Vaping
 

Decided that I would give this a go instead of cigarettes and so far 4 days cig free...... which included NYE so thats a bit of a miracle.

Got a starter vape from the UK but thinking of upgrading already and want to buy some different flavoured juices.

The aim is to reduce the juice strength over time - currently on 12mg and aiming to drop to 6mg soon and then 3mg in a month or so. As I'm not / wasn't a heavy smoker hopefully this shouldn't been an issue.

Anyone else vaping here and know where to buy decent stuff (i.e. not the dodgy Chinese stuff). Looking for the American / Brit juice. I hear Dragon Mart has some but heading there sounds a ball ache. Also there are a few online UAE based places who deliver the day after but they are proper pricey and the choice is pretty limited.

Re: Vaping
 

drop a pm to Irish Bee Keeper - he's the man in the know for vape!

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Excellent. Cheers. :thumbsup:

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OT but hey-ho....

It's completely banned here in Oman. You can't buy them here and the police will confiscate if they catch you bringing one in to the country.

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As far as I know it's a bit of a grey area here. I see people smoking them all the time, some shops sell them and you can order them online for delivery the next day..... but..... there has been reports of people having them taken off them coming in / confiscated at customs.....

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Never tried, but in my mind it's the same as alcohol free lager or a paid for night with a Chinese starfish

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But it's not nicotine free.....

Not sure I want to ask what a Chinese starfish is..... :ohmy::rofl:

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I brought one recently from a trip to the UK and its still on my desk (strange how you cannot import one but there is a shop selling them - there are various models going up to KWD120 !)


How did you manage to kick your first cig of the day ?

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I did this recently.

I did it by making a coffee, doing a specific task at work and by grinding out the desire for a burner.

Cut from 10-15 at work to 2.
No longer ever smoke in the mornings (before 12) on any day.

Just got to try and sort the drinking smokes and the rest of the work ones....although now I'm off today ill I haven't smoked at all.

I don't have that desire to quit, which I'm sure makes it easier but I quite like being stubborn.:thumbup:

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Good work. I don't drink coffee so don't have that common link. When I cut down last year I used to just bring 2 or 3 with me during the day and have one on the drive in, one after lunch and one on the way home. That worked quite well.

TBH tho since i have been on this vape thing I haven't wanted to spoke. Admittedly the nicotine is still being ingested so thats understandable to a degree but I physically haven't had the desire to spark up and that's over 2 big nights out (30 and 31st Dec) plus in the bar for the football last night. The vape seem's to be working.

Just need to knock it down to the next nicotine level down now.

In fact, just realised I am on day 5.

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Congratulations ! I tried the Vaping bit last year but didnt work, plus changing the silly coils a pain in the neck.

However started again after Christmas. Put on patch in the morning, limit myself to 5 cigarettes maximum per day, and have one of the small inhalers they sell in UK ( I guess also in America) that if I have urge to smoke more than five I use. Plus a small electronic throw-away cigarette I occasionally use. But I set 5 cigarettes a day maximum. So far working.

I find after a cigarette with morning coffee, knowing I will have another cigarette at lunch for some reason makes it easier to not smoke any more in the morning.

So plan is to reduce to 4 per day starting February, then 3 in March.

Re: Vaping
 

Good stuff. The coils are a bit fiddly but they should last two weeks and screw in and out..... hardly that much of a hassle. I think the problem will be when I forget to charge it or run out of juice! I just need to make sure I don't succumb to a smoke then as I think that would undo the good I have done so far.

Can't wait to be one of those annoying, judgmental, ex-smoker wankers! :rofl:

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Maybe I just had bad luck changing the coils, or as you say running out and falling back into cigarettes. And I have a sneaking suspicion these liquids while safer than cigarettes, contain some weird chemicals of which the long term effects not known yet.

I am sold on the combination of the patch, the small inhaler, and for good measure having a cheap electronic cigarette available. But not that many days yet, but has been easier to cut back on cigarettes.

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Are the patches / inhalers good?

I have some of the tablet things to chew but have never braved them yet.

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I think it is the combination that at least for me works. I remember going on long plane flights, either wearing patches or gum/lozenges. Took a bit of edge off but not much. Being an addict I would still when changing flights go past security to have a cigarette, then come back through again.

The way explained to me there are two aspects to cigarette addiction, the nicotine addiction, and the psychological/habit addition, with the health danger less the nicotine than the smoke. Ignoring the physical addiction made many people who tried to stop smoking relapse.

I put the patch on in the morning. I have a cigarette after coffee, then tell myself no more until lunch. In the meantime if I feel urge for cigarette I use the inhaler ( no vapor) which is just a short burst of nicotine. If I get closer to lunch and still want a cigarette I use simpler electronic throw away cigarette. so presumably my body can get enough nicotine, and psychologically since I look forward to cigarette at lunch I get through morning ok.

The inhaler is small and fits in your shirt pocket. I went to watch football match on widescreen television and have a pint of cider, instead of going out to smoke, used the inhaler ( I think they are good for 40 minutes total- so I use one per day- still cheaper than cigarettes- and I cant imagine any place complaining about a small inhaler that does not put out any fumes, hell you could cup it in your hand and people wouldn't notice).

Well guess I will see but my goal is to smoke no more than five cigarettes a day in January, then cut back to 4 a day in February. I like to smoke but the cost and health risks aren't justifiable, and damn it I should be disciplined enough to do this !

I don't know if the small inhalers available in the US, but surely they could be mailed from the UK.

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Chewing gum is proper rank. Would force you back to cigs!

I'm on day 4 of the patches and only have an urge for a cig in the morning before I put a new patch on. I don't sleep with them on as last time I tried to stop they gave me weird dreams.

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I really need to quit properly. I don't think I am even addicted to nicotine as I can go days without smoking but it's the action of smoking especially when out and having a drink.

I bought a vape last summer but it just doesn't 'satisfy' in the same way as a cigarette.

Last time I managed to stay largely off the cigs (with a handful of lapses) for 18 months but it doesn't help that so many of my friends smoke.

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The gum is horrible, lozenges not too bad.

Re: Vaping
 

well, the act of vaping is not illegal as such (might come under prohibited) but the sale is definitely a grey area. Having said that I wouldn't recommend you start vaping smack in the middle of the Economic Affairs lounge or at any Police Station etc ;)
I quit about 5 months ago I think and havent touched a cig then. But I had already cut down to only 3-4 at night time only in the past 5 years anyway. Quitting is not an overnight thing in my humble opinion. You work towards it with determination and dont expect overnight results. Sort of like going to the Gym really (I wish I had the same determination about my gym routine though :D)
I can definitely tell you that after the first few months you start noticing your breathing patterns changing (I dont know how to explain it, you are more comfortable with long and deep and relaxed breathing I guess), you definitely get more REM sleep and within the first week of me quitting completely, my wife told me, you dont stink anymore. Which was very surprising as I didnt really think I did to begin with but ask your non-smoking partner and they would know where this is coming from.
Since the sale of vaping stuff is not regulated here so its difficult to get hold of people who only sell authentic stuff and yes the few websites doing it are very expensive. I did my research and I am happy with what I found here. PM for details please.

btw there are 2 types of coils. The old school cotton coils used in the old school mechanical mods (mod is the thingie u use for vaping) and the new school ceramic coils (much easier to replace) used in the new chip controlled mods. Always go for the chip mod as they will never blow up in your pocket or in your mouth (you might have seen the videos, those were all mechanical mods which these kids use to show off their cloud chasing skills, another word for too much smoke generation) The ceramic coils should last for 2-3 weeks if you are not deep dragging (vaping for more than 3-4 seconds in one go)
If you dont do it properly or go for cheap options or have not been guided properly, you risk of having a bad experience at vaping and that will throw you off the entire experience, human beings are like that I am told
so always go for the non-cheap option and always seek out guidance from vapers
another point I think I should mention is that dont try and reduce your MG level all of a sudden. Keep it at 12mg for a while as Nicotine itself is not carcinogen. The ammonia, Carbon Monoxide and Carbon are the deadly 3 in a burning cig that cause cancer. Nicotine might be addictive, but it wont kill you very quickly unless you are doing huge huge quantities in each sitting and even then you run the risk of brain or heart issues rather than cancer issues (yeah I know, die from this or die from that....die you will anyway eh?)
I mix a tobacco flavored 12mg with some other silly juicy 6mg/3mg to get the perfect blend and Im always trying new mixtures. There are thousands of liquids out there hence billions or possible combinations so keep more than a few with you and always be willing to mix different liquids because the essence of vaping is : Never get bored of it otherwise you will fall back onto the fag and thats a no no!

p.s. let the fag jokes commence!

Re: Vaping
 

yep I second this motion :)
IRSH hooked up me up with the 'target mini' - and I absolutely love it. I am not a smoker, but I loved doing sheesha and the vapour is a great substitute and so definitely contact IRISH - he THEE man :)

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ok just read IRISH's comment above :P

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The basic issue with vaping, however, is you look like a nugget sucking on something that resembles either (a) a betamax cassette with a straw coming out of it, or (b) a turd.

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Mine is a slim black thing with a blue light, a bit like a black Sobranie. The weight is all wrong though.

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bought the lozenges yesterday. They are marginally better than the gum. Certainly helps though.

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Haven't smoked since Monday evening as had two days off ill. Back in the office today still not feeling great, wonder how long I can go without a burner...

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From what I've read, it's 3 days for the actual nicotine addiction to disappear. After that it's just breaking the habit. I'm steering clear of the boozer for a couple of weeks as I'm certain that will be my downfall.

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Mrs has suggested pub after work, I said no but think I'll go anyway. That might be a breaker.
If not, we have a brunch tomorrow that I don't want to go to which means I'll use smoking as a way to escape the crowd.

I'm going to try and not smoke today until the pub.

This is the next step - not smoking at work at all.

Come on big man. Be the ball. You can do this. Focus. Eyes on the prize.
TIME FOR MORE COFFEE

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Do the smokers amongst you spark up anywhere indoors that it's allowed, or do you go outside to smoke? I work with locals who all smoke in their offices and in the communal areas...the western expats all go outside.

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I only smoke where I'm allowed. So in a pub I will smoke if it's allowed. At work I go to the car park. At home I smoke on the balcony.

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Ditto. Well kinda, I smoke in the conference room on site but so does my boss so..... when he's there I do, if not I don't.

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Well done ! I am still at 5 a day. But put patch on first thing, coffee and cigarette, then survival until lunch. Inhaler in between

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I used to see a regular client in Abu Dhabi. He had a range of cigs all kept in a fridge next to his desk. I used to smoke menthol 100's with him at his desk. They lasted FOREVER.

Cheers.

Managed to go home, have lunch and not have one, which means I didn't bring them back to the office with me.

If I go to the pub tonight I will buy some to take. If I don't, I won't but I might smoke at home anyway.

I'm going to go for the drinking / weekend smoker thing. Focus on not smoking at work as the next step from cutting right down.

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Just curious.

How old are you and how long have you smoked?

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not sure if that was directed at everyone or just Scamp, however I'm 33 and been smoking about 18 years. Actually quite enjoy it, but the nagging from the wife is becoming unbearable and my oldest is old enough to know it's not healthy and has started giving me grief. :o

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Personal.

Old enough and too long. Is that helpful? ;)

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I may smoke but I am not a rude insensitive git and wouldn't smoke if it was not allowed or would really bother others - unless in a bar or outside where it's the norm.

I don't smoke in my office (either company office or at home) or in my home. I do smoke in the car sometimes though,

When I first moved to Dubai you could smoke everywhere, including in shopping malls.

Re: Vaping
 

I was just curious as to the ages, whether you're in your 50s or 20s. I know Scamp is 28ish? Not judgemental but wondering if there was a pattern of age-quitting.

As for indoor smoking in offices, isn't it technically illegal in Dubai?

I remember going to a client office for a meeting and there were no-smoking signs posted but the place stunk to high heaven (all locals/Arabs/South Asian expats).

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I was regularly subjected to smoke in government offices in Cairo.

I can't stand smoking really. Shisha is great, but fags are nasty - and cigars should be outlawed.

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There are people, and particularly certain ethnicities/cultures, where smoking is treated as a right even more sacred than fresh air :eek: Eastern Europe, especially the Balkans and Russia, is infamous for this. And the Arab world too. And China.

I don't care if people politely go outside and I'm even not too fussed about smoking at bars/terraces (most of 'em, there are a few badly ventilated ones that are very rank), but those who stink up indoor spaces, doesn't it ever bother them? Do they not even notice how their houses or cars smell?

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One thing about getting older is observing the big changes in smoking habits in the UK. We used to be as hardcore as the Germans and French but we now probably have the lowest in Europe? When I was at university in the late 90s-early 2000s smoking was very commonplace but now it's really dropped off. You see far fewer people smoking in London, which would have been a bit shocking twenty years ago. And many who still smoke are mostly foreigners.