In 2006 when I was 18, I began smoking as something to do. My friends were doing it, and I was the odd man out. I didn’t decide to just start smoking, I had one every now and again but would only smoke with others were. I remember the first time I grabbed a smoke because I felt like I needed one. In 2008 I joined the military, and went through boot camp where smoking was prohibited. The day I got out of boot camp, I lit up a smoke and resumed my nasty tobacco habit. Smoking in the military was a popular thing to do. Everyone was doing it and going to the smoke pit to smoke and joke was an everyday occurrence that even non-smokers occasionally partook in. I was first exposed to electronic cigarettes in 2010 when I was going through a 6 month military training course. One of my classmates showed up at our smoke pit with a Blu electronic cigarette. My first impressions of the device were not got. It didn’t cut it and when I tried it, I threw the idea of electronic cigarettes out the window. I tried to quit on multiple occasions using multiple methods. I’ve tried cold turkey, patches, gum, and even when through 2 full courses of Chantix on two different occasions, which led to weird dreams, irrational feelings, and constant mood swings. Chantix worked, but only while I was taking it. Early 2012 my new wife was concerned with my smoking habits and the effect it would have on our lives. I always smelled of cigarettes, our porch was littered with cigarette butts, and I couldn’t run half a mile without coughing and gasping for air. My wife told me that she wouldn’t stay married to a smoker and cigarettes were slowly derailing my health and my marriage. By this time, I only knew two smokers who successfully quit using electronic cigarettes. A friend of mine who I only saw on occasion and my grandfather, who was a smoker his whole life. I didn’t see him much so I wasn’t exposed to electronic cigarettes by him but I knew that it worked for him by talking to him over the phone. One day, I went to my friend’s house and he showed me the electronic cigarette that he had. It was an eGo styled device that had a really good flavor. I tried it and enjoyed it, but was put off by spending $40 on one of my own. Fed up, my wife decided to go to our local mall and she bought me a Fifty-One Duo, which was an overpriced copycat of the Blu. I decided to start using it but was still smoking. It helped me cut back, but due to the effectiveness of the device, I was still smoking. In November of 2012 I visited a brick and mortar electronic cigarette store and decided to invest in a decent setup. I got an eGo style battery, a clearomizer, and a bottle of juice. After the first week I knew this was it. I had finally found a way to stop smoking. Since then, I have purchased multiple devices, tailoring my vaping experience to my personal preference. I have a device that I use at home that produces enormous clouds of vapor, but I also have a device that I use out and about that doesn’t. Since I switched over, I have had the occasional cigarette. I’m not proud of it but I am proud that I never finished one. I would take a few puffs, realize how unsatisfying it was, and grab my electronic cigarette. My health has improved across the board. I can breathe better and when I go for a run, my knees begin to hurt before my lungs do. I can taste and smell better, and no longer smell or taste like cigarettes. My productivity at work has also increased, as I can take as short or long of a smoke break I want. I started off at 24mg nicotine, and immediately switched to 18mg. After about a month of 18mg I switched to 12mg, and about a month ago I dropped down to 6mg. My grandfather made the switch 4 years ago, but unfortunately he was recently diagnosed with terminal lung cancer because he was a smoker his whole life. His doctors said that due to his decision to switch to electronic cigarettes, he prolonged his life by 2-3 years. I am lucky. I made the switch early and will live to see my health risks reduce to that of a non-smoker. In the year and a half of vaping, my disgusting habit of smoking has turned into an engaging hobby. I have involved myself in the vaping community and feel like I have a world wide support group. I have told my story to others and converted over 20 smokers whose lives have changed as greatly as mine from electronic cigarettes.