I stopped smoking on Monday. I have done ok but tonight I went out for a few drinks with my friends. I knew this would be a danger point so in preparation I took an e- cigarette. As I had a few drinks I took to the cigarette and yes it actually worked and got rid of craving for a real cigarette.
Just a quick question, am I substituting a real cigarette for a non real cigarette and not really quitting?
Thanks for that. I did find that it helped last night and today I am back to my routine of patches and gum. It has only been a little under a week and those closest to me keep reassuring me that I am doing ok and that I should take things slowly. I know I am using lot of nicotine substitutes at this point but I think the mistakes I have made last time was to try and rush things. This time I will use these aids to the point whereby I feel comfortable to reduce and hopefully stop using them.
I guess my ultimate aim is to be free of nicotine entirely but at this early stage, it is enough I have actually broken habits. It is all about association and although I won't class myself as an heavy drinker I do enjoy a few pints with my friends at the weekend. I know that I will now start to associate this with the e -cig. So I guess for the moment I will go with it and hopefully over time I will gradually be free of nicotine entirely.
I stopped smoking on Monday. I have done ok but tonight I went out for a few drinks with my friends. I knew this would be a danger point so in preparation I took an e- cigarette. As I had a few drinks I took to the cigarette and yes it actually worked and got rid of craving for a real cigarette.
Just a quick question, am I substituting a real cigarette for a non real cigarette and not really quitting?
Regards Kevin.
Hi Kevin,
I stopped smoking on Sunday night. 27/2/11 at 8.00pm was my last cigarette. Since then I have had patches, gum and e cigarette. As far as Im concerned I have stopped smoking. It is not my addiction to nicotine that motivated me to quit but rather the impact of smoke on my health. So in my opinion yes you have quit and no it's not a real cigarette. It does not have carbon monoxide and it does not destroy most of your bodily organs.
And good luck to you too. I haven't used the e-cig since the weekend and have now settled back into a daily routine of patches and gum. I am actually on day 11, I can't believe I've made it so far. For some reason though today and yesterday in particular have been very tough. I don't know what brought it about but I just keep getting these urges to light up. Fortunately I am unable to as there is no cigarettes in the house. I am assuming this is just a phase and will pass soon, or at least hoping it will pass soon. I now find that first thing in the morning and last thing at night to be the worst parts. I guess it is just routine, wake up have a coffee and cig, then last thing at night have a final cig before retiring. Other than these last couple of days though, once the day is underway I find it not too bad and even when the craving come they don't last too long.
Other than that I'm doing ok. So, seriously, if anybody else out there is considering a quit it can be done. I have tried a few times and failed but this time I feel it is different. If I can get this far anybody can. Good luck to you.
Regards Kevin.
Last edited by blokecalledkev; 03-03-2011 at 07:58 AM.
day 8 for me. This is the longest I have been without a cigarette since I was 14!!!!! I'm quite proud of myself. I have found the last two days quite easy. I know what you mean about habbit. But I'm determined to stick it out. I have energy I never knew I had and I had an xray today giving my lungs the all clear. I do get sad at times knowing I'll never have a smoke but then I hold my breath so I can experience the discomfort of gasping for breath my inevitable path should I continue to smoke. I'm using patches, gum has subsided and non nictonie e cig. Though I'm finding less need for these crutches. I've bouth Allan Carrs book and booked in for hypnosis. No excuse for failure.
GOOD LUCK and enjoy your clean lungs
Hi Kevin, yes e-cigs count. I thought I'd use one to quit the real stuff and used the e-cig for 2 years. Just swapped one addiction for another and the supplies for the e-cigs are quite pricey. I tried to justify it with- it's only nicotine, no other chemicals, no different than using other nicotine replacements. I'm now in the process of giving up my e-cig and it's the same are cigs. I used to recommend these to people to quite smoking, now I know better.
good luck to you!
The Following User Says Thank You to MystickalMaven For This Useful Post: blokecalledkev (03-30-2011)
Thanks for that MystickalMaven. I have been looking around the net about them. Many people have many views on them but most all agree that they are addictive. This is not really the road I wish to go down, simply swapping out one addiction for another. I was only ever using it when I had a drink or two with my friends at the weekend and this past weekend I actually didn't use it at all. On what you have said and what others have said I am going to put it in the bin.
At the moment I am five weeks into a quit and for me this is as far as I have ever got. The last thing I want is to go through this all again because I have become addicted to e-cigs. My aim is to quit not swap, so I will not be using it again.
Kevin.
Last edited by blokecalledkev; 03-30-2011 at 01:01 AM.
Good for you! Back when I started, not many knew about e-cigs, just that it helped them quit the real deal. Now so many I chat with are still using them. I myself have a quit date of June 4th for the e-cig. Nicotine is nicotine and a tough demon to beat
The big question is are you using the nicotine "juice" in it or not? You can get them with flavors and no nicotine!
IMHO, if you aren't using the nicotine, you're doing just fine! After you're over nicotine you'll probably feel dumb using the e-cig lol. I've got one too, that I intend on using to help me quit, not laughing at you, laughing with you!
If you are using the nicotine, you aren't quitting, you're just getting your nicotine in another way.
Good luck with the quit!
Yes, but u are still simulating REAL smoking. Gotta get rid of association. Hand to mouth, puffing and holding it. If you have to have nicotine, use the gum or lozenger. That's what I am doing, no more smoking! I don't care if it takes a year. I will break the association.
I think thats where the true habit lies.
To answer the earlier question, yes, they sell zero nic juice. I don't think it matters what form you get your nicotine in, e-cig, patch, gum, etc...you're still getting it. period. I did switch to a straw, then chewing gum (regular hubba bubba) and now nothing. I see your point about keeping the addiction alive per say with the hand to mouth, etc...but some people NEED that to cope. I don't think it matters as long as the end result is the same, to quit for good
Last edited by MystickalMaven; 07-24-2011 at 08:00 AM.
Thank you everybody for the input into this thread. I am now nearly six month into my quit. I haven't used the e-cig for well over four months now and to be honest, although it helped early on in the quit I find now I don't miss it at all. I am off the patches but still have the occasional Nicolette gum.
I would never be so bold as to say I have beat it, the cravings are still there ( occasionally) but hey, for somebody who smoked at least a pack a day for the best part of 30 years, I'm slowly getting there.
If I can get to this point, so can anybody else that is considering quitting. I feel a lot better, my appetite is good (put on a few pounds though ) and I have saved a small fortune (so much so we treated ourselves to a brand new plasma TV). So all-round it’s a win win situation.
Kevin.
The following user gives a hug of support to blokecalledkev: MystickalMaven (07-24-2011)
The Following User Says Thank You to blokecalledkev For This Useful Post: FireOpal (11-05-2011)
I stop smoking after 34 years from age 10, it's been close to 2 year and stop from day one, of using a ecig after a yea of using a ecig, I had a spinal operation and had to stop ecigs for 3 months.
I had no real problem stopping the ecig but started back after the 3 months, I ask my doctors and all said ecigs was much better then smoking, but of course nothing was the best of all.
Nic is not what worries me about ecigs, it's the flavorings that could be a problem, so I'm trying to be careful what flavorings I use, I vap a lot and the cost is very low cheaper then RYO even now.
I buy my stuff online when they have good sales, and buy in bigger amounts, really it's not smoking and nic is no worst then caffeine, taking in the amounts with ecig usage, and most people can keep cutting it down a good amount.
My worry like I said is the flavorings that put into it, so I'm careful what flavorings I get and use, one thing is for sure though, it's safer then smoking by a long shot, so it's better to vap then smoke any way you cut it.
The Following User Says Thank You to timpa For This Useful Post: Diantha (08-15-2011)
I have smoked for 35 years. Two packs a day. Have tried patches, gum and spray to stop. Nothing worked.
Then I found the E-Cig. I am now 11 weeks without cigarettes. I now vape and my sense of smell and taste has come back.
I have no inclination to smoke conventional cigs again. I was a hardened smoker and NEVER EVER thought I could stop.
I recommend the E-Cig. It works.
I too recommend E-cigs. Infact everyone who smokes would be a fool not to try it out. They are cheap and well made these days. You get your nicotine and are remarkably close in flavor.
Haven't seen any complaints or warnings regarding them. And you would think big tobacco would do everything in its power to knock them down. Unless ofcourse, they have a piece of the action. I don't know.
The FDA is doing what they can, and it won't be long before it's off the market here in the states.
I don't think I'll ever give up the addiction, but this is less harmful.
Yip. It's not the nicotine that gives you cancer. It's the hundreds of carcinogens in the tobacco. Never mind the tar that clogs your lungs.
After 12 months, I am still off tobacco and enjoy my LavaTube VV eciggie.
Some people might say that the Glycol or Glycerine that is used in e-cigs juice is also used in antifreeze. Correct. It is also used in Cough Syrups to make up the bulk liquid. Dog food and many foodstuffs contain it to keep them moist. It mixes well with most other ingredients unlike other oils.
The reason FDA wants to ban it is SOLELY REVENUE LOSS from tobacco as the e-cig has taken on big time in the USA.
Yip. It's not the nicotine that gives you cancer. It's the hundreds of carcinogens in the tobacco. Never mind the tar that clogs your lungs.
After 12 months, I am still off tobacco and enjoy my LavaTube VV eciggie.
Some people might say that the Glycol or Glycerine that is used in e-cigs juice is also used in antifreeze. Correct. It is also used in Cough Syrups to make up the bulk liquid. Dog food and many foodstuffs contain it to keep them moist. It mixes well with most other ingredients unlike other oils.
The reason FDA wants to ban it is SOLELY REVENUE LOSS from tobacco as the e-cig has taken on big time in the USA.
As an ex-smoker and ex-ecig user, I do feel qualified to comment on this.
I smoked for nearly 30 years and decided I wanted to give up. I tried several times, then bought a cheap (so I thought) e-cig and tried it. It was OK, but not really satisfying. I then googled them and found sites such as nu-vapor and others where there are general e-cig users and then the complete nerdish e-cig fans (Like me!!!) I used to make my own e-cigs and loved it, from standard 3v to variable voltage..... see, I told you I was a nerd
I found it was a great help as nicotine is not the only (or worst) thing in a cigarette and some of the others are as addictive if not more so. This is why it is so difficult to give up by using nicotine replacement therapy.
However, because of the vapour produced with an e-cig, there is a psychological crutch coupled with the hand to mouth movement that is a real help. Most e-cigs (not including some specialist suppliers in US and UK) are made in china, and buying e-cigs from china is as safe as anywhere else (look for heaven gifts on the web, a good supplier who I have used myself). They provide a real selection although the ego tank and the joye 510 are very good simple devices that work and allow you to try the better types very cheaply.
These typically work better that those found in petrol stations (Gas stations), shopping arcades (malls) etc.
The real important part though is the liquid that is used in the e-cigs.... this is what is vapourised and enters your lungs, so this is where you need to be careful. I would NOT recommend any liquids made in china!
The liquid is vapourised and delivers flavour and a level of nicotine into your lungs. By using one of the devices mentioned above, or any refillable unit, you have the benefit of cost saving, and also a choice of flavour (I used to love apple pie and custard flavour as it did not make me think of cigarettes, or mulled wine at christmas!)
The vendors will usually tell you it is water vapour, it is not! It is either PG (propylene glycol) or VG (Vegetable glycerine) I preferred a mix of 7% PG (Gives better flavour) and 93% VG (Gives better vapour) if you use one of the devices above, then you can buy US or EU manufactured liquids with better quality control and also the choice to select your nicotine level from high (30mg/ml) to 0mg/ml or zero nicotine.
en-juice in UK or alien visions in US are both good, and I am not negating any other supplier in the US or UK, just these are two that spring to mind!
I hope you find this useful. As I said, I have now stopped entirely, but I do not think I could have done it without stepping down from the real-thing, to vaping (e-cig slang for smoking ) then quitting
Although expensive, I always liked my 610.... it was a rosewood pipe look-alike and went well with my tweed jacket and bow ties
I also want to point out, I do not have any business interests in the supply of the e-cigs or liquids, I just want people to be able to research the market properly without wasting money on cheap (but costly) sh... cra... rubbish!
Last edited by Phil uk; 07-17-2012 at 06:07 AM.
Reason: forgot bits
Re: Does an e - cigarette count? 
) and I have saved a small fortune (so much so we treated ourselves to a brand new plasma TV). So all-round it’s a win win situation.
