Originally posted by JohnPhoenix
I am a smoker. I' love to try these things but can't afford to.
I wanted to try these about a year ago, but did have a bit of trouble finding them in the U.S. Read something a few weeks ago which indicated
they're now available and did a bit of research. I ordered my first e cigs about 3 weeks ago and have had them for about 10 days now and, gotta say,
they're great.
I've smoked for about 40 years, probably averaging a pack a day, sometimes more, sometimes less. Since receiving the e cigs, I've not had a regular
cigarette - no desire to. These things are simply like changing brands. The difficulty for me, I think, in quitting, was not so much the nicotine
addiction as the 'act of smoking.' These e cigs allow me to do that (while getting the nicotine) without the 4000 odd other gasses, chemicals, etc.
I can already tell some difference in my respiratory system and, in general, feel better.
As to being able to afford them - they're actually significantly cheaper than regular cigarettes. I started with a $59.95 starter kit which included
basically 2 e cigs (2 batteries, 2 atomizers), a 'carton' of 25 cartridges, and two chargers. The company states each cartridge is approximately
the equivalent of 15 cigarettes. Some reviews rate them more like 7 - half that. I've found that I use 2 cartridges a day, so that's, I'm
guessing, the equivalent of about 10 per for me.
New 'cartons' of 25 cartridges are $25 each with a quantity discount, i.e., $80 for 4 'cartons.' So, basically, they range from 80 cents to a
dollar each, depending on your buying habits. I've decided on 4 at a time for the savings - that means 100 cartidges, or over a month and a half
supply, for $80. I do figure also to purchase 2 batteries and 2 atomizers per order as well at $9.95 per pair ($20 total) for a total cost of $100
per month and a half. It should be noted that the company I'm using offers free shipping.
In short, I'm now looking at roughly $67 per month for e cigs as opposed to about $150 per month for regular cigarettes (at $5.00 a pack currently,
even by the carton). That means the starter kit I began with is covered the first month, plus I'll be spending less than half what I have been now -
a good little savings. As far as maintenance, the batteries and atomizers are already built in; if a new charger is needed once or twice a year, no
big deal, they're $9.95 for two - one AC Adapter and one USB charger for on-the-go laptop charging.
Another thing I've noticed; as another poster mentioned, I've found that all my nicotine and smoking cravings are met, but I'm actually using the e
cigs a bit less each day with no increased desire. I've not figured that one out yet.
These are such a simple and effective product, I don't know why they haven't been around for years. I certainly understand why the cigarette
lobbies are trying to keep them off the market; however, I doubt they will succeed now as e cigs become increasingly popular. I do believe they're
the smoking wave of the future.