e-cigarettes, anyone here tried?

I am considering trying the electronic cigarettes.
I am back smoking and it is not being good for me - duh. However I simply can't stop now - I don't want to, I can't deal with the added stress... I am going through a tremendous amount of stress, and I am not going to be able to take it, I know.
For now I need the nicotine, but I can pass on all the gunk on my lungs.
It would be nice to be able to smoke inside (I don't smoke in the house because of the kitties) and in hotel rooms also - I have been traveling a lot and it is just a drag to go downstairs all the time.
Has anyone here tried them? How is the taste? Can you buy some that taste like your brand of cigarettes? What about the refill costs? Where do you buy the refills?
Is there a brand you like the most?
Thanks!!!

Never tried smoking, but I've seen quite a few people go through my store with them, they always give a heads up that it's an e-cig and they say they are enjoyable and convenient.

Originally Posted by Minka

Never tried smoking, but I've seen quite a few people go through my store with them, they always give a heads up that it's an e-cig and they say they are enjoyable and convenient.

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Yeah, I would definitely appreciate not having all the gunk in my lungs and being able to smoke inside
I just know nooooothing about them! Apparently there are cartridges, and liquids, and so many parts
Money is tight as it is, so if I invest $$$ to buy the setup, I better buy a good one!

I have this one

It works great, the start up kit was $40, package of refill cartridges are $12, each cartridge last me roughly 4 days, so much cheaper than regular cigs.

Beware of the e-Cig free trial ones, they will bill you $100 after two weeks, never saw that anywhere in the small print.

One note though, even though you smoke, it takes time for your lungs to get used to the vapors, do not take big puffs until then.

DH has one and he really likes it. He bought one so he could smoke wherever he wants. It has little or no odor, almost none of the nasty tars and chemicals that regular cigs have. It still has nicotine, but what you are is like fog machine that bands use. He still smokes real cigarettes, but has dropped from a pack a day+ to maybe 2 a week. I know he has done the research, but is sleeper right now,so I cannot ask him the company he uses. PM and remind me and I will get the info from him.I know the company he orders from, but cannot remember the name right now.

Originally Posted by Carolina

I am considering trying the electronic cigarettes.
I am back smoking and it is not being good for me - duh. However I simply can't stop now - I don't want to, I can't deal with the added stress... I am going through a tremendous amount of stress, and I am not going to be able to take it, I know.
For now I need the nicotine, but I can pass on all the gunk on my lungs.
It would be nice to be able to smoke inside (I don't smoke in the house because of the kitties) and in hotel rooms also - I have been traveling a lot and it is just a drag to go downstairs all the time.
Has anyone here tried them? How is the taste? Can you buy some that taste like your brand of cigarettes? What about the refill costs? Where do you buy the refills?
Is there a brand you like the most?
Thanks!!!

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I don't smoke, but I just wanted to put in a tidbit I saw on FML- be careful that you don't finish your cig and accidentally toss it out the window of your car!

But as someone who is allergic to cigarette smoke, I can happily say I love people who use e-cigs... I haven't had to use my inhaler around a single one.

One of our friends had a cheap brand one and liked it, however it broke a lot so he had to keep replacing it. Even with replacing it so often (every 3-4 months, average) he loved it and said that it was cheaper than buying smokes. He did say that it took some getting used to because it was vapour and not and actual cigarette, but it didn't take very long.

I want to get two of them for Mike and I, but they're around $60 each here and I never seem to have that much money at once (although I have enough for a pack a day for two weeks, so about the same, lol).

We do smoke inside, unfortunately, and I would much prefer if we could do it without the harm to the animals and the smell in our apartment.

All in all I've heard good things about them, and they are much healthier for smokers than regular cigarettes - although not as healthy as not smoking, lol. I'm not sure if you can get cartridges that will taste like your specific brand, but I do know that they have different types (light, normal, strong, menthol). If you could try different brands of cartridges in them, then you might be able to find something similar to what you smoke now.

What I also like about them is that you can take a few puffs off one and then "put it out", where as with a normal cigarette you are kind of committed to smoking the whole thing. I find that if I put them out halfway through and put it back in the pack it makes the pack stink and the rest off the cigarettes taste off.

Have you tried the patches? You get the nicotine without smoking..I have been smoke free since jan thanks to the patches.

Originally Posted by Carolina

However I simply can't stop now - I don't want to

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I'm afraid to say that nothing at this point will get you to stop, because you have already admitted that you don't want to.

In order to patches, gum or even those electronic cigarettes to work, you have to be in the right mental frame of mind of wanting to quit smoking. You haven't reached that point.....yet.

My advice is to continue to smoke, and seek help with dealing with the stress that you are under. And once the stress is under control, you may find yourself actually wanting to quit smoking, and at that time you will have better success.

Originally Posted by Natalie_ca

I'm afraid to say that nothing at this point will get you to stop, because you have already admitted that you don't want to.

In order to patches, gum or even those electronic cigarettes to work, you have to be in the right mental frame of mind of wanting to quit smoking. You haven't reached that point.....yet.

My advice is to continue to smoke, and seek help with dealing with the stress that you are under. And once the stress is under control, you may find yourself actually wanting to quit smoking, and at that time you will have better success.

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Thanks, appreciate not saying anything - yes, I am not trying to quit right now - and not using the e-cigarettes as a means to quit smoking.... So no success to achieve here. Yes, right now, I want to smoke - just inside, and perhaps as a bonus, without the gunk in my lungs. So that's why the opinion on the e-cigarettes specifically.

Originally Posted by gardenandcats

Have you tried the patches? You get the nicotine without smoking..I have been smoke free since jan thanks to the patches.

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Yes I have.... But that's not what I asked, and that's not what I am looking for... I am not trying to quit smoking. I know it might not make sense for some - it is not time for me to quit, I am not quitting now, can't handle, won't do it. Looking for an alternative to smoking - specifically... Which is why I am considering the e-cig. If not, I am ok in continuing smoking.

Originally Posted by orangeishcat

I don't smoke, but I just wanted to put in a tidbit I saw on FML- be careful that you don't finish your cig and accidentally toss it out the window of your car!

But as someone who is allergic to cigarette smoke, I can happily say I love people who use e-cigs... I haven't had to use my inhaler around a single one.

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Funny... and totally something I can see myself doing!
Yes, I can imagine second-handers must appreciate them... I think the smell on your clothes, hair... all that must disappear as well, which is great

Originally Posted by Arlyn

I have this one

It works great, the start up kit was $40, package of refill cartridges are $12, each cartridge last me roughly 4 days, so much cheaper than regular cigs.

Beware of the e-Cig free trial ones, they will bill you $100 after two weeks, never saw that anywhere in the small print.

One note though, even though you smoke, it takes time for your lungs to get used to the vapors, do not take big puffs until then.

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Arlyn, it seems more expensive on the site... what do you have to buy, exactly?
Also, do you buy elsewhere? Your prices are lower....
How much in regular cigarettes did you smoke a day?

I buy mine locally.

You need the battery (the part that looks like a cig), cartridges (they look like a cig butt) and a charger.

My kit came with battery, a regular cartridge, a menthol cartridge, a USB charger and a wall charger.
Locally the replacement cartridges that I use are 5 to a pack.

I was a 2 pk a day smoker.
I do still smoke, for the same reasons you started back, but I don't even smoke a 1/4 pk a day.

Carolina, have you looked at any of the e-cigarette forums like ecf? They have lots of explanations, tips, and lists of dealers.

I've been using an e-cigarette for about 18 months and have gone from 1 1/2 packs a day to one or two cigarettes a day. Beginners usually make the mistake of wanting one that looks like a real cigarette, and then are disappointed in/frustrated with the battery life and lack of vapor. Most veteran vapers suggest starting right away with something a bit larger, like the Ego or Ego-T. (That site is reasonably priced and reliable.) It's also called a Tornado. The Riva is an Ego clone. You can get the standard "510" atomizers or XL ones (you need different cartridges for them). To begin with, you're going to need a full kit with at least two batteries, two atomizers and a charger. The kits usually come with filled cartridges. Extra atomizers (they only last a few weeks), an extra battery as well as charger, a few empty cartridges and several small bottles of e-liquid in both tobacco and sweet flavors are advisable, too. I myself prefer Virginia and coffee, but there are hundreds to choose from. You'll see different bases: PG (propylene glycol), which gives you good flavor but just decent vapor, VG (vegetable glycerine) with great vapor but less taste, and PG/VG mixes, which are a good compromise. If you get a tank model, you can't use straight VG because it's thick and tends to clog the tanks. Manual batteries last longer than automatic ones.

The tobacco liquids supposedly taste like the brands of cigarettes they're named after, but they really don't, because there's no combustion. It can take a while to find "your" flavor(s), which is why it's best to start with small bottles. You can buy pre-filled cartridges, wash out the filler when they're empty, and refill them. You can also replace the filler with washed aquarium filter material like Fluval. The "T" or tank models don't require filler and are generally easier to work with. The liquid comes in various strengths - you might want to buy a few in high, medium and low to see what suits you best. A lot of beginners need the high at first and then go down in strength.

Your start-up costs are going to be high, but after a few weeks or months you'll find that you're saving a lot of money.

Take a look at the e-cig reviews on YouTube before making any decisions. There are all sorts of "how-to" videos there, too. igetcha69 is a good person to start with. Janty Ego review Tornado Tank review

I know you're probably going to ask what I use: Ego batteries with a "repairable" atomizer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AOsBp...&feature=feedu but that's something for people who've had some experience with e-cigs and like to tinker with stuff.

KittKatt tried them. You might PM her and get her input

Originally Posted by blueyedgirl5946

KittKatt tried them. You might PM her and get her input

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She also started a thread


ETA: If you want to start with a small e-cig, these are good deals, because you get two complete e-cigs in each kit; Joye is the biggest e-cig manufacturer:
Joye 510 NO BOX
Joye 510-T NO BOX

There's a good guide explaining that model, and it suggests buying at least 30 ml of e-liquid to start. There's also a link to a video.

For those of you who use them.... Do you like better the automatic or the manual? Apparently you can get more "smoke/throat hit" with the manual ones?
Jcat - I am seeing a lot of good stuff written about the 510 in that forum.... Have you ever personally tried them?

Originally Posted by Carolina

For those of you who use them.... Do you like better the automatic or the manual? Apparently you can get more "smoke/throat hit" with the manual ones?
Jcat - I am seeing a lot of good stuff written about the 510 in that forum.... Have you ever personally tried them?

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I started out with a 510 and liked them, but the battery life turned me off, and the cartridges are really small. They're a very good "starter", though. Many people use them for the first few months, and then move up to a bigger model. You definitely get a better throat hit from the manual batteries.

I also prefer the manual. They feel more like "real" smoking. Not sure what brand mine are, I bought them from the local corner shop on a whim one day and thought they were great!

Originally Posted by jcat

I know you're probably going to ask what I use: Ego batteries with a "repairable" atomizer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AOsBp...&feature=feedu but that's something for people who've had some experience with e-cigs and like to tinker with stuff.

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That's crazy I hardly know what an atomizer is, you are pretty much building one? Nah... 1-800-USPS