Electronic Cigarette Switch Part 2

A lot has changed since I wrote Part 1 on our electronic cigarette transition. We were using Cig2O kits and, at that time, loved them. They worked like a charm... for about two months. Our batteries started malfunctioning and would randomly stop working, even newer ones. On average, we ended up having to replace at least one battery a month, which isn't exactly cheap. The shop we purchased them in even eventually cut their starter kit prices by more than 50% because it was such a common problem. The worst part, however, was the falling quality of the cartomizers/filters. Starting out, one filter would last the length of one pack of normal cigarettes. We could each use one a day with no problem and with a pack of 3 costing around 6.75, it was still much cheaper than smoking. Then our filters started lasting half as long. Soon after that, we would get a few packs in a haul that didn't work at all. We were literally throwing a good chunk of money away on something that we got zero use from. We started out spending about $75 a month on filters. In the end, we were spending around $230 a month. That's only $60 less than we were spending on traditional cigarettes. I'd like to say it was isolated to the Cig2O brand, but I've heard from several people vaping various brands that this is an all too common issue with traditional e-cigarettes.

We've long been researching electronic cigarettes that you put oil into, even before we had trouble with the Cig2O brand. They finally became available in the same shop we typically go to and the sales clerk couldn't stop raving. She even pulled out her own to demonstrate for us. We bought two Green Leaf starter kits for $20 (this includes one battery, clearomizer, protective silicone tip, a hard case, and a USB charger) and a few 10mL bottles of oil to test out. We are now HOOKED.

Now, how does this work? Well, pretty much the exact way a regular e-cigarette works. I explained how those work in Part 1. It charges and functions the same. However, the parts are a little different. Instead of a cartomizer, you have a clearomizer/tank. A clearomizer is a clear tube with a mouth piece/drip tip you unscrew to squeeze in oil. The oil is the most interesting part in my opinion. In a cartomizer, the inside is essentially a piece of cotton soaked in juice, which turns into the vapor or "smoke" when heated. With this version, you're just using the juice. This means you get a LOT more value for your money and it lasts so, so much longer. A 10mL bottle for a former pack-a-day smoker like myself will easily last you about 4 days. The Green Leaf oil came to $3.99 per 10mL bottle. That's a dollar a day to "smoke", folks! I've shopped around and the prices are comparable, but you can find good deals by buying bulk. Another fantastic thing about these is the flavor selection. There really is no limit- red wine, Red Bull, tea, rum and cola, fennel, toffee! And you can mix them to create custom flavors. Personally, I can't handle the flavors and strictly stick to menthol but my husband is nursing a watermelon-tobacco mix currently. The sales woman told us her wife loves chocolate mint with cappuccino. Really, guys, sky is the limit here (and I'm seriously considering vaping my dessert from now on. No calories.) You can get these juices in a variety of nicotine strengths, as well. Another awesome feature is the power switch. You press a small button when you inhale to activate the heating element. You can also use this button to lock your cigarette so you don't accidentally press it in your pocket or purse.

My final opinion? This is it for me. While I'm sure you're all thinking, "That's what you said before!" there is a lot less room for faulty, low quality products with these. You can prove an oil has no flavor. You can't prove a cartomizer just had nothing in it or had dried out. So far, I've barely had to charge my battery. And it charges so quickly. The flavor is great and you get a ton of vapor. There is no nasty nearly-empty-cartomizer taste because you simply fill it up when the oil is low. I've been a "vaper" for 8 months now and it was by far and away the best decision I've ever made. I'm so thankful I found this product. It has literally changed my life. And the extra $150 (on TOP of the already saved $60) I'll be saving every month by switching from traditional e-cigarettes to this version, well, that's just icing on the cake.