I am a vaping success story. My name is C. Hickson. I am 57 years of age and have smoked, until July 8th of this year, since the age of 12. I have tried to quit smoking countless times, using patches, gum, prescription drugs, hypnotism and even self-imposed isolation for extended periods. I always came back to smoking… two packs of Camel non-filters a day. I recently went through a two year battle with colon cancer, and some very severe infections from surgical procedures and hospital stays. My health has been so damaged by cancer treatment that I HAD to quit smoking, or die within a year. On July 2nd I purchased a blu brand e-cigarette package and began vaping. The blu device, although not very satisfying, due to it’s limited performance vs. my needs, was an example of the potential of vaping… and served to point me towards improving my education and understanding. After several concentrated hours of research in the various electronic cigarette forums, ECF in particular, and other on-line resources, I had a far better understanding of how vaping works, how best to utilize the products available and most importantly, how vaping might allow me to quit smoking without the physical withdrawals, psychological stresses and general dissatisfaction associated with all the other smoking cessation products I’ve tried. I purchased products that both suited my budget and what I thought might provide me with a satisfying experience – a VV-VW mod, carto tank and an assortment of flavored, 24 and 36 mg/ml e-liquids… approximately the cost of one carton of Camel cigarettes. On July 8th, I received those products, and began vaping in earnest, that evening. Since that evening, I have had no desire to smoke and have not suffered any negative effects. My goal is to reduce the nicotine values of the e-liquid I use to zero, then, at some point I may also choose to reduce my use of vaping products to zero as well. I’m off to a good start already, having reduced the nicotine content from 36 to 24 and currently 18 mg/ml. I anticipate I’ll be using nicotine free liquids by the middle of 2014, if not sooner. To those with local, state and federal influence – please do not impede or restrict access to, or excessively tax, the vaping products necessary for (adult) individuals to finally (and for me, the easiest method I’ve ever utilized) stop the foul and harmful habit of smoking. Do continue to restrict access of vaping products to minors, using the same processes currently used for tobacco products. Vaping has proven to be the finest smoking cessation device I’ve used. To restrict or excessively tax vaping products would be no different than having a safe and low cost cure for cancer… then locking it away so that only criminals or the rich and influential might have access to it. Sincerely, C. Hickson Covington, WA.