I smoked from about the age of 20 to 56. I tried patches about 20 years ago and didn’t smoke for about 4 weeks. I didn’t like them for lots of reasons. I still wanted nicotine but not like that. I wanted a nicotine hit now and then not a continuous dose. I didn’t then nor do I now want to quit nicotine. I used gum a few times. For me it was better than patches since I could use it when I wanted and delivered a slight but slow hit. But it gave me a sore mouth and throat and to get a hit I would have to chew at a rate or use a strength of gum that would cause a mild overdose and nausea. I’ve been using ecigs for five months and haven’t bought tobacco in that time. Even having experimented with different mixtures and equipment I’ve spent less than a quarter of the amount I spent on tobacco the previous 5 months. I will likely spend nothing on vaping for the next several months. My hands are clean and teeth becoming so. The smell in my apartment is about as imposing as the smell of shampoo or dishwashing detergent. I have no headache or sore mouth. My ability to ride, run and lift weights has improved and continues to. I have no reason at all to think that any of the few substances present in my vapors pose any risk whatsoever.