I had smoked for around 35 years when I first heard about ecigs. I ordered one, a small cig like device, and found it completely useless – delivering little nicotine and running out of charge very quickly. A couple of years later I read a big feature in the Raconteur section of the London Times and decided to give it one last go, this time buying a larger device with refillable cartridges. My original intention was to use it to cut costs, reduce risk and not have to go outside to smoke at work. I didn’t anticipate being able to substitute every one of my tobacco cigarettes. After a couple of puffs, I knew it was a vast improvement on the earlier device. For a while I also smoked tobacco, out of habit I think, but gradually realised I wasn’t enjoying the tobacco any more than the ecig. On holidays I smoke tobacco, as a reminder of happy times spent in bars years ago, but when at home, there will be tobacco in the fridge I haven’t touched for weeks. I now spend about ?œ5 a week in total on liquid and equipment. I mix my own 24mg cherry liquid using 54mg nicotine solution. I’ve saved a lot of money and my stamina is better. I think this is more the lack of carbon monoxide in my blood than anything to do with my lungs. I still haven’t been in a UK pub since the start of the 2007 smoking ban – I’ll always associate pubs and happpy times with smoking. I prefer the smell of smoke to the smell of pub meals and the sound of children. I’ve not grown to dislike smoking and don’t find the smell disgusting. Smoking is great. Such a shame it’s dangerous. I might take it up again one day. I might have to if the EU eventually bans ecigs. The ENVI committee took the first step yesterday.