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No idea if this a worthy OT topic but /shrug

Has anyone tried/used these on a regular basis:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electronic_cigarette

An electronic cigarette, or e-cigarette, is an electrical device that simulates the act of tobacco smoking by producing an inhaled mist bearing the physical sensation, appearance, and often the flavor and nicotine content of inhaled tobacco smoke; though without its odor, and intended to omit its health risks. The device uses heat (or in some cases, ultrasonics) to vaporize a propylene glycol- or glycerin-based liquid solution into an aerosol mist, similar to the way a nebulizer or humidifier vaporizes solutions for inhalation.

Most electronic cigarettes are portable, self-contained cylindrical devices the size of a ballpoint pen or magic marker; though sizes vary, mainly due to differing battery capacities. Many electronic cigarettes are designed to resemble actual cigarettes or cigars, or even pipes. Most are also reusable, with replaceable and refillable parts, but some models are disposable.

The primary stated use of the electronic cigarette is an alternative to tobacco smoking, or a smoking cessation device, as it attempts to deliver the experience of smoking without, or with greatly reduced, adverse health effects usually associated with tobacco smoke.

If so, do you find they worked? They simply release a nicotine hit whilst simulating the feel/touch of a real cigarette?

Did you find the cost same/cheaper then regulars? Better than patches or other "cures"?

Yeah yeah, I know its Jan 2012, hence the topic.

Nothing to add, but I'm interested in this as well (for someone else). If anyone knows if they're worth anything it might make a good gift.

Healthy lungs all round I think CtU.
Thread terminated.

In my experiences they are a bit naff, it's like comparing a fire on tv in a room with central heating to a log fireplace.

I have a friend that is using them, and he's happy with it. It's helping him smoke less last I heard

mega_bassist wrote:I have a friend that is using them, and he's happy with it. It's helping him smoke less last I heard

Which gives you a good idea of the quality.

You have to be careful with them to some extent becuase unlike a real cigarette they don't go out at a certain point. Instead of a cigarette lasting 5 minutes or so and then waiting 30 minutes to have another becuase it is gone you just keep smoking and smoking. When they first came out (or at least arrived at stores around here) a guy tried it out and ended up with a huge headache and nausea becuase of the nicotine rush. If used sparingly I've heard good results with cutting back, plus you lose the cigarette smell and stains.

They worked for me for about a month until I ran out of cartriges. Very nice alternative. I used Green Smoke. It also was a little disurbing after a few weeks of use I started coughing up all the tar... looked like rotten butter, black and gooey, very unpleaseant.

After awhile though, I did find the need to even smoke the ECig went away... Until a night of drinking and smoking half a pack... went down hill from there, unfortunatly.

I got one of them plastic fags, lit it and forced myself to smoke it all the way down, I swear I coughed for like.. three days. Seriously fethed my lungs up.

I'm sticking with cigars.

Smoking plastic is never a good thing sir.

I've heard good things about them from people. I'd give one to my mom as a gift but I'm sure she'd lose it. There goes 50+ bucks down the drain.

Ahtman wrote:You have to be careful with them to some extent becuase unlike a real cigarette they don't go out at a certain point. Instead of a cigarette lasting 5 minutes or so and then waiting 30 minutes to have another becuase it is gone you just keep smoking and smoking.

Exactly. My friend only uses his when his friends/roommates go out to smoke, and goes back in when they finish.

Yeah it was cool for awhile, kind of a novelty thing.

After awhile you just lose interest in it, kinda miss that burning in your lungs or something. It's nice alternative but really just not the same. Also the "when does this smoke end" thing.

MartiniPunk wrote:Yeah it was cool for awhile, kind of a novelty thing.

After awhile you just lose interest in it, kinda miss that burning in your lungs or something. It's nice alternative but really just not the same. Also the "when does this smoke end" thing.

QFT

I had one and it sucked tbh. It was an expensive one too but I just got bored of it. Then I quit smoking altogether so I had no use for the 150 dollar cigarette.

I tried it once, can't remember the brand, but it tasted nothing like a cigarette and didn't help. Best way is to ween yourself off of it. Just give yourself a daily amount of cigarettes and week by week decrease that number and find something constructive to replace the nicotine urge.

I my aunt bought one.

She felt like it didn't work as she was still getting "cravings". But she is a heavy, heavy smoker. 2 to 3 packs a day.

She gave the cigarette to a friend who says it works like a charm.

I know next to nothing about smoking. I assume they work depending how big of a smoker you are?

I'm a light smoker just 2-3 a day unless I'm out drinking. It's more of a relaxing five minute break for me to get my thoughts together. I know some people that swear by them, and I think if you are a real smoker they could probably help you cut down quite a bit. Plus you can smoke them wherever you want. To me it was a completely artificial experience, smoking for me is a ritual with zen like qualities. I enjoy lighting it, and flicking the ashes and watching the but arch in the air after I launch it skyward into my back yard.

People smoke for a lot of different reasons so I don't think there is one solution for everyone.

What really helped my cut down is that I role my own one at a time when I want one. Being lazy I cut down to just a couple a day sometimes. I didn't start smoking until I was in my mid twenties.

I bought my first E-Cigarette about a year and a half ago. I wanted to quit smoking for my health, but at the same time I didn't want to quit smoking, because it was something I really enjoyed. I smoked regular cigarettes for about 15 years and was up to about 25 per day. E-cigarette worked for me, I haven't smoked a cigarette since the day mine arrived (well over a year ago) and it has been pretty easy. Though I usually don't smoke it unless I'm with lots of other people smoking and I can't resist joining in, it's a nice little safety net that allows me to smoke (sort of) without smoking a cigarette.

What is it like? To be honest it can vary from brand to brand. The vapour looks and feels a lot like smoke, you can even blow rings with it quite easily. Though I find you often have to take longer slower drags than you might be used to in order to get a satisfying amount. But I can live with that. Some brands seem to taste very different to others too, so it might take some experimenting to find one you like.

The E-cigarettes themselves are a lot heavier than cigarettes because they contain a battery. They are also sometimes a lot bigger. The first one I got was nice, but was too big and heavy to feel like a real cigarette (it was more like smoking a pen). So I got a new micro one by a company called Liberro which is a nice size and comes with a portable charger that looks like a cigarette box. I would recommend that one as hardware, though you could probably find nicer tasting refills (software?) from a third party (or make your own).

In terms of cost it is undoubtedly cheaper. Though the initial cost is greater than buying a pack of cigarettes, you end up making the money back within a few weeks of not buying cigarettes. I don't smoke mine continuously so I couldn't say exactly what the cost is puff for puff, I only ever bought one refill bottle last year (cost me about £5) and still haven't used it up.

With regards to being better than patches and gum etc... Yeah they are about a million times better. I don't think It was ever nicotine that kept me smoking. Nicotine addiction is real, but it is a fairly negligible factor compared to the social and emotional attachments to smoking. I think pretty much everyone that has ever tried to quit smoking can attest to the fact that the most difficult times are often when you with other people who are smoking, and you feel awkward and left out. Patches and gum don't help with that at all... E-cigarettes can help a lot if you are willing to compromise a little, and get used to something different.

The downside is that they are fairly untested and unregulated. So you have to make your own mind up about the risk/reward of using them to give up smoking. As I said before I only use mine rarely. I also stopped inhaling the vapour into my lungs and I have moved to nicotine free refills. You might ask "what's the point then?", but having something to hold, and blow the occasional smoke-ring with is still something I enjoy. I have had to compromise a bit, but at least now I can enjoy it without having to worry about killing myself.

Very useful post Smacks, many thanks for the time and info.

Do you get that "hit" in the back of your throat from them? For me personally thats the best part of a tab.

Best thing about smoking was it hit all of the senses.
The smell, yeah odd but, it is sometimes enjoyable.
The taste, again odd but, mmm... tastes like chemicals.
The look of the cherry as it flickered. Kinda like watching a campfire.
The feel of the smoke and something to fidget with.
The sound of the tobacco cooking and the breaths you take.

It was one of those things that was super enjoyable on those late summer nights when the crickets were out. Just sitting on the back porch looking out as far as the eye could see.

Thanks so much for that post Smacks, there are times when I really wish Dakka had a reputation system as well as exalt button!

I have one. I bought it from a friend of the family whilst I was in the Philippines.

It's brilliant. Although I havnt stopped smoking, I take it with me on trains, buses, taxis, and even Aeroplanes. Its especially useful on long-haul flights (which I take fairly often) as it stops me from climbing the Walls. Cmon fellow smokers, you all know it can be hellish going 12+ hours without a tab whilst your awake!

^^

I second that.

Probably a serious bump (sorry Mods!) but hey, good news is....well good news?

I bit the bullet and bought an e-cig 3 weeks ago today.
Havent had a single "proper" cigarette since.

As a drinker thats a very good achievement

Anyone else fighting the Good fight Vs cancer sticks?

Look, e-cigs are not perfect but psychologically and to a lesser extent physiologically.

I'm Good!

You?

I don't really smoke other than a black and mild on occasion, but I've actually been tempted to pick up one of these fancy things. Reason being is that unlike pretty much everybody else who seems to think they're the goofiest looking thing ever I actually think they're really cool. I'd probably end up getting one of the stainless steel things with the LED in it.

 Ratius wrote:
Probably a serious bump (sorry Mods!) but hey, good news is....well good news?

I bit the bullet and bought an e-cig 3 weeks ago today.
Havent had a single "proper" cigarette since.

As a drinker thats a very good achievement

Anyone else fighting the Good fight Vs cancer sticks?

Look, e-cigs are not perfect but psychologically and to a lesser extent physiologically.

I'm Good!

You?

That is good news, well done.

I bought one around 2010, and I haven't smoked a real cigarette since. I actually don't use it anymore because I don't need it. I also have a lot of friends who have recently quit using e-cigarettes. I think having that "safety-net" and something to hold for when you're drinking is a huge help.

They clearly do a lot of good.

EDIT: Oh hey I actually posted in this topic in 2012!
So yeah, I'm still on the wagon.

I just got one this week. While I haven't completely quit real smokes yet, that's simply because I still have some and don't want to waste that money.

I roll my own, so I don't really forsee the cost going down all that much for me; but there's no real way to know as I haven't gone through a month yet.

When I was smoking cigarettes, I went through three cans every two months, cost approx. $45 a month. I was recommended three bottles on liquid a month just to be sure I didn't run out, which also cost @ $45 a month. So far I don't seem to be using quite that much, but time will tell.

As far as the sensation goes, I liken it to having a Coke Zero when you really want a Coke. The sensation and nicoteine are about right, but it's not quite the same thing. After a while I don't see me missing cigarettes all that much.

Here's to hoping there don't turn out to be too many serious health risks involved.

Thread is being locked due to thread necromancy.