Any "vapers" in here at SMF?

[corndog]

I would like to share my Memorial Day experience with all of you. At 1:30 pm my niece, who 45 years old, was driven to the emergency room. She was dizzy, light-headed, chest discomfort, and nauseated. She had been having these symptoms for a few day, and ignored it as indigestion...She is a nurse. She is a 2 pack a day smoker, and has smoked since she was a young teenager.

Fifteen minutes after arriving at the hospital, she went into total Vfib and coded. They administered CPR, and had to shock her twice with a defibrillator, before they were able to revive her. The doctor and two nurses who were with her in the emergency room, told us yesterday that they did not think she was going to survive the event. Fortunately, she did survive it and was released and returned home today.

She has no heart damage, cholesterol is perfect, and blood pressure perfect. According to the doc, the reason she had sudden cardiac arrest is due to years of smoking, which causes constricting of arteries. At 45 years old she had an 80% blockage, due to artery constriction, and not plaque. We lost her mother, my sister, the first week in March of this year from the same thing. My sister was 66 years old. We came VERY close to losing my niece two months after my sister. In addition, my dad past away from lung cancer at 55 Years old, after a lifetime of smoking, when I was 12 years old. I am 4 years younger now than my dad at the time of his death.

It doesn't sound like it, but longevity actually runs in my family. Both of my maternal grandparent lived to their late 80's. my paternal grandfather lived to be 96 and my paternal grandmother was in her mid 70's. none of them smoked, as far as I know.

I tell you all of this not for your sympathy or condolences. I wanted to share this with you, in hopes that it may convince just one individual who smokes to try their very best to stop. I do not know how my family could have handled the loss of another family member so soon. Her two children, who are 17 and 14, almost lost their mother. My niece came very close to never seeing here children graduate or meeting her grandchildren. It would have been a great loss for our family.

I pray that all of you may find your way through a difficult journey of quitting tobacco, and that your loved ones never experience what we have in the past few months.

I will step down off of my soap box now.

Take care

 

[papacurtis]

Corndog, i am very sorry for all that you have gone through. I am the only smoker left in my entire family. Which is fairly large as well. All the others have quit years ago. My parents, mom is almost 90. Dad, we lost to pancreatic cancer 10 years ago. To both their credit(s) they both were 2 pack a day unfiltered smokers. They both quit cold turkey the day the surgeon generals report came out way back when. I am the black lung in the family. Im trying really hard to not go back. I have failed many times in the past. Hoping this time is the charm.

 

[jkc64]

Wellll I am going to try jumping on the wagon. ordered the eversmoke kit and should have it tomorrow. I'll start with it and see how it works and move up to a better setup later if it works out.

John

 

[papacurtis]

Best of luck John. Me and others in this thread are here to support you in your effort. Do not hesitate to ask anything. I'm no expert (yet) but will be happy to share with you what i've learned and vaped in the last few months since i quit the cigs etc..

 

[jkc64]

Thanks PapaCurtis, I'm sure as I progress I will have lots of questions about upgrading. Just starting small and simple for now.

john

 

[corndog]

Good luck to all of you. I hope you are successful, but if not don't ever stop trying? If one way doesn't work for you please try something different, and hopefully you will find something that works for you.

Take care

 

[michael ark]

Seen were they are trying to out law them in france on drudge .

 

[forluvofsmoke]

Seen were they are trying to out law them in france on drudge .

Uh-oh, I feel a rant coming on right about now...

There's a bigger picture that many don't see, or maybe don't understand: for the dope-pushers and king-pins of the industry...er...uh...tobacco growers, processors and marketers: it's a huge loss for them anytime anti-smoking state legislation or local ordinances are passed into law (no smoking in public, etc), or whenever alternative products such as ecigs, or stop smoking products/programs become available. But, it doesn't stop there. There's far more money in tax revenue in smokes than ecigs, so govts world-wide will do what ever they can get away with to keep the cash-flow rolling in, and believe me, with the amount of smokers in this country and the tax/pack, it's a lot of cash. Even if it means hundreds of thousands in annual tobacco-related deaths, it's tax revenue...same goes for alcohol, btw...they're both drugs, cab be addictive, and, they're legal to purchase by adults for use by adults (???). OK, so we're adults and we are capable of making our own decisions, true, but many adult smokers/drinkers didn't start when they were adults...BOOM!!!

Main-stream tobacco goes through an extensive process to enhance to effects of nicotine absorption into the bloodstream...they don't spend that extra money for nothing...it's all about addiction, meaning more sales and more tax revenue. They don't use age-old tobacco curing methods anymore because it takes too much time, requires much larger facilities and reduces production/sales, therefore, reduces tax revenue. The chemical processes used now for tobacco curing are FDA approved only because it translates to more tax revenue...period. Why else would they allow toxic substances to be used in processing the mainstream carrier of the most addictive substance known to man? So, it's just a great big, vicious cycle...and we're ALL (smokers and non-smokers alike) stuck in the middle of a vortex and force-fed crap 'til we can't puke no more.

So, who's the dope-pusher here, I guess is the real question. Govt could care less about health, that's why FDA approvals for ecigs/juice haven't come through (that I've heard of, anyway)...too much tax revenue to loose if tobacco sales go spiraling downward, right?  But the stuff that can kill us through a long and drawn-out, expensive to treat, and painful ordeal, and what we got addicted to in the first place, is OK for sale. I don't have the site with stats anymore (probably posted somewhere on ECF), but the ranking of tobacco related illness treatments cost to the US consumer and health insurance companies is very high on the list, if not sitting at the very top. Without those costs, our health insurance industry would be much healthier, and consumers would pay less for coverage, and, for the treatments of non-abuse/addiction related illnesses and injuries, as a result.

If you're one of the unlucky like me, who got addicted to smoking, this is what you're up against, and so is your family and the entire country for that matter, when it all shakes out in the wash. We're all eating this nasty crap-sandwich together, like it or not.

...rant off.

Eric

 

[chef jimmyj]

Been smoking on and off for 35 years. Most recent " On " was the last 6 months. Been rolling my own, well actually stuffing the Filtered Tubes, for $.75 a pack compared to $6.50 in PA. Got to say the Menthol Pipe Tobacco Blend, similar to Newport in flavor, does not stink up the my hands or clothes. Anyway, been smoking 20-30 a day for the last several months until I got hit with a nasty case of Bronchitis 6 days ago. Major chest pains and getting winded to the point of gasping just crossing the room! Have not had a Smoke since and after seeing all the Brown Goo I was coughing up continuously the the first 4 days...I am DONE SMOKING! Use the Vaporizers or E-Cigs to get by or quit but do something. Being sick was not the most fun way to quit but " IT " sure showed me the Road can get Real Ugly if I continue down the smokers path...JJ

 

[papacurtis]

Rant on Eric!!  Now that the insurance companies will force higher premiums on smokers, more are being forced to quit. Big tobacco exports more of their crop out of the USA now that people are kicking the "tobacco' habit. The FDA is the pawn of big govt. which is and always will be about the almighty dollar. Enter the e-cig nicotine delivery system. Still an addiction, but a healthier one without governmental interference. For NOW!!.. Tobacco and alcohol taxes are the major revenue stream for most states in America. Therein is the conundrum. How can government maintain control of it's cash cow, while appeasing the strongest lobby and other huge revenue contributor,the insurance companies?. Smoking related cancers, alcohol related illnesses, have put huge strains on insurance and corporate profitability. So now the powers that be will gather in their conference rooms, and try to find a way to profit from an industry they did nothing to promote nor support. Sustainability of greed is paramount nowadays. People are numbers on a ledger sheet. Blu electronic cigarettes are now owned by a major big tobacco company. They can see the hand writing on the wall. Much to their chagrin I'm sure.

 

[influencer]

This thread has inspired me. I have been saying "I need to quit" almost every day for the past 4-5 months. Today I was teaching my son how to ride his bike and was short of breath jogging beside him. I'm done. On my way to pick up a cheap starter kit until my ordered kit arrives.

I know I'm in for a tough journey, my brother quit a couple years back and he's told me that to this day he still gets a craving, but its manageable.

 

[papacurtis]

Congratulations Influencer. You have made a smart call. You owe it to your son, to be there for him. I think you will find the transition to an e-cig or vaporizer will be fairly seamless. I suffered no usual withdrawal symptoms, or issues related to quitting tobacco with mine. I liked smoking. I love vaping. Let me or anyone else on this thread know if we can help.

 

[papacurtis]

Oh, and by the way. Obama's 2014 budget package calls for another federal tax increase on cigarettes of one dollar per pack. A 30ml bottle of e-juice, which lasts me about 25 days cost me $12.00.

 

[forluvofsmoke]

This thread has inspired me. I have been saying "I need to quit" almost every day for the past 4-5 months. Today I was teaching my son how to ride his bike and was short of breath jogging beside him. I'm done. On my way to pick up a cheap starter kit until my ordered kit arrives.

I know I'm in for a tough journey, my brother quit a couple years back and he's told me that to this day he still gets a craving, but its manageable.

You've made a huge step towards your future with your son and everyone else in your life...Congrats to you!

Going to ecigs will be much easier than stopping  your use of nicotine altogether, and the actual habit of smoking will just become modified when you make the transition. Once I start ecigs, I don't smoke...period...just make the commitment to stick with it, and before you know it, smokes taste and smell like crap anyway, as they should, so lighting up isn't hard to stay away from, at least for me.

I found that when I did quit smoking in the past, the cravings were short-lived in duration, but would hit me at some of the worst moments. And, the worst part, I was a turd to be around...mood swings like a raging bull at times. The side effects of quitting do diminish over time, but the actual habits of smoking...reaching for your pocket to grab a pack and a lighter...that's the worst thing to re-train yourself not to do, IMO. With an ecig in your pocket, that part will continue until after you stop ecigs, too, but you won't be dropping everything on yourself at the same time. The nicotine withdrawal alone is enough to make many start smoking again just days after they quit. Add to that, the pocket grabbing and cravings. Anyway you slice it, ecigs are a far easier road to travel, even if it lasts for years like it has for me.

You go, brother!

Eric

 

[wcortesi]

I had resigned myself to be a smoker the rest of my life before I tried the e-cigs. I had no luck with anything before that. Event the thought of quiting would make me want to smoke even more!

E-cigs make it really easy, it almost feels like you're cheating. If you're starter kit doesn't work for you, try another type or flavor. I found getting the right juice was a major factor in my enjoyment of the e-cig experience.

Very good rant, Eric! Another factor in the whole FDA approval of E-cigs would be the taxation of it, so maybe we're better off with it unregulated for now?

 

[foamheart]

Is there seriously anyone today who doesn’t know that, if you smoke you will die?

No, how much they cost doesn’t matter, the wild 2 AM dash out looking for a store if you run out doesn’t matter, the fact that you buy 3 cartoons a week and have packs everywhere including your desk, brief case, house, car, even your golf bag so you don’t need the 2 AM dash again doesn’t matter either, the fact that you can no longer sit with your friends even in a bar and smoke doesn’t matter either.

So why don’t you quit? You have to really want to. I averaged smoking 3 packs of Camel cigarettes a day from before the Navy till 10 years ago. I quit a dozen times, a couple of times I lasted over 6 months, but I wasn’t ready. I had 4 heart attacks, before I entered the ER with #3, I stopped at the door and had a cigarette. I am lucky; I only lost the lower lob, which means 10% loss. It’s the most common. Doctor laughed at me the last time said I had so many stints I was almost completely re-plumbed.

From the time I was 15 till I was 46 years old, I was totally bulletproof and invincible. I had/have an outstanding life, I did what I wanted, I went where I wanted, I drank, smoked, partied, danced, and loved without abandon. I deserve older age, sore muscles, bad eye sight, sad hearing, but I enjoyed every moment of my younger life. If I had not I wouldn’t realize that it’s not as much fun now.

Every person that starts smoking coughs and gages as the body is begging you to stop. But we need to be cool. There was NO OTHER REASON. Besides heck we’ll never live long enough for it to matter anyway! Live fast, live hard, die young.

Finally I woke up one morning and didn’t need a cigarette, I missed the habits, my coffee didn’t taste the same, my drive to the office was really strange (I noticed it more), I didn’t light up with my coffee at work and should I even mention with a drink in a bar. I just didn’t need it and thought why was I going to do it for the habit only? I had just bought 2 cartoons the night before. I still had a full pack in my case in my pocket, (that I carried around for almost 3 months with me after I quit). To my knowledge there is still a new cartoon under the front seat of my Yukon in the garage.

It’s the habit you need to learn to live without. The cigarette driving, with coffee, after sex, after a meal, etc etc etc…. And replacing it with another habit like chewing rabbit food or toothpicks does not cut it. I tried hypnotisum, patches, gum, I was lucky enough to have quit chewing before I quit cigarettes, Not sure I could have ever done it the other way.

Everyday now after 10 years I know I would love to smoke a cigarette or maybe an Arturo. I don’t because I might not get lucky enough a second time to NOT want one. I know that will never change. I don’t fear death, never have, but I just don’t need cigarettes anymore. Luckily I broke the habits while I didn’t want one.

I hope that when you get that morning when you don’t want one, you are lucky enough to break the habits before you need one. But you’ll never quit until you are ready. It took me 4 heart attacks and untold discomforts for me, but ya see I know people today are smarter than me.

Everyone that smoked hates reformed smokers, I usually just let this discussion pass. But since it was a smoking board. LOL

<Chuckles> Did I mention my eyesite?

 

[jp61]

Is there seriously anyone today who doesn’t know that, if you smoke you will die?

Guess what Foamheart, you and everyone else (including me) on this planet will die, smoke(d) or not! We're all adults here and for the most part know right from wrong. Should I list all the "bad" things we do, "good" things we don't do? They all have an effect on our health. It's a personal choice, good or bad. Let's enjoy life one day at a time, be kind to others, love our family and friends. It won't last forever, no matter what!

 

[foamheart]

"Is there seriously anyone today who doesn’t know that, if you smoke you will die?"

The difference being when (I assume we is correct here), we all started smoking that wasn't true. We've justified it anyway we wanted, its my money, its my life, its my way. I am not belittling anyone for smoking, lord knows that would definitely be the pot calling the kettle black. I am also paying for the follies of my youth, and I would not change a single one. I was not meaning to give offense in any way.

I was pointing out that smoking is a three pronged attack. Nicotine, the habits, and the want of smoke. Is there nothing better than that first long pull on the first cigarette in the morning? I woke up one day and one of the three was missing, luckily the other two I dismissed before I wanted another. Nicotine never bothered me, but driving without a cigarette was a totally awkward experience, guess that goes back to when I started.

Sorry you took that opening line as offensive, I was not judging you or anyone else. But do you doubt the validity of the statement? Cigarettes will follow the trail of Moonshine, sure you can still get shine, but not like you could 50 years ago. The good side of that is when is the last time you heard of some one dying from bad shine?

Bottom line, I apologize if I offended you, I didn't mean to.

"Everyone that smoked hates reformed smokers, I usually just let this discussion pass."

Its why you never discuss smoking with a smoker, I knew better but I broke the rule.

Did you read this week where Russia instituted the same laws on smoking as we now have.

 

[jp61]

Bottom line, I apologize if I offended you, I didn't mean to.

You didn't offend me Foamheart, there's no need to apologize. 

I'm just flapping my jaws 

 while anxiously waiting for the arrival of this society's utopia. I think it's gonna be here any day now!

 

[jp61]

Did you read this week where Russia instituted the same laws on smoking as we now have.

No, I did not read it, but that's terrific news. Soon, they'll be saying Happy Holidays too. You never know, they might even ban fatties