Proud to be a Quitter

I’m a 25 year-old female who began smoking menthol tobacco cigarettes in November of 2010. I started smoking to deal with the stress of being a single parent, part-time waitress, and full-time nursing student. After a few months, I became a pack-a-day smoker. I graduated nursing school in 2013 and interviewed for a registered nurse position at a local hospital. I was offered a position on the Pulmonary and Oncology floor. I was happy I’d be working with lung disease and cancer patients since my mother, a 30+ year smoker, had been diagnosed with lung cancer the previous year. I’d be able to help take better care of her and even visit her in her hospital room while on duty. June 23, 2013, three days after accepting my first real job, my mom passed away. As much as I wanted to quit smoking then, the stress was unbearable. I succumb to my habit to satiate my addiction. On July 31, 2014, I curiously entered a vape store. I didn’t have the intention of quitting smoking just yet, but I wanted to try something new. I walked out with a vape pen and a bottle of cappuccino flavored e-juice. Now, a little over a month later, I’m tobacco free. I’ve been using my vape pen daily and I’ve not experienced any ill effects. I plan on tapering down my nicotine level so that I can break the habit all together, eventually. Being able to quit using tobacco is a feat to which I don’t have words to describe. It’s better than a “good job.” It’s more like, “save-your-life-incredible.” I love not smelling like cigarette smoke. I love that my son no longer endures the harmful effects of my bad choices. I don’t feel the guilt of hypocrisy when teaching my patients about smoking cessation. I recently married, and I’m encouraging my new husband to quit smoking, too. This is life-changing, and I strongly encourage anyone and everyone who is struggling to quit smoking to give vaping a try. It worked for me. I’M PROUD TO BE A QUITTER!!