I started smoking at 15. At that time I would smoke whenever and wherever I could. When I moved out of my parents home, the amount I smoke increased and I one point in my early 20’s I was up to almost 3 packs per day. I was known in my social circles as The Smoker and often joked that they would have to pry the cigarettes out of my cold, dead hands. I did, however, try to quit multiple times over the years. Every time the price would go up on a pack, I would say, Well, that’s it, I’m done. I’ve learned that really price just alters what brand I smoke. I keep buying cheaper and cheaper brands. Since I now live in a state that taxes cigarettes greatly, I drive to a neighboring state where cigarettes are anywhere from 1-2 dollars cheaper per pack. In 2002, with the help of Wellbutrin and the Patch, I did finally manage to quit smoking. Looking back on that time, I don’t think I responded favorably to the Wellbutrin (it seemed to cause me to be short tempered, couldn’t sleep, etc…), but I do think it helped me quit smoking. Three years later, life became quite difficult for me and I found myself smoking once again. I have been unable to quit since then. Over the last 3 or 4 years, I have tried the Patch again. I have tried 12 step programs. I have called the Quit Line and gone through their counseling. I have tried quitting with a buddy. My youngest daughter keeps asking me why I won’t quit. She even participates in a Kids Smoking research program which makes her even MORE adamant that I quit. I know that Chantix is available, but I am afraid to try it because of the side effects. All methods have been unsuccessful, and in June I was smoking about 1.5 packs per day. A friend of mine, who’s parents both died in their 60’s of lung cancer, decided that she didn’t want her or her friends to die of cancer and we all went with her to a local Vape shop. There we tried different delivery devices and flavors. My boyfriend enjoys the more traditional tobacco flavors. I, myself, choose the dessert/fruit lines. I want to quit smoking and I don’t want anything remotely tasting like a cigarette. Frankly I think cigarettes taste horrible. Since beginning, I have gone from 18 to 12 mgs. In a few months, I am going to drop to 6 and hopefully a few months after that drop to 0. Let me reiterate…I WANT TO STOP SMOKING. My many attempts at quitting have left me feeling hopeless and like a failure. I HATE smoking! I hate the way it tastes, I hate the way it smells. I hate the way it leaves me winded just walking up a flight of stairs. About two years ago, I decided to lose weight. I was 354 lbs (and smoked). I started going to the gym and have lost over 120 lbs. I try to live a healthier lifestyle all around and want to go hiking and biking and etc. Yet, every time I would go hiking, everyone had to wait for me to catch my breath. About 6 months ago, I plateaued at the gym with both cardio and weights. I couldn’t figure out why. When I started vaping in June, I began slowly weening off the cigarettes. I cannot express the difference I have seen at the gym. It is amazing. My clothes and hair no longer stink. I CAN BREATHE!! For the most part, I enjoy vaping over smoking. Is it something I want to do for the rest of my life? Absolutely not. I hated being dependent upon cigarettes and I don’t want to be dependent upon vaping either. It’s a pain to keep charging the battery or ordering juices and trying to find some that I like enough to vape all day. I do not in any way think that vaping is without it’s risks. It does irritate my throat and I would like to see long-term studies done on its effects on the teeth, gums and throat. I would like to see long-term studies on its effects on lungs. I do fervently believe that it is VASTLY healthier for me than smoking cigarettes.