subject: Switching To Electronic Cigarettes As A Gradual Process [print this page] If you have decided to make the switch to electronic cigarettes, you are already moving in the right direction toward eliminating the smell, cost and inconvenience of traditional smoking. You are making a choice that will have positive benefits on many aspects of your life, and that is something you should congratulate yourself for.
That is why it is so important to be aware of the potential you may have to beat yourself up instead of pat yourself on the back. While some people may put down the analog cigarettes and go straight to e-cigs with no problems, for others the switch is a gradual process.
Keep some cigarettes on hand, and let yourself smoke them
What is effective for one person may be the wrong approach for another, but one thing is certain: when you feel deprived of something, you are likely to want it even more. That is why the first and most important recommendation while making the switch to electronic cigarettes is that you should make sure to always have a pack of traditional smokes available, and mentally allow yourself to consider them an option.
Some people find that they still have intense cravings for an analog cigarette at very specific times. A smoke with the first cup of morning coffee is one example; after a meal or while driving are two other common times when you may want an electronic cigarette.
When you first start vaping, allow yourself analogs at those specific times, and use your electronic cigarette for nicotine cravings in between. You may also benefit from keeping a journal to chart when you are more likely to want a traditional cigarette, to help you identify and deal with those moments.
As you continue the switch to e-cigarettes, replace those analogs with stronger cartridges
Since e-cigarette cartomizers come in multiple strengths, and assuming you are not starting at the top strength, you may be able to deal with those specific cigarette cravings by temporarily swapping out your cartomizer for one with a higher nicotine level. When you finish fulfilling that after dinner craving, simply reattach your lower level nicotine cartridge to your electronic cigarette.
This same method can be helpful during those high-stress moments when you are really jonesing for a smoke. A higher level of nicotine can fulfill the craving without sacrificing the progress you have made toward switching.
Understand that you will still experience withdrawal symptoms
Your body is not only accustomed to the nicotine, hand-to-mouth action and inhaling. When you smoke traditional cigarettes, you are also giving yourself other substances involved in the cigarette manufacturing process, as well as whole tobacco alkaloids (WTAs). Since electronic cigarette cartomizers are filled using liquid nicotine extracted from tobacco, the WTAs are left behind.
The point, though, is that even though you do not have those additional substances, you still do have access to nicotine and the physical motions you associate with smoking, which will make your adjustment much easier.
Cut yourself a break
If you beat yourself up for not progressing quickly enough, you will do more psychological harm than good. Allow yourself to progress at a pace that is comfortable for you, and you stand a much better chance of successfully switching to electronic cigarettes.
