please help needed

[MrsTerriJane]

I undrstand your point even if I dont agree. My SIL is now 0 nic though she is still using the ecig. Do you not consider that she has quit? Her doc is thrilled and I am following right behind her. I hear your concern that we are not breaking the "puff" habit, but if it is no nic, and it works for us, why not celebrate that? I was not asking Greenlover to endorse the ecig, only to please not come to the ecig QUIT sub forum and be negative and sarcastic. We dont all have to agree but we can all be supportive of anyone who's intention is to break the nic habit. If she "hates" this sub forum (her word from another post), why come here at all. I was just appealing to her use her ability to encourage people instead of being..well..sometimes kinda mean. What is the point of coming to the ecig Quit sub forum and doing that?
I believe I am just as much "quit" as anyone that is using any other form of NRT. Again, we dont have to agree, but why cant we be respectful of each other? If you are posting to be negative and sarcastic, why post at all? I dont think that is the intent of this board...and if someone is reaching out, trying to break this addiction, why mot use our energy to encourage and celebrate?
Thank you Katiem for your comment and for your awesome and fierce committment to freedom. I think you ROCK and hope you understand all my comments are said with respect for both you and Greenlovers beliefs.

[greenlover]

Thats good being at 0 nictine but wonder where's the incentive to quit vaping & be totally free from the habit,I guess because either people get into a rut-just like how some stay longer on quit aides-its great that people are free in a sense but not-do you see why I wonder what the end result will be. I don't see asking this as being rude or superior feeling just an honest question

[EaglesWing]

If you are using the ecig with NO nicotine.....You ARE quit! I don't care what anyone says!! No nicotine is no nicotine! I've never used the ecig myself, I've used patches and nico-gum....with those you might help to loosen the hold of having a cig in your hand, addressing the cravings and the hand to mouth, but you are still getting nicotine. With the ecig and no nicotine, you still have the hand to mouth thingy WITHOUT the nicotine. Is one way better than the other? I personally don't think so....the ultimate goal is to be nicotine free and get over the hand to mouth thing...whichever way works for YOU, is the best way to go. Keep on with your bad self!!, and keep cutting down on the ecig/no nicotine thing as time goes on. You are DEFINATELY on the right road....the road to FREEDOM!!

[MrsTerriJane]

This is how my SIL feels about vaping the 0 nic...Greenlover, i called and asked her because it was a good question you asked. Her reply was this....I don't care if I suck on this adult pacifier the resr of my life. It is not hurting my health, I smell good, and it calms me down. I rarely even think about a cig and if i di it passes. This is not an unhealthy habit it is just a habit.
So....there is the answer , at least the one I could get from my world. She was a very heavy smoker...way more than me, so I admire her. And just an off comment about quitting in general....isnt it wonderful to know you smell good? i love that part and that thought has gotten me thru more than a few craves.
One last comment...I would not propose the ecig as a quit tool for everyone. I thought about it long and hard before I tried it. I thought about the fact that I would not be breaking the oral habit, and also if it would be easier to just go get a pack. My conclusuon based on my personal past quit experience was this just could be the way for me. So far, so good. I should be nic free by Jan. 13, 2012. Yaaahooooooo.

[MrsTerriJane]

Eagleswing. thank so you so much for your kind words and encouragement.

[misscandy]

What difference does it make if someone continues to use an e-cig with no nicotine compared to someone who continues to chew on straws, pens, candy or toothpicks. Whatever works I say.

If it wasn't for this option I would still be smoking. If it wasn't for this option my husband wouldn't have even tried to quit. He even resisted this option, but now is seeing my success and is trying harder. He has tried everything and none worked - even a heart attack and a week in the hospital with surgery, etc.

I imagine I will stop using the e-cig at some point, but will keep it around just in case - to keep myself from going back to smoking. I will say in the beginning I needed that higher level of nicotine, but at this point it's too much. I can feel that. Since I started feeling it was too strong I've been using it less without thinking about it. Don't think the drop in nicotine level will be an issue at this point.

I would never encourage someone that has quit and is doing well (or anyone that has never smoked) to even think about an e-cig. But anyone that is still smoking or keeps failing to quit, I encourage them to try it.

[misscandy]

I have a counter for myself. It was very reinforcing the first few weeks. But it's for me and doesn't count here because of the nicotine (still don't understand why those on NRT are counted as quit, but those using the e-cig are not. What about the inhaler?)

I have NOT smoked 780 cigs and saved over $200.00. That means something to me regardless of what others may think.

[MrsTerriJane]

you go girl

[Rovey]

I have a counter for myself. It was very reinforcing the first few weeks. But it's for me and doesn't count here because of the nicotine (still don't understand why those on NRT are counted as quit, but those using the e-cig are not. What about the inhaler?)

I have NOT smoked 780 cigs and saved over $200.00. That means something to me regardless of what others may think.

That's funny, i didn't even think about it, but i've been keeping my own table in Excel, 2 months today, i also know when i'll drop down to zero nicotine, it just depends on when i run out of low strength cartridges, which will be about 20 days.

What misscandy says is also true, some people will quit smoking by going to the gym religiously, apparently, according to some, as this is just replacing their habit then they won't have quit smoking, of course this is rubbish. If you dont, inhale smoke, don't inhale nicotine and don't use cigarettes in anyway then you dont smoke, regardles of whether you have given up the habit or replaced it with another.

[greenlover]

I have a counter for myself. It was very reinforcing the first few weeks. But it's for me and doesn't count here because of the nicotine (still don't understand why those on NRT are counted as quit, but those using the e-cig are not. What about the inhaler?)

I have NOT smoked 780 cigs and saved over $200.00. That means something to me regardless of what others may think.

Because its a QUIT METHOD & is marketed as a quit aid besides I'm sure the nictine in patches or gum is ALOT LESS then people vap.

[misscandy]

All the "approved" NRT were not approved at some point. Some are available over the counter now, but they are still very expensive. (and didn't work for me)

I disagree with the statement that the nicotine is higher in the e-cig. Sure it can be, but it's easy to only use the level you need. I could not handle the amount I was receiving with the patch or gum. I know for sure I was getting more with them (patch and gum).

Maybe it's just me, but I can feel the nicotine amounts. Even with regular cigs. if I smoked too much I would get the same feeling on top of feeling sick.

[greenlover]

Well haven't E cigs been on the market for at least 5 yrs-I bet if BIG PHARM or Tobacco Co. could figure out how to profit from this "quit" aide then maybe the FDA would approve it. But you'd think heavy duty smokers who love to lite up anywhere would embrace the e cig as their new best friend after all its vaping & not blowing smoke so you'd think diehard smokers would love this product-if I was a smoker I'd switch that way I could continue my habit & worry about side effects down the road and be able to smoke without being forced outside. Yes patches or whatever is expensive but so are cigerettes & some states send you free stuff to help you quit. The wellbutrin I take costs like $25 or what 3 packs of smokes would cost.

[MrsTerriJane]

wooohooo for Rovey and Miscandy..we are rocking this. we smell good, we breath easier and we dont have to stand outside in the cold and rain. I have tried so many times to quit and failed so many times. Chantix made me sick, patches irritated my skin and gave me headaches, and gum made my mouth sore. This is working for me. yeah!

My Christmas shopping is done and everything is wrapped. My daughter graduates from college tomorrow.

Life is good.

[greenlover]

Yes life is good for those who quit smoking & using an e cig with nictine lets you indulge in your habit as you wean yourself to 0 nictine & complete freedom from smoking & vaping

[misscandy]

They will eventually figure out a way to profit from it and it will probably be a lot more expensive. (they will need to pay for all those studies) Also would probably be prescription only and out of the reach of those like myself. Your posts made me actually research the inhaler. I had never looked into it because it required a prescription. The cost is just crazy. Oddly enough it also is recommended as a device that can be used to reduce smoking and recommended time of use is 3 to 6 months for quitting.

Maybe they don't want the product because it has a better success rate. Maybe they realize that by the time they get a device approved it will be outdated by the products made by companies not promoting it as a quit aid.

Wellbutrin made my husband a different person. He tried it twice and had the same reactions. He didn't notice it at all, but everyone around him did.

I don't think all smokers will embrace it because it doesn't give you the same stuff as cigs. do. The nicotine isn't absorbed as fast or as well. It isn't as easy as picking up a pack at the store. It just isn't the same as smoking.