5 days in

[BHum95]

Hello all,

In need of advice. I am 5 days in to quitting. Used to smoke 6 roll ups a day and mainly in the car.

I find the association of driving and smoking so difficult so have an e-cigarette for times I’m really struggling and have a few puffs behind the wheel.

Question is: can I still count myself as stopping smoking? I know e-cigs come with their own risk and reading your posts about not giving in to nicotine makes me feel I’m not quitting properly!

Any help or advice would be fab! X

[TheTabbyCat Administrator LONG TERM WINNER]

Hi BHum95, well done for your decision to quit and of course for your 5 smokefree days.👍

Welcome to Quit Support.💙

It's never easy to quit but it's easier with a little support.💪

There's no"proper" way of quitting. We are all different. E-cigs can be considered a valid form of NRT. I suggest that over time you try to lower the % of nicotine.

If you read the pinned posts 📌there's lots of information there.

Please remember to drink lots of water 💧💦to flush out the toxins and stay hydrated.

If you feel you need anymore help, don't hesitate to ask. There's always someone here.

Good luck with your quit.🍀🚭

[tom_wales09 19 Months Winner]

Hi Bhum95

I'm wondering if an alternative mode of transport may help if it's the association of driving and smoking you are struggling with?

Maybe catch a bus/train instead or a lift, or walk? Changing the pattern for the shorter term may help you forget about the association in the longer term?

All the best,

Tom

[Corrina125 LONG TERM WINNER]

Hi BHum any form of NRT is good, you might like to try an inhalator, but it is the association that you need to break. How about chewing on a straw, sucking mints, leaving the rollies at home on short journeys and build up to longer journeys. I think weaning process might just work for you in order to break that association

[Briarwood Administrator Ducky]

Hi BHum and welcome👋

Yes you most definitely have stopped smoking and any NRT used to help you is good👍

There are many associations linked to smoking but in time these will get easier. The more you practice, the better you become.

Good luck🍀 we look forward to supporting you on your quit journey🚭✅xx

[quit07 28 MONTHS WINNER]

E-cigs are definitely a million times better than normal cigarettes.. They are a part of nicotine replacement therapy, like ur nicotine gums etc. Nicotine is not the harmful bit in a cigarette, it's the addictive bit, the harm comes from the other chemicals that go in a cigarette. Also burning something organic n inhaling the smoke is very bad for lungs. U r not doing a half quit or anything, dont let anyone convince u of that. U r doing well and just stay on that path. More power to u.. Cheers..

[Witty41 LONG TERM WINNER]

Hi Bhum thing with ecigs is they just have nicotine no Tobbaco. I used an ecig couple years ago. It's like NRT like the patch or gum. It's just getting the nicotine a different way. I agree with Tubby about lowering the level and try to only use it in the car. I know many people who have successfully quit using an ecig and managed to stop using the ecig as well. I don't know where in the world you are and what the laws are. But I have a friend who has bluetooth in her car. She calls people while she is driving. She said it's the one time she still struggles not to smoke.

[tiggs1]

I drive a lot for work and smoked during my journeys, I bought one of the nicorette inhalators and find using that a massive help when in the car. I am only using one cartridge a day so by home time I know it is not giving me nicotine however just having it in my hand makes a big difference.

To help with the craving during the day i am using the niquitin lozenges and they are fantastic.

Keep up the good work.

[Barndog LONG TERM WINNER]

I smoked everywhere but driving was VERY hard . I held a stylus in my smoking hand and it gave me the feeling that I was holding a smoke. Worked for me.