As I'm sure most of you are aware, vaping and all associated paraphernalia has become quite a growth industry over the last few years, with vape stores cropping up on the high street and shopping precincts as readily as mobile phone accessory stores once did. The thing is, I viewed it simply as a quitting aid a nothing else; and I assumed that it just became an alternative choice. Clearly, that isn't the case any more, as I have met quite a few people who vape but have never smoked - which kinda knocked me sideways - it had never occurred to me that it would become a lifestyle choice all on it's own. This is purely because I'm genuinely interested, so I've knocked up a poll just to satisfy my curiosity.
Quit cigarettes cold turkey a few years ago, started a new job then got bored and rather than picking up cigarettes, had a go on a colleagues vape and did that instead. Started at 6mg, dropped to 3, and have just dropped to 0 this week as a test. Not sure if I'll keep vaping or jack it in completely to be honest but it has stopped me picking up cigarettes again so it's a win in my eyes...
I enjoy smoke, but have never gotten hooked. I enjoy flavored cigaret when I'm drinking with friends and sometimes smoke cigars. I like the physical action of smoking. I do get a huge buzz as well but that isn't the primary motivation. I prefer to vape when one is available because it has more smoke and better flavor, more like smoking shisha.
Fairly similar in my case. I've been smoking on and off for about 21 years. I've had gaps of about 2 years in places where i've just not smoked but fallen back into it, normally through boredom at work. I quit in January after a health scare and have done pretty well just going cold turkey. Apart from when I have a beer in my hand. Give me 3 or 4 pints and i would gladly kill someone for a cigarette. Fairly often if i'm going out i'll just buy some from the off when i know i'll be able to get some, rather than waiting till the need comes and all the shops are shut. I've tried a few vape products. the original e-cig cigarete-a-like things were awful. Didn't give that satisfying pull of cigarettes. tried a few peoples vape thingamies, no idea on the type, but again it's just dry and doesn't have the same sensation when inhaling. If i could find something that felt right it might be a suitable alternative, but I really don't want to be walking round with a tv remote sized chimney in my pocket either. thankfully the need while drinking is getting less. the enjoyment when i have one is waning. my main fear with ecigs is it's just replacing a habit that should really be cut out all together and it would make it easier to fall back into full time smoking.
I tried everything bar the pills that make you go nuts and could not give up smoking. I was OK on the patches and OK on the plastic cigarette things but as soon as it came time to ditch it I ended up back on cigs. Got my first Ecig about five years ago (Ego T) and it was a bit ropey at first. Mostly because of the unreliability of early Ecigs. As soon as I found a half decent battery/charger/tank combo I never looked back. Well actually no, I did twice and nearly puked both times. The first three months are the hardest. Then your sense of smell returns like you wouldn't believe and also your taste. That is when you realise how vulgar smoking really is. People who smoke and sit near you literally smell like the ash trays I used to empty. Then after about a year I realised I could perform adult things without feeling like I was going to have a heart attack at the end. Then slowly you find yourself feeling better and fitter. It's pretty awesome really ! I did have a cigarette at about the six month point over at my mother's house, but immediately felt very sick and had to rush to the bathroom to brush my teeth. That was the last cig I smoked and that would have been about four years ago. I've smoked a few small Cuban cigars since then and I am OK so long as I immediately brush my teeth afterwards. Otherwise the heaving starts about five minutes after. I just can't believe I did that for 25 yrs tbh. Being mentally ill I need the nicotine. It is one of the few things that works for my depression so I can't quit that. But hey, I enjoy vaping and it's hardly very expensive.
