Any E-Cig users out there?

Hey M,


I feel a bit like you're asking how you can keep smoking a little, like an alcoholic who wants to be able to drink socially--you know the line, "Can I do it until I have to wear glasses?" I'm not comfortable giving advice on how you can smoke a little, because it feels like enabling someone to do something that can kill them. And I don't want to do that--I've watched friends die from cigarettes, and I miss them. It's a miserable way to go.

Yes, I have some suggestions, but I don't think you're going to like them. I'm also concerned that they'll come across as disrespectful and dismissive of what you are asking, and that is not my intent. But here goes, anyway:

Quit smoking. Don't cut back a little, because a) when things get tough (and they will, of course, because life is like that) you'll still have that crutch in hand and be back to smoking heavily again, and b) it's a killer habit. We don't know the `this much is safe' threshhold for tobacco use.

Go cold turkey. Pitch the smokes and ditch the snuff. Go through the howling on the floor in the corner d.t.s, ride out the slide down the wall with your fingernails dragging, grit your teeth and do it. When you're done, you're done, and will will feel so free and so accomplished. Know that it's a tough journey, and be prepared for the possibility that it will take you more than one run at it. It does most of us. But when you do this, you will look back at it as one of the great accomplishments of your life. The reason I recommend cold turkey is that of all the people I know who quit smoking, that was how they were successful. That's just my observation, so figure this one out for yourself, but from what I've seen, folks who did the patch or the e-cigs, or herbal cigarettes or whatever did not succeed.

OTOH, support groups seem to help. If you decide to do this, and want to come here for support, you'll find it. We had a member that just went through this a few months ago, and was looking for a buddy to make the journey with him. I'll find that thread and bump it for you, and I bet he'd reach out a hand to you in this.

I contributed several posts to that thread, and they were beyond tough love--they were more of the category of `is this really how you want to go out?' Several links there that might inspire/shock/annoy/whatever. But if you are willing to become willing to quit, they might get your attention. There are also some links there to some sites where support and ideas for helping people quit can be found. I'm just completely out of patience with the tobacco companies' callous search for new victims to support their profits.

Other people, bless them, had a much more positive approach in their support, and I bet they'd be there for you, too.

Wishing you the best in this endeavor. Your body is trying to tell you something. Here's hoping your head is smart enough to listen.

mrfjsf said:

Thanks for the words of encouragement snow. While I realize, and have for some time now, that I need to quit. Honestly, I dont want to. I know how bad that sounds. Especially given all the people ive known over the years get sick from it, cancer and die.

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You're genuinely welcome. And you're right, it's pretty discouraging to hear, but I respect that you're honest about it. You're driving this train, and you have complete control of the throttle. What you don't have control over is where the tracks are laid. You've seen where they go for several people you know, but what I'm not seeing in your post is the awareness that your personal set of tracks could run off the cliff. If you don't want to quit, and you're not willing to become willing to want to quit, you won't.

I hope that you won't mind that I'm going to another run at saying that there's another way to go about this. I promise that this will be the last one. It's Sunday morning, and I've got a list of chores as long as long as my arm, and this is going to take awhile to type. I hope you'll consider reading this and checking out these links are worth your time to read; I think you're worth my time to type this.

mrfjsf said:

Even knowing all that, I still enjoy every cigarette.

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http://whyquit.com/whyquit/joelcigfriend.html
http://whyquit.com/whyquit/LinksAAddiction.html

mrfjsf said:

Im only 27, been smoking for 11 years.

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So when you were 16, you made a decision that is affecting the rest of your life. I hope you were smarter at 16 than I was. That's when I started smoking, too, but I didn't know that I was going to be addicted from the first cigarette, or how much it would affect my life. I just knew I wanted that sensation of relief again. And again.

mrfjsf said:

My whole family smokes.

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Before you started smoking, how did you feel about your family smoking? How did you feel about trying to breathe when they were smoking, what did you think of the smell? Here's the story of a woman who grew up in a family of smokers. I hope you read it: http://whyquit.com/whyquit/A_Deborah.html

mrfjsf said:

Dear mother smokes nearly 3 packs a day

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Let me guess: she doesn't want to quit. She enjoys every cigarette. She loves her habit more than she does you or the rest of your family. She's had the opportunity to choose, and she chose the smokes.

mrfjsf said:

tried telling her to at least cut back before, never listens.

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Sounds frustrating.

mrfjsf said:

Anyways, I read thru the other thread you bumped (thanks btw), you're welcome; good on ya for reading through it
and I saw a post in there from another member about a guy he works with that only smokes 1 cig a day because he doesnt like the feeling that he'll never have another one again. interesting that this is the one that stood out for you. I thought it might be. I figured you'd read the ones about the guy who had a node of his lung cut out (he was about your age) and suffered multiple lung collapses, but he really enjoyed smoking, so he kept doing it, but focus on the post about the one who just smokes one cigarette a day.

I think that describes me to a T. I hate the fact of knowing that if I quit, ill never have one again, because once again, I really enjoy smoking. I dont know that id ever be able to only have one a day. You're probably right about that. I can tell you, though, that `none' is one of your available options.

So far today, ive only had 4. Which for me is about 7-8 short of what id normally have by this point in the day. Ive tried cold turkey 3 times before, all with fail. Because it came back to me not really wanting to quit. My excuse for starting again was "why am I quitting when I want to smoke? My health is still good so I have no other reason"

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Please carefully read this:

mrfjsf said:

Ive decided to try one of those e-cigs to cut back smoking a little. Im only a pack a day smoker but ive noticed quite a bit more coughing these days and im fighting off bronchitis right now soooo I think its time to make a change.

My friend gave me an N Joy Menthol to try (I smoke menthols) and quite honestly its awful. Everytime I take a puff and inhale it feels like my lungs are being ripped out. I cough like crazy and then go back to my regular smokes.

Hint: this is not the behavior of healthy people. It's what addicts do to keep from feeling the pain of withdrawal. Most people would not willingly inhale a substance that would "make me cough like crazy and feel like my lungs are being ripped out". Here's another link worth looking at when you're looking for crutches to help quit: http://whyquit.com/pr/061411.html

I do rub snuff on occasion to try to reduce the amount im smoking but I know it isnt much of a safe alternative.
http://whyquit.com/whyquitSeanMarsee.html
http://whyquit.com/whyquitA_Gruen.html
Any suggestions?

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Sure. Here's my suggestion. Quit. Quit for a year and a day.
Then make a conscious, reasoned, adult decision about whether you want to smoke instead of continuing to act on a decision you made as a teenager when you didn't understand the consequences. And then if you want to smoke, go for it. Embrace the lifestyle. Do as you wish.

When I read what you have written, I recognize the addiction speaking for you. It's just about impossible to see for yourself if you're practicing your addiction.