I started smoking when i was 16 and did so off and on until I was 18 (i am 24 now), at which point i became a heavy smoker. I enjoyed it but didn’t like the way it made me smell (I run a catering company so not good for business), how it reduced my sense of taste, and what it was doing to my lungs. A year and a half ago (December of 2011) i tried electronic cigarettes and decided they where a great alternative. it took me about 2 weeks to switch over and i immediately noticed changes with my sense of taste and smell. the next few weeks where a little hard on me but i kept going on it. I didnt really realize i was fully off traditional smoking until one day about 3 weeks after fully quitting my brother offered me a cigarette, I remember looking at it and realizing it didn’t even want it. this was amazing to me, I never thought it could happen. so now i tell everyone i can about electronic cigarettes, because they really saved me. my lunges have taken quite a while to heal still, but they are almost back to normal. i can breath easily and not wake up every morning in pain. one of the greatest benefits that i tell people all the time is being able to have it where ever i want (and of course i dont have electronic cigarettes around kids and places people eat etc. that would be just rude and insensitive).