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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

to feel positively evangelical about electronic cigarettes?

983 replies

KatyTheCleaningLady · 27/09/2013 15:07

I was reading the AIBU thread about the husband vaping in the house with a newborn. I was struck by the passionate testimonials from former smokers, saying they couldn't have done it without e-cigs. I had tried a puff one of those things that look like a cigarette and was underwhelmed. But I didn't know about the more advanced set ups where you can fill them up with your flavour of choice. Anyway, I was intrigued. I smoked a pack a day for 25 years, and never quit more than a few months at a time, no matter which methods I tried.

nb84 encouraged me to give it a try and told me what to buy to get started.

I ordered a starter kit that night. It arrived the next day and I fell in love. I have three of them, now (one always charging, one near to hand, and one in my purse ready to go) and eight different flavours of the juice.

I don't want to smoke cigarettes any more. I like this better. It tastes really good. It feels good. And it doesn't stink. My hands, clothing, and breath don't reek anymore. I don't have to keep going outside. I don't have to feel like a smelly pariah. My husband can't smell it even when I'm sitting right next to him.

And I don't have to try and not think about the fact that my mother died of cancer after spending her last decade debilitated by emphysema.

And instead of paying £8 a day for fags, I can buy a week's worth of juice for £10. The hardware was less than £20 to get started and will require only £10 a month going forward. Of course, I can spend more. Many people geek out on it as a hobby because the gadgets are fun and constantly improving.

I'm not worried about putting on weight like people usually do when giving up the cancer sticks. In fact, I snack less. I no longer crave sweets. I would normally nibble all day, especially Haribo sweets. I don't want them anymore because I am tasting a bunch of sweet flavours all day long.

I'm so happy that I want to tell everyone - every smoker and everyone who loves a smoker - about it. Grin

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CatelynStark · 02/10/2013 19:20

I think 36 thingys of nicotine might be too strong for me - I've been feeling a bit dizzy Hmm

I was smoking 15 Silk Cut a day for 35 years so do you guys reckon I should cut down to 18mg??

magimedi · 02/10/2013 19:32

36mg is very strong - I was on 20 a day rollies & started on 18mg & am now down to 11/12mg.

CatelynStark · 02/10/2013 19:35

Yup, I thought as much. I just panicked when ordering Grin.

I'll order some 18mg samples from Paradise Vape. Thanks :)

CatelynStark · 02/10/2013 19:40

I wonder if I bought some 0mg of the same flavours I've got that I could dilute the 36mg ones a bit? Has anyone done this?

KatyTheCleaningLady · 02/10/2013 19:47

Caitlyn, 36 is very strong! I smoked 20 Marlboros a day and I'm on 18mg.

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PlentyOfPubeGardens · 02/10/2013 19:47

Hi awaywego, I'm a GV smoker too Smile I'm getting on ok with RY4.

this looks a good starter kit. If I were you I'd get RY4 for your free liquid, at least 11mg, possibly 18mg strength.

I just ordered the 5 bottle pick n mix liquids and some extra clearomisers from them and they came the next day.

Good luck!

KatyTheCleaningLady · 02/10/2013 19:47

I don't see why you couldn't mix to dilute.

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KatyTheCleaningLady · 02/10/2013 19:50

awaywego what's your budget? How much do you spend a week now?

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CatelynStark · 02/10/2013 19:56

I thought I was hardcore. Apparently I'm a lightweight Grin

PlentyOfPubeGardens · 02/10/2013 20:06

36mg must be for 40 a day smokers!

Presumably dilute 50/50 with 0mg to make 18mg strength?

It's weird though because fags are more or less the same strength but people smoke different numbers a day. That doesn't seem to translate to vaping though. I was wondering earlier how many drags on a vapouriser = 1 fag so I'd know when to put it down Grin It seems to be much more of a 'little and often' thing. Mind you, I'm working from home at the moment. When I go back, I'll have to hoover it in my breaks like I did with the cigs.

awaywego1 · 02/10/2013 20:40

Thanks plenty! Just bought a starter kit from vaping vision-I will update when it arrives- I got the liquid you suggested and an extra gv flavoured one to try-should arrive Friday so hopefully I'll be smoke free by the weekend.
Katy-I spend around £40 a month at the moment so didn't want a huge outlay.

I've got mixed feelings about vaping tbh, if rather not be dependent on anything but I know realistically ill struggle to quit at the moment and it seems like a much much healthier alternative that continuing to smoke. My mum gave up in May using one after 30years of 30ish a day-if it can work for her it can work for anyone Grin

PlentyOfPubeGardens · 02/10/2013 21:43

My battery's recharged and this evening I am mostly vaping vanilla. I must say it's quaite naice. DH doesn't like it but reckons he could get on with the RY4. This is good because if he carries on smoking and I don't, he'll smell (yes obviously I know we both smell right now Grin)

KatyTheCleaningLady · 02/10/2013 22:31

Well, you need an extra battery, anyway. Grin

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stillenacht · 02/10/2013 22:33

Oh god is there such a thing as going too crazy with this E-Lite thing. Literally finding it difficult to put it down (it is the first evening on it though).

KatyTheCleaningLady · 02/10/2013 23:38

I wish I'd weighed myself when I started. I know I'm eating much less.

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awaywego1 · 03/10/2013 09:23

Ooh do tell me that's true Katy-I am very anxious about gaining weight-hoping that vaping will offset the quitting smoking weight gain.

weirdbird · 03/10/2013 09:37

I want to get some premium ry4 liquid, but not spend a fortune on postage any rec's?
I am finding the tobacco liquid I have too sweet.

KatyTheCleaningLady · 03/10/2013 09:47

Away I should add that I've got a big cast on my dominant arm, so I have to eat with my left hand. This makes eating proper meals a chore. But, I am definitely not eating the candy I usually do, either.

weirdbird check out Joose Juice. Cheapest I've found, and very popular. 30ml bottles are bogof, bringing the price to the same as 3 x 10 bottles, which are already quite cheap. Try some of their tobaccos then g 60ml of the one you prefer. Their postage is cheap.

Some of their liquids need to "steep" - mature in the bottle for a week or two. They have good customer service, so you could ask if they have any 10mls ready to vape.

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KatyTheCleaningLady · 03/10/2013 09:54

Stillenaccht It sounds like those e-lights are working for you. Please keep us updated on how long they're lasting and how they're performing. I know a lot of people want a cigalike at first and if there's a good one it would be good to know about it.

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RedRedWyne · 03/10/2013 11:44

Inspired by this thread I bought the Ego CE4 starter kit, it arrived yesterday and I'm 24 hours fag free. I feel I need another as back up and I don't know what I should be buying. Another starter kit or do I need more of the clearomisers? How long do these kits tend to last and is it the battery or the Clearomiser that dies first. Obviously I don't really want to spend too much until I know I'm going to stick with it. I've seen the CE4 kits on Ebay for about the same price, will they be the same as my paradise vape one? Sorry for all the questions.

KatyTheCleaningLady · 03/10/2013 14:12

The battery will last... 6 months to a year, depending on usage (it has a few hundred charges in its lifespan.) It's good to have a backup for charging and in case of mishap.

The clearos need to be replaced every 10-30 ml of liquid (however long that takes you), varying with the liquid. Sweet, dark liquids will burn up the wicks faster.

The kits on eBay should be the same, yes. A second kit is good because having a spare charger is good. I imagine they're cheap and will wear out kist like ipod and phone chargers do.)

You can order more basic clearos ("CE4") online/ebay. You will know when it goes... it will taste burnt.

That style is fully disposable and simple. You can save money by buying types that have the ability to open up and replace the coil heads (which can also be cleaned to extend the life a bit). But it's not a massive savings and can be a faff (fiddly bits, and you need to know exactly the model to source them.)

Liquid on eBay is all nicotine free. Vape Escape and Paradise Vapes both have good prices on liquids, as do plenty of other vendors (Joose Juice is very cheap.)

You can learn a lot from reading vaping forums,asking questions online, watching Youtube videos, and visiting vape shops. But to continue what you're doing, you only need to replace what you have.

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KatyTheCleaningLady · 03/10/2013 14:17

Here are the clearos on eBay at about £2 each:

www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_sacat=0&_from=R40&LH_BIN=1&_nkw=ce4+clearomizer&LH_PrefLoc=1

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RedRedWyne · 03/10/2013 15:16

Brilliant! Thanks Katy. I've just bought another starter kit from ebay and I bought 3 different liquids from Paradise Vape when I bought my first starter kit, also bought the 5 pick n mix from Vaping Vision, they should arrive tomorrow. So, all I need now are a few more clearos. I really hope that this works. I've failed so many times with champix and patches but I'm determined to be a non smoker for my 40th birthday in January.

Bombjack · 03/10/2013 17:09

I've just ordered one of the Hangsden starter kits for £19. Does anyone vape in their local pub out of interest? Was chatting to someone about e-cigs earlier, and apparently more pubs are allowing vaping on their premises.

camvip.webs.com/vaping%20sticker1.jpg

Would be a lot more civilised as winter is coming up Grin

KatyTheCleaningLady · 03/10/2013 17:13

The one closest to me is fine with it.

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