I began smoking at age 14. I continued to be a light smoker for the next 19 years. I tried several times to quit but often came back especially during times of stress. If I wanted to go out with friends I almost always ended up buying a pack of cigarettes. Last year I really started focusing on my health. I started running and working out. I found that cigarettes made these activities difficult. I was also going through some stress in my personal life. I tried e-cigarettes when I heard about them on the internet. I order a starter pack from a company, and really liked them. I felt that they were safer than conventional cigarettes and there were other noticeable benefits as well. For instance my clothes no longer stank, I regained my sense of smell and taste. I no longer get nasty sinus infections or earaches, as I often did while smoking. I’m now a runner, and I can tell you that I my lung function has drastically improved. No coughing after running or exertion. More importantly I find e-cigarettes are easier to put down. What I mean by this is that I don’t have to be a daily vaper, I use them during times of stress or leisure. Nicotine by itself does not seem to cause the same horrible cravings that cigarettes did or worse the withdrawal. When I do vape, I don’t feel sick about it the next day. I think that it’s imporant that e-cigarettes are allowed to develop as an industry. I don’t want to see them in the hands of big tobacco. Flavored e-cigarettes are great to get people away from analogues. I think it gives people a sense of control over their vaping. Small shops are a great way to educate people and to help them quit. I don’t think your average gas station attendant has any interest in helping people live better lives, but most shop owners do. I strongly oppose any FDA regulation that would limit or regulate the current e-cigarette market.