Vaping. Your Thoughts?

[Starbird]

I started vaping about 6 weeks ago and in the words of Peter Griffin: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lljj0MmvuUQ

I have been a smoker for nearly 11 years now. I have tried everything to quit - the patch, the gum, cold turkey and tapering off.

I never made it more than a week. It wasn't so much the cravings or the oral fixation (although these were definitely a part of it). It was the massive exhaustion and general feelings of depression and loss that accompanied it. Yeah - don't start smoking.

I decided to give vaping a shot after one of my clanmates in Diablo mentioned it to me. I got a decent vaporizer and a few flavors of liquid and wow. I have been off the butts since I started.

It has all the benefits of a hookah to me with the convenience of cigarettes and none of the stink, teeth staining or constant hacking. I've been sleeping better and feel more energized and generally happier.

Vaping probably isn't especially healthy, although I definitely feel healthier thus far. I certainly wouldn't recommend it to a non smoker - unless you go for the nicotine free stuff (which is surprisingly easy to get, and really delicious). I am also aware that the whole industry is dangerously unregulated and really needs to be.

But I will say - I wonder how long until 'smoker' is replaced by 'vaper' in a significantly less perjorative sense.

Still though...this feels almost too easy. I sort of wonder if I'm painting myself into a corner here and there is a big downside I'm not seeing.

 

[Thaluikhain]

Eh, "vaping" should refer to vapourising someone with an OtT thermal weapon. SO, I'm opposed to it because of that. Also, a "swag" is a type of bedroll.

Anyhoo, though, it's just the same as smoking, only maybe not as bad. So...lesser evil?

 

[Starbird]

Eh, "vaping" should refer to vapourising someone with an OtT thermal weapon. SO, I'm opposed to it because of that. Also, a "swag" is a type of bedroll.

Anyhoo, though, it's just the same as smoking, only maybe not as bad. So...lesser evil?

Definitely a lesser evil . I just wish there was more info out there about *how* lesser it is. Early studies seem to be showing that it's significantly better for you aside from people being silly with their nicotine mixes. On the other hand - long term consumption of nicotine is probably not good for you...

 

[Thaluikhain]

Definitely a lesser evil . I just wish there was more info out there about *how* lesser it is. Early studies seem to be showing that it's significantly better for you aside from people being silly with their nicotine mixes. On the other hand - long term consumption of nicotine is probably not good for you...

I wonder if there are military applications. The scent of tobacco, and visible smoke can pose problems if you are trying to be stealthy, possibly you could make an e-cigarette which avoided this.

 

[Muspelheim]

It's useful. I very much prefer the good ol' way, but vaping is damn good in tight quarters and the like. I use it when I'm visiting non-smokers and when children are likely to be there. It's a very good trade, I get what I'm after and the drawbacks that affect others are reduced.

Still. Can't beat the proper thing. The paper, the small hiss when you light, the heat on the fingers... It's a good enough erzats, though. It's more considerate, for one.

Definitely a lesser evil . I just wish there was more info out there about *how* lesser it is. Early studies seem to be showing that it's significantly better for you aside from people being silly with their nicotine mixes. On the other hand - long term consumption of nicotine is probably not good for you...

I wonder if there are military applications. The scent of tobacco, and visible smoke can pose problems if you are trying to be stealthy, possibly you could make an e-cigarette which avoided this.

The military isn't terribly happy about smoking at all, though. At least, so I believe. When I applied for the homeguard education gigg, they did suggest that it'd be best to kick the habit while going through training. Of course, they'd probably prefer E-ciggs for the reasons you mentioned, if they had to.

(Of course, depends on the army. I don't think they'd care very much in Russia, for instance)

 

[seris]

Nicotine itself is actually good for your brain and circulation, its the other crap in cigarettes that are the killers.

and who told you this? nicotine constricts blood flow and is extremely addictive. it is nowhere near good for you.

 

[Mezahmay]

Based on some cursory research on e-cigarettes, yeah you've pretty much identified the current biggest problem with vaporizers is that they're almost entirely unregulated. Of course that in and of itself means there may be other problems that are unknown, like nicotine concentrations being all over the place between brands, people in general not regulating their inhalation and use of their vaporizer since they don't have the same reputation as actual cigarettes, the potential for relapse since vaporizers are so similar to actual cigarettes, etc. Personally I think the largest problems that could come out of this is relapse into actual tobacco cigarettes again since the motions are so similar and the vapor substance being metabolized improperly in high doses causing liver or kidney damage. The nicotine itself probably won't get people sick or kill anyone unless they continuously vape for a few weeks. I guess as long as you're okay with still having a habit to depend on, then this is definitely better than smoking.

 

[Nickolai77]

I would concur that it is certainly the lesser of two evils. It doesn't help or cure a smoker's nicotine addiction, but so far it has not been proven to cause all the severe health hazards associated with smoking a cigarette. What I would not want to see though is non-smokers getting hooked on e-cigarettes, and if i'm presented with convincing evidence that this is the case I may support making e-cigarettes only available in pharmacies.

 

[Mezahmay]

I would concur that it is certainly the lesser of two evils. It doesn't help or cure a smoker's nicotine addiction, but so far it has not been proven to cause all the severe health hazards associated with smoking a cigarette. What I would not want to see though is non-smokers getting hooked on e-cigarettes, and if i'm presented with convincing evidence that this is the case I may support making e-cigarettes only available in pharmacies.

That last point is interesting, but it would be difficult to differentiate those new e-cigarette smokers from people who were going to start smoking anyway, thinking this would be a more healthy alternative or something. I'd be interested in seeing those statistics.

 

[LetalisK]

It's the lesser of two evils like how littering is the lesser evil to punting kittens. Not ideal, but it's so far from the original harm that it grinds my gears when local governments start trying to treat e-cigs like normal cigarettes rather than trying to promote the conversion of smokers over to e-cigs, a step much easier than quitting and further facilitates the ultimate step of quitting.

 

[giles]

Nicotine itself is actually good for your brain and circulation, its the other crap in cigarettes that are the killers.

and who told you this? nicotine constricts blood flow and is extremely addictive. it is nowhere near good for you.

http://www.alzheimersresearchuk.org/news-detail/10390/Nicotine-patches-may-slow-progression-to-Alzheimers/
http://www.tampabay.com/news/health/study-finds-nicotine-safe-helps-in-alzheimers-parkinsons/2175396
http://www.alzinfo.org/06/articles/prevention-and-wellness/nicotine-patch-sharpens-memory-mild-cognitive-impairment
http://www.ecigarette-research.com/web/index.php/research/2013/127-no-adverse-effects

Two seconds of googling.

Yea, exactly. 2 seconds. Let's spend more than 2 seconds and READ ok? I only skimmed over the pages so I can only assume you didn't read them at all. I have no other explanation why you would post them otherwise.
1st link:
Only relates to a small sample (67) of NON SMOKERS who suffer from mild cognitive impairment. Why is that? The answer is in the
2nd link:

Nicotine is chemically similar to acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter in the brain that declines in Alzheimer's disease. Drugs such as Aricept help people with Alzheimer's by boosting brain levels of acetylcholine. Apparently, nicotine binds to the receptors in the brain normally occupied by acetylcholine, which benefits people who need more, but it has no apparent effect on those who don't.

"Nicotine doesn't appear to enhance normal people," Newhouse said, "but in people who show some degree of cognitive impairment, nicotine appears to produce a modest but measurable effect on cognitive function, particularly in areas of attention and, to some extent, memory."

This aside, the link is actually the most interesting because it explains link 1/3 (see blow) and clarifies that nicotine is not "very" addictive by itself (even though it is still addictive).
The
3rd link
is actually the same as the first, relating to the same study. How useful that we have 2 links for this.
The
final link
suggests (REALLY small sample, 30 each) e-cigarettes are not as harmful to blood flow to the heart as tobacco immediately after smoking. Specifically excludes long term effects. As an aside I don't really trust the website; seems strange.

To summarize: nicotine isn't good for your brain or blood circulation. It MAY help if you already have Alzheimers or demetia, but you wouldn't start taking medication for Alzheimers now so why vape nicotine? Blood circulation isn't helped either, but instead a small study suggests there are no harmful effects to coronary blood flow and resistance to flow immediately after vaping. That has nothing to do with "good for circulation".

 

[Weaver]

I'd personally love if every smoker just switched over to vaping. It makes them much more pleasant to be around.
The only thing I have a problem with is the word 'vaping'. Something about the word grates on me lol.

 

[Jux]

Eh, "vaping" should refer to vapourising someone with an OtT thermal weapon.

Indeed, was thinking it would be more about this:

Spoiler: Vaped

And less about this:

Spoiler: What is this I don't even

That out of the way, I'll get onto my opinion on breathing in nicotine solvents. It ain't good for ya. Those solvents are lung irritants, and break down into carbonyls at high temps (like when they're exposed to the heating coil). If you're unfamiliar with carbonyls, think 'formaldehyde', it's probably the most well known one. Vaping may reduce the tar intake, bad smell and bad breath, but pushing it as a healthy alternative to cigarettes is like saying a regular cream filled donut is a healthy alternative to a deep fried cream filled donut.

 

[MeatMachine]

No interest in it myself, but I've seen a lot of smokers and drug users convert their otherwise more dangerous habits to it. For that, I guess I am thankful.

 

[Queen Michael]

You don't want to know what I first misread the subject line as...

Anyway, Obviously if it's healthier than regular smoking then it's good if people can use it to quit a habit, but I'm not a fan of any kind of smoking.

 

[PinkiePyro]

neutral but still a might skeptical... while it is arguably healthier than a traditional cigarette its still new tech and there might be side effects there is not much data about it long term or if the steam can cause second hands effects..

it unfortunately has revived the whole doushbag smoker thing... people on my campus who vape are still subject to the rules about smoking (only in the marked smoking areas) but now do it all over the place aggravating everyone and getting in trouble with the campus guards..

I am also unhappy about the lack of rules about selling to minors in most states

 

[Starbird]

It's useful. I very much prefer the good ol' way, but vaping is damn good in tight quarters and the like. I use it when I'm visiting non-smokers and when children are likely to be there. It's a very good trade, I get what I'm after and the drawbacks that affect others are reduced.

Still. Can't beat the proper thing. The paper, the small hiss when you light, the heat on the fingers... It's a good enough erzats, though. It's more considerate, for one.

Definitely a lesser evil . I just wish there was more info out there about *how* lesser it is. Early studies seem to be showing that it's significantly better for you aside from people being silly with their nicotine mixes. On the other hand - long term consumption of nicotine is probably not good for you...

I wonder if there are military applications. The scent of tobacco, and visible smoke can pose problems if you are trying to be stealthy, possibly you could make an e-cigarette which avoided this.

The military isn't terribly happy about smoking at all, though. At least, so I believe. When I applied for the homeguard education gigg, they did suggest that it'd be best to kick the habit while going through training. Of course, they'd probably prefer E-ciggs for the reasons you mentioned, if they had to.

(Of course, depends on the army. I don't think they'd care very much in Russia, for instance)

I don't know. I love smoking but I honestly prefer vaping. It's convinient and the tastes remind me of my hookah which is a massive pain to set up and use.

No more ash! No more freaking tar gunking up the innards of my PC!