Long term vapers

[Mummy103]

Long term smoker, but need to quit.
Im a bit pulled back by those horror stories on vaping but really want to give it a go, can anyone give me some good feedback on their experiences with health improvements whilst vaping. Or if you have any concerns.

Thanks in advance

Smoked for 35 years, 20 a day. Been vaping now for nearly 8 years, quit tobacco in 4 days with an ecig by accident, just meant to cut down. No longer wheeze going up stairs, can run, no brown gunk in nose or rasping cough. Rarely need to see dental hygienist, blood pressure now normal for non-smoker my age (60).
Compared to smoking no concerns whatsoever, read all the research going and prefer to rely on the Royal College of Physicians, Cancer Research UK and Public Health England rather than the media.
I couldn't quit smoking using traditional methods no matter how hard I tried, if it wasn't for vaping I'd still be smoking.

@ReginaldMolehusband thafs a really good example of improvements. The lack of breathe and my teeth are my major concerns health wise.

I have smoked for 20 years now, traditional methods havent worked for me either.

Feeling alot more positive about it after reading health publications rather than scare stories.

Thanks for your response

Glad to be of help. Just fyi the latest Public Health England review on ecigs is due out next month and indications are they may even be even safer than has been previously known (unlikely to exceed 5% the risk of tobacco) taking into account ALL the research swirling around.

When I smoked if I got a cold it always ended up with a horrific cough now I just get a cold - no cough!

My guns are much healthier my dentist can see the difference & no longer hounds me to stop smoking.

Those are 2 benefit I can think of straight away!

Give it a go - I just did it gradually, smoked sometimes, vaped sometimes and low and behold now I just vape - I really started to notice how bad the cigarettes smelt! 🤮

Three years for me now. It smells nicer, doesn't make you cough, and it's a hell of a lot cheaper.

I use the simple AIO pens, which just need new coils every month, and I like the menthol fruit liquids from Totally Wicked.

Within the first year I went from 1.0 to 0.3 nicotine strength, and I can vape in the kitchen - I had to go outside in all weathers for a fag 😀

I prefer vaping and wish I'd swapped years ago.

I was a long time vaper - quit when pregnant and currently breast feeding so haven't gone back - I'd struggled though stay off cigarettes for years.

Getting an e-cig was the best thing I ever did. I prefer a sub ohm personally.

The horror stories of people getting lung problems are generally in America where eliquids are much less regulated and all kinds of things are added, in the uk as long as you buy from a reputable source you're getting a safe product.

*by safe I mean not going to kill you immediately and certainly a lot better than cigarettes. I

I'm a year smoke free thanks to my vape after a 25 year 14 a day habit
I was starting serious periodontal disease which has now abated
I use a sub ohm mod with a separate tank and absolutely love it
Spend on average £6 per week on a bottle of juice as opposed to £50 on cigarettes
Best thing I've ever done and so much easier than I thought it would be
The juices sold in the Uk are regulated to pharmaceutical standards and I believe the only death was due to a rare allergy to one of the base ingredients

The horror stories of people getting lung problems are generally in America where eliquids are much less regulated and all kinds of things are added is not quite the whole story.
The issues in the US come from people using illegal blackmarket cannabis/THC products cut with vitamin E acetate, nothing to do with nicotine eliquid which must be registered with the FDA to be on the market.

I stopped smoking cigarettes (15-20 a day for 30 odd years) on 7th January 2019 and started vaping and haven't looked back. I haven't even craved cigarettes and I was always someone who enjoyed smoking. Although I really, really miss the hacking cough every morning

One thing that definitely aided me is that I have 2 e-cigarettes and both use cartridges. I had one previously (that I could use in the pub!) that I had to fill up and it just felt like hassle, so looked into cartridges and ended up buying 2 different types (Logic Pro and Juul). SO much easier! And one cartridge is the equivalent of 20 cigarettes worth of nicotine, so I can guage how much I have smoked.

My advice is to do a bit of research about the type of e-cigarette you want: if you want to top up/use cartridges; how long the charge lasts; how much it will cost etc and then just go for it.

Been vaping 5 years after 35 years on the fags.
Single bestest ever thing I ever ever did.

I've been vaping for four years . From a 20 a day habit to nothing overnight. I can vape on my sofa I don't smell . I've gone back to running and consequently lost weight. Honestly the best thing I ever did

Honestly thank you for all of the positive responses, i dont know any vapers to ask so its a great help having some real feedback.

Now to find a suitable product. Whats a sub ohm? Is that what i am looking for?

This is a pretty good run down of "mouth to lung"-MTL and "direct to lung"- sub ohming www.ecigarettedirect.co.uk/ashtray-blog/2018/03/mouth-to-lung-vs-direct-to-lung.html . New vapers should go down the MTL route first, hopefully finding a device which mimics the draw you get from a cigarette. If you can visit a decent vape shop then you can try different devices, there are hundreds of them on the market now. Look for adjustable airflow so you can match to what you like. Very roughly if you smoke 20 cigs a day go for 18mg/ml (1.8%) liquid. If that's too strong drop to 12mg/ml. Onepoundeliquid.com do 10ml for a quid so you can try a few strengths/flavours without spending a fortune.

Definitely go to a decent vape shop and try some out, most are happy to chat to you about different models and liquids.

Try some different liquids to, I couldn't stand the tobacco flavoured ones so used fruity with a medium strength nicotine but I know others who only use the tobacco flavour and have varying strengths of nicotine depending on their habit.

I haven't smoked in over a year. I used NRT initially but still craved having something to "puff" on. I bought a vape pen which does the job. I was on the 11 of nicotine, now down to 6 and I want to get a better device and some 3 and 0 nicotine to wean myself down. I don't think I will give up vaping completely, but would love to be nicotine free.

My teeth are much whiter and I had early gum recession which I've reversed. I think if I hadn't stopped I would have periodontitis by now.

I have had multiple colds this year but not one single cough. Ive hardly had a sore throat, just the day my cold has broken but that feels better after a mug of Lemsip or just goes away quickly on its own. I used to regularly start the day with strepsils and cough syrup just to stop coughing and my throat hurting to have my first coffee of the day. I was always coughing up crap. But nothing, not even a little mucus despite having some seriously snotty noses.

I have saved A LOT of money. On average vaping costs me about a fiver a month. I used to spend at least that a day (normally more). I used to switch to roll ups when I ran out of money so couldn't get my nails done as I needed to be able to roll. Now I can get my nails done when I want (and no nicotine stains on my fingers, which I used to spend 5 minutes brushing my fingers with whitening toothpaste and a toothbrush I kept for that purpose just to keep myself nicotine stain free).

I was on stomach tablets (omeprazole) and regularly using antacids like Rennies and Gaviscon. I no longer use them at all.

My tastebuds have changed. I used to put a lot of salt on my food. I used to have a lot of sweeteners. I used to rarely drink water. Now water tastes good and I like the taste of fruit again. I really enjoy my veg and don't add much salt to anything. I've taken up cheese eating in a serious way instead of my old chocolate habit, so I haven't lost weight but I do feel better. Stronger, fitter, healthier.

I don't think I will ever smoke again now. I don't think I'll ever stop vaping completely either though, because when I have those wobbles I'd far rather be vaping.

The best bits are no more smell! And no more standing outside in every weather to have a cigarette. I also don't worry I'm going to die young of cancer all the time. I used to think I would die young, now I dream as though I'm going to live to a ripe old age.

Thank you all for your replys, i have spent the past few days researching and debating but i have made my mind up and have purchased a pen type vape and a fruity liquid as i didnt like the tobacco flavour either. Im starting on the 12mg.

@AmazingGreats

Thanks for all your positives. This is exactly what i needed to hear.

Tomorrow is day 1, i look forward to improving my health I've got rid of all spare equipment, no filter tips, lighters or ashtrays remaining. I have 3 cigarettes left which i will smoke by the end of the day and start tomorrow fresh as a non smoker. Thank you all. Will keep you posted.

@Mummy103

Good luck!

I forgot to say another two positives, I used to always have terrible chapped lips all the time and I always had to carry a ventolin inhaler (which I used regularly) I have used an inhaler once in the past year (and I literally had a face full of dust!) and no longer need chapstick. The last one I bought is still in the wrapper unopened. Crazy how many things I thought were just part of me and were actually smoker symptoms.

Sorry to hijack thread, but any recommendations for a good e cig? I've a pen type vape, innokin, but I find the coils messy to replace and they don't last long and it gets sticky by leaking. I've tried others, but they're never strong enough or I can't change the coil etc. I go through a bottle every 3 days, so vape quite a lot, maybe cartridges would be expensive. The one I liked best was a mini arc but I couldn't change the coil, I have weak hands and couldn't unscrew it. I thought there'd be something simple and easy to use by now but still with some oomph..

JustMyName Maybe look at pod style ecigs like the Uwell Caliburn. Refillable pods which you replace once the coil dies, no mess or my latest purchase the Geekvape Aegis Boost. Coils just press fit and you get a wee tool which helps lever the old coil out. Assuming you go through a 10ml bottle every 3 days that's on the low end of consumption but if you think you are going through too much then up your nic strength (assuming in the EU and not already on 18mg/ml).

Thanks Reginald. Which of the two would you recommend? Can you adjust the power on them? Or are they fairly powerful?

The Caliburn is not adjustable, can be used with the firing button or as an automatic puff activation. The Aegis Boost has adjustable wattage, the two type of coils have the power range printed on the bottom so you know where to start.
Personally the Boost is best for me, has adjustable air flow as well so I can dial it in to my preference. Also has larger battery.
Just my opinion though, you may hate them both but the Caliburn is simple to use but less versatile, the Boost bit more fiddly but can suit a variety of vaping styles.
Check out reviews on Youtube, that's how I get a feel for new devices.

Thanks. I don't understand the difference in coils really.

One type of coil produces more vapour, uses higher power (wattage) and looser draw, more airflow. Other coil uses less power, less vapour more akin to smoking a cigarette. Gets a bit more technical than that but them's the basics. The caliburn does away with all that but you are stuck with one style which might not suit. The Boost you can try both styles.
Not like cigarettes where one size fits all which is both a pro and a con.

Thanks ... so it doesn't matter which coil you use? Either is suitable for MTL? Are they easy to change? How long do you find a pod lasts? Do you then throw the pod away?