Giving up vaping
Discussion
I'm really struggling with this TBH. I quit smoking in 2017 and thought vaping would be a good alternative.
8 years later and I'm still heavily tooting away. My kids hate it (understandably) and otherwise I live quite a healthy lifestyle! Drinking is now confined to occasions, I train at the gym 3-4 times a week, mountain bike and eat well.
I think a lot of it is habit rather than nicotine. I've tried switching to nicotine lozengers but it's more the feeling I crave. Accesibility being the main issue; I run my own company and so vaping at my desk is fine, in the car, in the house, etc. I tried leaving my vape in the car and going down to it once an hour which worked to a degree but then I got really irritable if I was too busy to leave my desk. I would say this is far more addictive than smoking cigarettes was. I used to smoke around 10-15 of them a day, never smoked in the house or the car and would have my last cigarette maybe 30 mins before bed.
Without the sarcastic comments, has anyone succesfully quit this irritating habit and if so how did you do it?
8 years later and I'm still heavily tooting away. My kids hate it (understandably) and otherwise I live quite a healthy lifestyle! Drinking is now confined to occasions, I train at the gym 3-4 times a week, mountain bike and eat well.
I think a lot of it is habit rather than nicotine. I've tried switching to nicotine lozengers but it's more the feeling I crave. Accesibility being the main issue; I run my own company and so vaping at my desk is fine, in the car, in the house, etc. I tried leaving my vape in the car and going down to it once an hour which worked to a degree but then I got really irritable if I was too busy to leave my desk. I would say this is far more addictive than smoking cigarettes was. I used to smoke around 10-15 of them a day, never smoked in the house or the car and would have my last cigarette maybe 30 mins before bed.
Without the sarcastic comments, has anyone succesfully quit this irritating habit and if so how did you do it?
I stopped a 5yr vaping habit around 6mths back. I found it was more habitual than an actual need. Like I'd be watching TV, suddenly remember my vape was nearby, then use it. I used it because I had it, so I simply stopped buying liquids one day. Easier said than done I understand. I had some withdrawal symptoms for a few days, headaches and the like, but after 3-4 days these stopped and I haven't used one since.
The thought will pop into my head every now & then, but again more habit than anything.
The thought will pop into my head every now & then, but again more habit than anything.
Ive not vaped but ive given up smoking a few times in my life for years at a time and also varied the amount of cigs is smoked. I smoked a fair bit during Covid even tho I hadn't smoke for a while, basically because of boredom. I stopped again. now around two years or more because I play tennis a fair bit and Im a guitarist in a band that also does backing vocals.
you have kids. STOP IT. at least deliberately put that vape money aside to spend on something for them instead. I dont know the cost of vaping.
if there is no drug in vaping (or a little nicotine?) then it should be easier to break the habit, you and I know what its like with nicotine. do it.
on a side note. I dont live in the UK where my cigs would be GBP 19 a packet, that would make it easier! over here around five euro. but I still managed to stop.
you have kids. STOP IT. at least deliberately put that vape money aside to spend on something for them instead. I dont know the cost of vaping.
if there is no drug in vaping (or a little nicotine?) then it should be easier to break the habit, you and I know what its like with nicotine. do it.
on a side note. I dont live in the UK where my cigs would be GBP 19 a packet, that would make it easier! over here around five euro. but I still managed to stop.
Edited by languagetimothy on Thursday 28th August 16:15
Have you tried gradually reducing the nicotine % in the liquid you are using?
You say it's not solely the nicotine and more the habit but I think the two are mutually tied. Vaping has become a habit for you because of the nicotine addiction.
I don't use a vape or any nicotine products but I am a former fatty and I did (arguably still do) have a horrendous relationship with food and overeating and much like yourself, it seemed to be a habit more than an addiction. Sugar is fairly addictive and I'm certain that a sugar addiction was the key behind my obesity. Gradually learning to like black coffee via first reducing the sugar over time and then the milk along with a gradual switch to sugar free alternatives really helped reduce the cravings for junk food. Not really comparable I know but I hope it helps.
Good on you for wanting to drop vaping also. I have a feeling vaping related lung diseases are going to be the next big thing when it's been around long enough to become long term. Smoking was originally prescribed by doctors for all sorts of ailments after all.
You say it's not solely the nicotine and more the habit but I think the two are mutually tied. Vaping has become a habit for you because of the nicotine addiction.
I don't use a vape or any nicotine products but I am a former fatty and I did (arguably still do) have a horrendous relationship with food and overeating and much like yourself, it seemed to be a habit more than an addiction. Sugar is fairly addictive and I'm certain that a sugar addiction was the key behind my obesity. Gradually learning to like black coffee via first reducing the sugar over time and then the milk along with a gradual switch to sugar free alternatives really helped reduce the cravings for junk food. Not really comparable I know but I hope it helps.
Good on you for wanting to drop vaping also. I have a feeling vaping related lung diseases are going to be the next big thing when it's been around long enough to become long term. Smoking was originally prescribed by doctors for all sorts of ailments after all.
Edited by dci on Thursday 28th August 16:25
[Pulls on flame proof suit]
The reason that you "can't" give up is because you don't really want to. Any chemical dependency / addiction will pass reasonably quickly once you stop leaving only the physical habit part. If you really want to give up then you will. Sorry, but it really is that simple.
The reason that you "can't" give up is because you don't really want to. Any chemical dependency / addiction will pass reasonably quickly once you stop leaving only the physical habit part. If you really want to give up then you will. Sorry, but it really is that simple.
I was a seriously heavy smoker and after a bit of a health scare, switched to 100% vaping. I am glad to be off the ciggies as 3 packs a day was getting a bit much.
I would also like to reduce my dependency on vaping and thought maybe one way is to lower the nicotine mg levels and eventually be on zero.
I would also like to reduce my dependency on vaping and thought maybe one way is to lower the nicotine mg levels and eventually be on zero.
8IKERDAVE said:
Without the sarcastic comments, has anyone successfully quit this irritating habit and if so how did you do it?
Yes I used to smoke then switched to vaping. I vaped for years, loved it, turns into a bit of a hobby looking at tank and mod reviews, trying new juice flavours (Jam on Toast was great) but I always had it in the back of my mind to that it was a means to an end and would quit vaping at one point.To that end I used to buy big bottles of juice and add my own nicotine, gradually reducing the amount of nicotine over the years. I only used to vape in the evening and one morning I felt ill like I wanted to throw up. Avoided the vape for a couple of days then tried it again, same thing. I figured if I can go a few days without it I can do more and stopped vaping. For the next few weeks I was still reaching for the mod on my desk but had put it in a draw. That passes quick and I have been vape free for about five years.
A neighbour switched to vaping so donated my gear to him
Jam on toast
My last set up
Doable but not easy as very habit forming - I knocked it on the head about 3 months ago as was vaping constantly and starting to feel it and not in a good way! Have been using 1mg nicotine lozenges as a replacement. Vaping generally viewed as risk free which as posted above I don’t think is the case due to lack of research and probably better viewed as less harmful than cigarettes. Price of vaping will increase quite a bit next year when a tax of £2.20 per 10ml of juice will apply so wanted to get ahead of that too.
Good luck!
Good luck!
Franco5 said:
I think that vaping stands a good chance of being the next tobacco, thalidomide, asbestos, fossil fuels, lead in petrol etc. Millions do it but no one has any idea what the long term effects are. You wouldn’t find me gambling with my health like that.
If you looked into it you would realise that the two main ingredients are vegetable glycerin and propylene glycol which you will find in many household goods including medicines. Nicotine is natural and found in many plants including tomatoes. Propylene glycol is a common ingredient found in many asthma inhalersWhenever you hear these "horror" stories in the papers they never tell you what really happened. 100% of the time is idiots putting crap in vape and thats what f
ks them up. "Their lungs filled with oil" and how in the hell did that happed as the juice doesn't contain oil. Franco5 said:
I think that vaping stands a good chance of being the next tobacco, thalidomide, asbestos, fossil fuels, lead in petrol etc. Millions do it but no one has any idea what the long term effects are. You wouldn’t find me gambling with my health like that.
100% this ,it’s going to come back and bite at some point ,seems to be so many people doing it…Cotty said:
If you looked into it you would realise that the two main ingredients are vegetable glycerin and propylene glycol which you will find in many household goods including medicines. Nicotine is natural and found in many plants including tomatoes. Propylene glycol is a common ingredient found in many asthma inhalers
Whenever you hear these "horror" stories in the papers they never tell you what really happened. 100% of the time is idiots putting crap in vape and thats what fks them up. "Their lungs filled with oil" and how in the hell did that happed as the juice doesn't contain oil.
Just because the ingredients are in household ingredients it doesn’t mean they’re safe to be heated to high temperatures and then vapor then inhaled. Would you do that with bleach? Whenever you hear these "horror" stories in the papers they never tell you what really happened. 100% of the time is idiots putting crap in vape and thats what f
ks them up. "Their lungs filled with oil" and how in the hell did that happed as the juice doesn't contain oil. The current understanding is that vaping poses a health risk that is lower than smoking. Therefore, if you can’t stop smoking you could try using a vape. However, you shouldn’t vape long term and you should not vape if you’re not using it as part of a smoking cessation plan.
OP have you tried swapping the liquids to Nicotine free to see if that has any effect? It may be that you are addicted to the habit of using it and having it in your hand and can wean yourself off the Nicotine side? After that you then try and get yourself of the physical habit of having the vape in your hand.
As an aside and anecdotally a mate who I work with quit smoking but still vapes and I think he uses the vape more than he did cigarettes because now he vapes in the work building where as before he would actually have to go and stand outside to do it which was more of an effort.
As an aside and anecdotally a mate who I work with quit smoking but still vapes and I think he uses the vape more than he did cigarettes because now he vapes in the work building where as before he would actually have to go and stand outside to do it which was more of an effort.
Jamescrs said:
OP have you tried swapping the liquids to Nicotine free to see if that has any effect? It may be that you are addicted to the habit of using it and having it in your hand and can wean yourself off the Nicotine side? After that you then try and get yourself of the physical habit of having the vape in your hand.
As an aside and anecdotally a mate who I work with quit smoking but still vapes and I think he uses the vape more than he did cigarettes because now he vapes in the work building where as before he would actually have to go and stand outside to do it which was more of an effort.
I did yes, but it didn't work (which does show a nicotine dependency). I also tried the opposite approach and actually upping the nicotine content which strangely worked. I have a feeling I will just need to pick a week and go cold Turkey with it - no more excuses. I've set myself a realistic deadline of quitting before the end of the year at which point it will all go in the bin and I'll have to just deal with it! As an aside and anecdotally a mate who I work with quit smoking but still vapes and I think he uses the vape more than he did cigarettes because now he vapes in the work building where as before he would actually have to go and stand outside to do it which was more of an effort.
I stopped recently about 4 weeks ago due to having a dental implant fitted. I hadn't thought about stopping beforehand or even really planned to but, on the evening after the surgery, it just occurred to me that it probably wasn't a good idea to vape for a few days while my gum healed, and I just never started again. For me it was definitely a habit rather than an addiction. I was on the lowest strength juice and never took my vape to work so, spent 8.5 hours 5 days a week without vaping anyway.
I have found that removing the vape from within easy reach and having something else to do with my hands has helped immensely. I've got a little plastic toy thing that I used years ago when I gave up regular smoking which came free with niquitin patches I think. If ever I fancy a vape, I reach for that and have a little fiddle instead
I still have the vape and a stash of juice and coils but, they've been gathering dust in the cupboard for the last month. I should probably give them away and make it official.
I have found that removing the vape from within easy reach and having something else to do with my hands has helped immensely. I've got a little plastic toy thing that I used years ago when I gave up regular smoking which came free with niquitin patches I think. If ever I fancy a vape, I reach for that and have a little fiddle instead
I still have the vape and a stash of juice and coils but, they've been gathering dust in the cupboard for the last month. I should probably give them away and make it official.
I’d say cold turkey is the only way. Never vaped ,but was a heavy smoker. Tried everything to stop smoking over the years from acupuncture to patches , hypnotism to prescription medicine. Nothing worked because in my head I didn’t really want to stop. Until the day I did, then it was easy.
Don’t let it control you , you control it and don’t show weakness. All in the mind.
Don’t let it control you , you control it and don’t show weakness. All in the mind.
Badda said:
Just because the ingredients are in household ingredients it doesn’t mean they’re safe to be heated to high temperatures and then vapor then inhaled. Would you do that with bleach?
Last time I looked bleach wasn't an ingredient in anything I consume, so its not really a parallel. Its a typical anti vape comment usually by people that don't know what's in them, they randomly pick something that isn't in a vape and say its dangerous to inhale it. Probably not what the OP wants to hear but the only advice is to just stop. I didn't use any patches, vapes, gums, hypnotherapy, etc.
I've been a smoker on and off since I was 12. I was shamed into quitting 9 years ago when my youngest was born. I used to travel with work a lot with a guy who was also a smoker so we stopped at the same time. I just stopped where he switched to vapes. He was genuinely happy that he'd given up his smoker status but I just saw it as swapping one bad thing for another. My theory of stopping altogether was to break the habit.
It was hard and you may have slip ups from time to time but it gets easier the longer you go.
I've been a smoker on and off since I was 12. I was shamed into quitting 9 years ago when my youngest was born. I used to travel with work a lot with a guy who was also a smoker so we stopped at the same time. I just stopped where he switched to vapes. He was genuinely happy that he'd given up his smoker status but I just saw it as swapping one bad thing for another. My theory of stopping altogether was to break the habit.
It was hard and you may have slip ups from time to time but it gets easier the longer you go.
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