I started smoking at the age of 16, and was soon up to a pack and a half per day, sometimes more. I never had any real intention of quitting smoking, although I could tell that cigarettes were taking their toll on my health and quality of life. I had a severe morning cough, I was easily winded while hiking, and I could feel (and hear) a gurgling in my lungs. In mid July of 2010 a friend convinced me to try e-cigarettes. I went into it with little hope of quitting smoking. I assumed it would be something fun to play around with, and if it caused me to smoke even a little less, then great! I have tried to smoke a cigarette only once since then. I say tried because it tasted so horrible that I could not finish it. E-cigarettes have completely replaced my smoking habit. Admittedly, I have traded one vice for another, however since moving over to the e-cigarettes, my lung capacity has returned. I have NO morning cough, at all. My sense of taste and smell have returned. I just feel better in general. I can honestly say that I believe electronic cigarettes have saved my life.