I started smoking when I was 14 yrs old. I was a regular smoker by 15. I am 42 years old now and for the majority of the time between ages 15 and 41 I was a 3 pack a day smoker. I tried quitting before with patches and Nicotrol inhalers, but with no real success. Last august (8 months ago this week) I started using an electronic cigarette. Not one of the cheap cigarette looking devices found in gas stations, but a more advanced variable wattage device. I have not smoked since, and am sure I never will again as long as electronic cigarettes are available. The reason I am certain I will never smoke again is because I tried one a few weeks ago just as kind of an experiment. It tasted AWFUL. It was the same brand of cigarette I smoked 60 a day of 8 months ago. I had to put it out after 2 puffs. Electronic cigarettes do help people quit. I was the heaviest smoker I knew and no longer have any use for the things. I know I am still addicted to nicotine, but I feel 100% better. My lungs don’t hurt at the end of every day. I no longer have the nagging cough that became my trademark, and my migrane headaches have decreased in frequency from 3-4 a week to maybe 1 per month.