OP NOTE: I posted this on Reddit originally (/r/stopsmoking), but I x-posted it here because I hope that any smoking members of TeamLiquid will read it and consider it. I feel like a born again Christian preaching this method of salvation... but if it saves lives, it's worth it.
I want to begin by saying I have absolutely NO affiliation with any product I mention below. But I have had such an substantial breakthrough that I have become a preacher for this quitting alternative.
My History: I began smoking when I was 16 years old (currently 34). And around 19-20 is when I became an official "Pack-A-Day" smoker. I've attempted to quit numerous times, with the longest run being nearly a year. During each attempt I tried different methods. Initially, I thought I could beat it with sheer willpower and oral substitutes (suckers/hard candy), but when that didn't work I resorted to patches, and when that didn't work I tried LIVESTRONG reduction techniques... and when that didn't work... I questioned whether or not I would ever be able to truly quit smoking. In between I considered or attempted every possible Nicotine Delivery System aside from Chantrix. 2 weeks ago I made an amazing breakthrough, and even more interesting is that it was the only time I had not "planned" on quitting.
My wife decided that it was time to try the eCig. She'd been doing some reading, spoke to some fellow "users", and finally pulled the trigger. When she came to me to declare her purchases, I sort of shrugged it off with a "Sure honey buy that for me!" - When in reality I was just thinking about how I would get to "smoke" at my computer.
Now previously, anytime I was going to quit, it was a BIG ordeal. The planning, the mental preparation, even the physical preparation were all major factors that I spent an alarming amount of energy on. And each time a failed attempt to quit happened, it became increasingly difficult to "prepare" myself for that dreaded day. My last attempt came over 1 year ago, when after 2 months I finally broke down, began to "sneak" cigarettes, and within another week was already back to my normal "Pack-A-Day".
My eCig arrived on a Wednesday. Initially there was this general excitement. Not necessarily a, "OMG I'M GOING TO QUIT" excitement but more like a, "OMG I GOT SOME NEW TECHNOLOGY AND IT'S COOOOOL" excitement. So after getting everything ready, learning about the usage, maintenance, etc.; my journey had begun.
On day one I noticed very little difference. I was still smoking Analog cigs, and puffing off my Digital cig to get used to it.
On day two I began to get used to the eCig and was definitely able to cut out a few breaks here and there. Sometimes I would go through the motion of a break, go outside, and instead of lighting up, I would use my eCig. I instantly noticed the hardest part was that first Cig in the morning, or that epic Cig after dinner. I thought to myself that the eCig would never be able to replace these moments.
On day three, Friday, I purchased my normal "2 Packs for the Weekend" (my wife smoked as well so this typically got us through Sunday). The reduction continued however, and I found myself definitely smoking less Analog cigarettes. Saturday rolls by, the packs dwindle down in smokes, and then Sunday hits.
AND HERE MY FRIENDS IS WHERE MY LIFE CHANGED...
Here's the best way I can describe it. For nearly 18 years, I was a slave. When I saw a pack of smokes degrade down to the final 2-3 cigarettes, all I could think about was making sure that I had a plan for securing a new pack. This seemed normal to me. A mental act which had me chained to something which was ultimately killing me. But that didn't matter, I saw 3 smokes, and I was not "satisfied" until I had a NEXT PACK to smoke when I was done with those three.
Sunday morning I woke up to have my "AM" cigarette and I noticed that there was only 3 smokes left in my pack. I looked at the pack, looked at my eCig, realized what a gorgeous day it was outside, looked back at my pack, and then said to myself, "I'm good."
"I'm good..." - I dunno how it's happened, I dunno what mental switch triggered for me, but those were my last 3 cigarettes. I didn't need to PLAN for them to be my final 3, I didn't have a huge ceremony to discard of them or shun them from my life. It just happened. And I believe it happened because I found a temporary alternative... the eCig.
I'm now two weeks off Analog smokes, already on "Light" eCig cartridges (which is much less Nicotine), and while two weeks may not seem like a huge amount of time... what's important to me is not the amount of days I have not smoked, but rather the amount of time I have spent thinking about real cigarettes, which is basically Zero. I've not had a single craving, I've not thought about sneaking a smoke, my smell has already recovered and now smoke (and my friends who still smoke) smell like complete garbage to me. For the first time in my life I have not had to fight the urges which made it so difficult for me to finally break the bad habit.
I don't plan to be on the eCig forever, but if doing so would keep me from never having another cigarette in my life... I would.
I urge anyone who has ever attempted to quit, tried various alternatives, or has extreme cravings when attempting to rid themselves of Analog cigs, to GIVE THESE A CHANCE. I don't care what brand you use, if you go full flavored or down to nothing, all I care about is that people give these a chance. I feel like this $60 device will actually be the thing that will ultimately save my life.
This is coming from someone who has an incredibly addictive personality. But I have full confidence that I have already beat this. It's over... and I have triumphed thanks to the help of some technology that I had previously written off as silly and not effective. I was very wrong.
Please share your stories of the eCig. I'm happy to answer any questions about my process.
My wife is completely shocked that I was able to rid myself of cigarettes in the way that I did (and in such a short amount of time), but the person who was surprised the most is ME. This is one of the proudest moments of my life and I hope that others can find some motivation to attempt this method if they too have failed in the past.
Now I've seen a lot of people using the eCig too, especially around the office, and the reviews are as good as Wheat says. I'm talking about people who have smoked a pack a day for 40+ years, being able to quit and be satisfied with just the eCig.
Also its funny because they all smoke in the office at their desks now.
On September 01 2011 02:02 GoonFFS wrote: I'd NEVER stop smoking ciggerettes. Pussies quit
Or people that like living longer, don't want to wake up coughing up shit, and hate gasping for air after several flights or stairs.
(Note: I am a pack a day smoker)
I don't want to wake up every day to people looking down at us smokers. It's a manhunt out there, and this is just contributing. FUCK
It's a manhunt for a reason man. It's bad shit and it's borderline insane it's even legal. Mind you I will never be that guy telling every smoker I see "you should really quit", that's their decision, much like the decision to quit is the persons, they should not be criticized for it.
Congrats on being able to kick the habit. My dad made a similar choice years ago before I was born, and I'm thankful for it. I'm sure miniWHEAT will be thankful too.
More power to you, djWHEAT. It's a pointless and self-destructive habit and I'm glad to hear you quit it.
(On a relevant note note, I've seen my mother attempt the eCig as a way to quit. Sadly, the device was somewhat faulty and annoying for her to handle and she smokes analog cigarettes to this day. I guess the conclusion is: Make sure you get a good eCig that won't break down easily.)
back when I was working for the government to help people quit. I saw how hard going cold turkey for them was.
Its great to see people taking the steps to quit. This eCig thing is for sure not the ideal soloution to smoking out there.But its for sure a big step in the right direction. That is the most important thing right now. For that I send huge grats to you. Awesome to see people making eventual progress to a heathier life without smoking.
Eventually would be nice to see you ween yourself off the eCig and not intake any of the chemicals that smoking puts inside you.
On September 01 2011 02:09 procyonlotor wrote: I'm going to consider getting my parents to do this.
My dad and his dad stopped smoking when they went to see a doctor and saw their lung "scan pictures" or what ever they are called. Was harsh enough to see and they quit pretty fast.
Really glad for you wheat, so many people in gaming are the pack-a-day type now...my roommate is a pack a day smoker who has quit in the past with relative ease but came back and says he can quit any time, but just has no motivation to or something like that.
He owns an e-cigarette and says that its just not the same, which is a reason he hasn't made the switch. I'm wondering if you had any sort of feeling early on, did you think it wasn't the same as a cigarette and just wanted to get back on normal ones, or is it something he just has to do for a few days and it'll seem like nothing ever changed
On September 01 2011 02:02 GoonFFS wrote: I'd NEVER stop smoking ciggerettes. Pussies quit
Or people that like living longer, don't want to wake up coughing up shit, and hate gasping for air after several flights or stairs.
(Note: I am a pack a day smoker)
I don't want to wake up every day to people looking down at us smokers. It's a manhunt out there, and this is just contributing. FUCK
When a friend of mines died to Lung Cancer at the age of 33 a lot of our friends stopped smoking that die. I know it seems distant and unprobable outcome for young smokers, but after seem this friend in question first have coughs for 1 year which were mistakes as Lung infections etc and then be diagnosed with lung cancer at such advanced stage there was not much to do was an eyeopening event. He died 5 months after the diagnosis. Listening him to talk in TeamSpeak in his last couple of months during WoW raids was heartbreaking.
Congrats to DjWheat for being able to quit, hopefully permanently !
Didn't know you smoked WHEAT. Really glad you found something that helped you quit. I've known many people that looked at the eCig concept and sneered at the idea (i.e. "they just want to look cool where they're not allowed to smoke"), but I can imagine the muscle memory of having the cig in your hand and mouth is a huge part of trying to quit.
I'm genuinely happy to know that miniWHEAT will grow up without them.
They are quite amazing, and even cheaper than regular cigarettes, especially the $12 a pack they cost here in NYC.
You can use them indoors, get different flavors, and even used them on an airplane.
Eventually, the constant charging and refill changing got annoying, but that can be dealt with.
I also ended up quitting smoking by using eCigs. It was tough, and honestly, willpower had at least as much of an effect and I almost felt like the eCigs were placebos, as they were nowhere near as strong or instant as a normal cigarrette.
eCigs will definitely help, but keep in mind, you have to want to quit to make this work. You are going to need willpower most of all, but eCigs will help A LOT.
Besides that. I don't know how it feels like to be addicted to smoking. I have only smoked twice in my life. Didn't feel it was great. But good for you that you quit smoking :D
Congratulation DJWheat that's such a life changing choice, and this choice is going to help everyone. I'm certain you're son and wife are so proud of you!
Congrats. Takes a lot to quit smoking, regardless of whether you use an outside product or not. I know my dad quit cold turkey the day he found out my mom was pregnant and he still says it was one of the hardest things he's ever done... Aside from all the health benefits, you'll also notice you have way more money than before. Something along the lines of 4 grand more every year. That's like a free family vacation!
I've not thought about sneaking a smoke, my smell has already recovered and now smoke (and my friends who still smoke) smell like complete garbage to me.
Heh. Join the club. I've also noticed that it also smells a lot worse in the middle of winter, to the point where you can smell it from meters away. The cold seems to make it cling to people's clothes a lot more. Hopefully it doesn't get cold enough over there for you to notice the difference but the people that still smoke always seem to think that you're exaggerating.
I started the eCig a year ago this month. It's allowed me to cut my real cig usage to virtually zero. I'm still using the eCig Mediums but plan on moving to Low this Fall.
Glad you broke free of the slavery. It's a bitch to quit and I'm very thankful for eCigs.
i have smoked since i was 14 years old and a pack a day since i hit 18. I tried quitting 3 times now with my longest being a year. I mostly tried patches/suckers the first few times and the most recent attempt using an Ecig.The biggest problem for me is ALL and i mean every single one of my friends smokes. I hang out with them a few times and they offer me smokes and i turn them down but eventually i will fold. I was kinda anti social for the 1 year that i quit smoking and when i started up again it was because i thought i could go to the bars with my friends have drinks and not smoke. Boy was i wrong.
Every time i resume smoking i think to myself " well atleast i cut down" when in reality i shoot back up to a pack a day within a week of starting back up . I just started smoking again and regret to say the Ecig has failed me. It's my own fault though. The fucking ecig died on me and the charger is at my parents house. SO one night i had the choice of driving 20 miles to get the charger or not hang out with my friends. I ended up bummin a cig to "hold me over" til i could charge my e cig.( 2 days later i was up to half a pack, end of week full pack) I hope to attempt again.. maybe new years resolution.
I'm 24 years old so hopefully i can quit sooner rather than later.
I've heard a lot of good stories about e-cigarettes. Unfortunately, over here they're considered a drug, and therefore have to go through drug testing programs in order to become legal for sale.
There's some speculation that because they can't tax it, the government is holding back on them.
What brand did you use? Maybe I'll try ordering them online, but it seems like a lot of hassle to get cartridges in time, and I don't want to switch just to run out of cartridges and smoke a regular pack again.
Wow this is the best story I've ever heard about quitting smoking with this new technology. Definitely gonna recommend it to friends who want/need to quit.
As a fellow former smoker I applaud you! I can totally relate to the feeling of being, "born again." Just wanted to give you a couple thoughts for down the road:
1. If you break down and have another smoke, don't worry that doesn't mean you failed. Get back up and keep going.
2. You will crave smokes, but as time goes on that diminishes greatly.
3. You'll want to share your rebirth with everyone because it is so fucking hard and monumental (again props to you) but just be aware that you can only support other people's decisions, not make them for them.
On September 01 2011 02:18 Zlasher wrote: He owns an e-cigarette and says that its just not the same, which is a reason he hasn't made the switch. I'm wondering if you had any sort of feeling early on, did you think it wasn't the same as a cigarette and just wanted to get back on normal ones, or is it something he just has to do for a few days and it'll seem like nothing ever changed
I've heard others say this. And I completely understand. The act of smoking is just as "addictive" as the Nicotine itself. Non-Smokers probably can't relate to this (and probably the only reason why some are saying I'm selling myself short by not quitting completely).
For me the eCig did a good job emulating the act of smoking, which is certainly a big reason why I was able to shed the Analog cigs quite easily. I think anyone who says, "I can quit when I want to" is absolutely fooling themselves... but I also understand that some smokers may not find similar success in the eCig. I just want to promote the alternative.
On September 01 2011 02:30 jlake02 wrote: SUPER happy for you Wheat! Great stuff.
I started the eCig a year ago this month. It's allowed me to cut my real cig usage to virtually zero. I'm still using the eCig Mediums but plan on moving to Low this Fall.
Glad you broke free of the slavery. It's a bitch to quit and I'm very thankful for eCigs.
What I didn't put in my post is that you are basically the reason for me quitting smoking! The conversation you had with Mrs. Wheat in Anaheim lit a fire under her ass to research the things, and before I knew it we were trying it. You know me man... the fact that I haven't smoked in 2 weeks is an amazing feeling - especially considering how difficult it's been in the past!
SO THANK YOU JASON LAKE FOR THAT POST-MLG ANAHEIM TALK WITH MY WIFE!
On September 01 2011 02:33 RaGe wrote: I've heard a lot of good stories about e-cigarettes. Unfortunately, over here they're considered a drug, and therefore have to go through drug testing programs in order to become legal for sale.
There's some speculation that because they can't tax it, the government is holding back on them.
What brand did you use? Maybe I'll try ordering them online, but it seems like a lot of hassle to get cartridges in time, and I don't want to switch just to run out of cartridges and smoke a regular pack again.
In the Netherlands they are quite easily obtainable and you can also order them online very easy. Perhaps you could try that.
On September 01 2011 02:43 djWHEAT wrote: The act of smoking is just as "addictive" as the Nicotine itself. Non-Smokers probably can't relate to this (and probably the only reason why some are saying I'm selling myself short by not quitting completely).
That's so true. I don't smoke a whole bunch (I might smoke a few cigarettes throughout the day, significantly more if I'm drinking) but that's because it's the act of it that I enjoy so much more than anything else. I don't get enough of an urge to have a smoke that I'll run outside if the weather is shitty or really inconvenience myself in any way but if I found myself in a position where I can enjoy a cigarette, I'm going to enjoy the hell out of it - such as sitting on a patio or going for a leisurely drive.
If I were to stop completely it's not the nicotine that I'd miss, but just the act of enjoying a cigarette. Much like one enjoys a cold beer on a hot day - it's not because it'll get you drunk but rather because it is one of life's pleasures.
On September 01 2011 02:31 Monox1de wrote: i have smoked since i was 14 years old and a pack a day since i hit 18. I tried quitting 3 times now with my longest being a year. I mostly tried patches/suckers the first few times and the most recent attempt using an Ecig.The biggest problem for me is ALL and i mean every single one of my friends smokes. I hang out with them a few times and they offer me smokes and i turn them down but eventually i will fold. I was kinda anti social for the 1 year that i quit smoking and when i started up again it was because i thought i could go to the bars with my friends have drinks and not smoke. Boy was i wrong.
Every time i resume smoking i think to myself " well atleast i cut down" when in reality i shoot back up to a pack a day within a week of starting back up . I just started smoking again and regret to say the Ecig has failed me. It's my own fault though. The fucking ecig died on me and the charger is at my parents house. SO one night i had the choice of driving 20 miles to get the charger or not hang out with my friends. I ended up bummin a cig to "hold me over" til i could charge my e cig.( 2 days later i was up to half a pack, end of week full pack) I hope to attempt again.. maybe new years resolution.
I'm 24 years old so hopefully i can quit sooner rather than later.
I'm glad you brought up the social aspect of smoking, because for me, this is what I fear most. The eCig allows me to be around my friends who smoke without getting temptations. MY BIGGEST CHALLENGE was this weekend during PAX. During event times (when stress can run high) I would often turn to smoking to help deal with stress. That of course made no sense considering that during events I need to preserve my voice as much as possible. But this weekend I was a TOTAL FUCKING BALLER and didn't even have a single desire to smoke a cigarette.
That was another goal achieved for me and gave me even more strength and willpower to keep at it. I was so worried that I would buckle, but I survived the weekend smoke free. And with that I hope to survive the rest of my life smoke free!
On September 01 2011 02:50 Budzlight wrote: Proud of ya wheat! I myself have done this and yes it does work but you still need to remember, you still smoking....just a different way.
I'm very much aware of this, but I'm not concerned - when making such a massive change in life, one step in a time to ensure success is far more important than reaching that success as quickly as possible. This may be one area I failed with in the past.
Additionally, even my eCig intake is WAYYYYY below what my normal Cig intake was, so I already feel like I'm on the right track to eventually ditching it all!
Wheat, I'm very happy for you, but the main thing I'm thinking about is how pathetic this addiction sounds (I assume these feelings are true for most smokers). The only reason this is remotely offensive to say is because of how many people are suffering from this pathetic addiction. Good thing you're out of this (hopefully once and for all).
I started smoking when I was 14 (currently 30) and quit just 3 years ago. I took up tea drinking as a substitute. I actually got really into it and found a whole world of loose leaf teas and culture behind it. I can't say I miss cigarettes, as a matter of fact about 6 months into quitting I discovered exactly how disgusting the odor is. Just the smell of cigarettes makes me sick to my stomach now.
I hope you stick with it man it's well worth it. I'd say the hardest part was the first time I went out to a bar. If you can get through that you will be successful.
yeah my cousin said so too after quitting after 10 years of smoking how disgisting he finds it now. he compared it to eating feces(which isnt so far off lol)
My only question is at what point does stopping smoking save your life? Whats the threshold? You said you smoked since you were 16 and now 34, so for 18 years you smoked. Its just weird for someone to say that quitting smoking saved their life after smoking for such a long time. Its not like after 20 years of smoking you just drop over. Quitting just extended your life it didn't save it. Smoking for 18 years has already taken it's toll. Just sayin :p
When my dad met my mom he smoked, not as much, but he did. She told him if they were gonna date he was to quit smoking. He quit on the spot and didn't look back. I'm not sure what happened with me but I'm actually allergic to whatever they put into cigs. Any time I go to a friends where they smoke a lot if I'm not on 30 different allergy meds I'm basically out for 3 days. Congestion, completely lose my voice (now I'm talking can't even whisper) and so much suffering isn't worth it. Everyone always says "man that sucks, smoking is awesome" but to be honest I'm glad I never liked anything related to smoking.
I've helped a few people I know quit because they wanted to change their life. I'll have to recommend this way more often.
I totally agree, i live in fascist iceland where e-cigarettes are banned, but i still managed to get a hold of some(initially my plan was just to be smoke at the computer) but then when my e-cig broke and i could not get my hands on a new one i just kinda quit.. it was very wierd.
One thing I didn't see in your post (forgive me if I glossed over it or missed it completely) is whether or not your wife was quitting with you. Personally, I know that if I were ever to go cold-turkey the toughest thing would be that my missus smokes and smokes a whole lot more than I do. Her smoking already influences certain things we do, like we always have to drive ourselves around because she refuses to car-pool or have us give rides to people who bemoan her smoking and international travel is always a pain in the ass as we repeatedly dart in and out of long lines and security checks so that she can get 'one last smoke' before we board a plane. As I'm always attached to her hip, I'd find it tough to go through all of the associated inconveniences and not also partake in the enjoyment of a cigarette.
On September 01 2011 03:17 RmoteCntrld wrote: Smoking for 18 years has already taken it's toll. Just sayin
Obviously there is a 'point of no return' when it comes to repairing the damage that smoking has done to your lungs and health, as you smoke for longer and longer periods and start to damage your body permanently.
Still, there is always a positive benefit to quitting, even if you've smoked for 20 or 30 years. You'd be surprised to see how quickly things like lung-tissue regenerate and how reversible the effects of long-term smoking are, provided you quit at an early enough age:
:> Gratz. It's awesome to get the addiction monkey off your back. If you started at 16, I bet you barely even remembered what it was like to breathe well and not have your nose filled with smoke. Good luck continuing and good luck convincing everyone else to join you on the effort!
Thanks for sharing this wheat. I have a ton of family members and friends who always try to stop smoking but could never quite kick the habit no matter what they tried. So I hope some of them will be open to trying the eCig. Ive known about it for a long time but was pretty skeptical about glad to see that it helped you quit and congrats beating an addiction is always one of the hardest things to do in life now you will be with eSports even longer :D
On September 01 2011 02:56 XsebT wrote: Wheat, I'm very happy for you, but the main thing I'm thinking about is how pathetic this addiction sounds (I assume these feelings are true for most smokers). The only reason this is remotely offensive to say is because of how many people are suffering from this pathetic addiction. Good thing you're out of this (hopefully once and for all).
It is pathetic. Unfortunately I was too fucking stupid when I was younger to realize just exactly what I was getting myself into. I think it's horrible. I've said a million times and I'll say it again... If I had a time machine and could go back in time to change one thing in my life... I would go back to youngWHEAT and take that cigarette out of my mouth and then beat the shit out of myself. The best way to avoid having to quit... is to never start.
So I must fight and be strong for those who are going through the same thing. I believe we truly need to educate much younger to make sure that kids never begin smoking because it really is one of the worst things one can do to themselves.
And keep in mind, just because someone is addicted, doesn't mean they don't want to stop. In fact, I'd be willing to bet that most smokers would gladly quit... if it was that easy.
On September 01 2011 03:21 Flaccid wrote: Hey Wheat,
One thing I didn't see in your post (forgive me if I glossed over it or missed it completely) is whether or not your wife was quitting with you. Personally, I know that if I were ever to go cold-turkey the toughest thing would be that my missus smokes and smokes a whole lot more than I do. Her smoking already influences certain things we do, like we always have to drive ourselves around because she refuses to car-pool or have us give rides to people who bemoan her smoking and international travel is always a pain in the ass as we repeatedly dart in and out of long lines and security checks so that she can get 'one last smoke' before we board a plane. As I'm always attached to her hip, I'd find it tough to go through all of the associated inconveniences and not also partake in the enjoyment of a cigarette.
Yes. She is. In fact, this is a massive source of GUILT for me. My wife is a good girl. Her cigarette intake was about 1/10th what mine was. The problem was if I was smoking, it became much more difficult for her to quit too. And so we never had a true support system with one another, because if we tried to quit and I started "sneaking" smokes... I knew she would eventually pick it back up.
I was a big "one last smoke" guy. Like in a major way. I know it bugged the shit out of my wife (and she WAS a smoker) but I would do it anyway. It feels SOOO great to not do that anymore. I know it's only been 2 weeks cig free, but I can't really stress enough the feelings I have now. Which is basically NONE. I've never experienced it like this before, it's seriously like I've never smoked real cigs in my life... and I hope that's the first step towards getting rid of all of it!
On September 01 2011 02:09 procyonlotor wrote: I'm going to consider getting my parents to do this.
yea me too I wonder whats the difference in price range
You guys are both f'in awesome for even considering it. A starter pack will cost you about $50-70 depending on where you get it from. That basically gets you everything you need to begin the process. From that point, a cartridge pack costs around $7-$12 and comes with 5 carts (which are supposed to be a pack each).
My recommendation is to sit down and discuss it with them. Because my biggest fear is having them try something that doesn't work for them, and then they just write them off completely. This is what my wife did with me, "What color pack do you want? What flavors do you want?" Because I had the choice it definitely didn't feel as if I was being forced, and I think will make for a better experience for them.
On September 01 2011 03:17 RmoteCntrld wrote: My only question is at what point does stopping smoking save your life? Whats the threshold? You said you smoked since you were 16 and now 34, so for 18 years you smoked. Its just weird for someone to say that quitting smoking saved their life after smoking for such a long time. Its not like after 20 years of smoking you just drop over. Quitting just extended your life it didn't save it. Smoking for 18 years has already taken it's toll. Just sayin :p
Anyways good job!
That's a totally shitty attitude and you should actually read up on the effects of quitting smoking and how you can actually negate it to the point of not being able to tell you EVER smoked.
As someone in this thread mentioned as well, disease stemming from smoking can hit you after FIVE years of smoking or FOURTY years of smoking. The point is, the moment you stop smoking, you are saving your life because you reduce that risk the moment you don't have a cigarette.
If you don't agree, I advise you to re-read your exact same post but instead of smoking put in Russian Roulette. If I stop playing a game that could kill me each time I play... is that extending your life? Or saving it?
I guess it's perspective, but I dunno why you would be so pessimistic about something that claims the lives of so many every day :/ When I look at it that way, quitting saves your life bro.
Congratz Wheat! I have a good friend who cannot stop smoking. Maybe I'll recommend he tries these. With how expensive cigs are this would probably actually be a lot cheaper in the long run.
Never smoked in my life.When my little brother was born 14 years ago, and shortly after he was diagnosed with Asthma.First thing my mom said was...This morning was my very last cigarrette. And till this day, she has not smoked a single one.
So some people can just stop even tho they have smoked for many many years. My father stopped, Then started using snus"snuff" i guess in english. and then he started smokign, so now he does both. So for him things didnt work just as good as for my mom.
I do know about addiction tho, Since i have spent more then 2 years of my life in a hospital, hooked on morphine and other stuff. And after all that the hospital gave me, i was hooked on some bad stuff. However i am now a free man, at a tiny age of 25 So i know the struggles that addiction causes. i just dont know the difference in stopping with cigarrettes and hard drugs. But no mather what, i am mad proud of you bro for doing this, and i wish you all the best.And you got my support 100%
On September 01 2011 04:36 flick.ch wrote: Hey Wheat, do you pull out the eCig in public? Have you gotten any weird looks?
Plenty, but it's ok. First, I just think to myself, Hey I'm not killing myself like I was before. Secondly, it's given me the opportunity to strike up a conversation with a lot of smokers to encourage them that there are alternatives that won't kill them. I know it seems a bit BORN AGAIN as I mentioned in my OP, but honestly, I think that helps ME on quitting. And if it causes some NON-SMOKING INCEPTION TYPE SHIT to happen, then maybe I just saved a life.
Grats Wheat that is very inspirational. I don't know how your smoking habit affected your son but I can share how I lived it as a child.
When I was young (I'm 27) it seemed like every adult in my family didn't care for shit if there were children around so whenever we had a family gathering, me and my brothers/sisters/cousins would breathe that shit all night. My eyes burned, my nose itched and since there was a big cloud of smoke in the house, they would often times open the doors to change the air a little bit. In January when it's -20 celcius outside (-4 Fahrenheit), you can imagine what happens when most kids play on the ground and there is a freaking cold airstream, and all the kids get a cold...
I've been so negatively affected by cigarettes (and a bunch of unconscious adults) that there was no way I was ever going to smoke. Now maybe you were really careful not to expose your son to this, I don't know. But anyway, you just did a great thing for miniwheat here. Now you won't be a bad example for him!
When I first saw someone smoking an e-cig I looked at that and was like wtf is that, nowadays if I ever see someone with one I don't give any particular looks anymore, its just a cleaner option.
Hey, that's funny, I'm on my 4th day without smoking! ^^ Congrats, dude, and wish me luck.
20-years smoker (I'm 38, the grandaddy of SC2 ^^), smoking rolling tobacco, like 12-15 cigs a day.
I stopped without ceremony, a little like you. One moth ago I decided, on a bright sunday, to only smoke 5 cigarettes. Why? I have no f'ing idea. Maybe social pressure (doctors, loved ones, basically everyone wants you to quit, ain't it?), maybe because when I was young I promised myself secretly I'd quit before turning 40. Anyway I smoked only 5 that day. Then the day after, I decided to keep this pace. Why not, after all? Smoking only 5 is better than smoking all you want, isn't it? I kept that for one week, quite effortlessly. On the next sunday I told myself: why not only 4 this week? And I did it. Next week 3. Which one to keep? The ones after the meals obviously, and a third one to chill in the evening. OK. The week after, two. It started to feel a little tense. The addiction bitch reared its ugly head. But during these weeks my decision was taking shape. I'd quit. I could do it. Then this week, I decided to quit altogether. One a day seemed like torture. Having the craving all day, being fulfilled for one hour, then all over again. Better have the craving for one week (the worse part, according to the medical press), and off with it.
I'll do it. I'm strong. I have a second baby coming, and why not raise him in a smoke-free house? (I know, I live in a city, and the invisible car exhausts and industrial gases are legion, but still).
Wheat, now you just need to get Tasteless to read this >.> I know Day9 has said he's gotten horse from his casting, which is partially true no doubt. But combined with the smoking... Our tasteless wont be able to cast in another few years
On September 01 2011 05:48 EnderCraft wrote: Wheat, now you just need to get Tasteless to read this >.> I know Day9 has said he's gotten horse from his casting, which is partially true no doubt. But combined with the smoking... Our tasteless wont be able to cast in another few years
I've been dropping hints like mad. But you can bet it's something I hope to pass along to him. Even if I have to buy it for him!
On September 01 2011 05:48 EnderCraft wrote: Wheat, now you just need to get Tasteless to read this >.> I know Day9 has said he's gotten horse from his casting, which is partially true no doubt. But combined with the smoking... Our tasteless wont be able to cast in another few years
I've been dropping hints like mad. But you can bet it's something I hope to pass along to him. Even if I have to buy it for him!
Life goal: helping your friends and relatives to stop smoking. I like it, mad props!
I've been wanting to try E-Cigarettes for a while. Is the buzz you get from a full flavored cartridge at all comparable to organic cigarettes? How much money do you think you save from using the e-cig?
Great story. I'm brazillian and I smoke for like 6 years and I'd like to stop, but we don't have things like eCig over here. Is there any website where I can buy it? That was inspirational, thank you djWHEAT!
On September 01 2011 06:02 Shuray wrote: Great story. I'm brazillian and I smoke for like 6 years and I'd like to stop, but we don't have things like eCig over here. Is there any website where I can buy it? That was inspirational, thank you djWHEAT!
I know www.awesomevapor.com is supposedly a pretty reliable vendor although I'm not sure that they do international shipping. I'm sure someone would be willing to purchase and ship to you if you put up the money for it.
Glad you are overcoming it Wheat. I still fear for my dads life, he has been smoking since he was a teenager, and even though he has cut down substantially, he has never quit completely. It saddens me to know that he will probably not be around as long as he would like to because of it
I've heard of these things but never have actually seen/tried one in person. I also started smoking when I was around 16 years old and by 18/19 was at a pack a day. I'm now 23 and I've attempted to quit numerous times. After reading this blog I will DEFINITELY at least order the eCig and try it out. I'll update with my own blog as soon as the order comes in.
Hey first of all awesome that you made it wheat! I was thinking about getting an ecig myself but i am a little bit hesitant.Because in germany there are no rules about distributing them yet so the producer do not have to tell anybody what is actually in this cartridges. Because of this i am worried that they put some other shit than Nikotin in it. Can someone help me with that concern?
Nice 2 weeks without smoking, you still have years ahead of you though. I hope this works better than 100 other tools youve tried.
I quit when I became scared for my health. Kind of a legitimate fear when you suddenly start feeling worse. My gf quit just because I wasnt smoking. Both of us smoked at least a pack daily,me for 5 years, her for 9
Well done Wheat, so inspiring. My wife was a pack a day smoker and managed to quit using gum just before she fell pregnant with our son.
It really was the best thing she ever did. I think if you can't quit for your kids or those you love, something's really wrong. Especially if not for your young kids.
CONGRATULATIONS!!! And as far as the planning, preparation, and "big ordeal" of quitting goes, if you announce your goals, especially if you tell a lot of other people, you have a SIGNIFICANTLY lower chance of reaching them. Once again, huge congrats!!!!!!
Good on ya for quitting man. My dad smoked for over 30 years and just recently quit this year full on cold turkey. Now he doesn't smell and he's saved probably almost 1000 dollars. Its totally worth it to stop smoking, financially, health wise and just in general.
As much as I would like to say "good job" I feel that the reason you haven't had cravings again is because of the nicotine in the ecig.
My mom purchased 1 awhile back to accomplish the same thing as you, she used it for a few weeks, then went back to normal smokes.
Best of luck though Wheat, are you laying off the herb as well btw? Just curious, I recently quit smoking as well when I bought a vaporizer.
I'd also like to point out that this is not the most effective way to quit smoking, according to wikipedia anyways. (Which I usually find to be pretty reliable)
"Up to three-quarters of ex-smokers have quit without assistance (“cold turkey” or cut down then quit), and unaided cessation is by far the most common method used by most successful ex-smokers.[2]"
With that in mind, I get that you're excited about the ecig, but suddenly recommending it to everyone around you might even be detrimental to their future attempts at quitting.
I've also quit cold turkey, because I believe you cannot get rid of the cravings any other way than dealing with them.
On September 01 2011 06:02 Shuray wrote: Great story. I'm brazillian and I smoke for like 6 years and I'd like to stop, but we don't have things like eCig over here. Is there any website where I can buy it? That was inspirational, thank you djWHEAT!
I know www.awesomevapor.com is supposedly a pretty reliable vendor although I'm not sure that they do international shipping. I'm sure someone would be willing to purchase and ship to you if you put up the money for it.
Ty for the info, actually I contacted BLU and they informed me that they sell it in Brazil, I got a phone and I plan calling there later. Funny thing is that e-Cigar commercialization in Brazil is illegal.
Thanks for bringing my attention to this, gotta buy some for my parents in order to finally free them from the bullshit that is the smoke. Always the same excuses "we will quit next month/year, promised". Promised my ass. Anyone that cant quit something on the spot, without having to smoke that LAST smoke, has no chance of quitting anyways, they are just lying to themselves.
Anyways, thanks for the info, maybe you saved a few more lives, which makes you so much more of a baller.
On September 04 2011 10:41 supaplex wrote: like someone mentioned, you havent quit, youre just taking it in another form. Too early to congratulate imo
These guys have probably never smoked and thus are completely ignorant. Empathy is a wonderful trait; try it sometime.
Congratulations Wheat. I've always respected you professionally and now I salute you personally.
I've got one of those. Need a new charger for it if the meds I'm on now end up not helping. Even if you don't want it for quitting, after the initial investment, it's an assload cheaper, which makes it still better. Plus, even though nicotine is still unhealthy, at least you aren't breathing in charcoal and all that other shit they use to process the tobacco.
I actually just had mine for Colorado's freezing cold winters.
Electronic cigarettes might be a healthier alternative to cigarettes, but I am sure you would prefer to ultimately quit altogether. I work as a respiratory therapist and many of the patients I see are smokers or previous smokers that are now living with smoking related diseases such as COPD. Smoking cessation is a pretty big part of my job.
When you were using patches were you using them with the gum/lozenge/Chantix as well? Because they are supposed to all be used together. The patch to maintain and gum/lozenge when you get bad cravings. (you can still smoke too if you need to) Studies show that the chances of quitting completely greatly increase with the patch/gum/Chantix in conjunction. There is no proof that electronic cigarettes actually help people quit.
There is some bad press out there about how it gives people bad or vivid dreams, but a lot of those claims have been perpetuated by the tobacco companies to scare people. And really, it's a dream, who cares. I would talk to your doctor and see if he thinks it would be a good thing for you to try.
Nicotine addiction is incredibly difficult to kick. It's great that you are taking a step to be healthier. I would like to see you give another go at quitting totally though. This time using the patch, gum and/or lozenge, and chantix together. AND if you had to there is no reason you couldn't use a cigarette or electronic cigarette if you have to while taking these either. After a few weeks you will probably won't get those urges anymore.
YAY Wheat, this is great news and hopefully I get to see another blog from you saying how you and your wife are now completly cig free. ^.^ Just remember that everytime you don't smoke it's more time with that baller Miniwheat. (Smoking kills ESPORTS too just so you know.)
I recently switched over to V2Cigs. Their Sahara (knock off Camel's OBVVVV) have really helped me to cut back heavily. I don't necessarily want to quit smoking because I enjoy it. Now when I do smoke it's only when I drink. And on some occasions, when I'm drinking, I still use my V2Cig over smoking real cigarettes. It really tripped me out when I plugged my V2Cig in to my computer via USB and now my room doesn't smell like Keith Richards' ash tray. Plus, all the bars that I go to where I live allow me to smoke my V2Cig indoors, which pisses my friends off soooooooo fucking much lol.
I remember when I first got them and made the switch one of my friends began making fun of me for it so I told him he can laugh now BUT I'LL BE LAUGHING OVER HIS GRAVEEEEEE lol. I love being digital now, analog smokers gotta know, son!
Congrats Wheat, that is a huge step to take and well done.
Just a little note for any fellow swedes out there, the E-cigs you can buy from swedish retailers/sites are nikotine-free since it is illegal to sell nikotine in liquid form in sweden. So E-cigs has a bit of bad rep as "useless" from swedes and i have not met a single one who managed to quit when trying them (the nikotine-free ones that is).
She started smoking very young, 13 or 14 iirc. "Stopped" from 16 to 19 because nobody on the soccer team was allowed to smoke. Used snus instead during that time. Went back to smoking as soon as she quit soccer. Smoked for another 20 years, and then got a heart attack and had to have surgery. After the surgery, she immedietly stopped, and the money she normally spent on her pack per day was put in a glass jar as a motivator. After a little more than a month she thought it was a bad idea to have such a big pile of money on display in the kitchen, so she hid the jar in a cabinet.
10 years later and she still hasn't smoked again, even tho we have a neighbur who is a very heavy smoker.
My grandmother has early stage COPD from smoking. She has said ( not in these words; I'm paraphrasing ) that not one cigarette in her whole life was worth what she's going through now. She's tried to quit, but just can't do it - she did successfully cut down from a pack a day to 1/2 a pack at most ( sometimes as few as 2 cigarettes a day ) - but then her husband unexpectedly died from cancer and it looks like she's back to her old rate. It takes a lot of motivation to quit cold turkey and not everyone is going to have the incentive and need to quit like that - in fact, most won't.
But she loses her breath when she laughs and has the most horrible sounding cough. She's at so high risk of heart disease that missing her blood pressure medicine for 1 day puts her in to the 20%+ risk category. Going up and down a flight of stairs is not in her best interest. She recently moved and had to take frequent breaks just putting clothes and valuables in boxes. It's an absolutely miserable experience that's so difficult to explain, but if you run for about 5 minutes or so and then only let yourself breathe in half of what your body asks for: that's what it's like for low-grade COPD.
Congrats djWheat! No cheating and I think 100% you can do it! The great thing about technology is that it helps you overcome the terrible addictions like this. There's really no way to describe how difficult quitting something like this is. Smoking appeals to most people's most basic reward system, so replacing it with something else seems absolutely the best idea :-)
When I got to uni today I had to walk eleven flights of stairs because the elevators were grossly overpopulated. Even though I am in pretty good physical condition I arrived at my class huffing and weezing like an elderly man. It hit me like a ton of bricks.
I have tried to quit before using sheer determination, patches, gum, everything you can think of, really. Needless to say I couldn't resist the urge to smoke an afterdinner cigarette, believed I could only smoke one cigarette at that party etc and before I knew it I was smoking a pack a day again.
I will probably have to face being ridiculed by my friends, but I am willing to give this a try if it really works. Only thing I am curious about is the pricing and availability. Gonna do some googling.
Keep up the good work though, you are truly an inspiration.
Hey man congratulations, seriously man I and everyone here truly respects you. I'm still smoking newport hundreds, maybe one day I'll have the same epiphany and determination to quit for good.
A friend of mine got completely of Cigs with that thing , but I am not that far yet . The only thing that is a bit worrying to me is that , while I was working as an Intern in a big pharmaceutical company, some guys explained to me that the E-cig might have some severe health dangers as well, even though I could not exactly tell why. That being said, it still must be far more healther than the normal cigarettes I am smoking right now -.-
After having observed my friend go completely without a normal smoke for more than 3 months not I am convinced that it works and strongly urge everyone to try it out
Oh and another thing that everyone should hear about is that you will become the coolest person in the room for every smoker who has not seen the electriacl ones yet :D Everyone wants to try it out, so don't ever think about it being "uncool" or shit like that , if that may be worrying you
Grats on finding these. I had a teacher in a class who used them as well. He just used it so he didn't have to go off campus to smoke but he said it definitely helped.
Glad for you and your family!
Also on ITG vod you grabbed it and took a big puff from it.. You looked so bad ass <3 djWHEAT
You deserve a lot of respect for getting over smoking.
I don't even understand why smoking is considered cool these days. I remember at school being pressured into smoking a fag (the British slang word for a cigarette, not to be confused with the slang for homosexual) and I refused to do it not because I was a pussy but because I just didn't see why it was cool.
eCigs changed my life too. Lead to better relationships with my gf and family. I started out back on a crappy DSE-901 Penstyle, didnt work, went back to analogs for a year. I decided on a whim to start again and ordered a powerful "Mod", the Puresmoker Prodigy v3, which hits like a hookah. After that, never looked back.
Congratz Wheat... thats fantastic to hear! I hope you can keep with it!
At my worst I was sometimes smoking up to 60 a day. I too am one of those habitual 'habit' types with an extremely addictive personality. If there is one thing that I found... quiting is only 1/2 the challenge. It's staying quit that can be harder then most think.
Having quit for various amounts of time (2 years was my best run previously) I always ended up finding myself slowly sliding back into it... and the best advice I could give you now is to never ever ever have another cigarette... not one... ever!
If all of my attempts taught my anything it was: once you can justify one smoke, you will be able to justify and forgive the next one, and the one after that becomes even easier. My recipe for success in staying quit this time round:
O DjWheat Im looking into these...Smoking since I was 16 I am 34 now.
I love smoking but I am getting scared of being there for my family in the future, and even if I do happen to survive I do not want to be pulling an oxygen tank with me. I have never tried to quit smoking ever, Ive thought about it but never tried. Your story is inspiring me and I think ill be getting the Blu trying to figure between the Blu and V2 but Blu seems easier to replace as they are sold at walgreens etc where I have yet to see anything other than online ordering for the V2.
Any tips or recommendations to a smoker who has been smoking consistently for the last 18 years about a pack a day ( last 2 years or so Ive been smoking roll your owns OO)
Awesome blog Marcus. I am happy to see that many people in this thread are inspired to quit smoking. My Story: I've been a Pack-a-Day smoker since I was 17 (25 now). I've tried slowly reducing how much I smoke, Nicotine Patches and going cold turkey and nothing lasted more than a week. But about two months ago my father (who never smoked) bought me an E-Cigarette because one of his colleagues recommended it. At first I was like "well this tastes like shit... I'll never get used to that...lets sell it on ebay." But after two days I had no desire to smoke a real cigarette anymore. The hardest thing about quitting always was that cigarette after a big meal or that delicious cigarette with the morning coffee but the eCig totally took care of that. I realize that I am still addicted to nicotine but it's an amazing feeling to just run up a couple of stairs without having to catch a breath (this may sound stupid to non-smokers but every heavy smoker will know what I am talking about). If I could go back in time I would smack myself in the head the moment I lit my first cigarette. To every smoker: Just give it a try. If you don't think you should quit for the health reasons just do it for the money. My eCig (EGO-T) was 59 Euros and I am spending ~5 Euros a week on Liquid. In the last two months I would have spend about 275 Euros on cigarettes ( 4,90 a day). Once you quit smoking you realize how fucking disgusting and smelly cigarettes are.
How much did I smoke? About 40 cigs ( ~2 packs) a day, more on weekends.
Why did I stop? I woke up with a huge hangover and did not feel like going out to grab cigs and was annoyed by the fact that I would have to grab cigs to feel "normal" (would have taken about 10 minutes). 100% spontaneous.
How did I stop? Cold turkey, no little helpers (but I would recommend sleeping pills... That would have made the nights "better" in the first Week.
Symptoms when stopping? All of them (but the only troublesome one was sleeping problems).
Feeling better? Actually no... Not a single bit.
Saving money? Tons... 12.5 Euros a day and that’s a very conservative estimate...
Eating more / gaining weight? A little, but nothing drastic / I don't think so but haven't checked yet.
Toughts on stopping? Only two things are hard: 1: The first 3 days/first week is hard/horrible (sleeping a whole night whiteout interruption is SO nice :p). 2: To never smoke a cigarette again because I would get "into" it again immediately and be back to the "first 3 horrible days".
Btw: When I cleaned my car in the second week I found a pack of cigs in there... Took it with me for like a week and than gave it to a still smoking collegue that was out of cigs.
Btw2: I know that 4 Weeks is nothing.
Btw3: I think E-Cigs are not helpfull in the least. I never have problems around smokers, i actually have have cragings when i'm alone/bored/have to wait on something. The E-Cig would act exactly like a normal cigarette fo rme... As soon as i would set it aside i would "crave" for the (E)-Cig again... So i doubt that would help me in any way (except not really stopping). I actually also "watch out" to get NO substitute for Cigs in any form.
EPT
That sin-tax works like a baus!]
do it for your family. I wish i could quit myself, but... my time will come 
