craigb

kev11111111111111
 This might be a silly question,but whats the point in e ciggies without the nicotine ?? I mean its the nicotine that makes you 'crave' to smoke isnt it ? For me the whole point isnt to totally overcome my addiction,all I want to do for now is say stop smoking after say 8pm and replace the cigs with e cigs. If there werent any nicotine in the e cigs I'd prob go nuts !!!!! Thks for the pointers on brands anyway. I'm using Nicolites,I havent started them yet,but I'm planning to give it a go this evening.
Happy New Year !
 

First of all, back when I was working on a PhD, I was also doing all the course work to get certified in Smoking Cessation (a very unique hypnotherapy/NLP approach out of the UK with an 86% success rate using only a single one-hour session - most hypnotherapy approachs are only about 40% effective even after many sessions taken over a month or so).  As part of the this, I learned a lot about the subject - most of which is different than what the media and tabacco industries want you to hear.
 
The single biggest point of misinformation is that nicotine is addictive.  If it was, you wouldn't be physically able to quit cold-turkey yet millions do all the time.  You'd also have to wake up regularly during the night just to have a smoke and you couldn't go for the time required to fly somewhere or watch a long movie (the shaking and sweats would be very noticeable).  The easiest proof lies with the nicotine patches people use to help them quit!  If nicotine was addictive, then people would start abusing the use of the patches (they don't).  So, what is nicotine?  It actually is a poison that was used as a pesticide until a safer alternative came along: DDT! 
 
So why do people think that smoking and nicotine are addictive?  Because the media tells them so!  Most media has been traditionally driven by those with an agenda that try to brainwash the masses into believing that many of the things that are "wrong" are not their fault (when it almost always is).  People prefer to think that they are just another victim instead of taking responsibility for their actions (obviously this goes way beyond just smoking).  Naturally, the tabacco industries want this myth perpetuated to keep everyone buying their products.  The reason you hear smokers arguing that it's addictive even after hearing it's a social habit is pretty easy to understand.  It means that they would have to admit to themselves that it really has been their fault and most don't like to do that.
 
So what IS it if it's not addictive?  It's a social habit.  Don't take that lightly, many habits are very hard to break without the correct approach.  Making and breaking habits consists of creating a program in the brain and both take time - about 30 days (which is exactly why you'll see most programs say you need to continue doing something for a month).  Some NLP concepts come into play as well; the biggest one is anchoring.  Anchoring is when an action, feeling or thought is attached to something.  If done properly, you can anchor the state of mind, emotions, mindset, visuals, sound, smells, etc. to a simple touch on a body part (like pinching an earlobe for example).  Atheletes use this all the time to jump into the "zone" on demand.  Needless to say, some of the anchors for smoking should be obvious.  When you're at a bar with friends, when you have an alcoholic drink, when you're stressed, etc.  Some are not as obvious.  Because nicotine is extremely bitter, the leaves are usually soaked in a highly sweetened water solution.  One of the reasons for the regular desire to go "burn one" has to do with the sugar/insulin response cycle.
 
So how do you stop smoking?  There are several facets to this.  First you need to realize that the negative aspects outweigh any perceived benefits.  Then you should try to replace the so-called benefits and, eventually, the habit itself with something healthier.  Fruit can help with the sugar cravings for example.  Many people talk themselves into NOT quitting because they're worried that they will gain weight.  What they don't know is that the weight gained comes from two areas:  Replacing the habit of smoking with something else that is unhealthy (like excessive sweets) or, more commonly, by water weight.  Smoking dehydrates you, especially the skin.  Look at the skin of a lifetime smoker and you will notice that it looks very desiccated like a dried out leaf.  The water you recover is a GOOD thing (if you think you're overweight after that, then you actually were overweight before it but it simply wasn't showing).
 
One reason the body may tolerate smoking has to do with breathing.  Deep breathing to be exact.  If you don't take deep breathes occasionally, the body may opt for the less-than-optimal route of smoking a cigarette.  That deep inhale may be polluted, but the body needs it.
 
As mentioned before, a habit is a program created in the brain that can take up to 30 days to create or destroy.  Therefore, the easiest method to short-circuit things is to replace the unwanted habit, with a healthier choice.  While what is chosen is up to the person, some suggested replacements include taking relaxing deep breathes, getting up and walking a little, getting a glass of water, grabbing a hand exercise ball, etc.  The "work" that needs to be done is to start equating the new habit whenever you get the urge for the old one.  You see this in one of the quit smoking ads where a person gets tempted to smoke, but takes a NicoDerm instead.  If you examine this, you'll see that what is really happening is that the old response of having a cigarette is slowly being replaced with something else (the taking of the NicoDerm AND avoiding the other social aspects).  Since taking something by yourself is not a social habit, the person will eventually stop doing this though, hopefully, the smoking habit programming will have been broken down by then (interestingly enough, a similar parallel can be seen by people buying popcorn to eat while watching a movie - that is also a type of social habit).
 
One last thing.  People who smoke are damaging their ability to smell.  This means that they don't realize that they stink after having a cigarette but, since smell and taste are very tied together, it means that food don't taste as good as they should.  I've had people who have quit comment about smokers they pass with "Wow, did I smell that bad when I smoked???!"  It can take up to a few weeks to get a full sense of smell back after quitting, but I think it's worth it.

Rimshot
I quit smoking about 17 years ago and it was the best thing I could do for myself and family. 
After many tries and quit cold turkey.  If I can do it others can too!  I never thought I could.
 
I hope that e-cigs don't encourage the younger ones to jump to regular cigs. 
 
I just read there are 160K deaths related to smoking per year. That is a lot of pain and suffering.
 
I wish cigarettes were never invented!  I craved 'em.  I think it was an addition.  I am just so glad I stopped.

Linear Phase
 
 The hardest part of cold turkey is weeks zero - four, with the absolute worst being days zero - three, and then its all down hill...

But the first 72 hours of cold turkey?  OMG, I go frikking bonkers!!  

slartabartfast

bapu
Just read article that said many cities are now bnning e-cigs in public places. Citing the "belief" that the vapor still contains enough nicotine to be harmful to second hand breathers.

There is no data that nicotine exposure from inhalation of secondary smoke is harmful. Nicotine is addictive and a potent enough stimulant to be used as a poison in dart guns and insecticide, but most of the well known adverse health effects of tobacco smoke are probably not the result of nicotine, but of the hundreds of other chemicals, including known carcinogens, that are in the smoke. Unfortunately, the vapor from e-cigs is not pure nicotine, so it may be a while before we know what the health effects of vaping are.

SongCraft

kev11111111111111

SongCraft

bapu
Just read article that said many cities are now bnning e-cigs in public places. Citing the "belief" that the vapor still contains enough nicotine to be harmful to second hand breathers.

{doh} Almost all but maybe one or two ecig companies also provide zero nicotine. But I guess extreme prejudice, lies and injustice are all typical human traits.
 
Since ecigs can contain very little to zero nicotine and about 4,000 less chemicals compared to traditional smokes. Ecigs would be ideal to get smokers to quit but due to above said and I guess some pharmaceutical companies would love to see these much cheaper ecigs banned. For example: it costs about $200 for a pack of pharmaceutical vapor 'quit smoking aid' and duh -- these contain nicotine.  
 
Top ecig brands are for example; Vcigs, Premium, WhiteCloud, Green and Southbeach. Other brands such as; BluCigs, Clear and Njoy are lame by comparison.  Non-nicotine ecigs have a sweet taste with artificial tobacco flavor, like popular foods snacks that contain artificial flavors.  Most brands offer other flavors such as mint, vanilla, chocolate, cherry and of course menthol.  Top brands provide a 'very satisfactory and longer lasting product', most batteries will last 8 to 12 hours but require about 4 hours to charge (especially for a larger battery). Some brands (batteries) have a lifetime warranty or at least a one year warranty. Typical issues; faulty batteries and very short life; often die without warning -- best to have at least two spare batteries. The above top brands provide two or three chargers: USB, Home and for the Car. 
 

 
 This might be a silly question,but whats the point in e ciggies without the nicotine ?? I mean its the nicotine that makes you 'crave' to smoke isnt it ? For me the whole point isnt to totally overcome my addiction,all I want to do for now is say stop smoking after say 8pm and replace the cigs with e cigs. If there werent any nicotine in the e cigs I'd prob go nuts !!!!! Thks for the pointers on brands anyway. I'm using Nicolites,I havent started them yet,but I'm planning to give it a go this evening.
Happy New Year !

I guess the idea is to take it in 'gradual steps': Start with full strength, then medium, then low, then finally down to zero nicotine. Tobacco based liquids usually contain mostly water for ''example''; estimate about 95% (more or less) of water, the rest is vegetable glycerin or propylene glycol followed by nicotine (from zero % to 1.2, 1.6. 1.8. 2.4) 
 
In regards to zero nicotine filter cartridges; You still get the 'flavor' and the 'vapor hit' but of course zero nicotine will not completely satisfy hardcore addicts.
 
I have used ecigs for about 4 years, I have tried more than 6 brands and use several, I prefer the convenience of pre-fills filter cartridges and larger batteries that have a good lifetime warranty and filter cartridge replacement policy; I have had at least 8 free battery replacements including delivery at no cost to me. I have also had unopened filter cartridges replaced. 
 
 
Since I quite smoking, I can breath and sing a lot better; my sense of smell and taste is has come back. My breath and body does not smell like a dirty old astray and I'm not dropping hot ash anywhere or distributing second-hand smoke to others. Funny thing is, I can way more easily smell someone who is indeed a smoker (either that or they must be subjected to massive amounts of second-hand smoke lol); {ahem} not good if a smoker attends a job interview then claims not to smoke at all --- I don't think body cologne and mouth full of mint chews will do, maybe unless one can explain that he/she lives with a large group of 5 pack a day smokers {cough} {cough} :P 
 
I can't recommend just 'one' particular brand since there are various good ones out there that will do; it's a matter of personal taste and preference for either auto or manual batteries, larger or smaller, choice of battery colors (although some brands only offer white batteries with red led lights), and filter cartridges that are pre-filled or manually filled, flavor, taste and vapor hit and of course the company warranty, returns and replacement policy. 
 
Good luck and Happy New Year. 

timidi
It is my understanding that nicotine alone is not bad for you. Except that it is addictive.....??

timidi
It is my understanding that nicotine alone is not bad for you. Except that it is addictive.....??

Rimshot
I know cigs are addictive.  The American Lung Association blurb I posted also thinks so.  My doctors think so.  It goes on and on.  The bottom line is that they are absolutely killing those that use them and many of them cannot stop.
 
I just read today online that over 2 million lives have been saved since the 1950's when hazard usage data and adds started to appear and people started learning how bad the cigs are.  There are many states whose population does not even exceed 2 million people!  I got hooked on them when I was a young teenager and smoked for over 20 years.  What a nasty cruel thing to do to my body. 
 
I hope anyone smoking will quit today.  Don't wait.  Your life is so precious. 
 
 

timidi
Kenny,
 
2 of these (medium):
http://www.modernvapor.com/product_p/vv-batt.htm
2 of these:(clear)
http://www.modernvapor.com/product_p/lux-clr.htm
1 of these
http://www.modernvapor.com/product_p/char3.htm
1 of these. (20mil. 24mg)
http://www.modernvapor.com/product_p/e-juice-usam.htm
1 of these: (yes.. you'll need it)
http://www.modernvapor.com/LUX_Pouch_p/case-lux.htm
 
$92.00 plus shipping.

kennywtelejazz
 
Timothy ,
thank you for taking the time and posting those links .
it sure looks like an upgrade from what I'm using currently …..
I might end up buying one battery and vaporizer  if I can swing the cash …to give that system a try ...
 
Kenny

kennywtelejazz

batsbrew
Worldwide, tobacco use causes more than 5 million deaths per year.
 
what's left to discuss?

actually Bat, there is plenty left to discuss …..  
tobacco is not illegal & I'm way past the age of 21 
I'm talking about my own personal free will and how I feel about having some one dictate to me personally what I can and can not do in the comfort of my own personal space … MY HOME  
 
Kenny