The Ins and Outs of Vaping

So I've had my e-cig since before Christmas (my Christmas gift to myself).

I didn't get it for all the usual reasons of "it's healthier", etc. I got it because I LOVE to smoke. Period. I wanted to continue my habit without all the new restraints that have been inflicted upon smokers.

I got it because I go to California a lot and it's gotten absolutely ridiculous to find a place to smoke except in my truck. And now that's about been taken away because you can't smoke in your vehicle if you've got a kid in it.

I drive a LOT. For hockey. So of course I've got my kid in the truck. I accidentally found info on the internet about e-cigs, which I'd never heard of before.

Now, it's taken me awhile to get all the bugs worked out vaping insteading of smoking. Things like keeping the batteries charged, learning how to refill with e-juice, finding the right flavor, etc.

It's a similar but different habit.

My first requirements were that it be as similar to a cigarette as possible. So all batteries had to be fully charged and ready, the flavor had to be as close to "ashtray" as possible, and the draw had to be the same. Plus the "throat hit" had to be comparable.

I did a lot of research once I learned about e-cigs. The one that sounded the best with the best reviews was Green Smoke. It sounds like it's the Cadillac of e-cigs. Mind you, it's a little pricier, too. It also sounds like ALL e-cigs have battery problems. They all have the ion lithium rechargeable batteries, and Green Smoke does, too. So my first problem was keeping the two batteries I ordered charged. I finally ordered two more batteries with chargers, and that looks like it will keep me vaping without having to supplement with cigarettes (analogs). Green Smoke is one of the few who also are only a two-part e-cig, too, which appealed to me as I wanted as hassle-free as possible. And the reviews of their customer service are golden -- and so far, the reviews have not been wrong!

The cartridges I received have a sweet cigar-like taste. I'm not fond of it. They didn't have any 0 or low nicotine at the moment, so had to go with "medium". The cartridges are piling up, too, by the way. I don't have the heart to throw them out. So I did more research and found out that people refill their e-cigs with "e-juice". I found some 0 nicotine juice and tried that.

Now, I have allergies. I have smoked for years, and then would just wake up and was sick of smoking and then quit for years. The years I didn't smoke I was sick just about all the time with my allergies, including migraines. During the time I was vaping 0 nicotine my allergies became out of control, and I had one migraine where I had to go home from work. That period made me remember years ago a couple of doctors telling me that nicotine did have some benefits -- what, I didn't ask, because the doctors didn't have any more time to talk/visit. So, not particularly liking the sweet cigar flavor, I ordered some unflavored juice that only came in high nicotine. Well, that did the opposite -- dried me up so much I almost had nose bleeds!

So ordered some low nicotine juice in different flavors. Whala! Perfect! Allergies are in check without the threat of nose bleeds. And because I ordered different flavors, I am now able to find flavors that I prefer!

And because I have enough charged batteries on hand, I haven't had to supplement my vaping with analogs!

But the flavors are interesting. To start with, an e-juice called 555 is the absolute closest to "ashtray" with barely any noticeable trace of sweetness. This was really important to me coming off of analogs. I also found that Johnson Creek's "Domestic" was pretty close, too, but had a hint of sweet. Next is Johnson Creek's "Original" which has even a bit more sweetness to it. But those three are the best to come closest to "ashtray".

Not having had analogs for awhile, I'm finding that a hint of sweet is rather nice. I tried "Espresso" from Johnson Creek, too, and it's really nice in the morning, but when it gets low in the cart it has a nasty taste for me. I have to keep the cart topped off to enjoy the flavor more. I find I like the sweeter ones in the morning, turning to no sweet later on in the day. But I'm still working on finding one that has an odor that my little son doesn't find objectionable. Yes, apparently some people CAN smell them! So far, the juice that automatically comes in the Green Smoke carts are objectionable to him. I think the 555 and Johnson Creek Domestic are going to be the ones agreeable to both of us.

As for habits. It's interesting that I can light a cigarette and just let it burn in the ashtray. Just to have it burn is okay for me. Is it the smell? Does the smoke have something in it to satisfy me? Is it just the thought that a cigarette is going? But the one thing that I'm having a hard time with is the time limit: when a cigarette is done burning, I'm done smoking for awhile. With an e-cig, there is no time limit. I can "chain vape" all day long, no problem. I find myself a little uneasy about "do I keep vaping?", "do I need to set it down for awhile?" In other words, it's MY decision, not the e-cig defining the time limit.

Another habit: I can't put the e-cig between my teeth and hold it. It's too heavy! I also can't hold the e-cig between my fingers like a cigarette because of the weight. I now hold it sort of in my palm, covering the cartridge with my hand to cool the cart between several puffs if I've sucked on it too much (therefore making the cart on the hot side). I used to tap/roll the cig ash on the ashtray all the time; now I cover the cart of the e-cig with my hand.

And to just grab a cig and light it quickly can be missed. Yes, I can just pick up the e-cig and start vaping, but when the cartridge needs to be changed out it's a further step. I find I need to keep several cartridges ready when I'm driving. Here at the computer, I just have an e-juice bottle at the ready with several cartridges "percolating" with e-juice.

I'm looking into getting a usb e-cig. No battery, just plugs into the usb port of the computer or car charger. That may be the way to go. Then use the battery ones for restaurants, etc.

So is the fuss and change of some habits worth it? In my opinion, absolutely! I can still smoke anywhere I need to (vaping at work now), my clothes aren't getting cig burns, the house and truck smell better, and I'm hoping that my family will find me better smelling when I go to visit. Not to mention the MESS! Oh, my... the cig ashes everywhere (even though I'm careful) is pathetic. Have my desk cleaned up now, but now have to work on the truck. And not having to empty and clean ashtrays and where to put the butts is another biggie for me. I have always burned my butts in the fireplace, and use a coffee can to dump my ashtray in to just so the cig butts are not sitting open in the house for further odor or possible fire in the trash can.

It's my new toy, and I'm loving it!