S/o 's that still smoke - how can we offer encouragement?

[Christie]

My husband was very gung ho about quitting , now not so much. He has quit many times before and always goes back within a few days stating that it was just too hard because I still smoked . I get that ,I respect that even. Ive never really tried to quit , I LIKED smoking In fact I loved it .

but now-I bought my e cig ( a blue first ) I havent had a cigarette since I havent wanted one in fact Im very happy with the e cig and like it even MORE than I ever like cigs.

I really cant relate to what he is going through and my best friend is going through the same thing as he is . And her husband Is like me ,completely fine never looking back and happy .

So I guess my question is really directed at those who struggled -What makes your struggle worse , what is it that makes you want a cig? what do you feel like you are missing from vaping if anything?

what can your s/o do and not do to make it easier for you to get through it ?

And for those of you who have been like me never having a second thought about going back how did you support your s/o, friend , family member ,ect through it how did you help ?

Im sorry for so many questions - I just want to be helpful, not not hinder my husbands or best friends efforts .My bf has snuck a few and it really shocked me my husband flat out went out and bought some last night .

do you think they need more nicotine, a different e cig ( we all have kanger eveod's)

Thank you for going over all the yack yack in this post it kind of seems like rambling I know .lol

[Aquatroy]

It's hard for a while ....no doubt... 2 things helped. Convince yourself that that EVODD is your cigarette, forget the stinkies even exists. All you can have is the EVODD, no other options. Get a lanyard and hang that puppy around your neck, and everytime you get a itch take a toot, don't wait till the cravings are hard. Hit em quick with the juice, and keep that monster at bay. I can't say I didn't backslide, bad days made me go buy a pack, you'll smoke one and think its awful.. Then give the pack away...and vape on Garth!

[bcartervol98]

My wife and I doing it together helped for sure, but she still smoked analogs occasionally until she found a flavor and nic level (24mg for us with 70-30 or 80-20 blend for throat hit) she could vape all day and love it. Once she found that, we both have said many times we prefer our e-cig to analogs and would have done this a long time ago had we known. The only time I had trouble at first was on the lake where everyone is floating around our boats with analogs hanging out of their mouth and I have to climb back onto my boat to hit my e-cig. I solved that by buying a few cheap $8 400mah Ego minis that I take in the water and if they get wet, then so what it was $8.

It was a lot tougher on her and I both when we started because we ordered 50-50 flavors in 16 or 18mg nic. Once we upped the PG and increased to 24mg liquid neither of us have really wanted an analog. Tobacco flavor for me was key at first, and I found a good one. Now I only use that because Spearmint, Peppermint, and Strawberry taste weird with bourbon and when drinking.

More PG and 24mg nic is what I would suggest. Some of my make friends also had a complex about it looking funny. I could care less about that, but some found it "less than manly" to say the least. There could be some of that going on. There is definitely a "this doesnt feel like a cigarette" to get over at first but once you do, that generally gets overridden by the fact you can do it almost anywhere.

[Love2VapeDaily]

I put down stinkies with no problem, my wife vapes and uses stinkies. I don't gripe about the stinkies but instead I encourage vaping. I make sure hers works, is charged, filled with juice and always within reach.

[Bebop]

No problem. I know exactly what you're going through. I had an easy time of it. Got my e-cig, took a couple puffs, tossed out my last pack and haven't looked back. For me I was instantly happy and satisfied. In a couple of short weeks I was enjoying the side benefits so much (not stinking like an ashtray, not having to go out of my way to smoke, blah blah) I knew I was done.

My wife....not so much joy. Even though she hasn't had a ciggy since we started, she has struggled greatly and it took her a couple months to get "home free".

1) it was her desire to quit that drove her but she had to do it intellectually, not emotionally. She had to keep the practical goal of quitting in the forefront, ahead of any habit and routine and the "love" of smoking.

2) it was important to her that I quit and it was important to me that she quit. We knew it wasn't going to work if only one of us quit.

3) she had to "learn" how to vape. She partly wasn't satisfied because she wasn't getting the vapor production that satisfied her and she struggled fighting her smoking instincts. This we took care of this by getting her a quality e-cig (Joyetec eroll) that closely mimicked her smoking routines. Only later did we upgrade her to a performance unit. but it was a learning curve for her

4) we talked about it every freakin' day and night, lol. It was our "project". I did all the research, listened to her problems and solved them. And that took time and a little bit of $$

5) finding the right juice- absolutley essential. A good tobacco mimic was vital for her at first.

6) we made it fun! Watched YouTube reviews. Looked at stuff on line. Went to local shops and talked with other vapers. When our community blossomed, she struggled less.

Now we are rockin' the vape. In fact she has turned more people on to it than I have. She got her son and his friend off cigs. 2 of her best friends are now vaping.

Good luck! Hope this helps. If y,ou have any questions just ask. This place is super friendly and the combined experience is priceless.

[Thesheepdog]

AS most can tell you about me; I was grouchy and whiny, and asked 10 thousand questions. One moment I was upbeat and all was cool then I was hurting.

I found that with the small cigarette looking devices I was not getting enough nicotine. The Njoy said 24mg on it but I wasnt getting all of it. The small first system I tried was not delivering enough nic to keep me level. I didnt understand that. It was only the acceptance and concern of a few and one in particular that kept me going.

The small cheapie kits dont do the job adequately. Yes they look like a cigarette but if you are still jonesing and nervous and upset like I was then just know that using proper equipment will help you win.

Smoking tobacco leads to sickness and death. But before it kills you it takes away your strength and joy. Using the nicotine replacement e-smoke devices we are using has the best chance of bringing you back from the brink.

If you use this stuff we use and get into it like a hobby and hang with us as a group I now have the opinion that it will work.

And you will enjoy the trip!

[Uma]

Congrats for switching over to vaping from smoking. Hang in there, your husband will come around when he's ready.

All good tips above, and more will be incoming. There are as many tips as there are individuals because we are all individuals afterall.

Your hubby is tired of failing, just like many of us were. And, just like the rest of us, he'll try again, in the future, when he's recuperated his spirit from his last epic fails. It's normal. We've all been there so many times before to the point we don't believe anything anymore.

Tell him he doesn't have to quit smoking if he's not ready, (take the self-imposed pressure off his spirit), but that for his sake and for yours, you'd appreciate it if he at least slowed down. Tell him you know how hard even that is, but that he's more than welcome to use a kit if he'd like to help ease the cravings.

Once he accepts this as a tool for getting him through the mediocre cravings, and that he can smoke if he wants to during the cravings that drive even Hercules himself up the wall, he will relax even more. Make sure he smokes outside, not in the house.

Before you know it, he'll be wide eyed amazed that he vaped through 16 hours without a craving for a cigarette. And then 3 days. and so forth.

Like mentioned, (too), all the kits out there vary so much! They range from wispy 3.2volt clear up to 6volt wonders. Most of us enjoy the 3.7volt to 4.8volt to hit the craving spot. A Vision Spinner, goes from 3.3volt clear up to 4.8volt and all ranges in between.

A good flavored eliquid can not be stressed enough. He'll need 2 and a charger made for it specifically. (one to charge while he's vaping the other).

If he's a geek, if he loves his electronics and gadgets, check out the iTaste VV/VW V3.

Hang in there, he'll come around when he's refreshed and ready to try again, and also when he smells some of the wonderful flavors you are trying. Mountain Dew, Tab, Ry4, Butterscotch Espresso, Caramel Cappuccino, Grape, etc... are a few of the interesting ones that beginners usually enjoy. Pina Colada is another. Banana this, banana that,... Oh, there are so many. There are many fantastic eLiquid blenders out there too, and I highly recommend trying one of the list that has recommended by others here at the forum.

Good luck to you!!

[CJ323]

I put down stinkies with no problem, my wife vapes and uses stinkies. I don't gripe about the stinkies but instead I encourage vaping. I make sure hers works, is charged, filled with juice and always within reach.

Sounds exactly like my home.

[Love2VapeDaily]

I did the entire "yuck, you smell like a hot ash tray". Usually that left me at home with a angry woman. Some now I encourage vaping she has cut back more on the stinkies and she is calmer. So hopefully 1 she will vape only.

[bcartervol98]

I did the entire "yuck, you smell like a hot ash tray". Usually that left me at home with a angry woman. Some now I encourage vaping she has cut back more on the stinkies and she is calmer. So hopefully 1 she will vape only.

OMG the smell of a smoker now is borderline repulsive, and I mean that in a nice way because I smelled that way for 27 years. I just never realized it. Now that my wife has stopped and can smell the same thing, I am confident she will never pick up an analog again unless our government decides to ban it or something stupid.

[Love2VapeDaily]

When I did smoke I always wondered why people complained of the smell. Now I understand why, it's a horrible stench.

[CJ323]

OMG the smell of a smoker now is borderline repulsive, and I mean that in a nice way because I smelled that way for 27 years. I just never realized it.

Going through that as well lately, people walk by me and I'm like wow!

I did the entire "yuck, you smell like a hot ash tray". Usually that left me at home with a angry woman.

Yeah after 26 years I know better, lol. If momma aint happy!

[Christie]

Oh some great ideas you guys thank yo u!

I have his evodd ready and charged and filled with apple .yesterday it was tobacco flavor and I myself didnt like that one either I have it sittin on the coffee table waiting for attention .In this relationship, im the one who is the tech support so any and all tinkering im sure ill be doing lol .its taken me 3 years just to graduate him to a smart phone-and hes still never used any other feature than call and text .im going to go tomorrow to pick up some more flavors in different nic levels I myself need a lower level .

if there was a swiss cake roll flavor I know we'd have him hooked .

[CascadianExotics]

Well, my G/F never smoked, but came up with an ingenious solution: Every time you see that Stephen Dorf commercial for Blu e-cigs while watching TV (Fin and Njoy commercials too), drop a hint....it doesn't have to be a big one, either. You know him best, and what'll drive him crazy enough to pick up an e-cig, even of its just to shut you up....so, I'll leave the subtle hinting to your imagination. Remember: SMALL HINT....then let it go. Do not turn things into a debate, either. Just nip it in the bud, and end those conversations with, "just saying..." It works like a charm!!! To this day, I still want to punch Stephen Dorff in his ruggedly-handsome face every time that commercial airs.....and I've been off the stinkies for six months!!!

Edited July 11, 2013 by CascadianExotics