After 35 years, I have quit.

I began smoking at age 14. I started trying to quit at 25. I am now 56. I tried gum, patches, snuff, various pills, cold turkey, and other methods. Nothing worked. In 2009, six years ago this May, I got my first ecig. I threw away my cigarettes the next day, and never bought another. Since then, I only accept a smoke socially, on the rare occasion I am surrounded by smokers (I call it ‘smoking in self defense’), but for all purposes of health and well-being I have quit. I started vaping 36% tobacco flavored nicotine liquid and over a number of months turned it down to where I am now, 3%. I almost immediately switched to a mild fruit flavor, which made the experience so much more pleasant than cigarettes that smoking began to disgust me, even in others. I am very careful to buy my liquid from reputable suppliers, always looking for those who test and disclose ingredients. My doctor, who has continually advised me to quit smoking, is very pleased, and encourages me to continue using the ecig. I can walk and exercise without running out of breath, even at 7000 feet. I don’t cough or wheeze any more and I almost never get sick. My home, car, and clothing smell good. I am happy that I can taste my food, and slightly less happy that I can smell all sorts of odors around me, of which I was previously unaware. My family is no longer exposed to my second-hand smoke. My non-smoking friends are thrilled, and welcome the tiny trace of fruit scent they can catch, occasionally and briefly, in the air around me. My smoking friends are dwindling: I can think offhand of eight people close to me who tried for years to quit smoking, and only succeeded when ecigs became available. I am sure that I have extended my life, but even more important, so grateful that its quality has improved in so many ways. All of this knowledge makes it frustrating and upsetting to hear the misinformation coming from the government and the media; my observations and experiences convince me thoroughly enough that I am willing to promise you that, when the results are in, they will show that ecigarettes extend and dramatically improve the lives of addicted smokers and those around them.