My name is Simon Pakala. I am a 54 year old male from New Jersey USA. I have been smoking off and on since 1972. Started when I was in the 8th grade. Thought it was cool and would help me to fit in. Cigarettes were 50 cents a pack in those days. Smoking was widely accepted wherever you went. Hospitals, airports, office buildings and restaraunts and bars all allowed it. Despite the fact warning labels had been put on the sides of packs since 1968 it was still widely accepted. On a quick side note my father was a 3 pack a day smoker for years and quit cold turkey in 1968 when the warning labels were first introduced. He is now approaching 90 years old next month. That aside, I have tried to quit many times and failed for one reason or another. Stress, failed relationships or just plain hooked on whatever else is put in cigarettes. Fast forward to 1995 when my doctor told me if I did not quit drinking my chances of remaining alive were becoming very slim due to my abuse of alcohol and other illegal substances. My health was rapidly deteriorating at the age of 36. This is where the real story begins. Following a stint in a rehabilitation center, where of course the patients were allowed to smoke in a designated area, I have been alcohol and drug free for the last 18 and a half years, dedicating my time to serve others with the same issues. However smoking remained a constant for the most part. I have tried Chantix, Wellbutrin, Lozenges and gum to try to quit. I even participated in a study at a local University for a period of time and stayed smoke free for about 3 months. Every time I started again it was because I was triggered by one thing or another and started up again. Back in October of 2013 I was introduced to the idea of Electronic Cigarettes. I tinkered with the cigarette look a like types for a while, continuing to smoke tobacco. A few monthe later I upgraded to a pen type battery ecig purchasing liquid for the first time. 5 months later I am now down to a pack of leaf tobacco every 4 days or so compared to a pack a day. My goal is to be leaf free within the next month. In conclusion I can easily attest to the fact that it was easier to quit drinking and doing drugs than it was to quit smoking. I feel that Electronic cigarettes give me the chance I need to stay off tobacco for good. Given the choice of how much nicotine goes in the liquid is a plus for me too. I also happen to like different flavors that don