Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Elf Bar witchcraft

264 replies

Zoologydragon · 01/05/2023 21:25

I've name changed before posting this but have been here a good while.

I am a smoker...a heavy smoker. Over the past year I've been getting crosser and crosser with wasting so much money. I started to see disposable vapes in all the shops and noticed how much cheaper they are.

Over the years I have tried to stop smoking a few times and have tried lots of alternatives including vapes (last time was 5 years ago)

On Saturday I bought an elf bar on a whim, just to see what they were like. For the rest of the day I smoked miles less than I would have normally done

Yesterday, I smoked 10 fags (or there abouts) to my normal 30ish. This is with drink and a smoking DH.

Today I have had 5 and am choosing the elf bar as default.

This is witchcraft isn't it??

I realise there are many potential risks with a vape (the reason I have always said I won't vape) however I'm sick to the back teeth of smoking and everything to do with it...yet I can't stop. This contraption has, so far, had the same effect, completely by accident. I haven't made a decision to quit smoking (if I tell myself I'm not allowed to smoke I will immediately smoke 20 fags as that's how my brain works lol) but I cannot believe how effective these things have been!! I have cigarettes on the side yet I've just gone to the vape instead.

Has anyone else had this? If you have what are your tips and recommendations for flavours to help me swap out the fags for good!

OP posts:
Idratherbepaddleboarding · 25/06/2023 12:33

This reply has been withdrawn

Post withdrawn at author's request

Tryagainplease · 25/06/2023 08:27

My sanctimonious ex-smoker/vaper comment is that yes, vapes DO work, but be mindful that you're not replacing one habit with another

This doesn’t really make sense though - the whole reason vaping works is because you’re replacing one habit for another. That is why it’s called nicotine replacement therapy. And it is around 95% healthier than smoking.

Lillygolightly · 25/06/2023 00:00

Can anyone recommend any good online places for buying Nic salt liquids?

Bewarethesealions · 22/06/2023 07:26

Was a 15+ a day tailor-made/roll-up smoker from 1989-2017 on and off. Vape technology looks like it has improved vastly since I last did it (2014 or so), but back then I also found that vaping made my asthma worse, so ended up knocking both on the head.

My sanctimonious ex-smoker/vaper comment is that yes, vapes DO work, but be mindful that you're not replacing one habit with another.

At the end of it, willpower is the most important thing (ie not giving into the feeling of "I'd like a fag with this" while sitting in a pub garden with my pint - this one has got me a few times over the years).

BadgerFacedCoo · 22/06/2023 06:25

My husband and I quit smoking and his chosen method was the vape.

He used it alongside tobacco until his tobacco ran out and then couldn't face paying £13 for a packet of tobacco and stuck to the vapes. Brilliant things.

Zoologydragon · 22/06/2023 06:16

@Twoscotcheggsandajarofmarmite of course it was just a blip! You were on holiday and these things happen don't they. Don't be too harsh on yourself lovely.

It was an experiment and you learned you don't like the taste 💐

OP posts:
Twoscotcheggsandajarofmarmite · 21/06/2023 23:44

I’m so mad at myself, hadn’t even wanted a fag since I tried the first elf bar in March, thought I was done with them. Just been on holiday and the hotel shop sold sobranie cocktail cigarettes, the ones I used to think were so cool as a twenty something. I smoked two packets over the week just because they were so pretty.
I didn’t even enjoy them! They were so smelly and dirty compared to the vapes. I’m home now and back on the vapes so hopefully it was just a blip.

Zoologydragon · 17/06/2023 19:16

Hi @reesewithoutaspoon and @Tryagainplease I have a proper device now - I hot an aspire flexus and was once again astounded by how much money I was saying compared to disposables! Absolute game changer! It's amazing how the newer vapes (and disposables) just work for quitting isn't it. I never dreamed in a million years this would be the outcome of me buying that first elf bar, and so quickly!!

@morekidsthanhands great to hear you're still on the wagon!! The clothing thing is great isn't it. I also don't have to visit a shop everyday which is a bonus!

@Dogsitterwoes I've also been completely astonished! No fag cravings here at all. DP is still smoking and I've become one of those people that loves away from the smoke. I never ever thought that would be me!!!!!

OP posts:
Dogsitterwoes · 17/06/2023 13:28

Good to hear you are still doing well.

My last cigarette was in January, and I'm astonished how easy it's been due to vaping. I've been trying and failing to give up smoking for 20 years, but I honestly haven't craved for a cigarette once.

Tryagainplease · 17/06/2023 13:18

This happened to me too OP. I was on 20 a day and then switched to vaping and I much prefer my vape to smoking!
I would get a proper device though rather than buying the disposable ones. Go to a decent vape shop near by and ask for advice.

reesewithoutaspoon · 17/06/2023 13:04

Grats. I recommend moving onto non disposable systems when you can. It's an initial investment upfront but saves so much in the long run ( also invest in a second system when you can afford as they always seem to break at the worst time).

morekidsthanhands · 15/06/2023 23:46

I am still here! Still going strong. Unexpected bonus is if I'm not going anywhere in the day I don't have to get dressed cos I'm not going outside to smoke anymore. I've spent days in my nightie Grin.
I probably haven't saved as much as you as I wasn't a very heavy smoker and I've also bought loads of disposables to try and chucked quite a few away when they where rank. I'm going to the vape shop tomorrow to see if they have any recommendations for me.

Zoologydragon · 15/06/2023 22:31

Evening everyone. Still going strong over here....no fags, can't imagine ever smoking one again tbh! Getting on well with the flexus and it's so much less scary than I thought it would be!! I rotate flavours every refill but definitely have some firm favourites!

The first elf bar has honestly changed my life...and my bank balance very dramatically and I cannot recommend grabbing a disposable next time you get a pack of fags highly enough! I bought it to drop a few fags and have ended up saving utter fortunes......it makes me shudder working out what I have saved!!

I spent £15 on the flexus on 25/05, I also ordered £40 of juice online. So that's £55 total (I also bought the juice with Laybuy to split it over weeks!) I have tons of juice of juice left - perhaps 50%. So for 3 weeks of smoking at my normal rate it's coat me £35. £1.40 a day instead of £18. Absolutely life changing

If anyone is still following this thread -how are you getting on?

OP posts:
morekidsthanhands · 10/06/2023 16:27

Tailfeather · 08/06/2023 22:02

How much do you vape? I'm worried as I definitely vape more than I ever smoked!!'

I was thinking that! During the day I barely touch it as I'm busy. At night when I'm relaxing it's constantly on the go.

reesewithoutaspoon · 09/06/2023 14:37

When I first switched I felt like I was puffing on it all the time because there's no end point like a cigarette.. but over time it's reduced a lot

Zoologydragon · 09/06/2023 08:00

I think it's about the same but I vape more often but less puffs and slower than I smoked..... if that makes sense.

OP posts:
Tailfeather · 08/06/2023 22:02

How much do you vape? I'm worried as I definitely vape more than I ever smoked!!'

Zoologydragon · 31/05/2023 20:32

I've only just realised you'd replied @morekidsthanhands sorry! I found that it took a bit of getting used to switching over to the aspire (I have a flexus) but I've got used to it now and am just trying loads of flavours. It's saved me even more of a fortune therefore it's fine!!

@justteanbiscuits I've been just refilling my pod with different flavours but have noticed some flavours carry over for a little bit (mainly the liquorice or aniseed ones) so I'm going to have a couple of different pods for stronger flavours.

I seem to enjoy switching flavours every refill and am looking forward to tomorrow's.juice delivery! (£40 for what I think is a month's worth.....I shudder at the thought of how many days fags that would have been! I feel like I've been snapped out of a trance, it's so odd). Anybody got any juice suggestions?

Still going strong here. Quite miraculous for a heavy smoker who wasn't looking to quit really. I think I'll eat my hat if I start smoking fags again.

Well done everyone who joined this thread and cut a couple of fags out (my initial intention).

Hope everyone is ok and that this thread is helpful to anyone who stumbles across it.

OP posts:
Lillygolightly · 31/05/2023 18:38

To be fair @justteanbiscuits if your flavours are quiet contrasting than definitely use different pods, for instance if you use a menthol flavour you will taste that for a long time after if you switched to say a fruit flavour on the same pod. That said if you’re switching between say blueberry to strawberry you can definitely use the same pod. Also if your trying out a new flavour your not sure about wait until your pod is nearing the end of its life, that way if you don’t like the flavour you haven’t wasted a brand new pod, especially if the flavour is a strong one it can last in the pod/coil for quiet a while. 😊

justteanbiscuits · 31/05/2023 16:16

Lillygolightly · 31/05/2023 15:47

@justteanbiscuits do you switch pods for your flavour changes? I have the Vaporesso Xross and I just wait until the pod is low on liquid and then switch flavours just by topping up the pod already in use, it never takes long for the new flavour to come through. Most the flavours I like are all fruity and fairly similar but now you have me wondering if I should just buy extra pods to switch between instead 🤔

That's what I've been doing!! Maybe I don't need to... I may be over thinking this (it wouldn't be the first time!)

Lillygolightly · 31/05/2023 15:47

@justteanbiscuits do you switch pods for your flavour changes? I have the Vaporesso Xross and I just wait until the pod is low on liquid and then switch flavours just by topping up the pod already in use, it never takes long for the new flavour to come through. Most the flavours I like are all fruity and fairly similar but now you have me wondering if I should just buy extra pods to switch between instead 🤔

morekidsthanhands · 27/05/2023 11:25

4 weeks is amazing! Think it's day 11 or 12 for me!
Everything tastes super super different for me. I'm not sure I like it haha. Maybe if I decide I don't like food as well as smoking I can lose some weight too - then the elf bars really will be a miracle!
I tried the elfbull flavour this week and I really like that. I've ordered some lost Mary to try this week. I have am aspire pockex that I've used before but I find it super harsh compared to elf bars. Maybe I'm using the wrong liquids?

Zoologydragon · 25/05/2023 20:39

@justteanbiscuits I've come to the conclusion that vape shop people have the best customer service ever!

I have taken the plunge and now have an Aspire to play around with. I think I prefer it to the bars! Seems really good value and is easy to use which is a bonus. Now I need to work my way through some flavours!

It's 4 weeks this weekend since I bought my first bar and I can honestly say there is zero chance of me going back to cigarettes. Hooray!!!

Weirdly, I completely went off elf bars and don't like the flavours now. I had one the same flavour as the first one I bought recently and it tasted nasty!!!

Since stopping fags I've noticed my skin is miles better and so is my taste and smell. The weird dreams have stopped now which is a relief!

How is everyone else?

OP posts:
justteanbiscuits · 24/05/2023 15:01

Ooh, forgot to come and update. I found a vape shop only a few minutes away! So went and visited - super friendly! Being a few days before pay day I couldn't splash out, but I got two Just Juice liquids to try.. a blue raspberry and a wild berries & aniseed. Quite liking the wild berries & aniseed though really can't taste the aniseed - but still on the sweet side. Will go back after pay day and buy a wider selection!

I also got a little hobby box thing where I can keep the Vaporesso pods if I want to switch flavours during the day! So I don't have to run a pod till it runs out to change flavour. Ingenious idea from the vape shop owner.

Idratherbepaddleboarding · 24/05/2023 14:48

This reply has been withdrawn

Post withdrawn at author's request

Swipe left for the next trending thread