to have ordered one of them electronic fags?

[garlicbutter]

Erm, I don't think IABU. When I have fag withdrawal, it's 80% about he whole 'smoking' thing and there's a shelf full of stuff to deal with the 20% nicotine addiction. I used to say I was orally fixated but now I know I'm a "sensory seeking oral defensive" - er, so what? Anyway. I need to suck something all the time (I've already heard the jokes!!)

So ... has anybody tried them? Do you know anyone who has? Should I send it back before I have to pay for it?

And - big question - if I "light up" my electronic fag in your reataurant, will you haaaate me just as much or is your smoker hatred rational ?

Your opinions and expereince, please.

Oh, link to product

[K999]

Oh I've been thinking of trying these!! You need to let me know how you get on!!

[garlicbutter]

~ restaurant
~ experience
damn, the typos took all the bathos out of my "haaaate"

[garlicbutter]

Oooh, really? I ordered it today ...

[OhNoSpaghettiO]

A couple of my friends have these and loved them , i think they still stood outside with the smokers when having one though as i think they liked the whole social thing chatting with a fag in the beer garden & probably couldn't be arsed with explaining that they are legal to the bouncers!
The only problem i think they have is only a limited number of places sell the refills so you have to order ahead online.

[garlicbutter]

Thanks, Spaghetti, that's encouraging! Yes, I foresee many lengthy explanations ... Now the weather's so nice, of course I'm thinking it'd be okay to carry on hanging around outside but that's no way to live, really!

[BendyBob]

I had a boss once who had one - in the days when you could smoke in an office. There was a strange burning smell one day - he'd absently mindedly lit it

[SilverScarf]

They are fab, I gave up smoking when pregnant with DD1 and started again shortly after she was born (severe problems and severe stress).

I gave up again when I got my positive test with DS and I bought one of the electronic cigarettes. I only used it in social occasions and I really think I might have had a proper one if it was't for them.

4 years and DD2 later and I don't need it, but still take it if I am going on a night out (rarely happens!), just in case.

[garlicbutter]

These are making me feel optimistic! Thanks, keep 'em coming :)
Lol at your boss lighting his, BendyBob - I can so imagine doing that! Must make sure I never keep a lighter in the same place as the fake fag ...

[Ambi]

A guy at work has one they look so real and produces a smoke when you exhale, but it's really a vapour so that he can "smoke" it at his desk, it's so strange to see these days. I don't plan on going digital, in sticking to analogue until my duty free run out (2-3 weeks) then it's a full stop quit.

[garlicbutter]

analogue smoking!

[mummylin2495]

i have one.they are very good,but i have to say it hasnt made me give up yet.But i do take it out when i go out in the evening.I also still feel that i have to go outside to actually use it,i wonder if there is anything that says you cant puff it inside ? sometimes the charge has run out i when i go to use it,but its easy to charge and change the little cartridge.I think each little cartridge is about 200 puffs.

[ditavonteesed]

marking place to see how you all get on.

[squeakytoy]

I tried them and thought they were awful, and left a nasty taste too.

You also feel like a right div if you use them indoors, as people will look at you as if you are weird.

[garlicbutter]

Yeah, I think that's what's bothering me. I don't have a problem with people thinking I'm weird (I probably am!) but it feels kind of like a statement - "I'm a smoker and this is what I need to do to be allowed to sit indoors"? Haven't expressed that very well. But it's only ever going to be a compromise, isn't it? Have tried chewing straws, etc, and that looks weird, too

[SilverScarf]

I used to use it in the pub when out with DH/friends, normally when I was feeling squiffy as that was when I always wanted one. Few people asked about it, but that was it. Def worth it.

[squeakytoy]

I am a smoker and although it does annoy me not being able to smoke in the pub anymore, because nobody else around me is smoking, and I cant smell somebody elses cigarette, I find I dont really mind too much.

[garlicbutter]

It arrived this morning! I am well impressed so far
It's not exactly like smoking a fag but it's close. Am feeling strangely optimistic!

Can't wait to use it in public for the first time Last time I stopped smoking (hah), I went around with an unlit cigarette - that bothered quite a few people. The Clearsmoke is fairly realistic, with its light-up end and 'smoke', so goodness knows what others will make of it.

[LadyThumb]

I've got one - they are brilliant. And our local pub has a sign which says "Electronic Cigarettes Welcome Here". You won't regret buying one, but you may have to experiment with the various liquids, taste and strength. This is a great Forum: allaboute-cigarettes.proboards.com/index.cgi#general

They give all sorts of advice and help.

[undertheboredwalk]

I got mine almost a year ago, was a heavy smoker 20 a day at the time, and haven't had a single one since I bought it :) I love mine, it's the only time I've been successful at giving up, now I'm cutting down on how often I use the e-cig and hoping to stop all together in the next few months.
Good luck :)

[garlicbutter]

I'm liking your local's announcement, LadyThumb! Thanks for the forum link and the encouragement :)

[garlicbutter]

Hmm. Have smoked 2 real cigarettes today as well as using my new toy. Can't quite put my finger on the difference ... On the upside, I'd normally have got through almost a whole packet by now

I'm sticking with it!

[garlicbutter]

Over the past three days, I've smoked 20 real cigarettes, which is a definite improvement over 40 a day! I had to buy some nicotine gum to use first thing in the morning, as I'm not getting enough of a hit from the Clearsmoke - I think the Nicorette mouth spray could work better with it; am waiting for payday to buy one.

That's all about adjusting my nicotine levels; I was expecting some trial & error. In terms of the Clearsmoke fulfilling the peripheral needs associated with smoking - it's brilliant! I feel comfortable making phone calls with it (one of my biggest triggers) and it's fine with a coffee after a meal. I am VERY optimistic that this will work :)

Another huge benefit, for me anyway, is that having a real fag now & again is not the slippery slope it can be with other methods - because I haven't given up the whole 'smoking' experience, the real one feels less like like a treat. Er, that sounds bonkers but perhaps some other cigarette lovers will get what I mean!

I took it into the Co-op A couple of staffers subtly sidled up for a closer look/whiff, but nobody said anything. Worth it for the cheeky giggle!

I'll be testing my new toy with friends & drunkeness over the bank holiday. Will report back!

[SusanneLinder]

I am watching to see how you get on garlicbutter cos I want one of these too.

[garlicbutter]

I got it on special offer, Sue, for £40 - which is 7 packets of fags so, essentially, it will have paid for itself by tomorrow. I can't call that a wasted effort even if I never used it again (though I will.)

Re cost: They run what seems to be a permanent special offer of £65 for the starter kit with 30 cartridges. Going by what I've read on other forums, it's worth phoning & asking for a reduction. Presumably they work on the razor-blade pricing model: it's more important to get you using the equipment, then they can recoup their money on cartridge sales.

Other bits I've learned: This seems to be a method for stopping smoking over a couple of years, rather than the 6 months most NRTs propose. Atm, I'm thinking why bother giving up? If I can arrive at a point where I only use the Clearsmoke and don't need many cartridges, it's good enough. I'm getting through 3 cartridges a day (£1 each) and will experiment a bit once I've got the mouth spray :)