Do you vape?

[fantalimon23]

I know this will attract judgement but I'm not asking for criticism, just discussion.

Never been a smoker but recently took up vaping. Dh does it and so do a few friends. I was curious. We are going through a very stressful time in life - young dc and no help, demanding job, house renovation. I was winding down in the evenings using booze and junk food which wasn't good for me either so I suppose I just wanted to try something that helped relax me. I do enjoy it but I don't think I'm 'addicted' per se, for example I don't take it out with me during the day and don't miss it. I just use it in the evenings.

Anyway bizarrely I have health anxiety which is quite ridiculous when I think of all of the unhealthy habits and coping mechanisms I have. But I do worry about the vape. There is so much conflicting info out there - loads of sources saying it's much better than smoking others saying it's as bad or worse. All the alleged health issues they can cause but no definitive studies as they've not been around long enough.

So I guess I'm wondering if you vape, why? What does it bring you? And do you worry about the health impact?

I've vaped for almost 10 years now. I was a heavy smoker and vaping helped me stop. I vape at lowest nicotine available.

Vaping is much much safer than smoking. I dont care if it looks stupid, or if some people don't like the smell.

https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/quit-smoking/using-e-cigarettes-to-stop-smoking/

Still vaping. But planning to cut down and eventually stop altogether.

I know it's not good for me. I know I was never a smoker which makes it seem all the more ridiculous. However I enjoy it and when you enjoy things it's hard to give them up.

I vape. But I used to smoke. Anecdotally, I am way healthier now. When I smoked I would get regular chest infections, needing antibiotics, I would struggle in cold weather, had a wheeze. Now I vape, I’ve had no chest infections, no wheeze, I regularly run 10k plus with no problem. It worked for me. But I refuse to condemn op for taking up vaping - I took up smoking which was clearly very, very stupid. But you do the best you can with what you know at the time and I try not to judge other people.

@tenderstem81 I don't think so. I still don't take it out with me during the day and I barely think about it. But I know it's highly addictive and that point will come if I don't start cutting back.

I'm not delusional about it.

Not really no. Maybe that would be a good starting point.

Obviously I realise it's not a healthy habit but I suppose I keep thinking 'it can't be that bad if the nhs recommends it as a stop smoking aid' and yes I know that doesn't really apply to me since I wasn't a smoker to begin with. But surely vaping will have the same health implications as a stand alone thing regardless of your smoking status before.

I know this. It was stupid to start, just like it's stupid to take up any unhealthy habit. I do understand that.

No I'm not circling around it. I realise that starting vaping as a non smoker was silly. But vaping on its own is still enjoyable (to me) and gives you a buzz. I tried smoking in my youth as many people do and hated the taste. But the effects of vaping are enjoyable like booze is.

I'm not justifying my reasons for starting. I was curious so I tried it and found I liked it. I probably am a bit addicted now, not to the point where I'm constantly on it because if I was I would take it everywhere with me. I make a conscious choice not to do that.

I mention it being better than smoking not because I'm an ex smoker but because I suppose I squared it in my own brain as not being that unhealthy of a habit in its own right.

But I'm under no illusions that it's bad for my health.

I suffer from it in the sense that I worry a lot about what it might be doing to me. And if I ever get any ache or pain I think 'oh crap could that be an effect of vaping'. So it's becoming less enjoyable for that reason.

I'm just trying to avoid it as much as possible and leave it at home so I'm only using it in the evening. Your idea to push back the time is good.

Siblings tell me it's harder to pack in vaping than smoking.

I use a dry herb vape for 🍃 but there's no liquid and no nicotine.

Appreciate the sentiment @tenderstem81 - confused as to why you've resurrected the thread just to apparently make me feel bad but there we go.

On a positive note if you want to stop vaping only first week will be hard .
After that you won't care

I stoped 4 weeks ago and it's easy now and i can't believe i even picked the habit . ( vaped for 2 years )

You can do this X

Just want to chip in to echo what @FairyGhost said. I quit vaping 3 weeks and 2 days ago (but who's counting? 🤣)

The first week was tough. I'd said before that I found vaping very difficult to quit and I think it's because I always caved after a few days and started again. Once I got past the first week it has genuinely been ok and I've only thought about it a couple of times.

Still early days and I haven't been on a night out with friends vaping to test my resolve.....but I've completely stopped the vaping while I drive/work from home/in the evenings that I was doing so that has to be better!

@GameOfJones well done ! smth traumatic happened to me so i stopped counting exact days but i did count at first 😂

Anyways if someone wants Allen Carr book easy way to stop smoking i can post for free !

I ordered from Ebay and it came with stains of tea etc on it , just in case it would put you off . X

I hope all the superior and judgmental posters have sold their particle emitting SUVs.

I think they look so silly sitting a few miles above everyone else on the roads, spewing out god knows what into our faces while we walk on the footpath.

But that's ok. Walking is for wimps. See at the school run Sally!