Vaping

[Boo]

Those of us who quit cold turkey are often accused of having a holier than thou, sanctimonious attitude.  On top of that, we are told that our method of choice is some kind of unrealistic pipedream in spite of the fact that many of us have done it successfully and lived to tell about it.  There aren't any well funded marketing campaigns promoting cold turkey as there is nothing to sell with it.

 

I'm not advocating against any quitting method.  However, I will shout from the rooftops that cold turkey is not only a viable option but statistically the most successful method for quitting.  Don't tell us it can't be done when many of us have already done it.

 

To be honest that attitude and the fact that everyone has got to be a white knuckled, teeth gritting, hyperventilating 'dry drunk' and miserable as Hell to be successful non smoker is part of the reason why I stayed away.

 

Straw man argument.  We are constantly encouraging new quitters to educate themselves about nicotine addiction.  Education eradicates the old white-knuckled willpower quit.  There will be challenges along the way, but if you're living in constant misery while quitting that is a self-imposed penalty.

[AgaveGirl1]

Well everyone can do what they want with the information from the American Heart Association and The United Kingdom Department of Health Education----both organizations which comprise of doctors, nurses, surgeons, psychologists and educators.

 

I just thought I'd throw it out there for what it is worth and for who would appreciate it. But nobody said you had to use the information or that the method would work for you. Different folks and different strokes....that's what makes the world go round. 

 

Has anyone else tried vaping and met with good results or is having positive experiences?

 

So far my neighbor has stopped smoking tobacco cigarettes but has yet to decreased his nic level on his vape pen. He is substituting one for the other and not honestly trying to quit smoking at all. He has said he has no desire to go buy a pack of smokes though and it has been 5 months. My husband's coworker quit completely and only vapes the NO nicotine.

 

These are the only two people I know that have quit using tobacco cigarettes completely (I won't say 'smoking') and this is how they did it. It is also why I decided to give this method a try.     

[PeaceTrain]

P.T. you are correct. :)   

I would have removed the ticker but don't know how.  

 

Glad you are doing well and continue to. Hope the information and facts I presented are of use to others and perhaps to some who went away because they feel 'can't do it' cold turkey.

 

Have a good day all and best wishes.

AG

 

Best wishes to you too, AG!

[Boo]

Well everyone can do what they want with the information from the American Heart Association and The United Kingdom Department of Health Education----both organizations which comprise of doctors, nurses, surgeons, psychologists and educators.    

 

Well, I wasn't planning on talking about vaping, but who can resist an appeal to authority?  So given the information available at this time we can state with some degree of certainty that vaping is safer than smoking.  That is a very low threshold.

 

I just thought I'd throw it out there for what it is worth and for who would appreciate it. But nobody said you had to use the information or that the method would work for you. Different folks and different strokes....that's what makes the world go round.      

 

I like dispensing information as well.  That's why when I see someone on a forum for nicotine addicts putting forth the false dichotomy that a quitter must choose between NRT or being "miserable as hell" I feel compelled to refute that information.

[Doreensfree]

I do believe in freedom of choice..if you enjoy and are happy with smoking and Vaping ,then all's well..

But...most of the folks who travel here,are the ones who want to rid themselves of the addiction of nicotine ,and the whole scenario of putting something in your mouth ,and taking in the smoke/ vape...

When I was told to quit..I didn't have time to vape and decrease my cigs slowly..it was stop NOW...

Also living with copd ,emphysema.. Makes it impossible to puff on anything..trust me...

From my own observation on Vaping..folks are just as addicted to this..

This post reminded me ...

I'm a pork/beef sausage holic...would would it be wise to go to a vegetarian site,and try and convince them ,what they are missing out on,and why they should be eating them..

[bakon]

I lick Windows. But I also did the one smoke a day thing. It didn't work. Don't think vaping would for me.

Boo is a real idiot but his advise is spot on this time. Cold turkey is not hard to do once you learn why and what is happening

[AgaveGirl1]

Doreen thank you!

Excellent post and excellent point.

I feel my message has been misconstrued. I wasn't trying convince others that vaping is a superior method of quitting or make them feel as those they are missing out on something, however, not all of us are in the same situation. 

From the bottom of my heart, I am so truly sorry about your health issues---and yes DO see and understand why quitting 'here and now' is the only way for someone such as yourself or others in the same situation. Time was not a luxury you had. I get that and appreciate it.

 

Also fear is a great motivator and can get much accomplished. I'm sure if I had no choices or options I would or could achieve what I normally couldn't. There are those of us, however, that are not in such a dire situation but still want to do something about it before it ends up that way and we have to live with the consequences.

 

Those of us that are sincere and DO systematically and deliberately move towards the goal of tobacco cigarette elimination and nicotine reduction when we vape should be equally encouraged for our efforts and applauded for our success. Does it really matter how? So it isn't a methodology fitting for yourself or others. Does that mean it isn't a methodology unfitting for someone like myself or other people who can reduce?

 

And if the worse habit I personally wind up with in life is sucking on a plastic pen full of fruit flavored water vapor with NO NICOTINE ----remember that is the goal, then so what? There's worse habits I could have. Ever watch someone chew gum in public. Ewwww! 

 

 

Boo......better not eat that candy for Halloween! Same flavorings are in that stuff as in the vape pens. But seriously.....Considering all the garbage (polite word) we consume in our foods, breathe, drink, bathe in, spray on, and the obscene amounts of fossil fuels we burn and the crap we take in the form of 'medication' and danger we are exposed to on a daily basis you're worried about inhaling some fruit flavored water vapor? Seriously?

[AgaveGirl1]

Bakon.........I gotta go walk the dog but the next time I have to refill my pen I'll look for "Dirty Windows" flavoring.   :) 

[Reciprocity]

I will just add this; while on vacation a couple of weeks ago at an all inclusive resort down south, I ran across a guy at the pool bar who was bumming a cigarette off someone and he said: "The vaping is OK most of the time but after a few drinks, I need the real thing!"

Now, I have no idea whether he was vaping stuff with nicotine in it or not or how long he'd been vaping vs smoking cigarettes but clearly in his mind he was still "hooked" under certain circumstances. My own feeling about vaping is that it still keeps reinforcing the smoking motions and activity itself therefore, you're not retraining your brain to operate as a nonsmoker. Therefore, the danger of going back to the cigarettes is much more real and likely at some point. (my opinion only - not scientifically based).

 

I'm just glad to be done with it all and yes, cold turkey was not a lot of fun but for me, it was the fastest and cleanest way to get away from this addiction and start retraining my brain how to life without smoking anything. I'm mostly there now and feel I will be on track to stay permanently quit by the time my 1 year anniversary rolls around. Still a little minor work to do here and there although it's pretty light stuff now compared to early on in the quit :)

[jess]

I agree with reciprocity.There are many ways to quit and many ways that work but for me, cold turkey worked best. I have quit with chanix, lozenges, e cig, gum, combo of several....But, until I made up my mind that I was done, that what I put in my mouth is in my control, I couldnt quite get to my sticky quit.

Now given Im only one month in, Im by no means an expert. My last quit was 9 months, this quit felt different from the beginning because I started out with the mindset Im done, Im in control not chanix, e cig, vapor...ME!

Everones quit is different and by different methods, just wanted to let you know for me it was the mindset. Best of luck to you and keep close to QT!

[AgaveGirl1]

Jess, 

It is about controlling what you put in your mouth. You hit the nail on the head and are 100% right. 

I like the fact I control this.

I don't have to deprive myself of a single thing while I quit.

I don't have to stop doing anything I did before.

The choice IS mine. 

 

When I vape I choose to be a non tobacco user.

I also get to choose how much nicotine to use OR if I want to use nicotine at all.  I may not and may want to  just enjoy inhaling flavored water vapor instead.  

 

As for the rest, 

I'm not going to judge those who put nicotine in the vapor pens. Yes it is a poison. Yes it is addictive. Caffeine is also a poison and is addictive but people use it and consume it and let their kids have it. Neither nicotine nor caffeine cause lung cancer both, however, will keep you 'hooked' on a substance.

  

I'm not a hypocrite. I enjoy the habit of inhaling. If the nicotine I'm presently using in my vape pen keeps me using is it any worse then the person who can't function without 2 cups of coffee every morning and a soda at lunch time? What about all the caffeine in soda we let kids drink or the chocolate we let them eat?  Nobody is outraged about that addiction problem----not to mention the sugar in it. 

 

If it isn't harming my own personal health and more and more respected agencies are supporting this methodology such as the American Heart Association and the U.K. Dept. of Health,  then why should I not embrace something that makes life easier for me personally?  

 

So my personal feeling is if abstinence is what works for you then bravo!

If inhaling vapor is what works for me then bravo!

Shouldn't we all be doing our best to encourage each other regardless of methodology?

Shouldn't we be applauding the fact that big tobacco isn't getting rich and people aren't getting lung cancer. Yes, they're using nicotine. Nobody gets lung cancer from nicotine alone. Its the tar and carbon monoxide and ammonia and other crap in tobacco cigarettes that does it.  

 

I thought the whole idea of the Quit Train was to quit and support each other in our endeavors instead of fighting over how one did it or who got there first.

If it isn't then perhaps I'm on the wrong site.

[Boo]

Boo......better not eat that candy for Halloween! 

 

Wasn't planning on it.  My trick or treat days are behind me.

 

Considering all the garbage (polite word) we consume in our foods, breathe, drink, bathe in, spray on, and the obscene amounts of fossil fuels we burn and the crap we take in the form of 'medication' and danger we are exposed to on a daily basis you're worried about inhaling some fruit flavored water vapor? 

 

Now you're talking my language!  I took up the health and fitness lifestyle shortly after quitting smoking.  I enjoy weight lifting, trail running, and boxing.  I've become far more consistent with keeping my diet on point.  And I have spent more time than I would like to admit reading about all the toxins and carcinogens in our environment.  Some say I'm obsessed.

 

Seriously?

 

Yep.

 

I thought the whole idea of the Quit Train was to quit and support each other in our endeavors instead of fighting over how one did it or who got there first.

If it isn't then perhaps I'm on the wrong site.

 

This seems to be a recurring theme.  The only reason I entered this conversation is because you wrote: "To be honest that attitude and the fact that everyone has got to be a white knuckled, teeth gritting, hyperventilating 'dry drunk' and miserable as Hell to be successful non smoker is part of the reason why I stayed away."  You attributed an attitude to this forum that doesn't exist.  And expressed the exact opposite of what we say here as stated "fact."  You "stayed away" from this site over thoughts and opinions not expressed here.

 

This is not even about my views on vaping, I just hate to see what we do here misrepresented.

[PeaceTrain]

AgaveGirl, I'm having an emotional reaction to your postings and here's why:

 

I can't think of anyone else I've come across on the Quit Train who isn't, at the point of their posting, in the state of having already quit smoking- even if it was just a short time prior to the post.  Yes, there are some who are on the patch, or using Chantix or other methods of quitting but smoking 5 cigarettes a day is not having quit smoking,  I realize you're not representing yourself as having quit smoking (stubborn irremovable ticker notwithstanding) and it makes me wonder why you are being so persistent today with your postings, making so many attempts to... not sure what.... maybe get validation or support for your approach.

 

In any case, I also think part of my reaction has to do with knowing there are many lurkers about who are thinking of quitting smoking, who are trying to garner the courage to take the leap.  Having been in a similar frame of mind and on a similar course of action, had I seen your postings a few years back, I know I would have grabbed and held onto your words as another justification to keep smoking, all the while telling myself that I was "quitting".  The fact is, there is no such thing as "quitting" there is only "quit".  Cutting down is not quitting.  It's cutting down.  So I guess part of my reaction has to do with the protectiveness I feel toward the unseen lurkers who are vulnerable, as I very much was at one time, to being talked into justifications to continue playing with the addiction- to underestimating the validity of the law of addiction.  I did that for a long time and I'm so relieved now to be over that stage.  I think you ask a valid question when you wonder whether this is the right site for you.  I'm not the judge and jury where that's concerned but if asked for my vote, as nice as you seem to be, my vote would be "no."   

[AgaveGirl1]

Well I appreciate your post. It was very kind and thoughtful and so respectfully worded. That means a lot.  I'll reciprocate. 

 

 

When I joined I was erroneous in my thinking. I misunderstood. I thought Q.T. was for those that not only quit smoking 100% but also for those that were woking on quitting. I also did not know that the protocol of 'cold turkey' was the only acceptable method here for being successful at quitting. I find that frustrating because other ways, regardless of their being FDA approved and garnering support from world known and highly esteemed medical associations, is of little value or interest.

 

I should say instead of frustrating me it saddens me. I have listened to people talk about overeating to replace smoking, feeling anxious or tired or depressed or continue to take pledges the way alcoholics do years after they stop drinking just to stay sober. If smoking is no longer a part of your life then you don't need to do this. You wouldn't think about it----ever. Since people here do this  constantly they obviously can't stop thinking about it.

 

None of that is cool or healthy. High technology and nerdy electronics equates cool now. In 3 months it will be 2018. Times and treatments change. Not changing with them is silly. Suffering when you don't have to is sillier. You can read what The Comprehensive Cancer Center at Georgetown University Medical Center said about it. Even they agree with me! My reducing from 1.5 packs a day down to only 5 cigarettes (soon 3 and by January 0) and continual vaping has added 8 years to my life and a collective 86.7 million extra years to 6.6 million other peoples' lives.

 

And for me to get there was a major accomplishment! Maybe it isn't one you want to recognize but to go from 30 a day to only  5 and to have maintained that diligently and consistently and with determination is something I'm damn proud of! I had never been able to do that before and I haven't fallen off the wagon. Oh sure. I got to zero smokes before cold turkey. That lasted a day then I was right back to smoking full tilt almost 2 packs for months on end. Nope. I'm proud of my accomplishment even if you're not.      

 

And here's the big kicker for you. We know it is the 4,000 chemicals in the tobacco that is killing you not the nicotine!  You will never avoid nicotine. Yep nicotine is addictive but so is caffeine and sugar and Doritos but nicotine is considered to be neuroprotective. Whoaa? That's right! Just like a glass of red wine a day provides antioxidants for heart health and cancer prevention nicotine NOT in the form of a tobacco cigarette has been shown to slow the rate of neural apoptosis (Translation: brain and nerve cells essentially killing themselves) and therefore prevent the worsening of cognitive impairment, Alzheimer's Dementia, and general dementia. Oh, they also put a form of nicotine in a lot of your prescription meds, and in your foods (ever hear of B3?).   

 

As for those who are lurking and reading, well I assume they're adults and at least 18 years or older. Hopefully as legal, consenting adults they don't take either your word or mine as gospel. Rather they use their brains to read, research and think and ponder both sides of an issue for awhile before 'buying into' either side. Isn't that what they mean by informed consent?

 

I think that is also what  it means to be an adult. To make your own decisions and to make them wisely without the influence of others.  Children need to be protected. Adults do not. I made my decision. You made yours. I'm sure others will make theirs.

 

So I sincerely wish you and many of the very nice people here all the very best in continued health, happiness and success.  :good3: 

Keep up the good work. 

I found a good site for those who vape. I'll be there now continuing my good work with cutting back and ultimately quitting. :yes: 

 

Peace. Out.

AG

[joe]

Wow...

[Boo]

Just in case any lurkers are keeping up with this thread, I would like to address a few key points.

 

The Quit Train is not a cold turkey only site.  We have quitters who used NRT and others who used Chantix/Champix.  There are no turf wars or purity tests concerning quitting methods of choice.  The path to freedom is not as important as achieving freedom.  That has been made clear numerous times.

 

With proper education about nicotine addiction not only will you not be destined for misery, many of us found quitting much easier than we expected.  When you dispel the myths and lies of nicotine and realize that you are not missing out on anything of benefit, it is relatively smooth sailing after that.

 

Those of us who have been here for over a year and continue to take the pledge and engage with other forum members on a regular basis do not continue to be obsessed with smoking.  We are addicts and we acknowledge this on a daily basis.  Addressing an issue and being controlled by it are not one and the same.

 

If you make a decision to vape it is not our job to provide you with the confirmation bias that you desire.  This is a nicotine cessation site, no one should be surprised that most of us are not impressed with the new and improved method of nicotine delivery.

 

Before you make a decision to vape or not, examine the market trends in the e-cig business.  Big tobacco is well aware of current trends and have invested heavily in the vaping sector, buying out many smaller manufacturers and widening their footprint in the world of vaping.  Thus it is not surprising to see bought and paid for "scientists" and "medical professionals" assuring the public that e-cigs are safe.  These are the same merchants of death who brought us the "safe cigarette."

 

Nicotine is a poison and a vasoconstrictor that big tobacco and the charlatans of the fitness industry are trying to paint as healthy.  They have this game down quite well.  Take a biased study, cherry-pick data, and take a little science and stretch it a long way.  Snake oil backed by bogus studies is still just snake oil.

[bakon]

Did she just quit our quit site? Taking the ball and going home? No. But maybe?

Vape is a discussion that won't find much support here. Just Cuz. I lick windows.

[Cristóbal]

I am so glad that vaping is illegal here (Mexico).

 

The reason why it is illegal, is that the federal government does not want to allow another way for people to become addicted to nicotine, and for business to make money from that addiction.

 

We do not even have these conversations here.

 

*NOT AVAILABLE*.

 

 

Cristóbal

[Reciprocity]

^^^ Wow - that's interesting :o I didn't know vaping was illegal in Mexico. Wonder what they do with all the people who vape that go there on vacation from other countries?

[MarylandQuitter]

Hi, 

It has been a long time since I've been on but all I have to say is "There are many ways of going forward but only one way of standing still". Franklin D. Roosevelt 

My feeling is if Vaping is helping you NOT smoke cigarettes then good for you! Do anything you can, however you can to not smoke cigarettes. :good3:  

 

 

I read this and that's all that I needed to see because what followed is irrelevent to you quitting nicotine.  The mindset that doing anything you can to not smoke cigarettes is keeping you addicted to nicotine and quite frankly, you're still smoking if you're vaping. You can rationalize all you want, but you're still inhaling nicotine into you lungs; something far different than traditional NRT.  Vaping IS NOT NRT.  In fact, big tobacco is behind this as it's another way to keep addicts buying their poision.

 

Our belief in this support group is that NRT can be used to help in quitting smoking.  However, the goal is to stop nicotine completely and quickly.  Vaping is smoking as far as I'm concerned and is not NRT or the most preposterous notion of all, a safe alernative to smoking.  I've seen enough, read enough and my bullshit meter over the years has become a very valuable instrument in detecting it.  Please don't buy into the bullshit that big tobacco is selling as this is just the next generation of smoking products.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HcPcVxA_WaA

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fAApE5yo3Nc

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BgqnM7e8aB0

[bakon]

Yep