Smoking cessation

Hello healingme4me and Angelique67 ,

I have to agree with what you're saying and I totally understand the habits.

For being a smoker for nearly thirty-five years, it was actually kind of weird for me at first when I quit smoking and kept having cravings for the nicotine when I ran out of cigarettes, but I kept at the vaping for the past month and a half, and I know that I'm getting better with the nicotine.

Just a couple of weeks ago, I went from 6mg down to 3mg of nicotine, but last weekend, my husband started getting the 0mg nicotine for me and until I get used to that, my next move is to totally be off vaping and only use it for when I do get a craving for nicotine, but I'm not going to even get the nicotine in the e-liquids anymore.

I'm going to plan on just getting the 0mg nicotine in the different flavors. I actually like some of the fruit flavors of the e-liquids because for some reason, I'm actually learning that I don't need the nicotine at all.

Just the flavors of the vapes satisfy me now.

The other thing I have learned is that nobody has actually done any studies on whether it's good or bad for you, as of yet. It's eventually going to happen, probably within the next year or so.

I've been doing a lot of research on vaping online, and I haven't found anyone that has done that study yet.

Vaping is supposedly fairly a new thing. It's only been around since 2010.

Does anyone know about any studies that have been done on vaping yet? I'm just curious to know.

Sincerely,

Miteadm63

https://www.forbes.com/sites/jacobsu.../#5054258a49b8

Ideally, one day you're a smoker and the next day you are not a smoker of any substance, nicotine or otherwise! I think we can all agree that inhalation of anything other than clean air carries known and unknown risks. The fact that vaping is helping people get away from tobacco smoking is a positive step. It may not be ideal to all people but it is a forward step in the non tobacco smoking direction.

My experience and observation has been that the findings from a multitude of studies, research, etc. take many years to amass and ultimately tell a definitive truth. Not enough time has gone by yet since vaping was introduced to have anything more than just a few studies in the grand scheme of things. Time and good research will tell us all the answers we need to make an informed decision.

I reiterate that my opinion hails it as a step in the right direction. My common sense tells me that inhaling anything other than clean air is questionable and possibly hazardous.

My suggestion to all for this thread is to focus on supporting the person who is trying to stop tobacco ingestion. Proving a point as to what method or methods are best is beside the point. Share your experience, strength and hope and move on!

(I'm 18 years tobacco free, vaping wasn't around when I stopped)

Thank you, notz! Yes, ideally, to move away from all of it, is my goal. I noticed the other day that the fda came right out and mentioned taking a much closer look at ecigs in terms of not just safety but as a step away from traditional cigs. And through their site, I found some literature a phone app for quitting, where I can journal, track my moods and my triggers. The only trigger missing, that I noticed was boredom. Currently, I'm gentle with myself about the ecig, viewing the nicotine like the patch or gum I could use, in order to maintain my body's craving. I'm at 35 days. 630 cigarettes not smoked. $194.98 saved and my favorite marker is 6300 minutes saved. I even get little virtual trophies.
In browsing the web about my choice in moving away from cigs, I'm discovering a whole bunch of people like myself that are cheering this option on.
And I'm also learning that the post 1 month milestone is one of the toughest time frames in quitting.

The link that I posted is an overview from the Royal college of physicians and revolves around the safety of ecigs.

I was just price shopping all the typical stop smoking items. My eyes are bugging out of my head.

That's wonderful to hear! I also noticed, while I was still vaping at home, that nicotine didn't have the power over me that I experienced with combustible cigarettes and that was amazing. I'd be like the smokers here, or already dead. Only with vaping did I stop smoking.

I used the patch to help with the physical withdrawals while I worked on psychologically getting used to not having cigarettes as my main "go to" in my life. But like I said, that was over 18 years ago and vaping wasn't an option for me back then. If it had been around then I certainly would have considered it as a possibility for my strategy to kick cigarettes.

You know, I tried the patch by itself, and that didn't work for me. I bought some lozenges to try to quit smoking, never had the chance to try them, because I ended up vaping before I even had the chance to try the lozenges.

When I found out about vaping, it was actually kind of strange, because we actually drove by this vape shop that's near where we live.

So I asked my husband if he would check out the vape shop with me and he said yes.

The first time we both tried it, my husband loved it and he told me to try it, so I did. We really didn't understand how it worked, but the salesperson that was there, actually gave us the basic education on everything from putting the mod together and tasting different e-liquids.

It was really interesting and we learned a lot. We still learn a lot and from 2 different salespersons. Every time we go in there, which is at least once a week, we're learning something new. It's always an education in progress for us.

My husband is more addicted to the vaping than I am. But it took me about 5 weeks to go from 6mg to 0mg, and when I get used to not having the nicotine anymore I will more than likely, totally stop the vaping and only use vaping when I have the nicotine cravings.

It may even turn out that I won't get the cravings anymore. But we'll see in due time.



Miteadm63

I had picked up my kit at the same place where I would buy my cigs. I live in a border area to NH. Hence having a place to buy cigs in the first place. I bought the ecig kit when I moved here. It's a no smoking building and I was no longer on the first floor and my friend-the one that I decided to quit smoking with, mentioned ecigs. That was back in '14. I wasn't using it as a quit option, then. It didn't really take with me then, either. I felt it just wasn't satisfying, so it sat here as a just in case(i run out).
When I was getting ready to actually quit, I thought I could use it as assistive. I had used the patch my last attempt to quit. And was looking at the cost comparison as summer is my tightened wallet time of the year. My friend had bought gum as a backup and I've got gum here, to back up, but still the price comparison.
I mentally challenged myself to think all about my smoking history leading up to my picked quit date. I chose quitting when I finished work for the school year. I didn't want to run the risk of any withdrawal symptoms affecting me in the workplace. I spent the better part of a month going through the motions of smoking knowing there would be an end date. I didn't even tell my kids that I planned to. Which comically one day during my first week of having quit one of my sons in front of his brothers told me that I needed to quit. I teased that he isn't very observant. I already had.
I haven't really delved into the world of vaping. I just stayed with the brand I have. I can buy it almost anywhere, even most of the pharmacy stores and any gas station or convenience store and even online. I don't plan on becoming a connoisseur. I do look forward to seeing the results that come the safety studies. One of the pharmacy chains that sells cigarettes behind the counter, has these in between their quit smoking approved aids and their tobacco products. I mentally considered how that was my first or second week of quitting tobacco/combustibles. I pay less a week on this than 1 pack of Massachusetts priced cigarettes. About the price of 3-4 coffees. But as some learn to cut back on buying coffee out, that's my near future challenge.

I had smoked for nearly 35 years and in that time, for the last nearly 7 years, my husband would buy me a carton of cigarettes nearly every week.

When I started vaping, I told my husband not to buy me anymore cigarettes, because I liked vaping better. I never went above 6mg of nicotine because I wanted to get off the nicotine habit. My husband agreed and thought it would be more sensible to actually vape instead of having to buy me a carton of cigarettes every week.

The first day that we both started vaping, was when I told him the day that I run out of cigarettes, is the day that I quit smoking them.

We started vaping on June 11th, of this year and then about 8 days later, I ran out of cigarettes. That was on June 19th of this year.

It has been officially 7 weeks now, since I've had that last cigarette. In just over 2 weeks from now, I will have quit smoking for good, which will be August 19th.

But the day that we started vaping, the salesperson at the vape shop that we went to says to me, "You need to quit smoking!"

When we left the shop that day, I told my husband that the salesperson didn't have to tell me what I already knew. LOL Yes, we laughed it off, though.

Now look at me, I'm smoke free, but I'm vaping. But I'm not vaping as much as my husband is.

He has gotten addicted to it over the past 8 weeks. But we both started off using the nicotine from the e-liquids. But then within the last 2 weeks, I don't let my husband get the nicotine in the e-liquids, because I don't want to have anything to do with the nicotine.

I told my husband that and we stopped getting the nicotine e-liquids. Once I run out of all the e-liquids that have the nicotine in them, it's all downhill from there. There won't be any of the e-liquids that we have now, which will be good for me, as addicted to the nicotine in cigarettes as I was in the past.

I'm starting to feel better in some ways, but I have a long way to go to get to where I really want to get to, in my goals.

My husband has been spending a lot of money in the past 2 months for the mods and the equipment that goes with them.

He now has 4 different mods and I have 3 different mods. The ones I have, my husband says are really cool looking and feel cool when he holds it in his hands.

But the thing is that he is vaping, every time I turn around, and with me, I space the vaping out. That's the difference between how we both vape now.

The way that I vape will eventually help me get off the vaping totally, hopefully within the next couple of months and then I'll be totally smoke free and nicotine free.

I don't want my habits to last forever.



Miteadm63

So, what do you all think about my giving very inexpensive starter kits to a few of the smokers here. I can imagine how it could go wrong. The vast majority not getting kits, and only.three or four of them having a kit.

They'll possibly be embarrassed by being one of the few who get a kit and not want to use it outside in the groups of smokers. I've sat outside with the smokers for a few months now and they have been curious about the vaping. All in all, even if it's stupid of me, I feel like it's the right thing to do. If they wanted a kit, it's only 20$, like cigarette smoking money for maybe a week. (They're only allowed to smoke 8 cigs a day.)

But when they say they don't have money to try it, they are not exaggerating. They really don't have extra money to try vaping, except for the cigarette money. So if one of the smokers likes it, hopefully it will have a positive image among the smokers.

I think that's a sweet gesture. My kit was $10. It came with the battery, charger and a couple of refills. Once I decided on quitting I sat outside with both. Over time, I developed a taste preference. Maybe it could change the course of one of their lives? And they may pay it forward?

That's what I'm hoping! The smoker who died in June had a horrible constant chest ripping coughing and he's dead now. A few of them, like my roommate, are sounding as bad as he did. And they smoke and inhale those little cigarillos to make it worse. I don't know if anyone will care, but I think some of them would like to try it. I can only hope it makes a little difference.

The FDA is putting pressure on the tobacco companies to make "non addictive" tobacco and nicotine/cigarettes.

That's where the big changes will start, while the FDA decides what to do about the vaping industry.

The more I read, it sounds like it is making a difference overseas. And when I ever read last week about the fda, I couldn't help but to feel like I've made the 'harm reduction'(as this switch is referred to overseas) at quite a time in history. Because the states can only give the suggestion of not to until more is known, I have spent a lot of time reading their medical reports, etc. Of course, I want to make sure I haven't gone from bad to worse-and it's not looking like it is.
My cough has gone. I'm on day 38. I went to a family memorial service Sunday and noticed another former smoker using an ecig. My first weekend of quitting, I had it at a birthday party and a comment was made, "You're quitting? I quit 4 years ago. I'm off ecigs now, but...." it was a nice conversation.
I must say that unlike quitting in the past, I'm less stressed about it. Overseas they mention it's not just the physical aspect but behavioral as well.
Fingers crossed with this fda thing.

That's wonderful, all of it! I love how doctors say, "Your lungs are clear", after their skepticism about vaping.

I recognize how much our doctors must dot their i's and cross their t's, yet all doctors, regardless of where they are, take that oath. If they are confident enough in Great Britain, then to me, logic says they wouldn't even suggest something so harmful that patients would be considered at risk.
I was low yesterday, thought I'd try the tobacco flavor that came extra in the starter kit, , then some gum-meh. I hadn't run out, yet I wondered how to take the next step. But then my son asked to go to the store. I wound up with a lower mg count than usual. I think as I get back to work and have some extra slush cash, I might trial a new set up to select my intake mgs and try to taper, that way. My friend has tried some different vapes. Prefers liquid. He had a real one and complained of how tired smoking makes him. Which was par for the reason of his quitting anyways. I say not a slide, but reinforcing a decision. He doesn't get the same savings as it's been loosely rolled in his case.

I don't believe it!!! It's been 3 months since my husband and I started vaping and still I haven't picked up a cigarette. I just don't know how I'm doing it!!!! I'm so amazed that I could be doing this!!!!

8 days after I started vaping, I smoked my last cigarette and I just can't believe I'm doing it. I never thought I could ever stop smoking, but I have, and I'm still vaping, but I'm planning to quit that eventually too.

I've been totally off the nicotine for about 2 weeks and with the vaping, still haven't picked up a cigarette and put it in my mouth!!!

I don't know what to say about it!!! It's just so crazy, isn't it?


Miteadm63

I know! It's like a miracle, isn't it? So glad to hear!

Thank you so much my friend. You know how it is when you feel like you're in a dream, even though you're in reality? That's what I feel like right now. LOL

Miteadm63

That's wonderful! I do know that feeling. For me it came either the first or second night (before I quit all the tobacco cigs) when I realized I could very likely quit smoking, and my first experience with vaping it tasted so good! And when I fell asleep, I had a euphoric dream that I had quit smoking finally! It was magical. I thought I'd die with a cigarette in my hand lol. I'm so happy for you!

I'm glad you were able to see my reply tonight and knowing that I have a few friends here, helps me to keep my support going and not to stop. I'm looking at a one way stop and hanging it all up for everyone around us.

And the thing I have to say about vaping is that I hope a lot of people follow my lead to quitting smoking and start vaping to quit smoking and then eventually stop vaping too.

Miteadm63

83 days off of tobacco. At least turning to ecig/vape isn't so stigmatizing. I now know the formula to get voltage-care of the only study I'm finding against it. Appears mathematically improbable/impossible to reach those numbers, but let the studies continue, eh?
It's great having this support network to reach out to. It is certainly something those of us that have chosen to step away from tobacco needn't have pressure against in attempting to make a major life change, but that's my opinion/impression. I did have a piece of the approved smoking cessation gum the other day in a pinch. the side effect hit me like a ton of bricks.

You're welcome and thank you for your support too. I think we're a good support for each other because we can pick up where the other left off.

You know I haven't tried the nicotine gum, because I didn't think it would help me. Vaping for me has helped every craving, every psychological craving too.

It's kind of weird how vaping can take away every craving that you get, because it takes the place of wanting to have something in your mouth all the time too.

I am totally free of nicotine now. I'm at zero nicotine with my vapes now and I've been nicotine free from that for almost 3 weeks already. I think I have made great strides with the nicotine.

And you know what else is amazing?

My daughter came over yesterday and we went out to dinner and did some shopping for her and her new baby, whom is coming in November, and I told her how I am doing with the stopping smoking, and I think she is really proud of me for doing it.

I even told her that on the 19th of this month, I will be cigarette free for 3 months and that there is something we can celebrate together.

She told me last night, that she never thought about this until we started talking about things, that now when she walks into my house, she likes the fact that there's no smoke smells to walk into.

She said that she was so used to walking into my house when I smoked, that she never thought about the smell, until she came over last night.

I was so amazed by that and really happy that she approved of everything that is going on, when she comes over.

When we went out, I didn't even take my mods for vaping with me, if that makes any sense.

I'm so happy that she's making me a first time grandma, too. I basically did it for the baby. Babies are one of life's miracles and I didn't feel that he should be brought into a world where he has to smell the fumes of the smoking.

It's so just amazing to me and sometimes I don't know what to think, but it's just so amazing!!!

Miteadm63

Oh, and by the way, Congratulations for being free from tobacco for 83 days!!! That's awesome!!!

Miteadm63