Become a Patron!

Helping A Buddy Quit Smoking - Need Advice Please

CrazyChef v2.0

Platinum Contributor
ECF Refugee
VU Challenge Team
Member For 5 Years
Reddit Exile
VU Patreon
So a buddy of mine wants to quit smoking, but understands that he'll be a dual user for a while. He plans on immediately cutting down from 3 packs a day to 2 (Camels), with the help of vaping. Then eventually going to vaping 100%, then getting off of nicotine altogether.

So my concern is, what is THE BEST pod type system for this situation? He needs a "set it and forget it" type system or he just won't use it. I'm thinking some type of pod system like the Juul. But I have extremely limited knowledge of pod systems, so I'm hoping you guys can help. Please don't suggest something that uses nic salts and is refillable, because he just won't do it. It needs to be something with pre-filled pods. The thing I like about the Juul is that the starter kit comes with 4 flavors, and if he likes something non-tobacco flavored, that will open up a crapload of options to him.

The cost is not nearly as important as effectiveness is. He really doesn't mind spending whatever he has to to get the nic he needs. I do plan on having him get two, so that he can always have one charged and ready to go.
 
Last edited:

Matty Vapes

Silver Contributor
Member For 2 Years
Member For 1 Year
if you can't refill a tank i'd say keep smoking or watch a motivational video. harsh words maybe but come on now.
 

jwill

The Great King of Nothing
VU Donator
Platinum Contributor
Member For 2 Years
VU Challenge Team
Reddit Exile
VU SWAT
My wife wants one as well but the first one we ordered sucked terribly and the juice pods that came with it sucked really bad (believe it was a Juul). We ordered another one but I cant remember if refillable or pre filled. Will ask her when she gets home.
 

wildgypsy70

“Widgy Pidgy”
Staff member
Senior Moderator
VU Donator
Platinum Contributor
VU Challenge Team
Member For 5 Years
VU Patreon
I’d say the Juul is your best bet. High nicotine, easy peasy to use, 5(?) different flavors, not stupid expensive, at every gas station so easy to find. I guess the problem is(which is in the future when he wants to drop his nic) is that the Juul doesn’t offer any lower nic. That little pod is a whole pack of smokes.
 

JuicyLucy

My name is Lucy and I am a squonkaholic
VU Donator
Diamond Contributor
ECF Refugee
VU Challenge Team
Member For 5 Years
So a buddy of mine wants to quit smoking, but understands that he'll be a dual user for a while. He plans on immediately cutting down from 3 packs a day to 2 (Camels), with the help of vaping. Then eventually going to vaping 100%, then getting off of nicotine altogether.

So my concern is, what is THE BEST pod type system for this situation? He needs a "set it and forget it" type system or he just won't use it. I'm thinking some type of pod system like the Juul. But I have extremely limited knowledge of pod systems, so I'm hoping you guys can help. Please don't suggest something that uses nic salts and is refillable, because he just won't do it. It needs to be something with pre-filled pods. The thing I like about the Juul is that the starter kit comes with 4 flavors, and if he likes something non-tobacco flavored, that will open up a crapload of options to him.

The cost is not nearly as important as effectiveness is. He really doesn't mind spending whatever he has to to get the nic he needs. I do plan on having him get two, so that he can always have one charged and ready to go.

The Juul is the closest thing to a cigarette I've personally tried (out of about five brands) - really would recommend it first

My personal favorite is the Von Erl - but because its less like a cigarette, lol
 

choderfett

VU Donator
Gold Contributor
Member For 4 Years
The Juul is the closest thing to a cigarette I've personally tried (out of about five brands) - really would recommend it first

My personal favorite is the Von Erl - but because its less like a cigarette, lol

How’s the draw on the juul?
For me with pods and pen vapes, the draw was never satisfying enough. The vapor production isn’t as dense with a restrictive draw.
I recently tried the Vaporesso Orca solo and although it’s a great little compact device, it’s not as satisfying for me. Possibly because I have been using a more open air flow RTA device. My first device back a few years ago was this Aspire magneto telescopic mod with an Atlantis coiled tank.. It never replaced the cigs for me back then because it just didn’t have that oomph.. I ended dropping the mod.. until I picked up a more powerful unit in the vaporesso revenger x last year..
Anyhow just my experience and thoughts..
 

CrazyChef v2.0

Platinum Contributor
ECF Refugee
VU Challenge Team
Member For 5 Years
Reddit Exile
VU Patreon
if you can't refill a tank i'd say keep smoking or watch a motivational video. harsh words maybe but come on now.
Fuck off. You're an asshole. Those aren't harsh words. Those are the words of a limited minded child. Get back on the short bus, and don't forget your soft helmet.

The goal is to get him off cigarettes, not to teach him how to vape. That will come later. To try and teach him "our way" of vaping will just put him off. It's much easier to just light up a cigarette than to go through what we do to vape. But we're vapers. He's a smoker.
 

CrazyChef v2.0

Platinum Contributor
ECF Refugee
VU Challenge Team
Member For 5 Years
Reddit Exile
VU Patreon
My wife wants one as well but the first one we ordered sucked terribly and the juice pods that came with it sucked really bad (believe it was a Juul). We ordered another one but I cant remember if refillable or pre filled. Will ask her when she gets home.
Thank you.
 

SteveS45

Diamond Contributor
ECF Refugee
Member For 5 Years
I tried the Dual Use for a couple of years and finally figured out I was only kidding myself that I was actually cutting down but just getting more Nicotine. Cold Turkey was the only way I was able to quit the Killer Sticks. My experience with the MyJets was great at first until leaking and the cost of refillable pods tripled. Good Luck to him.
 

SteveS45

Diamond Contributor
ECF Refugee
Member For 5 Years
My progression was the eCigs Brand then the Logic system which I refilled the cartridges. When the cartridges got expensive I bought an iStick TC40W and a Nautilus Mini which is still working 4 years later. It is my back up battery to carry and also is great for pocket-ability when working.
 

JuicyLucy

My name is Lucy and I am a squonkaholic
VU Donator
Diamond Contributor
ECF Refugee
VU Challenge Team
Member For 5 Years
How’s the draw on the juul?
For me with pods and pen vapes, the draw was never satisfying enough. The vapor production isn’t as dense with a restrictive draw.
I recently tried the Vaporesso Orca solo and although it’s a great little compact device, it’s not as satisfying for me. Possibly because I have been using a more open air flow RTA device. My first device back a few years ago was this Aspire magneto telescopic mod with an Atlantis coiled tank.. It never replaced the cigs for me back then because it just didn’t have that oomph.. I ended dropping the mod.. until I picked up a more powerful unit in the vaporesso revenger x last year..
Anyhow just my experience and thoughts..

Juul is not as easy as a cigarette but best I know of - I got it for my Mr because he is like Chef's friend - if it ain't simple and works every time, he won't do it

Also got one for my daughter and she did quit smoking with it since last June

One thing I will say: when a smoker takes a drag from one of my "real vapes" they always choke and claim its too strong - and I am a tootle puffer
 

zephyr

Dirty Pirate Meg
VU Donator
Gold Contributor
Member For 4 Years
Unlisted Vendor
I also say Juul, if price isn't an issue and he smokes that much and wants no hassle. Most of the flavors are yucky except Crem Brulee and the tobacco one (my opinion), but he can get a starter kit, and one or two extra batteries, and then pods after he finds a flavor he likes. He may actually not get much flavor from them at all, being a heavy smoker, but he will get nicotine. My mom won't use it consistently because she likes to chain smoke for 20+ minutes in the morning, but the Juul gives her enough nicotine after a few puffs.

I started quitting on the Halo G5 cigalikes, probably could have quit sooner if they had nic salts and pods back then :) good luck to him
 

mikeyboy74

VU Donator
Silver Contributor
Member For 4 Years
Member For 3 Years
Had a Juul, and it worked, but he needs to understand that they are close to disposable. Easy to lose, get wonky in a number of ways over time, easy to lose.

Replaced it with a Phix. I thought the vape was far nicer and better value in the pods. But 2 issues--- condensation gets in the drip tip part of the pod, and it spits unless you clean it out a few times a day. I dropped mine, and the shape changed enough that it would no longer fit the charger.

I hear great things about the Myle but the starter kit doesn't contain pods.....and they are not as widely stocked.

I guess something like an Endura T20s or a Zenith tank with a very simple mod sounds out of the question. If so, I think any prefilled pod will work- understanding these are not usually long lived devices.

Not familiar, but there are now Naked e liquid disposables with nic salts, and Vape Wild disposables with 18 mg regular freebase nic.
 

JuicyLucy

My name is Lucy and I am a squonkaholic
VU Donator
Diamond Contributor
ECF Refugee
VU Challenge Team
Member For 5 Years
I think any prefilled pod will work- understanding these are not usually long lived devices.

I personally do not believe any system will do for a hard core smoker who does not want to fidget with the vape - the first time they get a mouthful of juice or no vapor from a pull and they will light up at the very first opportunity
 

mikeyboy74

VU Donator
Silver Contributor
Member For 4 Years
Member For 3 Years
I will say that aside from tinkering, heavy smokers often seem to have an easier transition.

They are used to always smoking, they are maintaining nic rather than getting a buzz, and have a lifestyle/occupation that will tolerate either method.

The 15 year half pack a day guy like me doesn't want to always be vaping, and misses the fun/pleasure of smoking- making for a harder transition.

My landscape guy was easily 2ppd of reds, as was his crew. He quit with a tfv8 cloud beast of all things, so there's no telling. If he asked me, I might have suggested a Nautilus, and who knows what the result would have been.
 

Grego

Bronze Contributor
Member For 4 Years
Reddit Exile
So I have tried to get my brother in law off cigarettes a few times. First off like you friend he just doesn't want the complications involved with vaping. I set him up with a nautilus tank, it leaked in his pocket and he didn't like the smell of the tank in his pocket. He did find it helpful With the cravings associated with quitting smoking. I thought the Juul would be the solution. Then he told me he hated it gave him a head ache. I think he was hitting it to hard or to frequently. The device and pods are available at wawa. For less cost than a carton of smokes it's worth a try . Good luck to you and your friend Chef.
 
Last edited:

SteveS45

Diamond Contributor
ECF Refugee
Member For 5 Years
One thing you all must remember a smoker who doesn't want to quit will find any reason to avoid a way to do it~! I speak from experience as an almost 40 year pack a day Marlboro Red smoker. At on time that was 3 packs a day but here I am almost 4 years later. If you don't want to do it then it won't happen.
 

jwill

The Great King of Nothing
VU Donator
Platinum Contributor
Member For 2 Years
VU Challenge Team
Reddit Exile
VU SWAT
Finally got up with the wife and she bought a Penguin because it was purple, girly and simple looking and two Juules packs, not much help here. I am going to camp on this thread now because I have a friend who is an old man and wants to quit smoking to fulfill a promise to someone.
 

JuicyLucy

My name is Lucy and I am a squonkaholic
VU Donator
Diamond Contributor
ECF Refugee
VU Challenge Team
Member For 5 Years
Truthfully - quitting smoking with vaping is different for everybody - it took me 3 years and a month of dual using before I quit my 2.5 PAD, 37 year habit
 

AndriaD

Yes, I DO wear a mask! I'm vaccinated, too!
VU Donator
Diamond Contributor
ECF Refugee
Member For 5 Years
I was dual use also, using the BLU and V2 cigalikes. Then I got an ARO winder kit, and unleashed the monster. :D

I dual-used at first for about 3 wks, and then again later I relapsed to dual-use fir about a month, though never stopped vaping. I used an eRoll, but I don't think those are available anymore.

Dual use is a good way to start; it lets you ease into it, talk yourself into it, without pressure. I really thought the cigarette form-factor was really important, soon found out it wasn't, but everyone does have to arrive at that understanding at their own pace -- you're right, if it's too much trouble, most smokers wouldn't stick with it -- that's WHY i graduated to pen-style and refillable tank, so I didn't have to fuck with it so often as with the eRoll.


If and when he does want to start refilling, I found MyFreedomSmokes' tobacco flavors very realistic -- their Virginia is what got me off cigarettes.

Andria
 

Vape Fan

_evil twin_
Staff member
Senior Moderator
VU Donator
Platinum Contributor
Press Corps
Member For 5 Years
One thing you all must remember a smoker who doesn't want to quit will find any reason to avoid a way to do it~! I speak from experience as an almost 40 year pack a day Marlboro Red smoker. At on time that was 3 packs a day but here I am almost 4 years later. If you don't want to do it then it won't happen.
Agreed. The same thing for me, kinda. Almost 2 and sometimes 2 pks a day for 41 yrs. Tried a couple cigalikes and they were nasty. 3 prescripiton types and 1 of them twice, patches, gum, hotline, tried a lot of different things. Wasn't till I , had had enough, and spent $130 on VW/Nautilus/juice that made me cig free in 2 weeks.

There's no recommend on pod type system here, as I've never used any. Just hoping that if what he gets doesn't work for him, he broadens his horizons and doesn't give up trying. But it's up to him and the amount of effort he will give it.
 

Pastorfuzz

Gold Contributor
Member For 4 Years
VU Patreon
I first tried Blu's and they helped very little.
Then the patches, which made me have terrible nightmares.
Had a toaster chasing me through the woods one night!
Got an IPV400, A BBB tank, and some Jon Wayne juice at 12mg.
After a week I was smoke free
 

gadget!

"The Trader"
VU Donator
Platinum Contributor
Member For 5 Years
VU SWAT
VU Patreon
One trip to the doctor with bad results will do it.
Not preaching but sharing my story...
I smoked for about 45 years and was a pack and a half to two packs a day smoker.
My right leg started bothering me, it would just get tired and be really uncomfortable. When it got to the point that I couldn't mow my front and back lawn in one mowing I decided to find out why.
After several trips to the doctor's office and different tests it was determined that the main artery in my right leg was about 90% plugged off and a blood vessel that feeds blood to my right foot completely plugged due to smoking.
I walked out of the doctor's office, threw my cigarettes away and headed to the vape store.
After surgery to put a stent in the artery I'm about 80% back to normal. The leg still gets tired but I can mow my entire lawn again.

Sent from a Galaxy far far away!
 
Last edited:
One thing you all must remember a smoker who doesn't want to quit will find any reason to avoid a way to do it~! I speak from experience as an almost 40 year pack a day Marlboro Red smoker. At on time that was 3 packs a day but here I am almost 4 years later. If you don't want to do it then it won't happen.
Not so sure about that last part... I smoked for 44 years, 1.5 to 2 ppd... Tried a few things over the years, including e-cigs about 10 years ago, retired almost 2 years ago and just wanted to cut back a bit if I could, decided to give vaping another go... Did NOT intend or desire to quit entirely but when I found my cigarette smoking drastically reduced after 1 week vaping 0 nicotine I wondered what would happen if I vaped nicotine... So I got more e-juices, then a Suorin for Nic salts... Well, no need to look back...
 

AndriaD

Yes, I DO wear a mask! I'm vaccinated, too!
VU Donator
Diamond Contributor
ECF Refugee
Member For 5 Years
Not so sure about that last part... I smoked for 44 years, 1.5 to 2 ppd... Tried a few things over the years, including e-cigs about 10 years ago, retired almost 2 years ago and just wanted to cut back a bit if I could, decided to give vaping another go... Did NOT intend or desire to quit entirely but when I found my cigarette smoking drastically reduced after 1 week vaping 0 nicotine I wondered what would happen if I vaped nicotine... So I got more e-juices, then a Suorin for Nic salts... Well, no need to look back...

Kinda similar to my own experience, though I vaped nicotine from the start -- I only wanted vaping as a part-time replacement, for when it was too cold to comfortably stand around outdoors. But when I discovered what an AWESOME substitute it is, I wondered, could I maybe quit smoking entirely? A month later, I had my answer: YES! :)

I recently encountered an old friend, who doesn't smoke much anymore, since his wife quit because of her COPD, but I was reminded of my own response to the idea of flavors other than tobacco: I thought the entire idea of "smoking food" was weird to the max, and so does my friend. I told him he shouldn't knock it if he hasn't tried it, because pretty much any fruit is miles better tasting than any tobacco ever grown. :D

Andria
 

SteveS45

Diamond Contributor
ECF Refugee
Member For 5 Years
Not so sure about that last part... I smoked for 44 years, 1.5 to 2 ppd... Tried a few things over the years, including e-cigs about 10 years ago, retired almost 2 years ago and just wanted to cut back a bit if I could, decided to give vaping another go...

But you had the desire or wanted to cut down.
 

VU Sponsors

Top