Thoughts on vaping

[thumper45]

I was never a smoker but I tried a friends vape and liked it about 18 months ago and have vaped since. I’ll preface this by saying I don’t need people telling how stupid I am. I know that. I don’t know what possessed me to do it but I suppose what possesses anyone to try something they know is not only bad for their health but addictive too? Your first drink, your first cigarette. Anyway I did it and enjoyed it and now im addicted.

I don’t take my vape out of the house because I do find it embarrassing and I also don’t want family to find out. A handful of friends know but that’s it. I vape at home and can go without it for the 8 hours a day I’m at work but am always craving it by the time I get in. I especially want it if I’ve had a drink or two.

I am looking to quit purely because the potential long term health issues scare me. I find it so baffling that this is something the NHS actively recommends (yes to people trying to quit smoking) but the fact or myth NHS page seems to highly defend vaping. Yet there are constant articles in the press about people whose lungs have exploded or whatever. Which is it?

I think I was very dumb naive when I started and believed that it was pretty harmless. Although I haven’t experienced any worrying symptoms yet I don’t want it to emerge years down the line that I’ve given myself health issues over something so stupid. So yes I’ll be trying to quit but I know it’ll be tough.

Just wondering what other people’s thoughts and experiences have been. I know MN can be quite judgey about this sort of thing so I reiterate, I know I was stupid to start. I know it can look silly and be antisocial to have to walk through clouds of vape. I don’t need lecturing on these things. I’m just interested in people who have experience of it and may have tips to quit.

You'll be judged to buggery on here but I like vaping and it prevents me from smoking cigarettes, drinking any booze and stuffing myself with cake. That seems like I'm joking but I'm not. I had trouble leaving the house for quite a few years even when I had a Valium prescription which just made me feel disconnected and scared. I walked everywhere with a FEAR rucksack on the rare occasion that I left the house ... now I have this repetitive habit that helps and I can go out. 🤷‍♀️

The NHS recommends it because it’s better than smoking. If you think of it like a treatment, no one would recommend a medicine to someone without the illness, even if they talked about what a brilliant medication it was. They’re not going to recommend vaping to someone who doesn’t smoke, even if they talk about what a great way it is to stop smoking.

Do you worry at all about the health implications? I find it really confusing as there are so many horror stories but at the time same the NHS markets it as the ‘safer’ option. I realise that doesn’t mean it’s desirable but it seems at odds with all the YOU WILL DIE rhetoric that you see all over social media.

I suppose that’s one way of looking at it but vaping is available to everyone. It’s everywhere. And you don’t have to be a smoker to enjoy it, quite the opposite! I’ve tried cigarettes before and always hated the taste whereas a vape has a nice taste and also gives that relaxing nicotine hit. I’m not saying it’s good, neither is drinking alcohol but they are both relaxants that I probably need to give up!

This ☝️ and it breaks my heart to see teens doing it for no good reason. I smoke and I intend to give up for good but I'm reluctant to switch to vaping because it seems super hard to give that up.

The smells from them are vile. The long term effects from them are unknown. I personally think people look silly using them.

I truthfully don't think vaping is that bad if I'm honest.

Yes, we don't yet know the long term health implications, and yes there is bound to be something that comes up.

But..I think we 'weak target' in society (vapers, social smokers, light drinkers ) people who are easily guilted. It saves beating up the bigger problems (hard drinking, cocaine, heroin, a list of other drugs etc etc )

Come on, you're vaping. You're not shooting up. Look, everyone has a vice. If vaping is yours, then so be it.

Yes, I do vape. I will give up soon as I'm so bored of buying all the paraphernalia. It's quite expensive too. I've seen this nicotine mist spray thing advertised. So I may try that to help. Might be an idea if you're looking to quit?

Yes I think I covered literally all of that in my op.

The vast majority of people coming to harm from vaping eg popcorn lung which you describe, are using them excessively (almost constantly) and using illegal high strength vapes. Also children under 18 using them. The way you are vaping is safe & although addictive it's no worse for your health than drinking sugary fizzy drinks or artificial sweeteners or eating UPF. It's never going to be 'good for you' or a healthy thing to do but not awful.

The NHS recommends them as they are by far much safer than smoking. I think the NHS advice will change as so many non-smokers especially young people & even children are getting really addicted to them.

Have you tried nicotine free vapes, reducing the nic strength in the vape or using a refillable vape with half nic & half nic free?

I quit smoking and vaping was worse on my asthma than the cigs were.

I have gone back and forth with vaping- given up for six months or a year and then back when things are stressful.

To quit I always pick up a large pack of 4mg nicotine gum (about 100 pieces), finish off my last vape and then have a piece of gum when I have a craving after that. It takes the edge off. You chew a few times then keep it up by your gum to absorb. The pack of gum lasts me a few weeks, when that runs out I just chew regular gum when I have a craving, and then thats me done with it.

It's annoying but not too hard when you want to do it. The hardest part for me is not giving in to myself when I convince myself I've picked a bad time to quit because of X.

You might find this briefing from ASH helpful:

https://ash.org.uk/resources/view/addressing-common-myths-about-vaping-putting-the-evidence-in-context

Media scaremongering about vaping is now widely acknowledged as a public health issue because it discourages smokers from switching.

Find one that you can start to taper down the nicotine content to ween yourself.down imo

I vape and have no plans to cut down or stop.
i smoked for 20 years, so I’m happy to take any risk from vaping I’m 60.
Everyone needs something to get them through the day!
i make my own vape juice as a hobby.
The risk of “ popcorn lung” was due to a vape liquid containing ingredients banned in the uk. Obviously anyone could have an allergy.

You can buy 0% Nic disposables( until they’re banned next month) which will help wean you off. Replace with sweets or gum

But if you don't want to vape, just quit. I don't see the conflict that you're having. Buy some Nicorette patches and quit next week.

I don’t want to because I enjoy it and am probably moderately addicted now. I just worry about the health implications.

I vape but I changed from smoking to vaping its a bit weird if you've never smoked

Is it? Lots of people do. It’s definitely not the brightest thing to do given that it’s a tool designed to help smokers give up, I realise that. But it’s enjoyable in its own right.

My honest opinion is that in 20 years time, there will be 'new evidence' that says vaping isn't good for your health, and the NHS should have never recommended it, as an alternative to smoking, certainly not long-term anyway. Vaping to me, should be used as a stepping stone away from smoking tobacco, with the goal to stop vaping too. Vaping is considered 'better' than smoking, but in truth no one really knows the long-term health issues vaping will bring further down the line. If you've never smoked tobacco, I'm not sure why you'd start vaping! 🤷 Seems crazy to me. I'd stop the vaping, there's no benefit to you, only uncertainty in the future.

Does anyone vape who also has ASD/ADHD? I have both and can’t function at all. Cant work can’t go out alone, can’t communicate effectively and just struggling totally but I keep thinking would nicotine calm me and help me cope ?

Absolutely minging and really selfish to people around you who have to breathe in those disgusting fumes. Hope that helps 🙄

Nicotine is a stimulant, not a depressant.

People talk about smoking as a way to relax, but the feeling of 'relaxing' is actually just the relief of fulfilling a craving from addiction.

Nicotine actually increases your heart rate and stimulates the brain (might be worth you knowing that too, @thumper45, since I noticed you talked about it upthread as a relaxant)

I switched from smoking to vaping last month and can't believe I didn't do it sooner.

I had zero desire for a cigarette from the moment I switched, and I'm now on 0% nicotine vape juice.

Now it's just a case of kicking the hand-to-mouth habit, and I'm pretty sure that'll be much easier to reduce since I don't feel the need to 'finish' a vape in the same way as I used to smoke a whole rollie.

I'll take one or two puffs and be done, whereas before there was a whole rigmarole around it.

OP, I don't think it's the smartest move (there are many other hobbies we could all take up!) but it's definitely not as bad as other choices you could make 😉

Not at all relevant to me since I don’t even smoke outside of my own home. I did say this wasn’t really a thread for general lecturing and judgement but thanks for your input anyway.