AIBU to start smoking again

[candelabrasatmidnight]

I'm 33 - from the age of 17/18, I come from a family of smokes so thought I was doing well but 'only' socially smoking on nights out, perhaps once a month or so, maybe twice. Continued this until around 3 years ago when I discovered vaping. Thought it would be a less toxic alternative but it is miles and miles more addictive and have found myself wanting it in the daytime, every day. Would I be unreasonable to revert back to smoking far more infrequently with its known health implications, rather than continue vaping with its unknown long term effects?

To add - please don't say 'the healthiest choice would be to not do either' - obviously. I, as many have throughout the millennia, enjoy a vice or two during their short time on earth, as long as it most likely won't completely decimate their life.

Try snus (nicotine pouches). Velo is a good brand. I’ve been on it for 3 years and never gone back. Much less toxic, doesn’t smell, etc. I’d recommend starting at the lowest strength as people can get bad niccy rush from the first attempt but it’s worth sticking at imo. Much better than vaping or smoking

Thank you but a big part of it for me is the ceremony of going outside, lighting up, having a chat etc rather than just the nicotine itself

Have you tried reading Allen Carr's Easy Way books?

I've heard people talk about vaping being more of a problem for them than smoking.
Personally I hate cigarettes and cigarette smoke but do find the sickly sweet smell of vaping absolutely stomach churning. And it seems to fill the air much more than cigarette smoke.
They don't even know the full extent of the effects of vaping on health yet. So actually I feel if you smoke less with the cigarettes than you vape then I would just revert to the cigarettes OP.

Bizarrely, I actually started smoking cigarettes again to help me stop vaping and quit smoking for good. I found it was less pleasant, less convenient and more expensive than vaping, there was also “an end” to it, so it was much easier to control and reduce the amount I was smoking. I switched to cigarettes and had completely quit within two months.

I think the issue is you can vape anywhere for as long as you want, whereas with a cigarette you tend to go outside and when it's done you're done. So you have that separation.

Have you tried things like heated tabacco?

That's exactly it, it seemed so much better at first but is actually soooo much more insidious. I've gone from smoking once in a blue moon to wanting to vape all the time despite not being a regular addicted smoker.

I thought this was a mad title but actually, I get it.

I'm not a smoker but I would really question if smoking under 5 cigarettes a day could really be any worse for you than vaping constantly all day long especially on these cheap disposable vapes that some people are getting through 2 or 3 a day.

I think vaping/ ecigarettes as a method for long-term smokers to quit smoking as it originally started was probably better for you, but not how vaping has become since the disposable vapes took off. I live in a deprived area and it is depressing and worrying seeing how it has become the norm for most of the kids round here to start vaping just before secondary school often with full knowledge and consent of their parents and carers.

This js many peoples tactics which seems bonkers doesn't it?

I found vaping much harder to quit than smoking with some.... bizarrely worse symptoms.

It's also nhs referral app that sent me the vape and heavily pushed me yo use it.

Op use nicotine gum, you'll regret progress made.

Love from ex smoker who always regretted relapsing.

God I loved vaping. I smoked cigs in my twenties, gave up for 15 years, started dating a man who vaped - had a puff, before I know it the thing was in my mouth like a dummy. Working from home puffing away, indoors all day.
I've gone cold turkey it wasn't easy but feel miles better.
To answer your question. Have a cig socially rather than puff on those things; a couple of cigs a month Vs puffing for hours a day on a vape has got to be better.

Vapings mad I see now why it messes so many kids up.

But if you are already hooked on vaping, would smoking a few times a month really make you stop vaping? Sounds more like you'd end up doing both.

And I know you know- but both are gross and unhealthy habits, if you are capable of only smoking a few days a month then you are capable of quitting altogether.

Nicotine is such a hard drug to crack for many.

Some say heroin is less addictive!

I have this book read it 4 times im still smoking.

I get it, if its just the social aspect and the habit could you switch to Honeyrose herbal cigarettes?

I don't think I would - I think the nicotine in the occasional cigarette is less than in vapes so I wouldn't crave it in the same way

I haven't heard of these, I'm intrigued; will google

You can’t vape anywhere (unless you’re an aresehole), it’s just as antisocial and frowned upon as smoking.

My brother in law is a consultant pulmonologist who’s doing a lot of research on vaping, he thinks if you’re going to do one or the other (and both are dreadful) - smoke.

I had to read it a couple of times and I started to feel the impact on my lungs for it to really click. I started wheezing which scared me. I believe that because I'd started internalising what the book said it made it then really easy for me to quit. That was 30 years ago and I hate to think where I'd be now if I hadn't stopped. I'm a fit and healthy 53 year old with good skin and I don't think that would have been the case.

I do want to give up so i kept the book i think it if one really wants to stop they will.
Im edging that way now im just fed up with it.
So will dig it back out and give it another go.

Not unreasonable to start smoking again, but maybe not the best life choice.

I did Allen Carr’s Easyway workshop, the book wasn’t enough. One morning out of my life and I’ve never wanted to smoke again. No desire whatsoever, no willpower needed. It’s magic. My best friend died from lung cancer a year ago, even though I tried to make her do Easyway. Nicotine really is an evil drug.

Totally understand. Last year I bought a vape to have a cheeky puff now and again but found myself bringing it everywhere with me after a few weeks and eventually realised i hated the smell taste and how addictive it was.

I so much more enjoy the ceremony of a fag, alone in the fresh air or chatting with a friend. And nothing beats a real cigarette with a glass of wine. I only smoke when out drinking now, which is maybe once a month (i have x2 small kids!)

So yes definitely wean yourself off the vape with a single cheeky fag or two, far easier to eventually quit given how pricey they are!

Don’t start smoking. You are at the age where if you give up you significantly reduce the chance of getting lung cancer when you are older. Told to me by a respiratory consultant. Have you tried nicotine patches?