ITC, USNR (retired)

I started smoking when I was 18 after enlisting in the Navy. I’m not really sure why, but it was stupidest thing I ever did. That was 28 years ago. And I continued to smoke up until ~7 months ago, averaging something like 15 cigs a day. Sometimes more, sometimes less. A couple years ago, I started seeing coworkers with e-cigs (cig-a-likes). After some time, I decided to give them a try. I tried GreenSmoke, Blu, and V2EX. Each was better than it’s predecessor, but they just weren’t getting it done. I continued to smoke. In March of this year, I finally got up the nerve to try vaping in earnest. I purchased an eGo-style kit from an online vendor and a Kanger EMOW kit from a local vape shop prior to going on vacation over Spring Break. I instantly dropped down to less than 5 cigs a day. I quickly determined that I needed something more and upgraded to an EMOW Mega, then to an Aspire Nautilus mini with eLeaf iStick 30W. At that point, the vaping experience I was getting was enough for me to say goodbye to smoking forever. I had my last cigarette on May 11, 2015. I started off at 1.2% nicotine e-juice back in March and was still vaping 1.2% in May when I quit smoking. Less than 6 months later, I dropped down to .3%. I’m happy there for the time being, but I’ll probably drop down to zero eventually. I’m happy, and I can’t imagine ever smoking again. I accept that vaping is all about harm reduction, not necessarily elimination. But, I’ll take 99% harm reduction over nothing at all. Wouldn’t you? I breathe easier. I have more energy. My senses of smell and taste get better every day. I’m happier and healthier than I’ve been in such a very long time. I’m 46 years old, and my go-to flavors are candies, fruit, and desserts.