Anyone use Electronic Cigarettes????

[CathrynRose]

Just ordered my Njoy!!!!!!!!

It's very lonely standing outside the office all bu myself smoking!!!!! And the rumors & gossip have all but halted!!!!

I think I'm gonna go for it too. I am truly hooked on that inhaling / puffing aspect. And no nicotine replacement ever mocked this part of it.

And LEGALSEA - thank you so much for such a great review of the product. So detailed. I dont think I would have even considered it, had I not read your posts. Thanks!

 

[legalsea]

I was just looking at these on Costco's site and I am pretty sure it said for the refill that there is a no nicotine option (Reg, Light, Ulta Light and No).

That is correct. I went ahead and go the 'regular' nicotine; I will then head down the ladder until I hit the 'no nicotine' electronic cigarette.

My wife was surprised that I had been smoking these Njoy in my car for the past week; she could not smell a thing.

 

[jrmasm]

Why are you putting allergic in quotes? There are people who really are allergic to smoke. Me and my aunt included. Heck. My dad will come home after being at the bar with smokers and my eyes start hurting and my sinuses start to clog up. When it's really strong on him, I even start to sneeze and cough. I don't have to even smell it for me to react to the smoke.



Me too.




The chemicals in cigarettes can be allergy causing. I'm allergic to all kinds of chemicals. I'd like you to see the the itchy red rashes on my hands and wrists that is caused by the chemical perfumes that is put into so many items (including basic soap) and tell me I'm lying when I say I'm allergic to them.

This is like saying that pollen doesn't cause an allegic reaction because it's only an irritant. Or that no one could possibly be allergic to aspirin or grass.

There are fakes and there are people whose symptoms are psychosomatic. But there are people that are truly allergic to tobacco cigarettes.
Never assume that because you or someone you know personally has never been allergic to something that others aren't.

From WebMD:


Asthma and allergies are much more common in people with a family history of asthma or allergies. The factors which worsen asthma vary from individual to individual. Each person with asthma should seek to determine exactly which factors cause their asthma to worsen. Common asthma triggers include:

Allergies, such as to house dust mites, cockroaches, cats, dogs, molds, mice, and grass, weed, and tree pollens
Infections, colds, influenza, and other respiratory viruses
Irritants, such as strong odors from perfumes or cleaning solutions, air pollution, and especially smoke from tobacco, incense, candles, or fires



http://www.webmd.com/asthma/understanding-asthma-basics



I assumed nothing.

 

[legalsea]

Just ordered my Njoy!!!!!!!!

It's very lonely standing outside the office all bu myself smoking!!!!! And the rumors & gossip have all but halted!!!!

I will be very interested to hear your views on the Njoy. I wish we could compare notes on the amount of 'smoke' emitted, since I am still not satisfied that this thing is producing as much smoke as it should.

However, today I should be receiving the Red Dragon electronic cigarette, and I shall see how it produces.

 

[NotUrsula]

OK, I'm going to preface this comment by saying that I'm as anti-cigarette as anyone you will find on this planet. I am very sensitive to the odor of the smoke, and yes, I do sometimes start to cough if I sit next to someone who is holding an unlit cigarette, if that person has been previously smoking quite a bit since the last time they took a shower. More commonly, I'll get a walloping headache, my eyes will water, and eventually I'll start vomiting if I cannot distance myself from the odor. (Criminal jury duty was sheer hell for me, because of the decades of smoke residue permeating the jury room.)

I've seen lung cancer up close, more times that anyone should. My father died of it when I was 12 (it was occupationally-induced; he hadn't smoked for 40 years by that point, though he was of course exposed to secondhand smoke like everyone was in those days). My brother also died of it (at age 52); he had a 2 pack a day habit for 30 years. It also killed 2 of my aunts, seven of my uncles and two of the uncles' wives who were not smokers themselves. In my family smoking isn't a risk factor for the disease, it's a certain path to it. We've been involved with genetic studies because our incidence is so bizarrely high. Lung cancer is without a doubt one of the most horrible, painful, lingering ways to die that nature could possibly devise, and for that reason I'm going to have at least some positive thoughts about any device that helps people give up conventional cigarettes.

All that said, I really have mixed feelings about these new electronic cigarettes. I think that for people who are current smokers of conventional cigarettes, they are probably a Godsend, and I hope that in that context they will save many lives.

Still, I really worry about what might happen if people are allowed to start using the electronic cigarettes everywhere, the way that people used to smoke tobacco cigarettes. Nicotine *is* a poison and an addictive substance, and I think that the jury is still out on what the long-term effects of this level of exposure might be.

Most importantly, I worry that if we welcome these anywhere because there is no real smoke, the "cool" factor of [electronic] cigarette smoking will once again become a pervasive attractant to the habit, hooking new users (especially kids) just as surely as the old coffin nails did. I don't want smoking of ANY kind to again become something that everyone does because everyone else does it and because they want to look cool. What if 50 years from now the whole world had switched to these and the number of "smokers" had again become the majority of the population, and THEN science discovered that the nicotine consumption was causing medical conditions?

Yes, I know there would be some people who would stick to the no-nicotine variety, but I can tell you now that it wouldn't be the girls. Nicotine suppresses the appetite, and no fear of future what-might-have-beens is going to keep young women away from something supposedly harmless if they think that it will keep them thin. Animal studies have shown that nicotine *is* teratogenic on its own; do we really want to be able to find out the hard way if that's also true for humans?

The FDA definitely needs to regulate these electronic cigarettes and their cartridge contents, and I personally would feel better if they were a Rx device.

 

[Luv2Scrap]

I have a co-worker that sits right across from me that swears by them. She's been using them for about 3 weeks now and says she hardly smokes the real cigarettes at all anymore.

 

[EthansMom]

As a mother of two kids who have asthma, I'd be concerned about the makeup of the vapor if someone was "smoking" an electronic cig. in proximity (say indoors) to my kids.

 

[jrmasm]

Post #20 says it's just water.

 

[legalsea]

http://www.njoycigarettes.com/learning-center

Link to Njoy explaining how the electronic cigarette works.

I do not see where anything is emitted that would trigger asthma in a child.

 

[cteddiesgirl]

From WebMD:


Asthma and allergies are much more common in people with a family history of asthma or allergies. The factors which worsen asthma vary from individual to individual. Each person with asthma should seek to determine exactly which factors cause their asthma to worsen. Common asthma triggers include:

Allergies, such as to house dust mites, cockroaches, cats, dogs, molds, mice, and grass, weed, and tree pollens
Infections, colds, influenza, and other respiratory viruses
Irritants, such as strong odors from perfumes or cleaning solutions, air pollution, and especially smoke from tobacco, incense, candles, or fires



http://www.webmd.com/asthma/understanding-asthma-basics



I assumed nothing.

Hmm. then I wonder why I had a teacher once who stopped breathing because of someone's heavy perfume. And she didn't do it volumtarily. Her throat swelled up and they had to call 911.

And irritants can cause many of the same symptoms as allergies.

As for my own allergies to chemicals, yes they are actually allergies. The odors from the perfumes in products don't cause me problems. Only when they come into contact with my skin. Then I get itchy red rashes. That's not an irritant. That's an allergy.


http://www.health.am/allergies/more/causes_of_allergies

Potential allergens can be anything from dust mites and pollen to insect stings, fragrances, and foods such as shellfish and peanuts.

http://www.mayoclinic.org/news2006-rst/3268.html

Friday, March 03, 2006

ROCHESTER, Minn. — A new Mayo Clinic study reveals the most common causes of allergic contact dermatitis, a skin inflammation resulting in swollen, reddened and itchy skin due to direct contact with an allergen. Topping the list were:

*Nickel (nickel sulfate hexahydrate) — metal frequently encountered in jewelry and clasps or buttons on clothing

*Gold (gold sodium thiosulfate) — precious metal often found in jewelry

*Balsam of Peru (myroxylon pereirae) — a fragrance used in perfumes and skin lotions, derived from tree resin

*Thimerosal — a mercury compound used in local antiseptics and in vaccines

*Neomycin sulfate — a topical antibiotic common in first aid creams and ointments, also found occasionally in cosmetics, deodorant, soap and pet food

*Fragrance mix — a group of the eight most common fragrance allergens found in foods, cosmetic products, insecticides, antiseptics, soaps, perfumes and dental products

*Formaldehyde — a preservative with multiple uses, e.g., in paper products, paints, medications, household cleaners, cosmetic products and fabric finishes

*Cobalt chloride — metal found in medical products; hair dye; antiperspirant; objects plated in metal such as snaps, buttons or tools; and in cobalt blue pigment

*Bacitracin — a topical antibiotic

*Quaternium 15 — preservative found in cosmetic products such as self-tanners, shampoo, nail polish and sunscreen or in industrial products such as polishes, paints and waxes

The ones I bolded are ones I'm allergic to.

You don't believe that people can be allergic to things you'd never think of? Here you go. From the Mayo Clinic:
http://www.mayoclinic.org/medical-edge-television-2008/scripts/I06txt.html
February 2008 -- Allergic to the Cold

Intro: February is a time of year when people tend to complain about the cold. Sure, cold weather can be a nuisance, but did you know that some people are actually allergic to it? It’s true. You can be allergic to the cold. More from Mayo Clinic.

“WITH EXTREME COLD EXPOSURE OR TOTAL BODY EXPOSURE THERE CAN BE A MASSIVE RELEASE OF HISTAMINE AND SIGNIFICANT BODY SWELLING, EVEN A DROP IN BLOOD PRESSURE AND THIS COULD BE A LIFE-THREATENING SITUATION.”

(sorry about the caps-copied directly from the site).

Also from the Mayo Clinic:

http://www.mayoclinic.org/news2007-mchi/4056.html

A new feature on MayoClinic.com offers some simple tips and suggestions to help people allergy-proof their homes:

...
No smoking. Don't allow smoking anywhere inside your house.

If smoking didn't cause allergies, why does the Mayo Clinic say to allergy proof your home, do not allow smoking?

 

[PlainJane]

I wonder if people who are 'allergic' to smoke react to these as well.

What are the quotes about? Do you think asthma is a big conspiracy or something?

I have asthma. I know when someone starts smoking wether they are in front of me or behind me completely out of my line of sight. My throat starts to feel clogged (can't think of a better word) and my breathing becomes strained. It's almost like running through mud, it's possible, but not as easy as say on concrete.

Thankfully, smoke has only cause me discomfort and never an attack. For some reason I only get those in extreme cold.

 

[coles1mom]

legalsea, are you using the menthol or non?
$90 for the start-up kit and $65 for the refills, not cheap but if the menthol is there, I'm sure it would be a very helpful product for my Mom.

DISUNC, thanks for the thread, I'd never even heard of it before.

 

[merryweather20]

From WebMD:


Asthma and allergies are much more common in people with a family history of asthma or allergies. The factors which worsen asthma vary from individual to individual. Each person with asthma should seek to determine exactly which factors cause their asthma to worsen. Common asthma triggers include:

Allergies, such as to house dust mites, cockroaches, cats, dogs, molds, mice, and grass, weed, and tree pollens
Infections, colds, influenza, and other respiratory viruses
Irritants, such as strong odors from perfumes or cleaning solutions, air pollution, and especially smoke from tobacco, incense, candles, or fires



http://www.webmd.com/asthma/understanding-asthma-basics



I assumed nothing.

Are you kidding around, here? That isn't even close to an exhaustive list of allergies or irritants...

 

[jrmasm]

Settle down there folks. I do not think that asthma is a big conspiracy, nor do I think that is a complelete list or irritants or allergents, nor do I think that people don't react to smoke. But what I do know is that people are not allergic to smoke.

Break it down to a semantic issue if you wish.

 

[mamacatnv]

I quit last March and I will tell you it was the hardest thing I've ever had to do. For those who say it was easy because you wanted to do it - that's fantastic FOR YOU. It wasn't easy for me - don't tell me it should / could have been.

I quit completely in January using Chantix. The last pack I bought was last October but BFF smokes and I would bum one from her about once a week. Finally stopped that habit in January. I agree, it's not easy and I miss it terribly but I'm determined to "NOPE" Not One Puff Ever

Can I get them and not put in the nicotene? I really just want to puff on something without putting nicotene back in my system. It has been almost 4 months. yay me!

I worry that for me having that puff would lead to me wanting more, and more and more........

I think I'm gonna go for it too. I am truly hooked on that inhaling / puffing aspect. And no nicotine replacement ever mocked this part of it.

I totally understand that, there is not a pretzel in the world that "does it"

FWIW - Chantix worked really well, it took me awhile to figure out how to take it and deal with the side effects, but I did and it was so worth it. I took the Chantix for 5 months

 

[C.Ann]

legalsea, are you using the menthol or non?
$90 for the start-up kit and $65 for the refills, not cheap but if the menthol is there, I'm sure it would be a very helpful product for my Mom.

DISUNC, thanks for the thread, I'd never even heard of it before.

------------------
Post #49 has a link to their site - with a 30% off sale.. It appears that menthol is available..

Sounds like it might be a good option for your mom.. If she's on a limited income, perhaps you and a couple of other family members could chip in and purchase it for Mother's Day.. If she really wants to quit - but can't afford to try this device - I bet she would be thrilled..

 

[legalsea]

UPDATE: I discovered that you get more consistent 'smoke' from the Njoy electronic cigarette if, while drawing on the e-cigarette, the atomizer element is in the horizontal position. Hence, pull off the filter and look into the barrell of the atomizer (that is still connected to the battery part). You will see a gray 'rope' element; make sure that said 'rope' element is horizontal when dragging on the cigarette (I line it all up so that when dragging on the cigarette the 'njoy' label is on top), and you will have much more consistent smoke.

 

[PatsMom]

Very interesting reading. A woman I work with just got her electronic cigarette last week. She uses it at her desk. She got it from her sister who has stopped smoking real cigarettes entirely.

I quit smoking 2 1/2 years ago and am not interested in using the cigarette myself. I still struggle with the urge to smoke at times but am determined not to re-introduce nicotine to my body. But my DH is still smoking. I think I am going to look into getting him an electronic cigarette.

 

[legalsea]

Update: This afternoon I received the Red Dragon electronic cigarette.

The big difference between Njoy and Red Dragon: with Njoy you have one atomizer, which serves each 'filter' filled with nicotine. With Red Dragon, the atomizer is in each separate 'filter'. Hence, with Njoy, if you happen to have a 'bad' atomizer, you have to send it back and get another one from Njoy; with Red Dragon, you toss the filter and try another. One bad atomizer does not spoil the bunch.

I've got to admit: Red Dragon rocks it out. I still like the Njoy, but Red Dragon is for the person who wants serious 'smoke'.

After I charged up the Red Dragon battery (I bought the cheap 'computer' charger, meaning I screwed the battery (the white part of the cigarette) onto a device that plugs into a port of the computer) I then screwed in the 'atomizer/nicotine/filter' part. My wife and I then went out to a Mexican restaurant and sat in the bar and had a margarita.

Well, I started to pull on the Red Dragon and I was awarded with wonderful 'smoke'. I could not, literally, tell the difference from the amount of smoke produced by a real cigarette. Plus, the Red Dragon, besides having the 'ash' end light up (as do all other e-cigarette brands) also made a mild 'toasting' noise, just as if you were smoking an older cigarette (I must admit, as a lad, I well recall the 'burning tobacco noise' when drawing on a smoke; in past years they have been mostly quiet, I guess due to additives).

Mind, I was sitting directly across from my wife, whom I avoid smoking in front of, due to a mild lung condition she has (she will have an occasional cigarette; it is not COPD or such). Anyway, I blew the 'smoke' directly at her at times, and she took no notice, and told me she could not smell anything.

Red Dragon charges $11.95 for four cartridges (you can choose the strength of the nicotine; I went for Marlboro). They claim that each cartridge equals one pack (I have no opinion on that thus far; I imagine it is an exaggeration). Of course, with a pack here in Fort Worth being $6.00 per, it is a pretty good bargain (of course they add shipping; I am writing the owner about his Federal Express charge; I purchased on Wednesday morning and choose 'second day' mail; I did not receive until today, Monday. I even wrote the owner and he wrote back about "if you order after such-and-such a time, and you have a weekend', etc. I shall tell him to use US mail. I did appreciate the email, however.

In summary: Njoy CAN give a very satisfying 'drag', but it does require work. Red Dragon gives a bunch of tasty smoke right off the bat, although I am not sure how long a cartlidge actually lasts. More later.

 

[legalsea]

This is the "more later".


My wife liked the Red Dragon so much, I got one for her (she does not 'smoke'; she used to, but due to lung problems she gave it up). The other night, after some adult beverages, she stated that she wanted a 'smoke' (she is prone to do so, after the third beer). I gave her a Red Dragon, and she loved it!. Plus, NO lung impairment the next day. She 'smoked' the Red Dragon for an hour or two without any adverse affects.

Today, I drove 600 miles in 12 hours. No cigarettes, although I did have my Npro and Red Dragon at hand. The order was "No smoking' during the drive, but I was able to use the electronic smokes without problem.

Both are very good:Nhoy and Red Dragon.