I am a 48 year old man who smoked 2 packs of cigarettes a day for 36 years. My mother and father were both smokers most of their lives. My father passed away from a heart attack at 79 year old and my mother passed at the age of 78 of heart disease. I believe that tobacco was always somehow in my genes. I have tried nicotine gum and Chantix to try to end my addiction but neither worked for me. I tried electronic cigarettes for the first time 10 months ago. I purchased them at a local convenience store. I liked this alternative but the cost was astronomical compared to regular cigarettes. After some online research, I tried my first mod (an electronic battery powered device which burns flavored nicotine liquid)which I built myself. In a very short time I noticed I could not smoke a regular cigarette. It tasted terrible. I now mix my own e-liquid and purchase batteries and supplies from online retailers. I am positive I would still be smoking cigarettes if not for e-cigarettes. I am not sure of the long lasting effects of smoking e-cigs but I am quite confident they are a better choice than tobacco.