I initially used clove cigarettes for several years on and off. This started when I was about 22 years old. At the height I would probably go through a pack and a half of Djarum Specials or something similar if they were out. The ban in late 2000’s made those difficult to get but still bought them at tobacco shops. I never thought I was addicted to nicotine but the reduction of these clove cigarettes increased my desire to smoke regular cigarettes on a regular basis. I would say I always smoked when drinking or hanging out with other smokers. I also smoked more when work was stressful. I never thought I would become a regular smoker as smoking Djarum cloves periodically was thought to be harmless as it relates to nicotine addiction. At my height of smoking up until I turned 39 years old, I was up to a pack every two days when work was the most stressful. I tried my first e-cig about 2 and a half years ago when I saw a disposable in a gas station. I was fond of the idea and it was OK. I still wanted to smoke and the disposables always ran out and were expensive. I would end up smoking again. I started research about a year ago for better alternatives and mostly trying disposables of different brands. Most were garbage especially any brand available at the gas station. I was still smoking much more than I wanted because I gave up on disposables. It wasn’t until I turned 39 about 6 months ago that I decided to get serious. I started researching forums with no biases and filled with regular e-smokers who want to help. After reading many threads, I was still not ready to plop down money through the internet. I went to a local smoke shop and the first one wanted to sell me their rebranded system. I bought a disposable of that and didn’t like it. I wanted to find something that was compatible and no proprietary vendor lock-in. Especially because I’m frequently in different places and want the convenience. I went to an independent tobacco shop and he set me in the right direction which I’m very thankful for. I bought a rechargable ecig2go kit and was the most satisfied of any other ecig type. He also said the battery is generic and he also had generic cartridges as well. I became a big fan however discovered tobacco shops in other cities did not have cartridges for the generic battery. Only their own systems. I was frustrated and don’t understand why everything is so confusing and proprietary. I recently decided to find a brand that is recommended through a national pharmacy chain so I always have options. I now use 21st Century Smoke bought from Rite Ade. This has been going very well. I like the ecig2go cartridges better and still use it periodically. The convenience of Rite Ade and 21st Century is overall a better combination. I have so many empty cartridges now, so I’m planning to buy my first e-juice to recycle them. Overall, I’m very happy and pleased I found e-cigs. I still smoke occasionally when drinking or hanging with other smokers, but not often. I am very concerned the lobbying and tobacco industry will make it difficult for us to find product, but not impossible. I don’t necessarily want to purchase e-cig products over-seas because of unknown quality control. If it comes to that, I would still deeply research over seas companies and reviews of those companies who may have strict quality control measures. I would hope the over seas companies will focus on quality control and health. I couldn’t buy a generic brand from China or else-ware because of the unknown chemicals. I’m grateful there is such a strong community here. I really hope that the lobbyists, government politicians, and federal regulators will realize many e-cig smokers will return to combustible tobacco with increased health risks. I understand vaping may not contain vitamins and minerals or replace a daily serving of vegetables, but still it must be better than carcinogens, tar and other unknown chemical smoke filling peoples’ lungs. Thank you.