Are E-Cigarettes Actually Good or Not? [Real Experience and Opinions]

Are e-cigarettes actually good or not? I can only tell you that e-cigarettes are much healthier than traditional cigarettes. Although e-cigarettes are not yet very popular in China, many people abroad are using them. Many Hollywood stars are using them, and Leonardo DiCaprio has been spotted multiple times vaping. Many wealthy youngsters abroad use e-cigarettes to showcase their taste. I switched to e-cigarettes after the Lantern Festival this year. Here are my personal real experiences and opinions; please don't criticize me.

1. Smokers know that traditional cigarettes are burned, while e-cigarettes are just heated. In terms of the process, the higher the temperature, the more toxic substances are produced. In principle, e-cigarettes are healthier than traditional cigarettes.

2. After experiencing it for a few months, I personally have pharyngitis. When I used to smoke traditional cigarettes, I would cough heavily in the morning, always feeling like there was phlegm in my throat, and I would often spit after smoking, feeling dry. After switching to e-cigarettes for a month, this phenomenon has basically disappeared. I used to cough so much that my chest would hurt, but now I don't have that feeling. So, based on my body's changes, I feel that e-cigarettes are healthier than traditional cigarettes.

3. After vaping e-cigarettes for a few months, I started to feel disgusted by traditional cigarettes. There was one time (about a month after I started vaping) when I forgot to bring my e-cigarette, and I craved a cigarette. I bought a pack of traditional cigarettes, took a puff, and felt nauseous. I initially thought I had bought fake cigarettes, so I took another puff, but I still couldn't stand it and threw that cigarette away. Later, I let my friends try that pack, and they all said it was real. From this experience, I believe e-cigarettes can help with quitting smoking. Now I can hardly tolerate the strong flavors of cigarettes like Zhonghua, Soft Cloud, and Jiaozi, while I can still barely tolerate the lighter flavors like Zhongnanhai, Hongshuangxi, and Marlboro, but over time I still can't stand them. So, if you ask me to smoke traditional cigarettes again, it would be quite difficult. E-cigarettes also contain nicotine and tar, but the content is 80%-90% lower (I specifically researched this; I am an IT guy who likes to study things that interest me). Therefore, e-cigarettes are definitely not healthy; they are just relatively healthier than traditional cigarettes. I have a significant nicotine addiction, and I used to smoke a pack a day, always needing to charge my e-cigarette. Over time, I gradually reduced my consumption to about a pack and a half a day. I feel that this can satisfy my cravings while gradually reducing my addiction.
4. Regarding the vape pen and pods, I initially didn't believe that these could help with quitting smoking (I had previously tried quitting purely through willpower and failed, so I really admire those who can quit through willpower!). I researched for a long time, fearing that I would waste money on something that wouldn't last (I was poor back then, and IQOS was still quite expensive, around 1000 yuan). I bought a so-called "Firearm GS5.0" (available on Taobao for around 500 yuan) and started with Bailemen, then Marlboro, HEETS, yogurt lemon flavor, and various other pods available on the market. I suggest starting with nut flavors, as I believe they are the closest to traditional cigarette flavors. Later, I mixed in Marlboro light menthol and HEETS strong menthol, and eventually, I mainly vaped Marlboro light menthol or HEETS strong menthol. I believe this process is the easiest and most satisfying. I don't recommend fruity flavors for men; they are more suitable for women. Later, I bought a white version of IQOS (the cheapest one, around 750 yuan). To be honest, the "Firearm GS5.0" is easier to clean and heats more effectively, allowing for about 6 puffs per charge, but it feels a bit rough (probably a product from a small factory in Shenzhen). IQOS, on the other hand, is more troublesome to clean, and the cotton swabs can't break, and the heating element is prone to breaking or malfunctioning. Charging is also inconvenient, as you have to charge after every puff. So, in summary, if you have money and don't mind the hassle, use IQOS; if you don't mind using a product from a small factory and have limited financial resources, choose the "Firearm GS5.0". But personally, I suggest starting with the "Firearm GS5.0" paired with nut-flavored pods, as it is economical and allows you to quit traditional cigarettes faster! (This is purely based on my personal experimental results; please don't criticize me!)

5. This is purely a casual discussion and my personal opinion; please don't criticize me. Just a suggestion: e-cigarettes are not cheap, and they are more suitable for smokers who usually smoke 25 or more cigarettes a day or those with a certain economic capacity. For example, if you usually smoke less than 25 cigarettes, consider your financial situation; otherwise, you might end up questioning your life. Recently, pod prices have been rising (reportedly due to strict customs checks), and the most crucial thing about e-cigarettes is the pods (after one or two months, cravings will lessen). The channels for obtaining them are decreasing, and the quantity is also decreasing, so prices will continue to rise. Therefore, it's best to think carefully before switching to e-cigarettes, and never think about relapsing; the more times you relapse, the lower your chances of quitting.
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As someone who has quit smoking, let me say a few words:

To quit smoking, you must first overcome the psychological addiction. If you can't make up your mind and recognize the harm of smoking, even if you quit, you will relapse. I previously quit for over three months but still relapsed. In fact, after not smoking for so long, when you smoke again, you will find the smell of cigarettes quite unpleasant and bitter. However, if you don't recognize the harm caused by cigarettes or believe that smoking brings you joy, and you persist in smoking one or two, your cravings will return, making it even harder to quit.

This article is based on my real experiences, written to help more people find their way to quitting smoking! I am still conflicted inside; as more people quit smoking, the price of pods will likely rise even faster!