To ask for advice with e-cigarettes/vaping?

[LikeDylanInTheMovies]

A relative a 40 years plus smoker is coming to visit and has agreed to give e-cigarettes a go for the first time (we live several floors up and I think the prospect of trips up and down the stairs for an ordinary cig might have made them see the light).

However, I know nothing about e-cigarettes so would like a bit of advice...

1. What is the best starter/trial kit to get? (Wiling to spend £20-ish)
2. Which brands of replacement liquid are widely available in newsagents or supermarkets? I'm not sure if the liquids are interchangeable between brands or what not?
3. Which e-cigs give the look and 'feel' of real smoking?

I really want this to be a success and their time with us might give them a chance to break the ordinary cigarette habit. They have tried quitting via cold turkey many times, always failed and won't consider patches, gum or medical help. Ideally they need to stop altogether (on medical advice) but the e-cigs might be a step in the right direction.

I have the older model of this one :
www.totallywicked-eliquid.co.uk/tornado-v5-usb-e-cig-kit-and-e-liquid.html

I bought it 2 years ago and for a cheapy it's great. I was smoking 15-20 a day before. I use the totally wicked 1.4% green Apple liquid as it's the nicest I've found. I have bought replacement batteries as having a spare is always useful, and coils as they do get nasty after a while but otherwise it's lasted really well.

Is Pube about? If anyone can recommend a decent starter kit, she can.

I have to say though, I tried vaping many times. It took me wanting to quit for me to do it. Not anyone else encouraging me. I came to the decision alone, gritted my teeth and got some NRT. It doesn't sound like your guest has come to this decision without coercion.

The Endura 22 is a step up from the Endura 18, and is available from Amazon for under £20, in a variety of colours. You should probably get some replacement coils at the same time. Most liquids sold in newsagents etc are pretty dire, you'd be better off ordering online from somewhere like Triphammer - I can recommend their Cream Tea flavours. Also, look at the Stop Smoking topic on here, there are loads of vaping threads giving good advice, or join a forum like All About E-Cigarettes - very friendly and helpful!

Coconutty they're really an aid to help people stop...but some people use them and still smoke a bit...just far less.

They're not proven to be harmless but the medical advice is that they're much better than smoking. If you have the odd craving but manage it well I would not start vaping.

Cheers Fury, I'll take a look at the Endura22.

I know Gruffalo I'm buying it in hope rather than expectation, but this is the first chink I've ever seen. Before it has been either 'I'll keep smoking come what may' and 'I can quit by willpower, I don't need any namby pamby stop smoking kits'. This is the first time they've been prepared to countenance anything halfway sensible.

No it doesn't matter which brand of liquid you use with which kit.

I think the key thing is, don't expect them to switch suddenly from cigarettes to vaping. To start with, I would try to use my vape as much as possible, but occasionally I'd be desperate for a real cigarette, so I'd have one. Gradually I started to prefer the vape, but it took time. Now I wouldn't smoke a real cigarette if you paid me. So don't be despondent if your guest still does the odd trip down the stairs. It's all part of the process, in my experience.

I used the starter kit types for almost a year before upgrading, but yes I agree that a more expensive kit is a hell of a lot better.

Uber vape are doing 4 liquids (in choice of flavours) for £10 with free shipping, could be a good idea to get a few to try? They normally cost around £4/5 each in the shops so it's a good deal.

Aw cheers fluffy!

I'm a bit out of touch with the best cheapy starter kits these days. If you can, take your relative to a vape shop so they can try out different kit and juice. You might find your offer ends up as £20 towards something more expensive

Failing that, it wouldn't be that bad an idea at this stage to just get a half-decent supermarket kit like the Blu Pro Kit. They're not the best vape ever by a long way and they work out expensive in the long run because the tanks and batteries are not compatible with other brands, but they are simple to use and come with a decent set of instructions. One of those with 18mg liquid should be enough to give your guest an idea of whether vaping might work for them - which is realistically all you can hope for at this stage. Also, spares are easy to come by because they're sold in supermarkets and newsagents.

You can use any liquid in them. One Pound Eliquid are great when you're still working out what sort of flavours you like.

As fluffy says, don't expect them to switch instantly, however posh the kit you get. It takes a while to learn how to get the most out of vaping and there are other addictive things in tobacco smoke as well as the nicotine. It took DH a whole year to drop the last fag of the day. It's OK to double up and use NRT as well as a vape. Lots of people get on well with patches and vaping together in the early days.

I started with the e-lite ones that look like a normal cig. They taste like a normal cig and easy to start with and cost about £10. Should last for a few days

Then they can go and get their own expensive vape kit if they want one

I used the e-lite ones for ages in places I couldn't smoke and they were great

Cheers dolly that what i think I'll go for. The tank and shisha style ones might be a step too far and too unfamiliar in the first instance. The elites recharge is available at first.

Widely and the refills available locally too.

I failed dismally on e-lites and didn't try vaping again for about a year! Tanks look like faff but work so much better, even the cheap ones.

I always smoke the tobacco flavour. They're not shit at all, its personal taste, as an ex golden virginia smoker, tobacco flavour is the closest thing to that.

I wouldn't use one now, I vape mars bar flavour, but a complete newbie might find them a good stepping stone. And won't cost you much either

Time will tell pubes even if the e lites isn't for them, they might like the concept.

I loved me a custard. Bloody lovely from the right suppliers.

I've been using rejuiced.eu for liquids lately - really good value, especially their juice of the week which is around £2.50 for 30ml

Yes, I'm still on a tobacco-esque flavour after almost 3 years and vape nothing else (Hangsen RY4 and RY6 mixed 50/50). I think we're in a minority though Dancing.

Most people think they'll want something that tastes just like fags when they switch. Then they realise none of it actually does taste just like fags because the taste of burning is hard to replicate, so they branch out. Fruits are popular and creamy/custardy flavours but I don't have a sweet tooth at all and I've struggled to find flavours I like.

I'm buying it in hope rather than expectation

In which case I'd go for one of the fairly basic kits mentioned - TBH, if she's not even prepared to buy one herself, it doesn't sound as if the commitment to change is there. If she does take it up, she can always buy her own improved it later

Oh, and I'm another who started with the tobacco flavours and has never changed

Nearly four years of vaping & I am still using a tobacco flavour:

The Sherlock

And not just because of the name! (But isn't it the best??)

After dinner I mix it with a little bit of rhubarb & custard flavour & I am very happy with my vape.

I don't vape I use elite e cig available from tesco. To me they are more authentic than capes _ don't include liquid and a starter kit it's £6.99 for a battery, e-tip and USB charger. A refill kit with 2 e-tips which is the equivalent of 80 dogs is £7.99.

I quit with a kangertech sub vod they're about £30. And ATM I'm vaping mad mikes blind date which was around £10. Like PP said don't bother with tobacco flavours! They're minging!

I don't use vapes I use an e-cig called e-lites curve available from tesco and the starter kit is £6.99 with a battery, charger and e-tip you can also get a refill pack which is the equivalent to 80 cigarettes for £7.99. I'm unsure about the liquid in vapes and using the e-cig gives a more authentic taste and smoking feeling.