any smokers switch to Vaping yet?

[James Hart]

I've been a smoker for as long as I've been playing bass (since about 12 years old / 1980). I've quit a few times here and there but always end up back to them.

Anyway, about 30+ smokers at my office have started transitioning to electronic cigarettes (aka vaping). I've waited to see the level of results and finally made my own jump a few weeks ago.

If you are a smoker and looking to save money and live a bit healthier (yes it's still nicotine... but without inhaling burning tobacco and all it's additives) needs to check this stuff out.

Here is a cool newbie geared blog written by one of my coworkers
http://www.kingsqueak.org/about/vapi...moking-tobacco

I ended up following most of the other coworkers and bought most my starter stuff from www.vapor4life.com and a couple weeks later from www.altsmoke.com and www.bluemistvaping.com

So I'm right now sitting in my living room, enjoying a nice 'Cinnabun' flavored vape, I usually do either 'Coffee n Cream' or 'Fizzy Cola' during my day. My wife is EXTREMELY sensitive to cigarette smoke and she has even allowed me to do it in the car. She has even bought a few 'no nicotine' cartomizers in fruit flavors to substitute for mid day sweets.

Oh and at 3 weeks in, with at least an other month or 2 worth of supplies, I've broke even money wise

[Deluge Of Sound]

Very encouraging. I'm not going to make the transition--I'd rather quit first, besides part of the beauty is in the ritual.

[Auzzie-Phoenix]

I don't find e-cigs to give a satisfying effect. At most it slightly reduces my consumption of normal cigs.

[James Hart]

Originally Posted by Deluge Of Sound

part of the beauty is in the ritual.

yes indeed... every time I fell off the wagon it was for the mental / social aspect of smoking that sucked me back in. FWIW, I've always LOVED smoking. While vaping isn't smoking, to my mind, it is in every way... so I still exist within the ritual sans the lighter and the stink

Definitely read the blog I linked to... and check out some videos.

This guy is pretty informative and well spoken
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=urYtpGbBCY4

[James Hart]

Originally Posted by Auzzie-Phoenix

I don't find e-cigs to give a satisfying effect. At most it slightly reduces my consumption of normal cigs.

I know a couple others that say the same thing... and that's cool. But I really think it's a matter of trying the wrong product / strength / flavor.

I am using a PG/VG blend to produce more vapor (actually more than a cigarette) and the 24mg nicotine strength. With a few weeks of searching, reading and talking to users... I was able to cold turkey cigarettes for vapor and have had ZERO desire to switch back.

But with everything, YMMV and IMHO... I'm just glad it worked for me

what kind of e-cigs do you have?

[IconBasser]

just curious about how these things work: Which chemicals in cigarettes produce the "buzz", and how do the e-cigs emulate that, if at all?

[Deluge Of Sound]

Its a nicotine vape.

But none of us smoke cigarettes for the buzz anymore, anyway.

[James Hart]

Originally Posted by IconBasser

just curious about how these things work:

Here is a snippit from the blog I linked to:

An e-cigarette in a nutshell is a PV (personal vaporizer) that takes a base liquid, generally Propylene Glycol (PG) or Vegetable Glycerine (VG) infused with nicotine and flavoring and vaporizes it into a mist for inhalation.

PG very briefly is a pharmaceutical and food grade base used in a myriad of things from asthma inahlers to all sorts of household goods. PG is also the base liquid you have surely seen in fog machines in dance clubs.

You may find some whack job sites that insist that PG is antifreeze…this is simply not true. They are not the same thing at all. It is as absurd as telling people that because they make hydrogen bombs with hydrogen, they shouldn’t drink water. The information from the antis is incredibly ignorant.

Originally Posted by IconBasser

Which chemicals in cigarettes produce the "buzz", and how do the e-cigs emulate that, if at all?

Originally Posted by Deluge Of Sound

Its a nicotine vape.

But none of us smoke cigarettes for the buzz anymore, anyway.

Nicotine is both physically and mentally addictive, it's said to be one of the hardest of all known drugs to stop.

Here is a bit from wiki:

Nicotine's mood-altering effects are different by report: in particular it is both a stimulant and a relaxant. First causing a release of glucose from the liver and epinephrine (adrenaline) from the adrenal medulla, it causes stimulation. Users report feelings of relaxation, sharpness, calmness, and alertness. By reducing the appetite and raising the metabolism, some smokers may lose weight as a consequence.

When a cigarette is smoked, nicotine-rich blood passes from the lungs to the brain within seven seconds and immediately stimulates the release of many chemical messengers including acetylcholine, norepinephrine, epinephrine, vasopressin, arginine, dopamine, autocrine agents, and beta-endorphin. This release of neurotransmitters and hormones is responsible for most of nicotine's effects. Nicotine appears to enhance concentration and memory due to the increase of acetylcholine. It also appears to enhance alertness due to the increases of acetylcholine and norepinephrine. Arousal is increased by the increase of norepinephrine. Pain is reduced by the increases of acetylcholine and beta-endorphin. Anxiety is reduced by the increase of beta-endorphin. Nicotine also extends the duration of positive effects of dopamine and increases sensitivity in brain reward systems. Most cigarettes (in the smoke inhaled) contain 1 to 3 milligrams of nicotine.

Research suggests that, when smokers wish to achieve a stimulating effect, they take short quick puffs, which produce a low level of blood nicotine. This stimulates nerve transmission. When they wish to relax, they take deep puffs, which produce a high level of blood nicotine, which depresses the passage of nerve impulses, producing a mild sedative effect. At low doses, nicotine potently enhances the actions of norepinephrine and dopamine in the brain, causing a drug effect typical of those of psychostimulants. At higher doses, nicotine enhances the effect of serotonin and opiate activity, producing a calming, pain-killing effect. Nicotine is unique in comparison to most drugs, as its profile changes from stimulant to sedative/pain killer in increasing dosages and use.

[Auzzie-Phoenix]

eh... just some noname brand they sell at my local sunoco. starter kit was $15. the cartridges are listed as normal flavor, high strength, or something like that.

[James Hart]

Originally Posted by Auzzie-Phoenix

eh... just some noname brand they sell at my local sunoco. starter kit was $15. the cartridges are listed as normal flavor, high strength, or something like that.

that might be why... I don't mean to preach and I have NO affiliation with anyone in the Vapor business, but definitely check out the info online if you are interested in giving it a better shot.

Oh, another plus to vaping... no more dulled smoker taste buds. I've begun to start noticing foods tasting better to me. Subtle things are becoming evident again

[Deluge Of Sound]

Originally Posted by James Hart

Nicotine is both physically and mentally addictive, it's said to be one of the hardest of all known drugs to stop.

Stop? Who the hell said anything about stopping?

I don't buy into the idea that drugs=bad.

[James Hart]

Originally Posted by Deluge Of Sound

Stop? Who the hell said anything about stopping?

I don't buy into the idea that drugs=bad.

right but I do buy into the idea that cancer=bad and cigarettes=stink

I was responding to the 'no one smokes to get a buzz' statement... while it might not be numbing like most recreational drugs, there is definitely a 'buzz' to them

[Deluge Of Sound]

I don't think its numbing, for the record.

I think its mildly psychoactive, but not to a debilitating degree. That's the whole appeal, right?

[James Hart]

Originally Posted by Deluge Of Sound

But none of us smoke cigarettes for the buzz anymore, anyway.

Originally Posted by Deluge Of Sound

I think its mildly psychoactive, but not to a debilitating degree. That's the whole appeal, right?

okay, I'm confused and awake way later than I planned to be

Do you or don't you smoke for the effects of nicotine? I thought it was just for the beauty of the ritual

[Deluge Of Sound]

Full disclosure-I've been getting acquainted with the bottle of whiskey since, well, much earlier this evening.

I smoke for the effects of the nicotine, but because of my tolerance, it rarely manifests itself as a buzz/headrush. In all practicality, I smoke because its a great way to break projects into more manageable chunks, because I enjoy the ritual of it, and because it has a great way of making me wake up and pay attention to what I'm doing (not dissimilar to a cup of coffee in that sense).

Hope that helps. Need to enjoy one more then go pass out, I think.

[hbarcat]

I never been a smoker but I've been thinking of taking up a bad habit. This vaping thing seems like just the ticket.



Edit: That was a joke. I don't want to try to get addicted to nicotine.

That would be supremely unsmart.

[James Hart]

Originally Posted by hbarcat

I never been a smoker but I've been thinking of taking up a bad habit. This vaping thing seems like just the ticket.

awesome! Seriously, I don't recommend anyone take up vaping nicotine who isn't already addicted to cigarettes.

[frianbisher]

I tried V4L, didn't smoke a cig for 3 months then I got stressed at work and now I smoke more cigs than ever before

[Kosko]

I switched then quit. I think these e-cigs are a godsend.

[Thunderscreech]

Oh. You all are talking about tobacco. Never mind.

I tried my friend's e-cig. It was okay, but the reason I started smoking was because roll-your-owns gave me something to do.