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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

OP posts:
forumdonkey · 28/09/2013 00:36

may I ask of all the anti vapers what your smoking status is? non smoker, smoker, ex smoker?

Melongena · 28/09/2013 00:36

I can't help but compare vaping vs smoking with taking methadone vs injecting heroin.

i.e. nice new method is loads safer than the Very Bad Alternative, but really, would you want to be hooked on any of them?

I'm an ex-smoker, obviously.

squoosh · 28/09/2013 00:37

ex smoker

forumdonkey · 28/09/2013 00:39

scrazy how long have you been stopped. I admit I couldn't do it cold turkey. Did you not think the throat hit vaping and draw from vaping the same as cigs?

scrazy · 28/09/2013 00:41

Ex smoker atm, who will always struggle with it tbh, this quit is 2 months last one was 2 years, 6 months ago. Maybe you have a point, but I reckon you vapours will get bored of always having to be charged up and ordering liquid off the internet when you can walk down the co-op for your fix instead.

forumdonkey · 28/09/2013 00:46

With the greatest of respect scrazy I have never gone back to cigs in over 3 years & I have never struggled with it at all. I can pop to my local shop for juice and my battery life lasts 8 hours so it's no more hard work as charging my phone. I presume you've tried vaping but I can't understand why you think the throat hit and draw isn't like what you get from cigs.

scrazy · 28/09/2013 00:48

No forum, it was just a substitute.

I'm not judging here, I had to give up this time on Zyban tablets (Champix made me hurl) because I couldn't stand cold turkey again, I've done it a few times and it's tough. But everytime I think oh one puff.one cig stood outside the pub won't harm, I have to never think like it again. I don't want to smoke, I cannot afford it, I hate the smell, I worry I will get a smoking related disease, and I'm a non believer in all the scares, but I don't need it and quality of life is so much better being nicotine free.

But I know giving up is f--ing hard, isn't?

KatyTheCleaningLady · 28/09/2013 00:51

Giving up is hard, but I find staying off them for more than a few months impossible.

OP posts:
forumdonkey · 28/09/2013 00:53

I've got to add I can't understand why you would struggle (& I would) when there is an alternative

My never smoked father had a heart bypass the month after I went to ecigs, last November I stood outside the ambulance as they brought him back to life with CPR and not once despite going through that trauma did I even want a cig. The man I'm seeing smokes and him smoking in front of me doesn't make me want or crave one

scrazy · 28/09/2013 00:56

The trick is to not puff on nicotine again, get some nicotine tobacco from the health shop or some nicotine free vape, and you will find there is no satisfaction from it so no point. Even if you add some dope to the nicotine free fag would be better for you, it's not addictive.

scrazy · 28/09/2013 00:57

'nicotine free tobacco' ffs

forumdonkey · 28/09/2013 01:01

scrazy please research ecigs, juices etc. If you feel tempted to smoke try one of those instead. I don't even think about cigs. If you miss the draw and exhaling buy juice with no nicotine in it.

my other concern with stopping smoking was weight gain and my sil went from a size 12 to 20Sad 3 years on I've gone up a few pounds but that may be an age thing being over 40Sad Smile

scrazy · 28/09/2013 01:04

forum, because the only way to free you from an addiction is to get off it.

I love a drink, I don't refuse a toke, if it's wafted in my face, I've tried other stuff out of curiosity in the past but non of it is addictive to me, nicotine is, it's quite evil, imo. I need it throughout the day or I go into mild withdrawal. OK it's good that your drug isn't messing your lungs anymore with tar etc but still you are addicted. You can get off it but it takes a bit of discomfort and the will to keep of it.

Anyone who vapes if you like doing it then fine. I personally don't want to have to do it.

Lazysuzanne · 28/09/2013 01:07

whats so bad about being addicted to nicotine? I'm addicted to caffeine, I dont see it as a problem

scrazy · 28/09/2013 01:07

Forum, I get you, a smoke or a bit of chocolate or cake. Grin

scrazy · 28/09/2013 01:10

Lazy, caffeine is very mild stimulant, nicotine is powerful and much harder to do without.

Lazysuzanne · 28/09/2013 01:20

unless nicotine is actually harmful I dont see the problem, I find it impossible to do without coffee, I drink it thoughout the day, I enjoy the effects.

I get that you personally prefer not to use nicotine but generally speaking whats the problem with being addicted to something which you enjoy doing and which does you no harm?

springybuffy · 28/09/2013 01:26

What a miserable lot! Well, some of you. I met a RL miserable lot the other day. What a misery!

I am also evangelical though far less knowledgeable about vaping. I tried it all, many times (even acupuncture and, yes, hypnotherapy), and nothing worked. This worked overnight. I prefer it to smoking. I am overjoyed that I am no longer a smoker.

That has got to be a good thing. Be happy for me. And stop griping, you gripers.

Lazysuzanne · 28/09/2013 01:28

I am overjoyed for you Springy :o

squoosh · 28/09/2013 01:33

But why would you care that others don't share your enthusiasm?

KatyTheCleaningLady · 28/09/2013 01:38

Yeah, me too!

OP posts:
KatyTheCleaningLady · 28/09/2013 01:40

Nobody likes a party pooper, Squoosh.

Also, we don't want it taken away from us, which is a very real threat.

OP posts:
squoosh · 28/09/2013 02:36

I won't poop at your party. But yes, I'm sure that as we speak the government are plotting ways to make this a lot more lucrative for them.

TabithaCampbellBlack · 28/09/2013 06:43

Lazy, caffeine is very mild stimulant, nicotine is powerful and much harder to do without

Nicotine is more addictive yes, but it's no worse for you in small doses than caffeine. It's effects are very similar.

As said on the other thread, the least dangerous part of smoking is, and always has been, the nicotine. It's the smoke that causes cancer & heart disease.

So all the people who keep going on about breaking the addiction are missing the point somewhat.

stillenacht · 28/09/2013 07:10

There are so many out there its really confusing. So i have just bought menthol elites but fancy the idea of fruit etc liquids too (cigs have never really worked as an appetite depressant for me). So i guess in a few weeks I'll buy a starter kit where I can change liquids. Thanks everyone for their advice on here xxSmile