol based liquid can be used.

But as I said, they use this subtance in fog machines and studies were done in regard to that because bands and actors and people who have to spend a considerable amount of time standing in the "fog" are inevitably going to be breathing it in the whole time.

All the studies I've seen on the topic seem to suggest that neither PG or VG themselves are carcinogenic and neither cause any kind of damage that could lead to COPD. Of course nicotine itself, being a stimulant much like caffeine, should be taken in moderation if taken at all. But thus far, ecigs have been found to be literally thousands of times safer than the real deal cigarette. In that regard, it makes an excellent substitute for smoking if you aren't going to quit entirely. I know I'm not going to quit entirely anytime soon and I know I'm reducing my risk considerably by going with an ecig over real cigarettes. As long as I'm not overdoing the nicotine to the point that I'm bumping my heart rate up higher than normal, then I don't really see a significant downside.

I know this much, since I switched 3 years ago, my lungs feel great. I feel like I can breathe just as good as I did before I started smoking. My throat feels normal again. I don't have stains on my teeth and fingers. I don't smell bad. I'm not wasting a ton of money on cigs (e-liquid is way, way cheaper). And my cravings for nicotine are way less intense than they use to be.

[cynatnite]

61. I do think anytime a person can get away from regular cigarettes...

it's a definite plus.

I used to wheeze all the time. After I stopped smoking, it's completely gone away. My husband said kissing me was like kissing an ashtray. If I'm around someone who smokes, they smell so badly. I know I had to have smelled that bad when I smoked.

I still get tempted and have an occasional craving even after 5 years, but I do not want go back to that. I'd rather suffer the craving.

Cigarettes are a heavy addiction and dumping that monster is always easier said than done. Congrats to all who've done it...no matter how they went about it

[demtenjeep]

23. I am weak, I have tried cold turkey before, have tried different things. I am weak

so my plan is to replace half of the regular cigs I smoke with the e-cig to start with and then gradually use more of the e-cigs till I get to No real Cigs and then reduce the e-cigs until I get to nothing.

I want to be non-smoking by the time we go on our cruise in March

[Skittles]

28. do you what you have to do, demtenjeep

but DON'T GIVE UP....tell yourself no matter how many times your addiction money wins battles YOU WILL ULTIMATELY WIN THE WAR!!
When you do your e-cigs, write down when/where/why you're having one - then try to cut that down!

[gateley]

41. I agree with Skittles, demtenjeep -- do whatever works for you. I'm in awe of people

who go cold turkey -- I could never, ever have done that.

I used the patched, LOVED the freedom of not smoking, then started again after a year. Since then I've been on the patches a few times for the protocol, and started smoking immediately after I'd completed the program. The last time, though, it stuck. I didn't get down on myself, just realized how damn hard it is because of our mind games, and vowed to keep on plugging.

Don't give up. However you get there, you'll be amazed at how LIBERATING life is without cigarettes -- and you don't realize how much they run your life until you're free of them.

Good luck! You can do it!

[Speck Tater]

25. I quit cold turkey years ago, but you don't want to use my method.

My wife was diagnosed with lung cancer. The day we sat in the doctors office together and got the bad news was the last time I ever smoked.

I took care of her for the next three years until she passed away. There's no doubt in my mind that I will never smoke again. Not a chance. That method really works, but I don't recommend it. It's better to quit BEFORE it comes to that.

[LadyHawkAZ]

26. I would never have quit without mine.

Good luck to you!

[Nictuku]

27. I bought a starter kit

... and tried a couple different models. I like the one where you buy your own e-juice, I found a flavor I like and now regular cigarettes taste shitty to me. So I have essentially quit !

I get the low nicotine content, and tried the zero, seems the same pretty much. I like 'em.

I hope it works for you, I've been a smoker for 35 years. pack a day. Now I am e-cig all the way.

I had a different cough at first, but that only lasted a week or so.

Good luck! I would definitely encourage folks to try them to see if you can quit reg cigs with em.

[cynatnite]

29. Do you still consider yourself a smoker?

It seems like that you can't say you've quit smoking at this point, but only you knows you. You have to go with what works best for you.

I'm curious as to what you feel and think about it.

[Nictuku]

43. It depends on the Nicotine

If I am using e-liquid that has zero nicotine, then I think that on medical terms, at least, that I have quit smoking. The carcinogens that you get from inhaling burning smoke are not present in e-cigs.

But if I were using e-liquid that has even low levels of nicotine, I would feel inclined to answer the question to a doctor: Yes, I kind of smoke, in that I do inhale nicotine.

But there is no actual 'smoke' involved, only vapor. So if you want to get into semantics, No, I don't smoke.

I do consider myself still a smoker, since i 'vape' on a daily basis. It has just replaced the cigarets. But I think it is healthier for me than smoking regular cigarettes. It costs less. It doesn't stink up my car. I don't have to go outside to 'vape' (since I didn't smoke in my house). There are a lot of benefits to switching.

[Mariana]

62. For what it's worth, my doctor considers it quitting

to switch to using e-cigs exclusively. He couldn't care less that I still take in nicotine, because nicotine just isnt harmful to health at all in the doses that someone with an e-cig gets.

[deacon]

30. I love them. Took a few days to get used to and had to get a few extra accessories to find a comfort

zone, but i think they are terrific. I use v2 cigs. I highly recommend them either to begin the journey off or simply use as a replacement. I like having something to smoke when I have a few beers or a glass of wine so with e cigs, I can and I will continue to do so

Haven't had a regular cigarette since mid july. Works for me.

[phleshdef]

34. I suggest a high quality device for it to be effective. But yes, it helped me give up the cigs.

And I cut myself all the way down to the lowest nicotine e-liquid I can buy without going completely nicotine free. I may even go ahead and cut out the nicotine all together sometime in the future as I've found my cravings to be far less intense since gradually cutting down.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

35. Started them 18 months ago. Haven't had a cig since.

After about 50 years of smoking.

[NavyDem]

37. Analog Free Since October, 2010.

Started up on eCigs back in October, 2010 and have not had a real cigarette since. The improvements to my health and physical well being have been very good. I can taste food, and coach football without breathing heavy (When I coach, I teach offensive and defensive line, so I have to show the big guys how to execute proper techniques).

[malaise]

45. Good luck

[Kath1]

57. Best Of Luck To You!

I would really like to quit smoking. Not only is it unhealthy, it has gotten way too expensive. I 've made a few half-hearted attempts at quitting but having a 24 year-old daughter who smokes in the house makes it all the more difficult. That said, best of luck! Hopefully, I'll join the ranks of the smoke-free myself!

[TheCowsCameHome]

51. My .02?

Quit cold.

Get anything that looks like a cigarette out of sight/house/reach/mind.

KEEP BUSY. Keep yourself occupied. Don't let your mind even THINK about a cigarette.

If you DO get tempted to reach for a cig, tell yourself I've gone "XXX" hours/days without one. Now you'd have to start the quit clock all over again, and you don't want to do that.

Ask yourself if your daughter wants to live without her Dad.

It can be tough, but it's worth it x1,000

Good luck.

[BumRushDaShow]

53. Thanks explicitly to DU

have been cig-free since 2010 via e-cigs. Didn't do it cold turkey but weaned off over 7 months, which gave me time to experiment with different devices and juices till I found a good combo. And try to avoid the cheapies. The industry has massively evolved since the early days and even since I started them, so there's some research that you may want to do to enhance your success.

Good luck!

[Waiting For Everyman]

56. Love them! No cigs 2 years in July.

Good luck! I hope it works as well for you as it did for me. It was much better than I expected. I thought I would have to taper off, but I haven't smoked one cigarette since trying my first e-cig.

[Liberal_in_LA]

59. friend has. was able to quit using them.

[smirkymonkey]

63. Kick for later

Thanks & good luck!

[proud2BlibKansan]

64. Yes I tried them and went back to Chantix

I like it much better. The ecigs kept breaking and didn't last as long as the package said they would.

[demtenjeep]

66. I can't take Chantix. Messes with the Crohn's

and I don't need anymore of that...


course smoking does to I am sure

[proud2BlibKansan]

70. That's too bad cause it really works

[Aerows]

67. Wish I could stay on them

They have great flavors. Cleared my lungs, but I tend to love my damn Marlboro Reds.

[ErikJ]

68. Nico gum and lozenges better

I chewed gum for 10 years now I have used lozenges for 5 years. They say the nicotine actually prevents alzheimers and aids memory. But the smoke in cigs is the killer. Hang a picture of a person missing their lower jaw on your wall for motivation if you must.

[RagAss]

71. If it was free I'd try it.

Most quit methods cost more than smoking.

[demtenjeep]

73. I really think this could be the way to quit

I replaced about 1/2 of the regular cigs with the e-cig and really didn't think much about it

[Odin2005]

74. My dad is using E-Cigs, he's doing well.

[demtenjeep]

75. thanks for the encouragement

I think it is going to work