Tod's Blog
I got sick a couple weeks ago. My lungs were hit hard and I was having a hard time breathing. Even if I wanted to, I couldn't smoke. I figured that was as good a time as any to quit smoking.
The gum tastes like shit, and I didn't want to try going cold turkey again, so I decided to try nicotine patches. The patches helped with the cravings, but I still wanted to smoke. I also found out that I was allergic to the adhesive used on the patches (it's been about 10 days since I used a patch and I still have welts on my back). I was about to give up and start smoking again when I remembered reading about electronic cigarettes about a year ago.
eCigarettes are battery-powered devices that provide inhaled doses of nicotine by delivering a vaporized propylene glycol (or vegetable glycol) and nicotine solution. In addition to nicotine delivery, this vapor also provides a flavor and physical sensation (aka "throat hit") similar to that of analogs (regular cigarettes). No tobacco, smoke, or combustion is actually involved in the operation of an eCigarette. Since eCigarettes produce a harmless vapor instead of smoke, they can be used almost anywhere, even in places where cigarettes are banned.
After doing some research online, I decided to buy the DES-901B Mini eCigarette. I found a local distributor and bought one on Thursday. I haven't even considered smoking an "analog" (regular cigarette) since then. The starter kit included 5 standard cartridges (extra-high), 5 vanilla cartridges (extra-high), 2 batteries, charger, and the atomizer.
eCigarettes consist of 3 primary parts: battery, atomizer, and cartridge.
Batteries: most kits include 2 batteries. Depending on use, each battery should last 4-8 hours before it needs to be recharged.
Atomizer: this is the heating element that vaporizes the liquid so it can be inhaled. From what I understand, atomizers generally last 4-8 weeks.
Cartridges: cartridges contain the mouthpiece and the eLiguid.
eLiquid: the atomizer vaporizes the eLiquid to create the vapor that you inhale. eLiquid is a mix of nicotine solution (available in nicotine free, 4mg extra-low, 11mg low, 16mg medium, 24mg high, and 36mg extra-high), propylene or vegetable glycol, and a flavor.
Flavors: different sites offer many different flavors. some common examples: Marlboro, Carmel, vanilla, carmel, strawberry, orange, mint, coffee, energy drink, etc.
Intro to vaping video:
http://www.viddler.com/explore/Spikey47/videos/5/
Forums:
http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/
Where to Buy:
Comments
Missy Mackenna (unauthenticated)
Sep 28, 2010
Hi Todd,
I came from the Totally Wicked e-Liquid forum (MissKitty, if you want to find me), the e-cig forum, and the National Vapers Club. I was searching for a better way to mix e-juice and stumbled across your calculator. Nice, thank you! Have you ever tried the Totally Wicked e-cigs, I started using them, because they are not only the bomb, but they are very affordable and have USB kits. Computer geek, huh. Yeah, I'm an up and coming in the geek world, as is my fiance. I'm not quite as talented as either of you, but I'm working on it! ;} I started out the same way you did with the patch leaving circle marks from the adhesive, the shitty gum, then finally the solution of e-cigs.
I'm leaving you a link to check out: http://www.totallywicked-eliquid.com/ If you get anything, use my promo code. It's not much (7.5% off), but it'll at least save you a little money; you put it in the promo code box at checkout. Thanks again! Promo Code: 9987f
-Missy